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And there's no telling what will happen...
Eyes shining brightly with pure bliss, Toboe turned around and began to walk home. He waddled side to side, skipping every few steps in enthusiasm. There was just too much excitement and anticipation bottled up inside, and he couldn't wait to be home to announce the 'news' to his grandmother. She wished for him to make friends and he did. Just one that is really cold and... different.
Of course she'd still support him not matter what. She was his grandma after all, the one who raised him since birth, after his mother's death. Toboe's father had met an unfortunate end before he could witness or even know of his son's birth. The young teen never did have parents and his only role model was his slowly withering grandparent. It was still a pretty good life though. He had a home and food. What more could he possibly ask for?
Toboe halted at the front door of his small house, the roof leaking with small droplets of rain from earlier. "Grandmamma, I'm home!" he called out upon entrance. Clattering sounds could be heard in another room of the house, and a small, croaky voice replied, "Toboe? You've come home?"
"Hai, grandmamma. I'm home. I'm sorry for not coming home earlier but I... I met someone and I found an abandoned kitten. Would it be alright if I keep her?"
"Toboe... come here so that grandmamma may see you..."
He hesitated at first, afraid that she might not allow him to keep the poor kitty. He didn't want to leave her alone in the cold, cruel world reality was. He wanted to keep her, protect her from everything bad. But that wasn't entirely possible. Then again, his grandma was a reasonable person. Maybe she would let him keep Kee.
Toboe gently took off his shoes and headed into the room in which his grandma resided within. Once there, he quietly crept to her side on the bed and sat down. "Grandmamma, Toboe is here."
"I see," she whispered through gasps. Slowly, very slowly, a hand rose up to Toboe's cheeks and began to stroke them caringly. "Toboe, my Toboe. You've grown so much... and I have not even noticed until now. My age has weaken me and I can no longer get up. Toboe, I want to tell you something..."
"Hai...?"
"No matter what happens, I'll always be here... in your heart."
With that said, she moved her hand from Toboe's cheek and placed it above the spot where his heart lay. Gold eyes widened in surprise, not quite comprehending the situation.
"W-what I... I don't understand. Why... why are you telling me this grandmamma? Is something wrong? Please tell me! Please, gran--"
"No, Toboe. Nothing is wrong. Your grandmamma just wanted to tell you that. Do not worry, child. You are far too young to stress..."
The wrinkly hand rose once again. This time, it rested on top a head of brown, ruffling the soft hair gingerly, as if stalling for time.
"Grandmamma..."
"Shh... Toboe. The wind is crying. Let's listen to it like we always do. And yes, you may keep the kitten. For now, let's just enjoy the wind's soft cries..."
"H-hai..."
"... crow flew away. Can anyone tell me the meaning of this poem?"
Tsume... I can't wait until I meet up with you today. Grandmamma allows me to! Demo... I'm worried. What did she mean yesterday? Tsume...
"Perhaps Toboe would like to try."
"H-huh!? What!? Where!?"
Laughter floated to the classroom's ceiling. Toboe blushed and sat down, having jumped up from his seat when he heard his name called. Crestfallen, his head lowered to keep the saddened and embarrassed expression from the amused class. It was going to be a long day...
Toboe was glad when school finally ended and immediately sprinted off toward the park, uniform and all. Destination reached, he glanced down at his watch. 2:51. He was pretty early. Deciding that Tsume wasn't going to come any time soon, he plopped down on a bench to rest, and also to catch his breath.
While he was waiting, Toboe had a few outbursts of giggles whilst thinking about what he would do with such a cool person like Tsume. Meanwhile, Tsume was busy 'pushing the petal to the metal'. He had never actually thought that he'd be the one late. It was all the stupid apartment lady's fault for approaching him about the monthly rent.
He paid every month, yet, he was still bothered day and night by the old lady. Tsume snorted and accelerated. He didn't want to be late. Unbeknownst to Tsume, Toboe was beginning to grow impatient waiting for him.
3:02
Toboe frowned and pulled his lips down into a pout. "Tsume! You're late!" he screeched, obviously to no one in particular. There was no one near his vicinity anyway, or so he believed.
"Yo, kiddo. Sorry I'm late." Toboe jumped, twirling around to glare at Tsume. A slender, white eyebrow rose in question. "What?"
"You're late! And don't scare me like that!"
"Guess I am. Let's go."
Toboe's glare disappeared and turned into a small frown. A thin brow curved in confusion. "Huh?"
"Let's go. Don't act so dense, kid."
"Huh?"
"Forget it. Just follow me. I left my bike unattended."
"O-oh, all right. W-wait a sec! And I'm not a kid!" Rushing himself, Toboe picked up his book bag and caught up with the already leaving Tsume. The taller teen slowed down a bit, giving him a chance to regain his original state.
"Humph. That cat's not here with you."
Toboe smiled. So Tsume likes the cat. "No, I'm not allowed to bring pets to school."
"Figures. That would explain the uniform. You look so stupid."
The younger one paused. What exactly was wrong with him wearing the typical Japanese uniform? It was issued to nearly every single school, usually in a variety of different colors but the same pattern. Was he really that stupid looking?
"Hurry up!" Toboe returned to following Tsume, his previous thoughts forgotten.
Tsume noticed the other's distant look. He would be in denial if he were to say that Toboe didn't look 'cute' in the uniform. But being the supposedly 'cold' one that he was, he couldn't just let any non-Tsume thoughts slip pass his barriers into reality.
They continued like that in silence until they reached the red and black motorcycle. Toboe secretly grinned to himself, careful not to let the other notice his happy mood. He didn't want to intrude. Then it hit him. They left the park, meaning they weren't going to 'hang out' in the park, which brought him to a single question. Where exactly were they going?
"Tsume... w-where... are we going?"
"Somewhere, anywhere."
"You mean you don't know!?" he exclaimed, bewildered.
"No."
"But... but... you're the one who called me out here! You're supposed to know what we're going to do, where we're going..."
"Yea? Well, I don't."
Toboe stared at his shoes dejectedly. It was just so hard to get the elder one to just listen to him for once, to get him to care and most of all, to get him to acknowledge his existence. But... Tsume inviting him to spend the day with him was awfully kind of him. He had to give him credit for that. Still, he wished the other would just be more... considerate!
"Tsume..."
"What!?" the taller teen snarled, all the friendliness gone from his voice.
"... Never mind."
Tsume sighed. He really wasn't used to being around other people. "Look... Toboe, we'll... we'll go wherever you want. You name it..." he muttered, trying his best to remain calm, cool and collected.
"Anywhere?"
"Anywhere."
"Then... I want to go to... the tallest place in the city."
But it's for sure that things will become much more interesting as time flies by...
To be continued...
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Review Replies
FortySeventhLight : Heh, when I write... I don't aim for in character. I just write.
XD But thanks. And the kitten bit? Heh, I doubt that...
BlackShadowWolf : Hehe, thanks. I try. And yes, there is a TxT group. Just search for it at the Yahoo groups. XP
Painted Shadows (Ch 1) : Hehe, gomen. You gave a review to chapter one AFTER I updated chapter two so I couldn't really give you a reply when I updated. But thanks!
Babog : Hahah... I love that bit too. O.o Right... anyway, this chapter still leaves your question unanswered. Meep.
Wolf of the Mist : I thought the ending was perfect for my tastes. XD
MD fan : Geh!? I didn't notice that! Dude, I think I've been watching too much Gravi! Hehe...
Bandit-Gurl42 (Ch 1) : Nah, I wouldn't mind. Hehe...
Alyssa Le Barts : Thank you! Yea... I hope so too. School takes up a lot of time...
VampiregirlE.D : Yea, well I hope you love it still as it progresses! Don't worry, no angst! I'm not a fan of angst...
Fithos Lusec Wecos Vinosec : Hah! My friend saw eppie 4 and her mind went so far with it. Hehehe...
fioreslittlegirl : That's my job! I try to bring happiness to people I can't reach in reality.
dagda : Aw... don't worry 'bout it. I wouldn't say my story's that well written. Just keep working and trying! That's what I did!
Tamesha : You're right. I really should finish this story. But... I have others to work on. Not to mention there's school. Yuck.
New York Vanilla : Hehe, thanks. XP I'll try to keep writing.
Deragonmaji : Ahahaha... I did check out your fics but they're weren't shonen ai. At least, I think they weren't... and it wasn't TxT (the only thing I read in Wolf's Rain).
cradle of flames : Aw, but if you blow my brains out I won't be able to write anything anymore. XP
NeedlePoint Hah! I'm glad you're liking this. And you're welcome. Don't need to thank!
ShichinintaiGuardian : Sadly, no. I'd love to but all the Hige/Blue hints in the show prevents me from doing so. Eh, oh wells. Sorry!
TFI-Muse : They're not clueless! Much... XP
shady gurl : Judging by your desciptions, I'd say you have. But... I don't know. Aw... I'm sorry I pissed you off...
Yuugaoko : Yarg, I'm so stressed out... not. XD Yes! EXACTLY! TsumexToboe rocks! Hehehehe....
Thank you everyone who has reviewed! I hope I did not miss anyone. But this is yet another short chapter because school is really time consuming! Don't worry... these are just start chapters. They're meant to be short. So I believe...
And those itlac phrases at the start and end of each chapter stops here. Heh, I only planned to have them for three chapters as starter thingies. XP I hope to update this soon! But sorry if I am unable to do so. I have a life outside writing... bleh.
Thank you thank you thank you! I hope you continue to read this!
-Miso