Chapter 8

For the first time in years, Tasuki awoke feeling very light-hearted. He thought of pinching himself being a bit skeptical of his happiness. But then he rolled to his side on the patterned futon to see his new friend sleeping soundly beside him. Friend. He thought of the title and he realized that this was also the first time he had the luxury of friendship. It felt great to have someone on his side again for once.

He rolled unto his back once again and stared at the cracks of sunlight peeping through the curtained window. He suddenly yearned to go outside and he stretched into a seating position on the futon.

"Looks like someone is up early."

Tasuki jumped, not expecting to hear the voice of Kouji lying beside him.

"Yeah, I'm used to it," Tasuki cheerfully responded. "Hope I was not the one who woke you."

"You did actually, from all that stretching." He did some stretching himself as he lifted his body forward. "But that's okay though," He turned to look at Tasuki as he raised his hands to his mouth to stifle a yawn.

"So what are we going to do today?" Tasuki inquired.

"First thing's first, we gotta do something about that hair of yours." Kouji then observed the young man from head to toe and went on to say, "And we'll get you some new clothing as well."

Tasuki combed his fingers through his overgrown locks and could not agree more with his suggestion. The red luster his hair once had did not seem to exist anymore. Each strand drooped around his face limp and lifeless only serving a purpose of covering the blisters that adorned his pale skin.

Tears began to stream down his face as he became overwhelmed with emotion from the kindness Kouji was bestowing on him. Tears seemed to be the solution to everything lately as his body trembled in an effort to keep himself together. And before her knew it, he unconsciously began to reminisce about the early life he used to have. The love of his mother and the warmth from his siblings almost seemed like it was just yesterday. His cheeks flushed red once he noticed Kouji staring bewildered at him.

"Come on man!" Kouji scuffled over and draped an arm around his shoulder. "Dry your tears and let's get ready."

Tasuki palmed at the tears that still stained his cheek and tried to settle his erratic feelings. It was hard to hide the embarrassment from Kouji consoling him as he shrugged his comforting arms away.

"You should see yourself," He flinched as the red head pulled away, "Snot rolling out your nose and shit, jeez!" Kouji frowned a bit and turned away. "Pull yourself together and meet me in the kitchen. Grandma should have breakfast ready." Tasuki watched as the young man walked away.

He followed behind him about five minutes later and saw Kouji and his grandmother seated at the eating table. He did not know why his footsteps briefly paused as he walked over to them in reluctance.

"Don't be shy," the old lady stated. "Over here. Take a seat." She pointed over to the vacant chair to the right of her. "Eat up," she suggested. "And then we'll get you ready for your haircut."

Tasuki still could not get rid of the feeling that he was intruding as he bent his head humbly at the table. He could not even look at Kouji for some reason as he felt his stares boring right through him. He shuffled his feet under the table uneasily with every crumb that touched his lips.

"Been a while since you tasted food this good I'm guessing." Kouji threw the statement right out at him. Kouji had read his thoughts because the words that escaped his lips next could not help but shock him. "You're like family now so act like it instead of worrying yourself about being intrusive."

Tasuki lifted his head from his plate to meet the eyes that stared at him. "And don't you dare start crying again," Kouji mumbled under his breath. But still, somehow, one single tear still managed to escape. "You're such a crybaby."

"Now Kouji, try not to be so mean." The old lady advised her grandson as she looked at him gathering his dishes from the table. He excused himself quickly and headed in the direction of the sink.

"Don't mind him," she tried to comfort Tasuki. "He has an odd way of expressing his feelings." She pushed her chair backwards and dismissed herself from the table also. "Bring your dishes Tasuki dear. You and Kouji need to get going."

Tasuki obeyed and he walked behind Kouji who motioned for him to follow him. They ended up back in his room.

"Here. Change into these." He pushed a navy blue pants and a red robe in front of him. "We'll be going outside and the last thing you should be clothed in is those tattered rags." He turned his back towards him as Tasuki pulled the fresh clothing over his frame.

"Thank you," he said graciously.

"You ready?" Kouji cleared his throat ignoring the red-head's gratitude.

"Uh, yeah."

From then on, they welcomed each other's company in silence. From the moment they left the house and even when Tasuki followed him into the crowded streets, they walked in silence. They had been walking for about ten minutes when they finally stopped in front of a small house. Tasuko continued to stand in the street as Kouji made his way towards the door. "Why are you just standing there?" He urged him to come closer as he rapped two knocks upon the wooden door. "There's nothing for you to be worried about," he whispered. "A friend of my grandma resides here."

"Who is it?" A croaky voice came through from the other side.

"It's Kouji, Nana's grandson."

So Nana is her name, Tasuki thought to himself. The opening of the door pulled him out of the daze that he drew himself into for just a second.

"Hey Kouji, how are you doing?" A middle-aged man appeared in front of us with a smile that made Tasuki feel welcome. "Who's your friend?" He turned to acknowledge him as Kouji began with his response.

"This is my friend Tasuki," he replied. "As you can clearly see, he hasn't had a haircut in a while."

"Nice to meet you Tasuki," he greeted him formerly and proceeded to introduce himself. "I'm Naname. I'll make you look all spiffy." He smiled warmly again and welcomed us into the house.

His home was small and quaint and every item had its place. The pictures of the heavenly beasts from the Universe of the Four Gods that decorated his walls instantly grabbed Tasuki's attention. He led them to the living room and had Tasuki pull a chair. He disappeared behind a curtain for just a second before coming back with a cloth and a small shears.

"Kouji, take these from me would ya," Naname requested. "I'm just running to the kitchen to wash my hands."

Kouji obliged and he pulled a chair taking a seat near to Tasuki. "You nervous?" he asked him.

"Not in the least," Tasuki abruptly replied.

Naname returned and he retrieved his shears from Kouji. "Drape that cloth around his shoulders," he ordered and soon after he began to trim him.

"So Tasuki," Naname struck up a conversation, "I haven't seen your face around these streets before. Are you new around here?"

Kouji quickly intervened and spoke up for him. "Uh, of course he's from around here. He just… he just doesn't go outside that often." Kouji knew that technically he did not lie. He turned to look at his friend who continued to sit there in unwavering silence.

"Alright, you're all done," Naname stated. He pulled off the cloth that was draped around him and dusted the loose strands that still escaped on his shoulder. "There." He handed him a mirror and waited for his approval.

"Don't you like it Tasuki?" Kouji playfully shoved at him. "Your haircut was tapered similarly to mine."

Tasuki continued to venerate himself in front the mirror as he nodded his head in agreement. He was happy. He felt good about himself. And he actually looked nice for once.

"Look at that," Naname complimented him. "You really are a very good looking guy."

"Yeah, let's head out right now red-head," Kouji suggested. "Maybe we'll be able to pick ourselves up some girls."

They thanked Naname graciously and headed out the door.

"Did you know that he was a Genbu Seishi once?" Tasuki stared at Kouji in bewilderment. "He's always been a really nice guy."

"So where next are we going?" Tasuki questioned changing the flow of the conversation.

"To go pick ourselves up some girls, forgot that fast?"

"I thought you were kidding," Tasuki paused in his tracks as he watched his friend walk ahead of him. "And that's not what I meant anyways." He reluctantly followed behind him. "What I meant was where are we headed?" He looked at the back of the frame that faced him and awaited a reply.

"Hey, you see that guy over there," Kouji had completely ignored him. Tasuki sighed in defeat dipping his hands within his pockets and turned to the direction that his friend was looking.

"Which guy?" As soon as the words slipped out his lips, his remaining breath slipped out right with them. Up ahead, as unbelievable as it seemed stood Hakurou, the young man who he almost forgot that he had been searching for.

"What about him?" Tasuki managed to murmur.

"Don't you know," Kouji surprisingly responded. "He's the leader of the notorious Mt. Leikaku bandits.

B R E A K

A/N: Sorry for waiting so long to update. Hope most of you are still with me. Don't know when I'll have the next chapter up but it will be sooner or later