New Beginnings

Hakuei let himself into the apartment early the next morning; stressed, tired, mentally and physically worn out. He had spent most of the night talking with Tsukasa, finally excusing himself so he could go home and change, get some sleep and maybe be alive enough to work at later in the afternoon. He heard two men talking and peeked his head in the living room. Both looked up, smiling, and Yoshiki waved him in.

"Hakuei, I want you to meet an old fiend of mine, Sakurai Atsushi." Yoshiki crossed his legs and gave Hakuei a pointed look. "It just so happens I mentioned him the other day, when we were having breakfast..." Hakuei's eyes went wide as Yoshiki smiled. "Acchan, this is my son."

Hakuei let his eyes roam over the dark haired man, sitting so close to his father. He seemed taller, though probably a little shorter than himself, with long, pitch black hair spilling over broad shoulders. He had dark, deep set eyes and a prominant brow.

"Nice to meet you," Atsushi said with an easy smile, half standing to shake the young man's hand.

"You're a singer." Hakuei said, the voice and name finally registering in his fatigued mind.

"That I am."

Hakuei shook his head. "My days just keep getting stranger and stranger." He sighed. "Nice to meet you, Sakurai-san, but I'm going to shower and take a nap before work; I didn't get much sleep last night." Yoshiki raised an eyebrow at him and Hakuei blushed. "Not for any reason like that, hentai. I promise I'll be ready for work by eventually."

Yoshiki watched as his son stumbled off to his room, obviously tired and troubled, then turned to his companion with a sigh.

"So, how long are you planning on staying in town?"

"Oh, I don't know." Atsushi leaned closer, his arm resting on the top of the couch. "We all needed a break, me most of all."

"You always did push yourself too hard."

"I miss this little corner of the world," he smiled, "for various reasons. I'm thinking about staying here for awhile." He reached over and traced a finger up the other man's thigh. "Would you like that?"

Yoshiki looked away, but couldn't help smiling.


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------


The bar had been busy for most of the night, but as closing time approached, the crowds had thinned out dramatically. Bou, the only server tonight, told Hakuei that times were often erratic, when the students were away for the summer, but when they came back, business would triple.

Hakeui poured an ameratto sour and placed it on the tray with the other drinks. Bou carefully took the tray away and ambled out to the appropriate tables, his usual, bubbley self. The taller man began whiping down the counter when someone sat down in the stool infront of him.

"Hey stranger."

Hakuei looked up at the deep voice and laughed.

"Toshiya!" He leaned across the bar and embraced the thin man. "When did you get back into town?"

"Just a few minutes ago." He gestured to the large overnight bag occupying the seat next to him. "Haven't even been home yet. Just thought I'd stop in and see who's working before going crashing for a week."

"None of us knew when exactly you where coming back." Hakuei said, his voice low. "Not even Hide."

"Yeah, well, I might be going back in a couple of weeks. Business, that sort of thing, but nothing definate yet."

Hakuei plucked idly at the dishrag in his hand. "So who are you seeing?"

"Eh?"

"Who's out there that's so important to you that you keep takeing off from work once a month or so to see?" He looked hard at the blushing man. "And don't tell me it's just your family. As much as I believe you love your family, I doubt it's them you drive so often to see." He leaned forward on his elbows. "So, who is it?"

Toshiya's eyes darted around, making sure no one else was close enough to hear the,.

"It's Miyavi," he admitted in a low voice. "He's been designing clothes for that firm that moved him out there a while back, and is just now starting to break out on his own." The tall man looked down at his hands. "He's living just a few blocks over from my parents house."

Hakuei nondded slowly. "Why are you so afraid of the others finding out? They tell me non-stop just how much you loved him. I would think it would be a good thing that you're getting to see him again."

"I'm not really 'seeing' him, exactly." Toshiya hedged as Hakuei gave him a disbelieving look. "Well, not in a formal sense anyway. Things are... complicated just now." He looked up at the taller man, pleading in his eyes. "Please don't say anything to the others, okay? Especially Hide. I think..." he looked away. "I know he thinks of me as more than just a friend, I can see it in his eyes, and maybe I do too, but.... if I have a chance to be with Miya again..."

"I understand." Hakuei sighed, then looked over the other man's shoulder. "Incoming."

"Tochi!!" Bou pounced on his tall friend, nearly knocking him out of his seat. "You're back!"

The three friends chatted on for a few minutes, catching each other up on recent events, when the front door opened, letting in a group of large men. Bou excused himself and turned to great the new guests, then froze dead in his tracks. Very slowly, he turned back around, a look of barely controlled fear on his face, and sat down quietly beside Toshiya.

"What's wrong?" Hakuei asked, perplexed and the sudden shift in attitude.

"I.. uh, don't want to talk to them." Bou said in a small voice, fingers fidgeting with the hem of his belly shirt.

"Yes, I gathered that, but why?"

"Uh, Toshiya, do you remember a few months back when Kirito came home with bloody knuckles?"

"Yeah!" the black and blue haired man said. "He decked an unruly customer, right?"

"He was protecting me from a drunk." The little man peered over one shoulder, towards the men that had just taken a seat in the back. "See that tall one in the back? With the beard?" He turned back around, his voice low. "He's the one that grabbed me."

Hakuei tossed his rag into the sink and hopped over the counter. "Don't worry." He patted Bou on the back. "I'll serve them. You just tend the counter and... pretend to know how to make the drinks ok?" He gave Toshiya hard look, and the other nodded slightly. Putting on his best fake smile, Hakuei grabbed Bou's pen and paper and approached the men in the back.

"Good evening gentlemen! Our humble kitchen is closing for the night, but we will more than happily serve drinks for the next hour! What can I get you guys tonight?"

A table full of gruff, hard looking men stared up at the grinning young man.

"Where's that pansy-assed little bitch to serve us?" The biggest man growled, his meaty fists pounding the table.

Hakuei kept his smile pasted on, though his hands twitched, clutching his pad of paper with great force.

"Our other servers are busy at the moment, but I can get you whatever you want."

The bearded one Bou had pointed out stood, his height nearly equal to Haluei's, though his girth fair surpassing the younger man.

"What are you, his new boyfriend? Did you get rid of that little pissant that hit me?" He shoved Hakuei back with a sneer. "I want that little bitch out here now, waiting on us hand and foot, or I'll teach both of you a lesson." He started to step around the tattooed man. "Now, where is he?"

"Toshiya!" Hakuei called over his shoulder as he stepped infront of the big man, blocking his path. Out of the corner of his eye, he saw his tall friend grab a cowering Bou and race him towards Yoshiki's office.

"There he is!" the burly man growled and began to charge in the direction the two men had disapeared in. Hakuei stepped infront of him again, placing a firm hand on his chest.

"Sir, you will leave our server alone or you will be escorted off the premasis." Hakuei's carmel eyes glowed with a barely contained anger. "Do I make myself clear?"

"Get him, Ken!" one of the other men at the table yelled as the other began to stand, circling the younger man. "Teach him a lesson!"

The one named Ken grinned, showing off rotting, crooked teeth, then swung wide. Hakuei managed to duck in time, but one of the other men grabbed him from behind, pinning his arms behind his back. Ken drew back and struck him, first in the jaw, then the stomach, doubling him over. Hakuei gasped for breath, blood trickling down his face as he heard a shout and Hatsu joined the fray. A table overturned, glasses shattered on the floor and all hell broke loose. Fists flew left and right, men shouted and cursed in pain, when suddenly, a shot rang out and everyone froze. Slowly, all heads turned towards Yoshiki, smoking pistol gripped firmly in his left hand.

The blonde man shook his head, an exasperated look on his face. "Tisk, tisk, tsik. It seems almost impossible to enjoy a nice, quite night these days." Sirens could be heard in the distance, rapidly approaching the bar. He rested the pistol on one shoulder and sighed. "Now, can someone please explain to me why my bar is getting ripped to pieces?"


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------


Hakuei sat on the counter, feet dangling over it's polished sides, a bloodied icepack pressed lightly against his swollen face. The paradedics had already seen to his bruises and scrapes, wreched limbs and gashes, and the police had taken away the unruly customers. Yoshiki had called in Kirito to help out with the mess, who in turn recruited Tsukasa, who had been lucky enough to be at his house when the call came. The three of them, Hatsu, Bou and Toshiya swept the floors free of glass, mopped spilled drinks and tried to put the tables and chairs back in order.

By unanimous vote, Hakuei had been excused from clean-up duty.

Hakuei gingerly pulled up his left pantleg to examine a newly darkening bruise over his shin.

"Nice."

Hakuei suck his tongue out at Tsukasa as the shorter man sat on a stool by his feet. "I think I gave just as much as I took, thank you."

Tsukasa grinned and inclined his head with a grunt. "I think you broke that big ugly guy's nose." He took ahold of his lover's arm. "Come, I'll help you upstairs."

Hakuei rolled his eyes and eased himself down off the counter. "I'm not helpless, you know." He winced as his leg hit a barstool.

Tsukasa raised an eyebrow. "Oh, so you don't want my help, hm?" He let go of Hakeui's arm and the tall man stumbled.

"OK, OK! I need your help!" Hakeui cried. Tsukasa grinned and wrapped one of Hakeui's arms across his shoulder. The taller man looked sideways at the younger man. "Someone broke a chair over my kneecap, nearly cracking it."

"Among other things." Tsukasa haulted their progress. "But I know someone who is very grateful for your actions." He turned them slightly to see Bou sitting in Kirito's lap, blonde head resting under his lover's chin. Tsukasa looked up at Hakuei, a warm smile on his face, then continued towards the stairs.


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------


"You smell like beer." Tsukasa said, wrinkling his nose."You need a bath."

"I thought you liked beer?" Hakuei said, pretending hurt.

Tsukasa eyed him wearily as he led them towards Hakuei's bathroom. "Not when someone smells like he tried drowning in it." He eased the other man down to sit on the closed lid of the toilet. "Now, strip and I'll start your bath."

"My, my, I didn't know you could be so domineering." Hakeui grinned, but complied as quickly as his sore body would allow. "I like it!"

Tsukasa chuckled, letting the water from the facet flow through his fingers, adjusting the knobs until it was just the right tempature. When he turned around, Hakleui's clothes lay in a pile on the floor, allowing Tsukasa to see all the night's excitement had left apon his lovers tanned body. With a sigh, he took Hakeui's hand and helped him into the tub. Hakeui hissed as the hot water kissed his broken skin, but gratefully sank down deeper, letting the warmth envelope and numb his sore body.

"Hhhmm...," he sighed, eyes closed. "Have you ever been in one of those hot tubs, you know, one with those jets that blasts water on your back?" Tsukasa nodded. "I want one of those someday." He cracked one lazy eye to regard the man sitting on the lip of the tub. "Are you going to just sit there all day, or are you going to join me?"

"Oh, so now who's the domineering one?" Tsukasa grinned.

Hakuei stuck out his lower lip in a pout. "You were the one complaining that I needed a bath. I just got the shit beat out of me, and I don't want to move another inch if I don't have to."

Tsukasa quickly shed his shirt and pants, carefully stepping into the tub. "Oh, I'll bet I can make you move." he murmered, blushing slightly. The other man started to sit up but Tsukasa pushed him back down. "No, just relax. Let me make you feel good."

He crawled forward, kissing Hakuei softly on the lips, then sat back between the other's legs, bringing one of his lover's feet into his lap. Using his thumbs, he began kneeding his pads, slowly working up his foot and calf in soothing circles. Hakuei closed his eyes as those strong, deft fingers loosened his stiff muscles.

"Hm.... if I had known you were this good wih your hands," he smiled lazily, sinking deeper into the water, "I would have gotten beat up ages ago."

Tsukasa just smiled, that small, shy smile of his, half his face obscured by long, thick hair. "This would be better if I had my oils," he said after a moment, "but perhaps some other time." He worked his hands up Hakuei's thigh, then started on the other leg. Once finished, he leaned forward, running his hands in slow, gentle circles over his abbs and chest. He bent down to kiss Hakeui's kneck and their bodies teased each other, barely brushing over sensitive areas. Hakeui raised his hips, craving more contact.

Running his hands up and down Hakuei's chest, Tsukasa kissed him deeper, boldly prodding the other man's mouth open, his tongue eagerly slipping inside. Hakuei's hands stroked Tsukasa's back, traveling down his ass, pulling him closer. He raised his knees and Tsukasa's hand traveled low on his body, lightly stroking his painful erection.

Hakuei groaned, arching into his lovers touch, head leaning against the cold tiled wall. Tsukasa ran his nails along the shaft, smiling at the shudder running through the other's body. His other hand traveled down, teasing the sensitive skin of his balls, then lower, just grazing over his entrance. Hakuei pushed against his finger, making the tip of Tsukasa's finger enter him. The other man's head shot up, eyes wide and questioning.

Hakuei leaned forward, kissing his cheek, running wet fingers through Tsukasa's long hair. "I want you, all of you. I want to know how it feels to have you inside of me."

Tsukasa sat back on his heels, face uncertain as he pulled huis hands out of the water to rest on Hakuei's knees. "I.. I don't want to hurt you, to cause you pain, even a little." He murmered, looking down into the water. "And it dos hurt, a bit. I don't mind it..."

Gentle hands tilted his face up, carmel eyes regarded him with a love that warmed his soul. "Why? Is it ok for you to take a little pain, but not me?" he smiled. "No, no more. You've been hurt alot in the past, you know I know this, but you are better than that. Much more so than you give yourself credit for. You've moved on from your past, moved on to become ..someone I love."

Tsukasa blushed, then leaned forward, kissing him passionatly. "I love you too." he whispered after a moment, resting his head on Hakuei's shoulder. "When I'm with you... I am a different person, one I have not been in years. Something about you.. makes me forget all the pain and hurt and sadness, and I can just be...me."

Hakleui stroked his head, gentle kissing the side of his temple.

"Then allow yourself to be happy, with me." He ran his hands up and down Tsukasa's sides. "Show me just how passionate you can be."

Hands exploring, gentle words guiding and a sweet touch, confidance building as he found just what make's a lover feel good inside. Soon, he was in, enveloped in Hakeui's warmth. Movements unsure, then bolder, a heat of passion burning deep inside as they moved as one, faster and faster. Their voices echoed together, first as whispers, then moans of pleasure as lips tasted sweet flesh, gentle caresses soothing trembling bodies. Fingers intertwined, Tsukasa kissed the other man, teeth nipping swollen lips, Hakuei's breath coming in short gasps as Tsukasa found just what he needed. Only moments apart, bodies driven over the edge, they cried out, heads thrown back, explosions of pleasure behind lust clouded eyes.

Tsukasa slumped forward, long hair spilling ovr them like an inky waterfall. Hakuei took his head in his hands, gently massaging his temples.

"I will never leave you." he whispered, voice hourse. "I will fight whatever battles thatlay ahead, no matter the cost to me, so long as I keep you happy."

Tsukasa lay his head against Hakuei's chest, heart beating rapidly against his cheek. He closed his eyes, a content smile on his lips.

"I believe you."