Chapter Nine – Betrayal in His Eyes

"G-Good morning," Meiko almost jumped out of her skin when someone spoke to her early the next morning. Spinning around, she came face to face with Kaito who awkwardly stood at the door way to the kitchen. He felt positively exhausted and could tell Meiko's face filled with concern.

"Good Morning, Kaito-kun… are you feeling alright. You look dreadful."

"I-I didn't sleep," Kaito awkwardly replied as he took an uncertain step into the kitchen.

"Oh dear, that's no good," she said, coming over to him and taking his hand. "You should at least try resting a little while longer."

"I-I can't, I feel…" he didn't really want to tell her how he felt, but her eyes drew him in. "…I feel uncomfortable."

"Uncomfortable?" Meiko asked, leading him to the chair… "Is it because we're so different?" Kaito watched her for a moment, making her realise he didn't understand. "Is it because we're like a family… and you've never really know one?"

"That's not… it's…" Kaito felt his voice slipping. "I did have parents; I remember them better than I remember the past nineteen years. I also remember… how they died." Kaito caught the uneasy twitched in Meiko. "I know what a family is like… it's just… unnerving I think."

Meiko nodded slowly, understanding what he was trying to say. "Whatever the case is, Kaito, you're already our family." She saw a flash of hope his eyes, and smiled optimistically. "The girls love you just as much as Gakupo and I do. So take your time, Kaito. We're patient and we know adjusting to a new environment is hard. If there is anything you need to talk about or any advice you need, talk to us. We're here to help."

Kaito debated the rest of the morning about that offer, but knew in time he would open most of the doors he'd shut. He just wasn't ready to let people in yet.

Gakupo joined them an hour later, and announced he and Kaito had something to do and was dragged away before Meiko or the girls (who joined shortly after Gakupo) could possibly complain about it. The sunlight was blinding, but he followed meekly after Gakupo who began pointing out all the places they passed. Kaito mentally noted off certain places of interest, but otherwise found himself staring at the high raised, wonky buildings. Several times they had to avoid on coming carriages that drove all over the dusty, brick roads. Gakupo seemed to naturally know when to move out the way, commenting that it was something you had to adept to quickly if you were going to travel the roads during the daytime.

Eventually, they came to a large building with the words "hospital" splashed across the front in rough red paint. Suddenly, Kaito felt uneasy as they stepped in. Gakupo must have caught it because he finally commented on why they were here. "This is where I work. At the current moment, Gumi is tending to my patients. I also have a few things to discuss with her… and I want a second opinion."

"A second opinion on what exactly?"

Gakupo just smiled at him as they head to the front desk where a woman greeted them. "I didn't expect to see you back until the next harvest season," the woman said with a gentle smile. "Are you here to see Gumi-sensei, Gakupo-sensei?"

"Only if she can spare a few minutes," Gakupo nodded, speaking back in a soft voice.

"She has a couple minutes after this patient," the woman told him as she flipped through the log book. "I'm sure she wouldn't mind you two popping in," she said, shining Kaito a smile as she acknowledged him.

"Thank you," Gakupo replied just as a door down a long corridor open and another woman's voice echoed. "It appears she's already finished."

"Just head down there," the secretary told him. Gakupo nodded and led Kaito down the long corridor. Gakupo greeted the elderly woman they passed but they didn't chat, they just slipped into the office.

"You've kept this place in order," Gakupo's voiced startled the green haired girl to turn around. "It's good to see you well, Gumi."

"Gakupo, I didn't expect you back so soon. Is everything alright?" her voice was filled with concern as she approached him.

"I'm fine, it's him I want a second opinion on," Gakupo stepped aside, forcing Kaito into the spot light. "He's the reason for my early return," Gakupo replied calmly as Gumi took Kaito's hand and led him to a chair.

"I can tell, you look awful… erm…?"

"K-Kaito," Kaito replied quickly, feeling a little embarrassed. Gakupo shut the door quietly as Gumi began to speak again.

"So what's the problem?"

"His back isn't healing, it looks just as bad as when I found him a few weeks ago."

"Healing takes time," Gumi reminded before turning her attention back to Kaito. "Can you take your shirt off so I can look at it?"

Kaito shot Gakupo a nasty look as he removed his shirt. Gumi peeled the bandages and examined his back. She didn't ask questions like how he got it or what Gakupo meant by "found", she just carried on with her work.

"It looks like the wounds are infected," Gumi finally announced, standing up and pulling an ointment out. "Not a serious infection, but if we leave it untreated, it may get worse. It could also lead to blood poisoning if any of the cuts reopen." Gumi held the jar out to Kaito, looking cautious. "Can I?"

Unsure, Kaito just nodded. He shivered as the cold cream began to be spread over his back. "I wasn't sure myself whether it was an infection, but I'm glad to know now what the cause of the slow healing is," Gakupo replied, watching them from his own chair at the door. "That may smell like shit," Gakupo slowly added as Kaito began pulling a face, "but it works wonders. I need to stock up on some myself."

"I'll give you this jar then. A few days treatment should kill the bug and allow it to heal fully. You'll have scars, but at least they'll heal. What have you been bathing in?"

"Some type of bathing salts," Kaito tried to think back but couldn't remember exactly what it was. "It made my back slightly numb."

"I think I have an idea of what it is. That should be fine. Make sure you bathe every night in that stuff and have this applied straight afterwards. Keeping them clean is the most important thing. Make sure someone also washes your back, just soaking won't do anything."

Kaito was about to retaliate when Gakupo spoke out. "There is no shame in getting assistance from the girls, Kaito. You're not displaying yourself for their entertainment, you're merely seeking their help. They understand your need for privacy, but with your back in that condition, you need to allow them to tend to it."

Shifting uncomfortably, Kaito just nodded, his face slightly red. "All done, now let me bandage it up so it doesn't stain your shirt," Gumi placed the jar down on the table and pulled out fresh bandages.

Once done, Gakupo handed Kaito's shirt back, smiling when the grateful look appeared on his face. "Now that you've been sorted, I have a few other things to discuss."

"Like what?"

Gakupo pulled out a folder and began talking to her, explaining things about her patients back at home. Kaito slightly zoned out until he heard about the woman who'd lost her child.

"There wasn't anything you could do, Gakupo. I just hope they'll be alright through the winter."

"I believe they'll be alright," Gakupo replied, sitting back in his chair that he pulled up to the desk. "I didn't take anything from the house and the twins have learnt a lot of the basics, like dealing with the chills."

"I guess so," Gumi nodded then sighed. "I guess once spring is upon us I'll head back. As much as I like the city, I'm missing home quite a bit."

"I'm sure the villagers are missing you just as much," Gakupo smiled slightly then stood up, picking up the jar. "We've kept you long enough…" He began but slowly drifted away from the topic. "Are you free tonight?"

"For dinner?" she asked, grinning. "I'm always free for Meiko's cooking."

"Good, we can talk more then."

"Very well, I'll see you then Gakupo, and Kaito-kun," she nodded to both of them and saw them out her room. They were quiet until they stepped out into the free air.

"What do you think of her?" Gakupo asked, glancing at Kaito from the corner of his eyes as they made it down towards the road.

"She's nice, but I sort of… don't understand why you brought me here besides my back."

"Besides a second opinion, I had no real reason. However, I can promise you I do have a reason why I brought you out here. Come with me."

Gakupo lead them down a few streets until they came in front of a metal shop. "What's this place?"

"I was hoping they'd be open, but it appears we'll have to come back later," Gakupo said as if he didn't hear Kaito speak. "There's always next time."

The day drifted to night, Gumi joined for dinner as expected and to the girls delight. Dinner was louder than last night, but it was fun this time. Many stories were passed around, and Kaito heard a different side to the twins he knew. "They were cute back then but I don't know what happened along the way," Gakupo had commented at one stage which led him getting hit by Gumi. As dinner finished, he was dragged back to the baths and this time didn't fight Miku as she tended to his back. As embarrassed as he was, he told himself there was a reason for this and it wasn't as if he was being punished. He quickly discovered how soft Miku's hands were as she gently cleaned the cuts on his back.

"I'm surprise you didn't complain about it when Gumi told you to let us help."

"She didn't seem like the person to cross."

"Really? Gumi is pretty easy going, but then again, she would have put her foot down and challenged you over it. Besides, you'd have also been scorned by Gakupo as well." Kaito nodded and they were silent for a moment before Miku spoke again. "Did… did something seem wrong with Gakupo today?"

"…No, why do you ask?" Miku made a noise and announced he could return to the bath to soak. "Miku-san?"

"Gakupo looks a little distant today, that's all."

Kaito frowned as he leaned against the tub, feeling the water move with him. "He seemed fine, really."

Miku gave him a look, but Kaito couldn't decode it. "I'll be back in a few minutes to put the ointment on your back" and abandoned the room. Kaito wasn't sure why he began thinking about what Miku said, but found no reason to what she noticed. He seemed fine to him, but then again… Miku knew Gakupo better.

A couple minutes later, Miku returned with the ointment. They were silent again before Kaito choked out "what was wrong with him? You said he seemed distant, but what did you mean by that?"

"I couldn't read him," was Miku's immediate reply. "Gakupo never hides anything from us, Kaito, but he was. There was a strange darkness in his eyes that I couldn't place. It just made me worried."

Kaito nodded with understanding and didn't touch the topic again.

A/N: Something's going to happen, real soon :D