Title: Two Rules

Author: Kyoko_godaikun

Dedicated to: kichlgal

Paring: Ryo/Shota

Genre: Romance

Summary: Ryo becomes jelious when Ueda gives Shota a Valentines Day gift.

****

Kitagawa Johnny had two rules. The first rule was Johnny's Idol's aren't supposed to love. The second rule was Johnny’s aren't supposed to sleep with their band mates. Nishikido Ryo had always kept the rules. He never slept with his friend in Kanjani 8. Not falling in love was a rule that Ryo found harder to keep. In the years he had been a Johnny's he had relationships that were only physical. Ryo was able to follow the rules until one day someone made him question why there were rules in the first place.

Ryo and Yasuda Shota have been friends for a long time. To Ryo, Yasuda Shota was something more then just a friend. Shota was the sunshine that greeting him in the morning. Shota was the happiness that pushed away the gloom. Shota was the energy that gave Ryo the ability to work even when he was exhausted.

It was four in the morning. Kanjani 8 was taking a bus to a remote site for one of their TV shows. Ryo was tired. He had been in Tokyo just a few hours before on NEWS business. He had caught a bullet train to Osaka. Then got onto the bus with his fellow Kanjani 8 members. All Ryo wanted to do was sleep. He was exhausted.

"Do you have any plans for Valentines Day?" Shota who was sitting beside Ryo asked.

"I'm not sure.” Ryo tried to remember his schedule. “We have to work that day don't we?"

"Only in the morning." Shota smiled at him. "Why don't we go out on a Valentines Day’s date?"

"A date," Ryo realized. "We aren't supposed to date our group members."

"That's an old rule. No one follows it! Come on Ryo-Chan let's go out!" Shota said perkily.

"A date sound like fun." Ryo reaches up to rub his eyes. He loves Shota’s enthusiasm. No matter how down Ryo was, Shota always had a knack to make him feel better.

"Why don't you take a nap?" Shota put his arm around Ryo's shoulders and eased his head to his shoulder. "Please Ryo-Chan sleep."

Ryo can't help it; he feels his eyes flutter shut.

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

That was the beginning of Ryo’s relationship with Shota. He had to wait a week for their date. It made the date more special. It was something he really looked forwards to. Ryo wants to make it right for Shota, his friend wouldn't be just another lay, and he wanted him to feel wonderful.

They were working. It was just a rehearsal. The group had a new song and they had to learn the choreography. The time seemed crawl by. Ryo wondered why it always did before waiting for something he really wanted. The rehearsal was supposed to be only a half day, but it had lasted a lot longer then that. The sun had all ready set.

Ryo was finally finished with the chorographer. He went into the dressing room. Shota was surrounded by Kanjani 8 members, every one of them eating chocolate.

A staff member came into the room, telling them that they were needed in the rehearsal room. Everyone except for Ryo and Shota left.

"Look what I got for Valentines Day!" Shota told him perkily. "Can you believe it, he had it delivered here."

"Who gave it to you?" Ryo tried to fight the jealousy he felt.

"Ueda!" He opened the box, showing the expensive chocolate truffles. "Would you like one Ryo-Chan?"

Ryo felt his heart sink. "No, that's all right."

"I'll be right back. I need to see if anyone else wants some." Shota left the room.

Ryo could hear Shota stopping someone in the hallway asking the person if they wanted chocolate. Shota's gift from Ueda was very expensive. Shota seemed to be so excited that he had received the gift.

Ryo opens his bag. He looks at the box that held the gift that he had worked carefully to find. He felt his heart break. The gift was such a simple one compared to what Ueda had given Shota. He knew his friend wouldn’t’ like it.

Ryo took the package out of his bag and threw it in the trash can.

Ryo’s relationship with Shota was over before it began. They were friends, only friends. Ryo had thought he was something special to Shota. The fact that he wasn't hurt.

"I'm leaving," Ryo told Hina who had returned to the dressing room just moments before.

"I thought you and Shota..."

"I think it would be best if we don't go out." Ryo said quickly.

"You're crazy about each other." Hina reminded him.

"Look at what Ueda gave Shota. How could I ever compete with that?" Ryo tried to keep the despair out of his voice. "I need to get some air. I'll be back later."

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

Even though Shota prided himself in staying friends with his ex lovers, he always thought that Ueda went overboard in their valentines gifts. He didn't want it this time. He had Ryo. So he quickly gave the gift away. Shota didn't care if the stuff was expensive. It wasn't from Ryo, so he didn't want it.

Shota returned to the dressing room. He was about to toss the empty box into the trash, when he noticed the box all ready there. He took the box out. He read the label. "To Shota from Ryo."

"Why did Ryo throw away my gift?" Shota asked Hina.

"Ryo thought he was special to you." Hina growled.

"He is special." Shota insisted.

"Then why accept a gift from Ueda? Why make such a big deal out of it?" His friend demanded.

"I didn't make a big deal out of it!" Shota countered. "I hate the presents Ueda sends me. That's why I gave away the candy."

"I still don't understand why Ueda would send you anything...” the older man demanded.

"Ueda wants to remember old times. But I don't. I just want it to end." Shota paused. "Ryo thinks I'm with Ueda, doesn't he?"

"Well, you did make a big deal out of your gift from Ueda." Hina pointed out. "You know how Ryo gets. He's a walking jealousy machine."

"I have to talk to him." Shota decided. "I have to let him know that Ueda's nothing to me."

"I think that's a good idea." Hina agreed. "Ryo told me he had to get some air."

"That means he went for a walk, but it's raining!" He looked around the room. Ryo's things were still in his assigned place. His coat sitting on top of his bag. "Make up an excuse for me!"

Shota grabbed Ryo's things and ran out of the rehearsal hall. The freezing rain hit him. Those made Shota worry even more. Ryo was outside in freezing rain. If Shota couldn't find him, his friend might get very sick.

*********

When Ryo left the rehearsal hall, he didn't realize that it would be so cold outside. He had been so angry that he had run out without his jacket. All he was wearing was the light clothes he wore for rehearsal.

Ryo walked through the nearby park. He felt his heart breaking. He couldn't stop the tears. He shouldn't have given his heart to Shota. He thought it would be different then the other lovers he had. Shota hadn't acted so jaded.

How could Shota love that stuck up rich kid? The one that had looked down on Ryo almost from the first day they met? Ryo knew Shota and Ueda had been together once, but that had been in the past.

Perhaps if it had been like it was with Ryo's other lovers. All of the other relationships Ryo had were just physical. There were no real feelings, just hours spent in bed. When it was over, it was easy for Ryo to hate the former lover.

Fuck buddies, he had heard that term from Jin when he returned from America. He wasn't even that to Shota. They hadn't even slept together.

It was so cold outside. The cold freezing rain beating down onto him. Ryo wiped the tears. He needed a cigarette, but those were in his coat pocket.

The Kanjani 8 member realized shouldn't have gone walking; he should have left by car. But walking always calms him. He didn't wear a jacket. The rain turning to sleet soaked his thin shirt.

He watched the sun set. Some people thought it was very romantic. But all it did was remind Ryo that he had nothing to return to. He was alone, he would always be alone.

Ryo walked. He needed to get back to the hall, to get his coat. So cold, so very cold.

Ryo knew he should have done what Johnny-sama had told him when he was young. He should have frozen his heart to love. Ryo had, until the beautiful boy with the bright smile and pure spirit had melted Ryo's heart.

Ryo had never been so confused in his life. He had kept Shota at arms length, not getting to close, not even kissing. It would be special, different. It wouldn't be just physical.

Seeing the gift from Ueda made Ryo realize that Shota was like all the other Johnny's.

Ryo didn't feel good. He began to shiver from the cold. He had walked to a part of the park that had no lights. Perhaps here he could think without the prying eyes of others. So cold, so very cold. The pain of a broken heart began to freeze his heart again.

Ryo could hear someone running behind him. He ignored it. He wanted to be alone.

Someone grabbed Ryo from behind. A mugger, Ryo knew it had to be a mugger. Who else would be out in weather like this?

Ryo couldn't see the attacker, was too dark. He tried to against the robber. The mugger was strong, very strong. Eventually Ryo finds himself on the ground. The mugger on top of him.

"Kill me," Ryo says hoarsely. "I don’t care if I die."

"Why would I kill you?" The voice so familiar to him. It was Shota!

"Shota, what are you doing here?"

"I came after you." His friend told him. "Why did you leave in the middle of an ice storm?"

I couldn’t stand to be around you one more minute."

"I don't understand." his friend sounded hurt.

"Why didn't you tell me you where still with Ueda?" Ryo couldn't keep the pain out of his voice.

"There's only you." Shota got off of him. “I love you.”

Ryo curled up into a ball. He was trying to get warm. But everything was so cold. He didn’t’ believe the words of his friend. Like everything else, they were lies.

"You're soaked..." Shota's voice was concerned.

"I'll be fine." Ryo snapped weakly.

Shota took off his jacket. He put it around Ryo's shoulders. Ryo wanted to fight him, but he was so cold. The jacket felt so warm. It had Shota's scent. So much like the man he loved.

"Why don't we get you home?" The guitarist suggested gently.

"All right," Ryo let himself be lead to the car park. Shota might be lying to him. But right now, Ryo was too weak to fight. He would break up with him, once he got better.

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

Nishikido Ryo decided that Yasuda Shota was an evil sadist. He had forced Ryo to go to his apartment. Then had pulled him into the bathroom and forced him to strip off his wet clothes. Then he vanished with them. After that, Shota then busied himself with getting a hot bath ready.

Ryo sat on a bench. Since Shota had taken his clothes away, he was freezing again. He didn’t care that Shota had seen him without his clothes, they were used to seeing each other nude. But his friend didn’t even offer him a towel. Not only that, his head was spinning. Why couldn't Shota let him go to bed?

"Aren't you going to get ready for your bath?" Shota asked.

"Go to hell Shota." Ryo grumbled. "I am never going to forgive you for this."

"I love you too." Shota grabbed a bucket and a cloth. He began to scrub Ryo.

"Don't touch me." Ryo snapped weakly. Ryo tried to fight against Shota.

"You're not getting into my bathtub dirty." Shota hit him hard in the arm. "Stop fighting me. The way you are now, I could beat you up."

"Go to hell Shota," Ryo repeated, but he stopped fighting his friend.

"You first." The guitar player resumed his task.

"Who says I want to get into your butt ugly bath tub?"

"I do." Shota was quiet as he cleaned Ryo. The strokes gentle, none of them harsh.

"We're not together." Ryo grumbled. He didn't feel like taking a bath. All he felt like was going to sleep.

"I know," Shota gave him a look that made Ryo realize he knew he was lying.

Shota rinsed Ryo. He tried to help Ryo get up, but he swatted his hands away. It took a lot of effort, but Ryo was able to get to the bathtub by himself.

Ryo looked at the tub. It was huge, too big for a one man apartment. It was like one of those giant tubs that resorts had. Not only that, Ryo realized he was too weak to get into the giant tub.

"Why the hell is your bathtub so big?" Ryo demanded.

"Because it is."

Ryo was surprised when Shota got into the tub and half lifted, half carried Ryo into it. He didn't know his friend was so strong. Just that for one moment he was trying to get in, and the next moment he was surrounded by water so hot it would be rejected by an onsen.

Ryo couldn't remember Shota getting ready for the tub. He didn’t even want to think about how sexy Shota looked when he was wet. How the water made Shota's muscles glisten. How if he wasn't so weak, he would have kissed Shota.

"We're not together." Ryo repeated. "So why the hell are we taking a bath together?"

"Shut up Ryo. I'm only here to make sure you don't drown yourself." Shota snapped. When Ryo moved to talk, Shota shushed him. "If you say hell one more time, I swear I'll drown you."

Ryo lay back in the tub. He tried not to think of Shota who was beside him. Shota was an evil man, forcing someone like Ryo into the tub. If he had felt any better he would have beat the guitarist up. Then perhaps have some awesomely hot make up sex. Ryo would have given anything to do Shota in the tub.

Since Ryo didn’t feel good, he decided to give in and enjoy the water. The water was hot, very hot. Ryo had been too cold earlier, but not he felt too hot. So hot that he felt sleepy. He moved so he was sitting very close to Shota, his arm touching his friend's.

"Why do you have such a big bathtub?" Ryo asked this time much more gently. "I just want to know why you have a bathtub big enough for the whole group."

"I hate small tubs." Shota leaned against a small bathtub pillow.

"Is that the only reason?" He wondered.

"No, it isn't the only reason." Shota told him.

"Are you going to tell me the reason?"

"We're not together, so I don’t' see why it's really any of your business." Shota said almost hastily.

Shota had a point, they weren’t' together. The hot water didn't make Ryo feel any better. His head still spun. His chest hurt when he breathed.

Ryo wished that Shota didn't have Ueda in his life. Ryo wanted to be more then friends with Shota. He wanted to find out the real reason that Shota had such a big tub. He wanted to have Shota smile at him, and tell him he loved him.

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

Shota was worried about Ryo. He didn't know how long his friend had been out in the freezing rain and sleet. His friend was acting weirder then normal. Ryo thought that Shota had some strange reason for having a huge bath tub. Since Ryo was acting so strange, Shota didnt' tell him that the tub had came with the apartment.

Shota had helped Ryo get out of the tub. His friend was no longer so gripey, but he still acted odd after getting out of the tub, Ryo just stood there, shivering. He ignored the towels that were just a meter from him.

"Here Ryo-Chan let me help," Shota picked up a towel. He dried his friend off.

"I could do that myself," Ryo protested weakly.

"Then why didn't you?" Shota couldn't help but smile at his friend.

"You didn't give me the chance." He swayed a bit.

Shota picked up his favorite robe. He helped Ryo put it on. He was able to touch Ryo's skin. It was hot to the touch. He hoped it was just the hot water.

""Let's go into the living room. I'll make you something hot to drink." Shota suggested.

Ten minutes later Ryo was sitting on the couch wrapped in Shota's warmest blanket. He was holding a cup of hot cocoa.

"Why did Ueda send you a present?" Ryo asked.

"It’s to remember old times." Shota tried to explain. "What he sent me wasn't anything special."

"Then why did you show it to everyone?" There was pain in Ryo's voice. “It was like you were so happy that Ueda gave you a gift.”

"I wasn’t happy that Ueda gave me something. I was giving the candy away. I hate the kind of stuff he sends me." Shota tried to explain. "My favorite presents are from the heart."

"From the heart? Is that why he gave you those expensive chocolates?” Ryo wondered. "How can I compete against someone so rich?"

"You think I'm with Ueda." Shota realized.

"Yeah." He admitted.

"If you'd think I'd get anywhere near the Ueda, Koki, Taguchi triangle you must think I'm nuts." Shota said bluntly. "I don't want to be with Ueda! He cheated on me!"

"Why is the room spinning?" Ryo swayed for a moment. He set the cocoa on the table in front of him.

Shota went to Ryo's side. "What's wrong?"

"I don't feel good." Ryo murmured.

Shota felt his face. Ryo's skin was now even hotter then it was in the bathroom. . "You're burning up."

"I can't be sick. I'm too busy to be sick. I'm supposed to return to Tokyo tomorrow." Ryo tried to get up. He fell back to the couch. "Let me borrow your clothes and I'll go home."

Shota was very worried about Ryo. He knew he couldn't let Ryo leave, not when he was like this. He grabbed Ryo's arm. "Why don't you stay tonight?"

"Why can't I sleep at home?"

"There's an ice storm. It's too dangerous to go home." Shota reminded him. He helped Ryo get to his feet. Then he took him to his bedroom.

"You want me to sleep with you?" Ryo asked confused.

"You need to rest." Shota pulled the covers down on the bed. He guided Ryo to the bed, and then he tucked him in.

"You'll be here when I wake?" Ryo asked plaintively.

"Of course I will." Shota promised. He bent down, kissing his friend's warm lips. Ryo didn't kiss back.

Shota sat down beside Ryo on the bed. He stroked his friend's still damp hair. Ryo didn't say anything. His eyes fluttered shut. Then soon, Ryo fell asleep.

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

When Ryo dreamt of spending Valentines Day with Shota in his bed. He never imagined it would be his being in bed because of a fever. Shota was so kind to him. That didn't mean that Ryo trusted Shota.

Someone rang the doorbell.

"I'll get it." Shota told him.

Ryo could only listen helpless as Shota talked to the person in the other room. It was Ueda. He could hear them talking, but not what they were saying.

Then there was a tapping on the bedroom door. Then without waiting Ueda came into the bedroom.

"What the hell are you doing here?" Ryo demanded.

"I came to see you." Ueda told him.

"Why would you come to see me? We can't stand each other."

"We have one thing in common, and that's Sho-Chan." Ueda paused. "We both love him."

"Who says I love him?"

"He's very easy to love." That was when Ryo realized Ueda was still in love with Shota.

"Are you still with him?"

"We've been apart for a long time." Ueda explained. "I cheated on Shota."

"Then why come here?"

"You've made a serious mistake. I am not with Shota. He will never take me back."

"Why did you give him a gift then?"

"I hope that perhaps he'll forgive me." Ueda smiled evilly. "If you dump him, I'll be there waiting for him. I'll comfort him. Then soon he'll be back with me."

"Go to hell!" Ryo screamed.

Ryo woke up suddenly. The room was dark. In the dim light from the hall way, Ryo could see Shota sleeping on the floor beside the bed. He wasn't wearing any covers or using a pillow.

“Sho-Chan,” Ryo called. He wanted to get up, but he was too dizzy. When Shota didn’t’ do anything, he snapped. “Get up!”

Shota's eyes flickered open. "Ryo-Chan, do you need something?"

"Why are you sleeping on the floor?" Ryo demanded.

"You might need me." Shota explained.

"Why don't you come to bed?" Ryo suggested. "Then if I need you, you'll be right there."

"I don’t' know..."

"Please Sho Chan." Ryo wanted to tell Shota how much he needed him, how much he loved him. But he was weak, and wasn't sure that Shota felt the same way.

"All right." Shota got into bed with Ryo.

"Sho-Chan, are you really with Ueda?" Ryo asked. "Please tell me the truth."

"How could I be with him, when I have you?" Shota said truthfully.

"You told me we weren't together,"

"I lied." Shota whispered. "You're something special. How could I just give you up?"

Ryo snuggled beside Shota. He was hinting that he wanted to be cuddled by Shota. But his friend didn't take the hint. Instead, he reached out, tracing his face.

"Sleep now, I'll be here when you wake." Shota promised. "I'll be here forever if that's what you want."

Ryo decided to believe the promise. He closed his eyes and fell asleep. This time his dreams were happy, hopeful. For this time he dreamt of Shota and how much he loved him. Ryo had broken Johnny-sama's first rule, and he didn't care.

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

Shota woke beside Ryo. He lay there for a little while, just looking at his friend. One arm was tucked behind his head. He was sucking the thumb on his other finger. Shota wished he could have a photo of sleeping Ryo. He had hoped that after Valentines Day, they would be lovers. Ryo would smile at him and tell him he loved him.

*Quit dreaming.* Shota told himself. "Ryo isn't the romantic type."

Shota asked himself for the millionth time why he have to love Ryo so much? If Shota didn't love Ryo, he could be resting himself. He hadn't told Ryo that he felt sick, that his throat hurt, and that he too had a fever. Instead he kept the truth to himself. Ryo was far sicker then he was. So Ryo needed him.

They hadn't really made up since Ryo had stormed out of the practice room. He knew that once Ryo got well, he would be gone. Ryo wasn't the type to forgive, even though Shota didn't do anything wrong.

Ryo's eyes slowly flickered open. They centered on Shota. "You're still here."

"Do you want me to go?"

"No, I like it this way." Ryo moved closer to Shota, until his head was on Shota's shoulder. Ryo was still so very warm.

Shota couldn't help it; he put his arm around Ryo. His friend snuggled even closer, until he was almost on top of the guitarist. It felt good to the sick Shota to have Ryo so near.

"I get jealous...I can't help it...I love you so much." Ryo murmured half asleep.

"I love you too."

"Be here when I wake." Ryo's eyes flickered shut.

"I will," Shota promised. Then he too fell asleep.

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

Ryo woke. He realized he was almost on top of Shota. He wanted to shove Shota away, call him a name. Laugh at the pain in his friends eyes. There was only one problem, Ryo couldn't. It felt so good to be this close to his friend. To hear his heartbeat as he lay on his chest. He never wanted this feeling to end.

He could remember the one rule that Johnny-sama had almost beaten into him. Idols aren't supposed to love. They aren't supposed to sleep with their band mates. But lying with Shota, he didn't feel like an idol. He felt like a man, who was deeply in love with someone else. It wasn't his band mate; it was the love of his life.

"Sho-Chan, are you awake?" Ryo asked.

"Yeah, I am." Shota reached up stroking his hair.

Ryo was the type to never apologize, but he realized he had to. "I'm sorry I didn't trust you."

"I shouldn't have given you any reasons to doubt." Shota let his hand drop.

"You can't help having a past. We all have pasts." Ryo told him. "Some of us stay friendly with our pasts, some of us put up walls of barbed wire to protect ourselves. It hurts less if everyone thinks you hate him."

"Do you really think that?'

"I used to. Then I fell in love, and I realized I didn't want to live that way anymore." Ryo confessed. "I want to be more like you. I envy the way that you're always happy."

"Can I kiss you?"

The question surprised Ryo. He had never had a boy friend ask before they touched him. But Shota was different. Shota was wonderful. He felt good when he was around him.

"Do you mind if I kiss you?" Shota repeated.

"I would like that." Ryo almost whispered.

Then Shota was kissing his lips. A gentle, soft kiss.

His friend pulled away from him. "You still have a fever."

"I know. I need to call in sick."

"You can’t' go anywhere, there's an ice storm. Everything is shut." Shota gave him another soft kiss.

"We still have to tell the agency."

Shota got out of bed. He went to the phone and dialed. He couldn't help but notice the budge in Shota's briefs. He was hard, for him. That fact made Ryo feel a little bit better.

After Shota called in, he grabbed his robe and put it back on. Then he took some pills out of a bottle. He picked up a bottle of water and went to Ryo. "This is Advil; it will make your fever go away."

"You're not trying to poison me?" He asked.

"Take it, or I shove it down your throat."

"You’re mean," Ryo held out his hand, Shota gave him the pills and the water. Ryo took them.

"Would you like something to eat?" Shota asked.

"I don’t' know," he said truthfully.

"I'll be back," Shota smiled at him gently and left the room.

Ryo wanted to stay awake, to be there waiting for Shota. But he felt sleep overcome him.

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

The fever didn't leave the first time Ryo took the Advil’s. The day passed, Shota shoved more pills down Ryo, but nothing seemed to work. It hurt it breathe. All he wanted to do was sleep. Shota was sleeping a lot too, but Ryo was too sick to notice.

On the second morning, Ryo woke up with no reduction in his fever. He no longer fought his friend. He felt too sick to make smart remarks. So he did what ever Shota asked.

Ryo knew he should go to the doctor. But the problem was the ice storm. Osaka had shut down to a stand still. Ryo decided instead that he would lay in bed and wait to die.

Ryo could hear Shota, talking on the phone. He had been keeping the group up to date on Ryo's condition. There were other calls; Ryo wasn't too sure what those were. His friend talked in hushed whispers.

Finally, Shota came back to the bed. He sat down on top of the covers. "How are you feeling?"

"Awful. I think I'm dying."

"Ryo-Chan, the agency's found a doctor. She lives in the building next door." Shota told him. "They've talked him into coming and seeing you."

"Won't he get hurt?"

"Don’t' worry about that." Shota tried to soothe.

"I love you," Ryo decided if he was going to die, he would tell Shota the truth.

"I love you too." Shota kissed him chastely on the cheek.

Ryo wanted to kiss Shota, to pull him down to the bed and make love to him. The only problem was that he felt so sick. He didn’t want to get Shota sick, but he was afraid to let him go.

*****

Ryo was woken by the sounds of a doorbell ringing. A few moments passed and the doctor came into the bedroom. She was a woman in her late forties.

"Is this the patient?" The doctor asked.

"His name is Nishikido Ryo," Shota told her.

The doctor examined Ryo. He should have said something sarcastic to her, but he wanted to get well.

"I think he has strep pneumonia, he needs to go to the hospital." The doctor told Shota.

"The hospital. How will he get there?"

"I'll send an ambulance for him."

"No, I wont' go." Ryo said.

"Nishikido kun you must. You have to have a nurse to make sure that you take your meds." The doctor told him.

Is that the only reason he has to go to the hospital?" Shota asked.

"He needs a nurse," The doctor repeated. "Unless you can hire someone to give him his medicines, we have no choice."

"I can give him his medicines." Shota volunteered. "I'll stay at his side and make sure he's cared for."

"Let's go into the other room and talk," The doctor told him.

“Don’t’ make me go to the hospital.” Ryo prayed. “Promise me Shota, you won’t make me go.”

“I promise. I won’t let anyone take you to the hospital.” His friend vowed.

Ryo could only watch helpless as Shota left with the doctor. Then he fell asleep.

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

It was very cold when Ryo woke. He opened his eyes. He was bound in a blanket, with ice surrounding him. It took him a while to realize that he was in a hospital emergency room.

"What's wrong? Why am I here?" Ryo demanded.

"You have a fever," A woman told him. "You have to be in ice until the fever breaks."

"Shota, where is Shota?" Ryo demanded

"Who’s Shota?"

"My friend...."

Cold, so very cold. All Ryo could do was shiver. He couldn't stop shivering. It was like he was back outside in the sleet.

A nurse would take his temp then would add more ice to the ice surrounding him.

Ryo realized that they were trying to freeze him to death.

He hated Shota; his friend had promised that he wouldn't go to the hospital. He had promised, and betrayed him. Now he was being tortured because of his friend's betrayal.

After what seemed like forever, someone took Ryo's temperature. The ice was removed. He was dried off and put in warm blankets.

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

Ryo was taken to a hospital room. There were two beds in the room. Ryo couldn't believe what he saw. Shota was lying in the other bed. There was an IV tube attached to his wrist.

"What are you doing here?" Ryo asked harshly.

"I'm sick," Shota's voice was hoarse.

"You promised you wouldn't let me go here!" Ryo accused. "They’re torturing me!"

"You had a fever. It was at a dangerous level." Shota tried to explain. "If you hadn't gone to the hospital, you could have died!"

"I don't believe you." Ryo snapped.

"Your fever was 42! I don't care what I promised you!" Shota spat. "If you had been left at the apartment you would have died!"

"Bullshit!" Ryo snapped. "You made me a promise. You lied to me. What ever we have is over."

"As long as your alive, I don’t' care." Shota told him.

Ryo couldn't believe his ears. "You don't care that we broke up?"

"I'm not a girl. I'm not going to cry about you." Shota looked at him from the other bed. "I'm a man. I made a choice to save your life. If you don't understand that, I don't really care!"

"Get out!" Ryo screamed.

"Make me!" Shota picked up the TV remote and began to change the channels.

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

Time passed, Ryo hadn’t' calmed down. Now that he was getting better, he was very angry at Shota. His friend had promised to take care of him in his apartment. Shota's refusal to leave his hospital room just made Ryo even angrier.

Medical staff would come into the room. They would check both Ryo and Shota. Ryo wondered why they examine Shota, but they wouldn't tell him. Ryo wanted to tell them that Shota wasn't sick, he was just lazy.

An Orderly came into the room pushing a wheel chair. "Yasuda Kun, it's time to take you to prep for your operation."

"Why are you having an operation?" Ryo demanded. "What's wrong with you?"

"Why does it matter to you? We're not together." Shota told him. The orderlies helped him into the wheel chair. Then he looked Ryo over. "Sometimes Ryo, when you love someone you have to think in their best interests. That doesn't always mean you give them what they want."

"Is that why you let the doctor take me to the hospital?"

"Yes, Ryo it is."

"I'm sorry," Ryo told him.

"It's all right, I understand how you are. You being grumpy means you’re getting better." Shota smiled at him just a bit, his eyes looked so sad. "I'll see you after the operation."

"I hope so." Ryo watched helpless as Shota was wheeled out of the room.

Ryo could only lay back and watch his former friend leave. He had no idea that Shota was so sick. He felt tears sting his eyes. He prayed that Shota would survive the operation. For Ryo realized that he loved Shota, and he would do anything to get him back.

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

Shota had been taken away for surgery several hours before. No one would tell Ryo what was going on with Shota. That could only mean one thing. Ryo realized the guitar player was dying.

Ryo wished he could get up, then he could go find out where Shota was. He looked at the IV that was attached to his wrist. He wondered if he pulled it out if it would hurt. Then he could go to where ever they took Shota. He would hold his friend's hand. He would let Shota know he wasn't alone.

Ohkura arrived; he was carrying a bag of things.

"How are you doing?" Ohkura asked Ryo as he set the bag on the spare bed.

"I'm getting better," Ryo told him. "Have you heard anything about Shota?"

"Their waiting for him to wake up from surgery." Ohkura began. "He's..."

"Tacchan! He doesn’t want Ryo to know." Ohkura's lover Hina came into the room.

"Something horrible has happened to Shota. Hasn’t it?" Ryo realized.

"He'll be back as soon as he wakes up." Ohkura tried to soothe.

"He'll tell me then, won't he?"

Ohkura and Hina exchanged uneasy looks, both looked guilty.

"Shota won't be able to talk, will he?" Ryo asked.

"We're not sure. It might be too painful for him to talk." Hina told him.

"What does that mean?" Ryo tried to keep the worry out of his voice. "Where is he?"

"Why do you want to know?" Hina countered.

It would be so easy for Ryo to tell his friends the reason he had to go to Shota's side. But he knew he was breaking the rules. Hina would turn them into Johnny-sama. He had to protect the man he loved more then anything.

"Why can't you tell me?" Ryo demanded. "I need to be at his side!"

The door to the room opened and Shota was wheeled into the room. He looked fine, he had no bandages. He was helped by the orderly to get into bed. The orderly handed him a bowl that Shota set beside him on the bed.

Then the orderly looked around, at the famous people in the room. Then he turned and left the room.

"Sho-Chan, are you all right?" Ryo asked concerned.

Shota nodded. Then suddenly he picked up the small bowl. He spit into it. It was blood! Shota began to cough; even more blood came out of his mouth. Ohkura jumped to his feet, handing Shota a tissue. The guitar player wiped his mouth.

"Pull the curtain!" Hina snapped.

Ohkura gave Ryo an apologetic look and pulled the curtain that separated the two beds. Through the thin curtain, Ryo could hear Shota getting sick from his own blood. The doctors had done something horrible to Shota.

Ryo moved to take the IV out, so that he could get up and go to Shota. Hina grabbed his hand; in his weakened state he couldn't fight his friend.

"Why do you want to be with Shota?" Hina demanded.

"I can't tell you that." Tears of frustration stung Ryo's eyes. "I need to be at Shota's side!"

"He doesn't need you." Hina snapped. "I won't let you near him."

"This makes no sense!" Ryo shouted. "We're together!"

"You broke up with Shota." Hina reminded him. "You're nothing to him now. Now shut up and rest!"

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

When the doctor told Shota they would have to take out his tonsils, Shota had refused. He had been putting it off for years. But strep throat after strep throat had taken its toll on his throat. When he had been admitted to the hospital, his tonsils were so swollen that they pressed up against each other, affecting Shota's breathing. The Doctor had contacted the agency, who had over ridden Shota's wishes.

If only Shota could stop spitting up blood. The doctor had warned him there might be some blood, but not this much. It also felt as if there was something huge in the back of his throat. It was his uvula, swollen from the surgery.

He could hear Ryo arguing with Hina. His friend was in a near panic state after seeing the blood. All Ryo wanted to do was find out what was going on with Shota. He thought that Hina was his friend, but Hina was doing what the agency had ordered. The agency had decided that Ryo was too sick to find out about Shota's surgery.

Shota was tired. His throat hurt and he now felt worse then before the surgery. The blood wouldn't stop flowing. He just wanted it to stop.

Hina and Ohkura had decided to stay after they arrived at the hospital. They would help care for Ryo and Shota. While Ohkura seemed to be really caring for them, Hina was different. He seemed to be coming between them. Someone had told him that Ryo had broken up with Shota. Now Hina seemed to be protecting Shota.

Shota didn't argue, he didnt' feel like arguing. He was too sick from the bleeding.

A nurse came into the room; she went to Shota's side of the curtain. Ohkura told the nurse about how much blood Shota had lost. She ran out of the room, soon three doctors were in the room examining him. Something had gone wrong with his surgery. He would have to be rushed back into surgery to correct it.

He could hear Ryo arguing with Hina. His friend so worried about him. Ryo wanted to be at Shota's side, and the guitarist needed him there. Shota tried to talk; it hurt so much for him to talk. Finally he croaked out. "Tell Ryo truth."

"I will," Ohkura promised.

Soon an orderly was bringing a wheel chair. Shota had no choice but to go with him.

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

The second surgery was a success. Shota no longer bled. Not only that, but when he came back, the curtain had been pulled so that Ryo could see him. But it was quite obvious that no one had told Ryo what was going on. Ohkura had made a promise, but Shota knew that Hina was the dominate on in their relationship. Hina had probably didn't allow Ohkura to tell Ryo.

Ryo was worried about Shota. He couldn't believe his friend would be so worried about him. Shota had begun to talk again. It hurt to talk, but he knew he had to, at least to make Ryo feel better.

They were alone for the first time in a while. Maru and Ohkura had gone to the hospital's cafeteria to get something to eat. Shota was glad; he needed to talk to Ryo without Hina interference.

Ryo was watching TV without the sound. He hadn't talked to Shota since their friends had left.

"Ryo-Chan?" Shota asked.

"What is it?" Ryo turned off the TV. He turned to his friend. "Is there anything I can help you with?"

"Ryo-Chan, I'm going to be all right," He tried to reassure.

"What was the operation?" Ryo asked. "Please, I have to know."

"It was a Tonsillectomy. They took out my tonsils." Shota tried to explain. "The second operation was because my stitches had come out."

"So you're not going to die?" Ryo sounded very afraid.

"Of course not," Shota smiled at his friend.

"I've been so scared." Ryo said softly.

“There's nothing to be afraid of. I’ll be fine.” Shota promised.

"I wish we hadn't broken up." Ryo looked away from him. "I should have realized what you did was because you loved me. I wish I could take back my words."

. "We haven't broken up!” Shota insisted.

Ryo looked at him, his eyes haunted. "Really?"

"Yes Really! I love you!" Shota tried to sound perky, though he really didn't feel that way.

Ryo smiled at Shota, a real smile that few had seen. "I love you too,"

Shota stretched his hand out to Ryo. It took much effort on Ryo's part, but he was able to touch Shota's' hand. It felt good to touch Ryo. His fingers so gentle. Ryo looked into his eyes.

"I wish I could hold you right now." Ryo told him. "I want to take you in my arms and never let go."

"I'll be at your side always." Shota promised.

"I love you so much," Ryo smiled again.

Just then, Ohkura came into the room, he was holding cups in his hands. "I brought you some ice cream."

Ryo let go of Shota's hand. "Don’t' tell Hina."

"Why can't I tell Hina?" The drummer sounded puzzled.

"My feelings for Sho-Chan... It's against the rules."

"What rules?" Ohkura asked.

"Johnny-sama's rules." Ryo told him. "We're not allowed to sleep with our band mates, and we're not allowed to love."

"Really?" Ohkura stifled a grin.

"Don’t' tell. Not for my sake, but for Sho-Chan’s." Ryo said desperately. "Please, don't tell."

"I won't tell." Ohkura finally promised.

Ryo looked pleased. He took the ice cream that Ohkura gave him. The drummer then gave Shota some ice cream. Shota took a bite; it made his sore throat feel good.

As Shota ate his ice cream, he kept thinking about the rules Ryo talked about. He had never heard of Johnny-sama's rules.

***

Shota wished that his friends would go home. The streets of Osaka were still very dangerous. So the taxis weren't running. There was no way they could go home. He had questions he needed to ask Hina. So he waited until Ryo took a nap to ask them.

"What are the rules?" Shota asked Hina.

"Where did you hear about the rules?" Hina asked.

"Ryo-Chan told me."

"What else did Ryo tell you?" The older man suddenly sounded very defensive.

"Nothing just that he has to follow Johnny's rules." Shota explained.

"But the rules were before..."

"Before?"

"It wasn’t' a good time. The four of us Ryo, Baru, Yoko and I lived in Tokyo. In Johnny sama's private dorms." Hina tried to explain. "At the time, we were his toys. Johnny-sama didn't like to share his toys. But we grew too old for him. He found new toys. He sent us back to Osaka."

"The dark days," Ohkura realized. That was what the group called the time when Baru, Yoko. Ryo and Hina were sent back to Osaka. They had to get jobs outside of the agency to support them.

"Yes, the dark days." Hina agreed. "The rules are affecting your relationship?"

"I think so." Shota told him. "I had never heard of them until today."

"Don’t' worry, I'll take care of it." Hina promised.

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

It was the third day. Ryo was beginning to feel really good. So good he wanted to go home. But the agency has all ready decided for the time being he had to stay in the hospital. What was even worse when he got out of the hospital, he was to go to Tokyo and work with NEWS. There was no time for Ryo to be alone with Shota.

Shota was now being allowed to get up. Ohkura had borrowed a wheelchair and took him for a ride. That left Ryo alone with Hina.

"Ryo-Chan, have you been following Johnny-sama's rules?" Hina asked.

"Of course I have." Ryo told him. "To be an idol, we must follow his rules."

"Johnny-sama freed us from the rules when he sent us back to Osaka.' Hina paused. "We're no longer Johnny-sama's toys."

"Why are you bringing this up?" Ryo sighed.

"Its' all right to love."

"Love is against the rules.” Ryo said by rote. “Johnny-sama would fire me if I fall in love."

"It’s all right to love. It's all right to have a lover that's in your group." Hina explained. "Tacchan and I are lovers."

Ryo couldn’t believe his ears. "Does Johnny sama know?"

"He doesn't care. We are no longer his toys." Hina paused. “I heard that you broke up with Shota.”

“We had a fight, but we’re still together.” Ryo admitted. “I just wish I could spend some time with Shota after we get out of here.”

“Why don’t you?” Hina told him. “Some time together would help the two of you.”

“I’m supposed to go to Tokyo the day I get out of the hospital.” Ryo told him.

“Don’t worry, I’ll make some calls.” Hina promised. “I’m sure I can get Johnny-sama to change his mind.”

Ryo looked at Shota’s empty bed. “I hope so.”

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

The ice from the ice storm finally melted. That meant that Shota and Ryo were going to be released from the hospital. They were excited; finally they would be able to spend time alone together. All Ryo wanted to do was to get Shota home, to hold him, to touch him. To show Shota with his body just how much he loved him.

There was one thing that made Ryo realize that they where back to normal life. His personal assistant had arrived earlier that day. That was one thing that Ryo had hoped wouldn't happen, that the agency would become involved. His PA told him that he would go to his apartment. They would be no way that he would be allowed to go to Shota's.

"I'm an adult; I can go where ever I want." Ryo told her.

"You're a Johnny’s; you will do as you’re told." The PA snapped.

"It's all right Nishikido kun," Shota told him brightly. Ryo realized that he was using a code word. Shota never called him Nishikido Kun. "We must do as the agency tells us to."

"If you say so," Ryo mumbled. Didn't Shota realize how important it was to spend time with him? Why was his friend so quickly agreeing to simply go home alone? Ryo wanted to yell at Shota, to demand that he come home with him. Ryo wanted Shota to come to him on his own, not because he thought he had to.

The Kanjani 8 PA came into the room. "Are you ready Yasuda-kun?"

"Sure," Shota turned back to Ryo. "I'll see you later."

"Later," Ryo echoed.

"Are you ready to go?" Ryo's PA asked.

Ryo turned to his own PA. He was the only one in the group who had his own PA, because he was a part of NEWS. He glared at the woman. "Go to hell."

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

Shota waited for Ryo. Kanjani 8's PA had been in on the plan. So he had been taken to Ryo's apartment. The only thing was that Ryo's PA couldn't be let in on the secret. The woman's devotion to Ryo was close to obsession.

Shota's throat hurt, but that no longer mattered. In just a few hours, he would be Ryo's lover. He went to the bedroom. He opened the closet door. There weren’t as many clothes in Ryo's closet as Shota's. He knew that it was because Ryo had to live in two cities. But he was able to find a black robe.

Then he went into the bathroom and took a shower. He wanted to be clean for his first time with Ryo. He used Ryo's shower jell and shampoo. He didn't mind. It made him smell like Ryo, which made him excited in a strange way. When he was finished, he put the robe on. The scent of Ryo was even stronger. It was almost as if Ryo was embracing him.

Ryo arrived about an hour after Shota took his shower. The PA was with him. That was one thing that Shota hadn't expected, that the PA would stay. He quickly picked up his clothes and hid in the closet.

Shota heard a thud as someone tossed something on the bed. Then he heard the person leave the room.

"You took me home. Now can you leave?" Ryo asked warily.

"Is there anything you need me to do?" the PA asked.

"No, there isn't anything I want." Ryo told her. "I just want to rest."

"Why did the doctor say you had to wait to return to Tokyo?" The PA sounded concerned.

"I'm tired," Ryo told the PA. "Why don’t' you go home?"

"You might need something." She countered. "If I leave, you'll go to that gay bar and bring home some guy!"

"Why can't you trust me?" Ryo demanded.

“I think it's best if I stay here with you." She insisted. “You need someone to care for you."

"I have someone to care for me."

"No, you don't!" She snapped. "That's why you have me."

"I finally have someone who loves me. Whom I love more then my life!" Ryo screamed. "How the hell would it feel like if you were wrenched apart from the one you love?"

"You’re not in love Nishikido-kun." The woman pointed out. "If you were, I would know about it."

"How the hell would you know?" Ryo spat.

"It's been years since you've dated a woman." She reminded him. "All you do is pick up guys for sex! Why can't you go out with a girl for a change?"

"Why can't you get it through your fucking thick skull that I'm gay?" Ryo screamed at the top of his lungs. "I know you want me to be straight, but that will never happen! The one I love is a man!"

Shota realized that he had to do something to protect Ryo. His friend was about to loose it, and that wouldn't help anyone. Shota went into the living room. Ryo was so angry that he didn't even realize that Shota was standing there.

"Excuse me," Shota got between Ryo and his PA. "Don't you work for the agency?"

"Of course I do." The PA told Shota.

"Today's our day off." Shota said sweetly. "So why are you here?"

"Nishikido kun isn't too good at taking care of himself." The PA said. "So I have to take care of him...”

"You do this because you care for him? Or is it because it's part of your job?" Shota tried to hold his temper. He had to remain calm for Ryo.

"Taking care of Nishikido Kun is more then just a job for me." The woman admitted. "I've been taking care of him since NEWS was formed."

"You have done a very good job at taking care of him. I want to thank you." Shota said formally.

"Are you going to start taking care of him?" The PA asked.

"Yes, I am." Shota promised. "I want you to know, that when he has a day off in Osaka, that you too may take the day off."

"Are you sure?" The woman didn't sound like she believed Shota.

"I've never been so sure about anything in my life." He looked the woman over. "When Ryo-Chan told you he was in love, it's true. He's in love with me."

"If it's you, then I know he's in good hands." She told him. "You're not the type to let him pick up guys at a bar."

"Why don't you take the day off? You deserve it." Shota suggested.

"Thank you, I will." the PA left the apartment.

Shota followed the woman to the door and locked it behind her. Then he turned to Ryo, who was leaning against the wall, tears of frustration pouring down his cheeks.

Shota knew that Ryo was dangerous when he was angry. Shota knew he would be taking his life in his hands approaching is friend. But Ryo needed to know that someone loved him.

"It's all right, she's gone." Shota went to Ryo. He reached out, wiping the tears from Ryo's face.

"How did you do that?" Ryo looked at him, his eyes so confused. "She didn't argue with you. She always fights with me."

"That's because she cares for you. Almost as much as I care for you." His new lover pointed out. "I will always care for you. I love you so much."

"Sho-Chan," More tears.

Shota kissed his new lover. Ryo's lips quivered against his. More tears fell as the kissed. Shota put his arms around Ryo. Finally, after so long he as holding the one he loved.

"What are you doing here?" Ryo asked between kisses. "I thought we had to go to our own apartments. You could get into trouble."

"I don't care." Shota confessed. "We're here, we're together. That's all that matters."

Ryo pulled away from Shota he looked very guilty. "What my PA said about me picking up guys at bars..."

"It stops today," Shota told him firmly. "I don't like sharing my boy friend."

"It won't happen again," Ryo promised.

"I trust you." Shota kissed him again. Ryo sighed and opened his mouth just a bit, just enough for Shota to slip his tongue in. Then the guitarist began to work on his lover's clothes. "I want to be inside you."

"You're a top?" Ryo gasped as Shota bit down on his neck.

"Got a problem with that?" Shota asked. He was more then willing to be bottom if his friend said he did have a problem.

"It's just been a while." He confessed. "I want to be yours."

Shota pulled away from him, he slipped his robe off. He could see his lover's eyes widen with desire when he saw his nude body. Then he took his new lover's hand and led him into the bedroom.

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

Ryo was the first to wake, he was a bit sore. It had been a long time since anyone had loved him. He hadn't trusted the men he had picked up in bars, so he had always topped them. Ryo only bottomed for those he fully trusted. Shota had been such a gentle lover, making sure that he didn't hurt Ryo when he topped him. It had been a secret that Ryo was a bottom, but somehow Shota had known.

Ryo turned to Shota who lay on the bed beside him. His friend was all ready awake, simply watching him sleep.

"Morning," Ryo murmured.

"Good morning Ryo-Chan." Shota seemed depressed.

"What's wrong?" Ryo asked concerned. "We're together now. You shouldn't be sad."

"I'm not sad about us..." He looked away from Ryo.

"Then what's wrong?"

"Valentines days passed." Shota said sadly. "I had so many plans for us."

"It's just a day Sho-Chan." Ryo reminded him.

"It would have been the first day of us," he said sadly.

"I wish I still had your gift."

Shota got up off the bed; he went to his bag and took out a package. "I found this. I thought you might want it back."

"It's not mine, it's yours." Ryo pointed out.

"You haven’t' given it to me yet." Shota handed the present to Ryo.

Ryo sat up in bed. "I would be honored if you would take this."

"Thanks! I love gifts." Shota sat beside him, and then he took the gift from Ryo. He quickly opened it.

Ryo felt a bit ashamed. He wanted the gift to be meaning full. Shota took it out of the package. It was a five yen piece, with a leather string making it a necklace.

Shota tried to hide the disappointment in his eyes. "This is interesting...."

"This is the five yen piece you gave me when we first joined the agency. You told me that it would give me luck. So I kept it with me always." He tried to explain. "But now, I want you to have it. Perhaps if you wear it, it will give you the luck it gave me."

Ryo waited a moment, waiting for Shota's reaction. He knew that his friend always wanted something from the heart. Shota couldn't know how much that five yen piece meant to him. He just hoped that Shota wouldn't hate it.

"This is so wonderful." Shota finally said. He put the necklace on. "I'll never take it off."

Ryo realized that Shota had tears in his eyes. "What's wrong?"

"I always like my gifts to be meaningful." He explained. "This gift is the most wonderful gift anyone's ever given me.”

"I'm glad you like it."

"I love it!" Shota kissed Ryo full on the mouth. Then he pulled away. Perkily he told Ryo. "I have to give you your present!"

"My present?"

Shota took something out of a drawer. "I can remember when we filmed our first TV show together. It was one of those 'do it yourself type. We both made cross necklaces."

"Yes, I remember that." Ryo told him. "But mine was pulled off my neck by an over eager fan. I never got it back."

Shota handed him the gift. "My cross has been very special to me. I would like for you to have it."

Ryo opened his gift. It was a small gold cross on a gold chain. He could remember Shota wearing it during his off hours.

"Are you sure I should have this?" Ryo asked uneasily.

"I want you to have it. So you can know just how much you mean to me." Shota helped Ryo put the necklace on.

"Now that we're together, will anything change between us?" Ryo asked the question he had been worrying about.

"It will get better." Shota promised.

"It's just...I can't live without you." Ryo confessed.

"Trust me Ryo Chan." Shota breathed. "Trust your heart. Please Ryo."

"You're the only one I trust." He confessed.

Shota took him into his arms. Then he kissed his lips. "I love you."

"I love you too." Ryo told him.

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

Three days later, Shota and Ryo went to a photo shoot together. It wasn't anything special, just a photo shoot in a long line of photo shoots. The group looked at them when they came into the room together, but no one said anything.

"We need to take some candid photos." The photographer decided. "Who wants to be first?"

"We do!" Ryo slung his arm around Shota. The guitarist looked at his lover for a moment; he was wearing an orange t shirt and Shota's grey sweater jacket. Around his neck, he wore Shota's cross.

"Say peace," The photographer said.

Shota put up his hands in peace signs. He could hear the camera click. Before Ryo would have let go and gone to the other side of the room. Instead, he kissed his lover on the cheek.

Shota pulled away from Ryo and went to a table, Ryo came up behind him. He put his arms around his waist and nibbled his neck.

"Hey enough of that!" Yoko teased.

"Yeah, save the fan service for the stage!" Maru agreed.

"Fan service? Is that what we have?" Ryo asked Shota.

"Not unless they changed the definition of fan service to mean my spending the past two days in bed making love to you.” Shota told his new lover. "Or perhaps the fan service was when I let you top."

Ryo couldn't help but laugh at Yoko and Maru's wide eyed shock. He could feel Shota take his hand. Ryo now had Shota. The rules no longer mattered. Ryo knew that no one would ever take Shota away from him.