Disclaimer: Don't own them…
Part 4"What do you think you're doing here?"
"Lay off him, Hanabishi. He's with me."
Everyone turned to see Tokiya handling two duffel bags. Doumon instantly reacted, "What?! This comrade of the devil? No way is he going with us!"
Kurama looked uncertainly at Tokiya. The latter glared at the two complaining idiots, "He's coming. That's final. And whoever lays a hand on him, answers to me." Now they were all pretty shocked. When has Tokiya started being that way? "Keep your mouths close, I think a fly will enter them soon."
It was the end of the argument. Though all Recca and Doumon could do were glare at the redhead. Yanagi didn't seem to mind, also Fuuko and Ganko. According to them, 'the more the merrier!' Kauro simply shrugged his shoulders. Thus, this was the arrangement in the van: The driver, Doumon (don't ask why), beside him was Fuuko. On the second row was Recca, then Ganko and her talking stuff toy, and Yanagi. On the last row was Tokiya, Kurama, and Kaoru.
Kaoru looked suspiciously at the two boys beside him. There was something weird about the way they acted. Can it be? Tokiya and that smart-ass (though of course, he's not as smart as me) are... are... Tokiya began to move from his position, and it wakened the redhead. The former gave an apologetic smile, held the redhead's shoulder, and they fell asleep again. Kaoru's eyes widened, "Lovers?!"
Recca woke from that outburst, "Oi! Kogenai! What's wrong with you?" Yanagi and Ganko were still snoozing. The talking Doumon and Fuuko stopped for a while and glanced at their small comrade. Kaoru blushed, "Iya... I just remembered something."
He glanced once more at the pair beside him, his cheeks still burning. One of Tokiya's eyes was opened and was accusingly staring at him. His cheeks turned even redder, and he focused his vision on Recca, who, by now, was snoring loudly.
'Mikagami Tokiya, Hyomon Ken Master... has a boy lover?'
All problems seemed forgotten once they entered the premises of Kagero's hut. Recca's mother seemed pleased that her son has a new "friend". At this, Recca openly badmouthed the new guy, and was scolded by both his princess and Kagero herself. When they reached the hut, they seemed bent on using the wide area as a battle ground, reasoning that they hadn't done it for a long time.
"Oi! Tokiya, leave that loser alone and let's spar. Of course I'll take you seriously," Recca taunted.
"Loser? Compared to him, you're nothing but lesser than an idiot! No way am I getting myself humiliated in front of my guest. And from where did you get the idea you'll defeat me? Not on hell, Hanabishi."
An argument started and the two began exchanging blows, still while bantering. Meanwhile, Doumon looked meaningfully at Fuuko. The wind "witch" laughed and said, "I'll spar with you." The burly guy whooped and said, "If I defeat you, can we go on a date?"
Fuuko blushed and smiled, "Sure. It makes the game more exciting."
On the side of the hut were Yanagi, who sat beside Kurama, and Kagero, serving watermelon to the two kids - Ganko and Kaoru. She sat down beside the redhead and smiled. After, she brought closer the tea that had been set aside, just so the two young ones would be sated. She carefully poured the steaming liquid in each cup and when she reached the redhead's she began, "I'm glad Tokiya found you. He never interacts with anyone. Not even with us."
"Honto ni?" Kurama was perplexed. Tokiya didn't seem that way to him. Yanagi agreed, "Yes. It seems after he met you, he's improved. I've never seen him that affectionate with anyone."
At this, Kurama blushed. He turned to watch his cousin fight, I guess this isn't doing wonders only for me. But for him, as well.
Kaoru stopped by an open door. He took a peek and saw Tokiya standing beside the bed, where his guest was sitting. He couldn't help but eavesdrop and watch the scenes play before him.
"Look at you. You're so wet!"
"Gomen. But that fish was just too big! And it..."
"It was a good thing you didn't fall off the cliff. You would have forced me to jump after you." Tokiya proceeded to unbutton the redhead's shirt, and removed it after.
"Gomen ne... I didn't mean to. I just got carried away." Kurama shivered slightly. He was naked now, with only a towel around his waist. Tokiya took another cloth and rubbed his companion's face and hair until it nearly dried. The redhead picked up a brush and started combing his hair. The brown-haired guy stood up from the bags on the floor and already held clothes for his cousin's nightwear, "Here, you're already cold."
Kaoru shifted his position lightly to see what Tokiya was doing. When he finally got a clear view, the redhead was already wearing a long shirt and boxers, and Tokiya was holding his face with his two hands, so that their eyes would meet, "Just be careful, okay? I'm not Superman."
"But you saved me. And your weapon - "
"I'm only human. Ne, Shuu-kun. I have limitations."
The Adamantium Blade wielder even grew more fascinated. No way would Tokiya say that out loud. And more to his surprise, his eyes nearly popping out of their sockets, the Hyomon Ken Master gave the redhead a light kiss on the forehead, the tip of the nose, then softly on the lips. He lay down the redhead and draped the blankets around his slim form. At this, the young member had to rush to his room after what he saw. No way... Tokiya is... They really are?
~ÀÀÀÀÀ~
"But you saved me. And your weapon - "
"I'm only human. Ne, Shuu-kun. I have limitations."
Tokiya gave the redhead a light kiss on the forehead, the tip of the nose, then softly on the lips. He lay down the redhead and draped the blankets around his slim form.
Tokiya is... he is... And he defeated me! Kaoru ran faster than his legs could actually carry him. As he rounded the corner, he bumped into a wall, or so he thought. "Kaoru-chan, daijoubu?"
The young boy looked up and saw that it was Yanagi, and blushed, "Ah, hai. I'm sorry, I wasn't looking, and-"
"Something's wrong, right?" Kaoru was uncertain whether to tell the girl what happened or not. "Don't worry, I won't tell. Come on, share it with me."
He carefully recounted the events he saw, his cheeks tingeing, as he was caught in the act of playing voyeur. To his surprise, there was no repulsion, just a smile, and the brown-haired girl replied, "Aren't you happy that Tokiya's found someone?"
"Um... It just feels weird."
Yanagi patted his hair, "He really needs this. As his friends, we should be able to accept it. I think that even Doumon and Recca and the others are suspecting..." "Those knuckle-heads? I thought they were as dense as concrete!"
The healer giggled at this, "Not everything is as they seem."
"Achoo!!"
Kurama peered curiously at his cousin, "Are you okay, Tokiya-kun?"
"Hai, don't worry. Go to sleep now, you'll need it."
"Good night!"
"Good night."
~ÀÀÀÀÀ~
Recca was having the best dream in his life. He had finally managed to beat Kurei with just one blow. His princess was so happy and gave him a peck on the cheek. As he celebrated with his friends, the crowd were cheering, especially the girls. Ah... This is the life! It would have went on greatly if not so suddenly, he felt heat from within him. It was like he was burning up... Internal combustion? He closed his eyes from the pain, and disbelief. He couldn't be burned up, he was a flamemaster! He promptly opened his eyes, and his was in his room again, panting. He still felt really hot, but what he felt was from the sun's rays. And maybe even fever.
The door suddenly opened, and he expected his princess to enter, but it was a redhead. Instantly, he fumed, but he felt too weak to say anything.
Kurama felt Recca waking up. The others, Doumon, Fuuko, Ganko, Kaoru, and Yanagi had decided to explore the forestry a little bit, Kagero had gone to a private business. So it was only him and his cousin, and the sleeping "beauty". The five explorers were a bit bored, and so they left Recca when lunch came and he still didn't wake up. His mother had stayed for a while, before the conversation came to ancient artifacts, and she remembered something urgent. She didn't exactly trust that nothing would go wrong if she left Tokiya alone, and Recca was there... "They would probably start an argument and tear my house down!" she told this to Kurama, "so I need you to placate them, okay?" He had agreed amusedly, having the situation being so familiar.
When the clock struck 2, the other youths had not yet come back. Kurama had awoken to find Tokiya dressing up, the little dagger-like weapon being inserted in his shirt pocket. Before he could say anything, his cousin spoke up, "I also need to meet someone at three. I trust that Recca won't be waking up 'til evening, otherwise, I trust that he not touch you, or else..."
The redhead looked at him thoughtfully, and silently said, "Please take care."
Tokiya began to have doubts, but soon, made up his mind and kissed his cousin goodbye on the lips, "Don't worry.. Shuu-chan. I'll be back, okay? And I'll bring you a nice present."
That was how he got stuck with the brash young teen, who was older than him. Now, he got up, and took a wooden tray from the cupboard and started putting the food he had just recently cooked. A bowl of rice, beef curry, freshly-squeezed orange juice, and the chocolate cake he baked. I think this'll be enough. Although he might be really hungry...
He slowly opened the door to the room, and when he met the black-haired guy's eyes, he could feel the other fuming, and there was something else... Ignoring the digging eyes, he put the tray on the table beside the bed and started to reach out a hand to the other's forehead.
Instantly, Recca recoiled, though it made him dizzy, "Don't touch me. I'll burn you!"
The redhead still touched his forehead and replied, "Fine. But save it for later. You've got a high temperature. Eat up."
Recca swatted the hand away, with his burning arm. Of course, the redhead, pained, withdrew the offended arm and carefully touched the injury. Tokiya will not be happy... He moved away carefully and sat on a chair on the far corner of the room. As Recca watched, the redhead took out a bandage from his sleeve and began to do the burn carefully. After that was through, he roughly covered the bandaged injury with his sleeve. Recca wondered why the other was so cautious in hiding it. Then it dawned on him. Oh shit! Tokiya! Damn! He'll kill me and barbecue me on that ice stick of his! SHIT! SHIT! SHIT!
"If you wouldn't mind, I would like to have the tray now?"
As if on cue, Recca's stomach grumbled. He blushed a bit and eyed the food prepared for him. It seemed so irresistable! He wanted to taste everything, especially the cake! But he didn't want to touch it. It was after all, prepared by his enemy... But it seems so delicious... Come on, try it! *No way, it might be poisoned or something!* ::Just look at that steaming, dripping sauce. And that cake!:: Especially the cake! *How can you say that? You're supposed to hate him!* He was saved from further arguing with himself when the redhead politely excused himself and exited the room. Oh, what the heck!
When Kurama returned with a concoction he made for Recca's fever, the other had already finished eating. He looked so content and happy. Kurama silently approached and handed him the cup of medicine, "Drink this, it'll make you feel better." This time, Recca took it and drank quickly. It tasted really bitter! He nearly poured it all out of his mouth, but was able to swallow it. For the first time, he noticed the silence of the hut, "Where are the others? Why is it you serving me?"
"They went exploring when you still didn't wake up."
"Even Tokiya and okaasan?" Recca toyed with the cup in his hands. "Your mother had a very important business to attend to. She rushed out immediately when she remembered it. Tokiya had someone to meet at three."
"He actually left you with me?" "He thought you would not wake until night comes..." The redhead avoided mentioning the threat part. But it WAS too late, wasn't it?
Recca cursed under his breath again, SHIT! Also, Tokiya believes that I will not be foolish enough to hurt him... SHIT!
The redhead seemed to have read his mind, "Ano... Don't worry about this little burn. I'll tell him it happened when I baked the cake."
Recca's eyebrows rose up, "Why are you doing all these for me?"
"I would have done the same to anyone. Rest now, when you wake up, you'll get better."
The flamecaster suddenly felt sleep coming in, "You were the one who baked the cake? It was delicious! Can I have some more?"
Kurama smiled, "Hai. When you wake up."
"And um... ... Thank you."
"You're welcome." Recca started to drift off, but before he could, he managed to ask, "What relationship exists between you and Tokiya?"
As the redhead answered, the flamecaster fell off to sleep. He didn't hear the reply.
"Ah! We're back!" Doumon cried out as they reached the little villa.
Fuuko bopped him on the head, "We would have been, hours before, if you hadn't gotten us lost, idiot!"
She looked at Ganko, who was sleeping on her arms. The little girl had cried and fallen asleep, when she realized that they were lost. Thankfully, Kaoru was with them, and a few hours later, they were able to come back.
Yanagi giggled, "It's already night and Recca's not awake yet!"
"Never knew he was a day sleeper. Oi! Hanabishi! Wake up you lazy bum!"
Kaoru, this time, bopped him on the head, and Fuuko managed to cover the big mouth with a hand, still careful, not to wake Ganko. The big oaf sobbed, "What did I do this time?"
Kaoru snarled quietly, "Are you blind?"
Doumon directed his gaze to where the shorter guy was pointing. It was the redhead, on the front door, eyes closed, back to the threshold. As Doumon was about to complain, the green orbs flew open and a little smile greeted them. Kaoru noted how forced it looked. Yanagi spoke up as they all approached, "Oh my! I haven't cooked dinner yet! It's almost 8 o'clock! And where is Miss Kagero and Tokiya?"
The redhead tiredly replied, "Don't worry about dinner, I cooked it already. Recca woke up, but he had to rest because he had a fever. Tokiya went out at two, and as you can see, he's still not here. Kagero-san had to go to an urgent business. And here she is."
They all turned to see the said woman coming, a clothed bundle in hand. She greeted them all a pleasant good evening, and asked where Tokiya and her son were. As Kurama answered the question, Yanagi suddenly remembered that Recca was ill. She excused herself and ran upstairs to check.
When she finally went down, the sick person had gone down, already well, after waking up, and hungry again, and the rest of his friends, and mother, were already sitting, food in front. He gave a wide smile, "Good evening!"
"Come on, Hanabishi. We're all hungry!" complained Doumon. Before he sat down, however, the group leader turned to Kurama and said, "Hey, where's my cake?"
"I'll serve it after dinner." A smile. Doumon blinked. And blinked again. Recca was actually treating their 'enemy' well. Was it because he was cared for by the redhead? Anyway, I guess if Recca's at ease with him, I'll be too. When the redhead served him food, he chided, "Oi! You sure this is not poisoned?" Laughs echoed across the room. The redhead nodded, knowing it was a joke, and replied, "Maybe."
Everyone ate up to their heart's content. According to them, it was the best food they'd ever encountered in their whole lives. Doumon commented, "I never knew I could eat vegetables that many!" Fuuko smiled, "When they're THAT delicious, no one sure, can get enough of it!"
Suddenly, Yanagi asked, "Aren't you going to eat yet, Minamino?"
"I'll wait for Tokiya. Here, have some cake..."
Immediately, Recca's ears perked up, "Yeah! Cake!"
As they noisily ate the delicious dessert, Kurama went out the front door again, and leaned on a pillar.
Only Kaoru noticed how cold the wind was.
~ÀÀÀÀÀ~
Kurama... I've come back. For you...
The wind blew the hair of a six-horned youkai, and the young one with a single horn on the forehead and grew until just below his shoulder looked at him and smiled, "We're home, Papa."
A black shadow flitted through Ningenkai's trees and forestry. As he nearly slipped in excitement, he cursed, and promptly continued on his way. Got to get to - Ah... It stopped on one branch, which was beside an open window. The black shade looked at the made bed and scanned the area for any signs of life. It seemed that no one was there for a while. The dark one cursed again and proceeded, still, his mission in mind.