-Hatsuharu's Pov-

Haru Knew that something was up the moment he saw Kyo. The fire was gone from his eyes, the anger just… disappeared. His shoulders were slumped, his head was bowed, he walked as if he was invisible, or wanted to be.

"Kyo." Haru Jogged over to his feline mate. "It's been a while sense we've sparred, what are you doing after school?" Kyo never gave up the chance to fight.

Kyo smiled apologetically and shook his head. "I'm afraid I won't be able to today, sorry Haru."

That wasn't at all the response Haru expected. When had Kyo been so…polite? "Hey, what's going on?" Haru cocked his head.

"Nothing." Kyo shrugged. He looked…pained. "Just busy after school today."
"With what? Does Kazuma have you doing something?" Kyo visably flinched after Kazuma's name and the cow's worry grew. 'The hell is going on?'

"Just busy." Kyo said, though it came out more of a whisper.

Most of the students had made it to class, which left Kyo and Haru alone in the hallway. Haru stepped closer to Kyo, who didn't seem to notice. Then in a fluid motion grabbed his hand and pulled up his sleeve.

Kyo jumped back, eyes wide, he quickly yanked his sleeve back down. He looked…scared. Haru had already seen it though, and he stood, frozen in a moment of shock. The cuts that spread down Kyo's arm were more like claw marks, so deep, so long. "Kyo…"

"It's fine." The cat snapped, though lacking any passion. "I'm fine Haru."
"Kyo that's not fine." Haru tried to keep his anger down. 'Can't he see he's hurting the people around him?' "You need to tell Kazuma. You need to get help."
Kyo opened his mouth to say something more, then simply looked at the ground. He mumbled something under his breath and Haru leaned closer to hear. "Nothing can help me." The cat looked up at Haru, and Haru swore he could see tears in his eyes.

"Just tell me what's going on." Hatsuharu pleaded. "I can find someone to help."

"I can't tell you!" Kyo breathed. "I can't tell anyone. Please." He looked straight into Haru's eyes. "Please don't let Kazuma find out."

Haru nodded. He didn't want to press the issue, at least not right now. He would have to find some other way to help his cousin.

After school Haru headed to Kazuma's dojo. He would keep his promise and not tell Kazuma about Kyo's cuts, but he still needed to find out what was happening.

"Hatsuharu!" Kazuma looked up. "What a surprise, I haven't seen you in months." The man let out a smile, but it seemed empty.

"Hey" Haru nodded. "I wanted to talk to you about Kyo."
Kazuma's smile fell, replaced by sadness, like he was remembering something that happened long ago. "Yes…"

Haru wasn't really sure what to make of it. "Where is he?"

Kazuma let out a deep sigh, closing his eyes. "I'm not really sure to be honest. He made a choice and I'm respecting it, though I'm not sure I understand."
"What do you mean?" Haru pulled up a stool for himself and Kazuma.

"I got a note from Akito yesterday, Kyo expressed a desire to leave this place, and there's not much I can do about it. I don't know where he is or how to find him. Akito warned me not to contact him and to be honest there isn't much I can do."
"You can't just go to school to see him?" Haru asked, he couldn't imagine Kyo ever asking to leave Kazuma's house.

"There was…" Kazuma looked down. "If I try to contact Kyo Akito threatened to have his confinement early."

Haru didn't say anything, rather, he didn't know what to say. Wherever Kyo was it was killing him but, what could Haru do about it? He reached out a hand and placed it on Kazuma's shoulder. "I will bring him back." Haru looked at his teacher's eyes. "I promise, I will bring him back. I won't let him stay in the shadows."

Kazuma placed a hand over Haru's and nodded. "Save my son." He whispered. "I don't care if he ever sees me again just… make sure he's okay."

Haru left the dojo, heading to the main house. If anyone aside from Akito knew where Kyo was, it would be Hatori.