Chapter 2:

Disclaimer: i wish.. but nah.. not mine...

After Ban & Ginji had gone off to the supermarket, Juubei went back to the room to check on Kazuki before he cleared the mess his 'helpers' just made.

He was tidying up the rest of the place when the doorbell rings again.

Open door

"Toshiki, I thought you said you will only be coming over in the afternoon?"

"I figured you may need some help with Kazuki's condition."

Juubei stepped aside to let Toshiki into the house.

"Where's Kazuki?"

"Keep your voice down. He's in the room, sleeping. He had spent a whole night throwing up and all he took was water. He is quite sensitive nowadays."

"You are a doctor. Can't you do anything to it?"

"I hope I can, however, as what Gen said, it's normal… Shhh…"

Juubei made a gesture to ask Toshiki to keep quiet as he heard sounds coming from the bedroom.

Silently, Juubei and Toshiki moved beside the door.

Kazuki did not really fall asleep when Juubei made him do so. He just pretended to be even when Juubei went out of the room and checked on him once more.

He waited patiently for Juubei to go out of the house and when he heard the door open and closed for the third time of the day. He assumed Juubei had finally gone to get the stuffs they needed with Ban & Ginji.

Feeling miserable as there was no one else in the house except him; Kazuki got out of the bed and went to the bathroom to brush his teeth. The smell in his mouth was really bad from all the vomiting throughout the night.

After a nice wash up of himself, Kazuki went out of the room, wondering which part of the house he should start cleaning first.

When the bedroom door crack opened slowly, Juubei's face was also changing color. He should have guessed Kazuki will not be so obedient.

"K-a-z-u-k-i"

Kazuki looked as if he seen a ghost when he stepped out of the room. He was starring at the 2 figures in front of him and tears started forming in his eyes.

Seeing the tears forming, all the words were lost. Instead, Juubei stepped forward and held Kazuki into his arms.

"Shhh… it's okay. Hush… look, Toshiki is here too."

"I'm… hic… sorry… I thought … no one's home… I just want to help… hic … up."

"… … I understand. I want you to rest. But if you insist …" Wiping the tears and comforting Kazuki at the same time, Juubei made his way to the sofa and sat down with Kazuki in his arms.

Lifting his head, Kazuki looked at Toshiki who was smiling at him.

"Hi Kazuki, how are you feeling?"

"Hic… Toshiki, it's been a while since I lasted see you. You just live few blocks away but you don't seem to be able to drop by to see me."

"I'm sorry. I have to help MakubeX while Juubei is busy taking care of you…."

Hearing that, Kazuki's tears started to flow again. Toshiki panicked and finally understand what Juubei meant when he said Kazuki is sensitive.

"Kazuki, I'm sorry. What I was trying to say was Juubei is with you here but still needs someone to handle the Lower town in limitless fortress and helps MakubeX."

"Kazuki… What Toshiki said doesn't mean anything. Shhh… there's nothing to feel bad about. I choose to spend my time to take care of you. We all know and understand your condition. Don't cry… "

Kazuki tried to stop his tears but they just keep falling and his mood just gets worsen.

Juubei hugged Kazuki tighter into his arms while he mouthed to Toshiki to get a glass of water for Kazuki.

When Toshiki came back from the kitchen with the water in his hand, Kazuki had stopped crying and was sitting beside Juubei with his head buried in his chest.

Toshiki passed the water to Juubei who took it and gave a silence thanks.

"Kazuki, here you go."

Kazuki took the glass and slipped the water in silence.

"Kazuki, you sit here and finish the drink. Toshiki and I will do some cleaning. You may help us when you finished the drink."

Hearing that, Kazuki's face lifted up and tried to finish the water in one gulp but the glass was held on by Juubei who guessed what Kazuki was thinking.

"You drink it slowly. Don't you try to rush it down! I promise to let you help up. It's bad for the stomach to have a great amount of stuffs rushing out of the blue."

Smiling, Kazuki drank his drink obediently.

Toshiki looked relieved when he saw the smile on Kazuki's face. He followed Juubei into the kitchen to help wash the utensils needed for the night.

"How long will this lasted?"

Puzzled of Toshiki's question, Juubei looked up from his washing.

"I don't understand your question."

"I mean how long will Kazuki be back to 'normal'?"

"Gen said it will last 3 months at least or even longer."

"That's pretty long."

"Yes. It's normal behavior. Maybe you can drop by often. He seems happier to have you around."

"I don't think I should. I only made him cry."

"Don't worry. Just now was his best mood.", replied Juubei who was smiling at Toshiki.

Toshiki was speechless and sweat dropped when he heard Juubei reply.

After the washing, Juubei went to the living area to find a sleeping Kazuki on the sofa. He was about to carry him to the bedroom when Kazuki jumped and made a rush to what seems like the bathroom.

Toshiki who just came out of the kitchen was surprise by Kazuki and followed behind.

Juubei was already in the bathroom with Kazuki when Toshiki went in. He looked at Juubei with a questioning look.

"Is Kazuki alright?"

Kneeling beside Kazuki and holding his hair up, Juubei turned his head to face Toshiki.

"It's okay. This is normal. Beside, it will get better after awhile."

Kazuki lifted his head up after awhile and gave an apologetic look at Juubei.

"I'm sorry. I cannot help it."

"You want anything? You have not eaten since the day before. Are you hungry?"

"Actually, I think I do, can I have… "

"Yes?"

Both Juubei and Toshiki sweat drooped upon hearing Kazuki's answer.

"Never mind, I call Midou to get it since he should be on the way back."

"Ban-Chan… Why aren't you carrying anything?"

"Oh, because I am the driver."

"But Ban-Chan, we are walking towards the car now? What does it got to go with you being the driver?"

Ban looked over at Ginji who was carrying like a dozen of plastic bags on each hand.

"Now you mentioned it, yeah, maybe I should help you to carry some."

Ginji grin happily and passed the bag on one of his hands to Ban.

While Ban took over the bags, his cell phone rings.

"Hello… oh... Needle-Boy, yes, I got all the things on your list… What? You need me to get another thing? No way… Oh, you are paying the petrol's fee for that… okay… what is it you want? … … … … WHAT!!!! Where the hell should I get it? It's like almost end of December now! … … Okay, I will go and find whatever I can get. You are going to pay me double for that!"

Ban shut his phone after shouting at the caller, who seems to be Juubei.

Ginji glanced at Ban who looked as if he would erupt if provoked again.

"Hmmm… Ban-Chan… what does Juubei asked you to do?"

Stomping towards his car, Ban threw all the bags to the back seats before settling himself on the driver seat.

After Ginji placed the bags and buckled the seatbelt, Ban drove off at a alarmed speed.

"Ban-Chan… Are you angry? Can you slow down? I'm scared!"

Ginji turned into Chibi-Ginji, with tears and giving Ban the puppy eyes.

Ban turned his head and found a pair of watery big eyes staring at him. Signing, he slowed down.

"Ginji, Yarnball wants to eat 'Hokkaido Strawberries' NOW and the only place to have it during this period of the year may only be the hyper-mart in the middle of the city."

Ginji looked at Ban and sweat dropped.

TBC…

A/N: Hokkaido Strawberries are in season during June to latest end of September ONLY... .v