Secrets: Chapter Four

By Valandra

Zorra: *SQUEE!*

Pulling into the Koji manner, Shin parked beside a very familiar jeep. He killed the engine with a heavy sigh and took a moment to stare up at the walls that had sheltered him that…memorable summer. 'I think I honestly never expected to see them again.'

"Alright there bud?" Shin blinked and looked up see Shu's head leaning in the back seats; he and Sejii had already climbed out and were waiting on him. Eyes locked with Shu's, seeing the other's honest yet restrained concern, Shin smiled faintly and nodded after a moment.

"Fine," he assured, before turning and climbing out of the car. "Just…remembering." Closing the car door, he looked at both of his old comrades with a calm sense of peace. He was surprised with himself, with his lack of reaction to returning to this place. Even knowing the others were inside and were in for a bigger surprise then he was yesterday, he didn't feel panicked or anxious. Just…an unexpected peace. 'How…strange. And…interesting.'

His two companions were silent, giving him his moment to recollect and compose himself. When he was ready to move forward, he popped the trunk and moved beyond Shu in order to grab his bag. "I suppose you two have a plot already?" Straightening and closing the trunk, he arched a brow at Shu's honestly curious expression, and continued smoothly to rest his gaze on Seiji. When the blond merely inclined his head, Shin rolled his eyes and motioned the two forward.

~What are you plotting?~

~Nothing much. Shall we?~ Lips twitching, Seiji turned at Shin's motion and led the way to the manner himself.

Unable and unwilling to believe the blond, Shu just shared a look with Shin before following; the red-head was a few steps behind. Stopping in the entry way to remove his shoes, Shin paused as Touma's irritated voice in the hall caught his attention. 'I guess Seiji announced our arrival already.'

"-guys been? I thought you'd gone ahead of me, only to get here and find out no one's heard from either of you!"

Shin rolled his eyes as he slipped his feet into the pair of slippers Shu had pulled out for him, and secured his duffel over his shoulder, against his back. 'Now I see your game. Thanks Seiji, I really wanted to be put on the spot here.' Releasing an aggravated sigh, Shin shrugged and decided to play along-what other option did he have, that would be as fun?

Suppressing most of his smirk, Shin hovered just around the corner from the gathering. He waited for Touma to pause for breath before speaking up and making himself known. "I suppose I should be grateful you didn't try to gift-wrap me as well?" He asked in a very droll tone before walking around the corner. Seiji looked as unruffled as ever, Shu slightly exasperated, and Touma, Shin's lips twitched, was gape-mouthed.

"A ribbon around your throat would have been a nice touch," a disembodied voice spoke up from beyond Touma. Shin felt his lips twitch and curve into a genuine smile as Ryo walked around Touma to join them. He was relieved to see the young leader looking whole and hearty. It was…an immense relief, greater then Shin had anticipated.

Catching Shin's eyes, Ryo just grinned and continued, his arms crossing over his chest. "Though I guess that would have been too much. Even for Seiji."

Seiji just shrugged and gave the red-head's bare throat a curious, scrutinizing look. "Perhaps if he'd been ready to bolt…." he conceded thoughtfully. He didn't continue though, sharp violet eyes narrowing faintly as something caught their attention.

"…Shin?" Touma finally stammered out, still staring at the shorter boy in disbelief.

When Shin bobbed his head in affirmation, a strangled sound escaped Seiji's lips and he stepped forward before Touma could, much to the group's surprise and Shin's quick irritation. Irritation that flared when Seiji's hands went for his throat and followed despite his flinch back.

Eyes narrowed and expression tight, Shin growled quietly as Seiji peeled his shirt collar back, and grabbed the blonde's wrist. "What are you doing?" Shin demanded; Seiji once more refused to release him.

One of the others voiced an agreement; it wasn't like Seiji to invade another's personal space like that. Before Shin could go for pressure points, as he had with Shu, Seiji's free hand brushed over a tender spot of flesh. It drew a quiet hiss from Shin as he realized just what had caught the blonde's attention.

Seiji pulled his hand back as if burned and lifted demanding eyes to Shin's. "What the hell is that?"

Before Shin could think beyond his anger and, beneath that, embarrassment, to answer, Touma stepped just behind Seiji and spoke. "Looks like a hicky," he observed, tone a mixture of amusement and disapproval.

Seiji's expression just darkened. "It looks like someone tried to rip a chunk out," he corrected, guarded eyes still locked on Shin. His thoughts however, were in much more of a disarray. 'It's new, fresh, still tender given his reaction. Why would he let anyone…I could feel the teeth marks!' Seiji gave no expression or reaction as random thoughts and pieces fell together at once, on the heels of that conscious thought.

'Mid-upper class apartment, potentially the only renter. His mother's still in Hagi, I spoke with her a few weeks ago myself…why didn't I remember that sooner? He said he moved a year ago. If she's still healthy…why hasn't she been passing on our messages, his mail? If they've had a falling out…how is he supporting himself? He's still in high school!' Most of it, he and Shu had discussed that morning. But now…the facts were taking a different turn in his mind, in light of his newest discovery. 'Was this who he was to meet yesterday, when Shu and I found him? Where he disappeared to after his and Shu's argument this morning?'

Shin blinked as his hand was grabbed, his emotions instantly cooling as he was pulled away from the three pairs of intense, demanding eyes. "Lay off him guys," Ryo rather cheerfully rebuked his friends as he dragged Shin through the hall towards the kitchen and bar. "Act like they've never seen a bite before," he muttered, shaking his head. "Nasuti was finishing some veggie and sushi rolls before you pulled up. Hungry?"

Blinking twice more, Shin nodded faintly, speechless as he stared at his former leader, following where he led. He frowned after a moment, hearing the noise of Nasuti's movements. "Wait…you weren't surprised at all." Already certain of that fact, the grin Ryo shot him reconfirmed what his empathy hadn't picked up earlier. Before he could even think to ask how, he felt his awareness of Ryo's presence pulse. He pouted to keep from blushing. "You sensed me…? Even after so long?"

Ryo just shrugged, watching where they were going rather then the red-head. "You've always been the easiest of the group for me to sense." Shin just hummed in response. As they stepped into the kitchen, Ryo thought he caught a "likewise" before he caught Nasuti's attention.

"Didn't I tell you they had a good reason for being late?" Even with her back turned towards them, both boys could feel her roll her eyes.

"Of course you did." Could she have a more patronizing, adult tone? When she turned around and blinked at the two, Shin arched a curious brow when nothing immediately followed. However, as he raised his free hand to wave, she arched her own brow and shifted her hips. "Still doesn't explain why we never got a call."

Greeting released in a huff of breath, Shin dropped his hand and gave the ceiling a martyred look. Ryo just laughed and pulled him forward, grinning unrepentantly at Nasuti. "Give him a break. Sounded like it was Seiji's idea anyways. And…." Ryo paused and gave his hand a squeeze before releasing it to turn and look at him. "I'd wager he's been driving for a few hours." He inclined his head towards Shin's hands before the red-head could question him. "Mine tremble too, after gripping a wheel for too long."

Shin couldn't do more then shake his head at the dark-haired young man, impressed and yet not surprised by the observations. 'Still as sharp as ever. …After the second war started, he wouldn't accept any less from himself. A true leader in spirit…with a heart strong enough to support it.' Sighing only because he knew it wouldn't be questioned, Shin held his hands up in surrender. "You're right, of course. But neither of them would have fit in my bike's compartments…."

It earned him an outright surprised laugh from Ryo, and even a few covered chuckles from Nasuti. He managed a small smile as the…young woman, 'Twenty-one…just a couple months ago now,' motioned both of them to the bar. She was already setting out the rolls, and Shin felt his stomach tighten in anticipation and appreciation.

Taking a seat, Ryo resisted the urge to frown when Shin made a point of doing up the top button of his collared shirt before dropping his bag at the foot of the stool between them and taking his own seat. Not that he wasn't curious, but he hadn't been intending to sneak a peak either; it just reminded him of their still absent friends. ~You guys going to stand out there bickering all evening?~ Taking some rolls filled with shrimp, Ryo spoke his thanks and, for all appearances was oblivious to the curiously confused expression marring the flesh around Shin's eyes.

~I'm serious Ryo, this is serious. You can't just brush it off!~

Eyes momentarily hidden behind raven bangs, Ryo rolled them at the petulant tone. Well…petulant on anyone else; on Seiji, it sounded just down-right put-out. ~I don't really give a damn at the moment, one way or the other. Unless your entire goal a minute ago was to see if he really would bolt. Personally, I thought he looked more willing to break your nose or cheek-bone.

~REGARDLESS,~ he stressed the word to all three. ~We're going to finish the sushi rolls off without you. Take too much longer, and we'll move onto the veggie rolls next.~ Oh yes, he definitely had Shin's unseen attention. 'I wonder….' Shutting his thoughts off from the others, effectively ignoring what amounted to nothing more the grumbling, Ryo propped an elbow up on the counter and dropped his head to rest on his hand as he chewed and swallowed. Eyes curtained as if in thought, he watched Shin curiously from the edge of his gaze. ~…Shin?~ He reached out, brushing that brilliant presence he'd felt before the trio even had the manner in sight. ~Do you hear me?~

Shin canted his head curiously, as if trying to catch some way-word sound that just scarcely registered. But it was short-lived, and he smoothly returned to the quiet conversation he and Nasuti had started without Ryo's notice. Ryo swallowed back the disappointed sigh that wanted to escape. 'He's as comfortable with that top button done up as Seiji is,' he thought, suppressing a gag. 'Irritating. Must be from growing up "proper". …I wonder if he packed any ties….'

Controlled chaos soon interrupted their quiet peace, and Ryo reconsidered his decision to get everyone in the same room again so soon. Shin didn't appear tense, but Ryo knew better; though they weren't hounding him, the three already had him surrounded once more. ~Guys…,~ he growled warningly.

But Seiji wouldn't, couldn't let it drop. ~We think he's been selling himself Ryo.~

Mental hum of agreement from Shu. ~We may have interrupted a meeting with a client when we ran into him yesterday. I've never seen him loose his temper like that before.~

The trio disregarded the chocked sound that came from their leader, as he reached for the pineapple soda Nasuti had distributed after the plates. At Shin's arched brow, he grinned sheepishly. "Went down wrong."

~He's been living where he is for a year now,~ Touma chimed in, once he was certain Ryo was still breathing. ~Even if he didn't "get into the business" once he moved there, he was still jail-bait. He's just barely of age as it is!~

Setting his soda back down, Ryo stood with an aggravated groan and waved the others back. "Sorry, sudden headache. I'll be back in a minute."

Shin frowned after the raven-haired young man, concerned for the suddenness of the pain. 'Could have been caused by chocking on his food…but I doubt it. Not with the high buzz of energy in here. …And it's still growing,' he thought, suppressing his own groan. He tightened his grip on his own senses, knowing he'd suffer the same otherwise. But he refused to cut himself off entirely; he wouldn't be taken by surprise again. 'This is going to be a loooong night.'

"Hey Shin!" Ryo yelled from halfway up the stairs. "Why don't you grab your bag and come up with me?" Nasuti couldn't help but shake her head in exasperation. Nineteen in a couple of months and still unbroken of such a bad habit. 'Oh well,' she sighed, letting it go. 'Not like he's hurting anyone this time. Except himself.'

Though he was aggravated at the sense of relief Ryo's summons caused him, Shin leaned over the stool to grab his bag as he stood nonetheless. "It was delicious Nasuti, thank you." Though he didn't beat a hasty retreat, he didn't dally long enough for one of the others to get it into their heads to tag along either.

He caught up with Ryo in the upstairs bathroom, where the raven-haired youth was replacing a bottle of Advil. He thought about calling him on the fact that he was acting like a buffer, but decided against it. Shin was as grateful for it as he was aggravated by the necessity, but he also knew it would open the door on his part, for Ryo to press with his own questions. He snorted silently as he followed Ryo down the hall. 'As if he's not already been designated. Damn it….' He refused to consider his decision to come to the reunion a bad one.

"Assignments get rearranged?" Shin asked curiously. They'd already passed his and Shu's old shared room.

"Um, yeah," Ryo answered slowly, a touch sheepish. "Weren't sure you were gonna make it, so…. Seiji and Shu bunked up, and Touma's with me. Though he's using his and Seiji's old room as an impromptu study…. You wouldn't believe the summer work he brought with him!" Shin couldn't help but laugh. Turning down the hall that led to Ryo's old room, Shin made a surprised sound when they stopped two doors down. "It's got a wonderful view of the lake," Ryo informed as he opened the door. "Nasuti got it ready, hoping you'd make it."

It was arranged near identical to Ryo's room, including the open double windows that led out to the balcony. Even with the sun setting, or perhaps because of it, the lake painted a beautiful backdrop. Shin stood motionless and drank in the sight with awe. He hadn't been so close to a natural body of water since he'd moved. How he longed to just dump his things and go straight out to his element….

Moving further into the room, he set his bag on the bed he intended to sleep in and sighed. "I told Shu and Seiji…I never received any of your letters. …I'm…sorry Ryo," he murmured the last, turning around slowly to face the raven-haired youth.

A dark brow rose over a brilliant blue eye, and Ryo tilted his head. "Didn't you put in a forwarding address?"

Shin nodded and took a heavy seat on the edge of his bed, his hands on the bed beside his hips. "I did…though now I wonder…." Across from him, unseen though it was felt, Ryo frowned before taking a seat on the second bed. He leaned forward to rest his arms on his legs as he waited for Shin to continue. Sighing softly, resigned to a conversation and revelations that he knew would happen when he decided to come, Shin leaned forward and practically mirrored Ryo's position, except that he was more weighed down then expectant.

"I put it in back in Hagi, the day I left. Mother and I had…had a bit of a falling out, you could say. …I'm wondering now, if she pulled the form…and has been forwarding what she chooses to…."

Still frowning, Ryo waited for a minute before speaking. "Why would she do that? What happened Shin?"

Curling his fingers between his knees, Shin took another moment before answering. "She…didn't approve of my moving so far from her and Sayoko…. Or for taking Suiko so far from Hagi."

That caught Ryo by surprise. "She knows…?"

"Aa," Shin nodded, a sort of pained expression on his face when he looked up. "She taught me the legends and lore. As well as the traditions. She knew before I could tell her, when Suiko had claimed me. She was happy for me then…."

"…But now?" Ryo prompted as the silence drew out.

Shin just shook his head. "Resentful, I suppose. Not of the tradition, but that the legend has taken her only son from her. Sayoko's husband married into the family, so the line will continue and house be upheld, but…." Closing his eyes, Shin just shook his head. "She doesn't approve. But really…she doesn't understand. It's not something we can walk away from. Otherwise…the yoroi would be dormant."

Sighing once more, Shin straightened and looked towards Ryo. "My moving out was just the final straw for her tolerance. I guess she thought that if I was cut off entirely from you guys…. I don't know, that I'd go back." He shrugged faintly, but Ryo knew there was something more to what Shin was saying.

However, he asked something else first. "You told her about us?"

Shin tipped his head faintly, surprised by the question. "Well, she met Shu and Seiji when I came to see her after the first war, remember? I think it was a relief to her, to know that Suiko wasn't the only yoroi of legend."

After a few minutes of silence, Ryo straightened and released a heavy breath. "Well, I think it's safe to assume she doesn't approve of us anymore, at least. We've all spoken to her, on one occasion or another, and she never once mentioned you'd moved. Just that you'd get back to us when you had the time."

Shin flinched as if the words were a physical blow…but the pain behind them was much worse. "I swear Ryo," he breathed, head bowed and hands clutching his knees. "I never knew. I thought…."

Silence, then a sudden, unexpected touch to his cheek, lifting his head up and Shin was stunned; he hadn't even noticed Ryo move. "You thought what she wanted. That we weren't trying." Ryo sighed and brushed red locks back behind Shin's ear. "You didn't exactly make it easy on us, you know." Again, Shin flinched but Ryo wouldn't let him drop his gaze this time. "You ran from the manner in the middle of the night Shin."

Shin opened and closed his mouth, but nothing came out. He…wasn't ready to talk about it, not yet. Not on top of discussing his mother. On top of learning the friends he thought had cut him off, had been trying harder to get in touch with him then he could have imagined.

Pulling out of Ryo's hold carefully, Shin turned his head aside. "I'm sorry Ryo. I think I should turn in early. It's been…a very long day."

Sighing, a touch disappointed yet understanding that he'd pushed the boy as far as he could, Ryo stepped back with a nod. "Alright. I'll keep the others downstairs. You'll be down for breakfast?"

Shin nodded once, but he couldn't bring himself to meet the other's gaze. "Of course. I'll see you in the morning." He didn't move until he heard the click of the door latch, and then all he did was collapse back onto the bed, thoroughly exhausted.

And yet, when he closed his eyes, visions of violet-blue eyes, blue-white lightening and a sharp touch like spider's legs combing through his spirit was all that his psyche promised him. 'Can't I have a break from the dreams? Just this one night….'

TBC