Disclaimer: I do not own Prince of Tennis.
A Kaidoh-centered fic, with (once again) unimplied Inu/Kai. But as usual, you can scratch off the "un" if you wish.
Away from Home
by Immortelle Stalker
The place was alien to him and the early morning air still and quiet. Kaidoh curled himself at the corner of the room, his lips pressed together at the sudden chill that came from the open window. The warmth that filled his eyes and the unpleasant lump in his throat were the only company he had that time. The boy paused, and then led out a deep hiss.
Kaidoh knew that his pathetic attempt of restraint would only lead to tears in the long run. He knew the feeling well, but could barely remember if he even cried before. As far as he could remember, he never did. Isolation was his friend, and they get along pretty well.
Kaidoh gritted his teeth and buried his face on his knees. If only he didn't have that stupid argument with Hazue, and that idea of storming out of their house when his father seemed to take sides, then he would be at home. Then when he wakes up the next morning, he and Hazue would be alright again. It was only a small brotherly argument. And with the action that he did, it was as if they never had one just like it before. Stupid Kaoru.
"What's wrong, Kaidoh?" a familiar voice said.
The junior raised his head and saw Inui seated at the edge of his bed. He quickly looked away and said, "Nothing, senpai."
Inui's eyes blinked sleepily behind his glasses. "Have you been awake all this time?" He asked while he took off his glasses and wiped the lens with his shirt.
Kaidoh didn't reply a word, just lowered his head as a sign of affirmation. "I'm sorry for troubling you, senpai," he said after a while.
"It's alright. Don't worry about it," Inui replied. He walked over to Kaidoh and stooped down in front of him. "It's still too early. Go to sleep."
"I... can't."
Inui sighed, then placed his hand on Kaidoh's head. "Alright then, if you won't sleep, then I'll just stay up as well."
Kaidoh looked up in surprise. "But, Inui-senpai..."
"It's nothing, Kaidoh," Inui chuckled. "I rarely have company around here anyway." He sat beside Kaidoh and looked out the window. "Besides, your mom asked me to let you stay here until morning."
Kaidoh blinked, then looked at his side. He couldn't wait to get home and apologize to his family. Of course, he had to apologize first to Inui for suddenly knocking at his front door so late at night.
"Senpai..." Kaidoh began. "Are you always alone like this?"
Inui cocked his head to one side with a small smile. "Well, you could say that. My parents are always out so I'm left alone most of the time."
"I... see," The junior lowered his head and clutched his knees. "Uhh..." Kaidoh's voice trailed off.
"Hmm?" Inui hummed in question.
Kaidoh turned to Inui slightly with a soft blush on his face. "Uhh, if it's okay with you senpai, please come over and sleep at our house sometime. My parents would like that, especially my mom."
"Eh? Are you sure?" Inui asked in almost disbelief. When he saw the certainty in Kaidoh's face and that seemingly annoyed hiss, he chuckled lightly and leaned against the wall. "Well, if you're that sure, then I accept the offer."
Kaidoh's face was still red. Still, he couldn't help but smile and close his eyes. It was still early after all, and after hours of trying, he finally felt sleepy.