Here's the second chapter! I really hope that this will be to everyone's liking! It took a lot of confidence to delete the original. There were so many reviews and everyone was so nice. It made me really happy. I hope it'll be the same this time!
Please enjoy!
Maybe three isn't a Crowd
Chapter 2
Triplets?!
"This is quite the predicament, isn't it?" Shigure chuckled nervously, staring at the two boys leaned against the kotatsu (Kyo had been taken upstairs while Yuki was away). The one recently rescued from the harsh weather was asleep. He had said his name was Ichiru, but never once opened his eyes. All that was known of his looks was that reddish-orange hair and his lightly tanned skin.
The other one, Takashi, claimed that Ichiru was his younger brother. And that they were sent by Akito to go and live with Shigure for reasons they were not told.
"It seems so," Yuki answered his older cousin, watching Takashi tug at the yukata he had put on. It fit almost perfectly, while Ichiru's hung a little over his shoulder. Tohru sat quietly, smiling warmly at the two boys.
Yuki turned to Shigure, his gaze dripping with accusation. "When were you planning on telling any of us?" Shigure laughed nervously, scratching the back of his head.
"I would have if I had known... well, for now, I suppose the two of you could sleep in Yuki's room. If that's alright by him, of course."
Yuki gave the okay, Takashi thanked him, and without further delay they all headed to bed.
O.O.O.O
When a sweet smell made its way up to his room and over to his nose, Kyo decided it was time to get up and investigate. He sat up, stretching and groaning. Luckily, he had a very good immune system, which allowed him to escape sickness. He hopped out of bed, letting his sheets lay limp across his floor, and opened the door (Gotta love rhymes!).
Upon exiting his room and entering the hallway, he saw Yuki looking through his open door. "It's alright," he said, "I don't mind having you stay in my room for a while."
Kyo snorted, thinking the rat had finally gone crazy. He didn't care. It'd make it easier to kick his ass. With that thought, he walked down the stairs, leaving Yuki to his "imaginary" friend.
The sun shown bright through the window. Tohru had already pulled the navy curtains back to let in the light. Kyo wondered if there were any flooded streets. He'd be surprised if there wasn't.
"Good morning, Kyo-kun," Shigure greeted when the cat sat down at the kotatsu. A sly smirk spread across his handsome face. Kyo stared suspiciously at him, ruby eyes squinting. If there was one thing he hated receiving in the morning, it was that knowing and sneaky expression. "How are you feeling?"
"Fine," he answered, trying to end things there before he tried to start a conversation, but Shigure pressed forward.
"You know, we found two people yesterday." Kyo eyed the dog suspiciously. "I think you'll find them quiet enjoyable."
Before the cat could order the dog to tell him what he was talking about, he heard Tohru laugh from the kitchen. Shortly after her, he heard another voice. It was masculine, with a light, ever-so-slightly feminine ring to it. What tripped him out was that he knew the voice. Or at least he thought he did.
... Ichiru...?
O.O.O.O
After sharing a short laugh, Tohru stared into Ichiru's golden eyes. They almost matched Ayame's, but they were a bit lighter, and as big and beautiful as Yuki's. You'd think he was their brother, if not for his slightly sun-kissed skin and reddish hair. Not to mention he had almost the exact same facial structure as Kyo. How odd.
"I'm gonna go and tell Shigure-san that breakfast is almost ready," he said with a smile, bowing his head slightly and hurrying out the kitchen through the doorway. Right when he was about to call to Shigure, he heard someone suck in their breath. His eyes shot over to Kyo. Immediately his mouth dropped wide and Kyo's eyes seemed to blink rapidly for a few moments. At the same time, they called to one another:
"Ichiru?!"
"Kyooo!"
Ichiru all but launched himself at Kyo, sending them both sprawling across the ground. He squeezed until Kyo could feel his lungs heaving for air. Regardless of the pain that always followed, he found himself missing these bear hugs. It gave him an odd feeling that he couldn't seem to shake or understand. This wasn't new, but damn was it annoying.
Feeling slightly guilty for the attack, Ichiru jumped up and helped Kyo to his feet. Immediately after Kyo grabbed him by his shoulders. "How'd you get here?"
Ichiru didn't seem to have a problem with Kyo's roughness as he answered, "Well Kazuma told us that it was Akito's orders to have us live with Shigure from now on, so we left when the rain wasn't so bad, but we didn't know our way and got lost-
"You were outside in that storm all day?!" Kyo screeched, checking the red-head over. "Are you alright? You could have died, Ichiru!"
"Don't you think you're being a bit melodramatic?" Shigure asked to deaf ears.
Ichiru giggled at Kyo's worriedness, angering him further.
"What's so funny?"
"Nothing at all, brother." Tohru's mind got to spinning and she allowed her eyes to widen in wonder. "Did you say brother?"
Ichiru nodded. "Yep! He, Takashi, and I are triplets!"
Tohru gasped and hurried over. She grabbed Kyo's hand, who lit up like a Christmas tree at the attention. "You never said you had siblings!"
Kyo looked to the side and scratched the back of his head. "Yeah, well, it never came up…"
"Quit flirting."
Kyo spun around toward the hallway and saw Takashi leaning against the doorway. It surprised him to see such an older version of his older and younger brothers. It had only been about a year since he'd seen them and both of their bodies had matured a bit more. Ichiru had finally lost the rest of his baby fat and was now leaner than he was. Perfectly built for being on a track team. Takashi was definitely taller and more muscular. This made Kyo wonder if he was still skateboarding or not. He probably was.
"I… I w-… I wasn't FLIRTING!" Kyo hissed. Takashi shrugged as Yuki walked from behind him and sat at the kotatsu. He seemed pretty tired. Probably because it was kind of an early time for him. His eye were set on the table top as he slowly, but surely, slipped back to sleep.
"Don't take it personally," Takashi said directly to Tohru, ignoring Kyo, whose blush was dominant on his face. "Wouldn't expect for him to bring us up. He doesn't like talking about himself."
"That involves his brothers!" Ichiru chimed in merrily, still clinging to Kyo like a love-sick puppy.
"Anyway, seems we'll be living here from now on. Akito's orders."
Kyo gave a loud, over-exaggerated groan. Things were gonna get a lot more hectic. Shigure better be ready to have a furniture store on speed dial.
O.O.O.O
Now around lunch time, Tohru was busying herself in the kitchen with cleaning and cooking and such. Yuki was officeing last year's material for when school started back up in a couple days and allowed Takashi to watch. Ichiru was fawning over Shigure in the front room, Kyo fuming beside him.
"Wow, you're a novelist! Reading is one of my favorite pastimes. If you've got anything you want me to read, I'll definitely be glad to help!" Ichiru beamed. Shigure took that opportunity to hug the unsuspecting kitty.
"Well aren't you just the most adorable little thing," Shigure cried happily, "I can just tell you're my favorite triplet!"
"H-Hey," Kyo shouted, "get your filthy hands of him!" He kicked Shigure in the head, causing the poor dog to fly back and pull Ichiru with him. From the momentum, he tumbled over the Inu, gasping as he landed swiftly on his back. He lifted into a sitting position, a wild smile on his face.
He laughed, "Let's do that again!"
"Lively, are we?" Shigure asked, before mumbling to himself, "Looks like things will be getting pretty interesting around here."
Kyo stared at him for a moment, and then looked back over at Ichiru. Seeing the blinding smile on the face of his brother, he couldn't help but let the corners of his lips turn up ever-so-slightly. He couldn't help but agree with the mutt. Soon they would find "interesting" wouldn't even begin to cover it.
This chapter was shorter than the first, but I still really like this one. Read, Enjoy, and Review! Byez!
~Aurora~ :D
