The sunlight filtered into the living room causing 
shadows. Clothing was strewn on the floor carelessly. In
the middle of the spacious room, lying on the carpet were
two boys tangled together. The sleeping pair was in a 
world that prevented others from entering--for the moment.

     DING-DONG! DING-DONG!

     Sendoh shifted to the side and his skin encountered 
flesh that wasn't his. He opened his eyes cautiously. Yes,
it was Kaede. His thoughts were confirmed. His heart 
melted just looking at the serene figure next to him. The
figure was anything but placid last night--

     DING-DONG! DING-DONG! DING-DONG!

     His eyes darted to the door. It was the door-bell, he
realized drowsily. Should he answer?

     DING-DONG...

     Hearing the urgent ringing, he decided to wake Rukawa
up.

     "Rukawa--" Sendoh gently put his hand on Rukawa's 
head, ruffling his hair. With his other hand, he trailed 
his hand across Rukawa's peaceful face. He patted his 
cheeks.

     "Rukawa, someone's at the door." Sendoh gazed into 
disoriented eyes that were barely open.

     Rukawa blinked. He tilted his head towards Sendoh 
and sweetly kissed his lips. Even though he was half-
asleep, kissing Sendoh in the morning seemed like the 
right thing to do. It was funny how they never woke up
together before, and now automatically he sought Sendoh's
touch.

     DING-DONG! DING-DONG!!!

     "..." Rukawa pushed Sendoh away from him and stood up.
Finding his jeans, he scrambled into them. Sendoh likewise,
searched for his discarded jeans and put them on. Not 
bothering to put on anything else, Rukawa stomped off to 
open the door. He wasn't exactly happy with the 
interruption.


     "What?" Rukawa barked at the intruder.
     "Rukawa-kun, I just want to find out who the other 
person is.." Standing at the door was Haruko. Her chin was
tucked onto her chest and her hands clenched closely 
together.
     "..."
     "Rukawa-kun, I--" Haruko had the courage to look up. 
She took in Rukawa's state of disheveled appearance. Rukawa
....had red marks on his chest, and all along his neck,he's
not wearing a shirt...wh~why?

     Sendoh at this moment, walked to the door. Sendoh was 
also in a state of dishabille. His zipper was zipped, but 
the buckle left unbuttoned. She found similar patterns on 
Sendoh's body.

     Horrified, Haruko stumbled backwards. She reached the 
first step of the staircase and would have fallen if she 
had not caught onto the rail. Then, she let out a wail and
bounded down the stairs.

     Rukawa shut the door quietly.

     "Don't you have to go after your girlfriend?" Sendoh 
asked. His eyes carried traces of pain. It was all a 
mistake. I should not have---we should not have---

     "I don't have a girlfriend." Rukawa answered.

     Why do you question me? Don't you trust me? Was last 
night a joke to you?

     Sendoh didn't respond. He walked back to the middle 
of the living room. He began picking up the remnants of 
his clothing. He started to put on his clothes.

     Rukawa came from behind to lay a hand on Sendoh's 
back. Sendoh shrugged off that hand and continued 
dressing.

     Why are you doing this?

     "I have to go now." Sendoh headed for the door. 
Rukawa could not believe his ears.

     Blood pulsated throughout his entire body. The blood
was cold.

     You're leaving. Why? Why? Am I at fault again?

     "Why are you leaving? Are you not man enough to face
what happened last night? You want to deny it?" Rukawa's 
voice strained under his distraught emotions.

     Sendoh stopped for a brief moment, only to continue
walking again. He shoved his feet into his shoes and 
opened the door. He turned halfway--but changed his mind.
He walked out of the room and shut the door with a final
click.

     Rukawa picked up a can of half finished beer and 
slammed it against the door.

     Then he crouched onto the carpet. The carpet that 
had their scent. He wept.

∼To Be Continued∼