Chapter 15

(Juicy Pineapple)

The chime sounded as Yusuke stepped in the Dragon's Den Bar. He felt a little self conscious as he walked in like he owned the place, but he was on a mission and now was not the time to lose his courage. Pausing to let his eyes adjust to the dim lighting and to run a hand through his recently cut hair. He felt the new stiff white dress shirt, already damp from sweat, scratched his skin as he rubbed sweaty hands on faded jeans. Taking a deep breath, his eyes landed on the figure behind the bar and he watched a black eyebrow rise over a crimson eye. The bartender returned his stare for a second or two and then with a slight angled nod, motioned to the end of the room.

Returning a nod of his own, the raven hair looked to see Shuiichi standing at the last table, his shoulders slightly moving up and down as he appeared to be chuckling softly, there must be someone sitting at the table.

'He cut his hair?' Yusuke thought, closing his mouth after he realized it was opened in utter surprise and wondered what made him do it. Obviously Hiei had failed to mention 'that' little detail. He just stood there taking in the lean figure, noting that he also appeared to have lost some weight, but other than that, he appeared fine. However, emotionally was a completely different subject.

He watched as the red head moved his hand when the person at the table tried to hold it. The red head's figure was blocking his view so he was unable to see who that person was. With the desire to flee the bar growing to an almost unbearable level, he got the courage to walk across it, letting the anger at the nerve of such a person trying to hold the red head's hand without his consent, motivate him. Every eye in the room, for some reason, decided to watch him walk across, making him self-conscious.

Hiei was one of the ones to watch the raven haired walk across the room, three days, it took him three days to finally come, but seeing the way he looked, the bartender thought. 'He cleans up well.'

Shuiichi didn't see the figure behind him approach, but the person sitting did. A look of surprise, confusion and then pure rage played across their face in a matter of seconds as Yusuke appeared behind the red head. These facial features didn't go unnoticed by the figure standing and he spun just as the raven haired got within arms reach.

Shock, followed by fear, flashed across green eyes. "Yusuke…umm." Shuiichi tried to say something, but Yusuke had grabbed him by the back of the neck and pulled him towards him so he could plant a kiss fully on the mouth.

The red head's arms came up to try and push the raven haired away, but when he realized he wasn't going to be let go, he gave up and melted into the kiss. After what felt like an eternity and the few patrons hooting, hollering and calling cat whistles, Yusuke broke the kiss, but kept his hold.

Panting, he said. "Call me crazy, but…I don't care what you did. I don't even care about the sex…I just wanna reach to the real you inside."

"Yusuke." The red head said softly, tears starting to form.

"Koenma." He said with a nod, addressing the figure sitting at the table. Addressing the red head again, he smirked. "Come on…let's blow this two bit bar." He then turned and started walking back across the room towards the door.

The red head watched him walk away with a bit of surprise, but mostly confusion evident in his features. Feeling a hand take his, he looked down at it.

"You can still accept my offer." He heard.

Shuiichi looked back and forth between the figure and the hand. Surprise, again, set in as he watched the raven haired stop at the door then turn to look him dead in the face. "Shuiichi, it's time to go." Yusuke said before turning and walking out, the chime sounding loudly as the half dozen patrons in the room looked back to him.

A sly smile played across the red head's lips as he squeezed the hand holding his and muttered. "I like your offer."

a)a)a)a

(Smooth Key lime)

Yusuke keyed into his apartment and as the door closed, he leaned his back against it with a heavy sigh. "Damn, I hate this." He said softly. "Keiko knows I hate crowds." He just got back from attending a two hour pre-release book signing and now that he was home, his pent up nerves started relaxing, making him exhausted. He knew the publicist was just trying to promote sales, for the book was not schedule to be released until next week, but she had talked him into doing an autograph signing with a limited edition hardcover pre-release. He had to admit, with the press there covering it, he did well, his hand was still cramping up from writing his name so many times.

Taking off his dress coat, he headed to the kitchen, throwing the coat across the back of a chair as he passed. Opening the refrigerator to get a beer in hopes of calming his nerves, he didn't see one and found himself leaning in, digging around in desperation of finding one hidden somewhere in the depths of leftovers.

"What…I'm out of beer." He said to the empty kitchen. Walking out of the kitchen to the living room, he added. "Looks like a visit to the Dragon's Den's in order."

The figure sitting on the couch looked up from the laptop on his lap.

"Oh Yusuke, I was just there last night." The red head said, putting the laptop on the coffee table before standing.

"Sorry, but I need a beer. Keiko got my nerves on edge and I need to calm down." He replied.

"I take it, it went well." Shuiichi said, coming over and wrapping his arms around the raven haired's waist.

"Yeah, yeah it did, she said the book might even make it on the New York Time's top ten bestsellers list." He said, returning the gesture, but placed his hands in the back pants pockets, giving the firm rear a squeeze.

His book, even though a fiction one, ended up covering the life of the former master. He wrote about her childhood, moving on to how she got into the martial arts, the students she taught and encouraged, and lastly her unfortunate death, which he did write as an accident. He left Karasu, Bui and the former DA out and he changed the names of the students he used as part of the story. The book turned out to be a dedication to her life and people seemed to like it, especially when he said a portion of the sells were going to the temple's scholarship fund for the martial arts. Yukina, the curator of the temple, even said she would sell copies of the book in the temple's gift shop and he couldn't have been happier.

The only thing he hated was the publicity needed to promote the book, the press, book signings and talk shows were driving him crazy, but he needed to do it.

"I'm sorry I couldn't be there, but the paper was due and I needed to finish it and get it posted." Shuiichi said pulling the collar of the raven haired's dress shirt aside so he could nibble on a shoulder.

"I…..kn…ow." Yusuke breath hitched at the feeling.

The only thing that had kept the raven haired from losing it at all these functions had been the red head at his side. When he had walked out of the bar that day, he really didn't know if the red head was going to follow him or not, but right when he was about to think he wasn't coming, the red head walked out and grabbed his hand. They walked away and that, you could say, was that. The red head moved in the next day.

Now, eight months later, they were still taking it one day at a time and in that time so much had changed in both their lives.

One of the girls working for Hiei had to quit, so Shuiichi began filling in and the black haired started paying him as an employee. This worked out well for the red head when he started taking online college courses, studying the criminal justice system until he made up his mind about what part of the field he really wanted to pursue. Yusuke obviously finished his book, attended meetings on the cover design, the print details and even saw a photographer to have his picture taken for the back inside jacket flap. (The flap also contains a small bio on the author.)

Shuiichi's mother had been released from the hospital about a month ago. During her last month in the hospital, she befriended another patient and they decided to share an efficiency apartment together to split expenses. And most of all, Shori was able to get on government assistance, so she was doing well and her health had greatly improved.

Shuiichi never talked about Karasu's possible involvement in keeping Shori sick and Yusuke never brought it up. Nothing about the red head's life the past ten years has yet to be mentioned, but the raven haired knew it was a ticking time bomb waiting to explode. He would study the red head and see that he was about to break down, though he hasn't yet, there were the nightmares that woke both of them up nightly.

"You know, I have another way to calm your nerves." Shuiichi said, pulling back to unbutton the raven haired's shirt and pushing it over the muscular pale shoulders.

"You do huh." Yusuke muttered, leaning his head back as he was kissed from his chin down to his Adam's apple.

"Uh huh." The red head said, moving to lick and nip a nipple.

Yusuke grabbed Shuiichi by the hair, gently pulling him so they faced each other. The red hair was now about shoulder length and it seemed Shuiichi was letting it get long again, which didn't bother the raven haired either way, whatever made the red head happy, made him happy.

"Are you sure?" He asked, looking into green eyes for any signs of possible regret.

The red head nodded, they had only had sex a couple of times and Yusuke couldn't help but be concerned, not wanting to push. He tried not to pressure and felt guilty when the red head allowed himself to be taken. Only when Shuiichi tried to initiate the sex did they end up stopping for some reason or another.

Yusuke gave a firm nod and kissed the red head, pushing his tongue in when the pale lips parted to allow him access. He'd been learning a lot about same sex relationships, by looking things up on the internet. Shuiichi didn't know about it and it wasn't like he was ashamed to admit he didn't know, it was just 'he' wanted to understand the red head. He had learned terms like 'uke' and 'seme' and the roles they played in a male/male relationship. The red head seemed to want to play more of an uke role, so he tried to be seme and he had to admit, he was starting to like it.

(Tart Lemon)

Yusuke began pulling the t-shirt out from the tight blue jeans the red head was wearing, managing to get it over his head when lean arms rose to let him. They had broke apart long enough to get the shirt off and started kissing again as the red head worked on the raven haired's jeans. When the material was pushed to his thighs, Shuiichi stopped and asked.

"Would you like to go to the bedroom?"

Yusuke thought for a moment, but then remembered that the seme usually made the decisions, so he said. "No…I want to take you here."

Green eyes sparkled at the thought and the red head got on his knees, pushing pants and underwear down to pale ankles as he went.

The raven haired giggled as he was kissed and nipped on his inner thighs. He was so ticklish there, maybe ticklish wasn't the right term, it was more like a twitching sensation he felt when he was touch there.

Just when he was about to tell the red head enough with the tickling, a hand grabbed red hair as his member was taken in a hot mouth. At first, when Shuiichi had wanted to please him, he would feel guilt and thought he was using the red head, but again, the website he found made him understand that this was how an uke acted, wanting to please their seme partner. Knowing the red head was his, at least for the time being, for neither one talked much about the future, his guilt and worry began to fade with each passing day.

"Enough." He breathed, pushing the red head off his now throbbing member.

Shuiichi helped him step out of his pants before standing up and wrapping his arms around his neck, pulling him into a kiss so he could taste himself on the pale lips of the red head.

Breaking apart, Yusuke pulled on the jeans the red head was still wearing. "These need to go." He said with a slight tug on the waistband.

"As you wish." The red head said and proceeded to unbutton the denim slowly, teasing the raven haired as he wiggled his hips while pushing the fabric down inch by 'oh the agony' inch.

Yusuke couldn't help but stare and lick his lips at the sight before him. He never thought he would be attracted to someone of the same sex, but he found himself enjoying the lean, toned, red head. Finding his body fascinating as he explored every inch of the pale flesh and learning what he liked and disliked when it came to pleasures.

In the beginning, he tried to please Shuiichi first, but learned the red head responded better if he was allowed to please him. Again it came down to the red head playing uke to him. It was kind of a stupid to look at their relationship that way, but it was the only thing that made sense to the author.

When the pants were kicked to the side, Yusuke closed the distance between them and started kissing again. He used his hands to touch the red head all over, pinching nipples and squeezing butt cheeks before pulling their hips together, letting their exposed erections rub against each other.

Pushing back, Shuiichi asked. "Would you…like me to prepare myself?" He was out of breath, panting lightly.

Yusuke had found that part a little strange and the red head had supposedly prepared himself the couple of times he had taken him. Deciding that needed to change, he said. "Will you teach me?"

Again, the answer was. "As you wish." The red head gave him a quick kissed before grabbing his hand and leading them to the bedroom.

"Why did we come in here?" The raven haired asked as his hand was let go and the red head opened the nightstand drawer.

"I got us some lube. It will make it easier for you." The red head said, opening the package.

"Was I hurting you before?" Yusuke asked with concern, realizing Shuiichi had not used any before.

"No, you weren't." He said with a shake of his head. "But this will help you." The red head showed him the tube. "Do you want to go back to the living room?" He asked.

Shaking his head 'no', Yusuke pushed the red head on the bed, straddling his hips. He explored the squirming body beneath him with his mouth and hands. "Tell me what to do." He finally breathed.

Shuiichi leaned up to whisper in his ear and chocolate eyes widen as he listened. "Are you sure?" He said when the red head pulled back.

"Yes, are you…uncomfortable with that?" Shuiichi asked, seeing slight disgust cross his partner's face.

"No, give it here." Yusuke said, reaching for the tube. Placing some on his fingers, he sat up and watched as red head spread his legs. Desire and lust filled the green eyes as he then lifted his hips to allow access.

'Gods, this was my dream, the legs spreading in wanton.' Yusuke thought, snapping out of it as a hand covered his, the one with the gel on it, and guided it between the red head's spread legs.

"Place one finger slowly." He heard softly. Doing what he was told, he looked up as the red head gasped. Thinking he had hurt him, the raven haired went to pull his finger out, but was stopped as the hand covered his again.

"Its okay, add another one and do a scissor motion." He heard.

Again, doing what he was told, he placed a second finger, hearing a moan as the red head arched his back then pressed down on his fingers. He moved his fingers as told and his erection pulsed at the sight of the figure under him. All he wanted to do was replace his fingers with his cock and feel that tightness wrapped around it. Keeping his eyes on the red head's face, he watched for any signs that he was hurting him. Green eyes half opened and brown eyes could see they were glazed over with lust and desire. The red head was also biting his lower lip, trying to control any noises. When he received a nod, he removed his fingers and heard a whimper, making him pause, but the red head wrapped his legs around his waist, urging him to continue.

Still watching for any signs he was going to hurt the figure under him, Yusuke stroked the rest of the gel on his erection and then sheathed himself with a moan and gasp as the tight passage incased him. The red head was right, the gel made it easier and he had a moment of regret, thinking he had hurt the man those other times. God knows the red head had been hurt by enough people and he didn't want to be one of them. Pausing, he forced himself to give the red head time to adjust and when Shuiichi thrust his hips up, he sat a pace, pounding into the red head faster as they both cried out in pleasure.

Shuiichi went to reach for his own throbbing erection, but opened his eyes in shock as his hand was slapped away. "I'll…take care of that." He heard and then a hand wrapped around his cock, setting a pace in time to the thrusts.

"Uh…yes….har…der." The red head gasped, placing his hands on the raven haired's shoulders and using them to pull him self up so he could kiss the now sweating, panting lips of his partner's.

In a matter of moments, they reached their peaks. Time stood still until Yusuke collapsed on the bed in exhaustion.

"Damn, now I'm even more tired." Yusuke chuckled, placing an arm across his forehead.

"But you are relaxed, yes." Shuiichi mused, rolling over on his side, snuggling into the sweating figure and tracing lazy patterns on his chest.

"You could say that." He said. Taking the hand and bringing it to his lips, giving it a kiss.

They laid there in silence.

Shuiichi finally looked up at to see Yusuke looking at the ceiling. "What are you thinking about?" He asked.

"What…oh…nothing really." Yusuke said, giving the red head a firm hug.

Shuiichi lowered his head, not wanting to push.

Yusuke took a deep breath. "I've been thinking about my life and what alls happened this past year." He said, subconsciously running his fingers over the red head's shoulder and back as he held him.

"And?" Shuiichi asked looking up, trying to read the man's face.

Yusuke shrugged, saying. "I'm happy…surprisingly happy…I can't explain why, even I don't understand it, but I 'do know'…you're one of the reasons and it's not just because of the great sex." He eyes narrowed in serious thought.

"But…you are happy?" Shuiichi asked, rolling on top of him and straddling his hips.

Looking him right in the eyes, Yusuke said. "Yes…yes, I'm happy."

The red head nodded, placing his head on the still sweaty chest.

Yusuke moved the arm that was resting on his forehead and began playing with the red locks, twirling the hair between his fingers. 'So soft.' He thought then asked. "What about you?"

When he didn't get an answer, he pulled on the red hair, making the head laying on him look up. He was surprised to see tears in the green eyes that only a moment ago were filled with lust.

"What's wrong?" He whispered.

"After all these years, I didn't think anyone could be happy with me outside of…" Shuiichi shrugged, laying his head back down.

"It's true." Yusuke said, wrapping both arms around the red head, holding him firmly. After a moment, he placed a hand on either side of the teary face, making eye contact. "That's because they didn't care to know you, I don't know much yet myself, but I'm pretty sure I know more than they think they do. They don't know how intelligent you are or how much you care for the few people you do know." He paused, feeling the lean figure tremble. "You know you're safe here, right…and you know I would never let anything happen to you."

Shuiichi tried to nod, but then whispered. "Yes." Closing his eyes as the tears continued to fall. "Thank you." He added.

"Come here." Yusuke said and pulled the red head down, holding him as he cried. He couldn't seem to stop when he found himself kissing the red head and the red head responded back.

Before he realized it, the raven haired found himself sporting another erection and felt Shuiichi lowing himself on him, taking them into bliss again.

(Sour apple)

Outside, in a dense patch of trees, a pair of beady eyes watched the apartment. Now that he knew where the red head was staying, he could plan his move to eliminate him and if needed, the other one as well. Watching for a few more minutes, the figure went to leave, but when he turned, he found himself staring at Kuwabara, who was eating a candy bar.

The orange haired was chewing on a bite as he said. "You know." (munch/munch/swallow) "If you would have just read the book…you could have saved yourself a lot of trouble." He finished, tearing off more wrapper to take another bite.

The figure raised an eyebrow. "How…?" The man proceeded to back up, only to have a couple of uniform officers step out of the bushes with their guns pointed.

"I knew you'd lay low, waiting to see if the book would be written and when it was, you'd worry that you were mentioned as the killer, but like I said. You should have read the book. Maybe you can get a copy in the prison library." Kuwabara smirked, motioning to the officers to move in on the former bodyguard and they arrested him without incident. When the fugitive was led away to a nearby cruiser, Kuwabara stayed behind to finish his candy bar. Crumbling up the wrapper, he looked to his friend's apartment. He'd heard Shuiichi had moved in with Yusuke and even knew they had started a relationship. What more was there to say, they seemed happy, so it was nobody's business but theirs.

An officer reappeared. "Sir, that was a good call, what made you think Bui would come to this apartment complex and to this particular building?"

Kuwabara turned, walking back towards the cars. "All part of being a detective." He said.

End Chapter 15

The End

This story was inspired by……

Like to get to know you well: By Howard Jones

Like to get to know you well

So we can be one

Together we can cast away the fear

Together we can wipe away the tear

Together we can strip down the barriers and be one

Don't wanna talk about the weather

Don't wanna talk about the news

Just wanna get to the real you inside

Don't you think now is the time

We should be feelin'

Just wanna simply say

Won't let you slip away

People wanna talk about the future

Don't wanna linger on the past

Just wanna reach to the real you inside

Forget cold glances and rejections

Leave the things that separate

Build on a trust that we can stand on

Finding all are insecure

Opening the same door

Leaving out a stubborn pride

Seeing from another side