Yuki stood at the front door of his brother's house, he nervously knocked on the door and waited patiently for someone to answer the door. The door opened and Yuki was surprised to see Ritsu there. Ritsu's hair was pulled back and he was actually wearing guy's clothing for a change (A/N: I always thought he looked cute in girls' clothing)
"I'm sorry, did I get the wrong address?" Yuki asked.
"No, I'll let Ayame know you're here. Please, sit down," Ritsu offered.
Yuki sat down and waited for Ritsu to return with his brother.
"Why in the hell is Ritsu here?" Yuki thought to himself.
Ritsu returned with Ayame. Ayame had cut his hair. It was still long, but it barely reached past his shoulders. Ayame must have been doing something with paint, because his hair was tied and head paint on his clothing and face.
"You have green paint on your nose," said Yuki.
"Whatever happened to saying hi?" Ayame asked.
"That's so five years ago," Yuki joked.
"Its good to see you again," said Ayame, as he gave his brother a hug.
"Should I get some tea?" Ritsu asked.
"Yes that would be nice," Ayame smiled.
Ritsu disappeared into the kitchen to make tea.
"So, did you hear about Rin?" Ayame asked.
"Yes, I saw her being arrested," said Yuki.
"Why'd she burn down a neighbor's house?" Ayame asked.
"I don't know. Our neighbor wasn't the friendliest of people, but I just ignored her,' said Yuki.
"I heard her daughter is the new cat," said Ayame.
"Its true. Sakurako, I'm now her foster father," said Yuki.
"Aw, how cute. Just like Kazuma took in Kyo," Ayame cheered.
Kyo, his death was always a painful subject to Yuki. Yuki felt responsible for Kyo's death, and usually didn't like people to talk about it. Yuki looked away from Ayame.
"I'm sorry, I didn't mean to bring him up. It's always hard for me to talk about Hatori and Shigure. I no longer cry when someone mentions their names like I used to, but it is still something painful. I understand," said Ayame.
Yuki looked back at Ayame. He was right. They both understood the pain.
"I don't want it to be painful, I wish I could go back and tell Kyo that I love him," Yuki said.
"I understand," said Ayame.
"Tea is ready," said Ritsu.
Yuki remembered Ritsu, what he was like after Hatori nearly killed him. He was insane, and now he seemed normal. What happened?
"I haven't seen you in a while Ritsu. How have you been?" Yuki asked.
"I've been doing great, now that nobody thinks I'm insane," said Ritsu. (A/N: think back to In Cold Blood, chapter 18 or 19)
"I never thought you were insane," Ayame said.
"Really?" Ritsu asked happily.
"Of course, you never were insane, just… misunderstood," said Ayame.
"So.. why'd you cut your hair?" asked Yuki.
"Oh, it needed to be trimmed, and I thought that I should cut off a few inches. Do you like it?" Ayame asked.
"Yes, it looks a lot nicer," said Yuki.
"I thought so too when I cut it," said Ritsu.
"You cut his hair?" Yuki asked.
"Yes, I'm a hairdresser," Ritsu said proudly.
"And I figured if he screwed up, I could trim it myself and wait for it to grow out," Ayame joked.
Ritsu jokingly smacked Ayame, and the two of them starting laughing. Its like Ayame lost some of his self-confidence and Ritsu gained it.
"Are you two, you know, together," Yuki asked.
"Yeah," said Ayame.
"Why?" asked Ritsu.
"Nothing, you two just seem happier," said Yuki.
"Well, I have to go pick up Sakurako," said Yuki.
"Where is she?" asked Ayame.
"At Kisa's. She offered to baby-sit for some extra cash," said Yuki.
"See you later," said Ayame.
"Come back soon," said Ritsu.
"Don't forget to buckle up!"
"Don't drive while intoxicated!"
"Make good
choices!"
"I'm not 12 anymore! I can figure it out," said Yuki.
