Disclaimer: If wishes were fishes...
Warnings: AU, Shounen Ai
Pairings: Touma+Seiji, Shuu+Shin, Ryo+Nasuti
Summary: Touma and his friends make up a secret group dedicated to the protection of Japan. While out one night, Touma stumbles across something that will change both his and his friends' lives...
A/N: Not particularly happy with the second half, but at least I got something out, right?



Half-breed
by Amyeyl

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Chapter 2

"What were you thinking?!" The angry man's voice hurt his ears.

"I didn't think-" That one, though, that was the voice of his savior.

"That's not surprising."

"Fuck you, Ryo. Look, he's hurt. I couldn't just leave him there." Now his savior was angry as well.

"You didn't have to bring him here! There's such a thing as hospitals."

"He didn't want to go to a hospital."

"And did you even stop to wonder why? He could be dangerous!"

"Him? Dangerous?"

"You didn't even consider it, did you? What if he's one of Arago's?"

'Arago? How do they know Arago?' He was afraid.

"Do you think anything belonging to Arago would be covered in filth, hiding in an alley?"

"It could be a trap."

"God you are so paranoid!"

"I have every right to be paranoid."

"Ryo...I'm sorry..."

"Don't be sorry. Just get him out of here."

"At least let me patch him up."

"Fine. But hurry. I want him out of here by morning."

Footsteps. Some coming towards him, the others going away. Was the angry man coming? No, it was his savior.

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Touma suppressed a yelp of surprise as he found himself with an armful of the boy he'd brought home with him. He smiled down at him as he gently removed the arms that were cutting off his oxygen from around his neck.

"Are you alright?" The boy didn't answer his question. Instead, he peered around him into the hallway and responded with one of his own.

"Is the angry man gone?"

"The angry man? Oh, you mean Ryo. He went to his room." The boy nodded and seemed to relax.

"I don't like him."

"Why don't you like him?" Touma took a hold of his arm and led him towards the bathroom. He'd checked the boy's injury on the train ride home and it hadn't been as serious as he had first thought. He was thankful for the fact that he wouldn't have to attempt any major surgery; some gauze and a bandage were all he needed. Well, that and a good scrubbing.

"He scares me. And he's loud, it hurts my ears." Touma peered down at him quizzically. He and Ryo had tried to keep their argument as quiet as possible. More for the sake of their sleeping teammates than the boy, but quiet nonetheless. He shouldn't have been able to hear them at all.

"You heard us?" The boy nodded as they came to a stop in front of the bathroom. Touma held open the door and waited for him to enter. He had barely taken two steps into the bathroom before he was turning around to face the blue haired boy.

"May I ask you something?"

"Of course," Touma nodded.

"What's your name?" the boy asked, smiling at him. Touma blinked. He had completely forgotten that the two of them had yet to even exchange names.

"Touma," he said, a bit sheepishly, "Hashiba Touma. And what's yours?"

"Seiji." Touma waited for him to continue, but another name was not forthcoming.

"Is that your first or last name?"

"It's my only name."

"So you are Seiji Seiji?" he asked, genuinely confused. The boy shook his head.

"No. I am just Seiji. It's the only name I have, and there's only just the one."

"Alright, Seiji. Why don't you get out of those clothes and take a bath?"

"A bath?" Touma nodded.

"I'm sure it would feel nice to be clean again, don't you think? Healthier too..." He trailed off as Seiji wrapped his arms about his body, hugging himself protectively. "What's the matter?" The boy shook his head quickly.

"Nothing," it was hard to make out just what he was saying, what with his face being buried in the dirty fabric of his shirt, "I... Just... Would you leave please?"

"Oh!" Touma blinked. "Of course, I let you have your privacy." He smiled as he pointed out the different things that might be need for the bath. "I'll be in the den if you need me. And I'll leave a clean change of clothes for you by the door. They might be a little big on you, but it's better than nothing." Seiji nodded at him briefly and uttered a soft thank you. With another smile and a nod, Touma left him to his own devices.

Seiji sighed in relief once he was left alone. He stared at himself in the mirror for a long moment before turning to the bathtub. He turned the shower on and stepped inside, drawing the curtains closed. As the dirt was washed away, the old scars that hadn't been visible moments before came into view. He sighed heavily as he rubbed at them, wishing they would wash off along with the dirt.

He knew it was silly of him, but he wished nonetheless.