Author's Note: Many thanks go to all my many reviewers, and especially to Xandra and Kamitra for reminding/pestering me to update. ~huggles you both~ Thank you!
This chapter may seem a little fluffy. Wait.
Chapter 1: As If By Chance
No matter how many years passed, Subaru could not forget that one year and the bizarre conclusion. It cast a shadow over everything he did, making school all but impossible to get through. He forced his way through though, owing most of his success to pep talks and occasional bullying from Hokuto.
Graduation was behind him now, and all he could think of was taking a break. A very long break. One where he didn't spend every moment obsessively studying between the ever increasing jobs, hoping beyond hope that his attendance record would not slip to the point that he'd have to take the classes over, again and again. One where he had an occasional weekend to himself to do what he liked. One where Hokuto stopped pestering him to go on whatever blind date she had set up for him this time.
He sighed heavily as he pulled the tie tight around his neck, feeling like it was more of a noose. But, it went with the outfit Hokuto had picked out, and he would rather put the constricting thing on than listen to her shriek at him about his sense of style. He looked in the mirror, making sure everything was up to his twin's standards, grinning. Her taste was outlandish, and he preferred not to attract that much attention usually, but he had to admit that something about the clothes she loved to dress him up in looked good, and made him look good.
"Aren't you finished yet?" Hokuto's voice carried from the living room, eliciting another smile from Subaru.
Deep blue with highlights of crimson, a hat to match, and the gloves were laying on the dresser, waiting to be stuffed in his pocket and forgotten as usual. It may be winter, but he'd rather keep his hands in his pockets, even after all this time. If he left the gloves behind though, he'd be nagged about them, and about how they completed the outfit and kept his hands warm. He straightened the hat one more time and walked out for the customary inspection.
"You know, you don't need to set me up with someone every time you want to go on a date with Kakyou-san," he said softly as he entered the living room.
She jumped up, fussing over him, double checking everything, and beaming with pride. That was the real reason he indulged her in wearing these outfits. It made her happy. Was there any greater reward than making someone you cared about happy?
"I just want to see you happy again, it would be so nice if you were in love too," she said, echoing his thoughts without meaning to.
"I am happy," he lied.
She simply shook her head.
"Would you settle for content?" he grinned, looking sheepish.
She crossed her arms in front of her chest, trying to look imposing while trying not to laugh at the same time. "Content is a far cry from happy, you should give it a try some time!" She beeped him on the nose, making them both laugh.
"I remember being happy, once. I'll settle for content." He said the words softly, half hoping she wouldn't hear him so he could dismiss them casually, but he couldn't seem to hold his tongue despite his reservations. Hokuto winced slightly and looked away, and immediately Subaru gave in. "I'll try to be happy. I'll give it another chance."
The sunny smile Hokuto produced was almost bright enough to blind, but Subaru didn't mind. He let her fuss over him one last time, straightening his tie and reaching up to finger-comb his hair a little. It still felt strange to him at times, to be looking down at her when most of their life she had been the same height. Her hair was now longer than his too, and though they still looked like twins they no longer looked identical.
She finally handed him a piece of paper with the address of his date and hurried him out the door. He kept a smile on his face until he was sure she wasn't looking anymore, and then he sighed a little, wearing a more neutral expression. Another night with a complete stranger. He double-checked his cel phone to make sure it was on. Just in case.
An hour later, Subaru was waiting in line at the movie theater, by himself. His blind date had opened the door, only to announce that she wouldn't be able to accompany him that evening. She had just gotten back together with her boyfriend, and all three of them had stared awkwardly until Subaru had smiled kindly, assuring the girl that it was okay, and backed out. He wasn't entirely disappointed, though the girl had been pretty enough. It was rare that Hokuto set him up with a girl, after all that had happened, so there must have been something special about her. Still, he couldn't bring himself to regret being alone tonight.
He chose a film at random; picking one that was starting soon. He bypassed the concession stand without a backward glance, slipping into the theater just as the lights began to dim. He spotted an empty seat in the back row and hurried to it, not wanting to be in anyone's way when the movie started. As he hurried to his seat though, something distracted him. There was something not quite right, something that should be familiar, but something he couldn't quite put a name to. It was like an old melody that repeated in your mind, but only a few bars would play. The harder he concentrated, the further away the certainty that he knew it became.
He had nearly reached his seat when the thought snapped into place. In mid-step he began to turn, looking around with wide eyes. He realized he had misstepped a moment too late to correct his balance, and he fell forward, expecting to land on his hands and knees. Oh no, not again, he thought, as the dark floor rushed up to meet him.
Hands grabbed him, steadying with sure strength and no hint of hesitation at helping. Subaru stood, stunned and staring at the man who just helped him. "What are you doing here?"
"Just saving a seat for my Subaru-kun," Seishirou answered with a smile.
Subaru sat in the empty seat quickly, unsure if he could trust his legs to support his weight after the shock. Seishirou was back in his life.
Hokuto looked over at Kakyou with a grin as they walked hand in hand through the park. It's a good thing the Sumeragi name carries so much weight, or he would not be here with me now. She pressed her head against his shoulder for a moment, though their pace didn't make the gesture practical to maintain.
"It's pretty here, but where are we headed in such a hurry?"
Kakyou gave her a small smile, then quickened the pace again. "The park is only a shortcut. We're headed to the subway next."
She almost hit him. "On our date? Why? You're supposed to do something romantic, not this!"
He stopped, bending down to whisper softly in her ear. "It's a secret," he breathed, lips brushing ever so slightly against her. She shivered involuntarily, and then looked up at him with starry eyes when he stood again. "Trust me, the destination will be worth the travel."
"Okay, let's hurry then!" She gripped his hand tighter, then started running, pulling him along behind her. His smile grew slightly and he simply allowed himself to be lead.
The Sumeragi sat stiffly in his seat, trying to shrink into himself so he would not accidentally brush against the man sitting next to him. He stared straight ahead, keeping his eyes on the movie screen, rubbing the backs of his hands absently while his mind raced. Seishirou, on the other hand, was leaning casually back in his seat, unashamedly studying Subaru and smiling at what he saw.
Neither saw much of the movie, letting it pass while they concentrated all their awareness on each other. It was an excruciatingly long hour and a half for both of them, but neither of them exactly wanted it to end either. Subaru didn't want to know what Seishirou had planned next, because he had no doubt that the Sakurazukamori would have a plan. Seishirou didn't want the movie to end because he had no idea what he'd do next--he just knew that he had to keep Subaru in his sight. He wouldn't let go now that fate had pulled Subaru's string back across his path.
"Okay, I give up. I'm completely lost! Where are we going?" Hokuto was amused, but pretending to be irritated. The truth was, she had never been happier, but she couldn't admit that. Well, not yet at least.
"It's just beyond that corner," Kakyou assured as they walked down the dark street.
"But there's nothing over there! Just the beach!"
"Exactly."
"It's the middle of the night, and you brought me to the beach?"
They rounded the corner and found cement steps leading down to the sand. There was a bonfire in the distance and people obviously around that, but Kakyou and Hokuto walked the other way and were quickly swallowed by the darkness of the night. The roar of the ocean muffled most of the other sounds, and soon the two found a spot of sand to sit together, alone.
The darkness over the water brought out more stars than Hokuto could remember seeing before. The sight took her breath away and gave her goose bumps. "It's amazing," she breathed, leaning in close to her boyfriend.
"Subaru-kun, wait." It wasn't a command, but Subaru didn't think it was exactly a request either. The words lay somewhere in between, and he found himself obeying. The other movie patrons filtered out quickly, and only when the theater employees came in to clean did Seishirou stand.
"What are you playing at, Seishirou-san?"
The Sakurazukamori didn't answer; he simply led them out to the street. Subaru thought about ducking the other way and losing himself in the masses of people, but he didn't. He followed. Curiosity pulled him along swiftly...curiosity and some other emotion that Subaru didn't want to look at too closely.
"Where are we going?" He finally demanded when they reached a street corner and waited for the light.
For a moment, the mask Subaru was always used to seeing on Seishirou's face was missing. It was a chilling look that the younger onmyouji had only seen a handful of times before, including the fateful first meeting that had been erased from his memory for so long. That look lasted only for the blink of an eye before Seishirou smiled. "I just thought that, if we followed the movie with dinner we could call it a date."
"That smile doesn't fool me anymore," Subaru stated stubbornly.
Seishirou just laughed, and Subaru found himself following anyway when the light changed.
Silence stretched out between Kakyou and Hokuto as they drank in the beauty of the night. Finally Hokuto couldn't keep her silence any longer. "You seem preoccupied. What's wrong?"
"You should turn your phone off. You won't need it here, and the signal won't reach this spot anyway. It's best if you don't waste the battery."
Hokuto blinked a few times, but Kakyou's eyes didn't leave the starry sky. She checked her phone and saw that the reception display confirmed what he had already said. She frowned at the phone before shutting it off and returning it to her purse. "There's something you're not telling me."
He nodded. "If I told you, you'd worry. There's nothing to worry about."
"That's hardly reassuring!"
Kakyou nodded again, then leaned in closer. "Then let me distract you. We'll head back at moonrise."
For a moment Hokuto was torn, but Kakyou caressed her cheek and leaned closer for a kiss. It became harder and harder for her to think, or to feel anything beyond this moment. The roar of the sea soon drown out her doubts and the feel of his kiss distracted her from anything but that moment. She gave silent thanks yet again that she had been able to rescue him. No one else could distract her like he could.
