I hope you all enjoyed the last chapter! Watching Yukimi squirm is really fun and I'm sure some of you think so too. If you can drop a request or review for our seven adorable orphans, they'd love to hear from you!
Thank you to the two that did review! Also for the story alerts/favorites! Also, I haven't watched this series in awhile so if I get anything wrong feel free to correct me.
Noriyuki: YEAH! Drop the amazing me a review~
I don't own Nabari No Ou or the Hoops and Yoyo quote used in this chapter but I own all seven orphans and this story!
Yukimi managed to make lunch and somehow managed to figure out where they would sleep, he highly doubted they were like Yoite and slept against the window most of the time. It was even more of a miracle when another box showed up, full of their belonging which wasn't much, mostly old, worn comforters and some personal items but not many articles of clothing. He never even saw a shoe within that box and the box just seemed to appear outside his door.
Whoever stuck these kids with him really didn't want to get caught.
The kids went through the box, claiming their own possessions as Yukimi wearily started deciding who would be where and just where the items should be placed. An apartment plus seven kids wasn't the greatest idea and wouldn't make for comfortable living arrangements in the long run. He should consider moving but-
He caught himself, no way in hell! This shit was only temporary! If it really became a problem he'd consider taking half of them to live with his sister or someone else. "Dude, where are we sleeping?" He heard Noriyuki call as he stood a few feet away from him.
"You'll see." Yukimi said as he had an idea, the closet -er- room that he'd been meaning to clean out could work.
"Oh. Do you want us to put the stuff back in the box?" He asked, slightly deflated due to Yukimi's tone. The blonde just nodded as he groaned in exasperation, why had he done this again? Oh, yeah, bawling kids and the guilt would eat his alive. Damn, curse him and his inability to deal with crying children.
He opened the closet for ten seconds before closing it. He now remembered why he never wanted to go through the storage room. It was extremely messy and littered with a whole bunch of objects he'd long forgotten he owned. For example a painting that had been a gift from someone long forgotten, books that he read and hadn't read, even papers he'd written, folders, and so many other things. It was like he was a packrat with all that crap and cleaning it would be a nuisance. But he had to do this, if not he would have whiny children on his hands and he ran out of aspirin yesterday.
"Can we watch TV?" Shi asked just minutes into his cleaning. He only nodded, not caring as long as they were quiet and not bugging him. "Ok, thanks."
Not a minute later he could hear some cartoon playing but he continued working. They were quiet and leaving him alone. As he cleaned the room out he only left to get garbage bags and paper towels. It had been hours and he was almost done moving things into the hall when he was interrupted, again.
"What's this thing?" Kiko asked as she looked in awe at his old telescope.
"This is quite old but the blade isn't rusted." Kiku stated as he looked at one of Raikou's old swords that he left here a few years back…Before he...died.
In minutes all seven of them were looking through the items he's placed out in the hall, asking each other what some of the items were and occasionally asking him. From the large amount of junk they picked through and took things that caught their eye. Once all the items were out in the hall Yukimi turned to look at them. "If you all are going to stay you better go pick up a rag and help clean."
To his surprise they actually listened, only slightly hesitating, and came back with rags and even a duster. Yukimi led them through what to do, helping to carry buckets of soapy water as they scrubbed the room and furniture clean. By the end he was actually surprised that the room was actually spacious.
They moved two dressers in (One for the girls and the other for the boys), a bookshelf, and small table. Now he just had to figure out who would stay in there. The children began to move things, picking spots as they laid their blankets and the ones formally stored in their designated area, placing their few belongings on shelves that were here and there on the walls. The room was nearly complete.
"Wait, you all are going to sleep in here?" Yukimi asked, not sure if this was okay or not. Kiko quickly crushed her twin and Shi to her, "OF COURSE! You can't separate us! Never ever never!"
"Kiko, can't breathe." Kiku mumbled and Kiko quickly let go with a, "Sorry!"
"We're quite used to being together, it does not bother us." Hydrangea informed him as she placed a cardboard box by her pillow. Before he could reply their attention was drawn by Noriyuki and Yuu who seemed to be arguing over something.
"I said I want it!" Noriyuki argued as he tugged on the item, Yuu pulled it back towards himself with a glare etched on his face, "No, I saw it first!"
"No, I did!"
"I did!"
"Nuh-uh!"
"Uh-huh!"
"Nuh-uh!"
"UH-HUH!"
With each denial they pulled harder and harder, their voices escalating as they fought.
Akiyo moved over and snatched the item, "Stop fighting, you guys are being ridiculous!" The two younger boys shared a look before tackling him, struggling to get the mysterious object. They pulled each other's hair, shoving each other as they wrestled on the floor.
"Stop pulling my hair!"
"Stop kicking me!"
"Get the hell off me!"
Next to him Kiku sighed as Hydrangea shook her head. Kiko and Shi frowned as they stood there, watching. Yukimi just about had enough when he stormed over, grabbing Akiyo and Noriyuki by their collars and lifted them away from each other as Yuu sat up, having gotten the item, from being at the bottom of the pile.
Yukimi glared at the three as he set the two back on the floor, "What the hell are you fighting over!"
Yuu hesitantly stood up and showed him the deck of playing cards. "Seriously, cards?"
"Yeah Dude, this'll help my magic tricks!" Noriyuki argued defensively.
"I can use these for my own hobby." Yuu stated and the two broke into a glaring match.
"There just cards, can't you pick something else to use?" Akiyo asked angrily, not seeing the point in the fight.
"You're crazy!" The two screamed at him.
"Why don't you share them?" Kiku presented, "You both can just combine what you want."
The two pondered this before they smiled mischievously at the other, agreeing to Kiku's proposal. "This'll be sweet."
Yukimi watched their exchanges and deducted a few things he silently noticed.
1. Noriyuki and Yuu probably argue a lot.
2. Kiku knows how to handle these situations, at least in this case.
3. They like cards (?).
With the issue resolved they returned to the matter at hand and finished up preparing their new temporary living space. Yukimi left the room, leaving them to it as he went towards his computer and logged on, searching through his mail. All the mail was from editors or the companies he worked with, thanking or congratulating him on a successful papers or something like that. He wasn't paying attention to the screen and managed to catch a hushed conversation coming from the room, the door ajar and carrying their voices out.
"I don't wanna ask him."
"Well I don't either!"
"He'll get mad if we do."
"I'd do it but I almost blew up the microwave."
"That's your own fault stupid!"
"Someone just go ask him!"
He pretended not to hear their room door open fully, ignored the small shuffle of feet that moved over to him, didn't look when they stood close until they tugged hesitantly on his pant leg. Shi's one china blue eye and one red-pink eye, Kiko's and Kiku's russet ones looked up at him.
"Umm…A…C-can we…M-may we.." Kiko tried to get out but kept fumbling over her words. Kiku looked mildly uncomfortable, holding onto Shi's and Kiko's hands. He didn't say anything either, knowing he would end up like his sister, a stuttering mess.
"Do we…umm…get to h-have dinner here?" Shi finally asked, hoping Yukimi wouldn't get mad at her question.
'Oh, yeah, dinner, I totally forgot about that.' He thought, looking at the clock with read 7:00, dinner was usually a here and then thing. Yoite couldn't taste anything so dinner wasn't a large affair and due to the schedule eating was usually at random intervals.
The children grew nervous when he didn't reply for two minutes, shuffling in place and looking back at the others who were watching through the door. They jumped when Yukimi suddenly replied.
"Yeah, sure." He pulled out his phone and wallet as he dialed and began to speak. The children retreated back to the room with smiles. "What do you think we're having?" Hydrangea asked, her voice slightly excited.
"Maybe beef stew, pork, bacon, sausage, eggs, chicken, or-or"
"Hey! Stop drooling on my shoe already!" Yuu said as he pushed his friend.
"Anything sounds good to me, just think! We're having a real dinner!" Kiko said as she spun around, dragging her brother with her as she laughed.
"Is this okay?" Akiyo suddenly asked, drawing their attention, "How long will it be before the process repeats?"
"Hey, stop ruining the mood!" Noriyuki yelled as everyone stopped moving.
"Someone has to! You're getting too excited over this!" Akiyo argued, standing up to his full height. "Just get your hopes up again why don't cha!"
"You are being an ass!" Yuu chimed in.
Yukimi had long since hung up and had gone to the kitchen, debating on juice or milk, plastic cups or glass cups. He nearly dropped a glass when he heard a loud cry. He placed the cup down and left the kitchen as the crying got louder. Throwing open the door he stared at the sight before him. Noriyuki, Yuu, and Kiko were glaring at Akiyo while Hydrangea and Kiku were trying to calm Shi, who was crying, down. "What is going on in here?" His voice was angry and tense. Walking into the room he surveyed them. Noriyuki had a bruise forming on his forehead, Yuu had a faint one of his left arm and Kiko had a small scratch on her knee. Akiyo on the other hand only had a small bruise that would disappear in an hour or two.
"Akiyo is being a meanie!" Kiko accused, pointing at the accused angrily. "Meanie-weanie!"
"It's nothing you need to know about." Akiyo stated bitterly as he looked at Yukimi.
"You should stop being rude." Yuu said, tone calm, eyes a controlled storm.
They erupted into an argument.
"Shut up!" Yukimi yelled, "You two," He pointed at Yuu and Noriyuki, "go stand by Kiku, and Kiko you separate yourself from him." His directions were followed with only a glance shared between them. "Now, I don't care why you're all arguing but you all better stop and apologize to one another!"
"Whatever." Akiyo stated as he crossed his arms and turned to look at the others, "I'm sorry."
"Apology accepted." Yuu and Noriyuki replied as Yukimi stared at them.
Kiko, though, was not so willing to accept his apology. "You made Shi-chi cry! You're a meanie-weanie head! I don't forgive you." She crossed her arms and stomped her foot in defiance.
Akiyo sighed, this wasn't uncommon, and moved over to the youngest member who was sniffling. The blonde bent down and placed a hand lightly on her head, "I'm sorry Shi, I didn't mean to make you cry."
"Kiku, Hydrangea I'm sorry for upsetting you both also."
"Forgiven." Hydrangea stated after swatting his hand away from Shi's head. Kiku only nodded, signaling that Akiyo was forgiven. Kiko jumped on the blonde's back, "You're forgiven now!"
Yukimi sighed in relief that he'd managed to avoid a civil war. Now he just had to feed them dinner and send them to bed.
"I'm not tired!" Noriyuki yelled, "And I'm not taking a bath!"
"Yes you are, get back here!" Yukimi ordered as he chased the kid down. They had been ecstatic at dinner and well behaved but as soon as showers and bed were mentioned some of them took off running. Thankfully Hydrangea managed to catch Kiko and Shi was sane enough to not deny that she was filthy. The girls had finished awhile ago and were now sitting on the couch, asleep. Yuu had gone before them, agreeing quickly but wasn't too happy about bedtime. Noriyuki and Akiyo were the last two and Yukimi had a feeling Akiyo just wanted to defy him while Noriyuki just really didn't like showers.
He managed to catch the scruffy haired child and place him in the bathroom. Demanding he get in the tub, even going as far as locking the door to prevent escape. The child frowned and still wouldn't listen.
"Are they going to be okay in there?" Kiku asked, shifting nervously as Noriyuki yelled.
"Get off me, pervy old man! I'm not taking a shower!"
"Like hell you're not! Get in the tub!" They could hear him order and then there was a splash.
"NEVER!"
More splashes.
"Stop splashing me! Damn brat!"
"Get that away! No soap! What the heck man?" There were more shouts of protest until things got quiet. They scrambled away as the door was finally opened. Yukimi was dripping wet and looked pissed while Noriyuki was dripping wet, curly hair sticking out in random directions as it dried and didn't look too happy. Yukimi turned to look at Akiyo, "You better get in there, now."
Akiyo just walked towards the bathroom, not in the mood to push the stressed man and secretly, he really wanted a shower.
"Bed. Now." Yukimi stated, not in the mood to deal with them. The children stood, the ones who fell asleep were carried into their room. Once Akiyo was finished and their door was closed he sighed in relief. Finally, a moment to himself! He stood and went to take a shower.
Yukimi was almost sound asleep when his door opened a crack. Instinctively he grabbed his gun and waited, pretending to be asleep. "Yuki…Yuki…Yuki." He was poked lightly and he groaned tiredly, it was Shi. "What is it?" He managed to groan out.
"Well umm, Kiku and I were wondering if you had a ummm nightlight..maybe?"
Yukimi sat up and truth be told Kiku was standing next to her, looking mildly uncomfortable as he stared at the floor. "Seriously? A nightlight?" Yukimi asked, there was no way he had one of those. He hadn't had one since he was a little kid.
"No, I don't. Why, you afraid of the dark?"
"…Yeah." They admitted, looking at the floor.
He sighed and rubbed the back of his head, "I can leave the hall light on."
They looked up with wide eyes that held disbelief, "Really?"
"Whatever, just go back to bed."
"Alright!" They replied and followed Yukimi back into the hall, only leaving when the light was turned on but left their door slightly ajar so a few streaks of light entered.
Yukimi headed back to bed, falling asleep almost instantly.
"Yukimi…Hey…Dude..DUDE! WAKE UP!" Yukimi bolted up straight, grabbing his gun on reflex but stopped when he saw it was only Noriyuki. He groaned, "What is it?"
"Can I have a glass of water?"
With a groan he got up and went to the kitchen and got him some water.
"Thanks man!" Noriyuki chirped when he finished and went back to bed.
Yukimi went back to his room, not even able to reach his bed before Kiko knocked at his door. "Can I have juice, please?"
With a sigh he went into the kitchen, again, and poured her a small glass of juice.
"Excuse me, can I have some toilet paper. The bathroom is out." Yuu stated as he fiddled with his pony tail. With a groan Yukimi went into the bathroom and showed him where the toilet paper was stored.
"Where do I put this?" Kiko asked, holding up her cup. "The sink." He stated, "Now go to sleep."
He walked into his room, glancing at the clock and groaned loudly, it was past three in the morning. Sleep, he wanted and needed sleep. It was so close, almost there…
There was a knock at the door.
"Yukimi I have to pee but I can't find the light." Kiko said and Yukimi wanted to pull his hair out. NOO! NONONONONONONOOOOOOO!
He got up, again, and turned on the light for her, "Is there anything else you need?" He said through his teeth. She stopped and pondered this before smiling, "Nope, not now!"
"Great, go to bed and tell the others to go to sleep."
"Okie dokie!" She said and went back to sleep.
Not four minutes later he could hear her talking, "No, he said to go to sleep!" "I don't know! He's tired?" "Well DUH! Night time is for sleeping!" "You're not a vampire! That doesn't count!" "Whatever, stupid!" "No you are!" "Be quiet!" "Sorry, we'll be quiet."
Yukimi groaned as he began to wake up, not wanting to get up. If it wasn't for the obnoxiously loud, yet distant, rings coming from his phone he would have gladly went back to sleep. The blonde got up, following the sound into the living room where all the younger children were watching TV, empty cereal bowls placed next to them on the floor. Hydrangea held his phone, speaking with someone as Akiyo was nowhere in sight.
"No Yukimi is not up at this moment in time. No I am not his girlfriend, please refrain from asking such things. I shall pass on the message." Her ever stoic tone stated, "Goodbye, sir."
"Who was that?" Yukimi asked, he made a note to tell her later not to answer his cell unless it was an emergency.
"A man named Tobari Kumohira called. He has requested audience with you today at noon."
"What time is it now?" He asked.
"Half past eleven."
"What! Shit!" He yelled, rushing around to get ready.
"What about us?" Kiko asked as the blonde was throwing on his jacket, "You're not gonna leave us here, right?"
He groaned, "Get ready, all of you, we're leaving in ten minutes."
They scurried away to get ready and met him at the door in ten minutes exactly, dressed in fresh clothes and looked presentable. 'Christ, how am I going to explain them?' Yukimi asked as he led them to his car.
"This is your car?" Yuu asked as he surveyed the Hummer like vehicle, clicking his tongue before this strange look entered his eyes. "No. Maybe later but not now." Akiyo warned, guiding the boy into one of the backseats.
Once piled into the car they left the parking lot, driving at Yukimi's usual unsafe speed that only slowed when cops were around. He even managed to keep Noriyuki from changing the station on several occasions.
"Yukimi, are we there yet?" Kiko asked, "Are we there yet?"
"No."
"Now?"
"No."
"When will we get there?" Yuu asked.
"When we do."
"Okay."
Silence
"Now?"
"No, Kiko, we aren't there yet."
"Are we there now?" Noriyuki asked again.
"Why are you going slowly?" Yuu asked, "We'll never get there at your snailpace."
"Be quiet."
…
…
…
"Are we there yet!"
"No! Don't make me turn around!" Yukimi ordered, seriously contemplating on just going without them.
"But I have to go to the bathroom!" Noriyuki yelled.
"You better hold it!"
"I CAN'T HOLD IT ANY LONGER!"
"Yes you can and you will!" Yukimi yelled as he speed to the nearest gas station, jumped out of the car and dragged the kid into the bathroom.
Silence.
"Aren't you going to go?"
"I don't need to anymore, it went away."
Yukimi facepalmed before heading back to the car.
"Here are the rules, 1. Don't criticize my driving. 2. Don't stain the seats and 3. We will get there when we do so don't ask. 4. Use the bathroom before we leave, understood?"
They nodded.
"Good, now be quiet."
There was soft whispering here and there from the children but most of the time they just gawked and looked out the windows, faces 'oo-ing' and 'ahhh-ing' at certain things or places. Yukimi didn't even mind that they did that since they were quiet enough after all.
He drove down the familiar road, wondering just what the bed head ninja wanted. The last time they communicated in person was about a month ago, when things had been different. Sure he called once in awhile to check on Yoite (Though he'd deny if asked) or, in one instance, to do a report on the Banten High School where the man taught English. That had been a nightmare.
Hopefully that scary-ish Hanabusa that Yoite speaks so highly of will be there to keep them from killing one another. Though, explaining where these kids came from will raise suspicion but maybe they'll destroy that guy's stuff. He smiled eerily at that thought; he'd love to see that.
He parked the car and turned it off, "We're here." The kids scrambled out, Noriyuki laying on the grass and rolling in it. "Sweet dirt, man, I missed you!"
"Get up already, people are starting to stare." Akiyo ordered with a sigh but no one else batted an eye at the display. Normal? Probably.
"Come on." Yukimi stated, walking ahead and they followed behind him quickly. When reaching the gate he knocked and they waited quietly. Soon enough Hanabusa opened the door with her award winning motherly smile. "Hello Yukimi we were-Oh my," She stopped when she took notice of the seven children, "They're so cute. Come in, I'll go prepare more snacks."
She moved away with grace and a bounce in her step. Once out of ear shot they began to speak.
"Wow, she's pretty!" Noriyuki stated with a large smile, "And we get snacks! Win!"
"She seems very nice." Hydrangea stated as they began to walk.
Yukimi took off his shoes at the door and was about to walk away when Kiko and Shi tugged on his leg. "What is it shrimps?"
"Can you help me untie my shoe?"
"I can't reach the porch."
With a sigh he untied Kiko's shoe and lifted Shi onto the porch. Now that you mention it, Shi is kind of short, even a few inches smaller than the twins. But had no problem climbing into the car yet couldn't climb up the steep step…Whatever.
"Thanks Yuki!" She chirped and Kiko quickly helped pull Kiku up.
Yukimi slid open the door only to be met by shouting, "Finally, what took you so-"
Silence dragged on for a few minutes.
"Yukimi, I didn't know you were like that." Miharu teased from his spot on the couch.
"Dear sweet Buddha, what have you been doing?" Tobari asked before looking at the children, "What has this vial man done to you all?"
"He made me take a bath! Not cool man, not cool!"
"He yelled at me for almost blowing up the microwave."
"That was for a good reason!"
"Yuki saved me from the laundry basket!"
Silence
"…"
"Anyway, that's not why I'm here!" Yukimi said, trying to get back on track.
His efforts were wasted.
"I finished the snacks. I hope you all like tea, biscuits, cookies, and fudge." Hanabusa called as she entered the room with a large tray. Most of the children gave words of excitement but stayed besides Yukimi. After a few seconds of not moving Hanabusa gave a confused look, they seemed excited but weren't moving to eat anything.
"Aren't you going to eat?" Tobari asked, thinking the worst. Yukimi was starving them! Well not really but you never know.
Hydrangea was the one who answered, "If Yukimi says it is alright, we shall."
All eyes were on the tall blonde who just shrugged, "Yeah, they're offering."
"Really! We get three meals and snacks!" Noriyuki asked nearly jumping up and down in excitement. The kids all seemed excited enough, oblivious to the fact that all the other occupants shared a shocked look. "Yes, yes now help yourselves or it'll get cold."
The children swarmed the platter, taking a few things here and there and asking Hanabusa to help poor them tea. "I don't like tea much but thanks Lady." Noriyuki grinned as he chugged it down.
"Tea is more calming, something you are not capable of." Yuu taunted.
"What did ya say Firecracker?"
"Cool it you two." Akiyo warned as he and Hydrangea took a seat on the floor.
They seemed to be enjoying themselves and there was one more chocolate chip cookie on the platter. Shi hadn't tried one yet but Kiko had said they were delicious so trying one wouldn't hurt. As she reached for it her hand collided with Miharu's who also was reaching for the same cookie.
All the children reacted just a second after Shi screamed, jumping to pull her away from the table. She clung to Kiku and Akiyo, whispering something to them. Kiku looked at Miharu before turning back and nodding. "Shi-chi let's play in the yard!" Kiko suddenly voiced as she dragged the girl and her brother from the room.
"What the hell just happened?" Yukimi and Tobari asked, glaring at each other in sync.
Akiyo spun around and pointed at Miharu, "He's the problem!"
"What did Miharu do?" Hanabusa asked, mildly confused. Their hands had only collided for no more than a second.
"There are some things about us that aren't…normal." Noriyuki stated, suddenly serious but as quickly as it came, it disappeared and he went to the door, smiling brightly, "I wanna go play outside too!"
"Yukimi, where did you get these kids?" Miharu asked.
The man shrugged, "They appeared the day after I got this strange phone call."
"We did not 'appear' we were delivered in a box." Yuu corrected as he placed his tea cup down.
"Why, who ships children to random strangers? Especially people like him?" Tobari asked, pointing accusingly at Yukimi.
"We do not know. It is just how things work out. Most places we have gone have not been so kind. We are lucky to have met when we did and get along so well." Hydrangea answered cryptically before sipping her tea.
"How many times have you all been sent out?" Tobari asked curiously.
"I have lost track but with the group I am currently apart of about four or six times." She replied.
"Before this group it was three times before." Yuu stated, frowning into his tea, eyes clouding with memories.
"Not as much as them or the others but I've been around awhile." Akiyo bit out, glaring angrily at the wall before getting up and heading outside.
"What's his problem?" Tobari asked and Yukimi inwardly nodded, that one had an attitude problem.
"I cannot say too much but Akiyo has not been here as long as we have. When he was first put into our group we were weary but eventually accepted him under difficult circumstances. He is not quick to accept outsiders and it probably has to do with why he is here in the first place." Her voice was stoic but she seemed upset.
"He'll eventually warm up to you, maybe. I believe he's still waiting, Kiku has mentioned this to us also." Yuu added.
The atmosphere was pretty gloomy now, Hanabusa could not allow this and clapped her hands, drawing everyone's attention. "Why don't we go outside and play. Hydrangea, do you like flowers by any chance?"
"Yes."
"Yuu, I'm sure you would like to see them as well?" Yuu couldn't say no to her for some reason and they were led from the room.
Yukimi whistled, "She's pretty good at that."
"It's one of her talents."
"Let's get back to business. Why on Earth would you call me-"
"It's an emergency." Miharu stated, green eyes looking into his blue ones. Yukimi took a seat, listening intently to what they had to say.
"Rai-mei was attacked yesterday. If Kouichi hadn't heard the struggle and showed up she may not have been able to get away." Miharu informed him, "They tried to track the attacker down but they couldn't locate him."
"Okay, what does this have to do with me?"
"I was attacked this morning. If Yoite and Kouichi hadn't shown up when they did I would have been captured or killed." Miharu stated.
"We've determined it's the same person who attacked Rai-mei and, from what we've gathered, is targeting ninja."
"So I should be on guard and look out for any suspicious happening?"
"Basically, contact us with any information"
"Fine." He stated, "Hey, guess what, seven orphans appeared in my house yesterday!"
Miharu sweat-dropped, but even he knew that was pretty suspicious.
"They seem harmless enough." Tobari stated, "But you should keep an eye on them."
"No shit! Yuu almost blew up my microwave! Do you know how much that would cost to replace it?" Yukimi sarcastically replied.
"That's not my problem." Tobari smirked with mirth.
Hanabusa suddenly opened the door, "Tobari, why don't we let them stay over?"
He nearly choked on his tea and spit it out, "What!"
"They're so sweet and Yukimi can't possibly watch all seven of them every single day. We should help out."
"You just want to baby them!"
"Maybe…Please?"
His resolve died and he sighed, "Alright but not tonight."
"He's like putty in her hands." Miharu smirked devilishly at the display, his teacher could never actually say 'no' to Hanabusa. She was persuasive.
"Well, we should get going." Yukimi stated, knowing that even if he wanted to stay and watch Tobari suffer he needed to leave. The kids had eaten most of the little food he had in his pantry and he needed to stock up.
"Oh, where are you going?" Hanabusa asked sweetly.
"Grocery shopping." He stated sourly.
"Why don't you leave them here, it'll be quicker that way." Hanabusa suggested and Yukimi automatically agreed. "I'll pick them up when I finish."
Miharu led him out, Hanabusa and Tobari watching from the porch, they spoke in hushed whispers all the way to the gate. Just as he opened the gate he was stopped by shouts and running feet.
"Where are you going?" Kiko asked hurriedly, her brother and a few others not far behind her.
"Grocery shopping, I'll be gone fo-"He sighed as Shi attached herself to his left leg. "I'm coming back!"
"No! I wanna go with Yuki!"
"We wanna go to!" Kiko said as she pulled Kiku into the situation. "We wanna go!"
"I would like to go also." Hydrangea stated.
"You seem to have your hands full." Miharu taunted.
"Shut-up." Yukimi muttered before turning back to the crowd, "I can't take all of you."
"Let's decide by a game of rock paper scissors!" Noriyuki suggested ecstatically.
After fifteen minutes Hydrangea, Shi, and Yuu were chosen.
"I don't like that game anymore!" Kiko whined as she pouted, "I really thought I was going to win, stupid Yuu." Noriyuki whined. Kiku and Akiyo didn't say anything, though the former did seem a bit upset that he couldn't go either.
"You can come next time." Hydrangea pointed out, hoping to cheer them up.
"That's true, but you guys better tell us what happened!" Kiko stated, slightly pouting.
"Okay, okay can we go now?" Yukimi yelled, adding to his list to pick up aspirin, lots and lots of aspirin.
"Let's go." Yuu said, trying to remain calm but was inwardly bursting with excitement.
They left the house and got into the car before Yukimi began driving towards the supermarket.
"Yuki, what's grocery shopping?" Shi asked innocently.
