Sendoh was staring at the television. He was staring at a 
television that wasn't turned on. However, images flashed in front
of his eyes.

     Kaede's lips. Kaede's kisses. Kaede's passion. The night.

     For the past three days, Sendoh suffered from zombie-a. He 
was a living zombie.

     Unthinking, unfeeling, unsmiling.
     I shouldn't have touched him. I should have left him alone.
     What else is left now? The aftermath of love is emptiness.
     He doesn't belong to me. I've taken advantage of him that 
night.
     I've tried to contain my love for him, but I could not. I 
tried to retain my sanity.
     But how could I forget? How could I not touch?
     I had a chance to stop. But he responded.
     I hurt. I parted with him.
     I wanted to give him my love in the beginning. I've always 
wanted.
     He deserves a normal life. He doesn't need me.

     Sendoh wept.

			--------------------

     I don't know why you have to treat me this way.
     I only know, no matter how you treat me, I'll still love 
you.
     Maybe you never loved me---or even hated me.
     Why else would you trample on my heart repeatedly?
     I can't help myself.
     I'll always love you---forever.
     I will make you see you need me.
     I will make you see you love me.
     I will make you see---my love is for you.
     Your love is for me.

			--------------------

     Sendoh opened the door half expecting Koshino. Koshino had 
said he would drop by to study math with him later tonight.

     "Can I come in?" Rukawa declared as he pushed Sendoh inside
and shut the door.

     "Why are you h~" Sendoh's question was swallowed by Rukawa's
kiss.

     Rukawa literally jumped on Sendoh and knocked both of them to
the floor. His aggression stunned Sendoh. Nevertheless, Sendoh 
grabbed onto Rukawa and applied his own force, ravaging Rukawa's 
lips. Both pair of lips would bruise from the brutal contact.

     After a long while, Sendoh released his hold on Rukawa and 
stood up.  Rukawa, afraid Sendoh would depart again, tied his 
hands around Sendoh.

     "I love you, but I can't be with you." Can't you see? You 
have no future with me.

     Rukawa's hands dug into Sendoh's arms.

     "Who the hell do you think you are? You love me but you can't
be with me? Why did you love me in the first place?" Rukawa's 
fears passed. I thought you didn't love me...

     Sendoh broke free from Rukawa's tight grasp.

     "Yeah, I love you. So what? It's more than an attraction. But
--"
     "But what? But you're embarrassed? You hate what we did? 
You're ashamed?"

     Rukawa grabbed onto Sendoh again. Each accusation was louder 
than the first and his eyes were turning wild from the raw 
emotions elicited by Sendoh's presence.

     "NO! NO! Don't you see? I'm not normal. Be normal for me. Lo~
love another and be normal. Society does not condone us. Do you 
understand? Can you understand that much?" Sendoh shook Rukawa as 
he yelled out his reasons.
     "F*** society! I don't give a damn. WAKE UP! Didn't you 
realize after that night? You're MINE---I'm YOURS." Rukawa flung 
himself at Sendoh held onto his neck tightly.
     "You think I don't know?? You think I didn't try to deny it?
You think it was easy for me~" Sendoh despaired. He gave up. His 
hands swung around Rukawa and crushed him.

			--------------------

     The boys were seated on Sendoh's bed.

     "I tried to forget you. I really did. But I can't get you out
of my blood. You were like nicotine---caffeine---morphine---" 
Sendoh said bewilderedly as he was cut off by Rukawa's words.
     "Nicotine? Caffeine? Morphine? Are you saying I'm detrimental
to your health?"

     Rukawa's indignation caused Sendoh to stop the string of 
narcotic names on the tip of his tongue. Sendoh opened his mouth. 
He closed it again. The corners of his lips started to twitch.

     Sendoh cracked up as Rukawa joined in the laughter.

     Their emotions that were once tethering on the edge lifted.

     Gradually, they stopped their inane laughter and shifted to 
a more serious mood. Sendoh leaned forward and laid his hand 
across Rukawa's cheeks. He caressed that cheek gently, smoothing 
the skin over and over again. His throat tightened and his eyes 
misted.

     "Why did you come?" Sendoh managed to croak out. First 
laughter, then tears.
     "I came because of your painting." Rukawa rested his hand on
top of Sendoh's hand.

     Quite obvious to the naked eye, Sendoh jerked up in surprise.
This is the second time today--Kaede is very interesting.

     "I thought you came for me?!?!" Sendoh was puzzled.
     "It was your painting that brought me here." Rukawa turned 
his gave to the painting hanging on the wall. The painting was of 
an old man fishing out in a storm.
     "I remember the painting. If the old man can fish in a 
turbulent sea, I can fish in a peaceful world." Rukawa's clear eyes
met Sendoh's befuddled eyes.
     "We can fish together." Sendoh said as his eyes reddened.
     "..." Rukawa hugged Sendoh tightly. He laid Sendoh's head onto
his chest.
     "I'm sorry. I'm so, so sorry," Sendoh said agonizingly. Rukawa
kissed the top of Sendoh's head.
     "Forgive me, Kaede."
     "I already have."

     Lips clashed. Hands sought. Love healed.

     Sendoh Akira and Rukawa Kaede are one--till eternity passes 
away.


∼The End∼