Kamuro Yokoshima's heart sank to his shoes as he watched the airplane lift into the sky. His best friend Nikolai had been an exchange student at his school for a year, and the time had come for him to go back to Russia. Kamuro's older brother, Eiji, grasped his shoulder in a comforting gesture.

"I know he was your friend, Kamu. I'm sorry he had to leave. You'll see each other again someday, though."

"I hope you're right, Eiji. I've never had a…friend like him before." Kamuro's pause was scarcely perceptible.

Eiji heard the emphasis and tightened his grip on his brother's shoulder in understanding. He'd long suspected that the two young men had felt something more than friendship for one another, but he was sure they'd never acted on it. Both were far too honorable to take it any farther before they were of age. He sympathized with his younger brother. He knew intimately how confusing it could be to find yourself suddenly attracted to your best friend instead of the girl next door. Kamuro had handled it well, however.

Kenji Kurumada could see the anguish in his lover's eyes as he comforted his brother. He silently pressed his hand against Eiji's back, simply to say 'I'm here, and you are loved.'

Eiji leaned gratefully into Kenji's touch.

"Come on, guys," Kenji said, "we should be going."

Kamuro turned and faced his brother's lover. "Thanks for bringing all of us to the airport, Kenji. I really appreciate it."

Kenji smiled faintly. "It was no trouble, Kamuro. I'm just sorry your friend had to go."

Kamuro sighed and glanced out the window again. "Me too. I hope his father treats him better."

There wasn't really any response to that, so the three young men left the airport. Kenji dropped the two brothers off at their apartment before continuing on to the dojo.

It was a long time before Kamuro stopped seeing his friend in every blond passerby, stopped listening frantically for his voice in any crowd. For weeks, he went through the motions at school and home; his heart just wasn't in it. But as the months passed, he gradually got back into his life despite his loneliness. He got excellent marks at school; it seemed certain that he would get a substantial scholarship to the University when he graduated at the end of the academic year.

One chilly afternoon in February, Kamuro came home from school and rifled through the mail as usual. He found, among the bills, a heavy envelope addressed to him and his brother in fancy calligraphy. Curious, he opened the letter and pulled out a sheaf of documents

To the Yokoshima brothers, Kamuro and Eiji: (it read)

This letter is to inform you with our regrets that your very distant cousin, Hideo Takana, has passed away. You are his only living relatives, and hence you stand to inherit his entire estate. He has left you a house on the coast, the deed of and directions to which are enclosed, as well as savings, investments, and material possessions worth in excess of 250 million dollars (US). His estate currently generates a monthly interest income of $25,000, which will also fall to you.

Kamuro's jaw dropped, and he nearly dropped the letter in his surprise. He didn't even know he had a cousin, much less a rich one who would leave him and Eiji such an exorbitant sum of money.

You are requested to present yourselves at the law offices of Yamamoto, Date, and Yamada at your earliest convenience to settle the legal formalities of your inheritance. Please call the number enclosed and make an appointment. Driving directions are enclosed, as are instructions as to how to arrive by train or bus from your present location. Thank you for your prompt attention to this matter.

Very truly yours…

It was under the signatures of the three senior partners in the law firm, apparently their late cousin's personal attorneys. Kamuro stood silent, shocked into immobility. A distant cousin? An inheritance? Suddenly, the implications of the letter hit home. Kamuro grabbed his keys and dashed out the door. He caught the next bus headed downtown and fidgeted impatiently in his seat. When the bus stopped a block from the restaurant where Eiji worked, Kamuro flung himself out of the seat, off the bus, and ran the rest of the way there. He burst in to restaurant and collared the nearest waiter.

"I need to speak to Eiji Yokoshima," he panted. "It's very urgent!"

The man nodded and led him to the kitchen.

"Eiji!" he called. "There's someone here to see you. Says it's urgent."

Eiji appeared from around a corner, his golden eyes concerned when he saw his brother.

"Kamu? What's happened?"

"We…we…here!" Kamuro was so excited he could hardly speak. He thrust the envelope at his brother.

Eiji opened it, read the letter, his eyes getting wider by the second. Not quite believing what he read, he examined the documentation included with the letter while his younger brother bounced with excitement. Suddenly, Eiji looked up at Kamuro, tears standing in his eyes. They would finally have enough money to get by on, have enough to eat, enough so that Eiji could finish his education.

"Kamu!" Eiji said shakily. "We're going to be just fine! Let me speak with my supervisor, and we'll go see these lawyers straight away."

Eiji hurried off, then returned after a moment, taking off his apron. "I'll be back to finish my shift in a couple of hours, Koji," he told another waiter.

The other man nodded absently as he hurried out to the dining room with a tray full of dinners.

"C'mon, Kamu!"

The two brothers left and caught the bus headed uptown, to the posh district where the lawyers' offices were located. In no time, they were on the 37th floor of a huge skyscraper, waiting in the reception area of an opulent office suite while the receptionist took a call.

The young woman finished up on the phone at last and eyed the two young men, one in jeans and an old sweatshirt, the other in a waiter's uniform, disdainfully. "May I help you?" she asked in frosty, clipped tones.

Eiji stepped forward and bowed respectfully. "I hope so, Miss. We are here to speak with the senior partners of this firm regarding the estate of Hideo Takana. I am Eiji Yokoshima, and this is my brother, Kamuro."

The woman sniffed. "We've had people in and out of here all day pretending to be the heirs to the Takana fortune. I don't suppose you have any proof?"

Eiji handed her the envelope silently. She glanced over the contents, and her eyes widened. Her demeanor changed instantly.

"Please, have a seat, young sirs. I will inform Mr. Yamamoto, Mr. Yamada, and Ms. Date that you are here." She rose, knocked on a frosted glass door, then entered and spoke quietly for a moment. Three elegantly dressed lawyers came out, greeted the young men. They were ushered into an elegant office, and thirty minutes later, were officially $250 million dollars and a house richer.

"Officially, of course, you'll each get half the estate, but Kamuro's share will be put in trust for him until he turns 18. Since you are his legal guardian, Eiji, you will control that trust until then," Mr. Yamamoto, a kindly older man, explained. "The house is suitable for year-round living, but it would also be an excellent vacation residence. It is fully furnished; all you'll have to do is dispose of Mr. Tanaka's clothing and personal effects before you move in."

Eiji could scarcely contain himself. "Thank you so much! We've been barely getting by for so long… Maybe now I can finally finish my schooling."

Mr. Yamamoto smiled and handed Eiji a checkbook and bank cards. "We knew that you two are young men, likely not accustomed to such things, so we took the liberty of opening a checking account with a month's income already in it. Both you and your brother have card access to this account. I hope this makes your life a bit easier."

"Oh, it does, sir!" Kamuro blurted. "Eiji left school and went to work so that I could go to school. I'm so glad he'll be able to finish now!"

"Oh, I nearly forgot. Mr. Tanaka was very fond of automobiles. He has left you each a car - both Mercedes, I believe. Do either of you know how to drive?"

"Kamuro doesn't, but I do," Eiji said. "I can teach him and then take him to get his license."

"Excellent. I'll have one car delivered to your residence, and you can drive the other home. Both cars, of course, are equipped with excellent security systems, so you needn't worry about leaving them parked outside your current domicile." He picked up a telephone and gave a few orders to the person on the other end of the line.

While he was on the phone, Eiji turned to Kamuro. "Looks like we can go to the University together, Kamu," he said with a smile.

Kamuro's eyes sparkled, and he threw his arms around his brother's neck.

Soon, they were driving back to their flat in Eiji's new, black Mercedes. "I can't believe this, Eiji! We're actually rich!"

Eiji chuckled. "We may be rich, but that doesn't give us license to be frivolous. We'll live as we always have, except with maybe a bit more food and some new clothes." His eyes brightened. "I can't wait to tell Kenji! I'll be able to pay for my karate lessons properly, and you can enroll as well, if you wish. But first, I want to stop off at the restaurant and quit one of my shifts. I don't need to work two anymore."

Kamuro looked puzzled. "You don't need to work at all, Eiji. Why not quit altogether?"

Eiji glanced at his brother. "And what would I do all day? I have to do something with my time. Perhaps this weekend, we can go find this house of ours."

"I'd like that!"

An hour later, their errands had been run, and the brothers hit the shopping malls to replace their old clothes, and then the grocery store to stock their meager pantry. That weekend, they made the hour drive to the coast to see their new house, a beautiful modern-style house on a cliff overlooking the sea. It was tastefully decorated, and they loved it immediately. They decided to keep it as a vacation house, since they needed to be in the city for Eiji's work and Kamuro's school. It would be plenty large for them if they ever decided to live there permanently; it had four large bedrooms arranged in two suites of two bedrooms and a bathroom each. There was a spacious living room, large kitchen, even a large study that the two young men could share as office space, not to mention the large deck that gave them an excellent view of the ocean.

The weeks until the end of the school year passed quickly, both Kamuro and Eiji making plans to attend a local university with Kenji's enthusiastic support. All too soon, the two older men were sitting in the audience at a municipal auditorium as Kamuro received his diploma with honors on a sunny, warm day in May.

"How does it feel, Kamu?" Eiji asked, grinning fit to split his face in two.

"Wonderful! Like I could almost fly!"

Kenji smiled tolerantly. He'd gotten to know his lover's brother rather well since the younger man began taking karate classes at his dojo. Kamuro's cheerful personality and guileless charm never failed to lift everyone's spirits. He'd filled out a lot during the last several months, and shot up a few inches in height as well. He was already as big as Eiji and showed no signs of stopping. Kenji knew that both brothers would be formidable fighters when fully trained.

Eiji slung an arm around his strong, silent lover's waist in an excess of joy.

"Eiji," Kenji murmured in his ear, "remember that we are in a public place, love."

Eiji flushed. He looked up into his lover's intense blue eyes. "I'm not ashamed of you, Kenji. I'd like to tell the whole world that you are mine, and I am yours."

Kenji's heart thumped painfully at his lover's quiet words. "Neither am I ashamed of you, beloved." He caught Eiji in a one-armed embrace and then left his arm around the younger man's shoulders. The three of them headed out of the large auditorium, talking quietly.

Kamuro might have missed the young man standing silently by one of the other auditorium entrances, scanning the crowd as though looking for someone. He might have missed the young man but for his habit of glancing at every blond man that caught his eye, always subconsciously looking for his best friend.

Kamuro stopped dead in his tracks. He blinked twice, making sure that the slender, fair-haired young man with the satchel slung across his back was real. He didn't disappear, wasn't a dream. Kamuro's heart lurched, and he set off at a run, elbowing his way frantically through the crowd and leaving his startled brother behind.

"Nikolai!!" he shouted exultantly.

The blond turned brilliant green eyes in the direction of the shout and saw a tall, dark-haired young man fighting the crowd to get to him.

"Kamu…," he breathed. Then, "Kamuro!" he shouted. He bolted forward and flung himself at the taller young man. Suddenly, they were in each other's arms, pounding each other's backs, and laughing and crying all at once.

"I thought I'd never see you again, Niko. God, it's so good to see you!"

"Kamu," Nikolai said softly in his friend's ear. "I was so afraid I wouldn't be able to find you. Thank goodness you saw me!"

Kamuro pulled back at length. "Come on, Niko. Let's get out of this crowd. Eiji and Kenji are waiting. We were headed back to our place. I have so much to tell you!"

Nikolai flashed a beautiful smile at Kamuro. He nodded.

A companionable arm still about Nikolai's shoulders, Kamuro made his way back over to his brother. Eiji grinned lopsidedly at them and cocked an eyebrow at his brother.

Kamuro flushed slightly. "Um, you guys remember Nikolai, right?"

Kenji nodded at the young Russian. "Nikolai, it's good to see you again."

"Kenji, good to see you, too. Hi, Eiji."

"Hey, Niko. I'm glad to see you here again."

"Glad to be here," Nikolai said, grinning.

The four men fought their way through the crowds to Eiji's car and piled in.

"How long were you planning on staying in town, Nikolai?" Eiji asked as they drove towards the brothers' flat.

Nikolai's mouth tightened almost imperceptibly, making Kamuro promise himself to ask his friend about this later.

"I am here for as long as I wish to be. I've been accepted to the University here; I'm just waiting to find out if my request for financial aid is granted."

"That's wonderful, Niko!" Kamuro exclaimed. "Eiji and I are both going to attend the University in the fall. Do you have somewhere to stay for the summer?"

Nikolai flushed. "Not exactly. I'd planned on looking for work and then searching for a room someplace that I can afford."

Kamuro's brows furrowed. Something definitely wasn't right here. "Eiji, do you mind if Niko stays with us, then?"

"Of course not. You are always welcome, Nikolai. Kamuro and I recently inherited a great deal of money and property from a cousin we didn't know we had. He left us a house on the coast, so we were all planning to spend the summer there - just to relax before school starts up in the fall. We have more than enough room for you there. Will you come with us?"

Nikolai smiled shyly. "I don't want to impose upon anyone. I'd be most grateful if you could give me a place to sleep. I'll contribute whatever I can to the other expenses."

Eiji smiled. "Nonsense. You will be our most welcome guest." He pulled into the parking lot near their apartment building. "Kenji and Kamu's cars are already loaded. If everybody helps me finish loading mine, we can be on the road in just a few minutes."

The four young men pitched in and had Eiji's car loaded in short order. They locked up the flat, securing it for the summer.

"Ride with me, Niko?" Kamuro asked softly.

"Thanks, Kamu. I'd like that," Nikolai said diffidently.

No sooner were they in the car than Nikolai, bursting with curiosity, blurted out the questions that had been plaguing him ever since they left the auditorium in Eiji's new Mercedes.

"Kamu, what's this about a house? And your cars? What happened while I was gone?"

Kamuro grinned. "You'll never believe this. You know that Eiji and I never had much - we lived from day to day on Eiji's pay as a waiter. We didn't think we had any family. There was no one to care if we didn't have enough food or needed new clothes. Well, one day in February, we got a letter from a lawyer's office. It seems we have a cousin; or rather, we had a cousin. He died, and we were his only living relatives, so we inherited his entire estate. So much money, Niko! I never knew one man could have so much. But it's ours now, and it will let Eiji finally finish his schooling. We don't spend lots of money, and we haven't gone out and bought another house, or a boat, or anything like that. We live a bit better than we used to, but we don't want to live like the rich."

Nikolai sat quiet for a moment, digesting Kamuro's revelation. "I'm so happy for you both, Kamu! I remember how hard Eiji worked, and how he hated waiting tables. This car is terrific," he said, running his hand appreciatively over the leather upholstery. "And a house? If your car is any indication, the house should be incredible!"

"It is, Niko. It's a perfect house - stylish and modern, but still comfortable." Kamuro glanced over at his friend briefly and smiled. "There's a room for you if you want it, you know. Eiji and I each have a suite with two bedrooms. Kenji keeps some things in Eiji's spare room. I wouldn't dream of having anyone but you stay in the last bedroom."

Kamuro's smile turned shy, and he colored slightly. "That room's been waiting for you. I put up posters of your favorite music groups and sports teams; I really hoped I'd get the chance to see you in that room some day. I can't tell you how happy I am that I got that chance so soon."

Nikolai blushed to the roots of his hair. "You're the best, Kamu. I've never had a friend like you. No one's ever thought enough of me to do anything like this. I can't believe you'd offer me a place in your home so easily."

Kamuro's heart squeezed. "You are always welcome wherever I am, Niko. You're the best friend I've ever had."

He glanced over again and saw Nikolai swallow hard, obviously struggling against his emotions. To lighten the mood, he reached over and ruffled his friend's hair teasingly. "Besides, who else would I spend my summer vacation with?" he ribbed.

Nikolai laughed gratefully. "Glad I could help," he kidded.

Kamuro pointed at the big house high on the point as it swung into view. "There it is."

Nikolai goggled. "That's your house? Wow."

"Wait'll you see the inside," Kamuro said excitedly, "and the view from the deck is incredible!"

The small caravan of cars pulled up to the house and parked in the large driveway, and the four young men had them unloaded in a few trips. Once everything was inside, Kamuro grabbed his suitcase in one hand and tugged impatiently at Nikolai's arm with the other.

"C'mon, Niko! Get your bag and follow me. I'll show you your room."

Kamuro's enthusiasm made Nikolai laugh, and it was a beautiful sound. The slender youth snagged his satchel and followed his friend upstairs and through a door on their right. The room they entered was furnished with comfortable chairs, a big sofa, and a state-of-the-art entertainment center.

Nikolai took in his surroundings and cocked an eyebrow at Kamuro.

The taller young man flushed. "Okay, so maybe I spent a little bit of the money. I turned 18 last week, and I bought myself a birthday present," Kamuro said defensively.

Nikolai laughed. "Happy birthday, Kamu. I should've remembered - would've brought you a present," he said regretfully.

Kamuro cuffed his friend affectionately. "You did bring me a present, Niko; you came to see me."

Nikolai blushed.

Kamuro grinned, then seized his friend's hand again. "My room is on the left," he said, pointing to an open door. "The bathroom's in the middle, and this," he said, opening the third door with a flourish, "is your room."

Nikolai looked around the bedroom. The walls were painted a warm cream color, and the carpet, curtains, and bedspread were deep navy. The bed was huge and looked so very comfortable. Nikolai fought the urge to lay down and sleep forever. He was so tired, so weary in his soul. He shored up his resolve to behave as though nothing was wrong.

True to his word, Kamuro had put up posters from his favorite movies, bands, and sports teams, making the room seem more like home. There was a writing desk of polished cherry wood by one huge window, and a small stereo system perched on top of a darkly elegant chest of drawers. There was a tall bookcase, mostly empty, standing next to the closet doors and waiting for him to fill it with books, music, anything he wanted. It was…home, something he'd never truly known, not even - especially not - with his own family. Numbly silent, Nikolai moved past Kamuro, and his satchel dropped to the bed from nerveless fingers, his resolve crumbling.

"Nikolai?" Kamuro asked, concerned, "are you okay?"

Nikolai didn't answer, couldn't answer. Suddenly, Kamuro noticed that his friend's shoulders were shaking with suppressed sobs. He swore softly, under his breath, and gently turned Nikolai to face him. He was dismayed to see tears leaking swiftly and silently from beneath the pale young man's tightly closed eyelids.

"Oh, Niko," he breathed as he wrapped Nikolai's trembling body in a comforting embrace. "What happened to make you so sad?"

As if those words released all his pent-up agony, Nikolai let out an anguished wail and clung to Kamuro with the strength of utter despair.

Taken aback by the force of the young Russian's grief, Kamuro moved to sit against the headboard of the large bed, pulling Nikolai down with him.

"Shhhhhh, Niko," Kamuro murmured into Nikolai's golden hair, "whatever it is, it surely is not worth all these tears. You'll make yourself sick, weeping so." The gentleness in Kamuro's voice, in the way he cradled his friend close only made Nikolai cry harder.

"Talk to me, Niko. Tell me what's wrong; you'll feel much better if you do," Kamuro crooned in his friend's ear.

His breath still coming in convulsive, gasping sobs, Nikolai began to tell his friend his story in a broken voice. He recounted how he had flown home to Russia after the year spent at Kamuro's school to find his mother more despondent than when he left and his father more desperate and bitter and abusive than ever. He told Kamuro how his father had repeatedly beat him in front of his mother in a twisted attempt to lift her spirits. When that failed, as it was doomed to, the man irrationally blamed his son and treated him ever more harshly. Nikolai couldn't turn to his mother; she sank deeper and deeper into her mysterious melancholy and could not help her son. So Nikolai had spent his last year of high school in terror, afraid to go home and avoiding his father whenever possible. By chance, his 18th birthday had fallen upon his graduation day. On that day, the day he legally became an adult and should've been celebrating successfully completing school, Nikolai's father had woken him at first light and ordered him out of the house.

Nikolai used the same, hurtful words his father had spoken as he told Kamuro that his own father had told him that he no longer had a son, and that if Nikolai ever showed his face at his boyhood home again, he would be shot on sight, just like a common criminal. So Nikolai had packed his schoolbag with the few things he possessed that really mattered to him, a change of clothes, and money that he'd taken from his father's wallet. It was only fitting that his father should pay for his traveling fares, Nikolai mused defiantly as he stole enough money to get him to Japan.

Determined not to let his father defeat him, he'd participated in his graduation ceremony, then purchased train fare to the city where Kamuro lived. He'd been sleeping on the streets ever since, searching for his friend and trying to find work.

"Oh, Niko, I'm so sorry," Kamuro whispered in a voice thick with pain. "If your father couldn't see what a wonderful person you are, then he doesn't deserve you."

Brilliant green eyes swimming with tears opened at last and fixed on Kamuro's sympathetic gaze. One look at the abject despair in his friend's eyes, and Kamuro's heart broke.

"Don't be sad, Nikolai," the words tumbled from his mouth, "you're safe here. You're home now. Eiji and Kenji and I will be your family. You'll never have to be alone again, Niko, I promise. You're home, you're safe, you're home, you're safe…," he chanted it like a mantra.

Overcome, Nikolai started sobbing incoherently again. Kamuro let his friend cry, knowing it would do the other youth good to release his emotions. Kamuro simply held him until his grief ran its course, then gently stroked his friend's hair and back as he dropped into an exhausted slumber.

Eiji choose that moment to come looking for the two younger men, intending to ask them what they wanted for dinner. Not finding them in the common room of Kamuro's suite, he stuck his head into Nikolai's room. Concerned by the tableau that the youths presented, he opened his mouth to ask what the problem was, but was silenced by a sharp shake of Kamuro's head. Nikolai had finally settled into a deeper sleep, unbelievably drained by his ordeal, and Kamuro had no wish to wake his friend from the rest he so desperately needed.

Eiji aimed a penetrating gaze at Kamuro, then nodded gravely once, but his expression clearly said that Kamuro had some explaining to do. Still stroking Nikolai's back, Kamuro nodded, his eyes promising to tell Eiji everything once the crisis was past. The older man nodded once more, then left, silently closing the door behind him. Kamuro stayed awake, sitting vigil over his friend. For nearly two hours, he kept his friend safe, touching him softly to keep the nightmares away. But the silence broken only by Nikolai's deep breathing eventually lulled him, and his eyes drooped shut. Neither young man stirred until morning.

Nikolai came awake first, muzzily aware that he felt very warm and safe. He noticed something peculiar about his pillow. It was rising and falling with slow regularity. And he heard a constant, low thumping in his ear. Still too comfortable to consider moving, he blinked the sleep from his eyes and looked around. He was in an unfamiliar room, wrapped in the arms of…of… Of course. Memory came rushing back to him. This was Kamuro's house, and they were in the room that was to be his very own. He remembered finally letting his pain out the evening before, remembered how Kamuro had held him and let his anguish spend itself.

His friend's breathing was still in the deep, even rhythm of sleep, so Nikolai remained still, not wanting to wake the other young man, though if he was completely honest, he didn't want to leave the warmth and comfort of Kamuro's embrace, either. He let his mind drift, not really focusing on anything in particular. He wasn't sure how long he floated half-way between waking and sleeping, but he roused a bit when he noticed that Kamuro's breathing had changed, signaling that his friend had awakened. Nikolai raised his head and meet sleepy amber eyes that blinked groggily at him.

"Hey," Kamuro said, his voice hoarse with sleep.

"Hey," Nikolai returned shyly, laying his head down against Kamuro's chest again.

Kamuro smiled down at the tousled blond hair and tightened his arms in a brief hug. "How long have you been awake?"

"I dunno," Nikolai mumbled into Kamuro's collar bone, "not too long. I didn't want to wake you."

Kamuro yawned and stretched. "Thanks, man. I wouldn't have minded, though."

Nikolai chuckled drowsily against his chest. "Don't worry about it. I didn't exactly want to move anyhow. You're very comfortable, you know. Much better than the park bench I slept on last night. You're very warm, too - like sleeping with a blast furnace."

Kamuro's deep laughter rumbled against Nikolai's ear. "Glad to oblige." He sniffed the air experimentally. "I smell breakfast. We'd better get up and have some before Eiji and Kenji eat it all."

Nikolai sighed and nodded, then stretched. He rolled off Kamuro, his feet hitting the floor. He staggered briefly on legs still boneless from sleep, then waited for his friend to get out of bed.

"Want to hit the showers first, or get some food first?" Kamuro asked, rubbing his eyes.

Unaccountably, Nikolai flushed. "Um, I kinda don't have any clean clothes…," he trailed off miserably.

Kamuro blinked, but recovered quickly. "No problem, Niko. You can wear something of mine. It'll be too big for sure, but it'll do until we can go shopping."

"You don't have to…," Nikolai started.

"Nonsense," Kamuro cut him off. "Your idiot father obviously sent you away without hardly anything. We'll get you some new stuff later today."

Nikolai's face got even redder. "I don't want your charity," he said quietly.

Sensitive to his friend's pride, Kamuro answered, "No charity, Niko. It can be my 18th birthday present to you, or if you prefer, we can keep track of how much we spend, and you can pay me back whenever you get the money. But you can forget about me charging you interest, 'cause friends just don't do that to each other."

Relieved, Nikolai nodded. "Sounds good."

Kamuro rummaged in the large trunk he'd yet to unpack and came up with two pairs of jeans, two T-shirts, underwear, socks, and a belt for Nikolai to hold up the pants that would doubtless be too large for his slender frame. He searched a little further and came up with a shower caddy already loaded with shampoo, shower gel, and other shower necessities. His shaving kit came next.

"I've got an extra razor and toothbrush which you can have, Niko. You can have the shower first; I'll go downstairs and tell Eiji to save us some breakfast."

"Okay. And Kamu? Thanks. For everything." Gratitude shone in Nikolai's green eyes.

Kamuro smiled gently. "No problem, Niko. You'd do the same for me."

Nikolai nodded shyly and headed for the bathroom.

After he heard the water turn on, Kamuro clattered down the stairs barefoot and padded into the kitchen. Eiji was standing at the stove finishing up a couple of heaping omelets for himself and his lover, while Kenji poured two tall glasses of orange juice.

"G'mornin', Eiji, Kenji. Save Niko and I some breakfast, okay?"

"Hey, Kamu," Eiji said. "Is everything all right with Nikolai?"

Doing his best to keep a tight rein on his temper, Kamuro related Nikolai's story in short, clipped tones. "That bastard threw him out of his home with nothing, Eiji," he finished angrily, "Nothing! I told Niko that he was welcome to stay with us, that he could be part of our family. Is that okay?"

As Eiji listened to the story, his brow had furrowed with concern and compassion. "Of course, Kamu. He's welcome to stay with us for as long as he wants. As far as I'm concerned, we have a new brother."

Kamuro flushed.

Eiji laughed. "Okay, maybe not quite a brother," he said, his eyes twinkling mischievously.

Highly embarrassed, Kamuro couldn't answer his older brother. He heard the water turn off upstairs. "Sounds like Niko's done," he said, relieved for an excuse to escape. "My turn in the shower."

As Kamuro turned to leave, Kenji spoke up. "Kamuro," he said quietly, "your friend is as welcome in my dojo as you and Eiji. His father clearly has no honor, so I will gladly welcome him into my home and family has well."

Kamuro's eyes gleamed. "Thanks, Kenji. I'm sure that will mean a lot to Nikolai. Can I bring him to class this evening?"

Kenji nodded. "He is most welcome to join your class. He's a bright lad, and I'm sure it won't take him long to catch up. If he wants to learn karate, I would be happy to teach him."

Kamuro grinned impishly. "Y'know, Sensei, I think my brother's a good influence on you. You're a regular pussycat when he's around."

Kenji's blue eyes flashed dangerously, and Kamuro scampered up the stairs with yelp of laughter.

He met Nikolai coming out of the bathroom and tried not to laugh at the comical picture the young Russian presented. He had the belt cinched as tightly as it would go to keep the jeans from sliding off his narrow hips, and he'd rolled them up to keep from tripping over them. The T-shirt hung on his slender frame, making him look even more waifish than usual.

"Your stuff's just a bit large for me," Nikolai said with tactful understatement.

Kamuro couldn't keep from laughing. "Let me grab a quick shower, and we'll hit the malls as soon as we have some breakfast."

"Sounds like a good idea," Nikolai said, the relief in his voice almost palpable.

Kamuro grinned and ducked into the bathroom after grabbing his clothes. A few moments later, he emerged from the bathroom, showered, shaved, and rubbing his wet hair vigorously with a towel. The clothes he had on were the same size as the clothes Nikolai was wearing, but instead of being loose and baggy, the jeans hugged Kamuro's long, powerful legs and lean hips. The t-shirt stretched across his muscular chest and shoulders.

Nikolai glanced at his friend and blushed furiously. Kamuro's recently attained size only served to highlight his own slight build. Add to that the fact that Nikolai found his newly grown-up friend extremely attractive, and the result was one very embarrassed young Russian. Kamuro was his friend, for goodness' sake - people just aren't supposed to be attracted to their best friends.

Kamuro noticed Nikolai's blush and correctly, if only partially, interpreted its cause. "Don't worry, Niko, I'm sure you'll start growing like a weed soon. I've done all this growing just in the last year. I went from skinny kid to hulking adult almost overnight. I outgrow clothes just about as fast as I can buy them. At least I'm finally starting to slow down, so I think I'm nearly done, thank goodness."

"You have grown a lot this last year, Kamu. I almost didn't recognize you yesterday." He grinned suddenly, and his light tenor voice took on a wicked note. "Although I have to say, adulthood definitely agrees with you."

This time, it was Kamuro's turn to blush. "At least I'm not so awkward anymore. It took awhile to get used to having all this extra length in my arms and legs. C'mon, Niko. Lets grab some breakfast and get going!"

The two young men clomped down the stairs and headed for the kitchen. Eiji and Kenji were still at the table, clad in the boxers and tank tops they'd worn to bed the night before. Since Kamuro left for the shower, Eiji had found his way into Kenji's lap, and he was sprawled comfortably against the bigger man's chest while they read the morning newspaper. Eiji glanced up at Nikolai and grinned.

"I take it you guys are going to do some shopping?"

Nikolai smiled. "How'd you guess?" he asked tartly, making the other three men laugh.

Kamuro started removing omelet ingredients from the fridge. "So are you two going to be lazy and just bum around the kitchen all day?"

Kenji glanced at his lover's younger brother. "No, I have classes to teach this afternoon, and Eiji's coming with me. And you, young man, have class this evening, I might remind you, so don't poke fun at your Sensei."

Kamuro made a face. "Yes, sir," he said sarcastically.

"I told Kamuro earlier, Nikolai, that you are welcome to join his class if you are interested in learning karate," Kenji addressed the young Russian.

"Oh, I'd love to," Nikolai sighed, his eyes shining. "I've always wanted to learn karate, but I've never had the chance." His expression darkened. "I'm afraid it's out of the question, though. I have no money to pay for the lessons."

"You can join the class at my personal invitation. No charge." A rare smile graced Kenji's lips.

Nikolai's shy grin answered him. "I'd love to," he repeated. "Thank you, Kenji."

Kenji nodded, then stood up, pulling Eiji with him. "Time to hit the showers, love?" he murmured in his lover's ear before nipping at his earlobe.

Eiji shivered. "Sounds like an excellent idea to me," he gasped, arching back against Kenji's body. The two of them hurried out of the room, heading for the stairs.

Kamuro shook his head. "Honestly, you'd think they'd get tired of each other eventually."

Nikolai giggled. "I don't know, Kamu. If I was that much in love, I sure wouldn't get tired of it," he said archly.

Kamuro smiled as he tended the enormous omelet in the pan. When it was done, he cut it in two with a spatula and slid each half onto a plate while Nikolai poured orange juice.

"Ham, Swiss cheese, and mushrooms," Kamuro said as he plunked a plate in front of Nikolai. "Sorry, I should've asked what you like first."

"Sounds great, Kamu. You guessed right," he said happily and dug into his omelet with gusto.

They ate breakfast in companionable silence that was broken eventually by a delirious shout from upstairs that sounded suspiciously like Eiji. Another cry, this one in Kenji's deeper bass voice, followed hot on its heels.

Kamuro winced, and Nikolai turned an amazing shade of magenta. "Sorry, Niko. I'll tell them to be quieter when they come down," he said, thinking his friend was uncomfortable about the fact that Eiji and his very male lover were making love in the shower upstairs.

Nikolai hastily corrected his friend. "It doesn't bother me that they're both men, Kamu," he said quickly. "I just think that sort of thing should be, er, rather more private than that, no matter who's participating." His blush deepened, if that was possible.

Kamuro nodded his agreement, coloring slightly himself. "I'm sort of used to it by now. They love each other so much - it's good that they feel safe enough with each other to really let go like that. I hope I'm lucky enough to find that kind of love someday."

Nikolai studied his omelet intensely, refusing to meet his friend's eyes. "Me too, Kamu. Me too."

They finished eating and washed the dishes. As Kamuro put the last glass back in the cupboard, they heard a long, low moan from upstairs.

"We'd better go," Kamuro said, casting a glance at the ceiling. "If past experience is any indicator, it's only going to get louder from here."

The two younger men hurried out the door and piled into Kamuro's car. They drove part of the way in silence, and Nikolai was clearly turning something over in his head.

"Well, I guess it must feel pretty amazing if two such quiet people can't help shouting so," Nikolai said suddenly, then blushed furiously, having obviously not intended to voice his thought aloud.

Kamuro's eyebrows climbed towards his hairline. "You mean you're not… That is, you haven't…"

"Um, well, no. Not exactly," Nikolai answered his friend, feeling more mortified by the second.

Kamuro grinned wryly. "Well, I wouldn't know either, I suppose, so there's no shame in that."

Nikolai's eyes widened. "You mean somebody like you is still…er, I mean…"

Kamuro came to his rescue. "Yes, I am, and what do you mean 'somebody like me?'"

Shocked into bluntness, Nikolai responded incredulously. "You're kidding! I can't believe that somebody as good-looking as you hasn't…," he trailed off, still too uncomfortable to come right out and say it.

Kamuro was mildly annoyed. "No, I haven't. So what? And what gave you the idea that I was good-looking?"

Nikolai snorted. "Oh, please. You mean you didn't notice all the girls that constantly asked me about you? 'There's Nikolai Petkov; he's Kamuro's friend. Maybe he'll be able to tell us if Kamuro is dating anybody and if we have a chance with him!' I'm surprised you didn't take any of them up on their offers, that's all."

Kamuro's cheeks turned pink briefly. "I wasn't really all that interested in them," he said honestly as they pulled into the shopping mall parking lot. "They just wanted to be seen with me, and I'm just not that casual about relationships. When I finally started returning their interest, I'd started metamorphosing into the oversized ape I am now, and they suddenly wanted nothing to do with me. I don't know if they were repulsed or just nervous about my size. Oh well, it doesn't really matter; I was never seriously interested in any of them."

Kamuro pulled into a parking space, and the two youths went into the mall. Two hours later, they emerged with armloads of bags and boxes full of clothes and shoes for Nikolai. They filled the trunk of the car, and the rest of their purchases spilled over into the back seat.

"I can't thank you enough for this, Kamuro."

"Don't sweat it, Niko. I'm just glad I can help a friend when he needs it."

Nikolai smiled, looking much more himself now that he was again dressed in clothes that fit him properly. He wore a new pair of snugly-fitting jeans and a t-shirt that matched his eyes. "I'll still need to get a job so that I can pay you back for at least some of this."

Kamuro gripped his friend's shoulder. "You know that's not necessary, Niko."

"That's not the only reason I want a job, Kamu. I don't want to sit around and do nothing all summer."

"Our house isn't far from a fishing village, you know. I was thinking about getting a job on one of the lobster boats. It's good, physical work, and the hours and pay are pretty good."

"Lobstering, hmmm? Sounds like fun. Do you mind if I come with you and see if I can get a job doing that too?"

"Of course not! It'd be cool to work together. I'm going to wait a couple weeks, though. Sort of a break from school and work now that I've officially graduated."

Nikolai grinned. "Sounds like a good plan."

Still grinning somewhat foolishly at each other, Kamuro and Nikolai got the car and headed back to the house. It was empty when they got there; Eiji and Kenji had clearly left for the city and Kenji's dojo while the younger men were out shopping.

"We'll need to leave by around four o'clock or four-thirty for karate class. I still have the uniforms I wore before I started outgrowing everything right and left, and I think I've got one that'll fit you, so we'll stop by the flat before class," Kamuro informed Nikolai.

"Sounds great, Kamu. I can't wait to try this whole martial arts thing. I'm so excited!" Nikolai bounced in place as he waited for Kamuro to open the trunk of the car.

Kamuro smiled tolerantly at his eager friend as they unloaded the car and carried their purchases inside. In no time, Nikolai had his new stuff unpacked and tucked neatly away in his dresser and closet. He could hear Kamuro puttering around in his own bedroom, emptying his trunk and filling his own dresser and closet with clothes.

"Hey, Niko," Kamuro called, "you want to go for a swim? The ocean's pretty warm this time of year."

"Sure!" Nikolai rummaged in a drawer and came up with his new swimming trunks. He changed quickly and threw on a t-shirt to wear to the beach. He rifled through the stack of shoe boxes next to his closet and removed a pair of sandals. After strapping them on his feet, he emerged from his room to find Kamuro waiting for him with two beach towels and a bottle of sunscreen.

"There's a path down the cliff to the beach," Kamuro said. "Cousin Takana owned about a half-mile of private beachfront, so we won't be disturbed."

Nikolai's huge green eyes blinked in surprise. "You guys have your own private beach? Wow."

"Yeah, it's pretty nice. Well, are you coming swimming or not?"

The two young men thundered down the stairs and out of the house. Kamuro led the way down the steep, winding path that eventually brought them down to the sandy beach at the base of the cliff. Laughing like children, Kamuro and Nikolai tossed down their towels, tore off their t-shirts, and raced into the water. Nikolai was almost immediately swamped by an incoming wave and was washed unceremoniously back to shore. He sat on the wet sand, shaking his head in adorable disorientation.

Unable to completely stifle his laughter, Kamuro waded back to his friend. "Have you never swum in the ocean before, Niko?"

Nikolai snorted. "And in which ocean would I swim in Moscow?"

"Good point. You have to dive under or through the waves when they hit so you don't get washed ashore."

"Ah. I see." The slender youth got to his feet, preparing to head back out into the water.

"Wait a minute, Niko. Your skin is so pale; you'll burn without sunscreen. C'mere."

Nikolai followed his friend obediently to the towels they'd discarded on the sand. Kamuro picked up the sunscreen and squeezed a dollop into his own hand before tossing it to the young Russian.

Nikolai slathered his upper chest and shoulders with the cool lotion, then turned his attention to his neck and face. He didn't notice that Kamuro was watching him intently.

The taller youth snagged the bottle of lotion. "I'll get your back, Niko," he said as he began applying the sunscreen to Nikolai's pale shoulders and upper back.

Nikolai tried to control the shiver that raced through him at his friend's firm touch. The warm hands suddenly left his back, and a gentle finger returned to trace the top of his ear.

"Can't forget your ears, Niko," Kamuro said softly, his voice gone low and husky.

"Right. Thanks," Nikolai gasped, unable to control his body's trembling.

Kamuro's fingers left his friend's delicate ears and stroked lightly down his neck and over his shoulders. Nikolai could barely suppress the whimper that tried to force its way out of him. He wanted… he wanted… He wasn't sure exactly what he wanted, except that he most definitely did not want Kamuro to stop.

Kamuro gently turned his friend to face him and was caught in Nikolai's intense green-eyed gaze. Mesmerized by Nikolai's regard, Kamuro felt his arms reach out without his leave and encircle Nikolai's slender shoulders. Their eyes locked, and, Kamuro's head slowly lowered towards Nikolai's lips.

"…Kamuro…," the young Russian breathed.

Kamuro's eyelids drooped shut in anticipation, and then suddenly, he felt his lips brush lightly against Nikolai's.

Nikolai gasped and drew back slightly, his eyes asking a thousand questions.

Kamuro swallowed hard. "Sorry," he said hoarsely. "I never meant to tell you. If you don't want anything to do with me anymore, I'll…mmph!"

Instantly realizing that Kamuro had mistaken his withdrawal for rejection, Nikolai stopped his friend's embarrassed babble with his own mouth.

Kamuro started and nearly broke the kiss in his surprise. He quickly thought better of that and dove right in, his tongue tentatively asking for entrance into Nikolai's mouth. With a sigh of sweet surrender, the fair-haired youth granted permission and opened to the welcome invader.

Drowning. Nikolai was drowning and floating and flying apart at the seams, but that was okay because Kamuro was there to catch him. His spine melted, his limbs liquefied, and he clung desperately to Kamuro's muscular shoulders.

Kamuro tried to hold onto any shreds of control that presented themselves with little success. He plundered Nikolai's lush mouth rapaciously, devouring the untutored, wet velvet caress of the smaller man's tongue. One large hand came up to cradle the back of Nikolai's head as Kamuro deepened the kiss

Nikolai moaned his desire into Kamuro's mouth, and his arms tightened around the taller youth's neck. Finally, reluctantly, they broke apart gasping. Their need for oxygen had at last overridden the passion that had them feeding ravenously on each others' mouths.

"Whoa," Nikolai quavered from where he leaned, shivering, against Kamuro's chest.

Kamuro couldn't suppress the smile that curved his swollen lips. "Mmm, Nikolai," he said softly.

Nikolai looked up and met Kamuro's flashing amber eyes.

"I don't know exactly where we're going with this yet," Kamuro said with mischievous humor in his voice, "but I sure like where we're headed so far."

Relieved, Nikolai grinned impishly. "I could definitely agree with that."

Somehow, Kamuro sensed that it was not the time to embark on a deep exploration of their friendship - more than friendship - so he gripped Nikolai's shoulder affectionately.

"Last one in's a rotten egg!" Kamuro said and was off like a shot.

With a surprised yelp, Nikolai scampered after him, glad to have some room to think before confronting whatever it was that was happening between him and his best friend.

They frolicked and played tag in the waves like a couple of kids, lithe bodies sliding along each other with a new sensual awareness.

Throwing a teasing glance over his shoulder, Kamuro set out swimming towards a large rock that rose ponderously out of the sea. Never being one to ignore a challenge, however subtly delivered, Nikolai took off in hot pursuit.

By the time Nikolai reached the rocky islet, Kamuro had already scrambled to the top. He flashed another grin at Nikolai, just hauling himself out of the water, then leapt into the air. He curled his long, strong body into a ball at the very last minute and hit the water with a tremendous splash.

Nikolai was washed off his precarious perch by the resultant wave and disappeared beneath the sea. He did not resurface.

"Nikolai!" Kamuro was horrified. If he'd hurt his friend, he'd never forgive himself. Never, ever. He swam madly for the spot where the blond youth had gone under, preparing to dive and search for his friend.

All of a sudden, Kamuro felt a pair of wiry arms lock about his knees and drag him down. He inhaled what seemed like half the ocean as he went. The arms disappeared and Kamuro floundered towards the surface.

He emerged to hear Nikolai's laughter somewhere off to his left.

"Gotcha!" the youth crowed.

Kamuro blinked the salt water out of his eyes and dove at his friend, bent on revenge.

Nikolai saw the glint in Kamuro's eyes and squeaked in alarm as he swam away as fast as his arms and legs would carry him. He made for the rock, Kamuro in hot pursuit, and clambered to the top.

The Russian lad threw a teasing glance over his shoulder as he reached the top and stuck his tongue out at Kamuro's scowling countenance. With a fierce growl, Kamuro flung himself over the top of the boulder and lunged at Nikolai just as the smaller youth leapt off the rock and soared out over the water, graceful as any bird. Kamuro flew over the edge after him and pounced just as Nikolai surfaced.

"What the hell was that?!" Kamuro shouted, real fury and rage flashing in his eyes and roiling in his belly.

Nikolai blinked and drew back, suddenly a little afraid as the bigger youth advanced on him.

Suddenly, all that towering anger disappeared. With a ragged sob, Kamuro dragged Nikolai into his arms and fairly crushed the smaller man to his chest.

"I thought I'd drowned you," he whispered, hardly able to say the words aloud.

Nikolai pulled back, and startled green eyes met anguished amber. The rage was gone, leaving desperate worry and guilt in its wake. Overcome with remorse, Nikolai threw his arms around Kamuro's neck and buried his face in the curve where his friend's neck met his shoulder.

"I'm sorry, Kamu. So sorry! I never meant to worry you," he mumbled against his friend's soft skin. "It was supposed to be a game. Only a game! Please forgive me!"

"Of course," Kamuro murmured into his ear. "But only if you forgive me for flying off the handle like that. I'm not quite sure where that came from, exactly."

Nikolai grinned against Kamuro's neck. "Anytime, my friend."

Kamuro released his friend at length. "C'mon. We should head back, clean up, and have a little something to eat before we drive to the dojo."

Half an hour later, the two young men were on the road, heading for the Yokoshima flat for one of Kamuro's old uniforms for Nikolai to wear to karate class. They arrived at Kenji's dojo a few minutes later, suited up, and exited the locker room into an anteroom where Kamuro's classmates were beginning to stretch out prior to class.

"Hey, Kamuro, who's your friend?" one of the other boys asked.

"Everybody, this is Nikolai Petkov, a very good friend of mine. He was an exchange student at my school last year, and he's come back now that he's graduated."

Various greetings from the young men and women in the room were tossed in Nikolai's direction.

Nikolai smiled shyly. "Thanks for letting me join your class, everyone."

The door to the dojo proper opened suddenly, and a group of sweating, winded, exhausted advanced students straggled out. Eiji saw his brother and staggered over to him.

"Hope you're ready, Kamu; he's in rare form tonight," Eiji wheezed.

Kamuro swallowed hard. Nikolai blanched.

"Next class, in!" Kenji's deep voice barked.

"Oh, man," Kamuro muttered as he hastened to obey his Sensei. With a final beseeching glance at Eiji, Nikolai followed.

An hour later, both Kamuro and Nikolai were completely exhausted, but Nikolai was so exited about the lessons that his brain and mouth were still going a mile a minute.

"Did you hear, Kamu? Sensei said I could catch up in just a few weeks if you and Eiji help me, and he's willing to accelerate my belt tests until I catch up with you, and he thinks I show a lot of promise, and karate is so cool, and I'm never gonna have to worry about being beat up again because I'll know how to give as good as I get, but I won't unless I have to 'cause that would be dishonorable, and I really take the whole honor thing seriously, and I really want to be a good student and a good martial artist, and…"

"Niko!" Kamuro finally cut him off, laughing wearily.

"Yeah?" All innocence and huge blinking green eyes, Nikolai regarded his friend.

Unable to resist, Kamuro tousled his hair. "I know how you feel. I was exactly the same after my first class."

"Oh, right," Nikolai said shyly, blushing ten shades of red when he realized he'd been babbling on for some minutes.

"C'mon, Niko. Let's head home. Kenji has to close the dojo, so he and Eiji will follow in a little while."

"'Kay."

They made the hour's drive back to the house by the sea, and Nikolai's eyes were drooping by the time they got home.

"Nikolai, we're home," Kamuro called softly.

"Mm," Nikolai said unenthusiastically.

Kamuro chuckled. "Wake up, Niko."

"Mm-mm."

"Come on, man, bed is not far, and it's a lot more comfortable than the car. Help me out here; I'm too tired to carry you up the stairs."

Nikolai groaned. Sleepy green eyes opened a bit and blinked blearily at Kamuro.

"Okay, okay. I'm coming." He levered himself out of the car and lurched unsteadily into Kamuro as his overtaxed muscles protested.

The two young men staggered drunkenly towards the house, leaning heavily on one another. They got themselves inside and dragged themselves up the stairs. Nikolai took one look at the couch in the common room of their suite and made directly for it, intending to collapse on it and sleep for a week. At least.

Kamuro sensed Nikolai's intent. "No way, Niko," he said, laughing tiredly. You're not going to quit on me now; not when your bed is so close.

Kamuro half-carried his exhausted friend into his new room and dumped him unceremoniously on the bed. Between the two of them, they managed to get Nikolai out of his borrowed gi and under the covers.

"See you in the morning, Niko," Kamuro said as he prepared to leave.

"'Kay," Nikolai said sleepily.

Kamuro smiled faintly at his friend, switched off the light, and left quietly. He went straight to his own room, shedding pieces of his gi all the way to the bed. Once he was down to his shorts, he crawled under the covers and collapsed exhaustedly into sleep.

In his own room, Nikolai was inexplicably alert. His tired body screamed for rest, but he just couldn't seem to drop off. He tossed, and turned, and turned, and tossed. Finally, he flopped onto his back and stared at the ceiling. If he was honest with himself, he knew exactly what he needed in order to go to sleep. He'd been so keyed up while sleeping on the streets in the preceding days, that he couldn't seem to do more than doze by himself. The previous night, though, he'd slept like a baby in Kamuro's arms. Deciding that sleep was more important than pride, he rolled painfully out of bed and padded across the suite to Kamuro's door. It was slightly ajar. Hesitantly, he pushed it open and crept towards the bed.

A soft noise brought Kamuro out of a deep sleep. He cracked one eye open to investigate and saw Nikolai, approaching his bed uncertainly. With an arm heavy with lethargy, Kamuro held the covers up in invitation. Nikolai smiled, relieved, and dove into bed. He snuggled close and twined himself around Kamuro as though afraid the other youth might escape if he didn't hang on tightly enough.

"Thanks," Nikolai whispered softly.

Kamuro smiled fondly and brushed his lips across Kamuro's temple. The blond sighed, and his body relaxed all at once into sleep. Kamuro followed his lover into dreamland, and they were together there, too.

It was some time later when Eiji and Kenji returned to the house. They chatted quietly on their way into the house, discussing possible living arrangements for the coming academic year. They'd originally intended for the brothers to live in their apartment while Kenji lived at the dojo, but the addition of Nikolai to the equation had changed things. The apartment in the city was really too small to house three grown men. They still hadn't arrived at a satisfactory conclusion by the time they got upstairs. Eiji glanced at his brother's suite. It was dark and silent.

"Kenji, I'm just going to check and make sure they made it into bed. Both of them were really dragging when they left the dojo, and I wouldn't be surprised if they only made it as far as the couch."

Kenji nodded. "Don't be long, love," he murmured as he stroked his fingertips over Eiji's cheek. "I'll be waiting for you." His deep voice flowed over Eiji in a silky purr.

The younger man shivered. "I'll be quick," he promised.

Kenji ghosted a kiss over his lover's temple, then disappeared into their rooms.

Eiji hurried down the hall and peeked into the common room of his brother's suite. Empty. He entered quietly and glanced through the open door to Nikolai's bedroom. Also empty, but with a rumpled bed. Kamuro's door was slightly ajar, so he peered into the darkness.

Eiji smiled softly. Kamuro and Nikolai were both clearly out for the count, wrapped bonelessly in each other's arms. Kamuro had apparently appointed himself Nikolai's chief protector. After learning of the young man's ordeal in his native Russia, Eiji could hardly blame his brother for wanting to take care of his friend.

Eiji broke off his musings abruptly. Kenji was waiting for him. He hurried back down the hall and went into the rooms he shared with his lover. The light was on in one of the bedrooms. Eiji entered, then stopped dead in his tracks and stared.

Kenji was sprawled elegantly across the bed, stark naked and obviously aroused.

"God, Kenji, you're beautiful," Eiji blurted.

Kenji's blue eyes sparkled dangerously as he rose from the bed, his muscular body stretching and flexing. He prowled over to his lover and started stripping him quickly.

"Not as beautiful as you," he growled as Eiji's body was revealed.

Eiji trembled and moaned as Kenji's touch aroused him beyond control. He threw a pleading glance at his lover.

Kenji pounced.

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

Kenji stretched as he came awake the next morning. His internal clock always roused him with the dawn, no matter how...active he and Eiji were before going to sleep. He smiled tenderly at his slumbering lover, then got out of bed, intent on going to the kitchen to make some very strong tea.

He hesitated in the hallway. Eiji had been smiling when he came to their rooms the previous night after checking on the younger men. Curious, he crept silently into Kamuro's rooms and listened intently. No signs of activity, so he'd not likely be interrupting anything. He peeked into Kamuro's bedroom.

Kamuro was still sound asleep, unconsciously cradling his friend protectively in his arms. Kenji's eyes traveled to the right, and he flinched slightly. Nikolai was awake. One hand rested almost reverently on Kamuro's chest.

Kenji's movement attracted Nikolai's attention, and he glanced over at the door. His facial expression shifted from dreamily content to alarmed as he regarded the older man in the doorway. Nikolai leaned a little closer to Kamuro, trying to shield his sleeping friend from Kenji's scrutiny.

Kenji's lips twitched in an abortive grin, and he raised one eyebrow, silently teasing Nikolai, who blushed furiously and turned his face against Kamuro's chest.

Kenji left as silently as he came, smiling slightly to himself.

Meanwhile, Nikolai's movements had roused Kamuro from sleep.

"Mmm? Niko?" Kamuro's voice was soft and hoarse with sleep.

"Sorry, Kamu. I didn't mean to wake you." He paused uncertainly. "Kenji was here," he said finally. "He saw us."

Kamuro's face softened into a smile. "Don't worry about it, Niko. It's not like he's going to be offended. He *is* my brother's lover, after all."

"But he probably thinks we're..." Nikolai's protest trailed off.

Kamuro reached out and tilted Nikolai's chin so that their eyes met. "Does that bother you?"

"No," Nikolai said quickly. "Of course it doesn't bother me. It's just that..." He trailed off again, suddenly bashful.

Kamuro finished for him. "But you'd rather not be on display. I can definitely understand that."

Nikolai flushed deep crimson. "Well, that too, but...," Nikolai took a deep breath. "I wish it was true," he said in a rush, before he lost his nerve, then buried his face against Kamuro's chest again.

Kamuro's breath hitched, and his heart rate tripled. He nuzzled his cheek into Nikolai's soft hair. "Are you sure about that?" he whispered hoarsely.

Nikolai's head came up, and Kamuro gasped when he saw the desperate love and desire simmering in the other young man's deep green eyes. "Yes, I'm sure," he said clearly, confidently.

TBC