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.
