Kurama stumbled through the park on his way home. Yusuke had had a reunion party

for the gang. He knew he shouldn't have excepted so many drinks from Yusuke but as of

late he had found himself drinking more often then not. Now his head was fuzzy and his

eye sight was blurred.

"Nii-san!"

Came a cry from near by. With a start he tried to spin around but, since his

balance was so off, he ended up slamming into a tree instead. Yes, a tree. He heard

footsteps rush over to him. Strong arms helped to lift him back on to his feet. He let out a

tiny child like giggle. This was all so delightfully funny to him. A plant master running

into a tree!

"Nii-san? Are you drunk?"

"It would…giggle…seem that way."

He dazedly glanced up at the one who had helped him. The concerned face that

peered down at him looked remarkably similar to little Shuichi's, his step-brother. He

wobbled to the side so that the Shuichi look alike had to wrap his arms around Kurama's

waist just to keep him up right. It forced them to stand rather close together. Kurama

leaned forwards and planted a kiss upon his started step-brother's lips. Even drunk the

Youko lost none of his skills as a lover and as Kurama pulled away Shuichi was left

panting. In his unbalanced movements, Kurama almost slipped from his arms.

Reflexively he pulled Kurama to him and held tighter around his waist.

"N…Nii-san? Maybe we should get you home," he stuttered out.

Kurama couldn't help but notice that this Shuichi was taller and had more muscle

then his little Shuichi. He reached up and shakily ran his hands through Shuichi's short

spiked hair. It was tipped with a blond color, making Kurama remember how much his

Shuichi wanted to be a singer for a rock band. He wondered if Shuichi was happy now

living his dream.

"My Otuto is a singer, you know."

The man just smirked in a knowing fashion and started to walk away, carefully

dragging Kurama along with him towards the bus stop. As they waited for the bus he tried

to talk with Kurama.

"Is he a good singer?"

He stumbled as his mind tried to think past the haze. The world spinning around

him certainly did not help. He decided he would kill Yusuke tomorrow. Remembering

a little he let a frown touch his lips.

"I've…never heard him sing."

After the bus got there he helped Kurama on board. Sitting down next to Kurama

so he could be allowed to lean on Shuichi's shoulder. He continued to talk with Kurama

in the attempt to keep him awake.

"Why is that?"

"He was always to embarrassed to sing in front of me. Though he promised me he

would one day become a famous rock star so that I could hear him whenever I wanted

to."

"You could have snuck up and listened when he didn't know you were there."

"I have…had more respect for him then that!"

"Ok ok shhh! Then how do you know he's a singer?"

The bus was nearing their stop. He put an arm around Kurama and to stand up as

the bus came to a stop. Once off the bus he steered him towards a small set of apartment

buildings.

"I know! He promised me! He was always such a brilliant boy and put all of his

heart into anything he did! There's no way he would give up on his dream!"

Kurama's behavior worried him abit. He was the smartest guy Shuchi knew and

had never been one to drink much. What could be causing him to drink? With much

difficulty he finally managed to get them both safely up the stairs to his apartment.

"So you tend to talk about him in the past tense. What happened?"

He knew what had happened but he wanted to hear it from Kurama's point of

view. He started to fiddle with the door. His key often got stuck. He almost dropped them

when he felt warm breath against his ear.

"He's gone. Disappeared. Taken from me," Kurama whispered.

"Oh yeah? Did you…ah…look for him?"

"I did! After mother…past away…father stole him away. Father had come to hate

me you see. I searched for a while and finally found them but he wouldn't let me see

Shuichi. I even sent letters but Shuichi never wrote back. I can't be upset with them

though. It was all my fault. All my….fault," he sobbed.

Such anger wailed up inside of Shuichi towards his father. For so long he thought

his most adored nii-san had abandoned him, no longer cared about him but he had come

for him only to be sent away! He had never gotten a letter from his nii-san! Had his father

seen to that as well? Well his father would not interfere this time around. He popped the

door open with some force and looked to Kurama. He was huddled on the ground with

tears streaming down his cheeks.

"It wasn't your fault. Now come on lets get you inside."

Shuichi helped Kurama to stand and started to drag him inside the apartment.

"No! You don't understand. It was my fault! I…you see I'm really a demon in

disguise."

He smiled at Kurama and gently set him on the sofa. You see he already knew

about his brother's other form and the true story behind his step-mother's death. Kurama

had been drinking hard the last few weeks and every time Shuichi would bring him home

with him. He was beyond grateful he was the one to find him first. Still it had its benefits.

Every night he found out a little more about Kurama and in all honesty no longer saw him

in a brotherly manor. He quickly locked the door and turned back to where he left

Kurama. Youko sat sprawled across the sofa and motioned for Shuichi to come hither.