a/n: Wow! More reviews! More reviews = more inspiration.

a/n: Also, while this story wasn't meant to be taken seriously, I didn't realize how ridiculous it was. Not funny really. Just...silly, I guess. Anyway, let's keep going, shall we?

Tired Angel

Chapter 4: Kazuki, the Pervert

-grocery store...

Juubei had stopped to admire some cantaloupes, but he knew that Kazuki was nearby. He could easily distinguish his presence from the presence of ordinary people. And from the feel of things, Kazuki was over by the grapes.

"Well, if it isn't the young beauty from yesterday," someone said. "You're looking even more stunning than the last time I lay my eyes on you."

(That is the man who harassed Kazuki yesterday at the Honky Tonk,) Juubei thought.

Kazuki had opened his mouth to say something when the guy interrupted.

"Wait. Please. Let me say my piece. I couldn't help noticing that the guy you were with yesterday is blind," the stranger began.

Juubei pulled out a single needle and held it at the ready.

"For such beauty to be wasted on someone who can't even see it should be a crime," the guy went on.

Juubei stopped short. Perhaps this fellow was right. He never saw his sudden blindness as a hindrance, but he could no longer look upon the person he cared about most in this world.

"But that's exactly what you can't seem to understand," Kazuki told the man. "Our relationship isn't based on a beauty that you can see."

Juubei nodded to himself when he heard Kazuki's explanation.

"How touching. I'd like to get my hands on that beauty that I can't see," the guy said.

Juubei knew this was a bad sign. With every bit of his being concentrated on the protection of his dear friend, he sent his needle flying into the assailant's hand before things got carried away.

Juubei quickly went to the Master of Strings. "Have you been harmed?"

"No. I think I'm ready to leave though," Kazuki said. As they made their way toward the check-out, Kazuki chuckled a little. "You really shouldn't have done that. You could be charged with assault."

Juubei stopped Kazuki in his tracks and grabbed him by the shoulders. Yet he didn't say anything at first.

"Juubei, what is it?"

"Kazuki, please bear with me. I have something I would like to say," Juubei began. He paused for a moment.

"Struck blind. Without sight,

Still impossible to miss.

You are beautiful."

"Oh, Juubei, a haiku. You're so old-world," Kazuki said.

"A person who is so kind and patient and strong. You will always be beautiful in my eyes," Juubei added.

The Needle Master must have forgotten where they were because the applause around them stunned him a bit.

The shorter man pulled Juubei along.

-back at Kazuki's place...

"Making such a scene in public," Kazuki said as he put away the groceries. "I never thought I'd see the day."

"It was all in your honor. I could not let that man put his hands on you," Juubei said.

"Not that. I was talking about the little speech you gave."

Juubei blushed a little.

"I'm really glad that you said that. I've been wondering about it," Kazuki went on to say.

"What is there to wonder about? You are even more beautiful to me now than when I possessed the sense of sight," Juubei told him plainly.

"Oh, Juubei. I l-" Kazuki began. He stopped suddenly and looked away. "I should get breakfast ready." The smaller man quickly walked toward the stove. (What was I about to say? What am I thinking? He's under the impression that we're simply best friends. And honestly Juubei has never been much in the 'feelings' department, though he did just announce to a whole store that he thinks I'm beautiful.) He sighed as he pulled out a frying pan.

"Kazuki. Please understand," the blind man murmured, standing directly behind Kazuki now.

The Thread Master was startled and nearly dropped the frying pan. Must he always completely lose his senses when alone with Juubei?

"I am here to protect you from harm and yet I sense that something is bothering you," Juubei went on. "I...I feel useless... How can I protect you when I don't know what I'm up against?"

Kazuki smiled and gave a weary sigh. "Juubei, Juubei, sweet Juubei." He finally put the frying pan down and turned to his dearest friend, placing a hand upon the taller man's shoulder. "Thank you... Your concern for me is reassuring, but unwarranted. You should calm down."

"I am calm."

"Go and take a shower while I cook breakfast. I'm sure I have some clothes that will fit you. We can go out to get your clothes a little later today. Right now what you need is a good meal and perhaps a movie," Kazuki told him. But as soon as he said it, he regretted it. (Would a man who was recently struck blind get enjoyment out of a movie?)

A small smile formed on the Needle User's lips. "I would like that. Thank you, Kazuki." The taller man left the room.

And this suddenly gave the Master of Strings an idea. A villainous idea it was, but he had to go through with it. He'd been so frustrated recently and he hadn't had much sleep last night, so that frustration doubled. Juubei was right in assuming that there was something bothering his long-haired friend, but the Needle Handler had no idea that he was the source of the problem.

After mixing some pancake batter, putting on some sausage links and cutting up some fruit, Kazuki went to his room and grabbed some clothes that would suit Mr. Kakei. He hugged the clothes to him and sighed. (Please forgive me Juubei for what I'm about to do.) Knowing full well that Juubei wouldn't bother locking the bathroom door, Kazuki braved the journey to the bathroom and opened the door as quietly as he could.

The clear shower curtain did nothing to hide the features behind it. Kazuki could see everything like there was nothing there at all. And what a form it was. Juubei always wore over-sized clothes, so the only thing he normally saw were those well-defined forearms. Besides swimming together when they were young, the only other time the Master of Strings saw anything was during their hot springs trip. Now he was getting an eyeful of rigid upper arms, a lean back, muscular hips and long, sturdy legs as the taller man shampooed his hair.

The Thread Spinner licked his lips, unable to tear his eyes away. Ah, there lay all of Juubei's manliness, a part of him Kazuki was sure he would never get to see. Its size was almost alarming, even in its calm state. The Thread Master, however, was far from a calm state. His pulse was pounding in his ears, his entire body flushed and there was a bit of a strain in his own lower region. Kazuki's gaze fell back upon those glorious hips and he was beginning to get new ideas for his fantasies.

"There's that feeling again," Juubei said. "That aura."

(Is he talking to himself?) Kazuki wondered as he tried not to breathe.

"Are you alright, Kazuki?"

(H-how? Has he known I was here this whole time?)

Juubei stuck his head out from behind the shower curtain as if he could see Kazuki standing there. "Have you come all this way to bring the clothes?"

Kazuki stifled a laugh. (He probably thinks that the shower curtain is opaque. Poor Juubei.) He cleared his throat. "Yes. I'll hang them on the towel rack."

"Are you feeling well? Your voice sounds...different," Juubei told him.

"You worry too much. I'm fine. I'll go and finish breakfast. And in the meantime, I'll wash and dry your usual clothes," the shorter man said, picking up Juubei's things off the floor and hurrying out of the bathroom.

-To Be Continued...

a/n: Wow, that haiku was all kinds of lame. Sorry.