Don't let go

Chapter Three: Realizations

By KellyQ

Kouichi walked toward his brother's house with his duffel bag full of swimming gear. Kouichi was looking forward to spending time with his brother and his friends. He knocked on the door and the first thing he heard was Wolf's barking. The door burst opened and a German shepherd dog flew out and jumped on Kouichi, licking his face.

"Bad dog," Mr. Minamoto said angrily pulling the dog off his startled son and added, "are you all right?"

"I'm fine," Kouichi said getting to his feet as Kouji walked up with a duffel bag strap over his shoulder, "ready to go, brother?"

"Yep."

The outdoor pool was crowd. Kids splashed, people sat around or jumped off the diving board. Among the kids were Kitt and Takuya, teaching Eithen how to swim.

"Not too much longer, and you'll be able to jump off the diving-board!" Takuya grinned, helping Eithen to the shallow part of the pool.

"Don't encourage him, Takuya," Kitt insisted, following Takuya and his little brother. He hit his friend on the shoulder, "or he'll do it."

"What's the matter? Afraid he'll become a pro-better then-"

Before Takuya could finish, some water was slashed right into his face. He couldn't help but grin as he splashed water Kitt's way. The two laughed, not even realizing that Eithen climbed out to get something to eat.

Takuya was the last to splash water when Kitt went under. The brunette looked in the water to see where he was going to come up. Takuya waited for a moment, and after a second, he turned around just as Kitt came up to realize their faces where inches apart.

Kouji and his twin walked in and the first thing they saw was Kitt coming out of the water, inches away from Takuya. Kouji saw passion between them. Kouichi cleared his throat to get Kitt and Takuya to realize the position they were in.

Kitt looked over where Kouji was sitting, and not once all day had Kouji come to play with him and Takuya. He found it a bit odd that Kouji didn't want to hang around Takuya all that much anymore, and it started to worry him. Kitt knew that their relationship wasn't really any of his business but he really didn't want them not to be friends anymore. From what his foster parents told him, best friends were a rare thing to come by.

Takuya really wanted Kouji to join him and Kitt, but after a half an hour, the brunette couldn't take it anymore. He got out of the pool and walked over. Kitt got out of the pool too and walked up to help get Kouji into the water.

"Why don't you join us, Kouji?" Takuya asked.

"What if I don't want to?"

"Oh come on," Takuya insisted taking hold of Kouji by the arm and added, "you love the water!"

Takuya pulled Kouji up with some help from Kitt. Kouji tried to pull free saying repeatedly that he didn't want to go in. Finally, Kouji pulled free and simultaneously pushed Takuya in the pool. Realization sank in Kouji after Kitt went in after Takuya. He pushed his best friend in the pool! Half of everyone saw what happened including Kouichi, who was quit shocked that Kouji would do that.

Kouji turned and ran out of the pool area as fast as he could go, forgetting his stuff. Kouichi snapped out of his thoughts, and went to the end of the pool, dropped to his hands knees, looking frantic. Kitt, just at that moment came to the surface holding Takuya whom was gasping for air.

"Takuya are you all right?" Kitt asked, helping a nodding Takuya out along with Kouichi.

"That's good," Kouichi said, getting to his feet. "I'll go find my brother and find out what's up…he really had no right to do that." Kouichi turned went to where Kouji left his stuff, and grabbed his brother's things.

Kouichi found his twin brother walking toward the bus stop. "Kouji... hold up!" He called out, catching up.

"What?" Kouji snapped as he whirled around then fell silent when he saw his brother's worried look. By now, the two were waiting for the bus.

"Are you all right … I mean … what happened to you back there?" Kouichi asked, placing a comforting hand on his brother's shoulder.

"I...I really don't know..." Kouji whispered, looking away.

Kouichi studied his brother, and he could tell that Kouji was still having a hard time adjusting to the fact that things was starting to change.

Kitt's foster parents brought Takuya home after what Kouji did. When they got there, no one was home so they stayed for a while until Kitt's foster parents felt that Takuya was alright. Takuya shrugged it off and walked to his room to take a shower. Kitt however, wasn't convinced that Takuya was all right, he was going stay behind until he was convinced.

"Will do." Kitt teased as he did a fake salute.

Takuya woke up some time later feeling a body and arms around him. He turned his head to come face to face with Kitt, and his arm was around his waist. Takuya blinked a few time and blushed. His nervousness decreased when he realized that he had to go to the bathroom. He started to move Kitt's arms from his waist but failed when Kitt tightened his arms around him.

"Kitt," Takuya whispered, placing a hand on his shoulder, "you can wake up now."

Kitt slowly opened his eyes and realized that he had his own arms around Takuya. He pulled away and turned his head, not making eye contact. "Sorry..."

Takuya frond, and placed his hand on Kitt's shoulder. "You don't have to be sorry. That was nice of you to take care of me."

Kitt sighed nodded his head, gazing at nothing particular. Takuya got out of bed and went to the bathroom, and when he was done, he came back to see that Kitt still looked troubled.

"Now what's wrong?" Takuya asked, sitting next to his friend.

"I shouldn't have held you the way I did-" Kitt mumbled, bring his knees to his torso.

Takuya frond again with confusion. "You were just trying to help like a friend would."

"Thanks … but what about Kouji? I mean - he tried to hurt you."

"I don't think he meant to do it on purpose, Kitt," Takuya said lying back down, "I should've paid attention, that's all."

"He's lucky to have you as a best friend," Kitt responded laying back down, "I wish I had friends like that."

"Hey! What about me?" Takuya pointed out, shifting so that he was lying on his side. "I think of you as my friend."

Kitt shifted so that he was in the same position. They stared at each until Kitt leaned in and kissed Takuya softly. He was surprised at first, but after his shock, he kissed back.

To Be continued ...