http://clampfix.fanworks.net/smut/danceunder2.txt </head><body><pre>Aishuu and Xandra jointly present Dance Under a Dark Moon, a Tokyo Babylon/X:1999 fic. Summary: It's Subaru's birthday and he gets an unusual gift from Seishirou. This is a sensual exploration of the differences in the relationship between Seishirou/Subaru in Tokyo Babylon and X. Disclaimer: Seishirou and Subaru are the wonderful creations of CLAMP, and are property of them; I (Xandra that is) don't think we could have tortured them any more than those four women have, but Aishuu is willing to give it a try. The plot of this story is created by Aishuu and Xandra and is not to be distributed without permission. Rating: It's NC-17 for this second chapter: so expect a lemon and yaoi, which is m/m sex. If you are anywhere under the legal age of consent, please exercise some judgement and don't read this if it will offend your guardians. Count yourself sufficiently warned. Spoilers: Tokyo Babylon's ending, and how Subaru is in X:1999, but nothing specific. The scenes in this story were entirely made up. Chapter 2 Subaru had been caught up in the memories of that evening so many years gone, and lost track of the moments that had passed as he relived that night. That night had been one of the most tormenting of the memories he had - Seishirou as the gentle and mysterious vet, and the memory of his first kiss. "I remember..." Subaru whispered, frozen to his spot. "I kept my promise," Seishirou said, moving closer to his prey. "It's a full moon tonight, and we can dance together again..." "You always keep your promises," the white onmyouji said, unwilling to hide his bitterness. At an invisible signal, the ghostly orchestra in the ballroom began to strike up a melody, renewing their concert. Listening to it, Subaru realized the tune was an echo of the one that they had danced to all those years ago. Subaru was impressed by Seishirou's memory. "So you remember," Seishirou said. "That's good." Suddenly Subaru looked down at himself and saw his clothes had transformed as well. Instead of the casual shirt and pants that he had thrown on, he was now outfitted in a shirt of green silk, in the shade of emerald that he recollected Hokuto was so fond of. A jacket and form-fitting pants and gloves had also joined his regalia, along with a beret. It was exactly the same attire that he had worn during their last dance. The only difference this time round was the color of his jacket - which gleamed a luminous black. An embroidered silver cross stood out starkly on its front, over his heart. "What are you doing?" Subaru whispered, beginning to tug at his gloves, but Seishirou stopped him by resting a hand on the crucifixes that was on the back of the right glove. The Sakurazukamori stepped closer, but Subaru refused to give him the satisfaction of moving back. "Don't you ever want to be young again, Subaru-kun? Go back to a time when the world made sense? That's my birthday gift to you... for one evening, you can pretend you're innocent, and don't know anything about murder or Kamuis or kekkai." He leaned over and brushed his finger's gently over the Sumeragi's smooth cheek, and that was when Subaru noticed it. Seishirou's eyes were both their shining amber, and amused. Subaru gasped in shock. It brought all sorts of emotions flooding through him. Foremost was the guilt that he had been the one responsible for the loss of Seishirou's eye. He wanted so desperately to believe that this image now before him was true, though his mind screamed at the deception. "This is all an illusion. What's the point?" Subaru said pessimistically. "But isn't this your wish? Tonight you can have what you want, even if it's only for a little while," Seishirou parried. "You don't know what is my wish," Subaru replied bitterly. He was confused. Why was Seishirou-san going through all this trouble? He wished he could figure out the enigma that Seishirou presented to him. Before he could think further, Seishirou swept him into an embrace and whirled him out onto the dance floor. Stunned into compliance, Subaru clutched at the assassin tightly. For a dizzy moment, he allowed himself to sink into the magic of the night. The old reflexes from his dance lessons took over and he managed a credible waltz. Seishirou laughed. "Doesn't this remind you of old times?" "Old times are the last thing I want to remember." Seishirou's scent hadn't changed in all that time- a spicy aroma with an underline hint of sakura and something that he now knew to be blood. It had been so long since they had been this close, and Subaru was surprised that Seishirou seemed unchanged by the decade that had passed. "Really? How is it that you pursue me, then?" "Hokuto..." Subaru spat out. "You killed her and fed her to your wretched tree!" "You see, that's the trouble with you. You dwell too much on the bad times," Seishirou told him mockingly. "Come, just relax and let tonight be about the good times." The seductive manner of Seishirou's gentle voice pulled at Subaru's heart even as he continued to allow himself be whirled around the ballroom. Subaru wanted so desperately to forget all that happened in the intervening years since they last danced like this. He almost did it. He almost gave into the illusion, and let himself be swayed into believing that everything was the way it should be. But then he looked up at Seishirou's face, and the replaced eye struck him as wrong. "I can't forget about the time that has passed... it has shaped both our roads, and we're not who we once were," Subaru said, feeling almost gentle. A wave of power passed through them both, the power of the Sumeragi combating and momentarily defeating the Sakurazukamori's, and then part of the illusion shattered, and Seishirou's eye was blind again. "You can't keep me here!" Subaru stated firmly. "No... I can't. But you only shattered the smallest part of the illusion, Subaru-kun," Seishirou pointed out. Subaru wasn't about to let that challenge go unanswered. He decided to take control of the situation. With a forceful wrench, he tried to change the steps of their dance. But all it resulted was him stumbling against Seishirou. The man was just holding onto him too tightly. The smirk on Seishirou's face made Subaru want to smack him. "You want to lead, Subaru-kun? It might be too challenging for you..." "I doubt you know how to follow," Subaru spat back. Seishirou looked thoughtful. "Well, since it's your night, I'll let you lead, if you want. I'm yours to command," Seishirou said cheerfully. Subaru blushed like he hadn't since he was sixteen. Moving without his customary grace, he placed one hand on Seishirou's hip, and the second on his shoulder. Seishirou allowed him to, and followed when Subaru took a step to the right. Subaru hadn't led a dance since he was sixteen, since he'd been dodging out of that aspect of his clan duties. He'd always been a good dancer whenever he and Hokuto had started off family functions, but that was because of their connection, rather than any skill. Dancing with anyone else was awkward... controlling someone else was awkward.... He stepped on Seishirou's foot and winced. "Sorry." "Are you sure you want to lead?" "Yes!" he said fiercely, trying again. Only to trip. Seishirou laughed and adjusted their stance, pulling Subaru closer. "Face it, Subaru, you'll never lead our dance." Subaru was embarrassed to admit it. He had always been one step behind in everything where Seishirou was concerned. And truthfully he had liked it that way. Seishirou before his betrayal had made him feel so safe, so protected. This was in contrast to the heavy demands made of him as a clan leader which he had been for as long as he could remember. He sighed and let Seishirou resume leading the steps to their dance again. Seishirou's triumph was palatable. But for the moment, he was content to sink his head to Seishirou's shoulder and be held closely by him. "Seishirou-san... why are we fighting? Not just us- the angels and seals?" Seishirou looked at him. "No angels and seals, not tonight. Tonight we're just friends- we're stepping back into the past." Subaru looked down at his gloves, the ones he had worn when he was younger to attempt to hide the signs that he was the marked prey of the Sakurazukamori. "We are many things, Seishirou-san- opposing stars, rival clan heads, maybe even would-be lovers, but we will never be friends. We never were. That's just not in us." Subaru blinked, and another wave of power passed through him as another layer of the illusion broke. Subaru's gloves vanished, leaving his hands bare. The brands glowed faintly, warning of the Sakurazukamori's presence. Seishirou saw the inverted stars that were his symbol and with a quick gesture brought Subaru's hand up to kiss them. The contact brought a shiver of pleasure to Subaru's spine. He closed his eyes and leaned into the caress. Something about Seishirou always brought out a twisted cluster of emotions in Subaru, so tangled that he could never sort them out. His rational mind could scream at him to run far far away but his body simply refused to obey him every time. Was this to be his fate in his dealings with his opposite forever? Seishirou noticed Subaru's reaction and smiled. "No, we will never be friends. But what's between us is more than friendship, isn't it?" he whispered, and the music shifted to a seductive jazz song. "You're right- this isn't the past. You're not an innocent I have to be careful of breaking anymore." Seishirou's hands pulled Subaru in tightly, and Subaru felt the heat of the older man, and felt his breath as Seishirou pressed his lips against his right ear, nibbling gently. Still the music played, and they swayed together, forgetting elaborate dance moves for the more intimate one that was developing. Subaru's green eyes widened as Seishirou lowered his head to catch Subaru's lips with his own. The kiss was hot and dizzying, and somehow even more intoxicating than the strongest sake. Subaru's lashes fluttered a few times before he realized that this was just another game that was being played. And two were playing. When Seishirou heightened the kiss, parting Subaru's lips with his tongue, Subaru meekly obeyed for a second before launching his counterattack. With a hard clench of his jaw, Subaru bit down. He had the satisfaction of seeing Seishirou jerk back, surprise momentarily flashing on his face. "Temper, temper, my Subaru-kun," Seishirou scolded, his eyes narrowed in anger. Almost casually, he swung Subaru around, and the beret came flying off, unnoticed, and pressed him to the side of the room. The assassin pinned Subaru's arms tightly against the wall and proceeded to kiss at his neck. Subaru did his best to struggle from the hold, but there was no room to maneuver with Seishirou pressing against him with his full body weight. All his wriggling only brought him in closer contact to Seishirou. A sudden gasp flew from Subaru's lips when he felt Seishirou bite down on his neck. Then a tongue licked at the wound, sending a cold brush of air against his skin. "Please stop," he heard himself saying hoarsely. Seishirou smiled slightly. "All you have to do is shatter my illusion, Subaru-kun... it's in your power." He paused, and his expression turned dark. "But you can't, can you? You're the prey, and I'm the hunter. The hunter always controls the game... or the dance... or the night." Subaru wanted to argue that point. Everything Seishirou had said made him want to fight, but he couldn't deny the truth. Subaru was born to follow, not lead; despite his power, he was a poor Head of the Sumeragi Clan. He was not a leader. He preferred to have someone else dictate where the next step in the dance went. "Seishirou... I really don't like you." "Liking me has nothing to do with this," Seishirou whispered as his fingers slipped inside Subaru's jacket and down the slender column of his neck. "You desire me." Subaru was honest enough to admit he did. Oh god, how he did. Seishirou had always mesmerized him, ever since he bumped into him at that subway station. He just hadn't consciously admitted it when he was younger but now, older and wiser, he could truthfully acknowledge that he did desire his counterpart. That was the tragedy of his life. With despair he said, "But you don't love me." Seishirou didn't reply. Instead one of his hands began unbuttoning the front of his black jacket. The other still held his wrists firmly in a grip above his head. It was unnecessary. Subaru was no longer resisting. He closed his eyes and let Seishirou push away the front of his jacket and begin undoing the buttons holding his emerald shirt together. Once that was done, Seishirou slid his hand down from his neck to his navel prompting Subaru to arch his head back. "What is love, when you have this?" Seishirou demanded, licking Subaru's smooth skin. "Passion and obsession... those are what we are, Subaru." Subaru's sorrowful eyes followed as Seishirou slowly made his way down his slender chest. "Passion fades, Seishirou..." Honorifics were dispensed as they prepared to breached one of the few barriers left between them. "And love turns to hate, as you know well. But passion... is something special. And do you really think both of us will live long enough for it to have a chance to fade?" Seishirou paused, but then a blast of sakura petals enveloped them, making a thick carpet on the floor. Subaru spared a brief glance, knowing that within moments, they would both be lying in them, naked. The thought gave him an odd sort of peace. It had been inevitable- ever since meeting, they had always been destined for this moment. Subaru gasped aloud as a hand began playing with one of his nipples. The sensation was electrifying. Like a nervous animal, he bucked against the touch. Seishirou took the opportunity to press closer and kiss down his collarbone. "You want this," he stated. Subaru did. For just a little while, he wanted to lose himself in the fantasy that Seishirou could come to feel something for him. How could he not, if Subaru himself was feeling such an overwhelming tide of emotion. Subaru didn't know when Seishirou had released his hands, but he suddenly found himself holding onto Seishirou's shoulders. He wanted to be possessed and for once, to possess as well. "Why does it have to be you?" Subaru asked. "Because, Subaru, we're opposite stars... no one else will do- no one else can balance the power that's inside of you." Seishirou's hands found their way to the button on his pants, and his right finger circled it. "Ready to learn a new dance?" Subaru growled low in his throat, and leaned up to kiss the other man, enticing him with his tongue, initiating a smaller dance. "Looks like you're certainly ready," Seishirou said when they came up for air. With a swift tug, he divested Subaru of his coat. Subaru's shirt hung open and Seishirou took the opportunity to slide his hand along the front of his chest against the soft silk, admiring the pale delicate skin contrasting vividly against the darker fabric. Then slowly, he pushed the shirt off Subaru's shoulders and off his body, baring him to his gaze. Seishirou lowered the two of them down onto the floor, taking his time and apparently savoring the moment. His eye glinted as he took in the sight of Subaru lying in the midst of the sakura petals, green eyes half-lidded with passion. A slow flush was spreading across the fair expense of his chest, a reddening bruise by his neck a stark symbol of Seishirou's earlier effort in disciplining him. Subaru felt the soft velvet of the sakura blooms cushioning him, the scent of the flowers a lulling fragrance. Seishirou bent down and began licking his nipples, first a gentle tug then sucking at them harder. All thoughts were swiftly flying from Subaru's mind amid the wonderful sensations Seishirou was producing in him. His fingers reached up and boldly trailed across Seishirou's strong cheekbones, as the music played on. It was like a scene out of movie, but he knew that when he woke up, there would be no happily-ever-after. Still, he had accepted that long ago. Their destinies were foreordained. Tonight, he would follow Seishirou, and do what he wanted to. Forget about the damned Promised Day. It was his birthday, and just once, he would have what he wanted. Subaru lowered his hands and started to wrestle with the tie, hoping he wouldn't strangle his lover accidentally, between gasps for breath as Seishirou continued to minister to his chest. Grinning wickedly when he succeeded, he threw the tie aside, smiling slightly as he popped one of the dress shirt's buttons. "So you think I'm sexy," Seishirou said. It wasn't a question, like he was used to asking. It was a statement, a conclusion he made from Subaru's wordless actions. Seishirou looked amused by his sudden boldness. But he wasn't inclined to let Subaru lead for long. He bent down and kissed Subaru again, a deep possessive kiss. Subaru thought the kiss marked in every way their relationship, he really was Seishirou's. Subaru's hands crept around Seishirou, he didn't want to let go. He moaned when Seishirou's hands wandered down his torso, rubbing at his hardening arousal through his pants. "Sei-Seishirou-san!" he stammered, feeling too young, and too out of control. His eyes widened, and he licked suddenly dry lips. He knew the mechanics of sex, but he'd never gotten around to putting them into practice. There had always been more important things, and Seishirou had always been foremost in his mind, whether it was hunting him or loving him. "Subaru-kun... you're still so innocent..." Seishirou said, but this time, he sounded satisfied. His hand deftly unfastened the belt, and he teasingly dipped his cool fingers into the waistband before pulling them out. "I guess I'm always going to be your teacher," he purred before trailing kisses down the younger man's chest, ignoring how Subaru's fingers were making fumbled attempts to rid him of his shirt. Subaru thought it wasn't fair that he could feel every slow touch on his skin. Seishirou knew exactly which buttons to push to get him excited. He wished he could do the same for his lover, and was suddenly seized by a fear that he wouldn't be good enough. Doubt and uncertainty gripped him. As if Subaru's concern was written clearly on his face - and perhaps it was - Seishirou took his chin and turned his face to him, "Don't worry, I want you just the way you are. You haven't done anything wrong, just do whatever you like. There are no rules." Shyly, Subaru nodded. He was reassured by Seishirou's sudden kindness. Strange, it was almost as if this was the kindly vet that he had fallen so hard for all those years ago. Deep inside his heart though, he knew different. But for tonight, he wanted the illusion to remain. He decided to take Seishirou literally. "I want to feel you," he whispered. He reached out, and this time his fingers deftly dealt with the shirt Seishirou was wearing. Seishirou's skin was surprisingly warm, and Subaru traced the faint scar patterns there with interest. He wondered how he had received some, for they ranged from the very old to the very recent. Still, Seishirou was a Dragon of Earth, and he healed quickly and thoroughly. Seishirou watched patiently as Subaru explored, and stifled a surprised smile when the green-eyed man started to follow the thin lines with his tongue. Subaru lapped gently, his touch so light that it almost tickled. Still, there was something about his shyness that was highly enticing, and Seishirou only was able to let him play for a moment before gathering both his hands and pinning them above his head. Green eyes met a golden and blind eye, and the sound of labored breathing almost drowned out the music that was played by the ghostly orchestra. "Are you ready for the next step, my Subaru?" Seishirou asked intently. "Yes," Subaru breathed his consent. He wanted to find out everything about this dance that had people constantly waxing enthusiastic. From Seishirou's initial instructions, it was proving to be all that it was hyped up to be. Permission given, Seishirou quickly unzipped Subaru's pants and slid them from his legs. Subaru shifted about to help him. Some of his initial shyness remained and a slow blush spread through his cheeks as he looked at Seishirou studying him through his underwear. "I haven't seen you do that for a long time," Seishirou chuckled. Subaru only blushed redder. Seishirou reached out a hand and stroked across his naked thigh saying "You're beautiful, as always." He pulled at the underwear and it was soon off. Subaru was now totally exposed. Subaru would have lowered his eyes, but that would have only had reminded him of the situation. Instead, he ran the tips of his fingers over Seishirou's chest, lightly pinching his nipples. Seishirou smiled and him. "Upping the stakes? So can I." His hand played on Subaru's stomach for a second before moving downwards. Subaru's hands fell away and he watched as Seishirou's fingers circled him, but never quite touching his penis. He hissed, wondering if this was a new torment the Sakurazukamori had devised for him. "Please," he said. That seemed to be all Seishirou was waiting for. The older man's elegant hands fell onto Subaru's length with long strokes, and Subaru sighed and moaned, feeling a building pressure that felt like power too long contained. It was unlike anything he had ever experienced before. Seishirou trailed a finger across the head of the younger man's member while he continued massaging his penis. Subaru's heartbeat was accelerating dangerously. He didn't know if he was going to be able to contain himself for much longer. But what happened next caught Subaru totally off guard. Seishirou bent his head and took him into his mouth. The act brought Subaru's hips bucking up involuntarily into that warm moist cavity. He never imagined Seishirou would do that with him. Seishirou simply held on to his hips, pulling away before coming back down again. A strangled gasp burst from Subaru's lips as he felt Seishirou's tongue licking at him. Seishirou's gaze was fastened on Subaru's face as he ministered to him. With his left hand, he grabbed Subaru's hand, tracing the inverted pentagram there. For once, Subaru was glad of the sign- a physical sign of the possession that was taking place. He felt the pressure building, and knew he was about to climax. He wondered if he should warn Seishirou, but he doubted he was capable of coherent thought. It became irrelevant a moment later; he felt every muscle in his body clench, and then he reached that final point, the one of climax. Seishirou's expression was carefully blank as he swallowed the cum, and Subaru watched with lazy eyes, feeling unable to move. His body was limp, and he felt amazingly lethargic as Seishirou smoothly slid up to him, giving him an open-mouth kiss that was probing and possessive. It tasted different, and after a second Subaru's slow mind processes realized it was the aftertaste of his own essence. It wasn't as disgusting as it should have been; it was erotic. So this was sex, Subaru thought languidly. He decided he liked it, very much. Laughing idiotically, he voiced that thought aloud and blushed. Seishirou's mouth quirked in amusement at the sight of Subaru coming down from his sexual high. "Oh, we haven't gotten to the good part yet, Subaru..." The promise sent shivers up Subaru's spine once again. "It gets better?" Subaru asked innocently. "Yes; let me show you." Seishirou proceeded to kiss him once again, his tongue reaching into Subaru's mouth playfully. Subaru responded in kind, an elegant waltz of tongues. He placed his arms around Seishirou's bare back, and stroked the long line of the other man's body, amazed at the contrast between them. Seishirou's hands were missing, and Subaru, had he been able to think, would have wondered about it. Still, the kiss was mind-blowing enough that he didn't notice until Seishirou's bare legs and skin entwined with his own. Somehow or other, Seishirou had managed to strip without him noticing. Subaru felt Seishirou's hand pushing his legs apart insistently. Trustingly he opened them wide and let Seishirou settle himself comfortably between them. Subaru closed his eyes, fully enjoying Seishirou kissing the breath from his lungs. He was so preoccupied that he didn't notice something probing at his rear. Subaru made a small, undignified squeak when he realized a finger was entering him. The motion prompted Subaru to arch his back up, as he tried to get away from it. It wasn't precisely painful, just uncomfortable. He could feel something cool and slick coating him as the finger slid smoothly in. Glancing over, he noticed a little tube on the floor. Subaru wasn't sure he knew what to think of the idea that Seishirou had come prepared. At a moment like this, he fell back to his old politeness. "Ano, Seishirou-san, I don't think I like this." A wicked laugh from Seishirou was his answer. "Just relax, we need to do this. Otherwise you might end up in some trouble from me." That prompted Subaru to look down. Oh. He realized he hadn't really taken a good look at Seishirou before this. Now he _looked_. His eyes grew wide. Well-endowed couldn't even begin to describe it. Seishirou smirked at the expression on Subaru's face. With his other hand, he grabbed hold of Subaru's wrist and brought his hand down to his shaft. "You can play with it," he said. Subaru tentatively grasped the semi-erect member. It was certainly different from his. He never thought he'd be doing this with another man. But there was a certain rush from being able to arouse his lover, he thought, as Seishirou's penis began to harden. While Subaru was occupied, Seishirou took the opportunity to continue thrusting his finger in and out of him, stretching the muscles. He angled his finger and a little gasp from Subaru told him he'd found the right spot. Subaru felt his body clench, rejecting the intrusion as Seishirou tried to slip in another finger. His hand fell away from his lover, but quickly returned, as he decided not to become Seishirou's toy. He was his equal. His fingers explored the head, touching the drops that emerged on Seishirou's erection. Greatly daring, he touched them to his lips, smiling at Seishirou. He barely tasted anything, which surprised him. He thought it was supposed to be salty. Seishirou smiled and hit Subaru's prostate with one of his long fingers. The green-eyed man arched. "I think it's time, don't you?" Subaru spread his legs as an answer, watching lethargically as Seishirou applied lubricant to his penis. The assassin was smiling slightly as he leaned over the onmyouji, biting Subaru's neck lightly. "My Subaru-kun," Seishirou whispered, and then pushed his way in. The sense of being filled overwhelmed Subaru. It was more painful than he expected despite Seishirou's preparation. A tiny moan slipped from his lips while his eyes teared. He turned his head slightly, not wanting Seishirou to see his pain. This was right, he thought. The physical pain that Seishirou was inflicting on him now was nothing compared to the emotional hurts Subaru had suffered all through the years from his hands. Seishirou noted Subaru turning from him. He bent forward and kissed him on the neck, then said, "I'm going to continue." Subaru nodded, bracing himself for the worst. Seishirou moved deeper, and the pain continued. The first few thrusts felt like something inside of him was being ripped, and he wondered why anal sex was viewed as pleasurable. Seishirou's expression was intense, and each of the strokes was slightly different. And then Seishirou hit that spot, and the pleasure took hold. Subaru sighed and shifted and Seishirou smiled down at him. "Enjoying yourself?" Subaru smiled up at him cattily. "I think I might enjoy myself more if you'd shut up," he said, and kissed Seishirou to prevent him from talking. Whenever the Sakurazukamori spoke, he was mocking, and Subaru didn't want to deal with it. Seishirou willingly submitted to Subaru's kiss, but then Subaru noticed he'd stopped moving, and broke the kiss so he could speak. "You bastard! Don't stop," he begged. Subaru lowered a hand down to rub Seishirou's abs, trying to urge him to start that delicious friction again. Seishirou's eyes gleamed wickedly as he thrust into Subaru hard. The motion jolted Subaru up into Seishirou's chest. He soon began moaning from the stimulation on his prostate. Suddenly he felt Seishirou's hand closing on his erection again, pumping it in time. The simultaneous assault on his pleasure centers was almost too much for him to bear. His hands tangled in Seishirou's hair and he pulled him down close, wanted to feel him. It was something he had always wanted to do. His breathing was ragged when his lover gave one more thrust, and Subaru lost his tenuous control, ejaculating against Seishirou's toned stomach. Seishirou lasted a few more moments, but then he, too, came. Subaru felt the hot spurt inside of him, and for a moment he was content to let Seishirou hold him tightly. His heart was still thudding wildly when he felt Seishirou pulling out of him, leaving behind the emptiness he hadn't realized had been plaguing him. "Seishirou..." he whispered, running a hand over the older man's chest, quivers of aftershock still running through him. For the first time in years, he felt at peace. Seishirou smiled. "How do you feel, Subaru-kun?" he asked softly. "I feel..." Subaru shifted his eyes over to the candles, which were almost burned out, wondering why he couldn't think of a lie, "tranquil." Seishirou's smile was playful and he smiled. Somewhere in the Imonoyama mansion, a clock started to chime, and the Sakurazukamori leaned in closer. "Wouldn't it be absolutely perfect if I loved you?" he asked softly. Subaru froze. His green eyes widened in horror as Seishirou started to chuckle softly before exploding into full-blown laughter. Around him, the illusion exploded back into reality. The band faded away, but a song remained, played on a CD player, and Subaru's discarded clothes turned back into the ordinary pants and shirt he had worn before the illusion had been created. Seishirou rose, unashamed of his nudity, and was encased in his trademark sakura petals, which whisked him away, and all sign he had been there except the sakura petals and CD player. Left behind, the onmyouji thought he could hear Seishirou's laughter mocking him long after he was gone. Subaru lay naked on the bed of sakura petals in the middle of the empty ballroom by the cheap CD player that was looped to endlessly play Swan Lake Waltz. It was a fitting metaphor for his life, he decided. An endless waltz which was taken from a musical on evil wizards who laid curses on the innocent. Seishirou knew him too well; he always had. Tonight Seishirou had decided to take their dance to a new level, and Subaru had, as always, let Seishirou lead. He was an idiot. He wasn't sixteen anymore, but he still acted like it. He wasn't an innocent either, but Seishirou always found what remnants of his innocence remained and destroyed it. That was Seishirou; and he was Subaru, the one who always fell into Seishirou's web. And still the music played on, and tomorrow, Subaru knew the dance would begin anew. He lay in the moonlight, wondering if the madness of the full moon had been worth it. The Sakurazukamori didn't love him, and never would, and all this dance would result in was torment. A tear slid down his face and landed in the sakura petals, unnoticed. THE END ~*~*~*~ Author's notes: Here's Xandra's take on how this incident will tie in with the manga and Rainbow Bridge. Subaru does what a person with low self-esteem does in a relationship to capture the attention of the stronger willed partner by deciding to use sex. The problem is that sex doesn't solve things if an existing relationship is already twisted up. So when Subaru's abandoned, he figures the only course left to get his attention is the self-destructive tactic of getting Seishirou to kill. Hence Rainbow Bridge. It's insane but Subaru is insane. Seishirou on the other hand DOES love Subaru, at least in this story - but is acting like a man suddenly confronted with an unfamiliar emotion, his reaction is to run away. Then he figures the only way to make it up to Subaru is to give him what he thinks is his wish - to let Subby kill him - result: Rainbow Bridge! Don't you want to take a mallet and chase after these two to pound some sense into them? Aishuu: Sometimes you just want to shake them, lock them in a room that's magic proof with a bunch of whip cream, a nice featherbed, and a whole bunch of plushies and tell them to work it out. Xandra: OOoooh plushies. O_O If you notice, Subaru's coat in Chapter 2 is black in color. No, we haven't forgotten our descriptions in chapter 1. The black symbolises his tainted innocence which Seishirou has thrust on him. The crucifixes sewn over his heart symbolize suffering. They are also totally Clamp. Other symbols are scattered all through the story, see if you can pick them out. Aishuu: And if you've gotten this far, remember, feedback is key! This is Xan's and my first co-fic together, and we're hoping to do more! What do you think? The good, the bad, and the ugly are welcome! ===== Even when barbed wire tore into our flesh Our desire scorched the summer sun We are already guilty by having met each other ~ Yuuzai, Tokyo Babylon</pre><p><a href="./">Back</a></p><p><a href=http://www.dreamhost.com/donate.cgi?id=216><img border=0 alt="Donate towards our web hosting bill!" src=https://secure.newdream.net/donate1.gif></a></p></body></html>