Genrou's POV
The redhead grumbled his way to his early morning group meeting. They had two weeks left to finish this damn project on Ancient China and they still were tossing ideas around. He was getting kinda irritated with the whole lot of them.
Arriving at the designated spot, he saw all but Kouji was there. The blue haired man was not that long in coming, sliding into the empty seat beside Genrou. The two had met in their senior year of high school and had been instant friends. Now they went to the same school. Genrou glanced at his friend, knowing that the face that Kouji put on was more or less an act. His friend had changed drastically with the death of his parents and his little sister's injury. Still fun loving and out going, Kouji had pulled back into himself alot as well. Genrou figured it was natural, he had watched his parents die more or less. Genrou still remembered the funeral. He had seen Kouji holding a young girl while a girl in her teens stood beside him, left eye hid in a bandage as a small boy clung to her, crying.
That was the first and only time he had ever seen Kouji's family and he knew that Kouji didn't like to talk about them, as if he was protecting them.
Genrou blinked slightly, why the hell was he thinking about Kouji's family this morning? He shook his head to clear the fuzzies and joined in on the discussion between Ryuuen and Saiheti. Those two were so fuckin' gay it wasn't even funny. Plus a cute couple. He leaned back in his seat, hands behind his head as Kouji joined in, followed by Dokun. Dokun was 17 and a friggin' genius in his own right. Already in his second year of college no less, at 17. He glanced at Myojuan when he suggested the "Universe of the Four Gods" as a subject and Genrou felt a spark of interest shoot through him at the suggestion. From the looks on everyone else's faces, they were interested too.
The morning brain storming did reach results though and the group finally decided to focus solely on the ancient Chinese religion that told of the Universe of the Four Gods.
The day passed on and he was enjoying a relatively quiet lunch with his friends, who also just happened to be those in his group, plus another friend named Taka, when Kouji's cell phone went off.
Glancing up, Genrou watched Kouji answer the phone "Hello."
The bluette was silent for a moment, listening to whoever was on the other end, his face showing his growing worry. Finally he spoke, his voice slightly shocked. "Is she alright?" Relief covered his face "Good. I'll be there as soon as I can. Don't let her drive home by herself." He hung up, to find the group looking at him.
"My sister passed out at school, I need to go pick her and the car up. Ryuuen, can you take me?" The purple haired man nodded, as shocked as the rest of the group. Only Genrou apparently knew that Kouji had any siblings. The two left and conversation sprang up.
"I didn't know Kouji had a sister?"
Genrou glanced at Dokun and finished chewing his rice ball. "Yeah, he has two younger sisters and a little brother." They blinked at the brash redhead. "Seriously?"
Genrou nodded. "Technically Kouji's in charge, but Holly runs the house, from what I gather."
Saiheti spoke in his dignified tone "What of their parents?"
"Dead. They were killed in a boating accident, that is where Kouji got his scar and his sister, Holly, almost lost an eye. He doesn't like ta talk about it though." His tone was final and the others took it as a warning to back off from the subject. Plus, really, that was all Genrou really knew. Taka was unusually quiet with this information.
The conversation returned to their project and the conversation was forgotten till Ryuuen returned. "Wow, Kouji's sister is top of her class at Dalard." The group all blinked. Dalard was one of the top schools in town and hard as hell to get into. Dokun had been in it's sister school, also at the top during high school. "Wow, that's awesome."
Ryuuen sat beside his boyfriend and smiled slightly, leaning close. "And, she got accepted into Tokyo U next year, first attempt." That was met with stunned silence as they realized what type of smart Kouji's sister must be.
Lunch was ending and Genrou was walking back to class when Kouji fell into step beside him. He glanced to his friend. "Everything ok?"
Kouji nodded. "She seems fine now. I did take her home and she said she had a headache and was going to lay down for awhile before the rugrats get home. I was going to suggest we cancel tonight, cause I want to be home for her, but she suggested that we just do our brainstorming at the house tonight."
Genrou nodded, a bit surprised. Kouji had fiercly protected his younger siblings from everyone and no one had been in his house in about 2 years, since before his parents died.
"Well, man, we'll spread the word. Don't worry. We'll be good." Kouji nodded and glanced at the redhead. "No fuckin' cussin' in front of my brother and sister. Hikou already repeats everything said in front of him. Don't need that call from his school saying he was cussin'." A distressed look crossed Kouji's face and Genrou laughed at him. "I'll keep it in check, man."
Word was spread to the group and they met at Ryuuen and Kouji's vehicles in the parking lot at 4:45. Directions were given to Ryuuen and Myojuan and then Kouji left with Genrou in tow, as well as Dokun. Neither of the other two wanted to ride with the love birds and Juan was going to take his bike, as usual.
They arrived at a comfortable, two story western style house and Kouji pulled into the drive way, turning the car off. They all got out, taking in the cut yard and Kouji was at the door when he gave one glance back at them. "No cussin'"
With that he opened the door and let them in. They had barely closed the door when small footsteps were heard barrelling down the stairs and a blur of blue launched into Kouji's arms. A delighted smile spread on Kouji's face as Hikou burst into an excited, hyper telling of his day. Really, only Kouji could keep up with it. He asked a few questions of his younger brother when he could get a word in edge wise. The little boy was winding down and gazing curiously at the others when a feminine voice floated from out of sight. "Hikou, that room better be clean, no da."
The little boy pouted and Kouji set him down and he took off running back up the stairs. Kouji smiled as he led his friends towards the den. "Apparently Hikou trashed his room this morning and Holly said he was playing in her room when she woke up. I swear, he is so silent sometimes, I'm afraid we'll wake up and he will be outside playing." They had just settled into the den, starting to lay out paperwork when a young girl with purplish blue hair came in.
She stopped short and glanced at Kouji after gazing at the others. "Kouji, why are you home?" Genrou watched his friend in amazement when he kindly explained the situation to the girl and then reassured her that her sister was fine. After telling her that they were ordering pizza, she left to get the order from Hikou. Kouji stood and told them to figure out what they wanted, he needed to go talk to his sister.
The others were silent for about 5 seconds till Genrou broke the silence. "Well, I never knew that Kouji could act like that." The others shook their head. "Those kids' really listen to them. It's sad though, that they lost their parents." They all nodded at Ryuuen's statement, as Saiheti had told his boyfriend about the conversation he had missed on the ride over.
Genrou heard Kouji talking with someone out in the hallway and had stood, moving towards the door when he heard Kouji tell Holly that she should talk to Kouran. He came into the hallway and glanced up the stairs at the retreating back of his friend's sister. His eyes wandered to her backside and he mentally slapped himself. He didn't really even like girls all that much, even though he was straight.
He turned his eyes to Kouji who was glowering at him. "Don't even think it, Genrou. She's off limits to ya."
Genrou shook his head and smiled. "Girls are pains in the butts anyways, let's go and get started."
The group had settled back down and after a quick discussion about pizza toppings, had settled in to start on their work. Dokun had managed to find only 4 books at the university library about the Universe of the Four Gods and they had them open and spread out before them when Holly reentered, chuckling softly.
The group all looked up and saw a small, petite girl, sky blue hair pulled back, bangs gravity defying. Since they were all looking at her, they all saw her reaction to them. She glanced at the room as a whole and stopped dead in her tracks. Her gaze flew to each of them in turn before settling on Genrou last. Hands had flown to her mouth, which Genrou noted were trembling slightly and she backed up into the wall, missing the door.
Kouji had stood and was at his sister's side almost instantly. "Jun? Are ya ok?" He blinked and followed her gaze to Genrou, who was looking just as confused. She tore her eyes from Genrou and looked at Kouji. "Hai, I'm fine. Sorry." She seemed to gather her thoughts and she blinked slightly, collecting herself. "Hikou and Kouran want extra cheese on their pizza. I'm for that too, so that is our order, na no da."
With that she tore her arm from Kouji's grasp and fled the room without a backwards glance. The room was silent as Kouji rounded on them. "Ok, what the hell was that?" He landed his gaze on Genrou, who shrugged. "I think she might have realized ya were watchin' her earlier Genrou. I think ya should apologize."
Kouji's tone of voice held no room for arguement and Genrou rose, grumbling, leaving the den as Holly was coming back down the stairs. She stopped short, seeing him there and blushed to her roots. "Genrou, right?"
The redhead was shocked that she knew his name and she motioned him to follow her. He was led into the kitchen and a cloth sack she was holding was set with a soft thunk on the island as she grabbed a tray and looked at him. "What do the others drink?"
After giving her their preferences and she started tea for Saiheti, he sat across from where she stood, as there were stools at the island. "I'm sorry."
She blinked and looked up from where she had been playing idly with the bag. "For what?"
"Makin' ya uncomfortable."
She smiled suddenly, a happy beaming smile and for a moment looked like she was going to say something. Instead she opened the bag and pulled out a small red gem. She looked at it and then nodded. "Look at this."
She held the gem out to him and he cautiously took it into his hand. He brought it closer to his face and blinked as it rose from his hands and then disappeared into himself. "What the fuck?"
Memories of being Tasuki flashed in his mind and he gripped his head. She stood across from him and waited. He glanced up at her. "I'm Tasuki?"
She nodded and he spoke again. "Who are ya?"
She reached back into the bag, hunted for a moment and pulled out a second red gem and held it out to him. He glanced at it cautiously. "It will let you remember me, no da." Tasuki took it cautiously and the gem disappeared. Memories of Chichiri, starting at the beginning flashed in his head. A choking half sob, half laugh left him and he glanced up at his love. "Oi, ya were reborn a woman?"
She nodded and suddenly he was beside her, crushing her into his arms. She wrapped thin arms around his waist and settled her head on his shoulder. "Oh Tasuki." He pulled back a bit and gazed at her. "Are ya ok?" She blinked at him, confused for a second. He elaborated. "Ya passed out at school today."
"Oh, that, no da. I regained my powers then, na no da. It hurt."
Relief flooded through Tasuki and he smiled down at her, already in love again. "Is it possible to pick up on feelins from where they left off?"
She gave a nod. "Yes, Tasuki. My love for you returned when I got my memory back. Now, you have more memory gems to take, no da." He let her go and she moved to the bag, opening it once again and removing the rest of his stones. He took them into himself and when the memories were restored, he gazed in the direction of the den. "They are all here, well, except for Miaka and Tamahome. But we know Tamahome."
She smiled at him again, barely containing her chibi side in her happiness to be reunited with Tasuki again, as well as the others. The tea started to boil and she moved to fix Saiheti's cup as she directed Tasuki where to get the rest of the drinks.
As they loaded the drinks onto the tray, Kouji put his head into the room. "Genrou, are ya corruptin' my sister?"
Genrou blushed furiously and Holly just smiled. "Always, no da."
Kouji growled at his friend, taking a step in, towards the red head. "Kouji, I was joking no da. He's helping me get drinks for your group. Will you send Saiheti in, I need to ask him how he likes his tea, na no da." Genrou smiled at her, realizing she was trying to get Saiheti alone to restore his memory next. Kouji just nodded though and called for Saiheti.
Kouji left with the tray as Saiheti and Ryuuen entered the room. She glanced up and reached into the bag, pulling two purple and two golden gems out. Speaking to Saiheti first "How do you like your tea?"
"Plain." She gave a nod and handed them the memory gems. They took them confused, "what are these?" Ryuuen spoke.
Holly turned back, tea in hand, two cups (one for her too). "Look at them no da."
Genrou smiled at Holly, who returned his smile and watched as the gems faded into Hotohori and Nuriko's body. They both blinked and then looked first at themselves and then at Chichiri. "Chichiri?"
She nodded "Hai, no da. Want the rest of your memories?" Both gave bemused nods and she handed over the rest of the purple and golden gems to them. She and Tasuki stood silently, watching them. Nuriko rounded on Tasuki "TASUKI" and glomped his friend, his super strength returning.
"Gah, Nuriko, not so hard dammit."
Chichiri gave a small growl towards her love. "Tasuki, no cussing." He blinked, slightly red in the face, who knew if it was from blushing or oxygen deprevation cause of Nuriko. Then Hotohori made a small sound and all turned to the former emperor. "Hotohori-san?"
He glanced to Chichiri with a faint smile and then to Tasuki before his eyes settled on a suddenly nervous Nuriko. He pulled his boyfriend to him with a smile. "You are still so beautiful." And then kissed Nuriko's forehead.
"Gah, can't ya stop being so damn lovey dovey?" All turned to see Kouji standing behind them, hands on his hips. "Come on, we need to get this project goin'. Also we need to figure out where we are going to find more information on the Universe of the Four Gods."
They all nodded and Holly followed them, watching Genrou walk (nice view) as they entered the den again. She was holding the bag and Genrou pulled her down to sit next to him, eliciting a growl for Kouji.
Holly gave her brother a disapproving look and then opened her bag. "I want to show you guys something, na no da."
With that she began to pull out gems, one each of pink, green and dark blue. She glanced at the dark blue one in confusion before she passed the pink one to Dokun and the green one to Myojuan and finally, after a bit of hesitation, gave the dark blue one to Kouji.
Kouji took the gem from his sister, a bit freaked out by this. Dokun held it up, as did Myojuan and at that point, the gem rose and faded into their bodies.
Memories flooded into Mitsukake, Chiriko and Kouji. MItsukake stared at his hands and Chiriko gave a nervous laugh, realizing they were remember past lives. Kouji however gave a yelp. "I'm a bandit?"
The awakened Seishi just laughed at him and she quickly seperated the gems, passing the pink to Chiriko, who accepted them and the green to Mitsukake, who did like wise. She then pulled out two gems for Kouji, as he had less then the others. He took them curiously from her and then they faded into the bodies they belonged too.
Kouji blinked and turned to see Chichiri and Tasuki smiling at him, together again. "Hey, ya two found each other again." He gave them a happy grin, which they returned. "I told you that we would find each other again, no da."
Kouji smiled as he leaned over to hug his sister. "That ya did." He looked at Genrou again. "Hey, man. I was wrong, ya can date my sister if ya want."
The group burst out into laughter at this and they excitedly began to talk about their shared pasts. Suddenly loud footsteps from down the stairs caused them to all stop talking and look up. Holly smiled at Hikou, already knowing that her two younger siblings were reincarnations of her closest friends as Houjun. "Holly, you said you would check my room."
She smiled and rose from her place beside Tasuki and Kouji and nodded as she followed her brother out the door, throwing a last grin at the group. "Hai, that I did, na no da. Let's go check it right now."
(Yes, Genrou took Chichiri being a woman well. My reasoning on this is because he love Chichiri so completely that no matter what the monk looks like, Tasuki will always be devoted to him/her. :D Everqueen)
