Chapter Three
I just stared in confusion. This was definitely getting very weird. I mean, even for them.
"Coming Sou-chan?"
And why couldn't I stop jumping every time I heard that come out of "Chou's" mouth? Well, aside from the fact that we would all be shocked into silence the minute something resembling any sort of honorific actually graced Chou's lips… Let alone –chan.
I glanced over at Anji and noted he looked just as uneasy as I felt. Of course, neither of us showed it… much… really.
"Uh… yes." I said, deciding that maybe the only safe place was where I was before. In front and almost out of sight. Somehow I had this sinking feeling that I was going to be dragged into this mess one way or another. Not something I was looking forward to very much.
Luckily we made it back with no major issues. Kamatari and Chou had pooled together and occasionally there would be an unnaturally loud scream or an especially explicit curse as they… discussed their dilemma.
"…Fuck no! I ain't gonna stop."
"But it's so unbecoming! Who wants to listen to someone with a vocabulary that they learned from a whole port of sailors?" Kamatari… well, that's what I'll call him, since technically it was his mind, if not his voice… pointed out smugly. "You simply must reign in your temper."
"What 'bout ya? Little foo-foo, girly language? Prick ain't 'zactly lady-like." Chou retorted hotly.
"Well you were and still are, but that's not the point. It was a slip. Generally I don't run around spewing profanities all over."
"Well ya are now."
"Don't you even…"
"Fuck, fuck it, mother fucker, fucking, fuck you, God damn it, shit, bastard, prick, asshole, jackass, bitch, whore, hell… mmmpph!"
"Ouch! Don't bite me. That's unhygienic!"
Did I say no major issues…?
"…Ya puttin' a hand over meh mouth was askin' fer it!"
"Next time it will be some hot peppers or soap. I hear that's how gaijin punish naughty children with potty mouths."
"Try it, damn ya!"
"I'll do more than that. And I'm telling you now: I have an excellent sense of taste. Peppers and my taste buds are arch enemies."
"Heh."
Oh boy.
I was happy to escape back towards my preferred dose of insanity.
"So everyone is here?"
"Yes Shishio-sama." I said with a gesture of respect. "Shall I tell them to appear for a meeting?"
Not that it did much, considering that he was a dictator. Then again, none of us minded taking orders from him much. Accept Usui, but he was more of a freak than the rest of us put together, so he really didn't count much.
He gave a slight nod of accent, then turned to say something to Yumi. I took that as a very clear dismissal.
I sped off to find everyone… oh boy again. This day was turning out to be rather vexing and scary. I had completely forgotten Chou and Kamatari! What would Shishio-sama make of it?
At least a few decent (not to mention entirely plausible) scenarios whizzed through my head. None of them were very pleasant.
Slowing to a walk, I shook my head. There was just no way they could hide this from Shishio-sama.
"…You know what? I don't like you."
"Ditto ta that."
"And why can't I make you look a bit nicer? I did promise no woman's clothing. That should be good enough." There was a long pause and a sniff, "Besides, these clothes are not only unfashionable, but they also smell like YOU."
"'Ey! What's that suppos'd ta mean?"
All the training in the world couldn't curb the impulse I had at that moment. So I caved. I smacked myself on the forehead with my palm in exasperation.
The two turned, startled.
"Are you alright Sou-chan? Does Shishio-sama need something?"
Chou rolled his/Kamatari's eyes and snorted, "'Taint what yer hopin' fer."
Kamatari growled and swatted at him. "You pervert. Keep your mind out of the gutter."
"'Cuz one of us hasta." Chou grumbled under his breath. "Yer the horny one."
I said nothing, just cleared my throat, "Shishio-sama would like everyone to attend a meeting actually." I turned to leave only to belatedly realize that I had already rounded everyone else up. I really had no choice but to accompany the two to the meeting.
Without waiting for the other two, I set off purposefully. And that would be a hint to follow. Which they did… Loudly, while being extremely quarrelsome. And this must be the reason they never associated with each other much before. Because they couldn't stand one another.
As we entered the room I noticed a distinctly evil look on, well, Kamatari's face. Uh-oh.
Apparently the real Kamatari noticed it as well. He sidled up to me, looking slightly nervous. But I must be imagining that because he never looked nervous. Just like I never frowned.
"He's up to something." I had to agree.
What happened next had to be the most personal battle to date.
"I don't love you Shishio-sama." Chou declared loudly in Kamatari's body. Of course, heads turned so fast you could hear necks cracking in protest and I swear Shishio-sama looked a bit… annoyed? I was just surprised that he managed to say that with almost no trace of an accent.
"Sit down."
"That's right you excuse for an idiot." Kamatari hissed in rage, "Sit your ass down before I kill you."
"Aw shut it."
"Chou!" Kamatari snarled, "Did you forget something? I have your babies. Unless you want them to be turned into steel for kitchen knives, you need to shut up!"
By now there were several confused faces, minus Yumi and Shishio-sama. Hoji looked like he was going to fall over from shock. His pinched features were so… well, pinched, that it was amazing you could even make them out.
"So you finally admit it." Yumi purred, looking incredibly pleased by the declaration. A smirk covered her face and she added, "It's never a bad thing to admit that you're outclassed and outmaneuvered. It'll just spare you humiliation later."
"Bitches." Kamatari fumed. It actually came out quite vicious with Chou's deeper voice. "You two planned this, didn't you?"
"'Taint nothin' ya didn't deserve."
And Shishio-sama apparently thought to have his meeting another day, because he left. Not that anyone besides myself noticed.
In fact, I was ready to follow my lord's example when a hand clamped down lightly on my shoulder in an overly friendly manner.
Dang it.
Somehow I didn't think wiggling away would work very well. Not to mention it would be slightly childish. However, I really didn't want to be used as a weapon in this sneaky war that had begun. Not even for Kamatari.
Giving a slight cough, I said in a fake chipper tone, "Shouldn't you two be working together? It would seem to be in your mutual best interests."
"Why the hell fer?" Chou spat, "That bastar' started it! Him 'n' his stoopid well."
"You threw the wrapper down there! Not me!" Kamatari protested vigorously, while trying to sidle towards Yumi. What he was planning to do I didn't really want to find out. I knew he wouldn't touch his own body, but Yumi was fair game… more than fair game I realized as I thought about it. Since Kamatari was in Chou's body he could achieve far more strength, not to mention when they switched he would be blameless. Poor Chou. He was in way over his head. Okay, maybe I was overanalyzing this and Kamatari hadn't considered that aspect… right.
What thought came next should have promptly ignored, really, but Shishio-sama would be most vexed if anything happened to Yumi.
I positioned myself between them, Yumi just figuring out she her beauty was in mortal danger, and tried to reason. Unfortunately I'm a fighter. My peacemaking skills… well, what skills? Reason, right, try reason, I coached myself. It was hard to think reason when you're being stalked by an angry, transposed soul.
"Kamatari, stop." I commanded with a smile. Chou's body paused and eyed me considering. "You cannot harm Yumi."
He gave a shark grin, "Whatever gave you that idea? Sou-chan, it's not "harming", it's "helping." Starting with getting rid of that awful green lipstick… and maybe some lips too, but that's not the point."
Hoji was looking ready to keel over. His beady eyes kept sliding between us.
"WHAT THE HELL IS GOING ON HERE?!" He screamed, near a conniption fit.
Silence.
"You see…"
"No nonononono!" He mumbled, grabbing his hair, ignoring Kamatari's tentative beginning of an explanation. "This can't be happening. What is Shishio-sama going to do? They've all finally snapped. No! The nutcases have crack. You can't control those kinds of people or scare them. They're useless! How? Why? Why did this happen?" At those words he kind of collapsed in the corner and started rocking slowly and incessantly.
"Ooo, I don't think that's good for him." Kamatari said, looking slightly disturbed. Chou nodded, "Yeah."
Looking around, I realized that most everyone had taken that distraction as an escape. Which left silly me, too stupid to run.
"That was a cheap trick." Kamatari said to Chou, blocking the only exit. He tapped his lips mischievously, "It demands that there is some payback."
Chou looked very nervous. People didn't ANNOUNCE they were coming after you. When they did something like that, it usually wasn't good. Which is why I really, really needed to get out of there.
Kamatari dug in a bag he had pulled from somewhere and started stripping. It wasn't complete with fancy movements, but Chou started sputtering, "'Ey…'ey!"
Kamatari stopped and eyed us, as if just realizing he had an audience, "So you like to watch? Well, it'll take a moment."
"Wat—no!" Chou shrieked and Kamatari tossed the garments off to the side.
"Well, that's the only thing I can think of when you're staring like that. Do you watch yourself in the mirror too?"
Chou made a gurgling sound of outrage and pointed at his body accusingly, "Yer puttin' on women's clothin'."
"So I am. It's very tasteful however, since I doubted you'd approve of sakura blossoms and such. I think gold and black suit your complexion very nicely."
"Tasteful meh ass!"
Kamatari blinked disarmingly and looked at his rear, "Yes, it's very tasteful for your obscenely large butt."
"Why?"
"Why? Because I'm going out of course."
"Oh no ya ain't!"
"To the red light district."
"'Ell no!"
"Sou-chan should come with us too."
Uh-uh, I didn't want to go with them.
"Yer not goin' in public like that."
"You can't stop me."
"Wanna bet?"
"Make me stop then."
This was digressing into a mud fight with two five year old boys.
"Fin'. 'M goin' too. An' I'll score meh some with the ladies,"
"Knock yourself out." Kamatari said, completely unconcerned. He was concentrating on the obi. "Just be very careful of Minka-san. She really doesn't like me. I hold you responsible if you two get in a fight and damage my pretty face." At that he made his point by pulling out a blade and flourishing it.
"Yah ain't doin' nuffin' with meh body." Chou growled. Did that really just occur to him. Why else would Kamatari want to go there? And why did I have to go?
"Me? Of course I am, silly. I have needs too." Kamatari clucked and considered, "Besides if all you're worried about is position…"
"Shut up!" Hoji screamed from the corner, his eyes looking slightly bloodshot and his mouth bared in a snarl, "I don't want to hear about your pathetic, screwed up love lives!"
"We'll just leave you alone then Hoji-san." Kamatari said, grabbing my upper arm and shoving Chou's back to propel us out the door. Once out he gave a solemn look, "He's snapped. I wonder if it's lasting damage from having his brains fried."
A/N: And "knock yourself out" is credit to my Aunt Kerry because she told my cousin to shave her head . Teenagers can be so obnixous. It is written... and posted! Yay. And I don't work today, which makes me happy. Also, this will NOT be R -- I hope. No yaoi either. Tell me if you think it needs to be bumped up though. Woah, my fish just tried to commit suicide (he jumped out of the tank). Sorry, random... he's still alive, the lucky turkey. And I put the lid down. No more suicides/
Rurouni hunter: Wanna know something shocking? I used to update some of my other fics twice a week. How far I have fallen, but at least it doesn't take half a year like some people! Yay for me. Chou and Kamatari give me plenty of material to work off of and I use people I know for inspiration, so I can't take all the credit
Wistful-Eyes: I wonder too - They won't wiggle out like Aoshi did with the pig. Her, him, you can use either with me. I think "she'd" consider it a high compliment. And Chou will figure out/exploit Kamatari's vanity eventually. Chou annoys me... a lot. But his swords are cool, yep. As for "attractive" I say nothing starts laughing
MissBehavin: I know. Poor Kamatari, he might die from the exposure! Well, you'll see next chapter - Poor Chou's on the losing end, but he's kind of dense, so I don't think he's realized it yet. I keep thinking of those blades as children when the term "hostage" is used LOL. Kenshin would rather psychobabble his way out of things. Blackmail and leverage don't exist in his world I don't think.
Fyyrrose: You're excellent at being there... I'd give you a hug, but yeah (: That's not happening. PDA!!! XD should be scared. You know that once you get those swords that Raven has real weapons to use on him if he messes with Soujirou? There's not much Chou can do about it though. Besides, 'Tari's just bluffing... for now - Koi are stupid fish. I don't like them. But the white ones are gorgeous. Yep, it's the swords for me. I don't even think it's a "I-feel-sorry-for-you" way. It's more like, could you put a bag over your head please? Okay, the "I'm too sexy..." song pops up when you say that .;;; I have nothing to do with the turtles!!! Except comparing Susumu to one at the beginning of HS. Tari's down time is next chapter :) Two words: soap and sleepwalking.
sekihoutai: You have to admit that Chou isn't drop dead sexy or even... well, okay, he's ugly .;; But he has his charms... or maybe just a bunch of cool swords. Soujirou isn't off the hook yet :) The poor kid's far more tramuatized by this than his past O.o;;
I just stared in confusion. This was definitely getting very weird. I mean, even for them.
"Coming Sou-chan?"
And why couldn't I stop jumping every time I heard that come out of "Chou's" mouth? Well, aside from the fact that we would all be shocked into silence the minute something resembling any sort of honorific actually graced Chou's lips… Let alone –chan.
I glanced over at Anji and noted he looked just as uneasy as I felt. Of course, neither of us showed it… much… really.
"Uh… yes." I said, deciding that maybe the only safe place was where I was before. In front and almost out of sight. Somehow I had this sinking feeling that I was going to be dragged into this mess one way or another. Not something I was looking forward to very much.
Luckily we made it back with no major issues. Kamatari and Chou had pooled together and occasionally there would be an unnaturally loud scream or an especially explicit curse as they… discussed their dilemma.
"…Fuck no! I ain't gonna stop."
"But it's so unbecoming! Who wants to listen to someone with a vocabulary that they learned from a whole port of sailors?" Kamatari… well, that's what I'll call him, since technically it was his mind, if not his voice… pointed out smugly. "You simply must reign in your temper."
"What 'bout ya? Little foo-foo, girly language? Prick ain't 'zactly lady-like." Chou retorted hotly.
"Well you were and still are, but that's not the point. It was a slip. Generally I don't run around spewing profanities all over."
"Well ya are now."
"Don't you even…"
"Fuck, fuck it, mother fucker, fucking, fuck you, God damn it, shit, bastard, prick, asshole, jackass, bitch, whore, hell… mmmpph!"
"Ouch! Don't bite me. That's unhygienic!"
Did I say no major issues…?
"…Ya puttin' a hand over meh mouth was askin' fer it!"
"Next time it will be some hot peppers or soap. I hear that's how gaijin punish naughty children with potty mouths."
"Try it, damn ya!"
"I'll do more than that. And I'm telling you now: I have an excellent sense of taste. Peppers and my taste buds are arch enemies."
"Heh."
Oh boy.
I was happy to escape back towards my preferred dose of insanity.
"So everyone is here?"
"Yes Shishio-sama." I said with a gesture of respect. "Shall I tell them to appear for a meeting?"
Not that it did much, considering that he was a dictator. Then again, none of us minded taking orders from him much. Accept Usui, but he was more of a freak than the rest of us put together, so he really didn't count much.
He gave a slight nod of accent, then turned to say something to Yumi. I took that as a very clear dismissal.
I sped off to find everyone… oh boy again. This day was turning out to be rather vexing and scary. I had completely forgotten Chou and Kamatari! What would Shishio-sama make of it?
At least a few decent (not to mention entirely plausible) scenarios whizzed through my head. None of them were very pleasant.
Slowing to a walk, I shook my head. There was just no way they could hide this from Shishio-sama.
"…You know what? I don't like you."
"Ditto ta that."
"And why can't I make you look a bit nicer? I did promise no woman's clothing. That should be good enough." There was a long pause and a sniff, "Besides, these clothes are not only unfashionable, but they also smell like YOU."
"'Ey! What's that suppos'd ta mean?"
All the training in the world couldn't curb the impulse I had at that moment. So I caved. I smacked myself on the forehead with my palm in exasperation.
The two turned, startled.
"Are you alright Sou-chan? Does Shishio-sama need something?"
Chou rolled his/Kamatari's eyes and snorted, "'Taint what yer hopin' fer."
Kamatari growled and swatted at him. "You pervert. Keep your mind out of the gutter."
"'Cuz one of us hasta." Chou grumbled under his breath. "Yer the horny one."
I said nothing, just cleared my throat, "Shishio-sama would like everyone to attend a meeting actually." I turned to leave only to belatedly realize that I had already rounded everyone else up. I really had no choice but to accompany the two to the meeting.
Without waiting for the other two, I set off purposefully. And that would be a hint to follow. Which they did… Loudly, while being extremely quarrelsome. And this must be the reason they never associated with each other much before. Because they couldn't stand one another.
As we entered the room I noticed a distinctly evil look on, well, Kamatari's face. Uh-oh.
Apparently the real Kamatari noticed it as well. He sidled up to me, looking slightly nervous. But I must be imagining that because he never looked nervous. Just like I never frowned.
"He's up to something." I had to agree.
What happened next had to be the most personal battle to date.
"I don't love you Shishio-sama." Chou declared loudly in Kamatari's body. Of course, heads turned so fast you could hear necks cracking in protest and I swear Shishio-sama looked a bit… annoyed? I was just surprised that he managed to say that with almost no trace of an accent.
"Sit down."
"That's right you excuse for an idiot." Kamatari hissed in rage, "Sit your ass down before I kill you."
"Aw shut it."
"Chou!" Kamatari snarled, "Did you forget something? I have your babies. Unless you want them to be turned into steel for kitchen knives, you need to shut up!"
By now there were several confused faces, minus Yumi and Shishio-sama. Hoji looked like he was going to fall over from shock. His pinched features were so… well, pinched, that it was amazing you could even make them out.
"So you finally admit it." Yumi purred, looking incredibly pleased by the declaration. A smirk covered her face and she added, "It's never a bad thing to admit that you're outclassed and outmaneuvered. It'll just spare you humiliation later."
"Bitches." Kamatari fumed. It actually came out quite vicious with Chou's deeper voice. "You two planned this, didn't you?"
"'Taint nothin' ya didn't deserve."
And Shishio-sama apparently thought to have his meeting another day, because he left. Not that anyone besides myself noticed.
In fact, I was ready to follow my lord's example when a hand clamped down lightly on my shoulder in an overly friendly manner.
Dang it.
Somehow I didn't think wiggling away would work very well. Not to mention it would be slightly childish. However, I really didn't want to be used as a weapon in this sneaky war that had begun. Not even for Kamatari.
Giving a slight cough, I said in a fake chipper tone, "Shouldn't you two be working together? It would seem to be in your mutual best interests."
"Why the hell fer?" Chou spat, "That bastar' started it! Him 'n' his stoopid well."
"You threw the wrapper down there! Not me!" Kamatari protested vigorously, while trying to sidle towards Yumi. What he was planning to do I didn't really want to find out. I knew he wouldn't touch his own body, but Yumi was fair game… more than fair game I realized as I thought about it. Since Kamatari was in Chou's body he could achieve far more strength, not to mention when they switched he would be blameless. Poor Chou. He was in way over his head. Okay, maybe I was overanalyzing this and Kamatari hadn't considered that aspect… right.
What thought came next should have promptly ignored, really, but Shishio-sama would be most vexed if anything happened to Yumi.
I positioned myself between them, Yumi just figuring out she her beauty was in mortal danger, and tried to reason. Unfortunately I'm a fighter. My peacemaking skills… well, what skills? Reason, right, try reason, I coached myself. It was hard to think reason when you're being stalked by an angry, transposed soul.
"Kamatari, stop." I commanded with a smile. Chou's body paused and eyed me considering. "You cannot harm Yumi."
He gave a shark grin, "Whatever gave you that idea? Sou-chan, it's not "harming", it's "helping." Starting with getting rid of that awful green lipstick… and maybe some lips too, but that's not the point."
Hoji was looking ready to keel over. His beady eyes kept sliding between us.
"WHAT THE HELL IS GOING ON HERE?!" He screamed, near a conniption fit.
Silence.
"You see…"
"No nonononono!" He mumbled, grabbing his hair, ignoring Kamatari's tentative beginning of an explanation. "This can't be happening. What is Shishio-sama going to do? They've all finally snapped. No! The nutcases have crack. You can't control those kinds of people or scare them. They're useless! How? Why? Why did this happen?" At those words he kind of collapsed in the corner and started rocking slowly and incessantly.
"Ooo, I don't think that's good for him." Kamatari said, looking slightly disturbed. Chou nodded, "Yeah."
Looking around, I realized that most everyone had taken that distraction as an escape. Which left silly me, too stupid to run.
"That was a cheap trick." Kamatari said to Chou, blocking the only exit. He tapped his lips mischievously, "It demands that there is some payback."
Chou looked very nervous. People didn't ANNOUNCE they were coming after you. When they did something like that, it usually wasn't good. Which is why I really, really needed to get out of there.
Kamatari dug in a bag he had pulled from somewhere and started stripping. It wasn't complete with fancy movements, but Chou started sputtering, "'Ey…'ey!"
Kamatari stopped and eyed us, as if just realizing he had an audience, "So you like to watch? Well, it'll take a moment."
"Wat—no!" Chou shrieked and Kamatari tossed the garments off to the side.
"Well, that's the only thing I can think of when you're staring like that. Do you watch yourself in the mirror too?"
Chou made a gurgling sound of outrage and pointed at his body accusingly, "Yer puttin' on women's clothin'."
"So I am. It's very tasteful however, since I doubted you'd approve of sakura blossoms and such. I think gold and black suit your complexion very nicely."
"Tasteful meh ass!"
Kamatari blinked disarmingly and looked at his rear, "Yes, it's very tasteful for your obscenely large butt."
"Why?"
"Why? Because I'm going out of course."
"Oh no ya ain't!"
"To the red light district."
"'Ell no!"
"Sou-chan should come with us too."
Uh-uh, I didn't want to go with them.
"Yer not goin' in public like that."
"You can't stop me."
"Wanna bet?"
"Make me stop then."
This was digressing into a mud fight with two five year old boys.
"Fin'. 'M goin' too. An' I'll score meh some with the ladies,"
"Knock yourself out." Kamatari said, completely unconcerned. He was concentrating on the obi. "Just be very careful of Minka-san. She really doesn't like me. I hold you responsible if you two get in a fight and damage my pretty face." At that he made his point by pulling out a blade and flourishing it.
"Yah ain't doin' nuffin' with meh body." Chou growled. Did that really just occur to him. Why else would Kamatari want to go there? And why did I have to go?
"Me? Of course I am, silly. I have needs too." Kamatari clucked and considered, "Besides if all you're worried about is position…"
"Shut up!" Hoji screamed from the corner, his eyes looking slightly bloodshot and his mouth bared in a snarl, "I don't want to hear about your pathetic, screwed up love lives!"
"We'll just leave you alone then Hoji-san." Kamatari said, grabbing my upper arm and shoving Chou's back to propel us out the door. Once out he gave a solemn look, "He's snapped. I wonder if it's lasting damage from having his brains fried."
A/N: And "knock yourself out" is credit to my Aunt Kerry because she told my cousin to shave her head . Teenagers can be so obnixous. It is written... and posted! Yay. And I don't work today, which makes me happy. Also, this will NOT be R -- I hope. No yaoi either. Tell me if you think it needs to be bumped up though. Woah, my fish just tried to commit suicide (he jumped out of the tank). Sorry, random... he's still alive, the lucky turkey. And I put the lid down. No more suicides/
Rurouni hunter: Wanna know something shocking? I used to update some of my other fics twice a week. How far I have fallen, but at least it doesn't take half a year like some people! Yay for me. Chou and Kamatari give me plenty of material to work off of and I use people I know for inspiration, so I can't take all the credit
Wistful-Eyes: I wonder too - They won't wiggle out like Aoshi did with the pig. Her, him, you can use either with me. I think "she'd" consider it a high compliment. And Chou will figure out/exploit Kamatari's vanity eventually. Chou annoys me... a lot. But his swords are cool, yep. As for "attractive" I say nothing starts laughing
MissBehavin: I know. Poor Kamatari, he might die from the exposure! Well, you'll see next chapter - Poor Chou's on the losing end, but he's kind of dense, so I don't think he's realized it yet. I keep thinking of those blades as children when the term "hostage" is used LOL. Kenshin would rather psychobabble his way out of things. Blackmail and leverage don't exist in his world I don't think.
Fyyrrose: You're excellent at being there... I'd give you a hug, but yeah (: That's not happening. PDA!!! XD should be scared. You know that once you get those swords that Raven has real weapons to use on him if he messes with Soujirou? There's not much Chou can do about it though. Besides, 'Tari's just bluffing... for now - Koi are stupid fish. I don't like them. But the white ones are gorgeous. Yep, it's the swords for me. I don't even think it's a "I-feel-sorry-for-you" way. It's more like, could you put a bag over your head please? Okay, the "I'm too sexy..." song pops up when you say that .;;; I have nothing to do with the turtles!!! Except comparing Susumu to one at the beginning of HS. Tari's down time is next chapter :) Two words: soap and sleepwalking.
sekihoutai: You have to admit that Chou isn't drop dead sexy or even... well, okay, he's ugly .;; But he has his charms... or maybe just a bunch of cool swords. Soujirou isn't off the hook yet :) The poor kid's far more tramuatized by this than his past O.o;;
