Of Angels and Demons

Chapter 2 to Of Angels and Demons

Warnings: violence, language

******************************


Bounding quickly over several men lying outstretched throughout the alley, a young man with dark chocolate hair raced toward the street with a snide grin on his thin lips. Skidding around the corner to skip into step, he sped through the dying light of the city as a hand grabbed a chunk of his sweatshirt. Grunting as he was pulled backwards, he narrowed bright sapphire eyes before throwing his right arm forward with a threatening growl. Watching the man fall at his feet, the boy snarled his nose as he kicked him out of his way. Gasping as a bullet breezed along the side of his neck; he ground his teeth together as he spun on his heels to race back down the street.

'Well, damn, this didn’t go exactly the way I had planned it.'

Gasping as his mouth was covered before he was yanked into a building, he brightened his eyes as a knife was thrust toward him. Kicking his foot into the side of the shin of the man holding him, the boy managed to shift his weight before the knife penetrated his heart. Releasing a howling scream into the hand suffocating him, the boy jerked as the knife was buried into his shoulder. Flexing his left hand as his eyes narrowed, the boy snarled his nose as he clamped his hand onto the man’s thigh and broke his fingertips through the man’s flesh. Kicking the man in front of him backwards as he knocked himself free, the boy stumbled to the side to hammer into a door.

“Get that damn little punk!”

Slowly pushing off his stomach while glancing at the rickety stairs before him, the boy grit his teeth as he forced himself to his feet. Hissing as he stumbled across the boards and trash scattering the building, the boy hit the steps when a man dove on his back. Gasping as he went down, the boy screamed as the knife jammed into his shoulder. Gritting his teeth as he watched his blood slip down the knife handle, the boy closed his eyes as the man reached around to grasp his neck.

“Not too much fight left in you now huh boy?”

Snapping his head up to crack it into the man’s jaw, the boy released a shrilling scream as he turned and hammered his hand like a spear through the man’s abdomen. Releasing gasping panicked breaths, the boy smashed his elbow into the gagging man while scrambling backwards up the stairs. Grunting as hands snapped at him from behind and from between the stair rail, the boy released a gasp as he stumbled on the steps. Turning as a hand caught his ankle, the boy screamed as he hammered his fist into the stairs shattering them. Kicking the man as he scrambled up the steps, the boy grunted as he hit the floor of the next level.

“Damn it find another way up there … he can’t get away from us this time!”

Scooting slowly across the floor while keeping one hand to his shoulder, the boy dropped to his side as he tried to calm his breathing. Lifting his eyes to peer around the hall, he grit his teeth as he sank his hand firmly onto the ground to start pulling himself along it. Bringing his knees up as he groaned, he exhaled raspily as he pushed onto his feet. Hoisting his pounding head to groan as he swayed backwards, the boy grunted as strong arms suddenly went around his waist.

“Heir of the Witch Queen!”

Gasping as he was slammed backwards into a wall, the boy gasped as a man shattered a pole against his shoulder. Hitting the ground with his hand clamped to his shoulder, the boy grit his teeth as several dozen more feet appeared around him.

“Your conceit isn’t going to save you this time; not even your grandmother’s gonna be able to stop us. Through you we will ascend to a higher plain!”

* * * * * * * * * * * *

Jerking upright with a silent huffing gasp, Yamato Kudo dropped his forehead to his hand as he released a heavy exhale. Moving his eyes to the clock to groan at the terribly early hour, he jerked his gaze to the other bed in his room. Snapping the covers off his slender muscular body, he moved across the room to stare down at the younger man in the other bed. Sighing as he saw him stretched out along his stomach with arms outstretched over his pillow, Yamato bowed his head in relieve as he sighed. Moving his hand out over the chocolate strands of the youth, he shook his head as he watched him slumber peacefully.

Thank God it was only a dream … a nightmare …

Six Years Ago …

Turning bright green eyes toward the door, Yamato narrowed his eyes as he felt a malevolent presence reigning down on their apartment. Pushing slowly from the boy’s bed, Yamato crossed the room in long strides to wander down the hall past his sister’s room to enter the living quarter. Staring at the door as a shadow crept along the floorboards, he moved slowly across the carpeted floor to pause as he reached toward the door. Stopping as he sensed malevolent forces beating up the door, Yamato narrowed his eyes as he took a soft step backwards.

“Don’t move Yamato …”

Freezing as he heard the cold distant order lift through the young man’s soft tone, Yamato straightened his figure as he settled his hands at his sides.

“Why’re you awake?”

“Same reason you are I suppose,” Yamato replied as he turned his head slightly. “What’s out there?”

Shrugging as he slid his hand over his stomach, the boy closed his eyes.

“Ban,” Yamato urged as he narrowed his dark green eyes, “talk to me … what’s out there?”

“Honestly,” Ban sighed as he lifted his eyes to Yamato, “I haven’t a clue.”

Widening his eyes with a gasp as he watched light reflect from Ban’s sapphire eyes to brighten the dark shade of his chocolate hair, Yamato glanced at the door as a thick pound trembled across it.

“Whatever it is, it wants in,” Yamato softly stated to gasp as Ban brushed past him. “Ban!”

Jerking the door open to stare into large olive eyes, Ban exhaled slowly as the lady did the same.

“Who are you and what do you want?”

“My name has no meaning in this realm,” she stated as she stared into Ban’s unwavering glare. “Those that manage to pronounce it perish soon after.”

“It’ll do you good to realize I’m not like many people.” Ban frowned.

“No,” she grinned as she lifted her hand to brush her thick tangle of night painted hair from her eyes. “You are only one soul to this material plain.”

Narrowing his eyes, Ban grit his teeth as a cold air pushed around his slender figure, “what the hell is that supposed to mean?”

“I think you know what it means,” she smiled as she turned to walk away from the Kudo house. “May I speak to you in private?”

“No,” Ban frowned, “you can’t.”

Pausing as the toe of her high-heels touched the street, the lady slowly closed her eyes as she tilted her head to the sky. "I see," she sighed, a smug grin lifting to her thin lips, "then I will force you." She barely whispered.

“Impawimbo wa umpabo wakate unka showa na

Impawimbo wa umpabo wakate do do tamo

La la umpaca bosicos wisha pa impapo

Wasico wimbo wafuna

Wimpo wango uni dalea melana …”

Widening his eyes as the lullaby shocked his nerves, his arms falling limply at his sides by effect, Ban watched dark energy start to cloud around the lady as she paused in the middle of the street. Narrowing his eyes as his trembling legs started to move on their own accord, Ban grit his teeth as he moved slowly down the steps to the sidewalk.

“Ban,” Yamato shouted as he pushed the door aside to run along the damp yard. Cutting in front of Ban to gasp as he saw sweat beads running down his face, Yamato grabbed Ban’s arms stopping him. “Ban … snap outta it!”

Gritting his teeth as the muscles along his face convulsed in desperation, Ban bowed his head as Yamato shook him. “I can’t … its some … some kinda spell!” Ban grunted as he struggled to keep his body from moving forward. "I can't break loose!"

Gripping Ban’s cheeks, Yamato tilted his head up so his dark green eyes could stare directly into Ban’s sapphire orbs. “You are stronger than this Ban … you can break her hold on you. Try-” Grunting as energy blasted into his back forcing a ridged breath from his lips, Yamato sank forward into Ban’s smaller figure with a sharp gasp.

“You’re irritating!” The lady cursed as she watched Yamato breaking her hold on Ban.

“Yamato!” Ban shouted as he felt Yamato’s fingers dig into his sides.

“Ban … you've got to-” hissing as he was struck again, Yamato sank to his knees to growl as he was struck a third time knocking him to his stomach.

Grinning as she watched Ban move slowly past Yamato, the lady chuckled a malevolent growl as screeches started to swarm around her.

Pushing slowly onto his knees as chuckles speared past him, Yamato slowly turned to watch spirits whip around Ban as he entered the street.

She has to be a witch …

Flinching as the soft texture of his skin was split with each passing of the spirits; Ban closed his eyes as he felt the tangy fluid of his blood slip down his body.

“Come to me; Child of Darkness!” The lady smiled as she pulled a shawl from her shoulders.

Chuckling as her enormous breasts bounced within the loose material of her strapless tank, the lady brushed her hand down her bare abdomen to her high cut skirt. Lifting a knife from her enormous bosom, she sliced it slowly along her arms and across her chest as Ban continued to struggle.

“Ban break free!” Yamato screamed as he pushed onto his feet to shout as a spirit hammered through his chest.

Turning his eyes to gasp as he watched blood lift from Yamato’s chest as he fell backwards, Ban locked his legs shattering the bounds in an instant before he spun around quickly.

“Yamato …”

Cutting his arm through the spirits dancing around him, Ban grit his teeth as his skin was torn apart while making his way back toward Yamato.

He broke out of my trance …

Narrowing her eyes as she wrinkled her nose, the lady drew her arms out like wings to release a gurgling breath.

Gasping as cold arms draped around him, Ban jerked forward to groan as the lady wrapped her other arm around his waist. Pulling through the arms clinging to him, Ban let out a long shout as he was jerked back suddenly. Widening his eyes as teeth sank into the juncture of neck and shoulder, Ban screamed wildly as the lady started to drink his blood.

Suckling her lips against Ban’s silk soft skin, the lady closed her eyes with a groan as she lowered her arms from his chest. Pressing her body closer to Ban’s firm figure, she moaned lustfully as her hands pushed down his sculpted chest to trace the line of his shorts. Twisting her tongue around the cut along his neck, the lady fluttered her eyes as she felt Ban’s strength flooding into her mouth. Jerking her head back letting a bloody trail of saliva follow her lips, the lady licked her lips eagerly as she clamped a hand possessively to Ban’s chest as the other one pushed suddenly into Ban’s pants. Chuckling as Ban released a startled gasp with his jerking body as she gripped him; the lady rubbed her cheek along his head as she moaned.

“Your blood is so sweet … like an unripe sugary fruit,” the lady smiled when she watched Yamato slowly rising. Frowning as she watched him turn snarling fangs her way, the lady straightened her figure like a board as a thick wind started to pulse around Yamato. “What’ve we here …”

“Release the boy witch!” Yamato hissed as his eyes dilated. “Or I’ll tear you apart and you’ll never be material in his plain or the next!”

“A voodoo child,” the lady smiled, “well, this is unexpected,” she frowned as she dug her nails into Ban. “Are you after the Witch Queen’s Heir as well?”

Gritting his teeth as he listened to Ban gasp, Yamato’s eyes trembled in fury as he watched his young friend shift in anxious discomfort.

Grinning as she saw the fury burning in Yamato’s eyes, the lady pushed her hand against Ban’s shorts making it prominent as she started to stroke his penis. “Is he your lover?”

Narrowing his eyes as he watched Ban arch his legs together as he dropped his lips apart, Yamato stood slowly to his feet. “the boy’s like a younger brother to me … and if you don’t get your hand off him …” growling as his shoulder was split open, Yamato jerked back as spirits started to flood around the street.

“You’re too late voodoo child … the boy’s blood is locked deeply inside my soul. The Witch Queen’s Heir harbors such power to lead us from this world. We were never ferried to the Netherworld when his grandmother closed the gate, well we’ll just use her Heir to help us rise!”

Hitching his breath as the lady’s bloody cuts slid across his tattered body, Ban widened trembling eyes as he suddenly felt his body start to freeze. Grunting as the spirits started to push into him, Ban arched up against the lady as she lifted her non-groping fingers to press them along a cut on his side.

“Let go of me!” Ban growled as a snake’s coils started to materialize around him.

Licking her fingers clean of Ban’s blood, the lady gripped Ban’s chin to tug his attention toward her. “Asclepius won’t save you this time!”

Gritting his teeth as his eyes narrowed, Ban snapped his mouth open to curse at her to grunt as her tongue darted into his mouth. Jerking against her as she savaged his lips, Ban groaned as the muscles throughout his body slowly started to deplete.

Why … why is she overpowering me … Yamato … Himiko …

“Himiko!” The lady cursed as she threw Ban forward.

Grunting as he hit the cold concrete, Ban slowly lifted his eyes to the lady as she bent down to grasp his neck.

“You’ll scream my name when you die!” The lady hissed as she bent to consume Ban’s mouth again, “I’ll ravish your sweet body and drink your blood!” She smiled as she rubbed him roughly through his shorts.

“Get off him!”

Lifting hollow blood filled eyes to gasp as the mist surrounding the street suddenly seperated, pitch black emeralds burning vengefully, the lady shrieked as she was knocked off Ban. Arching into the wild cough escaping his lungs to roll slowly to his side as Yamato and the lady rolled across the street, Ban exhaled a raspy voice as soft tender hands went around his shoulders.

“Ban,” a young girl with dark aqua-green hair grunted as she pulled on Ban’s shoulders.

"Him-" choking against his raspy voice, grimacing softly as he grasped his burning neck, Ban lifted his eyes to stare into large violets. "Wha ..." He choked. "Himiko what are you doing? You shouldn't be out here-"

"I'm trying to save you!" She shouted as she pulled at Ban's arm. "So stop screaming at me and come on ... get up!" Turning her eyes to watch the weak flames extinguish around the lady, her dark olive eyes turning to glare upon her, Himiko released a startled breath as she tugged on Ban's arm, "Ban!"

"I'm-" he whimpered, his brows creasing as he tried to get his feet beneath him, "trying ..." exhaling as Himiko pushed herself beneath him, using her body to lift his weight, Ban ground his teeth together to yelp as his back was struck knocking Himiko and him both to the floor. Wrapping his arms quickly around Himiko's slighter figure, shouting as something cut across his back, Ban dropped his head to Himiko's chest rocking her slightly with his trembles.

"Ban!" Himiko shouted as she sat up, her hand pushing against Ban's sweaty shoulder. "Ban!"

"You're in the way!" The lady screamed, her arms rising like wings as several solified spirits tore across the lawn toward Ban and Himiko. "Tear down all that obstruct us from our prize! Bring me the Witch Queen's Heir!"

“Ban!" Himiko shouted as she shook his shoulder. "Ban answer-" turning toward the shrilling screams, releasing a gasp as she watched deformed shapes tear across the lawn toward her, Himiko bent over Ban shaking him desperately, "Ban, get up ... you've got to get up!" She huffed as she glanced toward the spirits, "Ban, get up!”

"Die girl!"

Wrapping her arms around Ban's shoulders with a soft shriek, her large violet eyes snapping closed as she watched the spirits descend, Himiko cringed into Ban's body.

Sprinting quickly across the yard, small beads of water rising as he crushed the damp grass beneath him, Yamato narrowed his eyes as he swung his arms around the lady, his large body slamming her to the ground breaking her trance.

Gasping as dying shrieks licked over her sweaty arms, Himiko snapped her eyes open to stare around the dark yard as Ban turned toward the lady, his eyes brightening as he watched Yamato blast across the yard into the side of the house.

"YAMATO!" Himiko screamed.

"You've gotten in my way for the last time!" The lady growled as she approached Yamato's still form.

Stirring slowly, his eyes trembling painfully as he shifted from his side, Yamato stared at the dark sky to gag as his throat was crushed.

Glaring at Yamato's pained expression with satisfaction, the lady bent, her bare legs straddling his hips as she sat on his chest, "did you honestly think you were going to stop us? We are all powerful, unending ... we always get what we want and we want him - bad!" She huskily breathed, her lips falling toward Yamato's. "So, die with the knowledge that I shall utterly enjoying defiling the ripe flesh of your lover's body!"

"I'll ..." Yamato groaned, as he fought to gain breath.

"You are powerless against us mortal!" She chuckled as she dug her nails into Yamato's neck. "The Heir is mine-" grunting as she was knocked off Yamato, her chest cracking beneath the force of Ban's hand, the lady snickered as her hair snapped around Ban's neck and arms. "Came to fight for your lover's life?"

"You fucking bitch!" Ban hissed as he snapped his hand through the hair strangling him. "You wanted me so much ... SEE IF YOU CAN HANDLE IT!"

Pushing slowly to his side as he lifted his hand to his neck, Ban's infuriated screams ringing in his ears, Yamato turned his eyes to the street to watch horrified as the street shattered beneath the force of Ban's and the lady's battle. Parting his lips to call to Ban to grasp his throat with a groan, Yamato turned toward Himiko as she dropped over him.

"Yamato!" She wailed as she pulled herself closer to him, "I thought she was going to kill you!"

So did I ... "We-" gritting his teeth as he sealed his eyes, Yamato slowly lowered his head to Himiko's shoulder, "Ban ... help ..." managed to slip through his aching throat.

"You'll never beat me!" She screamed as she thrust her hand toward Ban's back to gasp as he spun, the force of his blow shattering her wrist. "Damn!"

"You're gonna regret coming after me bitch!" Ban growled as his sapphires narrowed, fury burning within. "I'm sending you straight to hell!"

Brightening her eyes as a crimson light pulsed away from Ban's trembling figure, a soft hiss penitrating the wails of the spirits crowding at her back, she gasped horrified as a serpetine spirit flickered through the darkness.

"Asclepius ..." she whimpered, her eyes darkening as she sprang forward, "NO!"

"...until this cursed fate is spent ... is the one who houses Asclepius ..."

He's not at 100% ... She shivered as she watched the spirit slowly materialize to fad once again. I can still beat him! "I won't let you win Witch Queen Heir ... I have you flowing inside me, I'll beat you!"

"Feed, fill your fangs of poison!" He screamed before lunging forward to release a bellowing scream.

Brightening his pained eyes as he watched the snake spirit hammer through the lady's chest, blood scattering across Ban as he continued past, Yamato pushed quickly to his feet as Ban staggered toward the ground. Snaking his arms around the brunette as he collapsed, Yamato released a long groan as he sank to the ground cradling Ban gently against his chest.

Clutching her gaping chest, her wide olive eyes turning to pale at the sight of the snake's massive body spiraling around Ban and Yamato both, she scrambled away as it speared toward her. "This isn’t over!” She hissed. “There will come a day where I will return and then you're mine Heir of the Witch Queen!”

Watching the darkness wither as the lady disappeared on the wind, the soft light of the moon cascading into the quiet untouched neighborhood, Yamato released a long breath as he peered at the trembling boy shifting against him.

"You ..." clearing his throat with a painful grimace, Yamato peered at Ban, "what were you thinking ... you weren't- you weren't nearly strong enough to handle that!" He groaned to pause as Ban's hand touched his throat.

"My fault." He whispered.

“Yamato, Ban!”

Rushing quickly across the lawn, her bare feet catching in the damp blades, Himiko released a soft squeal as she stumbled to fall to her knees before her brother, her eyes hooked on Ban’s trembling figure.

“Ba-” she cut herself off quickly at the ridged gasp leaving Ban’s lips, her hand reflexively pulling away from the brunette as he fell into a coughing fit.

“Easy,” Yamato soothed, his hand slipping along the trembling shoulder to the mid of Ban’s back. “It's going to be alright, we'll be ready for her if she comes back. Ban I … I won't let this happen again, so long as my heart beats and there is breath in my lungs no one will ever touch you again!”

Ban’s trembles had began to cease as he lifted his pale lids unveiling teary sapphires to the night, his defenses and walls rising once again as he prepared to push from Yamato’s embrace. Instead, a small gasp lifted from his lips as he was hoisted from the cold grass, his legs dangling loosely while he was pulled into the protective brace of Yamato’s broad chest.

“Yamato … I can walk, let me down.”

“Himiko, go get a bath ready, warm water. His muscles are going to need it. And fetch some bandages.” Yamato ordered while ignoring the protests and feeble attempts of Ban trying to wiggle loose.

"Yamato, what the hell do you think you're doing! Let me down!"

"Why are you acting like a blushing girl?" Yamato frowned to hiss as he collapsed to his knees, barely feeling Ban's hands as they pushed against his shoulder to lift his head.

"YAMATO!" Ban shouted as he failed to respond, "shit ... answer me please, Yamato!"

"I'm here," he exhaled shakily. Drawing in a deep breath as he opened his eyes to peer at Ban's frantic expression, Yamato leaned forward to rest his head to Ban's. "I'm alright."

"No you're not," Ban growled as he pushed himself beneath Yamato, drawing them both to their feet with what strength he had left, "you've got holes in you because of me!"

"Ban ..."

"This is all my fault," he growled as he stared at the ground, refusing to glance at Yamato as he carried them into the house. "I am a curse, I never bring anything but pain-"

"If you don't stop right there I'll slap you across that pretty face of yours Ban Midou!" Yamato threatened as Ban simply scoffed. "You want to try me!?"

"Shut your mouth Yamato," Ban smirked as he pushed the bathroom door open. "You're as threatening as Himiko."

"What about me?"

Turning to see the bright eyed girl walking toward them, Ban released Yamato, setting him on the toilet as he walked back toward Himiko to take the bandages from her. "Thanks squirt ... you're not knicked anywhere are you?"

"No, you used yourself as a shield all the time how could I possibly?" Himiko frowned. "Do you need help?"

"Its cool Himi," Ban sighed wearily, "you get back to bed, Yamato'll probably be in shortly."

"No," she shook her head, "you guys get cleaned up and get some sleep. You're the ones ready to pass out not me." She sighed handing a towel to Ban.

"Whatever shrimp," he grinned before turning toward the bathroom.

"Ban?"

Turning to peer at Himiko, Ban grinned as he saw the worry dripping from her face, "its going to be ok squirt. Get some sleep."

* * * * * * * * * * * *

"Is Himiko alright?"

Pausing to peer at Yamato, unable to gauge his expression by his downcast face, Ban exhaled slowly as he set the towel on the counter lifting the kit at the same time. "For what went on ... yeah. She's ok, just real shaken. And worried."

Pealing his eyes back slowly as he felt Ban's fingers press into his shoulder, Yamato slowly glanced up as Ban examined several of his injuries. "I've failed if I can't have her feel safe in her own home."

"That's not your fault Yamato and you know it," Ban sighed heavily, his brows creasing as he closed his eyes, "this was me ... with what I've brought down on you, she has reason to be scared. I didn't mean for it to happen like this and I'm sorry for that." Snapping his eyes open quickly as his wrist was snarred, Ban stared into Yamato's bright emerald eyes.

"Don't beat yourself up for this," he ordered, "now lets get you cleaned up-"

Staring at Yamato as he grunted beneath the force of his hand, Ban shook his head in annoyance, "You have gaping holes in you and you're still worried about my little scratches. Unbelievable."

"I'm just worried about you ... she was sucking your blood Ban, we don't know what she could've done!"

"She was extracting," Ban sighed as he slid his fingers around a cut on Yamato's breast, grimacing as Yamato cringed at the pressure drawing puss from the infected wound. "Shit ... they're getting infected, she must've had released some bacteria shit when she was striking you ... fucking bitch, I'm going to kill her!"

"I think you came pretty close," Yamato grinned as he released a heavy breath. "So what's the diagnostic?"

"You'll live," Ban stated as he pushed his hand along the cut, his fingers applying pressure to remove the puss, trying to ignore the groans leaving Yamato's lips. "At least you better or I'll kill you myself."

Chuckling softly as Ban spread some ointment across the wound, Yamato closed his eyes, holding back the purr threatening to slither across his lips from Ban's chilly yet soft touches upon his burning skin. "Ban ..."

Easing back around to Yamato's front to lower to the large gash in the midst of his dark torso, Ban exhaled as he waited for him to continue.

"Do you know what she wanted? Why she came after you like that?"

"I have some ideas, but then even those are sketchy to what she was talking about," Ban stated, his breath drawing Yamato's stomach muscles to cringe.

"You're not going to tell me are you?" Yamato sighed, his brows creasing in frustration.

Pushing against Yamato's chest so to straighten the smooth muscles of his abdomen, Ban leaned closer as he started wiping the dried blood away. Blinking as he felt Yamato's muscles flinch beneath his feathery touch, parting his lips in bewilderment at the heat he felt rise to his cheeks, Ban quickly pulled his hand away as he stood.

"Ban ..." Yamato pressed as he watched the brunette lean over the sink, washing his hands as he pulled out some bandages. "You're not going to tell me are you?"

Hanging his head with a long sigh, Ban slowly turned his eyes on Yamato's, "when I figure it out ... I'll let you know."

Peering slowly over Ban's face, studying his expression, Yamato slowly hung his head with a weak grin, "I see ..."

Turning back to the sink, his brows creasing in irate frustration, Ban growled as he yanked the kit to the floor with him, his fingers pressing gently along Yamato's body despite his anger. A long awkward silence followed to where only Yamato's soft seldom pained breaths could be heard intermingled within Ban's frustrated inhales. Lifting his head as he felt Ban's touch slow, his breathing as well, though it grew louder, more labored, Yamato swallowed a heavy breath as he felt his stomach twist beneath Ban's soft hand, the undilberate teasing of his fingers.

"Ban ..."

Slipping his fingers off the bandage he'd settled over the nasty gash on Yamato's stomach, Ban exhaled a long breath as he turned to the kit. "What?"

"Is this really about your heritage?" Yamato inquired, "or is it something else?"

Closing his eyes with a heavy breath, his head shaking from side to side as he stood, Ban set the kit on the sink before closing his hand around the doorknob. "I don't know." Flinching as a loud thud echoed beside his ear to glance at the hand braced against the door, holding it closed, Ban slowly turned his eyes to stare at Yamato's narrowed demanding gaze.

"I don't believe you Ban Midou, I think you do know, and are just playing it off as if it were really nothing."

"I don't know." Ban repeated, his eyes narrowing as he deepened his tone, his anger resurfacing.

"Bullshit!" Yamato growled, his hand pushing off the door to grasp Ban's arm, twisting him around so he was pressed against the door. "An awakening ... breaking seals ... ferrying them through the door ... there's something major happening isn't there!?"

Shit ... he's more perceptive then he needs to be. Ban groaned as Yamato's fingers dug into his shoulders. "Is there, I don't know."

"God damn it Ban!" Yamato growled as he sank his head to let his hair tickle the sweaty flesh of the brunette's neck. "Why do you do this ... you don't have to keep everything to yourself. I'm here for you, I'm willing to do anything if it will make you happy."

"Good," Ban sighed as his hand rose to peel Yamato's fingers from his shoulders. "If you want me happy, don't push the matter ... I need to figure it out ... I'll figure it out. But I need you to be understanding ... I'm still not used to there being anyone other than myself. Stop hovering."

Peering carefully at Ban to exhale a long breath, Yamato scratched his fingers through his hair, "alright fine ... but I won't be patient for long."

"Whatever," Ban sighed turning to growl as Yamato's hand slammed back into the door, "would you move! Hovering!"

"You're not going anywhere til those cuts are handled!" Yamato smirked malevolently, "park it boy!"

Raising one of his fine eyebrows, Ban pulled his lips into a soft snarl, "or you'll what?"

Leaning closer, his breath hot against Ban's lips as Yamato's stopped a fraction of an inch from touching, Yamato chuckled softly as he planted both hands on either side of Ban's head, "You may be a mastermind ... but I've experience on you!"

"And thirty more mortal wounds," Ban snickered to grunt as he was tugged off the door, "damn it Yamato let me go!"

"Clean yourself up first."

"I don't want to!"

"You're not afraid of baths are you?" Yamato snickered as Ban glanced at the water. "You are!"

"I am not," Ban snarled as he snapped his wrists free, "I'm just not getting in THERE with you in HERE!"

Watching a crimson dust sprinkle across Ban's cheeks as his eyes grew wide at Yamato's bewildered stare, Yamato softened his gaze as he leaned closer, his hand ruffling gently through Ban's silken hair. "You're that shy?"

"I'm Not!" Ban flustered as he snapped his eyes up to Yamato.

"You are," Yamato chuckled as Ban snapped his head down with an annoyed grunt. "Are you so timid of me seeing your body ... we're both men Ban."

"So!" He flustered, "I don't want you seeing-"

"I'd never do anything to hurt you Ban," Yamato cut in, his gaze serious as he touched Ban's shoulder. "I only want to stay in case you pass out ... the warmth of the water will be too inticing for you to stay conscious long. I will wear a blindfold if it makes you feel better."

"I just ..." Ban frowned, "this is going to be awkward."

"Only because you are making it so," Yamato grinned as he turned around, "here ... I won't look."

Scoffing as he turned his back to Yamato, his nose scrunching in annoyance as he slid his fingers beneath the rim of his pants, Ban turned scarlet as he slowly pushed them down.