Guarded

Chapter 5

He turned towards the window as the jeep sped towards the outskirts of Tokyo city, watching the scenery whizzing past in a blur like an abstract oil painting scrawled on a canvas that the painter can't quite seemed to portray. He glanced at Kurogane's profile from the reflection off the window and his thoughts wound back to the few hours that they had shared shortly after dawn, Kurogane's warm mouth and the feel of his hands on his body was still very much alive, still burning it's mark on him now. He shivered slightly at the memory of Kurogane whispering his name and hugged his arms around himself. How quickly he had succumbed to those smoldering eyes, how quickly his heart had given up it's fight...He startled as Kurogane placed his hands on his cheeks and gently tilt his face towards him, asking him if he was alright?

"I'm fine...where are we going?"

"My place." Kurogane said as he let his fingers lingered for a second longer before returning his hand to the steering wheel, eyes concentrating once again on the long curving highway. He had not told Fay yet but he intended for them to be at his villa for a few days before returning, he hoped a few days away from the mess would allow Fay more space to think things through. It was a good thing that the paparazzi did not register Kurogane's vehicle else they would be trailing behind them now.

"Your place?" Fay repeated curious now.

"You will like it there, I have asked Syaoran to bring pack some clothing for you. He'll bring it down later in the evening."

"My clothes?"

"hm...yes..." Kurogane answered, still keeping his gaze at the road infront.

Fay stopped repeating himself and felt slight annoyance that he wasn't informed of Kurogane's intentions, whatever it was that is. Maybe a couple of days away would be fine, he didn't think he wanted to go back to the office to face those unforgiving bastards. He had read the letter and he knows very well what they want. Well, if they think he's going to bend to their will just because he screwed up in a bad relationship and got some bad press, they have something else coming their way. He felt his annoyance quickly escalate into a simmering rage when he remembered the words he had read...staining the history of DF Corps...hah...as if those jerks doesn't have any secrets of their own. He was a victim after all!

Kurogane watched from the corner of his eyes as he sensed the mood shift in Fay but not wanting to interrupt his thoughts, he kept his eyes on the road. They will be reaching in half an hour time and like a child anticipating Santa's gift, he was anxious for Fay to fall in love with his home. Why? He simply couldn't explain...Great! Stop being sappy...you're a grown man for God's sake! Kurogane shook his head, it really is too early to tell what exactly is happening between them now. For all he knew, the lust that he felt for the man could very well be a by-product of sympathy, a misplaced need for his protective nature. But he couldn't deny the foreign emotion that clenched at his heart every so often when he saw Fay hurting. Still, if he was indeed falling in love with this confused blondie...there will be no end to it if Yuuko ever found out about this, he didn't want this assignment to end now, not after the way they had made love to each other this morning.

ooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooo

Fay stood in the middle of the living room and took a deep breath feeling relaxed the moment he stepped in, the villa though not huge was spacious and airy with it's summer white walls and those minimiumlistic furnishings which Fay realised was all from Phillip Starck. Above the fireplace hung what looks like Bang & OLufson's audio and video integrated system and a few bean bags are strewn about on the smooth glossy granite tiles of the living room and at the other end a winding iron wrought staircase that lead up to the second storey of the villa. He walked further in and found the kitchen and was impressed by the professional layout with it's stainless steel counter-top and red wooden panels and the different pots and pans that hung above the island in the middle of the kitchen but the high ceiling was what Fay love the most, instead of cement, it was a huge piece of glass extending from one end to the other, he could feel the warmth of the early afternoon sun streaming in, their gentle rays illuminating the kitchen and when he looked up he could see the bright blue sky with the occasional cloud flitting pass.

"You have a lovely pad" that so screamed I'm a bachelor! Fay left that thought unspoken grinning to himself as he walked along the cabinets letting his fingers slide across the cool steel "I didn't know you cook, Kuro san" and he had to wonder how did Kurogane afford a place like this with the salary of a policeman, even with his position and rank in the force...

"I have lived alone since I was 17...learned a few basics bout taking care of myself." Kurogane replied, annoyed again by the way his name was spoken out and resigned himself to the fact that Fay would probably only say his name right in the haze of passion.

"This belongs to your parents?"

"You could say that...well, my father's money bought me this."

"Your parents..."

"They are both gone...mum commited suicide, my father died ten years after." Kurogane said matter of factly, no longer sadden or angered by their deaths, those feelings had been long washed away by time.

"I am sorry." Fay said as he let his sadness for Kurogane showed through his face.

"Hn...What for? Com'on I'll show you something."

Fay watched Kurogane's broad sturdy back as he lead the way upstairs and past the bedrooms that was furnished in a way that was similar to the living room, white walls and luxuriously soft looking beds. He shouldn't be surprised that Kurogane didn't seem disturbed when talking about his parents demise, years of being independent would have taught you how to be strong. Fay wondered how would it be like to live without clinging to the past as if it was a lifeline? He had not experience it yet, he had never let go enough to see what was in store for him in the future. No! That's not true! You're opening up your heart again isn't it? You're opening up to him, that's why you are here...a second chance to love...to know how to trust again...he's not Ashura. Fay knows he's not and he had proved that much but he still felt wary despite the intimacy shared between them just a couple of hours ago but it felt so right with him...

He was snapped out of his reverie by the tap on his shoulder and when he lifted his head he was immediately captured by the view infront of him. Vast strips of lush green land ended with a steep drop of the cliffs and the ocean stretched out into the horizon and beyond the cliffs to the left was a view of the modern buildings clustering Minato city, Fay could only imaging what it would be at night to be laying in bed and listening to the distant crush of the waves against the rocky cliffs with the soft glow of the city's night lights from afar, it was simply magnificent.

"Kuro, it's beautiful out here..." Fay said softly, mesmerised by what was infront him.

"I am glad you like it." replied Kurogane as he rest a hand on Fay's neck, gently twirling the blond hair around his fingers, he gazed intently at Fay's expression and made an imprint of it deep in his memory. He has never seen Fay so peaceful, so in awe of something. They stood beside each other for a long time leaning against the balcony rail, listening to each other's breathing, letting the waves of serenity washed over them, enjoying the cool breeze that brought with it the tangy salty smell of the sea. It was only when the doorbell rang that they allowed themselves to be lulled out of their temporary inner world.

"Afternoon, Fay san, Kurogane san." greeted Syaoran when Kurogane opened the door.

"Hi, you're early. I wasn't expecting you till 6, com'on in." Kurogane greeted Syaoran gruffly as he reached over for the light baggage and swang upstairs again to place the bag in Fay's room. Fay was left alone with Syaoran and he shifted uncomfortably hoping that Syaoran won't ask why was he going to be here.

"So...are you alright with staying here for a few days? He hasn't told Yuuko yet about this but I don't think it should be a problem."

Fay smiled at Syaoran and asked him if he knew why Kurogane bought him here.

"He said there were too many reporters loitering outside, it's very difficult to ensure your safety with so many people around and this is a good place for you to think about things. Sorata has been informed but he says he won't be disturbing you since you'll be here for only three days."

"That's nice of him, let him know that once I am back I'll meet him first. Will you stay for dinner than?"

"I'll probably stay the night too, it's too late for me to head back to Shinjuku now. I think I still have some of my clothes here."

"You used to live here?" Fay's eyes widen as he thought of the many possbilities as to why Syaoran had resided in this villa before.

"He used to be my subordinate." Kurogane's voice rang out from behind Fay, his voice carried a hint of amusement and brotherly affection and Syaoran looked at him and gave a bashful smile remembering the things he did just to win the heart of one special lady and Kurogane gave a low chuckle. Fay could only watch the both of them as he smiled pensively and realised just exactly how much he did not know of the people around him, he was so absorbed in himself that he had never bothered to ask about the lives of others who cared for him. How much exactly had he missed out?

The sun had almost set by the time dinner was done and Fay gave a despondent pout when he saw that there wasn't any sweets for him, there was only miso, yakizakana, tonkatsu and udon garnished with some sweetcorn and wedges of golden squash. He mentioned it to Kurogane only to have him reply that it's only fair since he was fed suger for the past three and a half weeks and shouldn't he eat some real food and add some bulk to his skinny frame? Fay had to remind Kurogane to rein in his manners and not hurl insults at another guy's physical outlook, don't he knows that it's bad for the ego before he looked at Syaoran only to see he had averted his gaze with fierce concentration on his dinner. Well, that was fine and dandy Fay said as he picked up his chopstick clumsily to pick at his food before giving up 5mins later to ask Kurogane for a set of fork and spoon, to which Kurogane could only look incredulously at him and asked how could he have lived in Japan his whole life without knowing how to use a pair of chopstick? Syaoran merely choke on his food and tried to mask his laughter with his coughs. Dinner winded down with a drink shared on the terrace, they sipped at the wine as their conversation turned to the trial and Fay's heart felt heavy again.

Fay knows that even if Ashura was found guilty, he won't be in prison for long. Unless they could nail him with attempted murder of the 1st degree he would very likely get off with a charge for manslaughter, also the evidence to link him to his parents death had not been found yet despite the high monotary rewards for witnesses to the accident. He knows his father was a cautious pilot, he would have done a through check before every flight, it does not make sense that his father would miss something as important as a loose aileron. If they came loose during a flight it would cause a gross miscalculation of the roll speed. Ashura was one of the few to know father's flight schedule and also one of the few who are allowed to fly his precious Javelin executive jet, if he had indeed been using the jet before father did, father would have been less inclined to check the plane before takeoff.

"Hey, are you still there?" Kurogane's deep voice rumbled sending shivers through him again.

"Yeah, just thinking."

"You think too much sometimes."

"Don't you too?" Fay replied as he gazed into Kurogane's crimson eyes, loving the way they regarded him as if he was the only thing in his sight worth paying attention to.

"That makes the both of us than..." Kurogane whispered as he lifted his fingers to trace over that ivory cheek now flushing a healthy pink due to the alcohol.

Syaoran cleared his throat and politely excused himself as he headed to the guestroom downstairs, he didn't know what to make of Fay's relationship with Kurogane, he knew something happened when he saw Fay stepped out of Kurogane's bedroom half naked this morning but he knows that Fay would not be hurt for Kurogane was a man who's love was dependable and strong and he was acquainted long enough to know that Kurogane was one dedicated man who gives his all to anything that he does and the same goes for his heart. Rather he was worried more about Kurogane being hurt by Fay...because he knows Fay was defenceless when it comes to Ashura, he knows the mental hold Ashura has on Fay and if Kurogane failed to heal that scarred torn heart of Fay and break those chains it would be his own heart left shattered with no one beside him to pick up the pieces.

ooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooo

"Kurogane..." Fay panted and lowered his head onto Kurogane's neck as his lower back banged against the cool wall with each forceful trust. He reached down towards his own sex and stroke himself trying to keep in pace with the rhythm builded by Kurogane since his hands are too busy with holding him up against the wall. He knows Kurogane is coming soon by the way he breathes, the way his muscles tensed and the way he chants out his name with those final trusts. He loves the way they make love and the way Kurogane wraps himself around him after, making him feel safe within the cocoon of bodily heat, he loves the way Kurogane would seek him out during the day and loves the gentle touches he gave at every opportunity. Fay loves it all. He loves it because it was different from the way Ashura made lo...no...had sex with him, with Ashura, it was always lust. It was a normal blissful relationship from the start but as Ashura got closer to his father and earn more of his trust, the sex got colder and rougher. Fay who did not know any better that time let his mind believe that it was still love, let his body adapt itself to the emotionless physical exchange and somehow his body reacted to the cruel treatment, reacted to the pain betraying his mind from the truth he knows deep in his heart everytime he comes.

"Fay..Fay..." Kurogane spoke his name aloud in a heated whisper, his body trembled and his legs slowly losing it's strength when he came, he let their bodies slither down to the floor, amazed with the intensity of every orgasm he shared with Fay. He looked down at the mob of blond hair by his chin and noticed that Fay was still in the throes of his own climax, he scooped him up carefully as he stood up and laid them both on the bed adjusting Fay until he was laying on his chest and waited for Fay to recover as he ran his fingers through those blonde hair that never failed to captivate him.

"Kuro - rin...tell me more about your childhood." Fay had asked when their breathing had even down.

"Nothing much interesting, my father was a politician and my mother was just a politician's wife."

"What happened to made you moved out than? Why did your mother...?"

"Mum couldn't stand the loneliness, she felt like her life had became a show for the media and the husband she knew was gone, consumed by his greed and ambition for more power," Kurogane said, his voice not betraying any sadness but Fay did noticed that he seem to flinch slightly everytime his father was mentioned. "my father wasn't even concerned about her suicide instead he worried about what the press and media talked about, more afraid of losing his political standing than his family."

"So you ran away?" Fay looked up at him with his cerulean eyes wide and full of questions.

"I didn't run, I told him in the face that I hated him and I wanted to severe all ties with him. I don't know what he felt than but some how he must be guilty because he didn't changed his will and I only learn about it when he was close to his deathbed."

"Isn't it a pity that you are not making full use of what he left you?"

"I did buy myself a home..." Kurogane gave a wry chuckle.

"Not like that..." Fay replied as he gave a playful jab to the side of his torso.

"I don't know actually...he left some business that deals with property investments and another one that deals with the trade of throughbred horses. But I am not interested in keeping them...my lawyer and my uncle have been taking care of them all these time, they are still hoping that one day I will change my mind and takeover from them."

"You'll have to decide one day, you can't leave these things seating around all the time."

"I'll see..."

They left the conversation at that and Fay felt somewhat more reassured now that Kurogane's life seems more tangible to him.