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<Part 1>
 

Youji walked to the shop early in the day to begin his shift. Usually he
would have slept until Omi had to wake him, but lately. . . His sunglasses
covered the signs that he hadn't slept. Nothing seemed to help anymore. As
he turned the corner a moan came from the ally way. "Hello?"
Another moan. Someone was in a great dead of pain!
He hurried into the shadows and found a woman writhing in agony on the
ground. Her knees with curled up to her chin and she griped her head in
agony.

"Miss? Miss!"

"Make them stop."A weak but very male voice pleaded, "Please make them
stop!"

Youji jumped at that and turned the man over, "Shuldich!"

"Mein Gott!" He tried to curl in on himself again, "Too much! It's too
much! Make them stop. Please. Ach! It hurts!"

"Shuldich! Shuldich! I can't help you unless you tell me what's wrong!"
//Help him?! He's the bad guy! But he's in pain. Where are the rest of them?
Did they abandon him to this?//

"Ja." He moaned, "Is a punishment. . . ach! Mein skat help me."

"I have no idea what you just said, and I know I'll regret this, but come
on. Can you stand?"

"Nein."

"Shit."

"Please. . ."

"What's wrong?"

"My powers, there are too many voices! I can hear the whole city, Gott! So
much!"

Youji grabbed his shoulders and gave the German a hard shake "Concentrate!
Concentrate on my mind! Just me. Look at me!"

Brilliant amber eyes shot open and caught his. They both froze as Shuldich
concentrated and forced himself to only hear the Japanese boy's thoughts.
/His eyes! So deep! How could such eyes exist so clear as these?!/ It was
Youji's thought. Only Youji's.

//It's working.//

/*He's beautiful!*/

/He's a guy!/

/*Why haven't I ever noticed how beautiful he is?*/

/Because you were always worried he'd blow your fucking face off/

/*Oh, right.*/

Shuldich smiled at the internal conversation then caught another. So many
thoughts were going through the Japanese boy's head. file://Almost as bad as
mine!// When he could, he pulled back and took a deep, calming breath.

"You ok?"

"Aa. You're head is almost as noisy as out here."

He instantly regretted those words. Youji's clear, open eyes closed as sure
as if a huge slab wall had been pulled up behind them. "I can't help it ok?
Why don't you just go kill someone or something."

He laughed at that, "You are supposed to stop me from this ja?"

"I'm beyond caring."

"Wait wait wait! I am sorry Youji."

He slid his glasses back on, "S'ok."

"No! No it isn't." one slim fingered hand rose and slid the glasses away
from the beautiful eyes they hid, "What is wrong?"

"Nothing, I just haven't slept well lately."

"You have the voices too."

"Not like you." /Why am I talking to him?! He's ok, I should go now./ He
sighed and sat beside the red head on the hard ground. /I'll go in a
minuet./ "Are you going to use any of the info you saw in my head?"

"Let us keep it just between us ja?"

He smiled slightly.

"But. . ."

The smile fell, "I knew it."

"Nien, it's nothing bad. Tell me about the voices."

Youji sighed and took out a cigarette.

The German watch the bright play of the flame over the other man's face as
he lit it.

"I'm LD."

"Learning Disabled?"

"Mmm." He blew out the smoke and sighed, resting an arm on his knee, "I
can't concentrate on one thing at a time. There's always a thousand things
going on in my head, they called it ADD I think, Attention something
Disorder."

"And you can't shut it off."

"Well. . ." He exhaled again and tapped the end of the cigarette, "after
sex my whole mind focuses for one moment, but it's gone so quick, it doesn't
help much. Still it's something. Some. . ."

"Silence."

He looked up, startled, "Y. . . Yeah."

"Before I could control it, My powers kept my head full of voices. It was
horrible. No one could tell me little white lies or hide something
disturbing, I always knew their thoughts. I grew up knowing that my fellow
students thought I was a freak. That men and woman passing on the street
though I had a cute ass, for a whore, that my parents were getting a
divorce."

A hand reached up to wipe away a tear he hadn't known he had shed. Youji
smiled sadly at him, /Awe what the Hell./ "Buy you a drink?"

He chuckled harshly, "Ja."
 
 

The bar was crowded and filled with smoke. Youji was greeted by the patrons
and staff as if they were old friends.

"You come here a lot." Shuldich noted.

"Yeah well, Like I said, I don't pay attention well. This is a great place
to get lost in."

"I know." They sat with their drinks at a back table and Shuldich took his
hand softly, "Just don't get too lost."

"No such thing." Youji downed his beer in one gulp and motioned for
another.

A sad look came over the telepath and he replied softly, "Yes there is."

Youji looked up, "Well, I told you my story already, out with yours."

The German grinned, looking more like his usual cocky self.

"Ah, there you go, I was wondering where you went." Youji chuckled
sarcastically.

"Miss me?" He countered.

The Japanese voice dripped with sarcasm, "Oh Immensely. Now tell."

He took a deep breath and thought a moment. "Before Schwarz, Carwford in
particular, found me, I was a bar fly. Just drowning my sorrows, trading
anything -Anything- for my next drink or drag. It was better than facing the
pain. But it never really left. Crawford found me there and showed me how to
find the silence I needed to stay sane. In exchange I went to work for him."

"So why were you laying moaning in the alley?"

The Schwarz member flinched and Youji almost took the question back, but he
continued. "I am not as easily manipulated as Nagi and Farfarello. Crawford
sees that. Every once in a while, he steels the silence from me, so that I
know who's in charge."

"But you can control it now can't you?"

"Crawford has the power to tear down my mental shields."

"That's horrible! Why do you stay!"

"Where else do I have to go?"

"You could always join Weiss."

"Ha!" He laughed and tilted his head slightly, "You think your companions
will welcome me into your team. You're naive Youji, I haven't met many naive
people. It's a treat."

"Have I just been insulted?"

"Take it as you will."

"Are you making a pass at me?" The Japanese eyes widened at the thought.

"I might be."

"Sorry, I'm straight."

"As a circle."

"Pardon?!"

"I can see your thoughts remember?"

"Don't dig through my head!"

Shuldich stretched back and smiled, "Don't have to. They come to me. You
are a very beautiful person Kudou Youji."

"What are you up to?"

"I am trying to goad you into dancing with me."

/*Yes yes yes*/

"Fat chance."

The German smiled and whispered, "I thought I was straight also."

"Oh?"

"Then I saw you. And from the first moment I could not forget you."

"This is getting too. . ."

"Personal? Intense? I mean it to be. I love the way you can smile at the
humorous, even in the middle of Hell you would smile at a situation you
found funny. I love the way you protect the others of your team so fiercely.
I love the endearing way you hide yourself behind those glasses and your
countless 'Hot Dates'. I love your stubborn strength." He inched closer and
closer.

"Shuldich. . ." the Japanese man slid from the circular booth and away from
the German.

"Kai."

"N. . . nani?"

"My name. It is Kai."

Youji blinked at the man, now standing above him. /Gods he's tall!/

"Thank you. Then according to the height rule, I'm the seme."

"Huh?!"

That same annoyingly confident smirk met him and Youji gasped as he was
caught up in two strong arms. "Wh. . . what the Hell are you doing?!"

"I told you. I want to dance with you."

"Demo. . ."

A rough but tender, work calloused hand fell over his lips, "Shh."

Before Youji could respond, soft lips replaced the hand and he was
drowning, burning up in tender heat that shot through his body like
lightning and stole his breath away. They had stopped dancing, he didn't
care. When they parted Youji's eyes searched the amber orbs gazing down on
him.

'Yes Youji, I kissed you.'

He jumped at the sound of the German's voice in his head. "Don't do that!"

'You liked that didn't you Youji.'

"I. . ."

"You can't lie to me." He whispered.

Again the lips fell to his and Youji felt something he had searched for his
whole life. /Silence./ but not just emptiness that he was used to, but
silence filled with warmth and. . . file://oh no. Please God I can't. . ./

Shuldich smiled, "Yes you can."

"What do you want from me?"

"I don't know. But you will be the first one I tell when I find out."

"I am not just a quick fuck."

"I have never been interested in 'Quick fucks' as you call them." The Black
hunter looked into the White's shimmering green eyes, "I am entranced by
you. Enchanted."

Youji blinked and backed away. "I'm straight. I AM!"

//You felt something Kudou. I will not give up so easily.//

"Have you ever before kissed a man?"

"Of course not!"

"Then how do you know?"

"I. . ."

Shuldich led him out of the stuffy bar and leaned up against the building,

"Well?"

"Well what?"

"Try it."

"WHAT?!"

"Kiss me. Try it. If you like it, you know maybe you aren't so straight as
you thought, if you don't, I leave and never bother you again ja?"

"Promise?"

"Ja."

Youji wet his lips thoughtfully, leaned forward and pulled back again. /I
can't kiss him when he's watching me like that./

As soon as the thought crossed his mind, Shuldich closed his beautiful eyes
and tilted his head, waiting.

/he let his guard down? Why. . . I could. . ./

'I trust you Youji.' He spoke in his head, 'you are a man of honor.'

Again he bent forward, pecking the German's lips lightly.

He smirked, 'If that is what you call a kiss no wonder you are still
alone.'

The comment goaded Youji into action. He caught to German's lower lip and
ran his tongue over it, suckling at it until a moan opened his moist mouth
to the onslaught. Time seemed to halt and they moved closer, pulling each
other into an embrace. Youji's hands were buried deep in the blood red lochs
of the German and Shuldich wrapped long arms around him as if he were trying
to pull the smaller man inside of himself.

Heat and lightning filled him again. This time Youji couldn't make the
excuse that Shuldich had forced him. And it still felt good. So good. "Mmm."

"Aa." The German moaned as Youji suckled his tongue.

As suddenly as the kiss had started, Youji froze, /Oh my God! What am I
doing?! It's Shuldich for cryin' out loud!/ He backed away, /I just kissed.
. ./ his mind refused to pass that fact.

The black hunter closed his eyes in defeat, "Goodbye then." He smiled
sadly, "I am a man of my word if nothing else. I'm sorry that I disgusted
you."

Youji watched him go helplessly then slid to the sidewalk. Tears building
in his eyes, "but I'm straight."

<Part 2>
 

Brad Crawford was at his wits end! Schuldich was -not- acting like himself! The nymphomanic German hadn't said more than two words since he had returned after his ‘lesson' in the alley. Brad was actually staring to -Miss- the obnoxious humor of his team mate! //What is he pinning for?//

 "Why do you want to know?"

 "Schul!" Brad jumped at the silent entrance of his team mate.

 "I'm going out."

 "It's three AM!"

 "I must be lonely."

 "Huh?"

 "Forget it. I'll be back in time for the mission."

 "It doesn't start until midnight!"

 "So I'll be sure to be back eh? Ciao."

 Brad stared after the red head, "What are you up to Schul?"
 
 

 Schuldich stood on the roof top of the building beside the Weiss hunter's apartments. He watched
Youji as the boy sat on the window seat off his room, winding the wire of his weapon of choice. He
hissed and pulled his finger back from it and the German watched in mute facsination as the ruby
blood welled there. Youji brought the injured digit to his lips and suckled at it until the blood flow
stopped. His thought drifted over the black hunter's mind.

 /Blood red hair, amber eyes, why can't I forget his taste?!/

 /*Because you don't want to. You want to taste him again.*/

 /Damn!/

 /*I'm right though aren't I.*/

 He paused and looked out over the city, "Hai. Hai I want to feel the lightning again."

 //The lightning he said!// Schul was hard pressed not to yell out for joy right there! //He doesn't just
want the silence I offered him, he really wants me!//

 He trailed Youji all day. Finally as in neared nine O'clock, he knew he had to start back soon, still. .
.
 
 

 The door chime sounded and Youji looked up from the books, "Can I help you?"

 "You're the only one who can."

 He jumped at that deep, velvety voice, "Schuldich!"

 "Youji."

 "YOU want to buy FLOWERS?"

 He laughed and stepped nearer to the counter, "Nein Youji-kun, I came to visit my flower."

 "Ah. . . what flower would that be?" He asked, unable to move, unable to think of anything but those
wonderful eyes.

 "A fair blossom blooming in adversity." He came closer. "Petals of Ivory and Honey, cloaked in
shadows where it thrives. It's tendrles and thorns are most deadly but if you get close enough. . ." He
reached out and ran a gentle hand over Youji's cheek, "It's fragrance alone is worth the risk."

 "Schul. . ."

 He smiled and leaned closer, "And if one should taste it. . ."

 Their lips met and Youji sighed into the warm mouth. Yes. This was what he wanted, what he had
been thinking of since the first time. This was what he craved. This was. . . this was Schuldich. His
enemy!

 He pulled back and watched, transfixed as the black hunted licked his lips happily, "Mmm, Youji.
Sie schmecken gut mein liebling (*You taste good my darling*).

 "I. . . you said you wouldn't bother me if I. . ."

 "Am I bothering you Youji?" He asked softly.

 "N. . . No."

 "Gut. I would not want to break my word." He leaned over the counter and caressed the other
man's face softly, "You have thought of me?"

 "Constantly."

 "And are you still straight as a rod?"

 "Not with you. With any other man yes, but not you."

 "You are beautiful mien skat. Liebchen."

 "I'm not beautiful."

      "Oh but you are. Why are you all alone eh?"

 "It's better that way."

 "For who?"

 Youji looked away and Schuldich swung his legs over to sit on the counter and pulled the boy
between his spread knees, holding him close, "It. . . it's better for all. No one gets hurt that way."

 "But you are hurting."

 "I don't matter."

 The arms tightened around him and Youji felt more warm and protected then he ever had before.
"Who told you that eh? My beautiful warrior. You are -all- that matters."

 "The team. . ."

 "You are a part of your team. Don't forget that."

   "Why are you being so wonderful? You're my enemy."

 "I find myself in a place I have never ventured before. Love doesn't take heed of gender or sides of
a battle. Love only knows what the heart tells it."

 "And what does your heart say?"

 "That you complete me Liebling. That I am nothing without you."

 "I. . . Kami-sama! How could we have let this happen?!"

 Schul smiled at the emotion in the other man's voice, "I think we did not have a choice."

 "I think I. . ."

 "Say it. Please." Shuldich looked deep into his eyes.

 Youji's words came out in a whisper, barely audible, "Suki da Shuldich. I don't know how it
happened, but I love you." Worry clouded those beautiful eyes and Youji swallowed harshly, "What
are we going to do? I. . . we can't leave our teams."

 "It will be ok." Shuldich promised and covered the boy's face in kisses. When the door chime went
off, Schuldich slid quickly to the ground behind the counter and found himself face to face with the
proof of Youji's words.

 "Yo-kun?"

 "Omi!" Youji gasped as Schuldich rubbed his cheek against the bulge in his pants and tried to look
natural, "What's up?"

 "Mission in an hour. Close shop."

 "Oh ok."

 "Are you ok Youji? You look flushed."

 "I. . ." The word came out as a squeak, "I'm fine." He reached down and bushed Schul's questing
mouth away from his zipper.

 ‘You're no fun.' the laughing voice echoed in his head.

 Youji anwered with the thought, /then why are you here nuzzling my crotch?/

 ‘Good point.'

 "Youji?"

 "I'm all set for the mission, just have a couple things to take care of, be right there."

 "Oh. . . ok." Omi smiled and waved, "ja ne."

 "Yeah, yeah! Ja ne." As soon as the boy was out of sight Youji was pulled to the floor behind the
counter, "Schul!"

 "Mmm." He smiled, ‘you know you want me.'

 /Not here! Not now! I have a mission!/

 ‘Just one taste.'

 "You never stop at just ‘one' taste."

 Warm lips played over the skin of Youji's chest, suckling at the collar bone, biting and sucking until
the boy was marked in plain sight.

 "Schul! How will I explain this!?"

 "Your the hormone driven sex maniac of the group, no need to say ‘who' gave it to you. Just smile.
They'll get the idea."

 "You are so bad."

 "Thank you. I do try."

 A pounding on the back door brought them out of their consentration on each other and Youji
swore, "A Kuso! I'm in trouble."

 "What time is it? Shist! I'm going to be late!"

 They both stood and straightened each other's clothing carefully. Youji pulled a honey colored lily
from the display and tucked it into Schuldich's hair, "This has to be the dumbest thing I have ever
gotten myself into."

 "Well then," Schul smiled and kissed him softly, "We will be idiots together, ja?"

 "Hai." Youji smiled and licked the German's lips. "Stay safe. Don't die on me just when we've
discovered this."

 He bowed and then winked before he hurried away.

 Youji stared after him, his mind screaming for him to pay attention and stop acting like a love sick
school girl, but his heart was to high on his kisses to hear. "Schul."
 
 

 Despite their tardiness both missions went through with out a hitch. But because of their partners
odd behavior, both teams were worried.

 "Ken, Aya, I'm worried about Youji."

 "Well sure he was late coming up for the mission but he's never followed the rules much."

 "It's more than that."

 "Like what?"

 "When I went into the shop to get him I could have sworn I heard voices but it was only him. He
was acting really weird."

 Ken grinned, thinking of where this could be going, "How?"

 Omi counted of on his fingers, "Well his breathing was irregular and he kept his hands out of sight
and kept looking down at his. . ."

 Ken, who had been trying to hold it in, burst out laughing, "Oh! Ahahahaha! Omi your priceless!"

 "Wh~at?!"

 Aya even smiled, "I think you walked in on him during a. . .  private moment."

 "A private moment?"

 Ken laughed harder.

 "Yes Omi." Aya sighed, the boy was such an innocent. "He was pleasuring himself."

 "Pl. . . oh!!!"

 Ken snickered, "Yeah, oh!!!"

 "But what about that mark?"

 "What mark?"

 "He has a red blotch over his collar bone."

 Ken's grin was huge as he ran to Youji's door and threw it open, "Is it true?"

 "Huh?" Youji looked up, giving Ken a great view of the love bite.

 "It is! You got some!" He teased.

 Youji blushed.

 "He's blushing! Aya! Omi! I think he really likes this one! Look at him blush!"

 "Ken." Aya sighed and dragged his boyfriend from the doorway.

 Omi just watched all of these events quietly. "I thought I was the child of the group."
 
 

 Schwarz was going through a similar situation.

 Farferello watched through the barred door of his ‘cell' as Brad approached the red head with an
angry glare.

 "You were late!" Brad admonished.

 "I got there."

 "What are you grinning for now?!"

 "Nothing."

 "Are you TRYING to be annoying?!"

 He just smiled and Brad seemed to give up. "Go play with your nutcase then! See if I care!"

 The German didn't argue, he wanted to talk to Farferello anyway. "Farfie." He stood outside the
padded room, "can I come in?"

 He nodded, Shuldich was the only one he didn't mind talking to, and he was curious. "You sound
different."

 "I feel different." He walked inside and shut the door, going instantly to kneel on the floor with the
only man in the world he truly called friend before. . .

 "Mm."

 "I have something I want to tell you."

 "Why me?"

 "Because strange as it seams, you're my best friend."

 "Friend." The word came out strange, as if he wasn't used to the feel of it on his tongue.

 "Ja."

 "Ok."

 "You won't tell anyone what I'm about to tell you."

 "Yeah."

 "He found me after Brad punished me."

 "He?"

 Schuldich nodded and waited for a reaction.

 "Homosexual unions are against God. God will hurt." he grinned and ran his tongue over his dagger.

 "Farfie, he's the most incredible creature I've even seen!"

 "Like Brad?"

 "Brad's an ass."

 "Aa. But you've wanted into that ass for a long time."

 Schuldich stared, "You know, I think you are a lot more lucid than we give you credit for."

 "Nah."

 "I love him, But there's a problem."

 Farfie just watched him carefully with one glowing eye.

 "He's WeiB."

 "The one with the kill wire."

 Schuldich leaned closer in case Brad was listening, "How did you know?!"

 "Saw you kiss him."

 "When?!"

    "mission."

 Schuldich' face grew hot as he recalled the mission.
 
 

***********

 Youji had been in a darkened place behind the wall. As Schuldich walked by he reached out and
caught him, pulling him into the dark and up against his chest. At first he had struggled but then his
eyes adjusted and he saw Youji smiling at him. They leaned closer, mouths touching feather light, then
deeper, harder, tongue's dancing for dominance and coming to a draw as the parted for air. "Youji."

 "Tag." He breathed heavily against his beloved's mouth, "you're it." Then they had kissed again
before the calls of their team mates drew them apart.

**************
 
 

 "You don't want me to pay with him then." Fararello sulked.

 That made Schul start! He hadn't thought that Farfie might. . ., "No. Don't hurt or kill him. I'll tell him
not to kill you. Even trade."

 "Not really."

 "Next time I see him I'll bring you back some of his wire."

 "The kill wire? That makes people bleed?!" The man got a gleam to his eyes and looked almost
pleading. "Yes!"

 "You won't hurt or kill him then."

 "Then you can continue to make god hurt."

 "Yes, we can make God hurt for you Farfie." Schul hugged his friend, startling the Irishman for a
moment before he sighed and accepted the hug, "I love him so much! It's all such a new experience!
I've never felt this way before!"

 "Don't let God take him away from you." Farfie paused and Schul could almost swear he had heard
him sob. "The father of lies takes things you love."

 He held him tighter. Schuldich was the only person Farferello allowed to touch him. "I won't, and
you'll be there to make sure that God doesn't get him, ja Farfie?"

 The maniac smiled and suckled at his knife, "Aa, he is your friend he hurts God, he is my friend."

 "He'll be happy to know that. Farfie, you can come to live with us when the fighting is over. I'm sure
he wont mind."

 "Looking far ahead."

 "He's all I ever think about."

 "Dangerous."

 "I can't help it."

 "You sound like Tot."

 Schul stopped gushing and glarred. Farfie just grinned at him.
 
 

 Youji was laying back in his bed starring at the ceiling. Stolen kisses weren't enough. /I never thought
I'd be so hot for a man before."

 /*You've never been in love before either, but you are now.*/

 /Love, yes, I love him! Gods this is crazy but I love him!/

 //Insanity is only a state of mind.// A soft voice played over his mind.

 Youji sat straight up and turned to the window. Schuldich smiled at him from the sill, "Schul."

 The German went to him and enveloped him in a tight hug. "How do you make me long for you so
much?"

 Youji smiled, "How do you make me love you so much?"

 Neither moved for a long moment, just drawing in each other's strength and love. Schuldich was the
first to speak. "I spoke to Farfie about us."

 The Japanese boy snapped away, "Farferello?!"

 "He is my confidant Youji. My friend. He promised not to tell and he said also he will protect you for
me. He would never harm you."

 "Is he sane enough to remember a promise?"

 "I think he has more sense than we credit to him. He isn't insane at all, he's just hiding from his pain."

 The boy snuggled back up to his lover, "If you say so koibito."

 "Oh, almost forgot."

 "Hm?"

 He pressed a firm kiss to his lover's lips and smiled, "Tag."

 Youji blushed, "You remembered that?"

 "Every minuit detail. I think you've started something."

 "I hope so!"

 They giggled with each other and lay back onto the bed, snuggling close.

 "You know what?" Youji whispered.

 "Mm?"

 "I'm glad I'm not straight."

 "Me too."

 "But why did you choose me?"

 "What do you mean?"

 "Shuldich, you are the hottest creature I have ever seen! You could have anyone you wanted. Why
did you pick me?"

 "I didn't."

 "Huh?"

 "Love chose you for me. I simply followed my heart."

 "You are a natural romantic you know that?"

 "Some would call me a slut."

 "Never!" Youji pulled him tighter, "Who called you that?"

 "Brad."

 "I'll kill him!"

 "It's true though."

 "Not anymore!" Youji growled fiercely, "You're mine."

 "Only yours." He agreed. "And you are only mine."

 "Never any doubt Koibito."

 "I think we've opened Pandora's box."

 "But remember after the bad was gone there was still one thing left inside."

 "Hope."

 "Hai. There's always hope."

 "You are such a naive little angel."

 "But you love me for it ne?"

 "Ja. Forever mein skat."

 Youji blushed at the endearment but with happiness. "Hai, zutto."
 

<Part 3>

When Omi went to wake Youji the next morning he was surprised to find the door locked.
"Youji-kun? Why is this door locked? Youji?"

 The honey brown head lifted from his lover's scarlet lochs shooting an annoyed glance at the
offending door. Then he realised what tie it was and who was with him, "Ah! Kuso!"

 "Youji? Youji is everything ok?"

 "Anou. . . yeah, yeah fine, I was just. . . uh. . . sleeping."

 "Why is your door locked? Are you in trouble?"

 "Eh, no! I just. . . wanted privacy."

 "Oh, ok. Our shift starts at noon, you should get ready."

 "Yeah! Yeah I will! Ok." He let out a sigh of relief when the boy's footsteps went away. "Kami sama
that was close!"

 "Mmm, but worth it." Shuldich smiled at him and traced a finger lovingly over his face.

 "All we did was sleep." Youji chuckled. "You act like you've been thoroughly sated."

 "After sleeping in your arms, I feel lethargic. Afterglow has nothing on this." Schuldich grinned and
added, "Although I wouldn't mind. . ."

 "Oh no you don't hentai!" Youji chuckled and jumped from his love's reaching arms, "Get your mind
out of the gutter!"

 "Why?"

 "Because mine is already there and there's not enough room for the both of us." Youji grinned and
flexed his tight rear earning him a groan. "I have to take a shower." He padded to the bathroom then
peeked out teasingly, "There's room for two you know. . ."

 That was all the invitation the German needed! He was out of bed, undressed, and in the shower
before Youji could blink.

 "I forgot how fast you are." He smiled stepping into the spray and handing the other boy his usual
shower gel, "Do my back?"

 "I'd like to do. . ."

 "Schuldich!"

 "Well it's true."

 Youji laughed and arched into the soapy touch of the black hunter. "Mmm!"

 "You like that little one?"

 "I love that."

 "You like me?"

 "I love you."

 "You are quite agreeable today." He teased as he helped the other boy to dry off.

 They sat on Youji's bed, clad only in towels, and Youji sighed as he turned to his lover, "Daite."

 Schuldich smiled, "You are lucky I know the literal translation of that word or I might think you just
propositioned me."

 Youji chuckled and curled up in Schuldich's lap, "Just hold me."

 "Ja liebling. Forever."

 The pounding on the door came again, "Youji!"

 "Ah Kuso! What do you want Ken?!"

 "Aya and I want you to go work your shift so we can have our lunch break."

 "Yeah I'll bet it isn't food you'll be eating."

 "YOUJI!"

 "I'm coming!"

 ‘Not yet.' Schuldich grinned into his mind.

 He growled and licked the smug lips before throwing his clothing on and snatching something off the
floor.

 "Hey that's my headband!" Schuldich noted as Youji tied it around his forearm.

 "Well you took some of my wire."

 The German blushed at being caught, "It's for Farferello."

 Youji laughed, "I'm not mad, I just want a bit of you with me all day."

 Schuld smiled, "I could give you something better. . ."

 "AaAaAa." he chided, "I have to go to work."

 Schuldich fell to the floor with a dramatic sigh, "Oh the unjust world!"

 Youji smiled and hugged him one last time after Schuldich was dressed and ready to go, "I will see
you tonight?"

 The German man grinned, "I think I'll visit the flower shop. What is your favorite?"

 "Cattleya, but if you come to the shop the guys will. . ."

 "Not as Shwartz." He promised, "Just as a lover buying flowers for the one he loves."

 Youji leaned into the hug happily.

 "You think Farfie will like them?"

 Youji chuckled and bit his lover's chest warningly, "I'm a very jealous lover Koibito."

 Strong arms squeezed once more then Schuldich was gone, but a though reverberated through the
room. ‘Good'.
 
 

 Brad was sitting on the couch facing the door when Schuldich finally arrived back, "Nice night?"

 "You care?"

 "Slut."

 "Up tight Ass hole."

 "Where were you?"

 "Heaven."

 "I'm not playing these games with you."

 "Good."

 "Who is it Schuldich?"

 "You would want to know wouldn't you."

 "Yes damn-it!"

 "Go fuck yourself Brad."

 "That's your fantasy."

 "Not anymore." Schuldich yawned, "Been there, done that, bought the T-shirt, burned it."

 "I may not be your lover but I'm still in charge!"

 "Are you?"

 Crawford reached into the redhead's mind and pulled out the blocks that filtered out the thoughts of
the world around him.

 "Arghhhhhhh!"

 "I. Am. Your. Master." He looked down at the struggling telepath coldly, "Don't forget that."

 Farferello went to his friend and lifted him up as the blocks slid back into place in his mind, "Ok?"

 His voice was harsh from screaming, "Yes."

 "Go to him. He makes it better yes?"

 "Yes."

 "Go."

 "Come with me." Schuldich looked over at brad who was hovering just out of hearing distance, "I
don't want to leave you with him."

 The insane man nodded and they both walked out the door.

 Brad slammed himself down to sit on the couch and fumed, his prize was escaping and he didn't
know how to stop this rebellion. "I'll kill him Schu. I'll find this lover of yours and I will kill him slow
and painful. Then we'll see how rebellious you are."
 
 

 The bell of the flower shop caused Youji to look up with a smile, "Hello can I. . . Schu- kun! He
hopped over the counter and ran to the man's side, "What happened what's wrong?"

 He stepped forward, letting his loves arms wrapped securely around him, making him feel safe and
warm.

 Farfie and Youji locked eyes over Shuldich's shoulder and Farferello answered the question in his
eyes, "Crawford."

 "That bastard!" Youji led his koibito and the Irishman back behind the counter and the to lovers sat
down, snuggling him on the bench, while Farferello stood beside Shuldich protectively. "Did he hurt
you like last time?"

 Schuldich nodded and held on tighter. Youji and Farfie were the only people he could trust in the
world and right then, he needed someone he could trust. "I wanted to kill him. I wanted to rip him
open and watch him die."

 "Schu. . ."

 "Did you ever get the feeling that if you did something, killed a certain person, you'd rot in Hell for all
eternity?"

 The Japanese boy knew an answer wasn't needed. He was there and the German was safe now.
That's all that mattered.

 The bell rang but neither of them heard it. They were too enveloped in each other. Sharing their love and pain through Schuldich's power.

 "Ok Youji, shift's. . . up. . . oh! I'm sorry I didn't know you had a girl with. . ." Omi stopped and
looked closer, "Shuldich!!!" Farfie had his knives out in an instant, "Farferello!!!"

 That got their attention, "Omi! Holy shit! Ah. . . I can explain. . ."

 Aya and Ken burst in the back way, "We heard a scream what. . . Swartz!!!"

 Schuldich reach up and placed a hand on Farfie's shoulder, pulling him back to sit beside him,
"Don't."

 Youji sighed and dropped back to sit on the bench he had just left. This was going to be a loooong
explanation.

 "Youji! What is going on?!"

 "Well I. . . that is we. . . Schu and I are. . ."

 Schuldich sat beside him and smiled, "We are in love."

 "WHAT!!!" All three yelled.

 "Well I found Schu in an ally and. . ." Youji proceeded to tell them. . . most of the details. Leaving
out the fact that Schuldich had slept and showered with him and a few other tasty bits. "And now
Crawford did it again and I won't allow him to return to that."

 Now it was Schuldich's turn to look shocked, "What?!"

 "You aren't going back. You're staying with me. I won't let him hurt you."

 "But Farfie. . ."

 "He's staying too."

 "WAIT A MINUTE!!!" His partners glared, "Farferello?! Are you out of your mind?!"

 "It's that or I'll leave the team."

 The German gasped and looked at the shorter boy in shock, "You would do that?"

 "For you." He said softly, "Anything to keep you from hurting anymore."

 "Youji have you lost your mind?!"

 "No."

 Schuldich smiled and lapped at his neck gently while Farfie stayed tense and ready to protect.

 Omi noticed the look in the Irishman's eyes and asked, "you protect them don't you."

 "Friends protect friends."

 "Youji is your friend?"

 "Mmm." he nodded and watched the three for any sudden movements. He didn't have to wait long.
Ken reached out to pull Youji from Schuldich. The Irishman lashed out and Ken pulled back
bleeding. "Back off!"

 "He cut me! The freak cut me!"

 "They can both stay in my room." Youji looked up with hard eyes that promised he wasn't playing,
"Please."

 "Youji. . ." Aya sighed.

 "Please."

 The three looked at each other and then lowered their eyes, "They can stay tonight." Aya allowed,
"We will discuss this then."

 After his team mates left, Youji felt Shuldich lean against his back lovingly, "You didn't need to do
that."

 "Yes I did." He smiled as the German's arms wrapped around him, "Come on, let's go home."

 Farfie looked shocked when Youji took his hand and helped him rise. "Me?"

 "I said so didn't I?"

 Schuldich watched the two people he loved most and smiled that Youji cared enough to take Farfie
in as well.

 "Don't you want to come home too?" Youji asked kindly.

 "Home." Farfie looked amazed at the concept, "Farferello has never had a . . . home."

 "Well now you do." The Japanese youth smiled, "Forever."

 "T. . . thank you."

 They shared a smile and entered the building that would be home to all of them now. And in Farfie's
heart, a little of Farferello became Jei again. And he laughed.

<Part 4>
 

 Omi walked out of his room sleepily, rubbing his eyes and yawning. He reached up into the cupboard for his cereal and bowl then padded over to the table in his pjs.

 "Bugs."

 The boy shrieked and dropped the bowl and box.

 Farfarello looked at the mess on the floor then back up at Omi's pale face as he nursed his knife
with bleeding lips. "Little bird is jumpy." He starred at the frightened boy as Omi tried to keep calm.

 "I. . . ah. . . um. . . I. . . YOUJI!!!!!!" Omi backed up and curled up on top of the counter, eyes
never leaving the golden eyed man perched at the table. The look the Irishman was giving him was
unsettling at best.

 Youji slammed into the room, Schu close after. Both were clad only in boxers and rumpled from
sleep but ready to fight. "Omi! What. . ." He took in the scene before him and dropped his
protective stance. "Omi?"

 "Y. . . y. . . yes?"

 "Get down."

 Schuldich slid the knife from Farfie's mouth and looked at him carefully, "You're scaring him. What
did you say to him?"

 "Bugs."

 "Huh?"

 The silver haired man pointed to Omi's pajamas, which sported pictures of butterflies up and down
every available area, "Bugs."

 Youji couldn't take it any more, his smirk covered his whole face.

 "It isn't funny!" Omi insisted.

 Aya and Ken rushed from the bathroom still wet from their shower and skidded to a halt, "We
heard screaming. Are you ok?"

 Youji chuckled as he spoke, he couldn't help it. "Omi just had a fright."

 "Oh?" Aya looked at Farerello carefully.

 "He just said Omi's pjs had bugs on them and the kid went ballistic."

 Omi blushed, "Well I didn't expect him to be here!"

 Aya nodded and finished buttoning his shirt, "We need to talk about this anyway."

 Youji, Schuldich, and Farferello all sat in one large armchair, the Irishman perching on the arm and
Schu and Youji almost in each other's laps, while Youji's team mates took the couch, "Well?" The
German asked.

 Aya started, "You have given us every reason to hate you."

 Schuldich nodded, "I would say I'm sorry but you wouldn't believe me."

 "Damn right!" Ken growled.

 Omi frowned.

 "Little bird has something to say." Farferello noticed.

 "I. . . I'm sorry I jumped like that Farerello, you just startled me."

 Ken and Aya both glarred at their young team mate, "Omi!"

 "Well. . . I mean. . . everyone deserves a chance right? And Youji wouldn't let them into our home
unless he knew they wouldn't hurt us."

 Youji nodded, "Guys, we've all killed people it isn't like our hands are any cleaner than theirs."

 "I can't believe this." Ken threw his hands up in disgust, "Come ON! Their the BAD guys!"

 Farferello tensed at the angry words, uneasy around the Weiss team as it was, and both Schul and
Youji pulled him into their laps and put their arms around him protectively.

 "Don't yell!" Youji hissed, "You're making him edgy!"

 "The guy nurses on knives for Christ sake!"

 "Shut up!"

 Aya stood and moved between the two, "This isn't getting us anywhere!"

 "I agree." Shuldich said softly, running his hand soothingly through the Irishman's hair while Youji
rubbed his back.

 Everybody just stared at the sight until Ken opened his big mouth again, "What are you guys a trio
or something?"

 Youji sent a death glare at the startled soccer player. "He's like family. You have a problem with
that?"

 "Ok Youji, what'd you get hit over the head or something?"

 "Give them a chance." Youji looked at Aya imploringly, "What if Ken was with Swartz, would it
change who he is? Or how you feel about him?"

 "I. . ."

 "Please."

 Aya sighed and nodded, "You're right."

 "He is?"

 "They deserve a chance and though this was an unexpected addition I trust Youji's judgement."

 "Yosh!" The Japanese boy turned and caught Schul's lips to his in a long, wet victory kiss.

 "Anou. . ." Omi's eyes were as wide as saucers, "Oh my."

 Farferello smiled and licked his knife reverently until the were done then asked, "Where is my cell?"

 Youji smiled, "You're sleeping in my room, on the bed. It's a king sized there's plenty of room."

 "No bars?"

 A smile met his question and Youji shook his head and hugged the confused man tight, "No more
bars Farf. You're a human being. And I wasn't lying when I said you're like family to us."

 Schuldich smiled, "Well Youji, are you the mother then?"

 Youji pretended to be offended and playfully attacked the German, trapping Farfarello in the middle
of it.

 "Achehm."

 The three of them looked up at Aya, Ken and Omi and waited, "Yes?"

 "What will we do with them when we're on missions?"

 Youji looked at Schuldich and then back, "I can't ask them to fight their old team mates. They can
stay here, or even run the shop. It would be extra cover that the shop is still going when we're on the
job."

 If anyone was surprised that Youji could think with something other than his nether regions, they
didn't say anything.

 Youji and Schuldich were both silent. The other three Weiss boys sweatdropped at the soft looks
passing between the two.

 Farfarello glared at them, "What are you looking at?"

 "Anou. . ." Omi coughed.

 The Irishman's eye glittered dangerously, "Leave."

 Before Aya or Ken could argue Omi was dragging them away. Farfie nodded, satisfied with this,
and walked out of the room himself, Jei began whistling inside him and before he could catch it.
Farfie was singing the whistled tune softly, "Sure a little bit of heaven, Fell from out the skies one
day, And it landed in the ocean, In a spot so far away, And when the angels found it, It looked so
sweet and fair, They said Suppose we leave it, For it looks so peaceful there. Then they sprinkled it
with stardust, Just to make the shamrocks grow, It's the only place you'll find them, No matter where you go. And they showered it with moonbeams, To make it's lakes so grand, And when they had it
finished, Sure they called it Ireland."
 
 

 Schuldich reached out and carefully and his knuckles raked slightly over his White hunter's cheek,
"Youji."

 The Deep green pools closed and Youji leaned into the soft touch like a kitten begging to be petted.

"Mm?"

 A soft look came over the amber eyes of the redhead before him. A look that had never graced the
lean face before. This wasn't lust or evil glee or amusement, the look was one of pure and
unadulterated love. "Before you no one cared about what I thought or felt. I was a tool. A means to
an end. Why do you treat me with such respect?"

 "Because." Youji smiled, "I love you."

 "You. . ."

 His words were cut short by a deep and meaning laced kiss that left the German feeling full and
empty at the same time, "I." Youji trailed the kiss over the other boy's neck, "Love." He suckled the
skin at the hollow of his throat. "You." He nipped the soft skin and looked up at the redhead who
was staring at him in shock. "Why do you find that so amazing?"

 "You're a fool you know."

 "I know." Youji cuddled closer, trailing kisses over the soft neck and slipping the shirt from one
shoulder to lick and nip every inch of flesh he could without removing the shirt.

 "I and Farfie, we're the enemy and you've let us into your home."

 "I know." More kisses, he moved closer.

 "Don't you even care?"

 "Not a bit." Youji grinned and placed a sloppy, wet kiss over the other's nose.

 "Why not." Schuldich arched into the touch of his beloved, tiring of the word game he had begun.

 "Because." Youji ran his battle roughed hands over the creamy abdomine beneath the shirt.

 "Because?" He gasped.

 "Because I love you."

 "I. . . love can lead you to destruction."

 Japanese eyes smiled and sparkled and Youji's mouth came a millimeter from the gasping German's
lips. "But. . ."

 "But. . .?"

 "You love me too."

 "Yes!" Schuldich surged forward and knocked Youji to his back with the force of the kiss he gave
to him. Hot and passionate laced with gentle longing and love. The combination should have been
nearly impossible, but it wasn't. It was only right. So very right.

 "Schuldich!"

 "I love you." He pressed kisses all down the other boy's neck and collar bone, "So much. Love you
so much."

 "I won't let Crawford hurt you. Not ever again."

 "Love me. Please love me Youji. I need to feel you. I need to know you're real."

 The white hunter moved closer, straddling the black hunter and opening his shirt, "You're so strong
Shuldich. So firm and warm."

 "No more than you are."

 Youji's lips found on taught brown nipple and he began to suckle at it tenderly, Shuldich cried out in
pleasure and burried his hands in the deep brown waves of Youji's hair. "Hn! Aa Aa aaaa, Youji!"

 The Japanese boy smiled and reached down to unfasten his love's ripped jeans, he stroked the
tender skin of his belly and slipped lower, smiling playfully. "You wanted something?"

    "You! You!" Schuldich almost wept, "Please! Youji!"

    When soft, warm lips slipped over him the black hunter bucked wildly, "Nnnn! Aaaaa!"

    completion hit him hard and his trust into Youji's mouth one last time before erupting hard and hot. Youji swallowed it all and leaned forward to kiss his lover, "I love you."

    Shuldich gasped and nodded, "I love you too. Youji that was. . . woah. . ."

    He smiled and cuddled on Shuldich's lap, "You can return the favor tonight." He smiled, "But for
now, I think that phycic wave of release you shot out will take some explaining."

    Aya and Ken stood in the doorway staring. Ken had his hand over Omi's eyes, "Uh. . . don't
bother, we get it."

    Farfello grinned and jumped into the chair with them, "Mommy, Daddy, does this mean I get a
baby to play with?"

    Ken grimaced, "You're one sick man Farf."

    "Thank you."

    Aya frowned at the two but nodded, "I suppose you are part of the family now."

    Shuldich smiled, "We've never had a true family before."

    Youji kissed him softly, "Well get used to it because I think I'll keep you."

    "Oh would you?" He grinned.

    "Forever and a day."

    "We've come a long way ne?"

    "Yes, and I wouldn't go back for the world."

    Aya Ken and Omi exchanged looks, this was the beginning of a very strange partnership.
 
 
 

~Owari~