Warrior\'s Rest

Warrior's Rest
part 6
By Sonya


Shun and Hyoga were discovering the room they had just rented. The green haired youth gasped when he saw the surroundings.


"Oh... Hyoga... It looks just like one of the Temples in Athens. WOW!"


Hyoga looked around, he was impressed. "Yeah, when I saw the pictures I had doubts but then, they really do deliver." The room wasn't what you might call Spartan, quite the opposite. It was decked in marble and red velour, a odd combination, Hyoga thought, but it worked.


Shun squealed, "OH WOW!!! Come look at the bath!" Hyoga followed his little love and gasped. It wasn't a tub it looked like a small pool made with greco ceramic tiles, a bath fit for a King or a Pope. "See, there's even bubble bath! Oh, can we take a bath?"


Hyoga chuckled. "I guess so, but I'd rather do something else first." He approached his love sensually but Shun was too excited to notice.


"And look they have a... " Shun stopped and titled his head. "They didn't have vending machines in ancient Greece, right?"


"A vending machine?" repeated the blond and he turned the corner of the wall as Shun had done and looked. It was a vending machine all right, but not the kind when you got snacks. It had sex toys, condoms and various kinds of lubricants.


"What's that, Hyoga?" Shun pointed at a dildo. "It looks like a fake..."


"That's exactly what it is, Shun..." replied Hyoga, blushing.


Shun tilted his head to the side again. "Why would anyone need that?"


"Some people like to be.... stimulated, I guess..." Hyoga wasn't too sure about what to say.


"I'm sure that *I* won't need one with you around..." Shun teased Hyoga by cuddling him.


"I hope not... We do need something though." Hyoga stepped forward and put a few yen pieces in the machine. Shun was curious so he looked at his lover's selection. Hyoga punched a button and a tube of clear liquid popped out of the dispenser. Shun quickly took it.


"Lubricant..." Shun read the label. "Strawberry flavor. Why did you take this?"


"You mean... You don't know?" asked Hyoga and Shun shook his head. "I thought Ikki told you about the birds and the bees."


"He did!" pouted Shun. "But what does this have to do with... you know..."


Hyoga chuckled a little and took Shun by the shoulders. They went back to the main room where the huge bed was. It was on a sort of dais surrounded by six marble columns. Hyoga sat on the bed, taking Shun with him.


"You see." He explained. "When a man and a woman make love, the woman secretes natural lubrication to help the man take her. A man cannot do that, so he has to use outside help." He produced the tube. "You understand now?"


"Ooooh... I see, it's to help you..." Shun got a little nervous. "Get into me?"


"Yes,” the blond said quietly, smiling. Then, seeing that Shun was a little concerned, he added, "Shun, if you don't want to do it, it's okay... we don't have to go all the way tonight if you're not ready."


"I am a bit scared," Shun admitted. "But also, I'm curious to feel all that wonder."


"Me too," confessed the blond.


There was a moment of awkward silence between them, as if they were both taking in what they were about to do. Then, suddenly, Shun broke the silence with a start.


"Wait a minute, how come you know all that?" he asked with a raised eyebrow.


"Errr..." blushed Hyoga. " You see... Milo would often came to see Camus and they would make love. I kind of watched them one night."


Shun gasped out a shocked squeal, holding his hand to his face. "No... You didn't?..."


"I did... They made so much noise I couldn't stay asleep, so I got up and when I saw them I was paralyzed, all I could do was watch, although I was extremely ashamed at my behavior. I stayed in bed 2 days after that faking an illness so I wouldn't look at my Mentor's face. But that's how I learned. I thought it was beautiful because I could see just how much they loved each other." He lowered his eyes remembering. “During the day, you'd never know, but when they thought we were asleep. Shun, you should have
seen the love in their eyes... It's the same look you have in your eyes." Hyoga took Shun in his arms.


Shun let Hyoga hold him in an embrace, then he looked up to him. "Hyoga... Show me your love..." He whispered, blushing.


"It would be my deepest desire..." they kissed passionately and inched toward the huge bed.

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


As Milo lay in bed, he looked over his options. None of the Bronzies were mature enough to be with him, although Ikki... But he shook his head, Shaka was making his move on the boy, if he wasn't he didn't know what else the Virgo Saint had in mind. He spied Saori and Mu looking into Ikki's room. Being curious, Milo had peeked in to check also.


There was Shaka, fully clothed in bed with a somewhat naked Ikki. He kind of felt demoralized at the sight. Shaka gets laid and I can't? Milo puffed, just great.


He had loved Camus, always did, but he and Camus shared a strange relationship. Sure it was great when Camus was around and he KNEW the sex was great. But Camus had an apprentice and was away most of the time. That didn't excuse Milo from going to Siberia a few times and warm his loving icicle. He had to go to Siberia and Camus knew why.


Milo was an hedonist, a man of pleasure and he would get horny beyond belief waiting for Camus to get back. So horny, he would storm into Siberia and training or no training, he would drag Camus back to the cabin he owned and screw his brains out. Camus was pissed afterwards, but that never lasted long.


Milo closed his eyes and thought back to one of those times.


He had just pulled out of Camus, sated and content, they had just made love on the bear skin in front of the fire. Camus' body glistened with sweat, he panted and his throat was raw from the mind blowing orgasm Milo just gave him. The blond came to lay next to his lover and took the red haired man in his arms.


But that wasn't met with snuggling like Milo had hoped but rather with a slap in the face. Milo was stunned for a couple of seconds.


"What the hell is WRONG with you???... You can't barge in here and demand sex like you just did. Hyoga is here! He's ten, dammit I had to answer a few embarrassing questions the LAST time you came here you horny bastard!!!" Camus fumed, he hated being this vulnerable, this open with people. To crumble so easily when Milo touched him always filled him with a sense of shame.


"You know you enjoyed it,” stated Milo.


"That's beside the point!!!" barked Camus. "I'm not just something you can spill your damn seed into."


"But I love you..." started Milo.


"You love me... I know that but damn, MILO, I have children here... I have a duty to fulfill and I can't have you coming here and disturbing all the things I have working with Hyoga and Isaak." Camus got up and put a robe on and tossed one to Milo, even if they had shared heated sex together, the cold Siberia night made sure you didn't stay naked for long.


"But I need you..." Milo was all puppy face and snuggled to Camus.


The red haired Saint sighed. "Milo... You have to control that need. I can't be with you all the time and you know it.... Maybe you should try to see Aphrodite if you're really that horny..."


Milo was flabbergasted. I so much as glance at another and you get pissed. And you want me to go see Aphrodite?... I thought you didn't approve of his man-eating appetites."


"Usually I don't. But I am about to begin a very crucial part of Hyoga's training and I can't have you running straight here and fucking me silly whever you feel like it. If you really must then... Go see Aphrodite. " He clenched his fist. "I'm sure he'll be all too pleased to "accommodate" you."


"You say that but... I can tell you don't like it," countered Milo.


"I don't, but being a Saint I have a duty and if you can't control your libido, then I think the best way to handle this is to have you fulfill your needs with Aphro..."


"But I only want you... I love you." Milo cuddled the redhead.


"When you come here horny as you were, it isn't love, Milo, it's just need." Camus stated bluntly. "And I know you get that way and you can't help it. that's just the way you are..." He smirked. "You're a satyromaniac..."


"You and your big words... You do sound sexy saying them though..." Milo breathed hotly in Camus' ear.


"It means you want to have sex all the time," explained Camus.


"Is that bad?" asked Milo kissing Camus' shoulders. He felt his lover tremble slightly at his touch.


"It is when I have work to do...pressing work... mmmm... You're not listening are you?"


"I am... but you're so tense... you need release too don't you?..." Milo breathed hotly into his ears. "You're just as horny as I am... You just ignore it..." His hand slid across Camus' skin and reached his member. It was half erect and his hand quickly made it arise. "See?... You want it bad... don't deny it..."


"Aaah... aah Milo... no stop... aaaah..." Camus arched against his lover. His arousal was plain to see.


"You let me have my pleasure, now it's your turn, Lover. I want you to take me till I'm raw... I don't want to be able to walk straight for a week." Milo turned to press his bottom to Camus' member.


"I'm sure the Pope would appreciate... Aaah... AH!... Losing one of his best warriors like that..." panted Camus.


"The hell with the Pope. I don't care," stated the Scorpio saint.


Camus gasped. "You're blaspheming. Ah... Milo... He's our..Lord..."


"Yes, but he doesn't rule over my heart, you do." Milo kneeled in front of Camus and presented his muscular bottom to be taken.


Camus took him that day, it was raw it was great it was beautiful and now, it was only a memory, a cherished one but still only a memory. Milo did go back to Sanctuary and when the need was more than he could bear, he would go see Aphrodite. The Swedish warrior was delightfully pleased when Milo came to ask for his services. The sex was great, Aphrodite was a Master at the things he did, be it dealing with sex or death.


But as great as the sex was, it wasn't enough. because it wasn't Camus. It was like paying a prostitute, no love was involved, just the fulfilling of a need.


"I'm alone now... I don't even have Aphrodite to fall back on... What am I supposed to do?..." He looked down at his engorged member that needed fulfillment. "Damn little vampire, you suck up my blood all the time. I bet Shaka or Mu don't have that problem..."


Although, he did see Shaka in bed with Ikki... sort of. The youth was seemingly naked but the man closest to God was fully clothed. In any case, for him, the very thought of Shaka having sex was weird. He probably go OM and touch hands or something.


He would ignore his body right now. He didn't want to masturbate under the roof of his Goddess, that felt kinda... gross. So he grabbed a towel and headed for the furo, a hot bath would calm him; he hoped.


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


Shun was moaning as Hyoga explored his body. His Russian lover was between his legs, his head bobbing, his hot mouth engulfing his member. Both of them were excited and the slightest touch was ecstasy.


"Aaah... Hyoga!...AAH..." gasped Shun when he saw his lover's hand reach for the lubricant.


Hyoga looked up at him, questioning him with his gaze. Shun nodded as he gulped, he would go through it, he wanted to.


The blond flipped the lid of the lubricant and coated his fingers. He stopped sucking Shun to see where he was going. He parted Shun's legs and a finger ran between his cheeks. Shun was nervous, he could tell but also excited, so was he and he wanted to take his time. When he touched the puckered entrance, Shun let out a whimper.


The green haired boy was shocked and blushed when he felt excitement in that area of his body. It was scary all right, how his body was reacting, like it had a mind of its own. He moaned again when Hyoga started to circle and knead the area. His bodily temperature rose even more, he couldn't think it was possible and when the finger started to poke inside him, Shun reacted by closing his entrance tight.


"Shun..." Hyoga said softly. "You need to relax or else, it will hurt you..."


"S... Sorry." apologized the green haired boy, he felt really embarrassed.


"Ssssh... It's normal to be nervous. I know I am," replied Hyoga. He reached for Shun's right hand and pressed it against his heart.


The green haired one could feel his lover's heartbeat, fluttering like a bird caught in a case and seeking to burst out to freedom. "See?... I'm nervous, too," whispered the Russian. Shun smiled at him and tried to relax.


Hyoga smiled back and continued to explore this part of his lover. "Mmmmmm... See?... it's must better now isn't it?"


"I... I don't know..." started Shun, wincing a little. "It feels weird... I can't even say if I like it or not..."


"Errr... I'm sure everyone feels like this..." offered Hyoga. "Do you want me to stop?" He was about to take his finger away when Shun grabbed his arm.


"No! Don't take it out just yet. I...I want to know if it changes." said Shun.


Hyoga nodded and continued to probe into Shun. Shun started to whimper, the feeling was changing, it was becoming less weird and more pleasurable. Hyoga warned him he would try another finger. Shun whimpered again, this time with pain because Hyoga was stretching him. The young green haired man urged his lover to continue. The Russian, who wanted his lover to feel pleasure took his member in his hand and started to stroke him.


"AAH!...Hyoga!" Shun panted, pleasure was returning and before long he cried out. "Hyoga... AH! Hyoga... MMMM... More... More..." He cried out again as he was stretched further, but this time the pain didn't last long and blossomed easily into pleasure. "More... Hyoga..." He gasped as Hyoga's fingers slid easily in and out of him.


"Shun... I think you're ready for me," whispered the Russian with a low lustful voice that turned Shun on so much.


"Yes! Yes! I am ready... Take me... Make me yours, Hyoga!" moaned Shun.


Hyoga trembled as he applied the cool jelly on his rock hard member. He fumbled with the tube a couple of times, dropping it only to have it slip out of his trembling hands again. He took a deep breath and was able to regain his center, but his lover's whimpering need was almost too much for him.


He was finally able to lube his erection and position himself at Shun's entrance. He looked up to ask Shun if he was sure when he was met with the most luscious, sensual green eyes looking back at him with lust and need. That was all the answer Hyoga needed to push inside him.


Hyoga gasped as he felt the walls of Shun's nether region hold him in a firm grip. He was bathed in hotness and the pull of Shun's body almost made him lose his mind, something primal inside him wanted to pound into his lover, to hear him scream out his name. But, he fought against it, he was afraid to hurt Shun.


Shun's breath was stuck in his throat, it hurt, it knocked the breath right out of him. His heart pounded and for a few seconds he also pushed Hyoga back, but the pain lessened and when Hyoga retracted a little he let out the breath he had. It was burning when Hyoga pushed back in him and he whimpered.


"Shun, are you okay?" asked the Russian. He was worried. Maybe he had been too hasty?


Shun nodded and realized that he was unconsciously cramping so he willed himself to relax and felt Hyoga slide further into him. Shun relaxed even more and felt the burning sensation going away. He let out a sigh when he felt Hyoga fully inside him.


They both stayed locked like that, getting used to the sensations. Both of them were panting, the mix of pain and pleasure was like nothing they had experienced before. Hyoga reached for Shun and kissed him. This relaxed Shun completely, and Hyoga started a slow movement.


"MMMMMMM!" moaned Shun through the kiss, he was hurting still a little and yet there was something else that was letting its presence be known: pleasure.


Hyoga was trying to fuel everything through their kiss, his love and hoped it would help Shun find pleasure. He opened his eyes wide when he felt Shun's hips move in response to his thrusting. He smiled in the kiss and continued it, his hips going faster.


"AAH... HYOGA!" Shun broke the kiss to moan out his name, this fueled Hyoga's eagerness even more and he soon was pounding into his little lover. Shun was arching himself, he felt like he wanted to jump out of his skin and go back inside again. It was pleasure beyond anything he ever dreamed it would be. They moved as one, their bodies taking over, arms caressing hot flesh, moans that mingled with shared breaths. An urgency that took hold of them, as they both felt something crash into them.


Hyoga grabbed Shun's member and stroked it hard and fast, it was too much for Shun who yelled out his name. He gripped the bedsheets with white knuckles as his orgasm shook his body, it was even more stronger than the last time they made love. His member weeped with pleasure as he clamped hard on Hyoga's erection.


Hyoga cried out and everything went white as he was blinded by the sheer wave of pleasure that crashed into him. Shun's hold on him had triggered it and he was dying into his lover, his seed spilling deeply into his love.


They both collapsed back on the bed, sweaty, panting. Hyoga's last conscious thought was to pull out of Shun and groggily lie next to him. He felt Shun nuzzle his hair and put his arms around him. He heard Shun breathe out, "I love you..." before they both closed their eyes, sated and tired from their first experience.


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


Ikki awoke in the early morning. The sky was still dark, he could tell through his closed eyelids. His mouth was dry and he needed a glass of water, he smacked his lips together and cracked an eye open. As if reading his mind there was a glass of water hovering right in front of him. He didn't even blink and took the glass and gulped it down. He moved to put it on the night table only to have the empty vessel plucked from his hands.


He didn't think twice about it, his mouth was no longer pasty and he was still sleepy. He snuggled against the warm body and circled the muscled torso with his arms. He felt a gentle hand pet his hair, that was soo soothing.


He was about to fall back into Morpheus's Lair when his brain finally realized there were a few discrepancies. Ikki's hands started to paw the body he was clinging to. It was much more muscular than Shun... this was NOT Shun... He reached higher and was met with smooth pectoral muscles. This is NOT a WOMAN!!! He reached higher still and encountered silky thread, hair? Then his nose smelled incense and curry.


"Shhh..Ikki... Go back to sleep..." an all too familiar voice soothed him.


"SHAKA???!!!!" Ikki got up and backpedaled and fell backward off his bed. He was stuck with his butt and legs up in the air, his head wedged between the bed and his wall. He heard a gasp and from the angle he was at, Shaka peeked in between his legs to see if he was okay.


"Ikki?..."


Ikki, even though he was wearing boxers, covered his groin area with his hands. "Shaka! What the HELL are you doing in MY bed?"


Shaka looked down at him then Ikki saw his lips curl up and he let out a chuckle. That of course outraged Ikki and he tried to get up but the more he struggled, the less he was going anywhere.


The blond Saint extended his hand and grabbed hold of Ikki and with little effort pulled him right back on the bed. Ikki was a little surprised that Shaka had pulled him up without even straining.


"Errr...T... Thanks..." mumbled Ikki, he looked up to the blond's beautiful blue eyes and had to avert his gaze. He could feel his cheeks burning up. Could he be still having a fever? he wondered.


Shaka was touched by Ikki's red cheeks. He looked like a baffled kitten, his hair wild from his tumble. Shaka found he had to restrain himself from touching the unruly mane. He realized also he longed to touch it and that he missed holding the Phoenix Saint.


Ikki started to shiver again and Shaka kicked himself mentally. "You'd better go back under the covers, you're going to be cold again..."


Just when the Virgo Saint had said that, Ikki remembered why Shaka had been in his bed. He nodded quickly and dove under his covers, his face burning even more. There was still residual warmth from their two bodies. Ikki sighed gratefully at the warmth.


Shaka got off the bed gracefully. Part of him wanted to go back under the covers with Ikki, even if it was only to warm him. The closeness with Ikki felt good, right and he hated to leave but he also didn't want to make Ikki feel uneasy. With the way his cheeks were burning, he was embarrassed. He felt a strong hand grab his arm.


"You're... going?" asked Ikki.


"You look better, you wished to be warm earlier and I guess I must have fallen asleep myself. I should have left before that," stated Shaka.


"Oh..." replied Ikki, briefly. Shaka wondered if it was just wishful thinking, but he could have sworn the young man's voice seemed saddened by his departure. He didn't dwell on it, the longer he took to get away, the harder it would be.


"Good night, Ikki..." he said calmly as he got out of the room.


"Good night, Shaka..." started Ikki, as the blond was about to close the door he added. "Shaka?... Thank you for... earlier..." the dark haired Bronze Saint saw the flash of a pleased smile as the door closed.


Ikki was trying to go back to sleep when he realized that his heart was hammering. Why didn't he notice until now? It was slowly going back to normal now as he snuggled into his warmed blankets. It felt so nice and warm in his bed, he never noticed how soft and warm his bed had been up to now. He snuggled against the pillow and breathed deep the scent that lingered there: Incense and musk. It smelled very nice, masculine and...


He sat up. What the hell was wrong with him? He shouldn't like the scent of another guy. He could see Shaka's beautiful face, his clear blue eyes, that flash of a smile. He could feel a tightening of his chest. He wondered what was wrong with him, it wasn't a physical ache... it was his heart?... As if something was pulling at him?


Shaka?...


Ikki let himself fall back on his bed. He berated himself for having such thoughts. Surely Shaka would laugh at his face if he ever knew.


Would he? Ikki shivered, remembering the smile he had glimpsed, he closed his eyes and felt the ghostly feel of Shaka's arms around him. He was surprised to feel longing, wrapping his own arms around his chest to mimic the feeling, yet failing.


"What's wrong with me?..." he whispered to himself. In the back of his mind, he could feel the answer, but he refused himself the truth, it scared him. I should be thinking of Esmeralda, he thought as he closed his eyes. He pictured her, looking at him smiling, he smiled too but his smile crumbled when she turned away from him.


No... No Esmeralda... don't go!... He ran after her but she was always beyond his reach, he ran as fast as he could, she merely walked but she still went faster than him. Esmeralda! He reached for her as she vanished and fell on his knees defeated. Why? Why had she left?


He felt arms holding him, soothing him. He wanted to get away from this embrace, but he found he didn't want to fight it. It felt good, it felt right, this warmth was so familiar, soothing. Ikki closed his eyes and let the warmth lure him to sleep.


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


Shaka walked to his room, but felt sleep would elude him for the rest of the night. He had sighed heavily five times already. A lovesick Shaka -- I think a lot of people would find that funny, he kidded himself.


He found himself not at the door of his own room, but rather at the door of Mu. He needed to talk to someone. He debated about waking his friend Mu. He was about to knock on the door when it swung open, shocking him.


"M...Mu? How did?..." asked the bewildered Shaka.


"I could tell, come in..." Mu motioned him inside. He was wearing a blue brocade robe. Shaka paused, was that one of Mu's powers? To know when someone was visiting him. The impish glow in his eyes, stopped Shaka from asking the question. He doubted he would get an answer in any case.


"Sit, sit... Who woke up first?" asked Mu with a playful grin.


"Ikki...I... Hey wait a minute! You knew I was sleeping and you didn't wake me up?" Shaka was outraged.


"Of course not!" pouted Mu. "You both looked so cute sleeping next to each other like that... We didn't have the heart to separate you two."


"We?" Shaka twitched. "Who's we?"


"Me and Saori-san..."


Shaka's eyes grew so big, Mu feared they would fall down from his sockets. He also was as red as Ikki had been in his bedroom. "Wh..WHAT???? She saw us?"


Mu nodded. "Yes.. She insisted no one disturb you two."


Shaka was wondering if his hearing was faulty or if Mu was pulling his leg. "You must be joking...."


"Shaka, now why would I do that?" asked Mu. This was getting to be so much fun, to see Shaka so flustered.


"Surely, Athena cannot..." started the blonde, only to be stopped short by the lavender haired man.


"Oh please, Shaka... Saori-san doesn't care if you're in love with one of her Bronze Saints. As long as both of you are happy, so is she."


"So, she doesn't mind..." asked Shaka, still bewildered by the news.


"You're so cute when you're dense," Mu puffed. Shaka regained his dignity immediately.


"I didn't come here to be insulted," the blond said as he was getting up.


"Oh settle down, Shaka," Mu sighed. "I was joking just now, to get you out of the state of shock you were in." He took his friend's hand and made him sit back down. "So... Ikki woke up, how did it go?"


"How did what go, Mu?... After what you told me this afternoon, I don't think jumping on him in the middle of the night is an option," sighed the blond.


"Mmm mmm. But I bet you must have considered it, even for a split second," teased Mu.


Shaka blushed. "You are so irritating, Mu. He woke up, felt embarrassed and not too at ease with me in his bed so I left."


"Oh..." Mu started, but he got cut short as a booming voice taunted.


"What? The little Phoenix doesn't like to have the fabled Virgo in his bed? For shame!" Milo opened the door. Shaka tried his best to look impassive but inside he was boiling. He didn't like that Milo knew about his attraction to Ikki.


"What's the matter, Shaka? Pissed off because your little chicken got cold feet on you?" sneered Milo as he also sat on Mu's bed.


"Ahem... just who invited you, Milo?" grumbled Mu.


"Put a sock in it, Mu," barked Milo. " Can't you see Shaka needs a man right now? I bet you're frustrated Shaka... I can take care of that."


"WHA?... MILO!" Shaka wasn't amused at all. Mu looked at them, wondering if it was more appropriate to leave, because he knew if Shaka was furious at Milo, this room would be rubble.


Milo smiled, he was having too much fun gauding Shaka. "Come on, admit it, I bet you're all hot and bothered. If you need release, I can give it to you." Milo purred.


"I'm NOT interested! Now I suggest you leave me alone!" Shaka angrilly spat back. he was so mad at Milo that his hands shook.


"Come on, baby, let me show you what a real man is..." Milo started. "I'm a way better lover than that little Bronze Saint... Unless you got a Shota complex?"


"MILO!" screamed Shaka.

"Milo, you're going a tad too far I think..." Mu added.

"Oh they all say that, but once you've gotten a taste of my magic fingers you'll only want more. Beside, I know what I am doing, I'm not a litte Bronze Saint who is still wet behind the ears. Unless you really like to take the virginity of little Saint Boys Shaka." Milo continued to taunt.

Shaka shook, how could Milo say all those horribl;e things about Ikki. Especially since Ikki was once raped by his Master. He was this close to wiping the grin off Milo's face. He never felt this angry in years, he felt something in him bubbling, primal and fiery.


Mu was still in shock and was wondering why the room wasn't rubble yet when he heard a noise. It sounded like someone running very fast towards where they were. He was surprised to see his door getting kicked in and a furious boxer-clad Ikki burst into the room.


"Shaka said he wasn't INTERESTED!!!" Growled Ikki as his punch landed square in Milo's jaw. He let go of Shaka and flew right through the wall adjacent to Mu's bedroom. Mu and Shaka sweatdropped when they heard Aldebaran yell for them to pipe down. Milo was out cold for the rest of the night.


Mu has expected his room to be in shambles, but that wasn't the way he thought it would happen. Both he and Shaka looked back at the angered, half naked young man.


"I-Ikki..." started Shaka.


"Er..." Ikki started blushing. "I... I just came to tell you guys, to keep it down, or you'll wake up Saori..."


For a minute it was so quiet you could hear three pairs of eyes blinking. Then the roar of the Taurus' laughter shook the mansion.


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


"Oh thank you for letting me use your bedroom, Shaka, it's so kind of you! Good night!" Mu said as he closed the door of Ikki and Shun's room. Shaka was still wondering how the heck he was still in this room with Ikki.


Ikki was back in his bed and he looked at the clock, 4 am and his brother's bed wasn't slept in. He shouldn't worry after all, he was with Seiya, Shiryu and... Hyoga. He crushed his bed covers between his fingers and curled them into a fist. Was Hyoga hurting his little brother?


Shaka had turned around and saw how angry Ikki seemed. "Ikki." He started. " If you want me to leave, I can go sleep on a couch, somewhere."


Ikki looked up. "I'm not mad at you, Shaka, I was just thinking of Shun and the fact that he hasn't come back tonight."


"He'll be all right, Ikki, he's with.."


"With Hyoga, I know. I wonder if I didn't do my brother harm in letting him go with Hyoga," Ikki said. Shaka sat on his bed.


"You know Hyoga loves Shun, Ikki, he would never harm him," the blond said softly.


"How can I be sure?... " Dark memories resurfaced in Ikki's mind, things that Guilty ... He shook his head, No, he mustn't think about that. It was muddling his reasoning, Hyoga wouldn't do things like that to his brother.


Ikki jumped as he felt Shaka's hand on his shoulder. "Ikki, are you all right?"


The young man looked up and almost got swallowed by Shaka's beautiful blue eyes. Quickly, he looked away, flustered, his heart fluttered in his chest. "I'm okay..."


Shaka wanted to add something but thought better of it. Ikki was obviously still questioning his emotion. But the way he burst into that room, saving him like a knight in a not so shining armor. He did care for him and Shaka felt a sense of pride and a strange longing to snuggle to his blushing Phoenix.


But, he shouldn't do this, not now, Ikki wasn't ready. It pained him, but for Ikki's sake, it was best to be his friend right now.


"I mean it Ikki, if you feel more comfortable if I left..." started the blond.


"No, please stay." Ikki replied quietly. "I don't think Shun will come back to sleep tonight... so you can use his bed."


There was an uneasy silence as both of them hoped the other would ask for another sleeping arrangement. Shaka bid Ikki good night and got off his bed. The dark haired youth looked at him settling down in his brother's bed. He felt a weird pinch at his heart, was he disappointed? He couldn't tell but he felt a little stupid, questioning himself like that and settled back to sleep. He looked at Shaka one last time before going to sleep and puzzled why the blond held a small ornate box as he slept.


End of part 6