The last wind of autumn had stripped the trees bare of their gold and russet glory, leaving bare black branches to stretch in supplication to an azure sky, the last fading gem of summer. Soon it would be the pale topaz of a winter sky, lost in the white diamond swirl of snow. The fall had followed summer to a lingering, bittersweet death.

Sage watched it go, an immobile shadow against the rice-paper walls of the dojo. The light turned to gold, then to crimson. He sighed, regretfully; turning away before twilight seeped in.

"Yuli."

"Hai, Sensei." In the dojo it was always Sensei, it was always proper. Yuli had learned early that Seiji-kun and Seiji-Sensei were two different people, confusing them was not comfortable.

"Leave that for now. I don't feel like lighting the lamps."

"Hai-" Yuli put aside the bamboo training sword he had been mending. They hadn't used the practice weapons in years, but Seiji insisted that everything in this Dojo be kept in perfect repair. The swords they trained with now were sharp. They could wound.

The dojo itself only saw one true student and master. It was small by comparison to the one Seiji's grandfather owned, and eventually Sage would, and built adjoining the small cabin by the lake on Mia's property. The spot had become a much-needed retreat for the five warriors, and the dojo had been built at Seiji's request, for the pupil who unknowingly would someday inherit it.

Yuli spent a few weeks here every three months or so, with Seiji. When he first began training under him, at ten, he had been terrified of being trapped with the aloof warrior with no escape. But in truth those days were what let him truly know Seiji, the one he had always been in awe of, the only one he was afraid to touch. In the evenings, after the day in the Dojo, Seiji left his teacher persona as though it had never existed, the two of them sharing tea or conversation. Sometimes they were just quiet. Yuli realized that the icy exterior was mostly just a cover for the warrior who was frequently baffled by the world, almost as though he had grown up in another time. In some ways, he had. Yuli didn't think Sage knew the meaning of the word "fun" until he had met the guys.

"I'm going to miss this, you know," Sage said suddenly.

Yuli blinked. He could count on one hand the times Sage had started normal conversation while still in the Dojo, still in his instructor's gi.

"I'll be back in a few months." Yuli smiled faintly. The small room was getting dark, and cold. He had grown to look forward to this time now, quiet and distant and simple. They would see each other on almost a daily basis, but it wasn't the same. He was going back to Toyama tomorrow.

Sage may have smiled sadly, his face a shadow beneath muted silvered gold. "No. We both know that there is nothing really I can still teach you." Seiji turned back to the fading day. "You needn't call me 'sensei' anymore."

"But-!" Yuli began, forgetting himself and laying a hand on Seiji's arm, feeling suddenly bereft. "You'll always be my teacher-"

Sage shook his head, and actually laid his hand over Yuli's, just for a moment. "Don't question me."

Yuli bit his lip, regaining his composure by thinking how silly he would look if he grabbed a hold of Sage and blubbered. It was certainly nothing the blond warrior would ever do.

Sage slipped away. "Go on to the cabin, now. Start us some tea. I'm going to the lake."

"Hai..." Yuli responded, mostly out of reflex. Sage stepped away, off the low dojo porch and down the slope towards the water.

Yuli's breath fogged as he trekked the short distance from dojo to cabin, how Sage could stand cold outdoor lake water in early November was beyond him. At least the water was pristine enough to drink, the efforts of a certain torrent armor wearer had made sure of that. Not that drinking or bathing in the lake was necessary, the cabin was refurbished, modern, and cozy without being cramped. Less than ten minute's walk from the house, but felt like it was the edge of the world. Yuli pushed open the door and sighed, shedding his gi gratefully and tugging on the first thing that came to hand, a pair of sweatpants.

He paced over to his bookbag, pulling out a folder and glancing furtively around in spite of himself. It wouldn't do to have Sage catching him at this- it would spoil everything. He pulled out the first sheet of proofs and began worrying over them, changing a word here, altering punctuation there. It was almost done.

The dock made a thumping echo as someone trod on it, and Yuli's head came up from the page. He shoved it urgently into his bag and darted over to the fridge, pretending as though he'd been rummaging in it all the while.

The door opened and shut.

"I don't know how you stand that!"

"I like it." The refrigerator door made a vague creak as an elbow was leaned on it. Yuli looked up, and wished he hadn't. Sage stood over him, slightly breathless from cold, wearing only a towel clutched loosely around his hips.

Yuli's cheeks went warm. That water must be VERY cold. "I-Forgot the tea." He managed weakly, turning to the small two-burner stove and putting the kettle on. Sage followed him with his eyes, tossing his head to flick wet gold hair out of his face.

"I don't want to get rid of you, Yuli. You know that's not it."

Yuli paused, slowly getting two teacups out of the cabinet. "I know," he replied slowly. "I just... don't think I've learned it all."

"You've learned all I can teach," Sage countered. "What, Four regional championships and TWO nationals? You bested me, that's for sure. You're probably the best in Japan right now."

"I'll never be as good as you," Yuli murmured, to the hissing teapot. "You would have had three nationals if it wasn't for Talpa that spring." Yuli's trophies meant little to him, really. It was the praise in his mentors' eyes, From Sage's quiet "well done," to Rowen's ecstatic hugs and expensive champagne, to Ryou's proud smile. It was worth more to him than all the trophies and belts and scholarships in the world.

"Circumstance." Yuli felt Seiji's touch on his shoulder. "I fought my own tournament that year."

"And one I've never faced," Yuli answered. He almost turned his head. "That's why you'll always be better, Sage. All of you. Even if Kento has.. what did you say? The grace of a drunk ostrich in quicksand?"

Sage's mouth tightened in a smile. "I spoke out of turn. Even Kento has grace in his own way. Like mountains." Sage squeezed Yuli's shoulder warmly. "Now... let's not talk about it anymore, hmm?"

"Wait-" Yuli spun to face his sensei. "Will we- at least still have times like this?"

Sage nodded. "Yes.. but it won't be the same." He lifted Yuli's downward chin and the smile was in his voice and eyes more than anywhere else. "This place was put together for you, Yuli. The cabin, the dojo. It was always for you. Next time any of us are here, we'll be your guest, not the other way around."

Yuli's eyes widened. "But-I don't des-"

"Don't interrupt me," Sage commanded, so much his teacher that Yuli mumbled a hasty "Hai, Sensei" and bowed his head as was proper.

"No," Sage shook his head ruefully, lifting Yuli's eyes to his again. "Gomen. I no longer have a right to order you about. But this place is for you, as a thank you. And selfish, too." Sage actually grinned, albeit brief. "We like having you close."

"You will always be my teacher," Yuli whispered, his voice wounded, lowered eyes heavy with tears. He reached to remove the pale hand on his cheek, holding it in both hands as he tenderly kissed Seiji's palm. The hand that had hurt, that had shown, that had healed him when he fumbled.

"I will always be your friend," Sage corrected gently, and Yuli sniffled, screw it if it wasn't proper form. He hated change sometimes. Sage didn't really offer the embrace, but he did not make it unavailable. Yuli held him, forgetting that he had never dared be so close, crying miserably against Seiji's cool white shoulder.

"Shh." Sage touched the wild beaded hair, soothing him. This was never easy, growing up never was. His grandfather had not held him after he had gone beyond student, pronouncing one day out of the blue "that is all I will teach you, Date-san." It was his mother that let him cry. Maybe it was better to be distant, some part of Sage queried, but he dismissed it. The memory still resided in a frozen, hurt part of his soul, and if he had been reassured that he was being let go because he was good, not bad, it might not have been so painful. It was painful enough as it was.

"I'll miss you."

"I'm not going anywhere."

"You know what I mean."

"Yes."

Yuli slowly lifted his head, looking at Sage a long moment. He sniffed once, finally, and rubbed at his eyes. "The tea's ready," He murmured. "It'll get cold."

It was a quiet night. Yuli couldn't sleep, knowing that next time Sage would be the one on the mat on the floor, rolled up in blankets, and he would have the futon in the back room. They had talked a long time that night, no more of changes and master and student, but of the past. Sage told Yuli things he had told him before, old old stories, tales he had told him thousands of times. But the stories meant more now to Yuli than they ever had before, he felt like he was closer to each legendary samurai, to every tragic lady. He knew loss.

It was useless. He sat up and growled angrily at the seething fireplace, wishing Ryou was here. Or Rowen. Someone to hold him. He felt like he was going to cry again and he fought it, he should be happy. They were proud of him. They had given him this because they were, because they wanted him nearby. Yuli knew he was expected to teach- one did not hold as many titles as he did and simply drop out of the art altogether. He'd already had offers. But Yuli didn't really WANT to teach. How could he when he still held the warriors he knew to be the best in the world in such high regard? How could he teach when they still knew more than he ever would?

Didn't they?

"You can't sleep."

Yuli lifted his head from his knees, glad the light was dim and Sage couldn't see his flushed face or too-bright eyes. He didn't want him to know he was crying. "M'okay," he muttered.

Sage shifted slightly, a pale shade in the doorway between the cabin's only other room. "You worship us too much, Yuli," He said, not unkindly. "We're only human."

Yuli was silent, then responded without looking at Sage, "but I love you."

Sage moved, not more than an inch but Yuli knew him enough to know that his words had a strong effect. "We love you too." His voice sounded strained, as though the words were rare.

And of course they were, Yuli thought bitterly. Who needs to proclaim their love in words when you can wrap it up in your spirit and touch someone else's soul with it? They didn't need endearments between the five of them. "I mean, what am I gonna be now?" Yuli said, harsh and scared and inexplicably angry. "Your personal rent-boy or something?"

Seiji tensed, and Yuli wished he could take back the words. Then the warrior shook it off. "Could you choose one of us?"

Yuli shook his head, defeated. "no."

"Nor could we you." Sage sighed, the noise seemed to encompass the cabin with resignment. "You know that you aren't that to us."

"Then what am I?" Yuli demanded, standing suddenly. "I'm not your sidekick I'm not your pet I'm not your student I'm not even your WHORE, what am I?" His voice snagged on a sob, and he crumpled to his knees in a ball, back to Seiji. "Go away," he wailed thickly.

"I told you." Sage was unruffled. Angst was a frequent companion of his, he'd been through this times four. "You are our FRIEND."

"But not like you guys between yourselves."

"No one is," Sage returned sharply. "And no one will be. You are SPECIAL, Yuli. You are different. You are You and that is all there is to it. You're making this harder."

Yuli was silent.

"Yuli."

"What?"

"Don't get surly with me." Sage stalked across the room and towered over Yuli. He took a deep breath for a reprimand, but it was released, unspoken. Ten years ago he would have let Yuli have it, but he'd leaned a lot since then. He learned what it was to be proud of someone you taught, to love a child, then a

student, then a friend. He'd never really said it, but he knew after tonight there would be no other chance.

"I'm proud of you."

Yuli froze.

"You have no idea how much you amaze me sometimes, that I could have taught somebody as good as you are. I don't think I could ever see you as a son-" Sage smirked, "since we did a lot of our growing up together. But... I value you, Yuli. You've taught me far more than I could teach you."

Yuli looked up at him at last, eyes huge and shining. "I'm sorry, Seiji. I didn't mean it."

'I know." Sage sank down next to him. "But it needed to be said."

Yuli leaned wordlessly against him, holding him tightly. For some reason a bit of historical trivia wafted back to him... something about Samurai warriors... and their personal one-to-one students... Yuli blinked up at Seiji, wondering if he might be thinking the same thing. His eyes had a strange light.

"Be my teacher one last night?"

Sage's eyes narrowed. "I'm not sure you need one."

"In some things-" Yuli leaned foreword, "You'll always have the advantage-"

He paused, unable to go further. He couldn't kiss him.

"Afraid to touch me?"

Yuli turned away, chagrined. Sage was still unreachable. "Yes."

Sage rose up on his knees, taking Yuli's face in his hands and lifting it. "Don't be." Yuli closed his eyes, arching towards him. Sage bent slowly and pressed his lips to his student's.

Yuli let himself be taught.

It was much later when they lay close together, bodies entwined, that Yuli snorted faintly.

"You're turning me into a terrible slut."

Sage chuckled. "Yes," he held Yuli possessively. "But you're OUR slut," he growled.

Yuli sighed happily. "Three down..." he smirked.

"Are you keeping TRACK?"

"What, didn't you?"

Sage harrumphed. "I did nothing of the sort- I... oh shutup."

Yuli's laughter stilled. Sage fondled one soft braid of black hair. "So do I get mine, now?" the bead flashed verdant between his fingers.

"You noticed those?"

Sage didn't answer, merely removing the bead and sliding it on the gold braid he'd woven far earlier in the day. Yuli still had to beat him at plotting. The room flooded with one of their silences, for a long time Sage thought Yuli was asleep.

"Sensei?"

"Until dawn."

Yuli was thoughtful.

"Tomodachi?"

Sage smiled. "Always."