Written by Miyu, Vampire Princess

AUTHOR'S NOTE:
This is for Merrow's challenge! *ties headband tighter* Following events from the manga, Chapter 75, I present here, a Kureno X Uo story. This part is told from Uo's POV. Lime Warning.

Part Eight - Happy Returns

"See you on Monday, Uo-chan!"

"Have a safe trip home."

"Later Yankee."

"See you on Monday."

I waved to my friends, giving both Tohru and Hanajima a hug before leaving the station. The school trip had gone quiet well, and I was very pleased with all the souvenirs I'd managed to collect. The Prince had set an aggressive schedule, and we saw a lot of landmarks, visited a number of shops and ate some great food. That's my idea of a great school trip.

The bus ride home was quiet. No other students to contend with, especially that damn fan club. They were the only problem on the trip. Thankfully they left Tohru alone since she hung out with me and Hanajima. But poor Yuki. I think he's happy to be home simply for a moment's peace.

Teh bus stops a block from my complex. No biggie. I only have a large duffel with my stuff and two smaller bags of procured goodies. My mouth watered at the though of chocolate almond pocky. Come to think of it I didn't eat dinner yet. Heck, I didn't even eat lunch.

I was out of money when we stopped.

I can't help but smile as I approach my apartment complex. I'd actually missed the place for the first time since I moved in. I used to look at it merely as a place to sleep. Now, after having Kureno over for a night, it was much more than that.

Ah Kureno.

Not a day went by when I hadn't thought of him on the trip. Gods, but I missed him terribly.

If only I could see him again tonight!

My mailbox is overflowing with bills and advertisements. I try to clean the tiny box out as best as I can, sorting through the junk quickly and carrying my real mail with me to the stairs. A movement on the top of the staircase catches my eyes as I take that first step.

At first glance I think that it's a child, sitting at the top of the steps and waiting for his parents to come home. But I quickly realize that it's not a boy, but a young man. It looks like he's been sitting there for a while, his hair all mussed and rumpled with lack of sleep. Even in the darkness I can see tired looking dark orbs staring back at me.

And with a jolt like lightening, I recognize him.

"Kureno?"

"Konban wa, Arisa. Okaerinasai."

I take another step, my mouth agape. I nearly drop my mail and my bag at the sight of him. "How long...how long have you been sitting there?"

"Only a few hours." He looks down at the stairs then forces himself to smile at me. "I know you weren't expecting me to be here. But I...I had to...I had to see you."

Three steps. "Are you all right?"

He nods, trying to reassure me. It's not working. Even if his smile is more genuine now. "Oh, I'm fine. Really--"

Two steps, two at a time. "But your cheek? Is that a bruise? Were you in a fight?"

He looks down at the stairs again. "Kind of."

I hurry those last few stair until I'm standing only two step down from the landing. I look up at him with nothing but concern. "You've been here longer than a few hours," I tell him.

He shakes his head. "No, I really have only been here for a few hours. Honest. It's just that...well, I haven't been home in a day or two."

Haven't been home? A day or two? I can't find the words to respond to that. He looks like a lost, beaten puppy standing above me. Kami but how I just want to take him in my arms and hold him. Too bad my arms are full at the moment.

What the hell happened while I was away?

He steps aside as I step up onto the landing. "Well, let's get you inside and cleaned up, shall we? Have you eaten?"

"Not since yesterday," he admits weakly.

I frown, but say nothing, fishing in my pocket for the keys to the door. I find them, but promptly drop them on the ground. Kureno leans down to pick them up and I notice a dark spot on the back of his shirt. What the hell--?

Is that...blood?!

"Arigato," I mutter, trying not to draw attention to his wound. There was more blood there than any bug would've drawn. So he had been in a fight. I'd have to get him to tell me about it. But first, in the shower, and then something to eat.

As soon as all my stuff is in the door, I push him towards the bathroom. He argues only slightly. After placing a towel and washrag in his arms, I usher him inside and close the door in front of him. As I walk away, I tell him that I'll leave clothing outside the door so he can change. A muffled 'thank you' makes its way through the door before I head back into the living room to pick up my things.

Fifteen minutes pass and the water is still running in the shower. I'm concerned, mostly for the wound or whatever it was I saw on his back. Knocking on the door, I call inside.

"Kureno? Daijobu desu ka?"

"Aa," he replies. It's muffled by the water and the door, but it's an indication that he's all right.

"Do you mind--? I mean...can I come in for a minute?"

"Sure."

I open the door slowly, uncertain what I'm going to find. I think he's in the showers, but instead he's sitting on the toilet peeling some bandages from his shoulder. He looks up at me and smiles somewhat sheepishly.

"I got into a fight two nights ago with my cousin. Hatori had to patch me up afterward. I thought the bleeding had stopped--" He stops wincing in pain as a particular bandage is pulled and I see the blood staining it as he continues. "Guess I was wrong."

"Here let me help you." I step further into the bathroom and he looks up at me. I shake my head to prevent any argument and he sighs. Turning I see the full extent of this "fight" with his cousin.

The blood came from a cut on his shoulder. It wasn't big, but it was deep. Like he'd been stabbed with some unnaturally sharp object. I gasp as I take in the rest.

Deep red gashes cover his once beautiful back. Was that from a whip? No, they weren't consistent. Perhaps a belt? I couldn't bring myself to ask. My fingers lightly graze two black and blue marks on his shoulder and collarbone. He winces at first touch but then relaxes. It had to have been some fight, and one where Kureno didn't have a chance of winning. If I didn't know any better I'd have thought that he was pinned down on his stomach while these wounds were inflicted.

That's just sick!

It takes a little while, but the bandages are finally removed. The wound really looks better than all the blood warrants, but even still. I throw away the pile of bloody tape and pull some gauze from the cabinet above the sink for later use.

"All right," I tell him. "In the shower with you."

He turns and looks at me, a grateful smile on his face. I feel as if I'm going to blush when I see something other than apology move behind his eyes. "Arisa?"

I'm caught, spellbound by his intense gaze. I can't even stop him when he steps forward, grabbing me by my shoulders. "Hmm?"

His forehead rests against mine, our eyes still locked. "Shower with me."

Like he has to ask!

The hot water feels good raining down on our sore, tired bodies. Of course, we both still have enough energy to grope and kiss. His hands on my naked body feel as good as I remember. And his skin, the very primal scent of him although he desperately needed a bath, is so very intoxicating. Smooth to the touch where his cousin had not marked him.

I try to wrap my arms around his shoulders, but he surprises me by turning me around. I do not argue as he kisses my neck, his hardened length resting comfortably on my lower back. I push my hips back into his earning a moan for my efforts. He pushes back, causing me to moan too.

I bit my bottom lip as he lifts my hips, pushing himself inside me. There was very little foreplay this time around, but I was more than ready for him. I push back, easily helping him to set a rhythm. It's short lived though, as my orgasm approaches swiftly. I come not once, but twice before he shoots inside of me. I revel in the glorious sensations, at the very presence of him inside of me. I feel him shiver behind me, feel the water continue to fall upon us from above.

I may never be able to shower alone again.

He slips from me, leaning against the wall and sinking to the shower floor. I follow him at his beckoning, his hands on my hips pulling me with him. I wiggle my rear, earning a small, sad smile from him as I sit in his lap. He's obviously lost in thought, but I don't know how lost until I feel his forehead against my back, feel his tears as they brush my skin.

He's crying?!

"Kureno?" I try to turn around. I want to put my arms around him and pull him to chest. Everything will be all right. You'll see! Everything will be fine!

But it's a futile effort.

His left arm wraps loosely around my middle, his hand settling on the top of my thigh. His other arm rests against my right side, his hand on my shoulder. I move to lean back, to be closer, but he stops me, shaking his head violently.

"No, don't."

"Kureno, I don't understand--"

"Onegai, Arisa. I...I can't...I can't hold you...any other way."

I'm more than confused now, but I try not to let my frustration show. Even after a few deep breaths, I fail miserably. "Kureno?"

"Onegai, can we just stay like this for...for a little while." He presses a string of kisses along my shoulder and I feel him twitching against my back. From this angle, it's a very obvious reaction and my body is more than willing. "I'll explain everything. I swear I will! I just...I want to be...with you...just a little longer. Onegai."

I consent to being "held" in this fashion. It's not uncomfortable, although I'm still unsure why he can't just hug me like a normal person. And he talks as if I am going to throw him out after we talk. Why would I do that? Certainly what he has to tell me isn't that terrible of a thing.

Is it?

~TO BE CONTINUED~