Chapter 9: Pain of Remembering
Toichi heard the boy agree with him and almost wanted to smile. "Well, I never left the others until you came for me so maybe ask them when you get back. See if they remember something I don't."
"I plan on it." Konosuke was sure the two of them would be fine at his house. Memories of his son or not, Toichi wasn't a bad person and he was sure the boy could easily handle any emergency situation with the neighbor's help. "Take it easy though."
Saguru nodded. "I will make sure he does." He looked up and saw his father make an odd face, like he was both confused and smiling at the same time.
Konosuke left both at the house to return to work. "I'll leave a note for your brother if he doesn't come back before I leave. I work most of the day though so you won't see me until eight or so. Take care of yourselves." He didn't feel at all hesitant about leaving the two almost strangers in his house as he returned to the factory.
Toichi looked down at the boy again as they walked in, watching him look around and nodding as he mentioned the location of things for him to find as well as describing Mrs Fujimine, their neighbor. "Her daughter and son-in-law sometimes comes by so do not be surprised if they are there."
"I am sure it will be alright. You should sit or lay down at least. When I have a headache or get dizzy, you would pick me up; that would be hard for me to do."
Toichi chuckled at the bluntness and matter of fact tone the child used. "I guess you're right. I would have farther to fall than you too." Toichi couldn't miss the way the boy laughed and nodded.
"At least not everything is gone." Saguru let him lead the way to the bedroom. "I am really glad we found you, well... Kaito will be too, hopefully in time to help but he will definitely be better when you are."
Toichi sat down on his bed and removed his work boots. "Kaito was the dark haired boy with you. Mr. Konosuke said you were my boys and... Sharon, is your mother." Toichi frowned slightly when Saguru's face darkened. "Maybe you can tell me what happened so I know what I'm suppose to."
Saguru climbed up next to his father, not feeling anything but comfort being near him, even if he shifted a little. "Alright, it started when I talked Kaito into milking the cow one morning. I never tied her off and... "
Toichi was impassive as the child spoke of going to town to work too, to help, both boys only eight years old, coming home to find the cow was gone. Hearing about his decision to leave a week ago and come here for work, the first night when this Sharon took Kaito to the woods and apparently left him there. Saguru following them and staying with the injured brother left him with some admiration that the boys were that close and brave as well. The story got strange after that and the second appearance of his 'wife' made him wonder what had happened to the family Mr. Konosuke said he loved so much and talked about all the time. It was a lot to take in and think about, that was for sure.
Konosuke asked around if Toichi had gotten himself injured on the job. Those working with him had said he had been just fine, though they noticed he grew quiet and more intent on his work shortly before he had come down to call him. A few had even said they'd heard more stories about his children today. It was so sudden that there was no way he was allowing him back to work until he was better. He had hoped the other boy would have returned as it grew dark out but he hadn't and, true to his word, he left a hand-drawn map of the down and placed Kaito's name on the paper, sticking it to the door before he left for the night.
Toichi sat up when the door opened, careful not to budge the young boy sleeping on the bed. The child had ended up crying himself to sleep while apologizing for more things than the boy should take blame for. "Did the other boy come back?"
Konosuke shook his head. "No, and I'm worried. The nights aren't all that cold this time of year but he's still a young boy and it's late. If he doesn't come back we'll take a break from work and I'll see if some of the other won't help me look for him." Konosuke walked over quietly, the other boy sleeping. "Seems it hasn't been a good day all around. Are you feeling any better?"
"I still have no memories of them, if that's what you mean. Surprised these boys are alive. Some of it sounds real, until they are lost in the woods, apparently the night I left. The next day, he says they met a woman who helped them and that may be true but the rest is just so far-fetched." Toichi shook his head and stood, needing to get something to drink. "Imagine believing someone lives in a candy house."
Konosuke was going to laugh and barely stopped himself, a little air escaping and a hand going over his mouth. "Remember, they are children. They also seem to have been under a lot of stress and did make it all the way out here. They had more than a few reasons to cope."
"I thought that too." Toichi smirked slightly at the same thought. He grabbed his cup and started heating some water for coffee. "He must have really believed it though. He was half asleep and still asked if I could help him find 'the nice witch a boyfriend because she was lonely out there'."
"I'm not sure that was all his mind playing tricks on him. The boys both seemed pretty devastated today. They are your children though. I spoke to a few of the workers, to see if you had gotten hurt. They said even today you were speaking to them about Saguru and Kaito. I can't imagine what happened to you but, while I go find the boy with the others if he's not here, I'm going to send a doctor to come see you." Konosuke was tired and sat in the chair as quietly as he could. "It sounded like they hadn't a friend in the world and now we don't even have both children."
Toichi sighed and leaned on the back of the chair a little. "Is it crazy that I believe the only reason this boy is here and not with his brother is me, even though I look at him and see a stranger."
"For now you see a stranger. We'll see what the doctor has to say tomorrow. You are his father and I think, sooner or later, you'll remember that too. He is here because of you and the least you could do is call him by name." Konosuke didn't like hearing 'this boy' when he used to hear a name. It sounded wrong it and it likely hurt the child more than anything else. "You've changed, Toichi. You've lost more than your memories of your children. You've lost your smile."
Toichi looked up and raised an eyebrow before shrugging and forcing a rueful smile. "I guess finding out I have a family I suddenly forgot doesn't leave me much of a reason to."
"Don't push yourself. You'll remember, in time. It's just not like you if you didn't. I need to get something to eat. Head to bed. It looks like the boy took that one. You can take mine. I'll figure something out. And don't fight me on this. You're ill. Take the bed." Konosuke left no room for argument. He had a couch and that would be fine for himself.
Toichi closed his mouth, knowing already it was useless to try and talk the man out of it. "At least I remember how stubborn you are." He poured the water into a cup and motioned to it, stirring the coffee for himself.
Konosuke ate, reassuring Toichi that he'd be back to work soon as long as the doctor gave him the okay. He was still worried about the other boy out there at night alone, but he was too tired and there was nothing he could do about it. He went to bed, making sure the boy that was in his care was tucked in and sleeping before he dozed off himself.
...
Konosuke rose a bit before the sun did, checking on Saguru. The boy was still asleep. He and Toichi could make breakfast for themselves while he went into town. He took his coat so that Toichi would know he left and went to look for the doctor before asking around for anyone who would help him search for the still missing boy.
Toichi woke a little confused when he was in the wrong bed and a much smaller lump than his boss ever made occupied his. A moment later, he recalled how he had been told he was a father and that was one of his boys. He groaned and rubbed his forehead. "This is going to be a long day." Sounds from next to him caused him to look over in time to see the blanket shift and a small voice call out.
"Kaito?" Saguru reached over, searching for his brother while his other hand rubbed his eyes. He was sure he heard someone talking. He sat up when he realized the bed was different and Kaito had not answered, looking around and spotting his father climbing out of another bed. "Father, I thought... oh." He almost thought it had been a nightmare until he saw the blank look and noticed he had only moved to put his boots on, not come over to comfort him.
Toichi had no idea what to say to the boy or how to act but he knew he wanted breakfast so he motioned to the boy. "Come on. May as well eat before that doctor gets here. "
Saguru nodded and followed him to the kitchen, looking everywhere for Kaito and wishing he had found the house. He told their father some more stories from before he left but kept looking at the door. He almost scared the doctor that came by when he yanked it open and yelled "Kaito!" before realizing his mistake. He watched the man give a few tests and check his father's head and eyes, frowning when he said there did not appear to be anything wrong.
Toichi stood, promising to call on him if he felt any different later. He watched is some amazement when the doctor addressed Saguru and spoke to him about some book that Saguru must have read. It was like every one in town really did know the boy. Saguru asked him to keep an eye out for Kaito and send him here or to the mill if he saw him. The doctor waved that away and said he would bring him himself if he saw him. Saguru thanked the man politely and Toichi was struck by feeling he was missing more than just memories and a smile.
Konosuke spent a good deal of the morning looking for the boy with at least half a dozen others. The woods were no place to be and he couldn't be sure the boy wasn't hiding somewhere in town. It was Yusaku that finally found him, hiding up in a tree. The man was able to climb up and get him down where Konosuke knew he would have hurt himself. Dirty and, it seemed, still angry, Kaito took a while to calm down and talk into going to his house. The others left, going back to work, while he took the boy to his place. At least that was some good news. Hopefully the doctor had something to tell him.
Maybe mom was right, maybe he did belong in the forest. Kaito really didn't want to go back but he was hungry and tired and Saguru would be freaking out. He followed the old man from the other day to his house and stopped outside the door when the man opened it.
Konosuke had a feeling the boy was thinking about running again when he didn't step foot in his house. He had to get back to the job and Kaito needed to bathe. "Come on. My furniture won't bite you."
That kind of ticked him off. He wasn't afraid of going inside the guy's house because of his chairs or something. Indignantly, Kaito walked in, spotting Saguru and dad, some of his energy draining. He needed to get some real sleep. "Hi." He wasn't really sure what else to say.
Saguru's eyes widened and the fear and worry he had pushed aside by convincing himself Kaito could always handle things came rushing back. He had no idea how but he was across the room and hugging Kaito before he could say anything.
Kaito hugged Saguru back, having to shift so he didn't knock him over. He wasn't gone that long and it wasn't like the town wasn't right there. "Jeez, you're getting clingy."
"You idiot, you ran off alone and it isn't like back home when you could be at another's house. Your foot is not all the way healed either and... I am so sorry. The last thing between us was a fight."
"Technically the last thing between us as of now is nothing because you're crushing me." Kaito tapped him on the back of the head. "And, um, we fought?"
Saguru let go and shrugged. "It felt like it. I was afraid you thought I... because I stayed behind at the mill instead of following you."
Kaito laughed. "As if you could ever catch me." He looked over his shoulder at dad, his expression darkening. "And you're just awful though I guess I can't blame you if you have no control but right now I think you're awful."
Toichi felt slightly abashed but all he could do was sigh. "I guess I don't blame you, Kaito." He glanced at Mr. Konosuke. "The doctor found nothing wrong but it seems it was sudden enough that something should come up sooner or later."
"Something negative with your heath you mean?" Konosuke had hoped that the doctor had been able to identify what was wrong with him, not tell them that the worst was yet to come. "Rest. You're off until we know what's wrong wth you. Spend some time with your kids. Knowing them or not, it is their first time here and they're too young to be left on their own again." he turned to the two young children who were still staying close to one another. "Both of you boys look out for him and for each other. No more running off. There's enough food here for lunch and I'll pick up some groceries before go back to work. I'll be late again so don't wait up. Toichi, keep the bed. The kids can have yours. All of you should relax for a while." Konosuke left, hoping everything would be okay.
Kaito felt a little better for some reason when it was just him and Saguru so close to one another and dad off in the background. He yawned into his hand, looking around. "I'm actually pretty hungry now." He had stolen an apple from a woman the other day who had had a few and was walking home, but he figured it was best not to tell them that.
That was something Toichi knew how to do at least. He tilted his head to the chairs and went to fix lunch. "Come in and sit. Would you tell me your own version of the past week, so I can get a better picture for myself."
"Sure but you're not going to believe it." Kaito went into the kitchen though he made sure Saguru was always close by. He sat, wondering if the dad that remembered him would even believe it. He started not a week ago, because that would have been a bit too far, but when dad had come to him that night he had left, after losing the cow. Everything he remembered dad saying and the stuff that had happened after. There was no reason to lie.
Toichi was surprised at the subtle differences while still similar. It made is seem like these were not individual fantasies, but real experiences. Kaito was right that it was hard to believe but it was harder to think they were that detailed in their imagination. He set the plates down in front of the two boys and leaned back, taking in the rest of the story. "I'll admit, I never heard of a nice witch until you two." He wondered if Yusaku would write it down. It would make an interesting story either way.
"First witch I've met so I can't say anything about them in general." Kaito went at the food, not minding so much that dad didn't remember them anymore. He was still dad but a stranger dad, more like a friend of the family if that's the way he wanted it to be. He could take care where dad left off, he was sure, and Akako had to be around here somewhere. Either her or her place could always be their house, and he'd keep his promise to look after Saguru. He didn't care that the one he gave it too didn't remember giving it anymore, or was expecting him to keep it. Some part of him really really wanted dad back, but reality had a hard way of getting to him and he didn't like the taste.
Saguru had not thought to mention some of those things in that detail and he had talked about some of what Kaito missed. It was nice to be together again. All he had to do was get his father's memory back and then see if he could help mother.
Toichi leaned forward and rubbed his chin. "I guess that applies to me too." He decided to direct the stories to less fantastic ones. "Saguru mentioned a story involving a cart, a sheet and a dare."
Kaito laughed. He may not like the way dad was now, he wasn't dad, but he'd been a born storyteller. "To be fair, I was the one dared so I didn't start it." It had been one of the first he'd dragged Saguru out of the house for and in no the dare with him that the other guys had put him up to. The poor cat that had been caught up in it had left it's mark on both of them for over a week.
Saguru blushed, having avoided mentioning that darn cat when he told the story. He had told it as one of those things that his father knew part of anyway, now he had the full story.
Toichi found the added details even more amusing while the omissions were clearly left out on purpose if the-Saguru's reactions were anything to go by. "I had not heard all of that. Did you learn your lesson?"
Kaito shrugged. "I learned I don't like cats."
Saguru looked up in a little bit of surprise when the response to that was the first real laugh he had heard. Almost the same that he had when it first happened. Saguru smiled at looked at Kaito.
Kaito hadn't been trying to make dad laughed, he had only said the first thing that came to mind. He smiled back at Saguru when he turned to him though, facing dad after. "By the way, I was your favorite." If dad didn't have memories, why not get a step ahead of Saguru?
"Hey, that is not true and you know it. Just because you happen to be a few minutes older." Saguru crossed his arms. "We are equal to father."
"Oh, sure. That's what all parents say." Kaito turned his hand as if he were whispering to dad, even though Saguru could hear him perfectly well. He nodded to him. "I'm the favorite."
Toichi shook his head as the two boys started going back and forth. It seemed like the teasing was automatic and lighthearted but he was not sure which side he would take or pretend to take, based on thhe topic. He almost wanted to interact with them and was about to suggest that perhaps Saguru was his favorite when he suddenly felt that 'no'. The conflict started giving him a headache again and he rested a hand on his head.
Kaito was pushing Saguru away from him, having hit him and been hit back. They were about to start fighting when he noticed dad had gotten quiet and and closed his eyes. "Dad? You okay?"
Saguru looked over and muttered 'not again' before getting off his chair and going to take his sleeve. "Come on, sit down."
Toichi exhaled but followed the lead. "I'll be fine, just, once in a while, I start getting headaches."
"Usually it happens when I or Mr. Konosuke were telling him about us. I think it may be the memories trying to come back or something like that."
Kaito nodded. He didn't know much about brain stuff and didn't really know anyone who did. He took dad's other hand and helped him lay down. "We'll take care of you."
Toichi rested his head on the pillow, feeling silly that he had to lay down but he knew Saguru would not let up and Mr. Konosuke would hear about it when he returned anyway. The comment 'that should be my job' was on the tip of his tongue when it was shoved away.
Saguru both hated that the man he saw as strong and invincible was in visible pain and loved that maybe something would break though and he would remember something about them on his own. He looked at Kaito with a slight smile. "It usually passes by now. Maybe with both of us here, it will ne longer but that might be good if something comes back."
"Yeah, I know." Dad was in a bed so Kaito got up and sat next to him. He was still dad in there, somewhere. Mom was still mom somewhere insider herself too. They were all in pain, in different ways, and he put his hand gently on his dad's. "Hope you get better."
Toichi's hand turned to grasp the smaller one on its own and the headache intensified. He closed his eyes to ride it out for a few seconds before blinking them open and taking a deep breath, the pain having faded a little but not completely.
Kaito was worried. He's spoken quietly, sure, but dad hadn't heard him. He looked like he was really hurting. He looked down at his dad's hand, holding tighter for a moment. "Dad, do you want to remember us? Tell me the truth." It was obviously causing him pain and, while he didn't know how to help mom without dad, he wasn't helpless on his own. He didn't like seeing his dad hurt.
Toichi felt the struggle, wanting to say yes but were they worth the pain. Another yes but was he sure. Yes but it would bring more pain, he did not need to care for them, he had no attachment to them but everyone confirmed he knew them, loved them, talked about them to nearly make everyone he knew here know them already. "If I didn't," Toichi gritted out, "I don't think it would hurt."
"I'm sorry it does." There were a few tears in his eyes but he was smiling. "We'll take care of you whenever it hurts then." He went on his knees, crawling up to see if he had a fever. Kaito couldn't feel on. He slowly got down, going over to the other bed and getting a blanket, nodding of Saguru to help him with it to cover him up. He went back to sitting on the bed, mussing the blanket up some. "Tell me if you need anything." He couldn't really do much like cook or clean or help with pain, but he could sit there and offer what he could.
Saguru bit his lip as they finished covering him. He had been scared by the severe reaction and almost ran to get the neighbor. He still wanted to, just to see if she knew what to do to maybe help with this, medicine or something. "If it still hurts like this, maybe I should get Mrs. Fujimine. She may be able to help."
"No. Stay." Toichi bit back the curse at the pain but Mr. Konosuke had yet to lie and he was not going to let a headache stop him. It was not as though he were passed out or anything. He kept his eyes closed, breathing and fighting the feelings and emotions that contradicted themselves inside him.
Kaito wanted dad to feel better and he wasn't sure what the neighbor could do anyway. He had heard about a doctor when he had come here but someone said nothing was wrong. "Maybe I can get you a clothe for your head? I'm not sure if it works on just headaches but its worth a try." They had always given him one when he was feeling bad, but that might have just been because he had a fever.
"I can get that, stay up there." Saguru knew where everything was and quickly filled a small basin with cool water, tossing a cloth in it to soak as he carried it to the bedroom. Whatever had made him forget, Saguru was glad their father wanted to remember. He held the bowl up to Kaito, being careful to not tip it, before talking to their father. "You are the strongest, bravest man anywhere. I know you can do this."
Kaito took the cloth, agreeing with Saguru. Everyone probably thought their dad was the strongest person in the world and he had no one to really compare him to, but in his eyes he really was, no matter what. Kaito put the cloth lightly on his head, being careful with the drips. Dad was hiding it bad and trying to remember them was hurting him a lot. "Sorry we can't do more." He wanted to, badly. Some part of him wanted to send Saguru out there to look for Akako and see if she could do anything to help, but she was probably hiding, being a witch and all, and Saguru looked worried too.
Saguru rested his arms on the bed, putting his head on one arm and rubbing his father's arm with his other hand. He hoped pushing him like this would not be too bad, maybe they should back off a little, let him rest, but he kept seeing him holding Kaito's hand so tight and did not want to stop that.
...
Konosuke came home later that usually. He had been set back this morning and had had to make sure a few people came in early the next day to bring in a shipment to town. He tried to be quiet while he got something to eat, the others in the dark and looking as if they were sleeping. He knew Toichi. If things were better there's no way they man would be in bed. Too bad, he thought to himself. Maybe tomorrow.
...
Kaito woke up slowly. He was kind of hungry. They had managed to get dad to eat some dinner last night but it had been small and their portions had been small as well. He had gotten far too used to being with Akako and eating whever and whatever he wanted to eat. Dad still seemed to be asleep and he settled back down next to him, still holding his hand. In some small way, with dad usualy responding to him, that told him that his dad was in there somewhere.
Toichi opened his eyes, feeling better than last night at least. He was surprised to find both boys still near him, one, Kaito, curled into his side holding his hand, the other, Saguru, was in a chair beside the bed, leaning mostly on the bed though and resting a hand in his arm. He smiled softly at that and carefully tried to slip from their hold to answer natures call.
"Mmm." Kaito felt his hand shift and opened his eyes, waking up once more as dad was up and getting out of bed. He smiled. "Morning. Be careful."
"I will." Toichi straightened, moving around Saguru but pausing to pick him up and put him on the bed itself. It may be too late to keep him from being sore when he woke anyway but better than nothing.
Kaito looked over, seeing the house owner gone already. His eyes went to the window and the weak light. It was still really early. Taking a corner of the blanket he put it over Saguru, laying beside him but having his eyes opened. Dad was sick and someone had to watch him.
Saguru shifted and yawned before wincing a little. His back was killing him and he was torn between moving to find a better way to lay or staying put to avoid making it worse.
Kaito put a hand on Saguru's head and kind of petted him. Saguru didn't like when he messed it up. "You okay?" He had moved like he wasn't, or was having some sort of bad dream
"Yeah, I thought I learned my lesson after you had chicken pox." Saguru had fallen asleep in the chair next to his brother's bed, feeling bad since he had been the one to give it to him. His eyes widened and he looked around. "Where did father go?"
"Bathroom. You should go back to bed." Kaito kept petting his hair down, knowing what it felt like to wake up wrong. He'd personally gotten used to it after falling asleep in chairs or on the floor so much. "Here, you can have my spot, I can go sit in the chair. I dont' know if dad wants to lay back down."
Saguru halfheartedly batted Kaito's hand from his hair with a small smile. "I think I would rather eat if we can." He rubbed his back a little, trying to make it feel better.
Kaito got off the bed, letting Saguru get himself up. He could easily eat too, but it felt weird getting food here, which is why he liked dad doing it. It was someone else's house who he barely knew. "I'm up for breakfast."
Saguru moved around as he got up, wincing but it was worth it to possibly eat. He got down, yawning again.
Toichi heard the exclamation as he returned and stood outside the door, hearing the comment about eating and deciding they were all up, they may as well.
Kaito was surprised when he went to go grab an apple or something to see dad getting food. "Hi." Not speaking up seemed a good way to scare him and he didn't want to do that.
Toichi glanced over and nodded to the two boys as they walked in. "Good morning. I'm not sure what you used to eat but this is a usual breakfast for us before going to the mill, you two may need to split it."
"You forgot how much I can eat," Kaito said easily with a smile. "Don't worry about it."
Saguru rolled his eyes. "Do not mind him, he could be mistaken for a human shaped cow with how much he eats." He smiled at his brother and dodged out of his reach just in case.
He was getting predictable. Saguru moved just as he went to kick him. "Yeah, yeah. I'm a growing boy." Dad used to agree with that easily enough.
"Especially if you are to grow as tall as me."
Kaito put his hands on the table, dad getting all his attention. He'd get Saguru later. "Yep. Planning on it. Since I take after you and Saguru takes after mom I want to be taller than him. It would weird if my younger brother was bigger."
Toichi felt a twinge begin as he thought about that, turning and setting the plates on the table. "I thought that must be but never had a description of her."
Kaito nodded. "Yep, just like mom. He's even cooking now. He'd make someone a good wife when he's older."
"I will not. You will be the only guy I cook for and I only cook for you because you cannot do it yourself." Saguru stuck his tongue out at him quickly before turning to father. "Besides, you did good yesterday and today. So it proves fathers can cook too."
Toichi did not want to admit most of it was courtesy of their neighbor and simply smiled.
"You did cook for Akako," Kaito reminded Saguru with a smirk. Besides, dad had basic stuff here. The owner didn't seem to be married and this seemed normal to him for a dad.
"That was just a thank you for the fire sparks and things the night before." Saguru put a bite of the food in is mouth, blushing a little and trying not to feel guilty that they lost her here. She had been able to track their father here, she had to know they were still there. "I still want to thank her more, she did get us here too."
"Yeah, we never would have found this place on our own," Kaito admitted. They'd probably have had to go back to mom and, being unwell, he wasn't sure what information she could have given them. "She's older though. She can take care of herself until then. Plus, she can probably find us just as easy as she found dad."
Toichi frowned slightly and took a drink of his coffee. "If that's the case, why wasn't she with you yesterday?"
Kaito shrugged. "I don't know. She seemed kind of unsure about coming into town. She didn't even go with us as herself to see mom. She turned into a cat." He looked at Saguru before scanning the room, seeing if he could see a cat or other type of animal. "If she knew we were talking about her though, she'd probably come out if she was here."
"Well, we knew father would be alright with it, maybe we can see if there is anyone else here that will believe there is a nice witch here. Although, she may look our age, instead of seventeen, if she is not an animal of some kind again... " Saguru trailed off, trying to think how to find her to introduce her to anyone.
"Dad would have accepted her," Kaito chimed in quietly. He looked back at his dad, thinking that he probably didn't believe a word they were saying. "This first."
Toichi mentally wondered what the sudden secrecy was about but Saguru looked over at Kaito in confusion, he decided it was about him again... or maybe that mystery 'witch'. Either way, it made him wonder more about her. He had decided there had to have been someone that helped them come this far through the woods. Maybe the person had skills that appeared to be magic, he recalled a man come through town the day before the boys showed up that hypnotized a few people into thinking they were animals. It had been amusing to see and thinking about it, she might know that skill, hence the boys thinking they had been animals.
"Father!" Saguru breathed a sigh of relief when the third call made him sit up and focus on them.
"Sorry, I was just thinking about something." Toichi focused on the two of them and his food, finishing about the same time as the- Saguru.
"You're kind of blacking out now and then," Kaito spoke. He wasn't sure if dad noticed but Saguru yelling had scared him. He had wanted to go take dad outside, do something besides stay in bed, but he was afraid he'd get hurt now.
"No, I was just working out a few things. This woman, witch, Akako. Maybe we could find her, if you describe what she looks like, everyone will be on the lookout for her. It seems everyone knows of you and since she helped you two come here, they will likely think as you and want to help."
Kaito put one hand over his other. The whole town looking for a witch... He was sure he had read that in one of those storybooks and it hadn't come out well. "I don't know. If you guys think so, okay." He had to watch dad too. He wasn't okay.
"Well, we don't have to tell them she's a witch yet." Personally, Toichi was sure most would find it cute or something that these kids thought they met a nice witch.
"That might be better, just tell them that she was a nice lady that rescued us. It is true and they can see for themselves how nice she is." Saguru smiled.
Kaito relented, happy now. That wasn't a bad idea. He was still worried about going out with dad but it should be okay. "Come on then. Maybe we can find her and your memories."
Toichi put the dishes in the sink, rinsing and leaving them upside down to dry while they were gone. He smiled at the boys' enthusiasm as they headed out, only feeling headaches on occasion as they spoke to the towns people. No one had seen the mystery woman, a few smiling at the Saguru's question about either a teenager or girl their age. Others wished him well at remembering the boys, a few telling them stories he himself had supposedly told them. Those were what brought on the worse headaches as he tried hard to recall these moments for himself and failed.
Witches were good at disappearing. Kaito couldn't spot Akako anywhere and Saguru was asking everyone else while he looked around beside them. He joined in on the story telling when that came up and thanked some of the friendly people, always making sure he was near dad, holding his hand whenever he looked sick.
Saguru could not hide his disappointment as they headed back, feeling certain they had met every woman and kid here and most of the men that did not work in the mill itself.
"At least everyone will be on the lookout now." Toichi was glad that brought a smile to the boy's face, even if it cause a rwinge of pain
Kaito kicked Saguru. "She took care of us, she can take care of herself. This was fun. We got to be outside. Dad, did you remember anything?"
Toichi redirected his gaze from the now scowling boy and looked down at the other. "To be honest, no." He almost refrained from expending, thinking they didn't need to know but he forced himself to do so anyway. "Every story they told hurt in some way. Half of me tried so hard to believe it and remember and then another half said it was something that happened to someone else."
"Hmm." That was weird. Kaito hadn't met anyone who lost their memories before though. It was like dad wanted and didn't want to remember them.
Saguru spotted the bookstore nearby and grabbed father's hand. "Maybe we can look in there. A lot of books talk about things, maybe there is something in one of them"
Kaito rolled his eyes. "Yeah, adult books. I'm sure the doctor would have known better than that and I can't read those." He could read, and well, but they were still learning bigger words. He pulled dad the other way. "How about we go and just have some fun? Maybe that will make you remember."
Toichi looked between the boys, ot sure what to do. "How about both. We can play? for a little while and see if Mr. Agasa will loan us a few books to look through tonight?"
Saguru pursed his lips but finally nodded. "Fine."
Kaito nodded, getting his way and pulling dad again. "Come on then." There wasn't anywhere around that made good climbing but there was a feild outside of town where they could play tag or he could try and get Saguru and dad to climb a tree with him. His leg was better enough for that.
Saguru followed Kaito's lead, leading father to the field and almost rolling his eyes when Kaito touched him and declared he was 'It' before running. "That was a sneak move." He took off after him, trying to get him back.
Kaito laughed, not going far enough that dad was out of sight. There was a lot of space to roam around in and dad made a good shield.
Toichi stood in what seemed to be the center of a war or words between the two boys. He felt a smile tug at his lips, turning to watch each of them. I was nice to actually watch the kids lay like this.
...
Kaito didn't get tired before Saguru. It made it so that his younger brother was no longer able to even try to catch him. It made him laugh and use dad more as something to slowly move around than anything else. He still didn't want to get tagged. "I win."
Saguru frowned and looked up, touching his father's hand. "Tag. Now neither of us are It." Saguru backed up, circling to get to Kaito and use him as the shield.
Toichi raised an eyebrow and turned, his lip turning up a little at the obvious challenge. "Is that so?"
Eep. Dad was fast because he was a grown up, which wasn't fair. He noticed Saguru pull at him and try to get behind him but that wasn't going to stop him from taking off. If he had to run over Saguru to do it, he would.
Saguru gasped, yelling in some laughter as he took off too the side, tying to avoid their father and put distance between them, grinning when the deeper laughter joined in.
Toichi took off, aiming for the older kid since he had been bragging most of the game that he couldn't be caught. Instead of tagging him, he found his arms grabbing the boy, picking him up and swinging him around. "You just got caught."
Kaito laughed when dad grabbed him, mostly because he couldn't get away with his feet in the air. He was kind of scared when the ground was a lot closer to him, dad's weight still behind him, and found himself in a tighter hold. Dad had his head near his and though he couldn't see his face. His arms where he was holding him were stiff and his breath was really loud in his ear. "Dad?"
Saguru stopped, seeing him fall to his knees. "Father!" He ran over, grabbing his father's arm. The man's eyes were squeezed shut and he had his teeth grit so hard it broke his heart. "Father, breath, please. Kaito, are you alright?"
Kaito nodded, not daring to move. "I'm fine." He found dad's hand and put his own over it.
Saguru was torn on what to do. It took a long time to rouse him last time he was like this, they were in a field, alone, and away from any neighbor that could help them. He wiped his father's face, finding tears, whether from pain or something else, he had no idea. "Kaito, I do not think he will be coming out of this soon... " Saguru knelt beside them and looked at Kaito. "But I do not want to leave you two either."
"Then don't. We can wait." Kaito was fine where was and he wasn't sure he could pull himself away from dad anyway. That, and he wasn't the mom. It wasn't like he wanted or knew what to tell Saguru to do.
Saguru moved closer and leaned against them both, resting his head on Kaito's shoulder and their father's bicep. "Alright. Father, we are right here."
Toichi was fighting the pounding headache and conflicting feelings again. He felt sick for real this time and only the pressure on his hand and arm, coupled with whatever he was holding, grounded him. The pain was so bad that he found it hard to keep tears from leaking out of his eyes, even if they were brushed away pretty quickly. He lost track of time, his mind warring with itself again, finally, shaking and feeling weaker and more tired than he usually was after a full day of work, he forced his eyes open. The dark-haired boy was in his arms and his brother was beside them, staring up at him in concern that changed to relief.
"Father, are you-" Saguru knew he was not alright so he changed his word. "Are you feeling a little better now?"
"Ye-yeah." Toichi slowly loosened his hold on the boy. "I didn't hurt you, did I?"
Kaito shook his head. "No, I'm fine. You make a nice bed."
Toichi sighed, feeling bed would be nice right now but he doubted he could get up, let alone walk. "I hope you two don't mind staying here a little longer."
Kaito shook his head again. "I don't mind at all. We slept in the forest before and there aren't any sticks here and the grass is really soft." To be fair, Kaito probably could have slept anywhere.
Toichi smiled softly at that but shifted to lay down himself, stretching out a little to make up for the cramped position he'd been in. His legs started to regain feeling and the pins and needles sensation, while mild to what he had gone through, was not pleasant.
Saguru knew what he had to be feeling and started rubbing his father's back to make the pain ease. He smiled at the sigh he received and continued until he heard a murmured 'thanks'. "You are welcome, father." Saguru rested next to him, curled up to his side, smiling that he had not released Kaito, meaning he was clinging to them in this way. "That was fun at least."
"Yeah, and while dad won, I still claim second. You were it way longer than me. You lose." Kaito smiled, looking at what little was in front of him. Dad getting sick or not, that was still the truth.
"That is not fair. You were it last, you should lose."
"Nah uh. Dad's bigger and you cheated by changing the rules and making sure he was closest to me. I still say you lose."
"You kept him between us to make sure I could not get to you. That was the same thing as me getting behind you." Saguru stuck his tongue out at him.
"Still cheating and you still didn't catch me."
Saguru smiled. "Nope, i got father instead and he got you."
"I would have caught you in the next thirty seconds after that then, so I win."
