Twice Bitten, Thrice Shy, Chapter 5

By: Zoicyte aka Johnnyjosh

Fandom: Saint Seiya

Rating: NC-17 (Just your typical JJ-style smut! *LOL*)

Pairing: Shiryu/Shun, Hyoga/Shun, others?

Warnings: Yaoi, lemon, language

Notes: OOC, AU, PWP, TWT, etc, Bastard!Shiryu, Angsty!Shun and Hyoga. Silliness, angst, insanity, you know the drill by now. If you can't handle my craziness, why are you here? *peers at you curiously*

Summary: Shun gets burned by love twice, can he find it in his heart to forgive and let someone in again?

Archived: www.geocities.com/johnnyjosh/index.html Others, ask for permission, and no mst'ing.

This fic is dedicated to my lovely StS muse, Pacifist Daniel *snuggles* Thanks to my beta, Espaa! Thanks also to Lara for the encouragement, and Herve for the opinions and advice on the original series. *glomps*. Thanks to everyone that reviewed chapter 4!

" " Speaking

* * Thoughts

//flashback//

~~oOo~~ Change of scene

AN: As the wounds inflicted slowly start to heal, the Bronze Saints discover that love and friendship can still survive even after the pain of betrayal.

~~oOo~~

Hyoga strode down the hallway, trying to keep up with the Andromeda saint as the other teen darted around the corner. *I have to admit, part of me knows how Shiryu feels right now, the need to get away, have a little space to get over all this,* Hyoga thought, *I feel the same way. I'd like nothing better than to hole up in my room for a day or two and tell everybody else to leave me alone. As for Shun, he's so...emotional. I know he's not a wimp, by any means, but still, he's more the type to reach out, rather than withdraw when he's hurting. I can't just leave him alone, not like Shiryu is...again. I still can't believe he's going to walk away. He was so cold before, how can he claim to have loved Shun, when he acts like this?* He sighed heavily, quickening his stride to try to keep up with his friend. *But there's nothing I can do about that. However, I can do something else. He needs his friends right now, and with Shiryu leaving like this, I guess it falls to me to be the first one to try and patch things up with Shun.*

"Hey, Shun, wait up!" He called out, as the younger teen broke into a sprint, moving rapidly away from the mansion.

Shun turned around, wobbling a bit as he stopped running, staring at Hyoga in surprise. "I...what are you doing out here?" He gazed at the other saint shyly, before looking down at the ground. After a moment, he forced himself to look up, meeting the other saint's eyes and waiting for him to speak.

"I, ahm..." Hyoga shrugged and raised one hand, running it quickly through his unruly blond hair, "I just wondered if you wanted...needed...a running partner?" Sapphire eyes stared into teal, as silence fell between them.

A slight smile curled the smaller boy's lips, and he nodded slowly. "Sure, that would be great, Hyoga," he murmured, the smile widening as relief washed over him. *Running partner? He wants to run with me, just like before. I guess this is my sign that things...really are going to be okay between us. I do regret the way I messed things up, but I'm happy, really happy that there's still a possibility for us to be friends. I think, when he returns, maybe Shiryu and I will be once again as well. At least, I hope so.* With a soft sigh, the green-haired teen took a step closer to him.

The Russian released the breath he hadn't realized he'd been holding, and returned the smile with one of his own. "Good," he said softly, then gestured toward their usual trail with a crooked grin. "I'll even go easy on you and take the left fork today."

Shun covered his mouth with one hand to stifle a laugh. "Actually, I had something a little different in mind for my run today," he said quietly, glancing over his shoulder, "I thought I'd use one of the riding trails. I need a change of scenery, not to mention some flat, wide open spaces where I can really run." He turned back to give the taller boy a sly grin.

"The riding trails, huh? Well..." Hyoga smiled, nodding slowly. "Sure, we can do that. Lead the wa-"

"Race you!" Shun laughed and spun around, darting away and heading for the entrance to the nearest trail.

Hyoga did a double-take as Shun broke into a sprint once more, darting down the drive before veering to the right, running through a wide gap in the high hedges and disappearing from view. "You know, one of these days I'm gonna get the jump on you and take my own head start..." He shook his head and laughed softly, before setting off after the other teen.

~~oOo~~

Seiya took a deep breath, then knocked tentatively on Shiryu's door. "Hey, Shiryu? Can we talk about this?" The dark-haired teen chewed on his lower lip gently for a few moments, shifting uncomfortably in the answering silence. Never one to take 'no' for an answer, Seiya finally pushed open the door, frowning as he took in the scene before him.

Shiryu's Dragon cloth sat by the door, while a suitcase was open on the neatly made bed, most of the teen's clothes already packed inside. Grey eyes met brown, and the taller boy sighed. "Seiya, there's no point trying to talk me out of this. I've made up my mind," he turned and walked over to the dresser, pulling out a few more shirts and moving back over to the bed.

"Shiryu," Seiya said quietly, sitting down beside the large brown suitcase, fingers reaching out to toy with the hem of one of the other's white shirts. "Don't do this, you can't leave. Not now, not like this." His jaw clenched as the other saint seemed to ignore him. With a low growl of annoyance, he stood up and leaned over, grabbing a pile of clothes and pulling them out of the suitcase, darting around Shiryu's back and setting them back in the drawer.

Shiryu, for his part, was still wrapped up in his own emotional turmoil and didn't notice what Seiya was doing. He did wonder, however, why no matter how many clothes he stuffed into the suitcase, it never seemed to get any fuller, nor his dresser drawers any emptier. Seiya continued sneaking around behind him, stuffing clothes back into the drawers until at last Shiryu realized what had been happening. "Seiya," he cried, exasperated. "What do you think you're doing?"

"I think..." Seiya trailed off, stuffing another stack of the other teen's clothing back into the dresser. "I'm trying to stop you from making a big mistake."

"I'm not making a mistake by leaving," Shiryu sighed, sitting down on the bed and grabbing Seiya's wrist when the other saint made to pull more clothing out of his suitcase. "I would, however, be making a mistake by staying."

"How can you say that?" Seiya demanded, moving to stand in front of him, both hands gripping his shoulders. "Do you honestly think walking away again is the best thing to do right now? Shiryu..." He turned away, running both hands through his own hair.

"Yes, I do. It's just...better this way." Shiryu said quietly, before he rose and went back to filling his suitcase, glaring at Seiya when the other boy moved toward the bed.

"But why, Shiryu?" Seiya demanded, finally getting angry and moving to stand between the Dragon saint and the bed. "As much as you might think I don't know the situation, or have no business saying this, you're walking away before had a lot to do with the current situation. So how the hell will leaving again make it any better?" Seiya scowled up at Shiryu, frustration evident on his face as his hands balled into fists.

Shiryu sighed and leaned back against the dresser, arms folded over his chest. "No, Seiya, you're right, it was partly my fault too. But it doesn't matter if I go or stay now, don't you see that?" He sighed and braced his hands on the edge of the dresser, shoulders hunched, head down. "I... Shun admitted he'd given up on us after I walked away. He's made his choice."

"He also admitted that he shouldn't have been so quick to give up," Seiya reminded him quietly. "He even said that he still has feelings for you."

Shiryu turned away, one hand coming up to splay against the mirror before him. "I know," he whispered. "I still have feelings for him too."

"Then why don't you stay and try to save what you have?" Seiya asked plaintively, stepping forward and resting one hand on the Dragon saint's shoulder.

"Because!" Shiryu snapped, shrugging the other teen's hand off and striding over to the bed, slamming his suitcase shut and all but tossing it over beside his cloth. "I can't... I can't be what Shun wants or needs me to be. But obviously Hyoga can." His voice had a bitter edge to it, as he swung the box containing the Dragon cloth up onto his back, before grabbing up his suitcase.

"Can't, or won't?" Seiya asked softly, gazing down at the rug beneath his feet.

Shiryu stopped and gazed at Seiya with narrowed eyes for a few moments, then shook his head with a frustrated sigh and opened the door, letting it hit the wall with a bang. "I don't know when I'll be coming back," he said curtly, "I'm going back to Mu's, and then I think I'll take some time to go see sensei and Shunrei too."

"You...are so stubborn, Shiryu," Seiya sighed, jumping a bit when the door slammed behind the other teen. He sat on the bed for a few seconds, then heaved another sigh and rose to his feet, quietly opening the door. As he stepped out into the hall, he glanced up and blinked in surprise to find Ikki leaning against the opposite wall, arms folded over his chest, a dark scowl on his features. "Well, I take it you heard at least some of that?" He asked, moving over to settle against the wall beside him.

"Hm..." Ikki nodded, his scowl growing more fierce. "So, where are Shun and Hyoga?"

"Well, Shun said he was going for a run, because he just needed to get out of here for awhile," Seiya stretched his arms over his head, frowning at the tension that seemed to have settled in his neck and shoulders, "and unless I'm mistaken, Hyoga joined him."

Ikki glanced over at the Pegasus saint, one eyebrow lifted, an expression of mild surprise on his face. "Really..."

*Hm,* he thought, dark blue eyes narrowed, *first he tries to push Shiryu into staying and taking Shun back, then he stays with Shun himself, interesting... What exactly are you thinking, Hyoga?* He opened his mouth to speak, then blinked and glanced down as Seiya's stomach rumbled loudly.

The Pegasus saint blushed and ducked his head. "Oi, that reminds me. In all the excitement, I kept forgetting about breakfast," he glanced up at Ikki, "care to join me?"

Ikki smiled faintly and nodded. "I suppose we'd better get some food into you. I can't have my sparring partner collapsing from starvation on me." He chuckled, pushing away from the wall and striding down the hallway.

Seiya fell into step beside him, then whirled around and gaped up at him. "Sparring?! Who said anything about sparring now? I just want to have something to eat and relax, after all this craziness." He shook his head and slanted a look at the Phoenix saint. "I think, aside from checking on Shun, that you just came back here to make me miserable."

"It's a dirty job, but somebody has to do it," Ikki answered with a smirk, sidestepping as Seiya tried to elbow him in the ribs.

"Ooh, why you!" Seiya took another shot at him, laughing as the larger teen darted down the hall and ran down the stairs. "I'll get you, Ikki!"

~~oOo~~

Hyoga was panting and already starting to sweat a bit as he tried to keep up with Shun. *You weren't kidding when you said you wanted a long, straight stretch of trail to run on,* he thought, watching the lithe figure ahead as the other teen continued to pull away from him. They'd already run the length of one trail, and turned onto a connecting one that was winding its way back toward the front of the mansion.

Ordinarily the well-groomed trail lined with high, meticulously trimmed hedges, tall trees and the occasional line of brightly-colored flowers would bring a smile to the emerald-haired saint's lips. But today he was incapable of paying attention to any of it. Shun ran hard and fast, face set in concentration as he pushed himself to his limits. Sweat-soaked strands of hair clung to his forehead, cheeks and jaw, the collar of his dark blue sweatshirt already dampened with it as well.

Hyoga quickly grew tired of the breakneck pace, slowing down significantly and giving him some space. *It doesn't matter how fast you run, my friend, you can't outrun your emotions,* he thought, settling for trying to keep Shun in view rather than match his speed.

Finally Shun slowed down, having burned off a good deal of his frustration. Slowing to a jog, he blinked and glanced around in confusion, realizing he didn't hear Hyoga's footfalls anymore. "Hyoga?" he called, turning around and looked back. "Hey, what are you doing back there?" He stopped running altogether, instead walking backward as he waited for the Cygnus saint to catch up.

"You looked like you could use a little time to yourself," Hyoga tried to smile as he kept jogging, finally catching up with the other teen, "and besides, I just couldn't keep up with that manic pace you were setting." This was said with a chuckle, as Hyoga bent over, hands resting on his knees as he took a few moments to catch his breath.

"I guess..." Shun trailed off, crossing his arms over his chest, hands on his shoulders.

Hyoga sighed, reaching out and touching Shun's arm lightly. "Come on, let's just walk the rest of the way, hm?" he said quietly, brow furrowed as he tried to sort through the thoughts still chasing each other around in his mind. *Dammit, we still need to talk about this. I know we've already apologized for the misunderstandings, but there's still a lot of questions that need answering,* the blond sighed softly, running one hand over the back of his neck. *I just don't know how to begin...*

With a nod, Shun fell into step beside his friend. A confused frown settled on his lips as he too found himself lost in his thoughts. The Andromeda saint grew steadily more nervous as they lapsed into a silence that stretched on for several minutes. Finally, his already-frayed nerves couldn't take the tension anymore. "Hyoga," he blurted out, whirling around to face the other teen, "do you regret last night?"

Sapphire eyes widened in surprise at the sudden outburst, then Hyoga lowered his eyes, staring at the ground. "I... Regret?" the Russian began slowly, "well, I regret the way that things went this morning, that's for sure. The way you misunderstood me, and then when Shiryu found out..." He sighed softly. "I regret that I had to be drunk to finally admit my feelings for you, as well. I'd had those feelings for quite some time, I'd just never worked up the nerve to express them." Forcing himself to look up, Hyoga gazed at Shun intently. "I don't regret being with you, but I will admit that the timing could have been better." Stepping forward, the blond saint reached out and grazed one fingertip over Shun's cheek. "Now I have a couple of questions for you. Was last night really about wanting me, or were you...what's the word, rebounding, from what happened with Shiryu?" his voice dropped to a whisper, and he cupped the other teen's face gently. "Do you regret it?"

Shun swallowed hard, closing his eyes and tilting his head slightly, leaning into Hyoga's touch. "I...don't know," he answered, trying to be honest. "Perhaps a part of me does, because I really didn't mean to say the things I said to Shiryu, I hadn't wanted things to end. I knew that even though he'd taken off, he'd come back, eventually and I should have waited, but then..." He lowered his head, shoulders slumping a bit. "I just grew more angry, and hurt, the longer he was gone. I suppose I was vulnerable, and then when you and I started spending more time together, I found myself...comparing the two of you." Shun looked up, teal eyes shimmering with tears. "I knew that you'd had too much to drink, and I knew how upset I was, how confused," he brought one hand up, covering his face, "but I just...didn't care. I was hurt that Shiryu walked away, it seemed like he didn't even want me, the way things had been going, but you...you did. I suppose that's when I made a rash decision. Then, the way we touched..." Despite the tears that had fallen from Shun's eyes, a dark blush spread over his cheeks at the memory of their lovemaking. "Not to mention that you actually wanted me to stay afterward, well, it seemed like I'd made the right choice..."

"Shun..." Hyoga closed his eyes and pulled him closer, arms winding around his shoulders. "At least, it was until I tried to say how much of a mistake it was this morning," he whispered, lifting one hand and slowly running it through Shun's mussed, sweat-dampened hair. "I didn't know at the time why you were so upset, but after the argument between Shiryu, Ikki and myself in the kitchen, it became clear. You thought I was going to say the same things Shiryu had, that I'd want to keep it a secret and end up treating you the same way." He sighed softly, leaning down and rubbing his cheek against Shun's shoulder, arms tightening around the smaller teen.

"I'm sorry," Shun whispered, wrapping his own arms around Hyoga's waist. "I should have known better. But all the things that had been happening the last few days, all the stress, the anger and confusion, I guess it just all came to a head this morning. But still, I should have at least given you a chance to explain, rather than running off the way I did." He reached up, one hand sliding into the Russian's thick, pale locks, the other cupping his chin as Shun pulled back slightly. "But for what it's worth, there's a very big part of me that agrees with you, that doesn't regret it, even if the timing could have been better..."

Hyoga lifted his head, breath hitching at Shun's words as he found himself all but lost in the other teen's beautiful teal eyes. Heat flared within him as Shun pressed closer, tilting his head up and smiling faintly as the smaller teen gave him a hug. He leaned his head down slightly, rubbing noses with the Andromeda saint, not realizing they were slowly, unconsciously drifting closer, lips nearly touching.

As their lips brushed together in the barest hint of a kiss, both teens pulled back, staring at each other with wide eyes. "Hyoga..." Shun said softly, then averted his eyes.

"I know," Hyoga bit his lip and closed his eyes, shaking his head slowly, "this isn't right, not now." He released his hold on Shun, but kept one arm lightly draped over the other saint's shoulders. "I think," he sighed softly, "we'd better get back to our run."

Shun leaned against his side heavily for a moment, then nodded. "Yes, I..." he trailed off, a deep frown settled on the teen's delicate features as he glanced toward the mansion, and spotted a familiar figure exiting the front door. It was impossible to not know who stood on the steps, waiting as one of Saori's chauffeured black sedans slowly pulled up. Even from this distance, one could make out the unique clothing, the long, ebony hair and the large grey box with a dragon etched onto the side.

Hyoga noticed the expression and turned to see what had upset him. "Dammit," he whispered, then glanced back at Shun. "Do...you want to go and try to stop him?"

"No," Shun whispered, closing his eyes and bowing his head, "I know it wouldn't do any good. Once he makes up his mind, nobody else can do or say anything to change it." They watched silently as Shiryu loaded up his cloth and suitcase in the back, then got into the front seat, before the car turned around and pulled away. "To tell you the honest truth," Shun murmured, reaching up to brush his bangs out of his eyes, "I really don't feel like running anymore right now, I just...want to go back and find a nice quiet place to sit and think."

Hyoga nodded slowly, tightening the arm around Shun's shoulders. "Perhaps you shouldn't be alone, maybe you should spend some time with Ikki," he suggested with a faint smile. "As for me I think I'm going to see if Seiya wants to do anything. Now it seems I'm the restless one that can't take the idea of just sitting around."

Shun sighed and nodded. "Yeah, you're right. I guess I should do something besides mope around. Besides, I have a hunch that I'm going to have lots of time to brood over things this time around."

*Not if I have anything to say about it,* Hyoga thought, turning his head and shooting an icy glare in the direction the car had taken off in, *I meant what I said, that's twice you've walked away, you won't get a third chance, Shiryu. You had your opportunities to be with him, and you blew it, not once, but twice. Now, it's my turn.*

"Come on," he said, forcing himself to widen the slight smile on his lips, "what do you say we get something to eat?"

Shun lifted one shoulder in a gentle shrug. "Sounds like a plan," he said listlessly.

~~oOo~~

Shiryu folded his arms over his chest, leaning back into the seat and sighing heavily. Grey eyes slid closed as the Dragon saint tried to block out all the things the other saints had said. But it didn't seem to do much good, for as soon as they were closed, an image flashed in his mind's eye of Shun and Hyoga, as he'd seen them on the trail when he exited the mansion. *They looked... The looked like they were kissing,* he thought, chest tightening as pain rippled through him.

A deep frown marred his features as Shiryu replayed Hyoga's words in his head.

// "Let me tell you something, Shiryu, don't you even think about showing up later on, changing your mind and trying to win him back. This is twice you've walked away from him. I'll make sure you don't get a third chance." //

*So that's how it is, then,* Shiryu thought with a sigh. *Hyoga will try to help Shun get over me, and win his affections.* The Dragon saint shook his head, hands curling into fists while he resisted a brief, crazy urge to tell the driver to stop the car as he felt jealousy and anger welling inside him again.

He thought back to what Seiya had said, about the feelings he and Shun still had, and again he found himself forced to wonder if he was doing the right thing.

"No," he said softly, head dropping down as he closed his eyes. "This is for the best. Things have gotten too muddled, and there's too much anger and pain involved, it's better that we end it now. If we didn't..." Shiryu trailed off, lifting his head and gazing out the window. "If we don't end things now, let them die down, I'm not sure that our friendships could ever be the same," he sighed heavily, one hand scrubbing at his face. "I'm not sure they'll be the same even now, but I think...with some distance, and some time, maybe things will calm down and we can get over all that's happened, move on from it."

The Dragon saint turned around as the car rounded a bend, the teen taking one last look at the mansion, his expression one of sadness and regret. *I do wish I'd handled things between us differently, Shun,* he thought, turning back and putting both hands over his face as he took a deep breath, releasing it in a heavy sigh. He needed this time away. Not just to get over his anger, and the pain of what he'd felt was a betrayal, but also... *I suppose I'll have to adjust to the idea of you and Hyoga being an official couple when I return.*

~~oOo~~

Meanwhile, in the kitchen, Ikki and Seiya had finished cooking breakfast, and had just sat down at the table, ready to dig into the hearty meal of eggs, bacon, toast and tea. At Seiya's insistence, they'd made enough for Hyoga and Shun as well, even though Ikki had tried to convince the other teen that the others probably wouldn't have much of an appetite after the morning they'd had. Seiya had then teased the Phoenix saint, saying that he was certain Ikki could probably eat a good portion of the leftovers, should that be the case, before snapping a rolled up dishtowel at Ikki's rear, then snickering and darting out of reach at the angry glare he promptly received.

They'd seen the car pulling down the driveway, both of them watching with a frown, sensing Shiryu's departure, and it had put both of them back in a somber mood. Their thoughts were running along almost identical lines, both saints still unable to believe the mess that had been made of things as they picked at their food.

Seiya glanced up as he heard the front door close again, rising from his seat. "That's them, I'm going to tell them breakfast is ready," he said quietly, striding out of the room and making his way to the front foyer. "Hey, you're back!" The teen smiled at them both, trying his best to sound somewhat cheerful. "Ikki and I made breakfast, so come and eat while it's hot."

"Ikki cooked?" Hyoga quirked a brow, looking mildly surprised, causing Shun to laugh.

"Well," Seiya chuckled, "he just made the tea and toast. I cooked the bacon and eggs, come on, better get in there before Ikki eats it all." He grinned.

"Sounds good to me, let's eat," Hyoga said as he and Shun locked eyes and nodded, following Seiya back to the kitchen.

When they arrived, they were greeted by the sight of a table still laden with ample food for the four of them, and at the table sat Ikki, leaning back in his chair, arms crossed over his broad chest. His piercing gaze shifted back and forth between Hyoga and Shun as the other teens sat down, but he said nothing, merely observing them shrewdly for a few seconds as they filled their plates.

"Hey, Ikki," Seiya glanced at him curiously as he refilled his own plate, "aren't you having any more?"

"No, I don't want to overeat before sparring." He smirked as Seiya hunched his shoulders and grumbled under his breath.

"Actually, I think Shun wants to spend the day doing something, Ikki," Hyoga said, smiling at the grateful glance Shun shot his way. "I was going to see if Seiya was up to anything."

"Yeah, I am," Seiya said dourly, "I've been recruited as Ikki's sparring partner."

The Phoenix saint smirked, then leaned forward and clapped a hand onto Seiya's shoulder so hard he made the other teen wince slightly. "Actually, there's been a slight change of plans," he murmured. "I'm going to let Hyoga be my sparring partner this morning, while you and Shun go out and do something fun." *That way I can finally get some answers...*

"Huh?" Seiya and Hyoga said, both dropping their forks and looking over at Ikki in surprise, before Seiya heaved a relieved sigh.

"Ikki?" Shun glanced at his brother curiously, before looking up at Hyoga. *Oh no, is Ikki still angry at him? I hope not...*

Hyoga and Seiya both were thinking the same thing, but it was Seiya that spoke up. "Hey, Ikki, I really don't mind training with you, maybe Shun and Hyoga should go into the city or something-" he blinked as the older teen interrupted.

"No, I think you can come up with something fun for the two of you to do," he sneered and leaned back in his chair. "You don't mind being my training partner this morning, do you, Hyoga?"

"Not at all," the Cygnus saint answered calmly, already knowing that this was probably more about Ikki's worry for his little brother, than any actual desire for training.

"Good, then it's settled." Ikki said, with an air of finality, before glancing over at his brother and noticing the worried expression on his face. "Look, Shun," he laid a hand over his brother's, giving the younger teen a faint smile, "you and Seiya get out of here for awhile, do something fun, and try to get your mind off all this for a bit, okay?"

Shun nodded slowly, then met Ikki's eyes. "And what are you going to be doing while we're gone?"

Ikki sighed, and he and Hyoga shared a look, before the Phoenix saint answered. "Hyoga and I are going to train, and I will admit I'd like to talk to him about a few things. I'm not angry anymore," he held up a hand as the Andromeda saint looked like he was about to protest, "I just...want to talk."

"It's fine, Shun," Hyoga gave the other teen a reassuring smile, before finishing off the rest of his breakfast, "Ikki's right, get out of here for a little while, try to take your mind off things. You look like you could use a bit of fun."

As soon as they'd finished eating, Ikki and Hyoga stood, nodded to each other, then waved to Seiya and Shun before striding out of the room.

Shun sighed and set aside his fork, not all that interested in eating anymore as he gazed after them with a worried expression.

"Okay, the order of the day is for you to get out of here and have some fun. You're in luck, Shun, because I'm just the man for the job," Seiya said brightly, rising to his feet and gathering up the empty plates, silverware and cups, then loading them in the dishwasher. He smiled and shook his head as Shun rose to help. "No, don't worry about it, it's not that much, really. You go get ready."

"But..." Shun tried to protest, then chuckled as Seiya shooed him out of the kitchen.

"Go on, get ready, I'll be there in a minute," Seiya grinned, waiting for Shun to leave the room. He listened to the other teen's footsteps receding, then he moved to the window and looked outside, watching with narrowed eyes as Ikki and Hyoga decided on a suitable place to spar. *Don't let that 'sparring' get too intense, you two,* he thought, then turned and strode up the hallway, a smile spreading across his lips as he drew up beside Shun. "All right, let's get out there and have some fun. Got any suggestions?"

Shun tilted his head in thought, then lifted one shoulder in a shrug. "The park, I guess..?" he trailed off, blinking as Seiya shook his head and chuckled.

"No way," Seiya grinned, clapping one hand onto his friend's shoulder. "I think you need something a bit more exciting than just wandering around the park, moping."

"I wouldn't be moping," Shun protested. "I'd be hanging out with you."

~~oOo~~

To be continued...

Gah, sorry for taking so long to update this, and further apologies for the lack of real action here, I know it leaves more questions than answers, but I figured it's better to cut it off here and at least give you something new to read while I try to jump-start the muse again, and steer it back to this rather than the YGO Seto/Jou stuff it's wanting to sink its teeth into. *laughs*

C+C welcome, flamers will be locked into a room with several dozen rabid Kuribos that have been slipped an aphrodisiac...*evil smirk*

JJ