Disclaimer: I don't own Uraboku


9

The rest of the week went by slowly for Hotsuma. If he went to school he usually didn't stay long before he skipped for the rest of the day. He'd go home and spend time playing video games mindlessly or walked throughout Tokyo. He didn't make any attempt to talk to Kazuki or anyone for that matter although Tsukumo and Toko would try to talk to him. Hotsuma brushed them off, not trying to push them away, but he didn't want to talk.

It is finally Friday and fortunately he doesn't have to worry about hearing from the school over the weekend. It is another boring day of Hotsuma walking through Tokyo in an attempt to clear his mind especially after a phone call from last night.

He received a call from his father. Apparently, he will be stopping home for a day or two. Hotsuma doesn't even try to sound excited over his visit. It's not like they'll talk to each other.

His phone rings through his pocket. He worries it might be his parents again but lets out a breath in relief seeing it is a different number. He almost hits the ignore button but the caller has a strange way of knowing when he's ignored on purpose.

"Yeah, Tsukumo."

"Hotsuma. How are you?" The concerned voice asks, "You weren't in school today. Are you feeling alright?"

"Yeah, I'm fine."

"You seem distracted lately."

"So?"

"I just…wanna make sure nothing's wrong." The conversation isn't going to last much longer. Tsukumo knows Hotsuma hates to be approached like this.

"It's fine. Stop worrying."

Tsukumo senses Hotsuma's about to hang up, "If anything…anything…is wrong, let me know!" Tsukumo said with such a sense of urgency it sent a chill down Hotsuma's spine.

"Alright. Bye." Hotsuma quickly hangs up. He always feels like he's being pestered by Tsukumo. It's like he's trying to protect him, which Hotsuma finds annoying, especially when Toko does the same thing.

He throws all those thoughts aside. He came into the city to forget everything that's happened so far. He won't let a worried friend stop him.

...

"Well?"

"He hung up." Tsukumo said sadly.

"That jerk! Wait till I get my hands on him!" Toko raises her fist in the air.

"It's alright, Toko-chan." He tries to calm his sister down. She can be scary when she's angry.

"Nobody hangs up on my brother!"

"Toko-chan…" He pulls her onto the couch, "Toko-chan!"

Toko gives an apologetic look and settles down. Her arm is brushed up against Tsukumo and she lays her head on his shoulder.

"I've heard them lately." His eyes are downcast. It's unusual to see him so sad, "A duras. I'm not sure where. He must be hidden in a barrier."

"Tsukumo…"

"I'm worried for Hotsuma. We can't leave him like this much longer. With our without his partner, we have to let him know."

"I guess we should talk to Takashiro-sama." Toko said.

"Yeah. Let's do that." Tsukumo agrees.

They only wish they didn't have to.

...

Hotsuma walks out of the game store. He puts a new game he just bought into his pocket and walks briskly back to his place to play it. Hotsuma walks with his head down, barely seeing anything in front of him. He comes upon a corner and bumps into someone.

"Oh, sorry 'bout that." A familiar voice says.

Hotsuma looks up and sees the sword swallower from the cirque.

"You?" Hotsuma says incredulously.

"Huh," Steele takes a second look, "Oh, it's you?"

"What are you doing here? Didn't the cirque move?" Hotsuma asks.

"Shh," Steele hushes him, "Yeah, we did. Just to the other side of the city, though."

"Still in Tokyo?" Hotsuma can't believe how lucky he is, "For how long?"

"Dunno." Steele shrugs his shoulders, "It was sudden, so we aren't sure."

Hotsuma wants to question him further but notices a bag with some medicine in it, "Is that for…Shusei?"

"Hm?" Steele wonders why Hotsuma asks, "You know he's sick? So, you saw him then?"

"Huh?" Maybe Hotsuma shouldn't have brought it up, "Yeah. So…"

Steele notices his concern and saves him the trouble, "He'll be fine. Don't worry." Steele begins to walk away and turns around, "If you're interested, we are just past an abandoned lot. I think you'll be able to find it." He points to the general direction of the lot, waves goodbye and disappears into the crowd.

Hotsuma is standing in the middle of the sidewalk amazed at his luck. This is another opportunity to see Shusei and he's going take full advantage of it.

...

Shusei is lying in his bed. Bored. He looks over and sees the large book laying on his nightstand. He had already spent a few hours reading through it and couldn't bear to read another page. There's nothing to do in the cirque, aside from practicing acts and choreography.

He promised Steele he wouldn't move until he got back. Usually he doesn't care much but it was either that or risk running into Tanaka who's slithering around the grounds somewhere.

Steele left to go to a pharmacy about an hour ago, so he should be back soon with some medicine and painkillers. Shusei insisted that he don't go, but the man is too caring for that.

"Ya alive in there, Shu?" A voice calls into the tent.

"Yeah, Goro-san, come in." Shusei sits up in bed in an attempt to greet and thank him.

"Hey, it's Steele." He comes in the tent with the medicine, smiling.

"You're one of the only ones who insist being called by their stage name." Shusei states.

"If the shoe fits…"

Shusei looks into the bag. He takes the fever reducer and painkillers. Steele hands him a water bottle. He takes the liquid fever reducer first and cringes at the taste.

"Come on, it's delicious!" Steele jokes. Shusei raises an eyebrow and hands him the medicine, which Steele smells and wrinkles his nose at, "Maybe not. Just take the other medicine and lay down. No getting up and sneaking out. And don't worry about tonight's show. You're off the hook, but I doubt Tanaka will let you off tomorrow, so you better rest up!"

"It's alright. I'm feeling better."

"I'm no doctor but I know the medicine doesn't work that quickly." Steele turns to leave the tent, "Oh yeah, that blond kid."

Shusei looks up.

"Saw him in Tokyo. So you saw him the other day? That where you were?" Steele questions Shusei.

"Uh…"

"It's fine. As long as you didn't do anything stupid." Steele puts his finger over his lips in secrecy, "I won't say anything. He just seemed concerned, that's all." He closes the tent and leaves Shusei alone.

If he saw him, then he'll know I'm still here. It'd be better if he forgot.

Part of Shusei is happy and he tries holding that feeling back. He wonders, and slightly hopes, if Hotsuma will make another appearance. …...

Hotsuma stops at home before going to the cirque. It's still early in the day, so there shouldn't be a show anytime soon.

Calm down!

He sits down on the couch of his living room and thinks about what he's going to do.

You said I don't think things through…

What's going to happen if he sees him again? Is there any point in doing so?

Maybe…I shouldn't.

Hotsuma settles comfortable on his couch and even takes off his jacket. The tarot cards he took from Shusei's booth fall out of the pocket. He picks them up and opens the box. He pulls out the first card he grabs.

The Fool? Again?

Hotsuma remembers this was the card he pulled out the first time.

I wonder what it means. Maybe I could ask him…No! It's not just an excuse to meet him again!

He puts the card back in the box and throws the pack on the coffee table.

I'm staying here. We live in two different worlds. I'll stay in mine…you stay in yours.

Hotsuma frowns. Here he is in his world. A large beautiful and comfortable home and Shusei has his…what does he have?

The thought is depressing. Is it right to leave him there?

He wanted to go back…

And what right does Hotsuma have to stop him.

But in his heart there's a feeling of needing to protect. Like one would protect a sibling or close friend. But how could an emotion like that stem from knowing someone for such a short period of time? Even though they spent time talking, they both weren't fully open about their personal selves.

I want to know. I want to know more about you.

Hotsuma lies down on the couch. Not tonight. He won't go tonight. It'd be best if none of this ever happened.

He rests his eyes and concentrates on his breath, oblivious to the pair of red eyes looking at him through his window.

...

"Takashiro-sama, what do you think?" Toko asked. She is standing next to her brother in the study of the large mansion they live in.

"I understand your concerns, and I have World's End keeping a close watch on Hotsuma, but I believe it's best if Hotsuma remains unaware of his actual identity for the time being." Takashiro said. He pushed his long hair over his shoulder, revealing a large scar on his face.

"Are you sure?" Tsukumo looks at the man, his eyes clearly stating his worry.

"You know Hotsuma is very protective of his partner. If his memories were to resurface, the thought of not having Shusei will devastate him. And when he's like that, he'll only cause more trouble, considering the instability of his God's Voice." Takashiro said.

"You still have no idea where Shusei is, then?" Toko asked.

"No. After what happened in his previous life…" Takashiro avoided their gaze. He's always had his Zweits with him, through so many years and lifetimes. He cherishes them dearly and hates to see the never ending suffering they must go through with fighting this war, "Shusei must have been so deeply hurt and just wants to hide…"

He's never told anyone of what Shusei went through; he's their leader but he would never betray their trust unless it was for the good of the clan. When Shusei died in his last life, he was so emotionally torn that, in his last moments, he may have wished to disappear from this world entirely.

"I hope he's okay. Shusei, I mean. I hope we find him." Toko whispers.

"It's not the same without them. Hotsuma and Shusei…" Tsukumo says like he's remembering the times they had shared in another life.

"Please," Takashiro stops their depressing thoughts, "Do not worry about this matter. I'll take care of it. You two need to be on your guard. When we bring Yuki here, you can't afford to be distracted."

The siblings nod in understanding, but their sorrow remains in their eyes.

"Please take the rest of the day to relax." Takashiro waves them out of the room and focuses on the paper work he was given earlier.

The two exit the room and head towards their bedroom.

"What do we do, Tsukumo?" Toko asks.

"We can't do anything now, Toko-chan." Tsukumo tries to ease her mind but can't even relax his own, "But, I don't think we should ignore Hotsuma. Even if he never knows-"

"We'll still be there for him!" Toko finishes his sentence and smiles with a sense of resolve.

It's not what either of them wants, but they both think it might be for the best.

"It would be cruel to bring Hotsuma into this life without Shusei." Toko adds, "I can't imagine all this fighting and not having you by my side. It would be so painful… and lonely."

Tsukumo sees the slight frown on his sister's face and grabs her hand, reassuringly, "I'll be here, Toko-chan. Don't worry." He smiles for her.

She squeezes his hand, letting her dear brother, and partner, know the same.


Thanks again to all my reviewers and watchers!