*When moonlight crawls along the street. Chasing away the summer heat.*

Another balmy summer night which Sakuragi did not like but could not seem to care right now. His palm was sweaty, yes, but cold and for what? Anticipation? Anxiety? Eagerness?
Lust? Hell yeah. And probably a bit of the others as well.
And this was brought about by a particularly handsome blue-eyed young man, who Sakuragi guessed was at that very moment waiting for him in the man's own room thinking lustful thoughts as well - if those looks that the young nephew of master Anzai gave to him during dinner was any indication of those thoughts.

Sakuragi was crossing the courtyard, trying not to make a sound but accidentally stepped on a few dry leaves that had fallen on the ground. He winced, turning around quickly to see if anyone from his division has popped out to see, for any trained Japanese soldier should have caught on that sound at once. To his relief the rooms of his friends stayed dark and quiet, except for Kogure-sempai's room. Thinking that his superior was probably up reading a book, Sakuragi paid it no heed and kept on walking, this time more mindful of his steps.


****

A few days later, Sakuragi and nine of his commrades were sent to guard a border in the South from Kanagawa and joining them there were half of the Ryonan contingent, including Rukawa.

It was quiet in the second night of their vigil. Except for the sound of crackling fires made by the soldiers who were assigned to keep watch in that hour, other sounds contributing to the night noise came from low voices whispering about weapons of unknown origin wielded by the foreign enemy. Some scoffed at the rumours while others wondered how they would be able to defend themselves with weapons such as those.

A tent shared by two soldiers was conspicuously empty but their friends shrugged it off, thinking that the two were somewhere on their own reconnaissance in the unassigned areas.

*Footsteps outside somewhere below. The world revolves I let it go.*

Sakuragi grew still when he thought he heard something moving from where they lay. What the hell am I doing?? the redhead mind shrieked. If they were caught, he was done for. They'd certainly throw him out of the division and his amazing career in the army would be so short-lived that they'd be writing about him in their scrolls of fools.
He was not aware that he was holding his breath until a warm hand on his chest shook him out of his stillness.

*The candy sweetness scent of you. It bathes my skin I'm stained by you*

Raven coloured hair, sapphire-blue eyes framed by dark lush lashes and lips as soft as flower petals.
Rukawa.
The source of his torment - desire and anxiety.
No man can jump into bed with the young nephew of Anzai-sensei (and often he has done so under the sensei's roof, no less) and get away with it.
Sure, Rukawa had time and time again assured him that he, Rukawa, was his own man to pick his own bed-mate but the redhead's respect for Anzai-sensei held him back from being fully participative. If Rukawa was a woman, he would undoubtedly make his intentions known but Rukawa was definitely a man. How could he ask the sensei's approval for his and Rukawa's relationship without sounding like a corruptor of innocence?

Alright, so Rukawa was less than innocent, seeing that it was the brunette who had chased after him, but who would believe him - a mere village-boy whose name was commonly associated with 'the trouble-maker' since he learnt how to walk and talk. Of course, his reputation has improved somewhat after he joined the Shohoku divison (note the 'somewhat', since the best swordsmen in the division consists of other trouble-makers such as Miyagi and Mitsui, and now him) but everyone still remembers who Sakuragi Hajime was.
As Yohei have told him before, first impression lasts for a life time.

Oh yes, Rukawa was the one who chased after him, quite cunningly and persistently from the moment they met in that alley a few metres away from the Shohoku barracks. Rukawa was attacked by a group of village thugs but before Sakuragi and his gang could intervene the tall dark-haired Japanese managed to fend off his attackers all by himself. The stranger's cold arrogance irked the redhead and he thought that it was the last he would see of him.
But that was not to be.

Rukawa pursued Sakuragi like a cat chasing a mouse and the redhead felt a fool everytime the brunette managed to catch him unprepared. Whether it was just an armorous grope in the dark or a mind-blowing sex in a deserted area, anything can satisfy Rukawa's desire as long as it fits in his agenda of 'how I shall torment Sakuragi today'.

When he found out that Rukawa was a swordsman from the Ryonan army division and also a nephew of the much respected Anzai-sensei of Shohoku, he wanted to back off but Rukawa's interest on him was unshakable to the point of frustration.
Yes, Rukawa was definitely his tormentor. And Sakuragi do so loves to be tormented. Especially by this man.

*And all I have to do is hold you. There's a racing in my heart. I am barely touching you*

Soft lips touched his to again resume their kisses, gently at first until it became fiery that Sakuragi knew he was in danger of passing out from its passion. Or from lack of air, whichever came first.

Fortunately, Rukawa realised that and reluctantly released him before lifting himself up on his elbows to stare at the gasping and delightfully dazed redheaded young man lying on the ground.

*Turn the lights down low. Take it off*

Sakuragi's breath hitched when palms traced his bare skin covetously, caressing his arms, his chest, his abdomen, his hips, his thighs...

*Let me show. My love for you, insatiable*

The redhead knew that he was not a beauty to be looked at but he also knew that Rukawa loved his body that was strengthened by street fights from his early years and soon toned to perfection by rigorous training imposed upon the Shohoku division army.

*Turn me on. Never stop. Want to taste every drop. My love for you, insatiable*

At that moment, Sakuragi used that knowledge to the fullest extent, stretching his body against the grass in poses that displayed his physique. He, however, did not expect Rukawa to react so strongly to this action, for the fox-eyed boy suddenly grabbed him, kissing him so hard that he thought his jaw would break.
Sakuragi wanted to laugh but the fingers making their way into him from behind, shattered his amusement. He groaned, clutching onto Rukawa's shoulder while the brunette rubbed their bodies together.
Where Sakuragi was tanned, nearly bronzed, Rukawa was pale like white marble. Where Sakuragi was muscular and heavily built, Rukawa was lean and a few measures shorter. This difference however, did not detract Rukawa from being the dominant one and tonight was no exception as Rukawa pushed the redhead on his knees to take him.

*Breathe in, breathe out. There is no sound. We move together up and down. We levitate our bodies soar. Our feet don't even touch the floor*

Oh yeah, Sakuragi thought as he and his lover strived to reach that pinnacle of desire. This was why I came. This! This overwhelming ecstacy that is so beautiful that I want to cry.

*The moonlight plays upon your skin. A kiss that lingers takes me in.*

Sakuragi gained conciousness a few moments later by a wet feeling on his cheek. Someone was licking at the tracks of tears on his face and when he opened his eyes, Rukawa was looking intently at him. That face so beautiful that made maidens swoon was more beautiful under the soft glow of moonlight filtering through the trees.

"I'm fine," Sakuragi assured before Rukawa could even ask. The raven-haired man nodded before he gave a lingering kiss on his lips and gathered him in a possessive embrace that Sakuragi thought stiffling when first administered to him. Now it was a welcome comfort to the turmoil in his mind, made by the thoughts of their relationship. Was this all there was to their clandestine romance? On the other hand, was there ever any romance between them in the first place?

*I fall asleep inside of you. There are no words. There's only truth*

The unvoiced question was soon answered by the hesitantly whispered words in his ear. "A...ai shiteru..."

Sakuragi tightened his embrace and he felt it being reciprocated.
Yes, let me into your heart


****

The enemy attacked the Southern border unexpectedly that the troops barely had a chance to prepared themselves.
Sweat was streaming down his face unheeded as he swung his sword, killing another one of the emperor's enemy. Granted, they can fight but their swordsmanship was left to be desired.

"Sakuragi! Be aware! I heard that they have weapons of fire in the thousands!"
Sakuragi turned to his commrade-in-arms who have just spoken, a swordsman from Rukawa's division by the name of Fukuda. A good man, once they got over their initial differences when they first met. At the start, he hated the Ryonan swordsman immensely and vice-versa but they soon became reluctant buddies after a sparring match that resulted in a draw.

The redhead snorted. "No stupid weapon can stop the Tensai!"

"Don't be such a-"
Fukuda's admonishment was cut short by the sound of a sharp crack in the air. And then another. And another. Suddenly his friends were falling one by one, crying in pain or totally lifeless as blood soaked their chest or head.

"Kisama!" Fukuda cursed, not knowing what to do other than hold his sword in front of him. There have been no training to fight weapons such as these!

"Rukawa!" Sakuragi gasped and turned frantically around in search for his friend. He breathed a sigh of relief when he saw the brunette standing firmly a few metres away and glaring at the oncoming soldiers boring the fire weapons on their shoulders.

"Rukawa!" Sakuragi called out, running towards the young man with Fukuda behind him. The brunette turned to him and their eyes met.

Suddenly, another shot rang in their ears and those blue eyes that held his world widened in disbelief. Sakuragi stopped in a heart beat before his feet began to scramble frantically towards his fallen lover.

When he reached the brunette, those blue fox eyes have already lost their life and the body which he loved to hold when they were alone together was limp in his arms.

Rukawa's voice was weak in his ears, "Ha..."

"Don't talk, idiot!" Sakuragi begged.

One pained last breath exhaled. Too late. Rukawa was already gone.

His frantic emotions suddenly shut themselves down, leaving only numbness. Sakuragi blinked. No, it's not supposed to end like this. No, not like this...
With utmost reverence, he lay Rukawa's body carefully on the ground before he picked up his blade. Ignoring Fukuda's urgent command, he turned towards the enemy and charged.

It took more than ten bullets to kill the avenging redhaired demon and even before he fell, he managed to bring fifteen soldiers with him to hell. As death creeped to take his life away, Sakuragi idly wondered if he was indeed going to hell. He wondered what it would be like. How about heaven? He did not care. As long as Rukawa was with him, he'd be happy. He'll go where ever Rukawa goes.


****

(present time)

It was just one of those days when a real-life drama presented itself on the rooftop of the Shohoku highschool building.
The scene was amok. Four teenagers scrambled to get a handhold of their tall redhaired friend who was threatening to jump off of the building. The girl who sent the redhead to that bout of insanity left in tears whereas the other student unaware of his position in the culmination of the situation left to get some medical attention, bloody, groogy, confused and angry.

These characters have all played their part in the beginning of the rivalry between Sakuragi Hanamichi and Rukawa Kaede. All time had to do was watch.

*My love for you, insatiable*


~owari