Disclaimer: I don't own any of the YYH gang 'cept Jeff and Toma-su. Ironically though, I do own the lawyers that make me write this. glares at said lawyers

A.N. Sorry it took so long to get this up everyone. School's been heck on my schedule here at home. And for those of you who read my other story, I promise to try and update as quickly as possible.

Chapter Fourteen: Opening Prejudiced Eyes

Jeff had decided to hang out with Yusuke and Jin for a little while after they left the clearing, but parted ways with them when it had started raining. Now he is back in his apartment, sprawled out in a chair. He had no idea he was so exhausted until he had walked through his door. He tries to focus, he wanted to take some time to think over everything in his life that had changed today, but he finds himself unable to. He unwillingly dozes off for a few hours before being roused by a rapping on the window.

'What the...?' he thinks, blinking the sleep from his eyes as he goes to the window to find out what woke him. He opens the blinds just as lightning strikes nearby, illuminating a figure that is perched in a tree right outside his window. His eyes widen and he almost yelps before realizing who it is. Like a bolt he has the blinds up and the window open, "Toma-su! What are you doing here?" he asks in honest surprise.

The young demon looks a bit uncomfortable before mumbling, so Jeff can barely hear him over the wind and rain, "Taking you up on your offer. Is it still available?"

It takes a moment for Jeff to absorb what Toma-su just said before replying quickly, "Yeah! Of course! Come in, please!" bringing his head in and stepping back so the demon has room to land, which he does seconds afterwards.

Jeff hurries and gets a towel for him while he waits where he stands, shifting a bit uncomfortably. Jeff produces the towel with a smile and Toma-su hesitantly takes it, drying his face, hair, hands, and squeezing some of the water from his clothes into it. Jeff takes it back and goes to the hallway, tossing it down the hall and into the laundry basket.

When he comes back, Toma-su has a frown on his face, quickly asking a single word, "Why?"

Jeff cocks his head a little, looking as confused as his 'twin', "Why what?"

A moment's silence before Toma-su's resolve strengthens and he clarifies, "Why did you invite Hiei-sama and I here? Why did you welcome me in and give me something to dry off with? We are demons, you humans fear us. Not to mention we ripped you from your identity. If I were you, I'd never have even gone into the forest. Not that I care, I'm just curious as to what makes you...different?"

Jeff flops into the chair he'd been sleeping in minutes before, motioning for Toma-su to take a seat. He slowly does as Jeff speaks, "I honestly don't know. If you'd told me on Wednesday that before a week had passed that I'd be in Japan, in effect fighting for my life, not sure if I'd get to ever see my mom or Johnny ever again, and that one of the people that was partially responsible would be sitting in my new living room. If you had asked me what I'd do in that situation, I'd probably say I'd try to rip the guy's head off."

He chuckles as Toma-su starts a bit, smiling to try to help calm the demon, at this point leaning forward, elbows on his knees, fingers steepled with his chin perched on top of them. "But it's weird, I always knew the story my mom told me about finding me, but I never believed it before now, even with my...unique attributes." He blows some of his light blue hair out of his face before continuing, "But, now that I know all this, it's like...like...I have a real family, strange as it may be. I actually know now that I have a father, that I didn't just fall out of the sky or something. Even though he's not a father in the traditional sense of the word, and is kinda cold for the job, but still. I guess I felt like I have a responsibility to him...and you. You're family, and family sticks together, that's something Mom taught me."

Once again, Toma-su frowns, "You humans really are strange creatures. Loyalty is a weakness. It endangers your life. And yet, you humans purposely bind yourselves to others. Are you so stupid and weak you must rely on others to survive? And even if so, why not just take what you need?"

Jeff furrows his brow a bit at this, "I wouldn't say we're weak or stupid, we actually, I think, would be alright if we were all on our own. But our loyalty makes us stronger. Knowing that we're not alone gives us the courage to go forward. Sometimes, a lot of the time actually, it can save a life, sometimes lives. It adds to the strengths that someone already has, why do you think Jin, Yusuke, Kurama and Dad hang out together? It's because the strengths of everyone minimize their weaknesses. I can tell they've been through a lot together, and that experience has brought them closer. I guess the most 'logical' explanation of loyalty would be debt. They kept your butt safe or provided for you, so you do the same. To do otherwise would be unhonorable."

Toma-su's brow is furrowed in thought at this point, going over what Jeff just said before slowly nodding, "I guess I could understand that."

There's a tense silence before Jeff clears his throat. "Well, now that that's answered, could you tell me something?"

Toma-su's eyes narrow slightly "Like what?"

Jeff thinks for a moment before looking him right in the eye with a bit of a smile on his face, "Like...say...your real name?"

Toma-su's eyes now cloud over in confusion, "What do you mean? Toma-su is my name."

Jeff looks slightly disappointed, "Oh, I guess I just figured since I had two Japanese names, you would too." He cocks his head a bit, leaning back in his chair, "Hmmm...well I don't want to just keep calling you 'twin'. It's kinda impersonal. So what could I call you instead?"

Toma-su stays silent, looking a bit hesitant before saying, "I once watched this man at night every now and again. I never saw him with anyone but he was always training and he always looked...happy. I want his name. I think it was 'Tsume'."

Jeff cocks his head, "Tsume. Yeah, the name seems to fit you. I have no idea what it means, but it fits. Alright, so I'll call you Tsume and you can call me whatever you're most comfortable with. So," he says, veering to another subject, "life with Dad seems like it's pretty rough. Is he always like that?"

Toma-su, now also known as Tsume, shakes his head, replying, "No, sometimes he gets angry."

Jeff's jaw drops, "You mean, he's been in a good mood? Jeez, if this is what he's like when he's happy I'd hate to see it when he blows his top!"

Tsume nods, "I have seen one or two that have been foolish enough to anger him." he seems to involuntarily shudder, "The result was...not attractive. There is a reason why he is feared by almost all who know of him. You have met nearly all of those who do not fear him, but I assure you, Hiei-sama is known throughout all three realms." At this Tsume seems to hold his head a little higher as if he were bragging about himself rather then his elder.

Jeff can't help but smile "Cool." then he frowns a bit, "Something I don't get. What's up with the whole 'realms' thing? What are they and all that?"

Things go on like this through the night, Tsume explaining something Jeff didn't understand then vice versa. Finally the two notice that the sun's rays are peeking over the horizon. They look at the sunrise in surprise, Jeff commenting, "Jeez, we've been talking for that long? Doesn't seem like we've even started an hour ago."

Tsume nods as Jeff stands, stretching a bit, "Yes, time certainly went by quickly. Hiei-sama will be cross."

Jeff cocks an eyebrow, "Why? Because we spent all night up talking?"

Tsume nods, "Yes, that, and because I came. Hiei-sama doesn't like it when I speak to humans."

Jeff frowns, "Well, we'll just deal with that when it happens." He then hears a loud knock and sighs, "Two guesses who that is. Man, I am not ready for a day of training!" He stretches again, "Oh well, time to face the music." With that he goes to the front door, ready to deal with whatever was thrown at him.