Shiitomu Lockheart.

That name sounded so foreign to him. Before this morning, Shii didn't know his surname. Now he does, and it's so confusing.

"Not a big stretch..." he mumbled to himself. Before learning his surname, he didn't know a thing about his past-where he came from or what his parents were like-or anything about himself. The only thing he knew was his name was Shiitomu-and no one really cared.

"Kine..." he sighed. Okay, so there was one person who seemed to genuinely care for the boy. Maybe it would be possible for him to swallow his 'screw you' attitude, and care for Kine too...

All his thinking made his throbbing headache all the worse. On top of that, he was extremely hot, and very nauseous. He rested his head on his desk as he fought to push his thoughts away. A sudden bout of dizziness made his world blurry. He stood to go to the nurse, but fell over and watched as his vision blurred to darkness.

Shii's eyes fluttered open, then quickly squinted as white light poured in. He sat up slowly, his head still pounding. A groan came from him as he curled up.

"My, you're awake! How do you feel?" A soft, womanly voice asked from opposite the room. Again, the maroonette groaned.

"Like Hell. Lights." Right away, the nurse followed the boy's order and dimmed the lights.

"Shiitomu, you collapsed in class today. You also have a fever, and I noticed cuts on your wrists, arms, neck and face..." Shii didn't answer. He didn't feel it was anyone's business. And anyway, where does she get off on acting like she cares?! "Uhm, I noticed you don't have an emergency contact in your documents. I suggest you go home, but... Do you have anyone you could call?" Shii thought for a moment. His 'family'-Ian Aichi, a 28-year-old, and his twins, 12 year olds Mikeahl and Aeiron-left for a family trip two days earlier. Shii figured he'd just be a burden, so he stayed behind. He sighed and took out his cell phone.

"Here. His name is Kinekuiysho Hiekomeiy." The nurse furrowed her brows.

"Who is he to you?" She asked before pressing TALK.

"...A family friend."

Kine sat at his office desk, doing paperwork-as usual. Also as usual, his mother was nagging him-unintentionally and unknowingly-and Kine was both annoyed and bored out of his mind. The sudden ring of his phone made the two jump and pause, and a hush filled the room. He glanced at the caller ID and immediately picked up.

"Hello?" He answered, a hint of worry in his voice. Shii never called Kine, as Kine usually had to call him, and he should've been in class.

"Hello, is this a... Kinekuiysho Hiekomeiy?" Kine's heart pounded in his chest.

"Yes, who is this?"

"I am the nurse at Shiitomu's school. He's very ill, and needs to go home. Can you come and pick him up?" A heavy sigh of relief and calm came from the red-head. "Mr. Hiekomeiy?"

"Yes, of course I can. I'll be there soon." The nurse thanked him and hung up. Kine quickly rose and grabbed his keys.

"Kine, who was that? What's going on? Oh! Are we under attack?!" Kine's mother wailed as she ducked under his desk. Kine smirked and shook his head.

"Mother, calm down. We're far from the enemy now. I just have to pick up Shiitomu from school. He's sick, and Ian is out of town." His mother was struck with confusion and awe as Kine quickly proceeded out the door and to his car.

Shii hadn't realized he had fallen asleep when he opened his eyes to him belted into the passenger seat of Kine's car. He glanced over to the red-head, who had a confused and slightly irritated look on his face. Sighing, he sat up and prepared for the worst.

"So, why didn't you call Ian?" Kine sighed in a low tone. Shii didn't want to put up with Kine's questions, so he just shrugged. A sigh escaped the elder male's lips. "I already know they're gone. I just thought I'd ask first." Shii growled and crossed his arms.

"You're stupid. Just take me home." Kine chuckled inwardly.

"No can do. No one's there, so you're coming to stay at my place." Shii rolled his eyes and thumped his head on the window, a quieted thud coming from the collision. Kine suddenly went solemn, deciding he had to bring up Shii's injuries at some point. "Shiitomu, where did all of your cuts and bruises come from?" The boy tensed and ignored Kine's question. Kine's jaw clenched as he tried to hold back his anger. He knew now was not a good time to upset the boy.

"I-I do them...when I get mad...or upset." Kine felt himself break inside, and fought back the tears that stung his eyes. The rest of the ride home was awkwardly quiet.

"Please stop." Kine said through clenched teeth. Shii watched as Kine took his things inside, then came back for Shii. He kissed his cheek softly and very carefully carried him bridal-style into the house. He set him on the couch and knelt to eye-level with the silver-eyed teen. He held either side of Shii's face and kissed his head. "Please Shii. Don't hurt yourself anymore. Please." Shii simply turned away.

"It's just not that easy Kine." He stated bluntly, then changed the subject. "Where am I sleeping?" Kine sighed. He knew it wouldn't be that easy.

"With me, in my room." He said as he stood. Shii's eyes widened in shock.

"Wha~?! No! I can't! We, you, us... We can't sleep together!" Kine chuckled and shook his head.

"Don't worry, I won't try anything. Unless you tempt me, of course." With a smirk, Kine left to his room, leaving the copper-skinned teen dazed.

About an hour later, Shii shyly came into Kine's office. Kine smiled as Shii's blush-stained face looked into his. Deciding he'd have to start, Shii shifted his weight and stuffed his hands in his hoodie pockets.

"If you're going to make me stay, I need my stuff." he said bashfully. Kine nodded and got up, watching Shii the entire time. The copper-skinned boy simply stared at the floor until Kine left the room, to which he quietly followed.

An overwhelming crash of emotion came over Kine as he stood in Shii's room.

Artwork of every kind-poetry, songs, paintings, drawings, sculptures-were were plastered on the walls, set up everywhere, and thrown haphazardly anywhere along the floor. One wall in particular, however, was covered with posters, pictures and pages from magazines of a certain singer. Said singer had many piercings, tattoos all over, and hair in a different color and style in every picture Kine laid eyes on. Kine slowly turned to Shii and beamed. He had never noticed it, but Shii made himself nearly identical to the singer.

How cute... Kine thought. He has a role model. Another thing Kine noticed was the guitar in every other picture. Then he saw the guitar in Shii's corner, and grinned. He couldn't help but ask.

"Shii, who is this?" He asked, spanning his arms out. Shii turned and immediately started ranting; a big, goofy smile spread across his face.

"That is Miyavi, the best J-rock artist... No, THE best singer/musician/songwriter ever!!" Kine watched the boy's grin grow wider as he spoke. He wanted to hold him so bad. Then he remembered his other question.

"And... Do you play the guitar?" He was almost certain the boy would say no, and that it has something to do with that singer. But to his surprise, the teen nodded.

"Yeah, actually. And not to brag, but I'm really fucking good!"Kine chuckled as he masked his true want to jump for joy. He was getting to know a more personal side of Shii, one the maroonette usually kept hidden.

Although, he didn't really have any place to complain.

"Kine, you there? I'm all packed up, we can go." Kine snapped away from his thoughts and looked down. The teen had a big bag of clothes, a smaller bag of miscellaneous things, a laptop, and his guitar. Kine smiled at the thought of hearing the object of his affection playing. He would get a first hand encounter at the more personal life of his Shiitomu.

With a small nod, Kine followed the boy out of the house.

"Ah, Kine's bringing home his boyfriend, eh?" The twin Sho purred as she wiggled her shoulders. Her brother, Hiru, chuckled and shook his head.

"Not boyfriend; more like bed mate! That boy's got a worse rep than Kine's grandpa!" Sho raised a brow in astonishment.

"Oh? So Kine's playing the savior, eh? How cute..." Both the twins giggled as Kine's mother entered the livingroom, a plate of cookies in one hand and a bowl of lollipops in the other. "Yay, cookies!" Sho exclaimed as she reached out to snatch one. The woman turned away, causing Sho to fall over the side of her chair.

"Not for you! They're for Kine's special guest." Hiru laughed as his sister struggled to get back in her seat. A quick glare shut him up fast.

"Aw, come on ma! That boy will stay hidden in his room until they get back!" Hiru stole a cookie while Kine's mother scolded Sho. She pointed to him and tried to tell the woman, but she couldn't get a word in edgewise.

"Now listen here! That boy needs my son's help, and I'll be here for him 100%. You two stay out of the way-we don't need trouble from you!" She left Sho with her mouth wide open, taken aback by the woman's words. Hiru just smirked and shook his head.

"Well then. She told us, huh!" Sho crossed her arms and kicked her brother.

"Shut up idiot."

"Um... Kine, maybe I'd be better if I went back and stayed home alone..." Kine shook his head and pushed Shii forward lightly, towards the door. Shii swallowed as Kine opened the door.

"I'm back." He yelled as he set aside Shii's bags and took off his jacket.

Here it goes... Shii thought as four people entered the room-a man, whom Kine looked alike, a woman, whom looked very kind, and a set of mischievous-looking twins, who snickered when they saw him.

"Hello, hello! Welcome to our home!" The women said as she hugged Shii. The maroonette smiled. This isn't so bad. "I heard you love cookies and lollipops, so I set some out for you in the sitting room." Okay, now he really didn't have a problem with this. The man came beside Shii and placed hand on his shoulder.

"So you're the infamous Shiitomu. I'm Kine's father. Call me Kotoney. The woman holding you is my wife, Hilena." Shii nodded and smiled.

"Uhm, nice to meet you two... Who are the two staring at me?" Hilena and Kotoney turned to the twins and sighed.

"That's Sho and Hiru. They're practically family to us, because they've been Kine's closest and longest friends. However, if they give you a hard time, tell us, okay?" Shii nodded and looked to the smirking twins.

Let the games begin then. He thought as he flashed a devilish grin back at the two. They furrowed their brows and their smirks faded. Kine led Shii out of the room to his, and Hilena and Kotoney left to the kitchen, leaving the twins alone.

"Did you see that?! That kid was mocking us!" Hiru shouted. Sho grinned and shook her head.

"Well now, won't this be a fun little visit." She cooed to her frustrated brother, who shook his head in turn.