Brothers In SpiritDisclaimer: We do not own Takuya, Izumi, Junpei, Tomoki and ...sniff sniff Kouchi or Kouji. Please RR!!
Authors' notes: This is our second fic so we really hope you will enjoy it!
Pairing(s): Koukou (brotherly) and maybe Kozumi or Izuichi later onwardsWarning: Please do not read this fic if you are a Junpei (JP) fan. (contains Junpei bashing)3rd part of Story:-----Camp time-----Kouji's P.o.V."I get the top bunk," Takuya yelled, as we entered a shabby looking cabin. There were buckets placed where water dripped through gaping holes in the roof. Takuya and Junpei however, did not seem to mind at all."I want the top bunk too!" announced Junpei as he ran towards the bed only to trip a meter away from it. I sighed. This was going to be one looong week. I placed my stuff into one of the lower bunks as Kouichi did the same. It was such a small cabin. I didn't know if I could stand staying in here with the same freaks for a whole week.I noticed a huge weight sag over top of me. Junpei had decided to camp on the bed above mine. 'Just great,' I thought sullenly. 'Hope this bed can withstand his weight, or I'll be done for.'"Um... guys, where's the washroom?" Kouichi asked suddenly. We all looked around but there was no sign of a toilet or a shower."Aw man..." Takuya complained, "Ms. Yaiko doesn't expect us to dig holes and wash in the rain does she?" Kouichi shrugged and cringed at the thought."But then, this is supposed to be part of our educational experience right?" Junpei exclaimed as if had had just thought up the most brilliant answer to this problem. We all sweatdropped."Don't keep your hopes too high Junpei," Kouichi advised."CLAAAAAAASSSSSSS!" came a horrible screech from outside. We all ran out to see Ms. Yaiko and her group. They seemed rather content with their cabin, for it didn't have as many holes in it for dripping rain, and it had a built-in toilet and shower, Izumi told us later."You should see how clean it is in there. We've even got carpet instead of those stone planks like yours.""Yeah yeah," Takuya sulked, obviously jealous. "We got the point.""SHUT UP!" the class suddenly silent."Okay class, listen up. I know half of you are complaining of the 'No- Washrooms' in your cabins, but I can't really do anything about it. However, there is a modern day washroom and shower just a short way away from here...about a mile," she pointed towards the mountains, "even though the water won't be as warm, it'll do for all you BOYS." She accentuated, looking almost as if she were going to cackle."Also, you must always go in groups of fours. I don't want anyone getting lost. The girls can visit my cabin for a bathroom... because there is a rule of 'No Boys in the Girls Cabins' strictly in play. Takuya's mouth dropped."I can't believe this. We're gonna have to walk one entire mile just to use the bathroom?" he complained."Um guys..." Junpei whimpered, "I really need to go to the washroom -like RIGHT NOW!" Kouji, Kouichi and I fell in a classic anime style onto the ground."Well, I guess we'd better get walking," Kouichi sighed, "and while we're at it, we might as well take a shower." They ran back to the cabin to get their stuff, as I followed them in a slower pursuit.-----10 minutes later-----"Are we there yet?" Junpei whined."Well we might've been if you could walk any faster," Takuya growled, who was carrying all our towels."And if you carried your stuff," Kouichi complained. Kouichi was carrying the fatso's collection of soaps, shampoos and conditioners. He refused to go if they didn't go with him, and threatened to pee in our cabins if we didn't help."I would but I have to carry my rubber duckie and protect you guys from any danger," he said."You know Kouji, you could help us too," Takuya noted. I smirked."I would, if there were anything for me to-" Junpei suddenly fainted of exhaustion, probably from the walk. I guess I spoke to soon."Well now, you can carry him," Takuya smiled wickedly. I stared at him. Did he actually expect me to carry him all the way to the bathhouse? I tried to pick him up, but collapse under his weight. Kouichi immediately dropped the collection of soap and stuff into Takuya's arms to help me. He acted like it was his duty to help me or something. I gave me a questioning look, but he ignored it."Let me help," he grunted as the two of us struggled to carry the sleeping Junpei.-----Five minutes later-----Around five minutes later, a small bathhouse came into view. Kouichi and I almost collapsed ourselves out of sheer energy loss."Yay!" Junpei exclaimed and ran into bathhouse first. I couldn't believe it. How long had he been awake? As the rest of us approached, we saw two shower rooms and a cubicle. Junpei just stood their dumbfounded."What's the matter?" Takuya asked."I just realized I didn't have to go to the washroom after all," he said. I could feel the room temperature rise from the heat radiating from Takuya, Kouichi and myself. Kouichi was the first to cool down."Come on," he said, calmly, as helped Takuya set the Junpei's collection and our towels down on the ground, "we were going to have to come here anyway." Takuya and Junpei ran up to the main desks."Four students from Ms. Yaiko's class have come to ask for a shower," Takuya stated, breathlessly. She nodded and gave us all tickets."The water will be ready in a minute," the old lady said. We nodded. Since there was only two stalls, Takuya and Junpei demanded to shower first."YOOOOOWWWWWWWWWWWWWW!" came a shriek."IT'S SOOOO COOOOLD!" Takuya yelped."Of course," the old lady chuckled, "after all, it is fresh water from the mountains. If you wanted me to boil it first, you should've told me." Kouichi was laughing hard, while I smiled a bit."Do-do...you mind... boiling ours?" Kouichi asked, laughing. She nodded and walked away."Do you mind throwing me my clothes," Takuya asked. I did what he said."KOUJI! I didn't mean it LITERALLY!" I smiled to myself, knowing that his clothes would be painfully wet and soaked when he would put them on.Takuya came out, red faced and all, followed by a happy Junpei who didn't seem to be at all affected by the cold water. I guess all that blubber did him good after all."Kouji, I swear, I will get you back if it's the last thing I do!" Takuya yelled.
Kouichi's P.o.V.
"Alright BOYS! Early morning rise and shine!" I groaned as I heard Izumi's cheerful voice ring in our cabin. The sun shined into my face. I woke up abruptly."What are you doing here?" Kouji had also awakened."To wake you boys up of course," she retorted stifling a yawn. "It's approximately 6:00 AM in the morning, but Ms. Yaiko insisted on it, to give the class an early start.""Do you know what we're doing?" I asked. She shrugged."She said something about groups finding Lake Kohaku."(Kate: I don't care if it's the guy from 'Spirited Away'.) (Kat: lolz. She stinks when it comes to making names)I listened to the steady snores above me. Takuya seemed to be still asleep. I tapped him on the shoulder."Takuya?" he kept snoring. I pulled the covers off him. He growled, but woke up, rubbing his eyes. Kouji, however, did not care about politeness. He ran out to get a bucket of water and poured it onto the sleeping Junpei."AHHHHHHHHHH" he shrieked like a girl and launched himself onto Izumi who shrieked even louder."GET AWAY FROM ME YOU CREEP!" she shoved him away and shivered."Izumi? What are you doing in our cabin... hey wait a minute... you're not allowed in our cabin..." Takuya commented."Why not?" she retorted."You remember the rule?""Yes! 'No Boys in the Girls Cabins' but there isn't one about 'No Girls in the Boys Cabins'" she smiled. Takuya was outraged."WHAT! THAT IS SOOO NOT FAIR!! WHERE'S THE RIGHTS ON THIS PLANET!!" Takuya shouted. You could practically feel the heat from him."CLASS!" Ms. Yaiko screeched from outside. We all ran out, to find her red faced and impatient."Junpei! Hand this out to everyone in the class," she commanded. Junpei handed us a map of the area we were in. I spotted Lake Kohaku right away."It's a 20 mile walk," Kouji commented."TWENTY MILES!" Junpei fainted. We all stared at him."I'm not going to carry him," Kouji and I said in unison. We stared at each other. I was first to look away."Okay class. For today's assignment, I want you all to find Lake Kohaku. I've decided that four of you may not be safe enough. Each group will be a mixture of boys and girls. You will be with this group till you reach the lake. Any questions?" Ms. Yaiko asked tiredly. Takuya raised his hand, but Izumi stopped him."Good. Please choose a team and continue on," she said, and then walked slowly towards her cabin."What's wrong with her?" Takuya asked."Oh... nothing much," Izumi beamed. "Kimberly kept badgering Ms. Yaiko about today's assignment all night long! So she hasn't had much sleep. Oh, and by the way, we're going to join your group okay?" Izumi questioned.Takuya paused, and stuttered, "But Ms. Yaiko...""Oh, don't' worry about her. You saw her state; she's not going to be coming with us! And also, Rachel's going to be staying with her... to make sure she's alright," Izumi replied cheerfully. Takuya grinned."Next time, use up all the hot water, and plug the bathroom...""Come on, we've better move on," Kouji snapped. Takuya put on a long mocking face."Aw... can't Mr. Solitude have some fun?" Takuya joked. Kouji scowled."Kouji's right, look the rest of the class have already left!" Kimberly called from afar. She was already at the edge of the forest."Hey, wait up for us!" Junpei called as he ran after them dragging Izumi along."EWWW!! HE'S IN YOUR GROUP TOO?!?" Kimberly shrieked. She ran into the forest."Hey wait for us!" I and ran after them."Yeah! Wait up!" Takuya yelled after them. Kouji followed them, in a slower pace.-----1 hour later-----Kouji's P.o.V.
"Junpei, where are we?" Izumi complained loudly."Not now Izumi dear, I'm sure we're somewhere on this map," Junpei replied confidently."Oh give me that!" Kouichi snapped and snatched the map away from him. He suddenly looked angry."Were you looking at this map upside down all the way until now?" he asked as calmly as he could."WHAT?!" the rest of the group shrieked."Oh, so that's why the south was pointing the wrong way on the compass," Junpei smiled. "Thanks for telling me Kouichi!"Why that little... ARGH! How did he end up leading the group? I could feel my anger getting the best of me, but for some reason, Kouichi's voice seemed to reassure me."Well, I'm sure it can't be that hard. First, let's see where we are on the map... hm..." he examined the map thoughtfully."Here, let me help," I offered, and glanced at the map too."Yeah me too!" Junpei announced. We glared at him, and he backed away. After a few minutes, the two of us still couldn't pinpoint our exact location."We don't seem to be on the map," Kouichi said. I nodded in agreement."All righty then!" Takuya said cheerfully, "onward men!" I stared at him. Kimberly and Izumi glared at him."Um... and where oh reliable one, may I ask, do we go?" Kouichi asked."I don't know, but hey, how big can this world be?" he replied optimistically. We all sweatdropped."Well I'm with Takuya," Izumi said, "its better than staying here anyway." The rest of us nodded.-----Very Late Afternoon-----Izumi's P.o.V."We'd better set up camp," Kouji suggested, glancing at the setting sun. Kouichi nodded."It's not a bad idea. And anyway, it's almost dark," Kouichi acknowledged. The rest of us agreed. We all unpacked our belongings and started setting it up. Kouji got his tent up with no problem. He glanced at the rest of the group. I was setting up the campfire with much difficulty. Kimberly was lecturing Takuya as he stubbornly worked on his tent, refusing help and Kouichi stood by in disbelief that Junpei had forgotten his tent."You're joking right? How can you forget your tent at home?" he looked as if he thought Junpei were the world's stupidest creature. (No offense to Junpei fans¡Xbut I already warned you about this...)"I didn't think we would need it?" Junpei whined. Kouichi slapped his forehead outraged, then considered, "Well I suppose if we were short a tent, it would be okay. Since someone would have to be the lookout..."He sighed heavily, "Alright Junpei, you can use mine for a part of the night okay?" Junpei had stars in his eyes."REALLY? I'll go work on it right away." He ran over to Kouichi's tent parts and started jamming things together."You have got to be kidding me," Kouichi groaned and ran over to help him. I giggled."Need help?" I heard a voice mumble. I looked up to see Kouji standing over me. I blushed and nodded gratefully. We puzzled the fire together, and lighted it with a match. Within no time, we had a fire crackling.-----Hour later-----"Mmmmmm... eck" Takuya took a whiff of the instant noodles."Hey, don't blame me," I mumbled as I stirred the pot."What?""Well Junpei here," Junpei's ears perked when he heard me say his name, "accidentally ate the soup mix, thinking it was some sort of powder candy, so basically, this soup is some sort of mixture between nuts and berries." Takuya gave me a strangled look."You're joking right?" he asked hopefully. I gave him a Why-would-I-be- joking look."Ha ha ha. Food is food... right?" Takuya laughed weakly. I shrugged and glanced at the other group who were playing 'Goldfish'."HA! I win again!" Kimberly proclaimed. Junpei pouted, while Kouji looked as if he didn't care less. Kouichi just looked bored."Can't we play some other game?" he yawned."Well Junpei doesn't know any others," Kouji grumbled."Hey I know why don't we bet on something then?" Kimberly exclaimed."Not a bad idea," Kouichi pondered.----- 2 minutes later-----"AHHHHHHHHHHHH!" Takuya ran around the campsite with Junpei chasing after him. Kimberly and Kouichi were laughing breathlessly as Kouji grinned in the background. Apparently, Junpei had lost the round and was sentenced to having to kiss Takuya on the cheek once."Come on Takuya... it's only for a second," Kimberly choked."Yeah and... it's only on the cheek," Kouichi laughed."YOU CAN'T MAKE ME!" Takuya protested and ran behind me for safety."Hey, don't drag me into this!" I objected and stepped away. Takuya scrambled away, accidentally knocking into my almost finished noodles. The whole group was speechless. Junpei was first to break the silence."NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!" he hollered."It's only a meal," Kouji retorted, but Junpei kept crying."Argh, lets just do something else, to distract ourselves from food," I said, feeling my stomach churn for nutrients."I agree," Takuya mumbled, obviously sorry that he knocked over the pot.
-----Half an hour later-----
We all laid on the ground defeated.
"No," Kouji frowned.
"Why don't we just ask each other questions about ourselves?" I suggested. "I mean, I've only been at our school for 2 weeks and I probably have lots more to learn about you all!""Sure! That's a great idea," Takuya approved. "I'll start first! Any questions?" We started asking him basic stuff like his family, birthday, hobbies...Suddenly Kimberly growled, "Is it true that you stole my math notebook yesterday because I can't find it!" Takuya became very uneasy."Yeah..." he said slowly. Kimberly glared at him, but her look softened when she realized there wasn't much she could do out here in the open. She sighed."Fine, at least you told me the truth. But I expect it back at the first day of our return." She warned. I shook my head skeptically."Kouji, why don't you go next?" I asked. He shrugged, but didn't disagree."What's your family like?" Kimberly asked.
"I live with my dad and step-mom. My mom died when I was really little." He said simply. Suddenly Kouichi looked angry."She died? How?" he asked through clenched teeth. Kouji shrugged."My dad never told me.""Oh, I see." He went back to his contemplative self."Do you know something you'd like to share?" I asked. He jerked back to life."Huh? Me? No," he shook his head cheerfully and smiled. "Please continue."Kouichi's P.o.V.'So Kouji doesn't know that mom is actually alive', I thought to myself sadly as the other continued to question him.
"Hey Kouji, when's your birthday?" I froze. 'Please, no...' I thought."...Next Saturday" he replied slowly."Hey that's Kouichi's birthday too!" Takuya replied cheerfully, "Isn't that right buddy?" I glared at him."Enough questions," I said shortly. Takuya looked at me confused. I didn't know what had gotten into me. Was it actually that I didn't want Kouji to know about me or my mom?"I'm sorry. It's just that I... feel a little homesick, that's all," I lied."Yeah, me too. We'd better get to sleep, because we have a long day ahead of us," Izumi said."Hey, what about Kouichi, Kimberly, you and Junpei?" Takuya asked. She shrugged."We always have tomorrow..." The rest of us headed into our camps; while I decided I should be the one first staying up for the night."Well wake one of us up when you get tired," Izumi told him. I nodded.-----2 hour later-----
It was silent. All I had were the night crickets and the fire accompanying me. I didn't mind. It gave me some time alone to think about things.Flashback"I'm home," I announced. The house was real quiet; a little too quiet for my liking."Mom?" I rushed over to her room, just to find her crying."Kouichi..." she said coarsely, "your grandmother... she's really ill. The doctor says... she's going to..." She burst into tears. I tried my best to comfort her, and to stop myself from crying myself. After she fell asleep, I decided to give my grandmother a visit, knowing that it would probably be my last chance.-----At the hospital-----"Grandma," I whispered softly. I glanced at the aged women in front of me. Her face was lined with wrinkles and sadness. Her breathing was irregular, and she coughed every few seconds."Kouichi...""What is it grandma?" I asked shakily."Kouichi... you need to know...you have... a brother."I was shocked. It couldn't be. Who could he be? And why didn't my mother tell me for all these years?"His name is... Kouji..." She croaked painfully.End of Flashback
Another Flashback
I ran into the park, blinded by my tears. Suddenly I tripped, fell forward and hit the ground hard.
"Um... you alright?" someone had asked awkwardly. I looked up.
"K-kouji?" I was shocked to see him, with a mixture of sorrow, grief, and joy."Um..." He stared at me uncertain, as the rain pounded on us both. Then I remembered that he didn't know I was his brother; that he probably didn't even know that I existed. I dried my eyes."It's nothing. I'm fine, really," I told him, though my voice still trembled. I felt dizziness and nauseous. He looked at me, uncomfortably, as if he didn't know what to do."Well, I guess I'd better be going now," I gave him a reassuring smile, and then walked off. As my vision blurred and the ground seemed to shake, everything became black.End of FlashbackI sighed sleepily, prodding the dying fire with a stick, and then threw it more wood to burn. I heard noises behind me coming from Kouji's tent. Not long after, he poked his head out of his tent."Hey Kouichi," he mumbled quietly. I was silent. He sat across from me to the fire. I watched him as he did some thinking on his own.Kouji's P.o.V.Flashback"Son, you have to learn to accept your step-mom," my father told me. I looked down at my hands for a second, and then decided to answer."But she's not my mom; she'll never be..." I retorted. He sighed."Can't you be nice to her, for my sake?" he asked. I didn't know how to answer him. How was I supposed to pretend my step-mom was my mom when she isn't? I glanced at my step-mom at the stairs who had heard what I said a minute ago. She looked really upset.
End of FlashbackSuddenly the ground shook beneath us, knocking us both onto the ground.
Izumi's P.o.V."AHHH!!" I heard Kimberly screamed. The ground quavered beneath my tent. I pulled my sleeping bag over my head tightly. The ground started to give way, and a huge crack appeared under my tent. I screamed.
Author's Note:
Kate: hihihi! So how's the story so far? Good? Bad? Please Review!! Oh, and also... don't expect me to update very soon because I have to fix the next chapter for you Kozumi supporters. Since the votes are in favor of Kozumi, I have to change parts of my story... Please Review!!!