Happy New year guys (I just wanna know how long it'll stay 'happy' -_-)
Replies to Reviews:
Misakiyu: right, but it was coming.
Sarahgri99: Appreciated! Thanks for the review!
Spiritwind87: Kotaro's will have a hard time to recover, that's understandable. No problem. Thanks for the review!
Chapter 31:
Nanashi heard the front door open while he was setting plates on the side. He instantly rotated his neck to see Lok and Kotaro. "About time, what took you guys so long?"
"Whew! It's pouring out there." Tengfei removed the bamboo umbrella he was holding, setting it against the wall. The redhead glanced at the younger who looked nothing but hollow, eyes somewhere else. The elder felt something was off but thought the teen was simply sulking again. 'Perhaps he had another fall out with Tengfei? That wasn't new.'
Nanashi walked over to the brunette in order to tease him but automatically noticed how drenched his hair and clothes were. "Kotaro? Why is he so wet?" The redhead asked Lok as he pinched the clothing on Kotaro's shoulder. "Geez, did you guys have another fight again? Come on, Kotaro, you oughta change out of tho—" Kotaro's hand slapping his hand away caught him off guard. "Kotaro?" However, instead of a response the teen walked past the elder and went straight to the backside, where the balcony faced the dark forest. Nanashi had seen plenty of mood swings but nothing like this. He had the most puzzled expression as he looked back at Tengfei for answers.
The Chinese samurai let out a deep breath before he started explaining.
"And then he refused to walk under the umbrella. I even went after him, but he wanted to walk alone. Trust me." Lok finished explaining.
Nanashi stood against the wall as he listened to the tale. He let out a sigh. 'Poor Tobimaru. There was no way Kotaro was going to recover from this. He had the dog even before they met.' He rubbed his forehead in thought. 'This was going to be hard.' "Thanks for letting me know. We just have to be patient with him. Don't bother him unnecessarily."
"You have my word." Lok saluted but Nanashi gave him skeptical look. The redhead walked over to the balcony door, standing by the door frame. "Hey." No response from the other. "I heard what happened. I'm sorry." Kotaro continued to look beyond the woods, chin on his knees and rainwater still dripping from his hair. "Kotaro..." Nanashi felt troubled. He lifted his weight off the frame and knelt beside the brunette. "Hey, come on now." The elder planted a hand on the younger's head and stroked the damp hair. "If you don't change and sit out here, you're gonna get sick for sure. I doubt that's what Tobimaru wants."
Nanashi finally saw a change in expression on the other's face, a frown. "He...he... he was—so cold—" the teen struggled to hold his tears back. The redhead slowly brought him closer and wrapped his arms around him, letting the younger squeeze him tight.
"It's okay." The samurai rubbed his back once. Kotaro cried out some more, burying his face into the elder's shoulder. Nanashi couldn't tell if the younger's soaked clothes were making his chest wet or his tears. "Let's get you changed." He urged as he secretly kissed the younger's head.
"Are ya not gonna eat that?" Lok pointed out during breakfast.
"I'm not hungry, you can have it." The brunette mouthed.
"Tengfei's fine, but you on the other hand, should eat some more. Do you want to faint?" Nanashi intervened.
Kotaro let out an agitated sigh. "I said I'm not hungry!"
"You weren't hungry last night either." The redhead argued. "Kotaro, I know you're grieving but you can't go on like this."
"Why not, huh?"
"Because—" Nanashi cut himself off to formulate a response understandable to the other. "Look, it's just a part of life—you know that already. I've lost many people very dear to me too over the years and you just learn to grow stronger. Live on for those who can't and cherish every memory you've had. Be grateful they were here."
Kotaro was chewing his food while he listened, and the motor movements slowed down as memories began playing in his mind. The teen couldn't resist breaking down, tears involuntarily spilling down his face on their own. "Shit—uw—sob." The brunette put his chopsticks down and covered his eyes. Lok stared at him in shock, frozen in place. It broke Nanashi's heart to see Kotaro like that. The teen was very strong willed and would never show a vulnerable side but seeing him breaking down in front of him, hurt. The redhead stood up and placed himself right behind the younger, resting his chin on the top of his head and securely wrapping his arms around the teen.
"There, there. Where's the Kotaro we all know?" The brunette continued to sob but tried his hardest to control himself.
"Where's Kazuya? Why isn't he here yet?" A raven-haired man called out sitting at the breakfast table.
"Shou-sama..." the servant standing at the door wasn't entirely sure either.
"I'm here." Benji's elder brother, Kazuya rushed into the room. "Apologies."
"What took you so long? I don't have all morning to wait."
"I'm sorry, I was just washing up and lost track of time." Kazuya bowed and sat across from his lover.
"Just be sure to dry your hair properly." Shou took a sip from his teacup. The long navy-haired man nodded.
"Well, I'm off, duty calls. Behave and wait for me." Shou kissed the younger man and left. Kazuya let out a breath of relief. Lately, it had been difficult to act normal in front of his own lover. He didn't realize when things turned out like this. Nothing was ever wrong in Shou's eyes but the navy-haired struggled to keep a smile. They had been together for more than two years now and Shou had always been arrogant but lately his obsession and controlling behavior was getting out of hand.
Kazuya walked around the manor, assisting the servants. He noticed one of the maids drop a kimono from her bucket of clothes to wash. "Excuse me!" He instantly picked it up and ran after her to the front door. "Miss—!" The man called out at the doorstep but halted when he recognized an abandoned stray pup two feet away from their door. "Eh?" Kazuya glanced around for any signs of a parent or owner. The dog looked so small, starved and messy. He couldn't hold himself back from hoisting the creature into his arms and bringing him in. 'They'll just have to wash this yukata some other day.' He decided.
The man attempted to wash the pup first before requesting the servants to bring him something edible. 'So cute. It's just a shame I might not be able to keep you.' He petted the small thing as it ate. Shou wasn't against animals, he just wasn't the type to get attached to pets.
Kazuya stood by the front door in the front yard, waiting patiently for his lover to return. That was the second role of his day, greeting him the moment he returned. "I'm back." Shou entered the house with two of his guards.
Kazuya forced a smile. "Welcome back." He pecked him on the lips.
"I missed you."
"Same. Food is ready for you."
"Actually, we had a meal at the meeting today. I want you instead." Shou wrapped a firm arm around the other's thin waist. "Let's go to your study room."
Kazuya gulped; he wasn't expecting that location to be used so soon because that was exactly where he was hiding the little pup. "Um, why not our bedroom...?"
"Why? Is something wrong with the study room?"
"No—of course not..."
"Hmp, are you hiding something from me?" The raven haired smirked, looking straight into his eyes. The gaze was so piercing, the other involuntarily looked away. "Depending on how serious it is, I won't be very forgiving, you know?"
"It's nothing, really, just—." Kazu was cut off my barking and whimpering as they walked down the hall.
"Hm? Is that coming from here?" Shou stood right before the study room door. The navy haired sighed.
"Wait Shou, let me explain—" The younger attempted to stop him but the other had already swung the doors open. He stared down at a frightened beige colored pup.
"Ha...hahaha! Seriously?" To Kazuya's surprise, his lover burst in laughter. "Aw, you can act so cute sometimes." The raven haired pulled the other close. "If you wanted a pet, you could have just said so. No need to pick up from the streets."
"No...just..."
"But my question is: will you be able to care for it?" He swung the younger around, scooped him up and placed him on top of the sideboard. He gnawed at his neck, letting the silky hair slide to the side while he slipped his hands under the other's kimono. Kazuya automatically moaned, trying to stifle his voice afterwards.
"Wait... the dog..."
"So? He should also know who the master is, no?" the elder chuckled. Kazuya grimaced as he found himself straddling the other.
The navy haired man lay on the room floor with the kimono spread out over him. He felt sore and pushed himself up, doing it every night and every morning didn't exactly help. He also had some rehearsing to do for the theater. 'Wait a minute...' the young man looked around. 'Where's the dog? He must have walked out while they were in the middle of it.' "Ugh...should look for him before I shower incase he didn't walk out the door." Kazu wrapped his kimono back on and strolled down the halls. He asked one of the maids if they had seen a small pup and indeed, she had. She pointed him to the kitchen.
"There you are little fella." The navy haired lifted him up from the floor of the kitchen, licking some of the stew. "Are you hungry again?" He tapped his nose. "I wish I could take better care of you... but next week's going to be even rough..." 'The next Kabuki theater will be held, and I need time to prepare and perform.' The younger thought long and hard on how he could take care of the pet. He also didn't trust Shou very much—he wouldn't be surprised if he came home one day to find the pup dead. "Anyhow, I need a bath first. Let's have someone get you some food." He went back and handed the pup to the servant.
"Hey Grandma, how are you?" One afternoon Kazuya entered the small house where Benji and his grandmother lived.
"Look who finally decided to show his face."
"Oh, come on gram, I was busy..."
"You youngsters are always busy! Making us old people look like slackers."
"Geez, give it a rest grandma, he's here now. What's up bro?" Benji inquired.
"Hey, how are you? Actually, I was wondering if you could take care of a dog for me..." Kazuya asked.
"Another sick dog?" the spiky haired gasped.
"No not sick, just that I don't have the time to take care of him. I found him outside my door a few days ago but with the theater and stuff coming up...I won't be able to."
"Uh, yeah sure...I guess it's not a huge problem for the two of us..." Benji scratched his neck. "Oh actually—I know someone who just lost their dog. He's been really down, and—"
"Really? That's a great idea! Poor thing, it must have been difficult, but I think that won't be terrible."
"We could try... remember the guys I brought with me to your last skit?"
"One of them..." Kazuya couldn't forget the goofy samurai that made an impression on him.
"Yeah, no, not that one. There was another samurai—with a scar over his right eye, and a younger teen. That boy's the one that lost his dog just recently."
"I see. Thanks. I'll bring him over tomorrow maybe."
"Hey Nanashi!" Benji called out when he recognized the samurai in the streets.
"Huh? Benjiro, hey." The redhead stopped midway.
"What's up? Heading back?"
"Yeah. I just wanted to pick up some vegetables. How are you?"
"I'm cool. How's Kotaro holding up?"
Nanashi looked away for a moment, pursing his lips, clearly looking for the right words. "Let's just say he's barely holding up."
"I see... hey, um, this might be too sudden but, my big bro—you know the one from the Kabuki theater? He found a pup on the streets but can't really take care of it. So, he was wondering if you'd wanna look after it?"
The elder stared at him, in thought, considering the offer. "I don't know. Sounds harmless, but knowing Kotaro, he might be stubborn at first. Either way, have your brother bring him over, maybe we can all convince him?"
"Yeah! Thanks! See ya, have a safe trip."
"Mh, same."
"I'll be out, but I'll be back soon." Kazuya informed the maids as he gathered the pup in his arms. "Time to find you a new home—"
"Oh, where are you headed?" A voice he wasn't anticipating spoke before him.
"Eh? S-hou? You're back early—"
"We canceled the afternoon appointment, which means i get to spend it with you~ So, where were you off to again?"
"Um, just to granny's, they agreed to take care of the pup and all..." Kazuya elaborated. The raven-haired man's eyes trailed down to the pup in his arms.
"Sigh, the dog again. First, spend some time with me." Shou smacked his lips unto the other's, taking his breath away. While he had the other occupied, he silently grabbed the dog from his arms and passed it to one of the guards.
"Mh...ah...S-shou, wait..." Shou didn't listen to any and dragged him into one of the empty rooms, making love to him countless times until the afternoon was over.
'This was all part of his plan I bet...' Kazuya mused as he saw there was little time left before the sun would set. 'I need to hurry now, I must give the dog today.' The younger quickly got himself to stand up and wash up before wrapping a thin yukata around himself. He recruited the pup and dashed out the manor towards Benji's house. He prayed he'd make it back before night falls, because Shou absolutely hated him returning towards the end of the day, unless he was accompanied by his lover, himself.
Kazuya entered his grandmother's house once more. He exuded a breath of relief when he saw Benji lazing right outside the rooms, in the front yard. "Benjiro!"
"Huh, oh hey bro."
"I need you to take me to that boy's house this instant."
"Whoa, what's the rush?"
"Hurry up Benji, I have to be back home soon that's why."
"Okay, okay, lemme look for my slippers." The spiky haired still didn't understand the hurry. Either way, he led them to Kotaro's place.
Tengfei was laying on his side on the porch, with a barley in his mouth and head held up by an elbow. He lazily saw the spiky haired teen come into sight but straightened immediately when he recognized the delicate beauty walking parallel to him. "What unexpected guests," He called out.
"Yo! Is Kotaro home?" Benji waved while his brother bowed with a 'hello again.'
Nanashi heard the commotion and stepped outside. "Hey guys, welcome."
"Thank you for having us." Kazuya bowed again, with the dog in his arms.
"Come in." The redhead insisted.
"What's going on here?" Tengfei whispered to his cousin as he went inside as well.
"You'll find out. Kotaro?" The redhead went to scout the younger, sitting on their non-fenced balcony. "Benji's here and his brother, they want to talk to you."
"..."
"Don't be like that. They have something for you too."
"Is it Tobimaru? If not, then I don't want it." Nanashi sighed when he heard that.
"Kotaro... please stop acting childish. Come on, you'll be surprised." The redhead was forced to grab the other's arm and practically drag him into the room.
"Hello, you must be Kotaro-kun, I heard about what happened. I'm sorry for your loss." Kazuya gently smiled.
"Yeah." The brunette flatly let out.
"I know this might be too sudden, but I actually have someone who wants to meet you. This is a pup I found on the streets not too long ago. Unfortunately, I cannot care for him, but I was wondering..." The navy haired man trailed off.
"No one's gonna replace Tobimaru." Kotaro deadpanned.
"He's not meant to replace anyone..." Nanashi added.
"Kotaro-kun, this pup really has no place to go... if you really won't then I'll take him back, but won't you at least try to look after him for a few days...?"
"Aw come on kid don't be so cold!" Tengfei playfully smacked the teen. "The guy's asking ya so nicely." He took the small creature from the younger's arms and dumped it on to Kotaro's lap. "It's harmless, what's the problem?"
Kotaro evidently hesitated but kept it there, holding it in place. Kazuya smiled in appreciation as he glanced at Tengfei who met his eyes at the right moment and winked.
"I think he's kinda cute." The redhead remarked. Kotaro didn't agree or disagree, simply staring at the pup.
"So, you guys staying for dinner?" Lok finally asked.
"I'm okay with that." Benji replied for himself. Suddenly, something dawned over his elder brother when Lok asked that. 'Dinner? Oh no! Is it that late already!?'
"I'm sorry." Kazuya abruptly stood up. "I appreciate the offer, but I must leave."
"What's the rush? No need to be so formal." The Chinese samurai commented.
"I'm sorry, I just need to be home at this time and, er, prepare for my next skit." The navy haired partially lied. "Thank you again for agreeing to keep the dog." He concluded with a bow and stepped out the door.
As if on cue, Tengfei got up as well. "Y'all start without me."
Kazuya was too flustered to notice anyone stalking him until he heard a "Slow down there princess, you're gonna trip and fall and knock yourself into something." The younger twitched and spun around instantly.
"Mister?! Um, why are you following me?"
"I'm being a proper gent and walking you home. It's dangerous after dark, didn't anyone tell you that?" Lok grinned.
"For women..."
"By the way, did you just call me mister? Haha!"
"Um...my apologies. I... forgot your name." The navy haired found himself walking along the samurai.
"Unforgivable. I'm joking~ Don't go making that face. It's Tengfei Lok, but you can call me Tengfei."
"Huh? On first name basis? Is that alright?"
"Of course~." Lok smirked.
'He's so carefree.' Kazuya mentally noted.
Tengfei walked him all the way back home. "Up till here is fine. Thank you."
"Ain't no worry at all. So, this is where you live?"
"Yes, but I don't own the place. I live with someone else. Now if you'll excuse me." He hastily bowed one last time before rushing inside.
"Eh?" Tengfei stood there dazed. "Why is he always in a rush?"
To Be Continued...
Yay, look at that we have some new characters~. I think it's making the plot a little more juicy...maybe? Or at least it is for Tengfei's storyline. And hopefully the slighter longer chap makes up for the time I've missed—you guys deserve it. Thanks for reading~