{These characters are not property of me. I would never attempt to claim them as my own. This story may not be used without my permission, and may not be used to make money in any way, shape or form. Characters and certain situations were created by Rumiko Takahashi, so don't try any funny stuff!}

by Lara Bartram

Kensuke's hand felt strange in his. It was... most definitely a man's hand, but this one made him feel better. Better about himself, better about his life, better about the world. Of course, they were only sitting on the couch in his house, but it just felt... nice.

He glanced over at Kensuke, suddenly longing to tell him the words he had held back for too long. Tatewaki leaned over and, in a moment of unrestrained physicality, took Kensuke's earlobe between his lips. He sucked on it gently before releasing it and kissing around his ear. "I love you," he whispered and squeezed his boyfriend's thigh.

"Not here, Tatewaki," Kensuke whispered back, but he was smiling anyway. "Save it for later when we have more privacy," he suggested, moving Tatewaki's hand off his leg.

"I do not believe waiting is an option," Tatewaki replied, kissing up and down Kensuke's neck. Their hands separated, Kensuke's going to Tatewaki's back and Tatewaki's working its way into Kensuke's hair.

Kensuke moaned pleasurably at the feeling, his eyes closed. He clutched at Tatewaki's back, his other hand taking Tatewaki's and squeezing it. He hesitantly moved it to his leg and squirmed slightly.

Tatewaki grinned and continued his efforts. He slowly moved his hand up Kensuke's thigh toward the ever-growing bulge in his pants.

"No, Tatewaki," Kensuke whispered, wanting more, but knowing they were just sitting there, waiting for someone to barge in and see them like that...

"Hello. Am I interrupting something?"

The two young men broke apart quickly in a feeble attempt to appear innocent, but it was of no use.

"Who would have thought Tatewaki Kuno would be getting more action with another guy than the school stud, Ranma Saotome? I'm rather amazed myself."

"Nabiki Tendo, how did you get in here?"

"Settle down, kids. Your private life is your own, I'm just dropping off your homework since you just decided to take a week off... doing I don't want to know what." She grinned at the two and watched them blush.

"I simply needed..."

Nabiki held up her hand. "Say no more. I don't want to know. Here you go," she said, dropping a pile of papers on a small table.

"Thank you. It wouldn't do to fall too far behind in class," Tatewaki said, rising from the couch. He pulled out his wallet and opened it. "And your fee?"

Nabiki started to refuse, but it was just too difficult a habit to break. "Well, just a little something, you know. Maybe I'll get lunch or something."

Tatewaki handed her a 5000 yen bill without hesitation. "Thank you again," he said, but it wasn't just for the homework.

"After this, it was my pleasure," Nabiki answered, holding the bill and smiling brightly. "And I'll leave you two to your movie." She watched Tatewaki close his wallet and return it to his back pocket. "Don't you two hurt yourselves now. Bye."

Tatewaki watched her go, then returned to the couch. Kensuke was watching the television intensely, his face red with embarrassment. "She won't say anything, will she?" he asked quietly.

"No. We already worked this out. In fact, she was the one who made me confront the way I felt, made me... confront you with it. We have an understanding." He still wasn't sure why Nabiki always snickered when he mentioned the pig-tailed girl or Ranma, but other than that, they were almost friends.

"Oh." Kensuke wasn't quite convinced. Nabiki was quite the sneak when she wanted to be, and there was nothing to say that she wouldn't just start spreading the news when she wanted to.

"No worries. I trust her, and if you trust me, you will her as well." Tatewaki took Kensuke's hand and stood, the television forgotten. "She is correct about one thing and that is why I've taken a week's respite from school."

"Tatewaki, you really shouldn't have," Kensuke replied, standing. He followed as Tatewaki pulled him through the house.

"You've been growing lax in your training," Tatewaki warned and headed for the family's practice room.

"Tatewaki..."

"You will address me properly when we spar. I am your superior in such a situation and I will not play favorites. You know this." Tatewaki cast one warning look at Kensuke.

Kensuke sighed. "Yes, Kuno-sempai."

Tatewaki grinned to himself. There was just something about the way he said it that sent chills through the whole of Tatewaki's body.

They arrived at the complete practice facilities and went to the change room. A bath and shower was adjacent to the room, and there was even a screen so that Tatewaki and Kodachi could get ready at the same time.

"Kensuke?" Tatewaki asked as they removed their shirts.

"What happened to formality?" he replied with a half-amused look on his face.

"It shall resume when we begin practice. I just wanted to know..." Tatewaki stepped up to Kensuke and looked in his eyes. "I just wanted to know why you... what you see in me."

"Do we have to do this now? I won't be in the proper shape for practicing if we do."

Tatewaki was confused for a moment, then figured what Kensuke meant. "If we must," he said, his hands working at the button and zipper of Kensuke's pants. "I just wonder sometimes. I feel so... inadequate when I know you could have anyone you desire."

"No, Tatewaki. You just..." Kensuke stopped himself. "After practice, Kuno-sempai," he said and pushed Tatewaki's hands away. "After we practice."

"Very well, Motoki-kun." Tatewaki had switched gears just as quickly. He stepped away and stripped, then changed into his hakama. He tied the belt around his waist without his gi, watching Kensuke the entire time.

"How is my technique?" Kensuke asked, slipping on his gi.

"Your technique lacks grace, but your form is very nice." Tatewaki paused, admiring Kensuke, then spoke again. "I will be awaiting you." He left the changing room.

Kensuke let out the breath he had been holding. It was a small subconscious thing he did to appear more impressive for his sempai, even though Tatewaki didn't care. It was just strange standing there with all his flesh exposed like that and having Tatewaki stare at him, evaluating his appearance. He was extremely self-conscious, possibly more because of everything Tatewaki was to him.

He was his friend, his tutor, his... lover? Not really a lover per se, but he was definitely something deeper than anything he had before. A tremor of excitement ran through him. Not lovers, but that looked like it would change very soon.

Outfit in place, looking fit and trim, Kensuke left the changing room, a look of concentration and determination on his face. "Kuno- sempai," he said, picking up a bokken from the rack, "time to spar?"

Tatewaki faced him and bowed. "Of course."

And the mock battle had begun.  

It was difficult for Kensuke. Battling Tatewaki while he was shirtless was a monumental task. His mind simply wasn't on the fight, and he was paying for it, getting hit several times.

"Motoki-kun, you're not up to your usual skill. What is the problem?" Tatewaki asked, grinning. He knew very well what the problem was.

Kensuke retreated, glaring at Tatewaki. "Kuno-sempai, your tactics... They leave little to the imagination. Maybe I should incorporate them." A sly smirk appearing on his face, Kensuke removed the gi, leaving it hanging from his hakama. They faced each other, shirtless.

Tatewaki arched one eyebrow. "Indeed. Do you truly think you can match me?"

"I will try, Kuno-sempai. But you are... quite hard to match," Kensuke breathed, letting himself go and allowing his eyes to dance across Tatewaki's bared chest.

"Keep your concentration, Motoki-kun," Tatewaki warned and suddenly charged.

Kensuke matched his charge, bokken upraised, and the two clashed in the middle of the room.  

"And now..."

"To the winner goes the spoils?"

"I haven't even thought of a prize."

Kensuke summoned his courage. "I think we both know what we want."

Tatewaki slipped his arm around Kensuke's waist. "I hate being so obvious."

"I want it too, Tatewaki. I've been looking for someone willing to give me the physical aspect of a relationship for a while now. Obviously, a friend won't do that."

"I am more than your friend?" Tatewaki asked, hoping to hear an affirmative answer.

Kensuke looked at him. "Of course you are. I wouldn't consider doing this if you weren't." He slipped his hand into the open slit in the side of the hakama to touch Tatewaki's bare thigh.

"Now you can answer my question." Tatewaki leaned down to whisper in Kensuke's ear. "While we soak in the bath."

"No need to tease." Kensuke's hand moved to deftly untie Tatewaki's belt as they headed back to the changing room and bath. "I think there will enough teasing later to go around."

"In a way, I am glad you feel that way. I just can't help the feeling that you'll..."

Kensuke stood in front of Tatewaki and put his finger of Tatewaki's lips. "Shh, Tatewaki." The belt came loose and was held up by only Kensuke's hand. "The bath," he whispered.

When they made it into the changing room, they each discarded their clothing furiously so they could retreat to the bath. "Tatewaki," Kensuke said, looking Tatewaki over, "I've always liked your body."

Straightening up, Tatewaki ended up looking at the floor anyway and blushing heavily. The usual locker room ritual was suddenly getting to be sexually charged and he needed a quick out.

He just wasn't in the mood yet, and he didn't want to rob Kensuke of anything because he was unable to perform. "You're right," he said finally. "We must bathe first."

It was Kensuke's turn to grin at Tatewaki's discomfort. "As you wish, Kuno-sempai." He turned and strode into the bath area. Immediately he doused himself with the cold water and began to wash.

After a few moments, Tatewaki sat down next to him. "Hold still so I may wash your back. I could not let my duties go for something as simple as a bath, could I?"

"I... I suppose not, Kuno-sem... Tatewaki." Kensuke was already being lulled by Tatewaki's hands on his back, washing him gently. "I'll have to return this favor, Tatewaki," Kensuke said, making little sounds of approval.

"Indeed you shall. Now, Kensuke, please tell me, what is it about me?" Tatewaki watched his hands moved across Kensuke's muscular back trying not to think to deeply about why someone like Kensuke would be at all interested.

"Tatewaki, I've had such a horrible crush on you ever since I can remember seeing your face for the first time. And I was right about the way your hair would feel against my skin." Kensuke closed his eyes and leaned back against Tatewaki. "All that time, I could only fantasize about what it would be like to have you near me like this, what it would feel like to kiss you... What it would feel like to have you..." Kensuke's next words were quietly mumbled and unintelligible.

"What was that, Kensuke?"

"What it would feel like to have you take me. Ravage me. Have you touch me in ways no one ever had... You were my wet dream every night," Kensuke said quietly, his face bright red with the confession.

"And then kendo... I was on the team, with you, and nothing made me work harder than an opportunity to impress you. You were so good, better than the rest of us, and I admired your ability."

Tatewaki reached around and began to rub Kensuke's chest with one soapy hand.

"You were so sincere, so serious about kendo. You were like that about everything. If it was important, you didn't goof around. And I liked that. When you get that look on your face you look so... sexy." Kensuke sighed with pleasure. "But that's all you were to me, a fantasy. I knew you would never, you know, *like* me. So I dealt with it.

"Tatewaki, I never cared how you acted to those girls or anybody else. To me, you just had different priorities, putting kendo above all else. I would never fault that because sometimes I feel the same way.

"And... and you were my friend. I never understood why; I was just grateful that you trusted me enough to be a friend to me, someone who was a year younger and your inferior. If it was only lust before, it turned into love then."

Kensuke turned then to face Tatewaki and put his hand on his chest. "Tatewaki, what I like about you is everything. Isn't that... isn't that what love is? All your good points and your bad points, I like it all. If you didn't have them, it wouldn't be you and I wouldn't feel the same way."

Kensuke moved closer still, braving the point at which their bare bodies would touch. Neither man gave any indication the extent of their feelings. "I," Kensuke said in a low whisper, staring deeply into Tatewaki's eyes, "have dreamed about this situation more times than I can count. It always ends with my handsome sempai teaching me a lesson."

"A lesson?" Tatewaki answered, his lips inches from Kensuke's. "What kind of lesson?" He barely registered the sensation of his manhood growing taut against Kensuke's skin.

"Sempai always teaches me how best to please him," Kensuke whispered, already erect and feeling the heat coming from Tatewaki. "And he shows me truly why he is the sempai and I am the student."

Tatewaki stared at Kensuke, unsure how to reply. He watched Kensuke move closer, their lips almost touching now. "Kensuke," he said barely audibly, their lips brushing as he spoke, "I wouldn't even know where to begin."

Kensuke held his gaze, but said nothing. The only sound in the bath was that of water dripping from the bench they were sitting on. "We'll learn together," he finally said and pressed his lips hard to Tatewaki's.

He melted into the contact, opening his mouth and accepting Kensuke's tongue. This was nothing new, except for their states of undress, but Kensuke's hand reaching down to grasp his shaft made Tatewaki break the kiss and gasp.

Smiling tenderly, Kensuke looked at Tatewaki and gently removed his hand. He backed away some and refilled the bucket with cold water. He brought it up to douse each of them, rinsing the soap off and cooling their passions somewhat.

"We've earned our bath, Tatewaki. We can... continue there." Kensuke took Tatewaki's hand and stood to lead him to the hot bath water.

The slightly steaming water swirled around them as they entered. Tatewaki felt his dampened arousal heat up again in the water, the knowledge of what was to come building on things.

Kensuke was the first to sit down, watching Tatewaki hungrily. With the fulfillment of his dreams so close at hand, he couldn't help but feel more excited than he ever had before. In his eyes, Tatewaki was perfectly formed, proportioned deliciously.

And as Tatewaki sat down in the water, Kensuke surged forward and pressed his body against Tatewaki's, engaging him in a deep kiss. Under the water, the sensitive, tender flesh of their members rubbed against each other.

It was getting to be too much for Kensuke. He would service his sempai to a glorious orgasm, he would be happy to, and then his fantasies would turn into realities. He reached down and took Tatewaki's shaft in his hand.

"Tell me what to do, Tatewaki-chan," Kensuke whispered after they had separated from their kiss. "Tell me what to do to make you feel good."

"Ken... Kensuke..." Tatewaki groaned as Kensuke slowly began to stroke him under the water. He started to gyrate his hips in rhythm with Kensuke's hand and gripped the sides of the bath tightly.

Leaning forward to kiss up and down Tatewaki's neck, Kensuke grabbed hold of Tatewaki's rear in his other hand and squeezed. This brought forth another groan, and he pressed his own erection against Tatewaki's hip.

"Not here... Kensu-chan, I want to..." Tatewaki said with difficulty. "My... room. I need you to..."

Kensuke smiled and nodded. "Of course, Ta-chan." He was throbbing between his legs and really needed the release. He breathed in deeply. "I need you so bad, Ta-chan."

"I need you, but not here. I want you all where I can..." Tatewaki was cut off from further speech by Kensuke's mouth covering his own again. He released his hold of the bath's edge and reached down to take hold of Kensuke's butt.

The soft flesh felt so nice in his hand and he wanted to be... Tatewaki moaned loudly as Kensuke suddenly began stroking faster. He would be holding on to him, directing his rhythm as he had Kensuke in his mouth and...

He let out a strangled cry and came in the water, past Kensuke's hand.

Updated 10-18-98