2. The lies within the truth.
T: The story proper begins this chapter and hopefully I'll be able to convince you that this thing is worth a review! Warnings remain the same with the addition of the TIMELINE TINKERING that I mentioned at the bottom of the last chapter! I own the play but, sadly, the actors belong to another…in other words everything bar plot is Clamp's.
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The location of the address was a simple single story house that was styled, as the others in the street, towards a more modern taste.
He makes it half way down the path before he begins to second guess himself and he has just turned to leave again when a voice enquires,
"Are you coming in?"
The Sakurazuka has gone from the hall by the time Kamui crosses the threshold and he takes this absence as opportunity to examine the room.
All the walls remain blank apart from that opposite the door, upon this wall is hung a vast oil painting that all but dominates the space.
Upon the canvas is depicted a woman stood amid a cloud of sakura blossoms, her fingers gripped to a lantern and an all too familiar smile upon her lips.
"Kasan painted that picture as a child and apparently it depicts the very first Sakurazukamori leading her victims to the tree."
The Sakurazuka is lent against the frame of the doorway to Kamui's left, an inviting, but obviously false, smile upon his lips.
"Come and have a seat, Shirou-kun."
The room beyond the door is, judging by the furniture, the living room, yet despite this there is a cold, uninviting feel to the space that may or may not be caused by the company.
There is a small table to the left of the doorway, its surface crowded with little silver photo frames that catch Kamui's attention momentarily.
There are one or two images of the Sakurazuka in his youth, his fingers gripped about a diploma in veterinary science and a proud smile upon his lips. The bulk of the pictures, however, feature a pair of near identical twins dressed in a startling array of colours and styles.
"Subaru-kun little liked having his photo taken and yet Hokuto-chan was always so insistent that we had a 'keepsake' with which to recall the fun times."
The Sakurazuka has settled into one of the two sofa's that occupy the room, his legs propped up on the cushions in such a manner that he fills the thing, despite it being intended for at least three individuals to occupy it.
Kamui is aware that this casual manner, along with the casual reference to Subaru's past, is as another bate for his anger and, taking a seat opposite the Sakurazuka, he enquires.
"Why are you doing this?"
"I have, of late, become bored of the monotony of breaking Kekkai and when Imonoyama-san suggested the enterprise it sounded amusing enough that I agreed happily."
"How do you know Imonoyama-san?"
"I was the student of a private school that was well connected within society, connections that allowed us the use of the formidable library within the Clamp Campus.
"I happened to meet Imonoyama-san's mother while I was there one day and we struck up a friendship of sorts."
"What did Imonoyama-san tell you of this 'enterprise'?"
"As I said to you in the classroom Imonoyama-san informed me that your grades were slipping and asked if I might aid you a little?"
"Why you of all people?"
"Perhaps he believed that you might also benefit from some of my…other…knowledge."
"I believe I am quite capable of surviving without the intimate knowledge of the best way to dispatch a man silently."
He is back in the hallway when the Sakurazuka asks him to wait and, against his better judgement, he does indeed halt his retreat.
"I wonder if you might give Subaru-kun this for me."
A small black kitten is pressed into his hands and, curious despite himself, Kamui enquires,
"What is this for?"
"She is a birthday present."
"Subaru's birthday is not for another month."
Seishiro's smile slips into something all but mocking and, after a moment, he says,
"I will expect to see you at the same time tomorrow, Shirou-kun and bring your text books; I can not produce results from thin air, after all."
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It had begun to rain as he had neared the campus and, in a desperate attempt to keep the kitten dry, he had tucked the thing into his coat.
The animal seemed to little like being so confined, however, for it kept attempting to wriggle free.
"Let me have it." He recognises Keiichi's cheery tone and suddenly he is encased within the shelter of an umbrella and the other's free hand is pushed towards him.
Once passed over the kitten settles swiftly into the crook of Keiichi's arm, the sound of her contented purring filling the silence pleasantly.
"She is a very beautiful animal, indeed I'd say she's pure breed…is she yours?"
"Not really, no. She's a present for Subaru."
"I see." He sounds slightly dejected and, not understanding why he does as such, Kamui informs him,
"She's not from me, Segawa-kun."
"I see."
"Would you mind bringing her to the house for me and for your trouble perhaps you would care to join me for a movie."
Keiichi seems surprised at the invitation, indeed he is almost as surprised as Kamui feels for asking and yet, a slight colour appearing in his cheeks, he replies,
"I'll be glad to join you."
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"Where were you?"
Soratta has the 'displeased parent' look in his eyes again and Kamui takes a moment to consider his response before replying,
"Imonoyama-san thought that I might benefit from some outside tuition and I went today to meet a man that Imonoyama-san believed as a suitable conduit for that tuition."
"And?"
"I am going to have a proper 'lesson' within him tomorrow evening and I'll consider the issue from there."
Soratta relaxes a little and finally takes notice of the other with Kamui,
"Is Segawa-kun staying for the meal tonight?"
"Actually Segawa-kun and I are off to the cinema tonight and we'll be eating out."
"What time will you be home?"
"Eleven if it's a long film, perhaps a little earlier if it's a short one."
He has made it to the stairway by the time Soratta objects and he shouts back what he hopes is a comforting reply before he informs Keiichi,
"He's got a slight 'mother hen' complex."
"I see."
He hesitates as he reaches the door to Subaru's room and seeing this Keiichi passes him the kitten Keiichi before informing him,
"I'll wait for you in your room."
"I will not be too long.!"
Subaru is stood at the window, his eyes fixed on some unknown object on the distant horizon and it is only when Kamui clears his throat that he registers that he has a guest,
"How may I help, Kamui?"
"I found something today that I thought perfect for you and I know that it is early but…" He passes the kitten over to Subaru and the Onmyoji regards her a moment before he remarks,
"You did not simply 'find' her, Kamui, and yet I appreciate the sentiment."
The Onmyoji is smiling and yet, for the very first time, Kamui realises that the thing does not reach his eyes,
"You do not need to pander to me, Subaru."
"What do you mean?"
"I mean that you should smile when you have wish rather than when you believe it expected of you."
Subaru looks a little surprised at that and placing the kitten to the floor he enquires,
"Am I that obvious?"
"Obvious that I have seem it, Subaru and yet I understand why you are doing it…understand that sometimes you feel you have to smile in order to keep yourself looking strong…"
"But?"
"You do not need to be as such around me, Subaru…I have a want to learn of your vulnerabilities as well as your strengths."
As often when the Onmyoji is unsettled the fingers of his left hand move to rub at the back of his right and again Kamui wonders at the significance of the gesture.
"I heard raised voices a moment ago, is everything alright?" The question is a little off topic and, for the moment; Kamui allows Subaru the distance he craves,
"Soratta is just a little upset with me for not telling him that I was going to be late and for making other plans tonight."
"Has Segawa-kun invited you to his home again?"
"Actually I invited him out to see a movie."
The smile on Subaru's lips, this time, is small yet genuine and Kamui finds himself smiling in return.
"It is good that you are making friends outside of the Seals, Kamui."
"I am not so certain."
"Should I ask why?"
"Segawa-kun has already lost his father because of this war and I'm afraid that he'll continue to get hurt while he's around me."
"Perhaps you should allow him to make the choice, Kamui. Tell him of the war, of your involvement and then allow him to do as he will with that knowledge."
"I'll consider it."
"Thank you for your gift, Kamui." Subaru remarks after a moment.
"Thank you for your honesty, Subaru."
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T: I do not think I need to pinpoint anything here, but as always if you have a question ask me and I'll answer in the next chapter! Update on Sunday until then R+R as your opinion matters to me!