Acacia

Chapter II: Kasa Kurage

The next morning, much to the brothers' horror, their mother was not there to greet them. In fact, she was nowhere to be seen. Their breakfasts had been prepared for them and were sitting there on the counter, just waiting to be devoured. And the morning after that, the other two adult figures also disappeared from the house. Needless to say, it was very alarming. "Do you think she's stalking some random unsuspecting kid?"

The redhead shrugged and took a bite of his sandwich, "Who knows, you can never tell what mom's going to do. And she's even dragged dad and grandpa with her."

"True…hopefully they won't give the kid a heart-attack. Hey, I have practice after school by the way, so you'll have to walk home alone, alright?"

"I'm not a kid Dark, I'm not going to get lost or anything."

Dark gave a grin and ruffled his brother's hair, "I know that. I've only been your brother for fourteen years now."

Daisuke sighed and picked up the remote control and turned on the television to the weather channel, "looks like it's going to be raining for awhile…I guess we'll be needing umbrellas…" He didn't really like umbrellas, especially when he had to put it in his locker, and it got his shoes and everything else all wet.

The type of umbrellas that he really didn't like were transparent ones, they reminded him of jellyfish almost, and so, that's what he named them: jellyfish umbrellas. But that wasn't even the part of the reason why he disliked them so much. When he was younger he was walking with his family down the street, just like any other normal rainy day. Then he saw them, these people, kissing, attempting to hide their spit-swapping behind their umbrella. Unfortunately for them, their umbrella was oh so very see through.

He could still see them eating each other's faces, that day, he swore to himself, that if he ever kissed anyone behind an umbrella, it wouldn't be transparent.

Suddenly, something was thrown at him, hitting him in the back of the head. He looked over with a frown on his face, he looked down at the umbrella, "What was that for?"

"Isn't it obvious? We're leaving, or else we're going to be late." Ruby eyes watched as his brother picked up his things and headed for the door. He muttered something incoherent under his breath before getting up, turning off the television and trudged after the other.

After school came about, and as expected, Dark was not there to greet him and he was to end up walking home alone. In the school courtyard, he saw a boy looking up through, much to his distaste, a transparent umbrella. It took a moment for him to realize that it was the new student in his class, and he appeared to be waiting for someone. Not that he really cared, the only thing he paid attention was the see through umbrella, it bugged him.

Why would anyone want to have a jellyfish umbrella?

"To watch the rain." It startled him. Had the other boy read his mind? The blue haired boy didn't look over and continued speaking, "I like watching the rain fall and I don't feel like getting wet. That's why I have a transparent umbrella. It's Niwa, right?"

"Yes, that's right…" he looked and focused on the boy instead, though the other never once took his eyse off the sky, "how'd you know I was going to ask you that?"

"I could feel you staring."

Color quickly rose to his face and he immediately apologized to the other, "s-sorry, I didn't mean to stare. Well I didn't mean to get caught anyways…" That was Niwa Daisuke, the boy who couldn't stop his honest, but random comments from popping out of the blues to save his own life.

He gave a shrug, "it's alright…I was lying anyways."

Daisuke blinked in confusion, "What?"

"This isn't actually my umbrella. I didn't bring one, some girl just gave it to me."

"Oh…" What a strange guy. Not only did he read his mind, but he ended up turning it into a riddle of some sort. The redhead almost snapped his finger in realization in front of the other, of course he would…he did graduate from university already. It must've been a university thing to do. Then he realized something else, was he getting made fun of?

"I'm not making fun of you."

It was probably a lie. Maybe he was just getting bored of waiting for whoever he was waiting for and decided to poke fun at him. "I know…" he muttered unconvincingly and looked at his watch, "sorry, I better get home before my mom gets worried. I'll see you in class tomorrow!" Suddenly, the impression that had been made on him about transparent umbrellas began to alter. Just ever so slightly.

Blue eyes glanced at the retreating figure before turning back to the falling rain silently.

The weekend passed with very little bumps on the road, much to his relief. His parents had returned back to their normal being-there-ness in the morning, just sitting around, eating breakfast as though nothing had happened. Daisuke could feel himself relax slightly, just slightly though, because in the back of his mind he had a nagging voice that told him that his mother didn't just give up half way. No, if that ever happened, it'd mean the world was coming to an end.

Dark didn't allow himself to relax, not mentally anyways. He'd been alive for three more years than his little brother and knew better. The little nagging voice in the back of his mind wasn't exactly in the back anymore, it was yelling and stomping around, throwing a little back-of-the-mind-voice tantrum. Not to mention his mother's plan had him involved, which was another reason for him not to let his guard down. After all, with their mother was involved, anything could happen. Like that time she broke into the zoo or that other time she somehow spent a night at the town's art museum without getting caught.

"Dark-chan, what's wrong? You look like a rabid badger's about to bite you." His mother spoke with a smile on her face, taking a sip of her drink. "Relax a little, you're going to turn into an old man very soon if you don't."

His grandfather gave a laugh, "That's right! I don't stay all youthful by stressing out over nothing! Come tell us what's wrong."

Amethyst eyes looked at the adults suspiciously, eye brows slightly raised, he decided to shrug it off, "it's nothing. Just thinking."

Emiko couldn't help but to tease her son lightheartedly, "About someone?"

Dark turned around with a frown on his face, "mom! I told you already-"

She cut him off and waved offhandedly, "I'm joking! It was a joke! My, you're tense today."

The boy gave a huff and headed up the stairs, Kosuke sighed, "Emiko-san, maybe you shouldn't have teased him."

The brunette merely smiled, "it's probably just a phase. He'll get over it. Though I wonder who he inherited such a short temper from."

Daisuke looked over at his mother nervously, he didn't want to answer the question and apparently no one else did. "I think I'll go up and start on my homework." It was a lie obviously, he never started until the sun was setting or even later.

He could hear his mother praise herself happily, "what wonderful children I've raised!"

It wasn't until Monday morning when Dark's suspicions came true. He awoke to a gray sky, it was going to start raining any moment now, he could tell. With a sigh, he dragged himself out of bed and to his chair where his uniform laid. Picking the clothes up, he then proceeded to drag his feet into the washroom, a minute later, there was a knock on the door telling him to hurry up. "Hnn…"

They really needed another bathroom upstairs. It was the same routine every morning. Dark dragged himself into the bathroom and Daisuke would be waiting outside a minute later. He shoved the toothbrush into his mouth and proceeded to put his uniform on, it was one advantage to sleeping in boxers. He often laughed at his little brother about sleeping in pajamas, but that was only in summer when it was actually warm in the mornings. During winter it was Daisuke's turn to laugh at him for his stupidity.

Finally finishing up, he walked out of the bathroom and headed back to his room to grab his things then headed down the stairs while the redhead headed into the bathroom. Once downstairs, he took a large gulp of his milk. After all, he needed all the calcium he could get. But he promptly choked on it and very nearly spat it all out when he saw his mother.

Emiko had indeed gone out and kidnapped some unsuspecting pretty boy, who was now standing in a stranger's kitchen, looking very, very confused and uncomfortable. Apparently, during the last few mornings, she had been researching her victims, narrowing them down one by one. Then, after deciding on the best time to put her little heist into action, she pounced. The boy looked around and blinked uncomfortably. His mother on the other hand, looked very smug when she greeted her son, "see, see Dark? Isn't he pretty?"

Even Dark had to admit the boy was pretty, he knew something pretty when he saw it. And the boy was pretty. With his long golden hair and confused, equally golden eyes, "mother…please don't tell me you nabbed him off the streets…" He was half surprised that his mother didn't tie the other boy to a chair, but then he noticed that the boy's wrist was cuffed to one of the drawers.

She looked slightly startled at the very idea, "Why Dark! How could you even think of me doing such a thing? If you must know, I 'nabbed' him the second he stepped out his door! You should know I plan better than that!"

He couldn't help but let out a groan. The boy was staring at him, probably expecting answers for everything that'd happened so far. He looked familiar, but that was the last thing on he wanted to deal with right now. He rubbed his temples, "I can't believe you went and kidnapped someone…"

She pouted and placed her hands on her hips, "I don't kidnap children! Why would I when I have two of my own?" That's what he wanted to know too. "I merely brought him back as evidence!"

It was around that time Daisuke made his way down the stairs, a similar look of incredulity set on his face. "Dark…please don't tell me she…"

Dark raised his hand, "don't say it, Dai."

"…excuse me, what am I doing here?" A quiet voice spoke up, silky smooth, causing them to avert their attention back to their hostage at hand. Them, being the brothers and mother. Kosuke and his father-in-law were happily chatting away as usual. Ignorance was bliss.

The brunette gave a happy smile, "you're just so adorable! I just brought you here to prove to Dark-chan that boy-"

He hastily interrupted his mother to prevent further embarrassment to anyone, specifically, himself. "Nothing! My mom's just a little crazy, that's all!"

She shot him one third disapproving, one third pouting look, and one third very smug look. "Don't be silly Dark, there's nothing to be embarrassed about."

"What do you mean there's nothing to be embarrassed about? There's plenty to be embarrassed about! Not that I'm the one who should be embarrassed! I'm not the one that just kidnapped-"

But his mother wasn't listening to him anymore, she was looking at the boy very happily, whereas the boy was probably still slightly dazed from getting kidnapped and handcuffed to a piece furniture. "So, what's your name? Are you hungry? Have you eaten breakfast yet?"

The blond shook his head slightly, he continued speaking in a hushed voice while Dark gave a huff and began eating his breakfast. "Hikari Krad…I just ate awhile ago…"

Amethyst eyes looked over, "Oh…" he said to himself when he remembered where he'd seen the other from. It was the new kid in his class, graduated university with an art major apparently. Stupid prodigies. Stupid oxymoron.

Daisuke snapped out of his dazed state when the doorbell rang, he blinked, wondering who would be at their door at such an early hour. He went and answered it, receiving a very surprising surprise, "Hikari-kun! What are you doing here?"

"Niwa?" He looked equally surprised, "…a woman just took off with my brother…I saw her come here," he explained very briefly. "Maybe I have the wrong house…"

For a few moments, he felt very stupid, the boy in their kitchen had just introduced himself as Hikari Krad and he'd been too stunned to make the connection. He gave a very nervous and embarrassed laugh, "No, you got the right house, the woman you saw…" he gave another weak laugh, "that was my mom…sorry."

"…oh."

The awkwardness was so thick it could've suffocated someone. He silently wondered, out of all people his mother could've kidnapped, why the strange transparent umbrella using, mind reading boy's brother? Hopefully he wasn't reading his mind while he thought that. "Yea…nice and awkward…would you like to come in? I'll explain everything."

Satoshi gave a small nod and stepped in, he was led to the kitchen to where the blonde was standing, "Krad?"

The said looked over and blinked, "Satoshi? What are you doing here?"

"I followed you…" there was a long pause, "and I find you here, attached to a drawer."

"Yea, that sounds about right…"

Daisuke averted eye contact, "Sorry about this…you see…mom kidnapped your brother because she wanted to show Dark-"

"Don't say it, Daisuke! If you say it, I'll personally hack your limbs off one by one and slap you with them." Dark glared at his brother as he finished off his glass of milk and set it down. He got up and put his dishes in the sink, "come on, let's go, we're going to be late for school."

Emiko had no protest as she undid the handcuff on the blond. She was still grinning happily like Dark usually did when he pulled off one of his 'brilliant' pranks, "yes, get going, you wouldn't want to be late for school now! It's raining outside so don't forget your umbrellas. Oh? You two don't have umbrellas?"

The brothers shook their heads, part of the reason being that the elder had been kidnapped before he could get one and the younger was too busy persuading his brother's kidnapper to bother getting one. Actually that was the whole reason, Dark gave a muffled groan along with an irritated sigh, "mother-"

She didn't bother listening to her son and happily exclaimed to the other, "That's okay! You can borrow ours!"

"Mother. In case you didn't notice, you've lost all the umbrellas out stalking or doing whatever you do. Only me and Daisuke's are left."

Placing her hands at her waist, she huffed, "then you two can share and you can give one of yours to those two, that's not a problem at all, now is it? Honestly! You really need to learn how to solve such simple problems by yourself!"

And that's how Dark was embarrassed in front of two strangers, by his own mother. He sighed again and headed for the door, "fine, fine, I'm in no mood to argue with you today, they can have my umbrella, it's bigger, I'll just share with Daisuke."

He slung his things over his shoulder and stuffed his feet into his shoes. A moment later the other three moved and followed his procedure. The blonde looked back slightly hesitantly and nodded, "thank you…" he didn't know why he was thanking the kidnapper woman for, but he was accustomed to thanking people after he'd been to their house.

"Such good manners too!" Emiko cooed and waved her hand offhandedly, she looked at her son, "Dark-chan, you should learn from him!"

Her son muttered something incoherent under his breath and headed out the door with the umbrellas. Once they had assembled outside, he passed his umbrella to the blond and opened his little brother's. "Come on Dai-chan, we're going to be late."

He heard the other umbrella open, without a word the other set of brothers began walking, slightly behind them, Daisuke shot his brother a look, how awkward the moment was. Dark rubbed his temples as raindrops splattered onto the surface of the umbrella, "hey…" the other two looked up from their quiet conversation, "I'm really sorry…I mean, about everything that happened just now…"

The blond answered just as quietly as he did in the house, "…it's alright."

The redhead smiled to himself, the elder of the two seemed nice enough, though he couldn't be sure about the mind reading one. But then again, with a brother like that, he was bound to be at least decent. He looked up at Dark. He could tell that his brother wasn't satisfied with just an apology, after all, their mother did kidnap the poor guy. It was a wonder how he wasn't foaming through the mouth already from shock and possibly a heart attack. Silently, he wondered what his brother was going to do to make up for it.

For the rest of the day, the voice which was no longer at the back of his mind just wouldn't shut up. He sighed and rested his head on his desk with a small thud, the girls in his class and several of his friends looked over at him, "hey Dark, you alright?"

"Yea…I've just had a really…weird morning to put it mildly." He glanced to the back of the class where the blond sat, staring aimlessly at the rainy sky, his mind didn't seem to be there at all. Perhaps he was still in shock from being snatched from the steps of his own home. Maybe he was terrified of Dark and probably his family now. The uncertainty and possible guilt ate away at him like hyenas at a gazelle. There was none of that civilized small bites stuff either, it ripped out chunks at a time, all while snickering snidely in that annoying way it did.

Near the end of class, he made up his mind as to what he was going to do. When the bell rang, he walked up to the blond, "hey…Krad, right?" It would've been so stupid if he had gotten his name wrong.

Golden eyes turned away from the window and to the speaker, he nodded, "Yes?"

"Do you think you'd want to come with me for a drink or something after school? My treat, as a," he shrugged, "you know, a way to apologize for this morning…with my mother nabbing you and all…"

Krad blinked, "you don't have to…"

"Please. It'd take a load off my conscience."

He cocked his head slightly, small bemused smile on his face, "alright then…if you really want to. But Satoshi…"

Dark rubbed the back of his neck and answered quickly, "I'll get Daisuke to walk him home or something."

"Well, if you're sure about it then alright."

Then the pencil that sat at the blonde's desk decided that it'd be fun to commit suicide by rolling off the table ledge. The two made a grab for it the second it hit the floor. Fingers brushing against each other not so lightly, Krad shrunk away first, sitting back up, looking at his fingers that had been stubbed against the other's. Dark passed him his pencil before shoving his hand into his pocket to hide any signs of pain he might've been feeling, "here you go."

"Thank you…"

"No problem, I'll go tell Daisuke. I'll meet you in the courtyard in ten, okay?" With that said, he collected his stuff and departed, leaving no room for argument. It was only outside the room, did he allow himself to stick his fingers in his mouth in attempt to ebb the pain away.

The blond sat there, wondering what had just happened.

As Dark trotted down the hallway, not really rushing, allowing people to gawk as he passed. He liked the attention, he tightened his grip on his pack handle, for some reason, his fingers still felt slightly heated where they came into contact with the blonde's hand.

Nya

And that's how Krad was abducted by a strange lady XP who would've thoguht the beginning of the semester would be so...busy o.O I didn't...I'm still working on my older fics though, so just...stay put? My brain's melted! Doujin music is awesome:D I think I'm going to stay up a little later to type today, I'm rather deprived...but that's just me :P enjoy