Disclaimer: Don't own 'em…
Part 3Kurama sat nervously on the park bench. He was very aware of the warmth beside him, and that didn't help calm him down. In fact, it added more to his anxiety. It was THE cause of his anxiety. He was meeting Kuwabara here, at the park, on their bench, in the next few minutes, and only Kami-sama KNOWS what will happen when that overly-protective man would see the friend of the guy who tried to bash him. Tokiya had insisted that he would go with the redhead, lest "something funny would happen." 'After all, delinquents are highly unstable' were the exact words that came from Tokiya's mouth.
Kurama sighed and prayed for divine providence, his mind going worriedly over scary possibilities. He mentally winced at the thought of one of them getting hurt. He sure didn't want his cousin to go home with a bleeding anything, and neither could he bear it if Kuwabara were in that same spot. Tokiya seemed to notice, and didn't like the way how the redhead's brows knitted up, and so he reached a hand and massaged the offending area, making it relaxed and unwrinkled. Kurama turned to him and opened his mouth to speak, when a loud shrilly sound cut him off:
"Oi! WHAT ARE YOU DOING TO MY FRIEND?!" And Tokiya was picked up by the front of his shirt and given a prompt shaking. He pushed himself off the big buffoon and huffed, "Back off, you dumb oaf."
"Nani?! You're the one who should back off. We told your friend that if he'd even try to touch one hair of Ku- Shuuichi's, he'll pay!"
"You'll kill him."
"Eh?" Kuwabara asked, not quite sure what it was, a question or a fact.
Tokiya sighed, "Your friend told Recca he'd kill him."
"Whatever! I advise you to take the same - WAAH!"
The Hyomon Ken Master had grinned and had expeditiously(^-~) wrapped an arm around the redhead, who didn't seem to mind from Kuwabara's point of view. He started to get puzzled, "Ano... Ku - Shuuichi?"
"It's okay Kuwabara-kun. I - "
The brown-haired guy cut him off, "We've known each other for a long time." That left Kuwabara hanging his mouth open, his finger pointing accusingly from Kurama, to his companion. (*Kuwabara! You hentai!*) Kurama sweatdropped at this gesture and Tokiya merely shrugged exasperatedly. Finally, the big man settled down, and also shrugged his shoulders. He uncertainly asked, as he still gave the chestnut-haired guy a once-over, "SO... You going to the reunion we're planning this Saturday? It's still at Genkai's temple."
Oblivious to the carrot-top, the half-youko had winced at that, reminded once more of his Koorime friend, "Ano... That's what I actually wanted to talk about. My family is having a trip... And...
That caught Kuwabara's attention, "Honto ni?"
Tokiya seemed annoyed, "Are you deaf, you dumb oaf?"
Kuwabara finally noticed how Tokiya was addressing him, "I happen to have a name. It's Kuwabara Kazuma. Don't you dare call me big oaf again. Who do you think YOU are?"
"I've pride and honor attached to my name. There's no way I'll give it to a dumb oaf like you."
"Ha! I, Kuwabara Kazuma will - "
"DO you always have to do that? You look like an idiot. Oh, wait, you are one."
"Take that back or I'll -"
They proceeded to argue, and Kurama couldn't do anything but sigh once more, having his mind wandering off...
"I'm so glad you could come, Tokiya-chan. Shuuichi would be lonely without his... And I still have to go and work. So, I hope that you can take care of him?"
"Don't worry, Shiori-san. I will. Where is he? Finally, I get to spend time with my cousin!"
Shiori smiled. Tokiya was always so bubbly. By choosing him, she actually hoped that he would influence his son and have him act like a REAL child. Her Shuuichi was always so quiet, so... reserved. It was like he had a huge burden. And that was so unusual, especially for a two and a half year old boy. Then, when her husband died... It only became worse. His otousan was the only one the redhead used to interact with so many times, but even then, he was still so serious. He was so peculiar - He never cries like boys his age do, he isn't bratty, only overly-curious about different things...
"Ne, Shiori-san, where is he? You'll be late for work..."
She popped out of her musings and smiled, "Hai, thanks for reminding me. He's right here."
As Shiori opened the door to her son's room, she caught sight of her son staring outside, watching a bird's movements carefully. When he heard their noise, he turned around and seemed to bore a hole at the young guest.
Tokiya was intruiged. That one's look... I like it. He smiled began to approach the other boy. He heard Shiori say, "Take good care, Tokiya, for any emergencies, just use the phone."
As she began to leave, she noticed how the older boy approached the younger, and continued to stare at him. Blink. Blink. She fervently prayed, Please, let this work...
And when she went home in the afternoon, she immediately checked on the boys. There was no noise coming from the room. Maybe he put my son to sleep... And was shocked to see them both still at the same position, Shuuichi staring up at Tokiya, Tokiya, down. She silently called out, "Tokiya..."
The one called turned, rubbed his eyes, and nodded, "Shiori-san!"
"Come on, have something to eat."
As she turned, she didn't hear Tokiya do the same and the latter smiled sheepishly and waved a hand. His younger cousin blinked, then murmured, "You. Lost."
"Don't worry. I'll beat you next time..." Then he ran out of the room, laughing.
~ÀÀÀÀÀ~
"Shuuichi..."
Kurama looked turned from the window he was staring at, and Shuuichi stirred from Kurama's chest, where he had been sleeping. Shiori smiled, "I meant the older."
"Aw, 'kaasan..." And Shuuichi fell asleep again.
Kurama stroked his brother's hair, and watched as even Tokiya began to move from leaning on the window, eyes opening slightly. "Ne, 'kaasan?"
"Don't you want to sleep too, like those boys?"
"It's okay, 'kaasan. Arigatou."
Kazuya glanced at the rearview mirror and observed his son carefully, but furtively. The redhead was now tending Shuuichi, humming softly, so he could continue on with what he was dreaming of. It's now or never. "Ano... Shuuichi." Even Shiori turned to look at him. "Hai, Kazuya-san?"
Kazuya patiently smiled, "Ne, I told you to call me 'tousan already, remember?"
"Ano... Gomen, 'tousan. What is it?"
"I was just wondering. I believe that Kuwabara... your classmate?"
Kurama nodded, "Hai, 'tousan."
"I believe he mentioned something about a reunion?"
"A... a, hai," Kurama answered uncertainly, not sure where this was leading to. His stepfather continued, "Well? Why didn't you want to go? I mean, it's not like it's the first time you'll miss a family trip..."
"Kazuya!" Shiori warned softly.
He looked once more at the rearview mirror and when he saw that the redhead was struggling to come up with an explanation, he supplied, "Does it have anything to do with that Hiei?"
He saw that it hit the mark. His son visibly winced, and he heard Shiori say, "Kazuya, give it-"
"Perhaps." Both Shiori and her husband turned at that, and saw their son lean back, and close his eyes. The trip followed with ensuing silence.
"Come, 'niichan! The water's great!"
"Ano... I'm not sure I want to get wet, Shuu-chan."
The younger grinned evilly and proceeded to pull his brother to the water, "You've no choice! Gotcha!" The redhead was dragged to the water, pants and all. "Shuu-chan! I'm wearing jeans!"
"Too late, ne, oniisan?" With that, he squealed and headed out towards the deep part. Kurama looked worriedly at the big waves that were crashing down the surf. He had a bad feeling about it. He soon followed his little brother to warn him, "Shuuichi! Stop! Don't go too far, the waves are too big!"
Tokiya only noticed now that the redhead was going too far out, "Shuuichi!"
Kurama turned around and waved to show he was okay, and that he was going after his brother. Tokiya doubtedly approved. I might as well get in there myself. The waves are getting to be quite my height. He continued to strip down to his swimming trunks.
Meanwhile, Kurama finally caught up with Shuuichi. He called out and touched his brother's shoulder, "Shuu-chan, let's go back. It's going to be high tide and that's dangerous."
Shuuichi looked hesitantly at his brother, and then shrugged, deciding that he never told a lie. So he made a splash and challenged, "Race you back there!" He started swimming. Kurama looked amusedly at the retreating back at first, then started to kick and raise his arms. He couldn't move one of his legs. It was as if something grabbed it and realized that something had caught his foot. He dove down to have a look. Under the water, he saw that it was a net, and that the whole of his right leg(with his pants) had been tied to it. He shook his leg to remove it, but it didn't even budge. He tugged hard, to no avail. Then, he rose up for air, only to be surprised.
Tokiya looked at the younger Shuuichi scampering towards shore, panting and mumbling, "I won! I won! Hehe. Oniisan-" He turned and saw that he wasn't there. "Ne, Oniisan?"
Tokiya searched as well and saw that the redhead had not moved from the spot where he had met his brother. He called out, "Shuuichi! Get out of there!" But the redhead didn't seem to hear and was preoccupied with something. He's always too curious. He better get back... The waves.
The redhead disappeared as he dived. Shuuichi said, "Oi! What is oniisan doing?! It's getting dangerous!" Shiori and Kazuya seemed to notice and went to join the younger. Instantly, Tokiya moved and started to wade the water. To their relief, a head swam up again, but still Tokiya continued to go towards his cousin. More spectators turned to watch. They were whispering, "What's happening?" "I think something's wrong." "Hey look, a boy appeared!" To their horror, just as the redhead appeared, a huge wave loomed over him.
Kurama felt the impact painfully, and he was back under the water once more. For a few moments, he remained limp, but the caresses of the seaweeds woke him. He turned to look at the net that caught him, and saw that it had entwined with his leg even more. He started swimming up, and when he surfaced, he saw Tokiya swimming towards him. But when he looked back, another wave was behind him. It was getting hard to keep his head up the water, and much more hard to breathe and move his legs. Everything was becoming more and more wavy. It must be the effect of the very large swell coming. It was much bigger than the last, and Kurama knew, he couldn't survive such a hit...
Tokiya began to increase his pace. When the first wave hit, the redhead had disappeared. He was a few meters away, when Shuuichi appeared again, but he seemed only semi-concious. I have to hurry... Damn. When he looked at the redhead again, he saw the biggest wave he ever encountered in his whole life. Oh, shit! Shuuichi!
Tokiya was near. Kurama frantically looked at the wave behind him, and when he turned back his cousin was there already, "What's wrong?"
"I'm caught. I can't move."
Tokiya cursed again. He dove and saw the problem. He tugged hard and managed to free a part of the redhead. He surfaced for more air, and heard his cousin's alto voice, "Tokiya, the wave!"
Back on the shore, the people held their breaths. Kazuya began to run towards the water too.
No other way. He pulled out his ensui.
Kurama was surprised to see Tokiya make an ice sword from the water. Then, he felt a thwack and he was free, but the wave was already above them. He heard his cousin say, "Down, down!" And he was under the water again, before the world became dark.
It's so cold... Where am I?
Unh... I can't...
I can't move... Tokiya...
Tokiya... I... I - It hurts!
"Is he okay?"
Tokiya carried the redhead, Man, he's light... "Yes. He's just tired." The viewers seemed to have lost interest and went on their ways, as Tokiya proceeded to wade out of the water. Kazuya met him, "Gods... What happened?"
"He got caught in a net. Fortunately, I got there on time." He gazed around and saw that the younger Shuuichi was as pale as a ghost, and Shiori was, as well. He felt a tiny stir, and his eyes met with green eyes. They bore through him, so he blinked. A sleepy voice remarked, "You. Lost.. Again." Kurama fell asleep after.
"Hey, look, kawaii!"
Kurama looked up from his place in the sandbox to see a boy he didn't recognize, bulky (fat, actually), with black hair, pointing at him, calling out to his friends. They soon came and surrounded him. The redhead was nervous. He didn't know what this was about, if it was a ritual, he didn't want to be in it. He looked around for a familiar face.
"Isn't he kawaii?" The other little boys agreed and started pinching his cheeks. "He looks like a girl. Is he a girl?"
"Eew!!" came the chorused reply, "Girls have cooties."
The burly kid grinned, "This one isn't a girl. Ne?"
Kurama didn't feel inclined to reply. He started to stand up. But the kid hugged him and announced, "Iie. He is no girl. And he won't give no cooties." With that, he gave the redhead a little peck on the cheek. Kurama was alarmed. Was he being attacked? He struggled to get out of the grip.
"Oi! What are you doing to him?"
The big kid growled, "None of your business."
Before he could react any further, a fist hit him, and he went sprawling to the ground. Tokiya then embraced his cousin and said, "MINE!"
Kurama opened his eyes. The first thing he saw was Tokiya. He was aware of the pain shooting through his body. The brown-haired guy remarked, his eyes twinkling, "You know, when I see you hugging a pillow like that. I get jealous and wish I were a pillow, so you could hug me instead, real tight."
Kurama looked down at how he was holding the pillow. Suddenly, he let go of it, rose up, and to Tokiya's surprise and delight, he hugged him. Tokiya smiled.
Kurama missed this kind of warmth... He called me 'mine'...
~ÀÀÀÀÀ~
Kazuya looked at his son and nephew through the rearview mirror (it seems that it became a hobby). The two were sleeping, as was his younger son, but what caught his attention was that the older Shuuichi was leaning on Tokiya. It seems they've become close. I hope it lasts... Suddenly, the car hit a bump and Tokiya stirred. Immediately, the redhead woke as well, and he looked around, a bit disoriented. Now, the brown-haired youth was fully awake. There was a long span of silence. Kazuya looked at his sleeping wife for support, but didn't get any. So, he asked, just to come up with a conversation, "So, Shuuichi. I believe I've never asked how you got hooked up with those delinquents."
Shuuichi frowned at this. Immediately, the driver regretted it. But before he could take it back, the redhead spoke up, "They're not exactly delinquents, Kazu- 'tousan. They just find it hard to stay in school."
Tokiya snorted at this. Kazuya couldn't help but give a low laugh. "'tousan! Tokiya!" The man behind the wheel then repeated, "Well? How did you meet them?"
Kurama felt uneasy. He couldn't very well tell about youkais and tanteis, etc... So he replied, "Ano... Where to start? Kuwabara and Yuusuke were already friends before we met. Well, rivals actually, but they later became friends. I met them through another friend, Koenma, and we just hit it off pretty well."
His father's brow was raised, "Just make sure that you don't get into fights, ne?"
A smile. "I don't need to worry, 'tousan. Tokiya is here."
A snort, and the two were asleep once more. The trip followed with ensuing silence. Though this time, it was different. It was really peaceful.