Aoi to Chairoi
(Blue and Brown)
A Recca no Honoo fanfic
By Tenshi no Ai
I don't own the characters involved in this work of fiction, nor do I have enough money to make suing a viable option.
Summary: On the hot July day before the flight to England is scheduled, unexpected help makes the packing--as well as mutual understanding--come along much faster.
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I...I'm nervous.
Kagura Aoi stood in the middle of his sparse room, almost frozen with indecision. A fairly large rolling suitcase lay at his feet, already unzipped wide open and looking like an unending void to another, far lonelier, dimension.
I'm used to traveling. When you're on employ as an assassin, you tend to find yourself in some very far-flung places. So, you pack light.
I've never packed for a vacation before.
He looked over at his small closet, adjacent to his door, then at his plain oak dresser drawers on the other side. His eyes darted back and forth between these two points, his mind embroiled within the dilemma.
Quietly, he sank to the floor and sighed.
I've never packed for a trip to see someone I like.
Maybe if I didn't like him so much, this would be easier...
A quick look in front of his body revealed that the bag was still empty.
Right.
With hesitation, he rose to his feet and resolutely made his way to his closet. It slid open with ease--as it had been repeatedly pushed open and slammed shut within the last hour--and allowed full disclosure on all of its owner's nicely hung outfits. There were numerous types of shirts and shorts, skirts and jeans and dresses and...
The resulting bang that sounded when the sliding door slammed against the edge of the closet frame was heard by all the customers in the shop downstairs.
This is not my area of expertise.
Yanagi-chan--cute, efficient, and somewhat worrisome--could pull out outfits with ease. I know, because half the clothes in there were bought on shopping trips with her. She could easily decide what to bring on a trip to England in the summer, what to wear to impress adults who also happen to be your...friend's parents.
Why did she have a date tonight? I need her more than Recca does...
Outfits were definitely not on my mind when I agreed to go, or else I would've declined.
Closing his eyes, Aoi pushed his hand up through his bangs and began combing through them, haphazardly revealing his right eye. He was irritated at himself, irritated at his large number of clothes, irritated at everything. If he couldn't finishing packing in one more hour, he was seriously considering calling Hiruko and claiming he couldn't go after all.
And that, the thought of actually backing out of a trip that he had stressed about for months, pushed him into a realm of feelings he normally held himself from exploring.
He was furious.
I don't know what's wrong with me.
I want to go and see Hiruko badly, but...there's something holding me back.
And it's not just trying to pack, either. I know myself more than that. I don't care about packing.
Something else is bothering me, and it's just manifesting through my current inability to choose some outfits and through them in my suitcase.
I know enough about the mind, and myself, to know that much.
Summoning up a sufficient pretense of calm, he turned away from the closet door and padded over to the black hole that currently dominated the middle of his room.
But what is it?
---------
Aoi was not a pacer by nature, so it took a lot of built-up stress for the teenager to actually start shuffling about in his small room, unconsciously around his open suitcase. His smooth brow creased when he realized this, and in frustration he made his way over to his futon and sat down, tugging lightly with his right hand at the thick strands of hair hanging above his right eye while his left hand propped up his chin. Slowly his arms lowered to rest on top of his legs, his head lowering without the superficial support of either of his hands. Unconsciously his fingers began tapping out a nameless tune; quickly though they started at plucking at the ends of his jean capris.
Aoi, in either of his incarnations, had never been outwardly frustrated as he was today.
--knoknok--
The gentle taps against his door broke him out of his stress-induced trance, and he immediately stopped his nervous actions. Smoothing down his ruffled bangs, he quietly called out. Come in.
The knob turned, the door was pushed open, and Ishijima Domon entered.
Aoi blinked, a bit surprised. Although he was living in the Ishijima home, Domon had never really casually entered his room, unless it was to ask him to cover a shift at the flower shop. Hello, Domon-kun, he smiled, pushing down all his earlier anxiety and recent suspicions, can I help you with something?
The large brawler critically eyed the bare suitcase just a meter from where he was standing. Seems to me you shouldn't be asking, he said cheerfully, 'Kaasan says that if you slam your door one more time that it'd be the last door you'll slam in this place.
the smaller boy laid his head against his upraised knees, I see.
It surprised him that, when he raised his head, Domon was still in his room. Is there something else you wanted? he asked pointedly, unwilling to fall back into his nervous habits with someone else around.
...Well, you're leaving tomorrow morning, right?
...Shouldn't you be packing? The sun's about to go down.
...I know.
the self-proclaimed Oni' looked hesitant, I'll help you.
Aoi stared blankly at Domon. He wasn't expecting help from anyone, much less Domon. It wasn't as if he didn't get along with the formidable giant, but he didn't think they were close enough to help each other with personal jobs like packing bags. If you like, I guess, he said, smiling sincerely.
They weren't close, but help was always appreciated.
Domon roared, back to his old attitude, let's pack! He lumbered over to Aoi's dresser drawers and opened the top drawers, eyes bulging once he realized what was in it. For his part, Aoi was merely nonplussed.
What are you doing in my underwear drawer, Domon-kun?
He slammed it shut, and a look of trepidation crossed the smaller boy's normally gentle looking face. The sound the drawer made sounded as though it was now stuck. He wasn't looking forward to opening it later on.
Now the feared brawler stormed over to the closet door and shoved it open, which made a loud thudding noise as it collided against the opposite side of the frame. I hope I still have a home to come back to, with all the noise you're making in my room, Aoi said in a half-joking manner. Domon didn't even turn around after hearing the edge in Aoi's voice, so engrossed as he was in the variety of clothes.
Nah, don't worry about it. You'll always have a home here. Kaasan's just blowing smoke.
Aoi froze.
--You'll always have a home here--
He had never had a home' to come back to before. Safe houses, yes, but a home meant a family...
Something wrong? Domon had turned around while he had been thinking and was now looking at him with a look of concern.
Oh, it's nothing, he giggled lightly, putting the thought away for later. He stood and walked over to his closet, any idea of what I should pack?
Domon seemed deep in thought, are you trying to impress Hiruko, or something?
Aoi blankly stared up at the taller teen, why would I?
I mean, do you wanna look good for Hiruko and seduce him, or...
The younger teenager was indignant that a question like that would even be asked of him, we're friends, Domon-kun.
Holding his large hands out placatingly, Domon hastened to explain. I remember that after Hiruko called you up months ago, you were all dazed for, like, a couple of months. So I figured that you liked the guy. And since you'll be staying with him for summer break and all, y'know...
Now Aoi merely looked insulted. I'll give you points on the deducement, but not for the delivery. Just because a girl likes someone doesn't mean she's going to seduce them. I'm only sixteen--
Next month. Either way...wait, how do you know when my birthday is?
Domon shrugged. Yanagi-chan told me, since she wanted to plan a surprise... he quickly trailed off after he realized what he had just said. Aoi merely smiled.
That's so sweet of Yanagi-chan. I'll just pretend I didn't hear that part, okay Domon-kun?
His answer was a fervent nod. Yanagi was known for doing scary things with an Exacto knife. Anyway, I'm not seducing anyone. Not today, not ever. Understood?
That's what Fuuko-chan said, but... A blissful smile appeared on the giant teenager's face. His house guest crossed his arms, disgust quickly overcoming his moral anger.
I don't want to know.
'S'ok. Wasn't going to tell you.
Thank you. Can we please get back to packing? I have to leave by 5:30 tomorrow.
That snapped Domon out of his happy trance. How're you getting there, again?
Aoi motioned the giant teen to move over so he could reach inside his closet. Cab to Narita.
That sucks. You pro'ly won't get a lot of sleep tonight.
Why not? Oh, please hold this.
Sure. I dunno, nervousness of traveling, being anxious to see your...friend.
...You're probably right. And this.
The two worked together, with Aoi pulling out various articles of clothing and Domon complacently holding them. Comments about possible outfits were strewn about, as were hangers, and after an hour the suitcase was full with all the necessities for traveling--especially after Domon yanked open the drawer he had jammed earlier in his bout of embarrassment.
I didn't think I would be able to pack anything at all, Aoi yawned, zipping up his stuffed suitcase. Domon sat on Aoi's futon, and at the younger teen's statement he puffed up with pride.
That's cause you didn't have me around.
Aoi swatted at him with a black beret. Yeah, I'm sure that's it.
It was! Anyway, why couldn't you pack earlier? It looked like you didn't even begin to start when I came in.
The purple-haired boy placed his small hands on his newly packed suitcase, a thoughtful look on his face. I don't really know, I guess, he turned to look at the mohawked fighter, something was just bothering me, but not anymore.
The two fell into a comfortable silence, and Aoi couldn't help but think of what Domon had said earlier.
--You'll always have a home here--
It was weird for the former death god to hear such a thing. Weird, but
It was just like Yanagi telling him that he was her friend, or Hiruko saying that he hoped to see him, or Recca telling him what like' meant, or Fuuko revealing that she had the same feelings, the same dreams as him.
It was weird.
It was nice.
It was like a combination of all the feelings he couldn't name, but knew intimately.
Hey, Aoi, what're you thinking about?
Named, he jerked out of his thoughts, then stared at Domon curiously. I was thinking about what you said earlier, about my always having a home here.
was the answer he received, then, what about it?
The question had tumbled out of Aoi's mouth, unbidden, and for a moment he wished he could take it back.
He didn't need to know why.
Not really.
With a confused look on his face, Domon tried his best to answer. I...I don't know why I said that. I just did. It...I don't know, it felt right, I guess...it's hard to explain, he ended lamely.
--It felt right--
Curiously, Aoi studied the larger teenager's face, noting the slightly tinted cheeks and the way Domon pointedly looked away from his scrutinizing gaze. It was obvious that the Oni' was embarrassed, but Aoi couldn't understand why. After all, Domon was just as brash as any of the once-Team Hokage. Leaning forward from his sitting position, Aoi tilted his head slightly and affixed a questioning look on his friend, the wide mahogany eyes and tousled hair giving him the appearance of an innocent child. Domon-kun, why did you let me stay here in the first place?
Confusion muddled the one who was questioned, but he held up as admirably as he had in any of his fights, couldn't just let my classmate sleep outside after we all just went and tore down the foundation of her life, he hesitated, then smiled widely, 'sides, nothing wrong with havin' a cute girl bein' a house guest and all. Hanabishi did his part with Koganei; figured it was my turn now.
The retort Glad to see you're performing community service, housing genetically cloned assassins and all' died on Aoi's lips. It was one thing to judge solely on the words chosen, but there was something else, something so much more tangible than simple sounds strewn together to create a coherent sentence.
There was meaning.
--It felt right--
And suddenly, a brilliant smile shone on the younger boy's pretty features, aimed at the now completely confused ex-Hokage warrior. Thank you very much, Domon-kun, he said with complete sincerity, it makes me feel happy to hear that.
Kagura Aoi finally understood that those feelings of contentment, love, and connection did have a collective name. A simple name.
They were the feelings of being at home.
And as Domon reached over and affectionally patted him on the head, he understood why he couldn't just easily pack up, not without help from a friend.
He was scared of leaving home.
But it was all right now. Perfectly fine.
Now he knew that he could always return.
Anytime.
-Owari-
So like...what happened to earlier this week? It's one thing to not be able to update for a couple of days, but there's still no announcement about it. What really confuses me is that, although it says that this series has 10 reviews, the last one apparently disappeared. The most recent announcement says that almost all the reviews made on the 4th got swallowed up; well, the review in question was made on the 11th. Luckily, I still got it through my Reviewer Alert', but it still puzzles me slightly. I guess I should be happy that this fic doesn't get much in the way of reviews, or else I'd be really annoyed.Hello, Sarri-chan! The idea that Fuuko views Aoi as a rival was briefly touched upon when Aoi first arrived at the school, but for humor purposes only. But me, being an evil fanfic writer, had to build upon that idea. Ah, did I say something wrong? Believe me, you don't have to feel guilty at all. I'm a slow writer nowadays...the inspiration's slowly dying off...so reviews help me stay inspired and revving up to write the next chapter. Since I don't pull out my bullhorn and put on my capslock asking for reviews, I'm just happy that you reviewed at all!
Nice to meet you, Chibigreen Tanuki! I'm glad I was able to at least read your review, even if it didn't show up on the site. Unfortunately, there are no Aoi-centric stories out there...I checked. -- Thank you very much for the compliments, and I hope you'll enjoy this chapter and the last!
Next chapter is the epilogue!
