This is Yoshimori's POV, but this is going to be shorter than the last chapter.

Disclaimer: Kekkashi(blahblah)there.

Chapter 4

Is This The Beginning?

(Yoshi's POV)

I hadn't seen Gen in a few days. He was in school, but every time I tried to talk to him in the hall, he just...he seemed to run the other way.

Humph. Back to his old self that fast.

But then, something stuck me as odd. It was what Gen did after school.

He just seemed to distance himself away. I wondered if everything was okay, if he truly was returning back to his old self.

I mean, I was worried about him! Especially after what I did...

So I figured I may as well talk to him about it.

One afternoon, it was raining. I hate rain because it makes me feel all moody and depressed. I also forgot my umbrella, so I was walking home drenched and irritated. Not only that, but Tokine was giving me grief!

"Yoshimori, don't you even listen to the news? It said it was going to be chilly and raining? And if you get sick, what about Karasumori?" she persisted.

I gave her a sideways look. I love Tokine dearly, but sometimes, I wished she would hear herself talk. Then she'd have an idea of what I had to go through with her.

And besides, I was still thinking about Gen, so everything she was telling me was sorta going in one ear and out the other.

I noticed he left particularly early today, and I hoped he was okay. I know he hates the rain just as much as me. But he looked deep in thought, like he had other things to worry about.

When Tokine walked down the block to her home, I stopped, waited until she rounded the corner, and ran the other way, I saw Gen going to the playground.

When I reached the entrance, just as I figured, there was Gen. He was sitting alone on the park bench, his cell in his hand.

And if I didn't know any better, I'd think he looked...confused.

I approached him, and Gen looked up at me with his usual attitude

Well, damn.

"Gen-"

Before I even got out the rest of the sentence, he abruptly stood up.

"Shut up, Yoshimori."

What the-? He was starting to get under my skin now.

It was at that moment I realize I was no longer standing near Gen.

I turned, and I saw him on the seesaw. I wanted to talk to him, but I had to remember- this is Gen Shisho.

"Why, you little- Gen, get back here!" I yelled, running after him. Again, he stopped, and this time, turned fully to face me.

"What do you want, Yoshimori?" he hissed.

I wasn't fazed. I was very used to his tough-guy facade.

"Gen, are you okay?" I asked, a little curious about the last few days.

He looked away, and after five minutes, said, "Yeah."

I never let my gaze fall off his face. I know something is wrong with him, and he knew it, too. I wasn't going to stop until he told me the truth.

Man, getting Gen to open up will take awhile, but patience is a virtue. Something neither one of us have.

"Gen, seriously, what's going on? You've been acting weird the last few days." I said, my voice a bit more softer.

He growled at me, and screamed, "Damn,Yoshimori! Can I get through one day without everyone asking me these sappy questions? I'm fine, okay? Stop asking me!"

I was in utter shock. Gen was, too. He began to slowly back away from me, and I was still kind of...stuck there.

"Yoshimori...get away from me." he muttered.

I took a step forward.

"Gen,no-"

"NO! Go away, Yoshimori!" he screamed at me.

I wasn't listening. I kept on advancing.

Gen's claws suddenly came out That never fazed me, either. I know Gen. If he wanted me dead, he would've dome it weeks ago. He knew it, too.

"Yoshimori. This is my last warning. Get the hell away, or I'll rip your jugular out of your scrawny neck!" he cussed.

You would think I would've stopped.

But that was just it. I couldn't.

Luckily, it was just us, and it was getting late. All I focused on was Gen. He was hurting, and I wanted to know why. I had to...do something. I had to...be near him, to touch him. I don't know.

"YOSHIMORI!"

I walked until the tip of his claws were just barely grazing my neck.

"Go ahead, Gen. Do it." I challenged. I stood my ground.

Gen stared at me hard. And again, it wasn't strange to me. I kinda...I missed these times.

His glare was nothing to me, either. Those eyes were a very nice shade of gray, and they had his fierce power and will to live shining in them

"I'm waiting, Gen Shisho."

Gen's hand was beginning to shake. I reached up and took his hand. He wasn't going to do anything. I know him.

"Gen, please. I'm only worried. What's wrong?" I asked , almost pleading with him to stop.

Gen dropped his hand, his claws slowly returning back. He sighed heavily, and began to head back to the park bench. I followed him, sitting down next to him.

"Yoshimori, I'm sorry. I... I don't-"

He was stammering, mainly to himself. It was very-and I mean very-rare that Gen ever apologized to anyone, let alone me.

I looked up at the sky. It was just beginning to turn to evening. Pretty soon, Gramps would be wondering where I am...and go into a fit about it.

Well, it'll be okay. I have to worry about Gen.

I looked over at Gen again, and I saw that he was looking back. That caught me off guard for a minute

"Gen?"

"Yoshimori, I did it. I told him." he spoke, breaking my thought. His voice was so soft, I had to lean over a little to hear him.

"Told what to who?"

He took a deep breath, then looked to the sky as well.

"I told Masamori. About us."

I gasped, and I stared at Gen.

Out of all the- MASAMORI?

"When did Masamori show up? Why?" I demanded.

I mean, I love my big brother, but...he's Masamori. That was the whole issue!

I think I thought aloud, because Gen suddenly jumped up.

"Well, dammit Yoshimori! Who was I supposed to tell?"

I did, too, getting up in his face.

"I don't know! Anybody but him!"

Gen shook his head.

"You're being selfish, you damn bastard."

I smacked the demon out of him. Please don't ask why. He... he lied. I love him, and I just want to know what was wrong with him!

"Gen, don't ever say that. You're lucky I care about you even this much, because not a lot of people do!"

How I wish I could take that back.

Gen was standing there with a shocked expression on his face, and I knew I was mirroring his image.

"Yoshimori...is all that true?" he asked, his lips moving in a slow fashion.

I shook my head no.

Dammit! Me and my big mouth!

"No, Gen! I really do love you, but you keep blocking me out! I don't know what to do, I can't even seem to get through to you!" I cried out, out of ideas or options.

He nodded, then he did something so unexpected.

He hugged me.

I stood there, confused. He never, ever touched me like this, so for him to hug me...

"Gen?"

Gen shook his head again, resting his head on my shoulder. After I'd gotten over my initial shock, I wrapped my arms about him, too.

I had no idea a half-ayakashi could be so comfortably warm and soft like this. It was something about Gen I just never felt.

"Gen, tell me the truth." I pleaded softly into his ear.

Gen never pulled away from me, and I didn't pull from him. He let out a sigh, his breath hot against my cheek.

"Yoshimori, I-I'm confused. I don't...I don't know what's going on with me." he explained.

"Gen, why? Because you love a boy?" I asked flatly.

I mean, maybe it was harder for Gen because he could never get close to anyone, and vice-versa. But he should never have to feel like this.

"Gen, do you feel alone?"

He nodded, burying his face deeper into my shoulder.

"Why?"

Gen didn't answer for a few seconds, and I thought he had fallen asleep. Then, he spoke.

"I guess... I'm a half-ayakashi, and I'm gay, Yoshimori. I don't...I think I..." He stopped, his words failing him.

But even so, I understood him perfectly.

I felt his weight grow heavier, and I told Gen to stand up so I could get him home. It was a good thing his complex was only one and a half blocks away. Gen was staggering all over the place as we walked.

Finally, we reached Gen's apartment. I fished around for his key, him too tired to do it. Opening the door, I led him straight to his bedroom, took off his shoes and his uniform shirt, and helped him into bed. He sank into it almost immediately

"Gen, go to sleep. We'll talk tomorrow."

Gen looked up at me with a really strange expression before he had the faintest smile grace his features.

"Yoshimori, I...I'm confused..." he muttered sleepily.

I smiled back, reaching over to run my fingers in his spiky hair. He sighed contently, then he closed his eyes.

"Yoshimori...is this it?" he said, his voice faint and slurred. Boy, was he tired. Forget Karasumori; he was staying home tonight.

"Is what it?"

Gen was asleep by then.

I turned to head out of the room, everything replaying in my mind.

Gen hugged me. He really...he actually came into contact with me...

I was happy now. If I wanted to understand Gen completely, I have to give him time. I know he's not used to love, but he needs to know he's never alone.

"...yoshimori...stay..."

I froze, then turned. Gen was sitting up, his eyes half-lidded. He was really tired.

I walked over to him. I sat down on his bed, and he laid down on his pillow. He was smiling that same tiny, adorable smile.

"...thank you...Yoshimori..." he trailed off, his eyes falling closed again.

I took off my shoes and tossed them next to Gen's. Then,I called Tokine to tell her that me and Gen weren't going to Karasumori tonight. She said not to worry because they weren't expecting Kaguro and his army anytime soon. I was so glad she understood. I have to talk to her about this soon.

After I hung up, I put me cell in my schoolbag and set it down next to me. Then, for a reason I don't even want to fathom at the moment, I got into bed next to Gen.

'Gen, I think this might just the a new beginning for us...but only time will tell.'

Gen was fast asleep, his chest still rising and falling perfectly. He was so beautiful, and he just didn't know...he didn't know.

"Gen..."

I smiled again, and got off bed to turn out the lights. Then, I laid back down, and I just listened.

Listened to Gen's breathing, listened to mine.

Listened to his heartbeat. His heart.

The one thing Gen always says he never has.

I wondered how long it would take Gen to realize he has the biggest heart any half-ayakashi I've ever met.

I think it would take some time.

A lot of it.

So, that's Chapter Four.

Sorry for the late update. I had writer's block, and I got caught up working on other fanfics.

Anyway, I hope you like, and do leave reviews! No Flames, please!

See ya soon!

:)