Disclaimer – (Insert Disclaimer Here) Can you tell I'm too lazy to write it? xD (Not lazy enough, seeing how I waste time writing other stupid gibberish.)
A/N: …The title has nothing to do with the chapter ._.; Well, kinda. –lawl– I was hearing a song titled: "Come Back to Me" and I thought, kewl title for a chapter~ So…tada… Very creative, I know (- w -) Whatever! Just Read!
Chapter Two
Come Back to Me
The light-headed feeling quickly dissolved in the bishop's head upon hearing a light squeak that emerged from the teen before him. His hand froze, not knowing how to continue this without looking guilty. Why was he doing this? Nothing seemed to fit at all. Thinking never got him any place good, thinking always got him into trouble. That is why Frau is a man of action and at this point…he was begging his brain for an escape. Oh, the irony.
With a quick flick of his wrist, Frau relieved the boy from a single strand of hair on his head, his blue eyes pretending to examine the single piece of hair. He easily let the wind carry it off; amusing himself lightly with the expression the brunet gave.
Teito rubbed the top of his head vigorously. Though it was one single strand of hair, it pained as if Frau ripped out more. With the deadliest glare he could muster, Teito looked upward towards the bishop.
"Why'd you do that for?" Teito protested as he continued to rub his head.
The bishop gave a loud laugh, turning to continue his walk down the market street.
"Boy, you are getting old. Your head is riddled with white hairs." The best excuse he could come up with.
Teito followed after the priest, a slight growl emerging from his throat. Frau was acting suspicious, any idiot could see that.
"Frau! Stop being stup-." Once again, he ran into the blue-eyed male. With a light scowl, emerald eyes turned upwards to the male. "Now what?"
Frau had stopped in front of a vendor who was selling winter coats. It was still a long way to the Barsburg Church and the weather would just get colder. His eyes followed to the old plump woman standing behind the counter, she welcomed them with a smiling face and a warm hello.
"Ah. Can we get your miniature sized coat please?" The bishop requested with a serious look about his face.
Teito took on a shade of red; it was stupid of him to simply assume Frau was talking about him but he knew the bishop well enough that he would crack any short jokes when he could. With a light jump, the smaller teen laid a good smack on the side of that mess of blond hair. Frau winced slightly, a grin overtaking his serious expression.
"Okay, the next smaller size then." Frau replied with a slight laugh.
"Frau-." The brunette growled through clenched teeth.
The white haired woman gave a tiny laugh as she shuffled around coats of all sizes and styles. Some were fluffy while others water-resistant, some bright as a summer's day, others dark as a starless sky. After selecting one she assumed would be liked by the temperamental teen, she fluffed out the thick material and handed it to the bishop.
"This should fit the young man," she replied with a soft voice.
"This seems too big ma'am, do you anything sma-."
A swift elbow to the ribs and Frau's interrupted sentence hung in the air. He coughed slightly, the coat stolen by a brunet bandit.
Teito casually slipped on the coat. He outstretched his arms, taking a feel to the material.
Frau watched discreetly, a small smile taking form. As he watched the smaller male, he couldn't help but realize that Teito grew a couple inches since their first encounter. He was definitely getting older; soon he would be old enough to go out on his own. Soon he will be strong enough to fend for himself. Soon…Frau would not be needed anymore.
"Frau, what's wrong?"
A small voice punctured through his thoughts; he looked down to see the teen watch him with what looked like concern.
"Huh? What? Oh, that coat doesn't fit you, told you. You need a smaller size, kid."
Teito grumbled lightly as he outstretched his arms once again; the sleeves hung over his hands looking as if he borrowed the coat from an older brother.
Frau blinked as he watched the teen tug at the sleeves. He was just joking when he said that the boy needed a smaller size. It was not as if he knew the brat's size, right? He gave a long tired sigh, running a hand through his hair.
"You know what, we'll take it. I'm sure he'll grow into it…eventually." Frau sighed as he handed the payment over to the plump woman. She took it with a smile and turned to accommodate new customers that suddenly appeared at her stand. Frau turned and began walking again; he was now trying not to think about anything.
The bishop stopped suddenly, his eyes turning upward to catch sight of a pink ball of fluff biting away at his hair. Why was the fyulong on his head?
"Dammit, Frau! Did you really have to walk so fast? What's the rush?"
Oh, the kid. He left him behind. Oops. A stupid smile crossed the older man's features. Teito immediately glared.
"And don't smile just to get out of it! Stupid perverted bishop." The brunette began walking on his own now, tugging on the collar of the coat over his mouth. He did this for two reasons, one: the cold had been biting at him furiously and second, he wanted to hide the tint of pink on his cheeks. Back at the stand, he was still examining the coat when he realized that the bishop was no where near him. He had asked the woman and, with a smile, she told him that Frau had already taken his leave. Teito's eyed had grown wide with fear as he searched throughout the market. The stupid blond's head was no where to be seen. His breathing had picked up as he began walking through the crowd. It was not that he was terrified of large groups of people, it was that he was not used to so many people without Frau around. Teito never thought that he was so dependent on the stupid perverted priest. And just the relief that filled him when he caught sight of the tall male, it almost made him whimper. But of course he didn't, because that was just stupid. Why would he whimper? And why would he whimper over Frau?
The brunet's blush deepened, only slightly though. Slightly.
"I'll pay you back for this coat," Teito mumbled into the fabric, sure that the blond was within hearing range. "You're the last person I ever want to be indebt to."
A smile played on the bishop's face as he walked along side the teen, his eyes kept on the boy.
"You can pay that back once you grow out of it," blue eyes shifted to look away. "If you ever do, brat."
The teen quickly fumed, raging emerald eyes darted to glare at the bishop. He growled softly, deciding that satisfying the male with a response was not in his good intentions. Just let it go, he told himself. Repeatedly.
The blond smiled; this fuming, overreacting teen was the one he had grown attached too and never wanted it any other way.
x-x-x
Teito watched his feet swing back and forth as he sat on the bench. The tiny fyulong beside him growled as he tugged on the brunet's coat. They were bored and had nothing, whatsoever, to do. Teito's growl near matched that of the fyulong but just a tad louder.
"…Stupid Frau. He's such a damn," he scrambled for a word but found none witty and clever in his mental thesaurus, "…lecher!"
The fyulong chirped in. He was irritated with Frau's behavior as well.
Just minutes after Frau did the unselfish act of buying him a coat to keep him warm, he turned around and stalked after a big-breasted blond. And the stupid bishop even had the audacity to tell Teito: 'Buzz off; I have a job to do'.
Teito growled loudly, pushing himself off the bench and onto his feet. The pink dragon jumped onto Teito's head, nuzzling the teen's chocolate hair.
"We don't need him, Mikage. Let's go look around, since we might be here a while." With a scornful look, the teen walked back to the market place.
It was just as busy as it was a few minutes ago, only this time the more or less late risers were up and about. Teito passed the woman who sold them his coat once more, waving an awkward hand her way. Weird woman, he thought turning back to face the rest of the market. Strange and exotic things stared back at him as he continued to walk down the crowded passage. The busting noises of countless arguments and conversations filled the air, along with a mesmerizing smell that would not leave the boy be. Like a bloodhound, he trailed the scent, brushing past people: tall, short, skinny and rather plump.
As he forced his way through an arguing couple, his eyes caught onto a glittering object on display. The smell could wait. He carefully crossed through the crowd of people, reaching the poorly made stand in which an old man occupied. His eyes almost arched into a little 'N'.
"Good Morning, young man. What can I do for you today?"
Teito's green eyes trailed from the old man's face down to his merchandise. An assortment of hand woven bracelets lay scattered before the small brunette, all with a matching color bell at the end. Maybe they were collars? Maybe he could get one for Mikage but the thought of money suddenly popped in his head. His eyes dropped a little. Even the simple act of getting his friend a friendship trinket was near impossible for him, couldn't he just do something right for once?
"…Young man. Here, take this."
Teito's eyes rose slightly to catch sight of a wrinkled hand holding a white collar, at the end a silver bell hung. He immediately shook his head.
"No, no. I can't take this without paying for it. I'm sorry for having wasted your time."
The teen was already turning when a harsh, sickening cough emerged from the older man. Teito turned back to the man. His skin was dark from dirt; bones could be seen sticking out of his paper thin flesh. Teito forced down a gulp.
"Please, do a dying old man a favor. Take it." His voice sounded forced. Teito looked the old man over again: a thin piece of cloth for clothing. The teen looked down at his jacket, he tugged at the collar. 'But Frau…' He shook his head; Teito would deal with the bishop later. He shrugged the coat off, extending it out to the senior.
"We'll trade."
The elder gave a soft chuckle, his smile never leaving his face once. His bony fingers curled around the coat.
"Well with that look on your face, how can I say no?"
Teito watched as the old man slowly placed the coat on himself, giving a tiring sigh after the task was complete. They exchanged a smile. The collar appeared before Teito once more, this time he reached over and took it in his hands. His eyes inspected the weaving in the material; there was a zigzag pattern to it though the entire thing was constructed of white thread. Green orbs widen slightly. The bell was light yellow, not silver; he looked up to the vendor.
The brunette took a step back, his heart thumping in his throat. There was nothing there but an empty wall. He turned his head left and right, no one seemed to notice. Everyone continued with their business as if there was never anything there. There was a shop there…wasn't there? Teito shook his head furiously, he was imagining things. His eyes caught on the collar. Or was he? The collar was proof that something was there but…the bell was silver not a while ago, what happened?
The teen gave a long, tired sigh; he bowed his head in defeat. Never, in a million years, would he be able to understand the ever changing world around him. From the government cover-ups, the holy battle between Verloren and the seven Ghosts, the pink dragon that was actually the reincarnation of his dead friend who was half possessed by a Kor (never heard of before by the way!), then the Eye of Mikhail inside him, then…so many other things. So why not have an old man who gives him things then disappears without a trace?
Mikage gave a small mew, bringing Teito back to the world. His eyes trailed up to what was left of his best friend, his only friend.
"Look, Mikage, a present."
x-x-x
Teito shivered lightly, cuddling the small bundle of fur against his chest. It was dark and cold and he was almost sure it was snowing outside the town walls. And where was the stupid bishop? Off playing hooky with some skank. That's right! S.K.A.N.K. He picked up a few words at the academy! During all this time the stupid blond had not even bothered looking for him, or at least tell Teito where they were staying. At least then he could have gone there instead of waiting outside like an idiot.
The fyulong gave a small growl as it tugged at Teito's collar.
"It's alright, Mikage. I'm not that cold." The teen looked down to the small animal, ready to give it a small smile when he noticed something was off. An eyebrow rose as he noticed the color of the bell on the fyulong's collar. It looked an aqua color now. He closed his eyes and opened them again. Same color…maybe it was the poor light outside. Ya…the poor light. A bell can't change color at will, can it? Before he could ponder on this thought any longer, a cold wind passed his neck, causing his skin to shiver. Teito near fell off the bench he was sitting on, turning furious to catch sight of dark blue eyes.
"…Frau," the teen spoke sternly. The bishop gave his trademark smile.
Okay, so what if he, Frau, had been gone for almost the entire day to leave the boy to fend for himself? The kid was still alive and in good health. Good health…
A half-covered sneeze came from the smaller male; Teito looked up at him wearily.
"…Brat. Where's the coat I got you?" Frau asked as his eyes narrowed.
"Uhhh…" Teito tried to avoid the bishop's acute glare but found that he could not stray his eyes away. The mouse caught in the snake's gaze. The brunette sighed, cuddling the fyulong deeper into his chest. "I gave it to this old guy, he looked cold and…well I just gave it to him okay? Is that a problem? I already told you I would pay you back for the coat so if you're going to be mad then-"
Teito flinched violently when he felt something fall on his head but realized that this thing was not trying to harm him in any way. His green eyes turned to look at the bishop who began to ruffle his hair lightly then…a little harshly.
"I'm not mad, just pissed. If you're going to give away the things I give you so easily then from this point on your going to earn them!"
Teito slapped his hand away, taking a step back so he would not have to force his neck at such a sharp angle to glare at the other male.
"What? Like putting up with you and your damn lecherous ways isn't enough! Not to mention, I know about those damn porn books you hide in my room from Castor-san!"
"Tch. What books? I don't hide anything-."
"Stop lying, stupid Frau! You're a bishop, your not suppose to lie!"
"Who cares if I lie? I don't even like God!"
"Then why are you a bishop!"
"…Tch. Like I would tell you. Let's go, I'm sleepy." The blond quickly turned and began walking down the dark, deserted street. He gave a long sigh, trying to come up with anymore insults just in case the boy started anything again.
"Oh, like you haven't slept enough!"
A small smile crept on the bishop's features. That…did it.
x-x-x
The two finally reached their destination: a dinky little motel-like structure but they weren't picky about where they slept at this point. As long as it had a bed, it was better than sleeping outside.
Teito collapsed on the small twin bed, a long tired groan escaping him. If he was tired before, he didn't realize it up until now. They had stayed in that small little plaza arguing for a good five minutes, only to have Frau throw the brunet over his shoulder like some rag doll. Why? Because Frau was tired and he wanted sleep. Damn insensitive jerk. The teen buried his head into the soft pillow; time to forget about everything.
Sleep almost came but a thick object crash-landing on Teito's head prevented that sleep. He immediately sat up, noticing a pillow fall beside him. He glared to the person responsible of throwing the object, the person glared right back.
"Don't sleep in your dirty clothes, brat. I am not in the mood for acting like a mother today, especially after getting an ear full from that woman."
Teito looked away from the bishop, trying his best to hold back a laugh.
Just a couple minutes ago, as they walked to their room, they were still bickering when suddenly a door opened and out came a woman with curlers, nightgown and everything. She took one glance at Frau, then another at Teito, who had to force his neck at an odd angle to see why they suddenly stopped. That was where it happened. The woman went off on Frau: that he was not a good influence on a child like Teito, for so many reasons but she only saw one at that point. She lectured him, argued with him and even slapped him once. Poor guy never saw it coming. Teito chuckled lightly only to get a pillow to the head.
"Shut it, brat. Get in the damn bath before I have to force you in there myself. And that is something I do not wish to do. Now if you were that girl I saw earlier-." A pillow, momentarily, quieted down the bishop as Teito sought the chance to run towards the bathroom. Frau took the pillow into his hands, turning to glare at the male, who was still at the mouth of the door. It was so simple to get this kid to do whatever he wanted; it just required a little teasing and such.
"What are you waiting for? You want me to make sure there are no alligators in the tub?" He replied mockingly. It was so simple to play the brat, it should be outlawed or something.
"Smart ass, I have nothing to change into!" Teito folded his arms across his chest; the teen was not going to be made a fool of, not today, not after what he went through because of said bishop.
'Did he just call me smart ass?' Frau thought before walking to his own bag. He growled quietly; he had to pick his battles and at this moment, it was not worth it, especially if the kid new more foul language than what Frau had originally thought.
Black shorts and a white long sleeved shirt were thrown Teito's way. The teen caught them before they had a chance to fall on the ground. He stretched out the shorts.
"These aren't going to fit me!"
"Well then grow, you can't be short forever, yah know."
"Stop being stupid, Frau. And don't call me short just because you're fat."
With two long strides, the spiked blond was next to the brunet, ruffling his hair rather harshly. Teito growled.
"Be goddamn thankful that I even give you anything, brat. Now you either wear that or you sleep in your underwear. Now strip, Imma go wash." He really did sound like a mother.
Teito pushed the male away, quickly locking himself in the bathroom. A few seconds passed and Frau wondered if the brat was actually going to hand over his clothes. Suddenly, the door opened and a mess of clothes began flying out, all landing on the tall bishop. The door slammed closed again. He pulled Teito's clothes from his head, quickly turning heel to walk down to the small wash room down the hall. His eyes landed on the pink fyulong that took its nest on his bed.
"No funny business, puff ball. Stay put and out of my stuff or Imma have to get you a leash for that collar."
The fyulong gave a small squeak in reply, tilting his head as he watched the priest make his way out the door, slamming it behind him. The sound of rushing water filled the small room.
x-x-x
Teito gave a soft sigh as he walked out of the steaming shower, a warm fog slowly trailing behind him. At this point, he had nothing but boxers on, running the white towel through his damp hair. He inspected the room: Frau wasn't there. Oh well, better that the older man wasn't here. Teito slumped to his own bed, falling on the mattress like a large stone. Another long tired sigh escaped him. A thought ran through his mind. He should probably give the fyulong a bath. Mikage had been rolling around in the filth of the street all day. That pink in his fur was slowly turning brown. The teen sat up slowly, eyes observing the small room once more. His bed was next to a large window; to the left of the window was the door. Then there was a large wall, at the end of that wall was the bathroom door, continue left and you reach the corner, another left and you reach Frau's bed, a few steps more and you reach his own. Small room.
His heart raced increased ever so slightly. Teito stood to his feet, only to fall to his knees, eyes scanning underneath the bed.
"…Mikage?" Nothing. His head shot up, he crawled over to Frau's bed, checking underneath it as well. "…Mikage?" Nothing, again. Teito quickly stood up.
"…Mikage? Where are you? Stop playing around." His hand went over his throat; that last word he spoke had an odd high pitched sound to it. He had to calm down. The pink puff was probably with the bishop. Yah, that was it, he was with Frau. Teito forced himself to sit down, taking a long deep breath. The last thing he needed was to jump to random conclusions.
As quickly as he sat down, the male stood back up. The teen made quick pace to the bathroom, easily throwing on the bishop's shirt. He glared down at the piece of cloth; the damn thing fell near mid-thigh. The bishop couldn't be this tall. He grunted; soon he would be tall too, then he could shove everything in Frau's face. Next were the shorts, that oh so easily slipped off his thin hips. The brunette growled even louder, his face taking a shade of red. The bishop was fat; that was all! Oh, who cared if he wore the shorts anyways, the shirt was enough to cover, not to mention he still had his boxers on.
With that, he made his way back into the main room, just to run into a large object. He fell down, hurting his backside in the process. Teito winced slightly, looking up to see none other than Frau. Of course. He shook his head, no time for that now.
"Where's Mikage?" He asked all too quickly. The bishop raised an eyebrow, head turning to his bed where he saw the fyulong last.
"…He was right there, on my bed. Why?" Frau turned to look at the male, only to notice he was not on the floor anymore. He whipped his head around to just catch sight of the small teen run out the door and out into the night.
"Brat!" But Teito either did not hear, or ignored. Frau turned fully to his bed, almost inspecting it for any clues to the fyulong's whereabouts. A glint of light caught his eye, caught between his bed and the small night stand. He reached over to it, pondering the kid's sudden impulse. Frau knew what was going to happen, after all, this was like his, well, vision, if you can call it that, that he had not too long ago. He took the material into his hand before sitting on the bed, fist still closed.
It was him, in a dense forest. Nothing else could be seen but trees. But out of the woodland came the brunet, a placid smile on his face. Then after the boy came the only blond Teito wanted to be around, looking more mist than solid, Mikage. But this teen's smile was not peaceful; it had a sorrow to it.
Frau opened his eyes, not realizing that he had closed them to begin with. He looked at his fist once more before opening it. A looming dark purple stared back at him from amongst a sea of white. The bell was a dark purple, but was it not a pink color when he last saw the fyulong? He closed his fist. He was not ready for this, not ready at all. No matter how long he was in this world, something like this, he could never be ready for.
A/N: Dun. Dun. Duuuuuuuun. And so, the drama begins.