Nomad, Shin's Story
Chapter 5: Proof

Author's Note: Dang, I was sure I could queue chapters. Oh well. Next chapter. Lemony but not really bad enough I can't post it here? Happy Reading.

XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX

Yagami Shin realized around 4 this morning a train would be the most efficient way. He could put his bike in the storage car and they'd comfortably travel to Subami. So he got up, did the morning exercises he was now acclimated to, and went to the station to buy the tickets for noon. By the time he got back, Lyla was up and had ordered him breakfast…

Honestly? On a scale of 1 to 10 on how uncomfortable it was, it…weirdly was only like a three. She was in the negatives and acting normal and he just strangely didn't feel inclined to act abnormal. Maybe that was just because they weren't like, talking about the fact they had sex last night.

Shin groaned, now sitting on the train back home next to her. What on Earth had he been thinking? Maybe he was just really frustrated and hadn't realized it. Still, he was no Koji or Nelly, it just…didn't make sense to him.

"Shin?"

"Hmm?" he murmured, drowsy after no sleep last night.

Lyla had pulled her hair back which, now that he thought about it, was very rare. She always wore her hair down…except now and last night when she…damn it! She pouted and turned in her seat, "I made you uncomfortable, didn't I?"

"…A little."

"I'm sorry. You've all always been very big on consent and taught me a great deal about it but…but I think I might have violated those principles when it came to you."

What now? He stared at her, puzzled, "…I mean, Lai, don't get me wrong, I was…pumping the brakes in some places last night but the second the road was clear, I was going full throttle. I mean, I definitely consented…"

"But consent is wanting to and you didn't want me."

…Oh. Shin was kind of at a loss. Yea, if he didn't want her, that was either force or he was just kind of mindlessly going along for the ride. Just…no, that wasn't it. He was definitely turned on by everything that happened so… "I…I dunno, Lai. Don't worry about it."

"I don't want you to hate me" she murmured.

"Never that" he assured, rubbing his eyes, "Can I rest my head in your lap? I'm exhausted."

She nodded, covering him with a complimentary blanket and stroking his hair. It felt nice…before he dozed off, she murmured, "Shin?"

"Hm?"

"Can I ask for one more thing from you?"

…Crap. "…Of course."

"When we get to the mansion, can you teach me to drive?"

His eyes reopened as his brows creased. What? "…Oh yea, you…you wouldn't have gotten to do that."

Lyla shook her head to the negative. He nodded, closing his eyes again. "You got it, Lai."

"Thank you, Shin."

He fell asleep for the hour ride, waking when the overhead announced that they were pulling into Hondo station. Opening his eyes, he found Lyla had also dozed back off, her hands rested on his locks. Shin gripped her fingertips, "Lai, we're here."

She slowly woke up, drearily standing as he grabbed their bags and led her out to the station. Pushing his bike out onto the road, he took a breath. This…was home. He made a face when a bunch of people cut him off on the busy city roads. Yea, definitely home.

Lyla held him tight as they rode up the streets toward the large mansions where they were raised. He smiled when he turned into the neighborhood and when he came to the iron gate of the Yagami estate. Finally…

Going down the half mile driveway, Shin parked right next to his car, happy to see the vehicle in some odd way. Helping Lyla off, he sighed, "Mom had to run to work but she said she'll be back around six. Dunno about dad and the twins are probably off up to Friday night foolishness. So, unless the kids are home, we have the place to ourselves…"

And what the hell did that mean, Shin? Lyla giggled, holding his hand, "Let's take a nap!"

Shin snickered. Maybe Koji wasn't wrong…when she wasn't shocking him, she was absolutely perfect. He reached into his pocket and took out his keys. Even the action felt kind of nostalgic. Opening the door, he gave a once over. Didn't look like anyone was home. Lyla set her backpack down, excusing herself to the bathroom. He nodded, "I'm going to the living room."

He really just expected to stretch out on their awesome sofa with the elongated ends and take a nice snooze. Like, his mind was just settled on that. Instead, when he walked into the living room, he found his only baby sister trading spit with some kid.

"…EH EM?"

Yagami Jill squealed, quickly jerking back and jumping to her feet. She looked mortified, "N-Nii-san!"

Whomever this soon to be dead kid was looked petrified. "H-Hello, sir."

Oh, he was a 'sir' now, was he? Jill pulled the mystery boy to his feet and skirted around Shin, escorting him to the door. Oh really? Shin followed after them as Jill essentially told this dead man to 'run'. "Jill."

"Nii-san! I-It's not a big deal! I'm thirteen!" Jill protested, blocking the door like Shin hadn't spent half a year running every day and couldn't chase that kid to the ends of the Earth.

"What does that even mean?!" he demanded incredulously, "First off, NO ONE informed me that Yagami Koji is obviously dead!"

"He's preoccupied" she scoffed.

Koji would stop mid-sex if he had even an idea Jill was kissing a guy, what in the hell would have him 'preoccupied' enough to allow this to happen?! "Well, I guess we'll unoccupy him when he gets home."

"Nii-san!" Jill sobbed, grasping his coat, "Please, please, please don't tell Koji!"

"What am I, a ghost? Does my crazy not matter?" Shin huffed.

Jill pouted petulantly, "Your crazy will never even touch his!"

While Shin wanted to challenge that, Koji was pretty damn crazy some times. Before Shin left, Koji ended up mangling some guy for making crude remarks about Jill. Like, literally doing enough damage the guy would need reconstructive surgery. It was warranted given Jill was twelve at the time and the asshole in question was eighteen but still. He seethed, dropping his head back, as Jill looked at him hopefully. Fine. "I will not tell Koji but you are not to have anyone you're making out with here without supervision. You understand me?"

"Tony does it all the time!" she glowered, crossing her arms.

"And I'll tell Tony's ass the same exact thing!"

"Great!" Jill leered, "Now I'm a snitch!"

He had five siblings. Shin tilted his head, honestly having a moment where it suddenly hit him he had five of these. He had been in a form of battle his entire life. Squeezing the bridge of his nose, he shook his head. "Hi, Jill. I missed you and it's great to see you, imoto-chan."

Shin really did expect more sass but his little sister did gasp. "Oh my God, you're right! Nii-san, you're so tall and muscular!"

Smirking as she hugged him, he sighed gravely and wrapped her in his arms. Damn, the hormones were here, weren't they? Kissing her temple, he made a face, "And you've gotten tall too."

"Ha! Barely, not with you giants!" Jill gushed, "How was it? Did they tell you where you're going?"

"Not yet, it'll probably be about five months before I hear where I'm heading and I'll probably be shipped out in August" Shin explained.

Jill clapped her hands, "So you'll be here for everyone's birthday!"

Oh yea. "You're right, I will be here for Shaun's birthday."

The…youngest was going to be thirteen. Jill looked up when the door opened. "Who the hell's old motorbike is that?"

Shin chuckled as the twins rather miraculously appeared. He did not expect them to come home on a Friday. Alas, Koji and Nerimaru sauntered in, still wearing their school uniform, before cheering, "Ayyyyy!"

"What's going on, troublemakers?" Shin smiled, giving them light embraces. He could sort of see what Jill meant now. While he went off and had a growth spurt in basic training, these two had shot up in general and were looking at him right in the face.

"Nothing yet but the day is young" Nelly drawled, "Where'd you get that thing from? The Honda."

"Man, do you know how much that thing is worth and I got it for two thousand pieces?"

Koji's brows furrowed, "And it runs?"

"Sure does. Carried me and Lyla here" Shin nodded.

This seemed to surprise them. "Nee-san's here?" Jill questioned.

With that remark, Lyla came down the stairs and squealed, "Ah! Koji! Nelly! Jill!"

"Wow, this is a surprise. We tried to come visit you at school and it was like trying to get into a damn fortress" Koji sulked, giving her a hug. "Guess ol' army dude knew how to crack the code."

Smirking widely, Shin remarked, "Lyla was left behind for the holidays so I wasn't about to just leave her there."

Jill gasped, "You're spending Christmas with us, Lyla?"

She nodded, frowning, "Oh dear, I should get gifts for everyone. I never got to participate before so I want to do the whole deal now!"

With a glance at his watch, Nelly sighed, "I do work for a couple hours at the mall, nee-san, if you want to ride with me and get some shopping done. If you finish before I get off, I'm sure one of the others will come get you."

What now? "You're working?" Shin gaped.

"Mm hmm. Working at the ol' Foot Locker" Nelly yawned. "Koji and I decided to work part-time for some pocket change."

"I work at the coffee shop" Koji explained.

"…Oh. Okay, that's…rather responsible" Shin expressed. Felt like he was…entirely out of the loop on a lot of things now. "Well, maybe a trip to the mall is good then. I haven't been in a while, obviously."

Lyla suddenly pouted at him, "Shin, I'm getting your gift, I don't want you or Koji or Jill to see!"

"Ehhh, you'll have to hide mine somehow, nee-san, I'm meeting some friends at the mall anyway" Jill sighed.

Shin gave her a look. 'Friends' indeed. But okay. "Fine. If you wrap up early, just go to Nelly and call me and I'll come get you."

Lyla looked pleased and skipped to her bag while Nelly ran upstairs briefly, returning in a pair of jeans and a striped shirt. Jill grabbed her purse and gushed, "We'll be back in time for dinner, nii-sans!"

Nodding, Shin walked them to the door, watching them climb into Nelly's car and take off. Okay, well, he guessed their…'nap' was interrupted. 'Nap'?

"Now whatever has the all saintly Yagami Shin been doing with his time, hmm?"

Sometimes he expected to look toward his brother and find him with horns and a tail. Shin drably looked in Koji's direction, finding he was lighting up as he leaned against the doorway. "You really haven't quit yet, huh?"

"Working on it. You quit thinking I was wrong about you and Lyla?" he grinned lazily.

"…No?"

"Oh, so you both just mysteriously have hickeys today, huh?"

What?! Going quickly to the mirror by the doorway, Shin looked on his neck. Not a damn thing. "You lying little-"

"They're under your ear, dumdum" Koji snickered, exhaling a fragrant billow of smoke outside.

Shin turned his neck and almost died. Sure enough, there was a very small three or four kiss marks under his ear trailing to his collarbone. When did she even do that?! And when did he kiss her to give her any?! Koji gave that Cheshire cat grin that tempted Shin to beat him up. "What happened? You two decide to make out?"

"…No."

"So you were just necking it?"

"No."

Marching into the house, he groaned as Koji apparently put his cigarette out just to follow him. "Well, the damn things just didn't sprout on your neck because you were thinking about it."

Finally sitting on the couch, exhaling because it was just as cozy as he was imagining, Shin grabbed a blanket and gave Koji a look as he sat on the other end. "…You tell anyone and I'll end you."

"I can believe that now, Commander" Koji stuck out his tongue, "Promise. What happened?"

Spreading the lovely throw his mother got in her travels over his legs, he smiled before glowering toward Koji. "…Lyla and I had sex last night."

"…What?"

Shin shook his head, in disbelief he could now say that he had had intercourse with his best friend. This was…not great. Koji looked flabbergasted. "Dude…what?"

"Needless to say, I was not quite expecting that. It just…got a little out of hand."

"A little 'out of hand'?" Koji echoed incredulously, "You spent half a year fretting over her kissing you and within a day of seeing her again you banged her? I think that got a little way out of hand."

Flustering, Shin rubbed his temple, "…We were…talking about things. Where we were at, feeling wise. She told me some things about why when we were teenagers she stopped sleeping over and…told me what you've always told me. She has feelings above 'platonic' for me, I guess. I tried…to play it cool? But one thing kind of led to another and I…I guess I allowed it to get above platonic too."

Koji whistled, leaning back into the couch, "…What now? Like, you two didn't seem…awkward?"

"I know" Shin grimaced, "I mean, I…feel a little awkward but she's not bothered at all. I-I told her it can't happen again."

"Well, I naturally have to ask…how was it?"

With a scoff, Shin threw a pillow at Koji, "I'm not telling you!"

"Oh, come on" Koji heckled, moving the pillow, "This is the person you've known since you were freakin' five years old, man. What were you thinking?"

"That this is nuts and what am I doing! I was blown away!"

Koji nodded, raising a brow, "…But?"

"…I mean, okay, it was…pretty nice. She…never mind! It was crazy!"

Laughing, Koji stretched, "Well, want to knock out some shopping for Christmas?"

Not particularly, that nap was calling his name but he guessed now was as good a time as ever. Standing up, he made a face as Koji started to go upstairs. Oh yea, wait. Shin followed, humming, "So, our imoto said you had some 'occupations' now. What has you occupied?"

Koji rolled his eyes, going into his room but not closing the door so Shin followed. And, in doing so, he didn't need Koji to say a single word because it almost was strong enough to hit him in the face. "What the HELL, Koji."

"I'm surprised you know the scent, Saint Shin" Koji remarked sarcastically, going to his closet.

Shin glared, "It's not LEGAL, Koji. You get busted, you're going to jail."

"Imagine taking something that fucking grows out of the ground and making it illegal to do anything with. Besides, dad, our parents are aware and don't say anything."

"Because they'll let you get away with murder, Koji" Shin threw his hands up.

Koji snorted loudly as he came out wearing a black shirt and a pair of jeans, grabbing a leather jacket. Out of the promise or deal he made Sai, he put his part of the necklace he gave his childhood fiancée on. Well, at least he had SOMETHING innocent about him.

"I'm just going to call it now, 'nii-san': when you're not out being a soldier, your ass is gonna be a cop."

…Shin actually did feel his pulse speed up, very confused and surprised. "W-What? T-That's…that's not…true…"

His slightly younger brother gave him a smirk as he picked up his black wallet, surveying the inside. "I know you, Yagami Shin."

…Damn. "Koji, I am dancing on broken ice right now with dad. S-Seriously, I am not considering being a police officer too."

"What's dad even gonna do, disown you?"

"Yes."

Just that dangerous insight of one Yagami Koji. Maybe it was good he was on something to dull those senses because he was borderline psychic. However, after their discussion about how 'poor' he was going to be with his military career, Shin did have the thought he would like to continue to help protect people. He looked into the police program some in basic training but, well, let's just say that was one other reason he hadn't spoken to his dad in about two months: the man would rightfully kill him.

Truthfully, even he knew he would be pushing it at that point. When he wasn't off getting shot at by enemies overseas, he'd be at home…getting potentially shot at by people here. There was literally no peace and his entire lifestyle would circle around the possibility of him dying, something Yagami Yamada had really, really wanted to protect him from. And add on the fate of his namesake? No, his dad might literally break his legs and stuff him in the basement if he came and said 'oh, on top of the military, I'm going to be a cop!'.

He was getting a headache. Walking with Koji, he grabbed his keys. "Let me drive, it's been too long."

Koji made a face, probably because Shin wouldn't let him smoke in his car but obliged. Shin breathed, just feeling a sudden…calm. He was home. Koji tuned the radio and stopped on the random American rock station as Shin cruised through the neighborhood toward the city.

"How long, how long will I slide? Separate my side. I don't…I don't believe it's bad. Slittin' my throat is all I ever…" Koji lightly sang.

What now? Shin made a face, "What is this?"

"Yeesh, bro, I forgot you were in prison for half a year. It's the Red Hot Chili Pepper's new album" Koji yawned.

…Oh yea. His brows furrowed at the rather depressing song initially but it was kind of disturbingly catchy. Slittin' my throat is all I ever had…

"I sent this CD to Lyla. Thought it was something you'd do" Koji stretched.

"Thanks, man, I would've…"

Shin frowned when…something pretty 'screamy' came on. What? "…What is this sound? It's not post-grunge."

"Nu metal" Koji replied, "I like it. And, no offense, probably like it a little bit more than grunge. Don't get me wrong: grunge took me there. Just not quite the way this stuff does."

Groaning at that next, Shin shook his head as he pulled into the parking lot of the giant mall nearby. "Don't make me an old geezer just yet, Koji. I'm not even a year out of high school and I'm going to sound like some oldtimer yelling about 'what's this tomfoolery?'."

Koji laughed, "Come on, dude. I will always love Soundgarden and Pearl Jam. Nirvana and Red Hot. But we're too young to not be expanding just a little. Give Limp Bizkit a chance."

"Do you have any idea what that is?"

As his brother was cackling, Shin got the idea he knew exactly what that was. Oh well, gross names aside, he guessed some of it was speaking to him in a vague way. Expanding, huh?

Rubbing his face, Koji shook his head, "…Couldn't tell you what to get mom this year. She's on some kind of denim binge and it's crazy."

Shin gasped, reaching into his pocket after he put the car in 'park'. "Oh yea! Look at this. I want to get it appraised to see if it's really authentic. If it is, I have mom's gift."

Handing Koji the antique Chanel bracelet, Shin was slightly amused as Koji seriously turned it over in his hands and touched the metal. Granted, all of them, every Yagami child, knew how to identify a real metal or jewelry, he guessed it was just a very weird skill that they knew how to examine a bracelet's authenticity. That was not any of the son's interest.

Koji shook his head after a minute, bewildered. "…It certainly seems real. And the logo does not look replicated. The only thing throwing me is you bought this for 200 pieces."

"Yea, and I bought that bike I rode for 2000 pieces" Shin snorted, opening the door.

"Luck sure is smiling upon you, first son" Koji teased.

Blah. Shin swallowed as they shuffled along with the large crowds going into the shopping mall, stuffing his hands in his pockets. "…Sure dad hasn't said much about me, huh?"

"I hate to say it, Shin, but you've definitely brought out a weird side of dad I didn't think existed" Koji remarked, his brows tweaking, "Nah, he did not like mention of you in regard to where you were and what you were doing. He shut the topic right down. Anything else, he was gravy with like your car being maintained or moved around or keeping your insurance paid. The army and you? No."

Great. "…I don't like that, Koji. You know what we're coming out of. It'd be like if mom stopped talking to you" he muttered.

"It's coming" Koji shrugged.

"I'm not joking, Koji."

"Me either. I'm going to break some chump's face this year, man, and mom's going to have my ass disowned because she can't get me to stop" murmured Koji.

Shin frowned at that before wincing. No… "I…I mean, I'm sure she'd be disappointed, Koji. But I doubt she'll disown you."

No, especially given that they essentially forced a dark cloud into a bottle and gave it literally nowhere to go. If his parents ever felt justified in doing anything particularly severe to Koji due to his anger, Shin would definitely remind them of that fact.

"If that's true, dad will get over it too. Just don't be too put off right now. However, for the holiday's sake, might wait on that cop announcement."

Shin leered, "I told you-"

"You're lying."

Rolling his eyes, Shin grunted, "Well, let's leave every possibility of that notion behind until I'm ready to admit or commit to anything."

Koji nodded. "So how was bootcamp?"

Tuh, that easy, huh? They meandered through stores, talking and occasionally finding things they thought would meet some people's fancy. He found the perfect dress for the shoes he got Lyla. When they went to the video game store, Koji advised on what the kids were into nowadays aside from making out. Pursing his lips as he looked at a perfume display, he glanced back to Koji, "We need to have an elder meeting when we get home."

"Shit, man, you just got home. What have you found we've done wrong already?" Koji scoffed.

"Hmm, we'll wait for Nelly's presence."

"Great."

Shin looked around, noticing a fair amount of people in the area were speaking on a cell phone. Wow, weird. "I mean…is it a big deal to be able to communicate outside of the house?"

Koji gave him a look, "Um, yea? Like right now, if Lyla had a cell, you could see if she was ready to go and go get her. Instead, she has to either pay for a payphone or ask someone to use their phone."

Huh. "I guess. What do you have?"

Reaching into his pocket, Koji showed him a silver phone with 'Uproar' on it. Eh? "It's pretty neat. I can listen to some music on it."

"…What? On your phone?"

Nodding in confirmation, Shin didn't know how to feel about that. "I don't think I need anything that advanced but I guess I should get one…"

"You can get nee-san one too. They have prepaid plans where we can send her cards to refill her minutes."

Oh. Okay. They walked into the store and he listened to the various 'perks'. "T9" text messaging, 'splashproof', 'music'. He went with a Nokia 5210 for himself and a Nokia 8210 for Lyla. He smiled, picking out a flowery phone cover for her. He might give this to her early, he was kind of excited.

Koji's phone rang just as they left. Flipping it open, he drawled, "Hello…? …Oh, hey, nee-san."

Eh? Shin frowned as Koji listened to Lyla before nodding, "Okay, I'll let him know. See you tonight."

Replacing his phone in his pocket, Koji continued toward the escalator, "Lyla said she ran into one of her high school friends here and that she was going to hang out with her for a little bit. She'll try to be back by dinner."

Oh, that was nice. Pleased she was doing normal things, he tipped his head, "Cool. Wanna go grab something to eat then go harass Nelly?"

"Ha, always."

…Yea. This…this felt like home.

XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX

"This man did WHAT?"

Shin groaned as he stretched out on the nook in his room, drinking a beer with the twins. HE was legal, these two had five more months. But at this point, that was just moot. Koji was dozing on the bed with his bottle rested in his hand and Nelly was sitting in one of the recliner type chairs Shin had. When they went to visit Nelly at his job, he got that giddy look and said they should drop off his car, come back, and they should go joyriding. Shin hadn't been a fan of the idea but Koji drove Nelly's car home and they swapped out for his. By the time they got back, Jill was, THANKFULLY, with her friends and also ready to go. While he hadn't expected it, she pouted and said she ALSO wanted to go joyriding with her 'big bubbies'. Fine.

He had snickered at the time as Koji cruised down the highway, Nelly in the front seat while he occupied the back with Jill. For whatever reason, the twins were chanting along to 'Born to Be Wild'. "Like a true nature's child, we were born, born to be wild! We can climb so high! I never wanna die!"

Yea, maybe THAT was their theme song. Jill had smirked, asking why they were listening to old stuff. "Hey, hey, classics are classics, young lady" Koji grunted.

"What do you even listen to now?" Shin questioned Jill. He sort of stopped paying attention given it was…very pop-like last he did.

"Well, to Koji's chagrin, I do like Britney Spears…"

Koji snorted. "Uh, whatever, she's hot. Can't stand her music but hot."

Shin smirked, "C'mon, Koji, give us a verse. Sing it with some enthusiasm."

"My lonelinessss is killin' meeee. Gimmeee a signnnnn. Hit me, baby, one more time!"

Nelly and Shin had laughed as Jill's smirk widened, kicking the back of Koji's seat. "You make me sick, nii-san."

Shin's eyes widened as Nelly and Koji turned on something… "What's Your Fantasy?" and then went verse for verse because why not? It was a lot more adult than Shin would figure Koji would let Jill listen to but he figured out that Jill was a teenager. There…really was no protecting her at this point, man.

Thus, when they got back and dear baby sister offered to make dinner, Shin attempted to have the 'elder meeting' start off with that topic. Then good ol' Koji threw out there 'you know Shin and Lyla banged?'.

"Dude, I thought you said Lyla and you weren't like that" Nelly scowled.

"I don't know WHAT we are, Nerimaru. It's beside the point as that is not why I called together the council" Shin snorted, looking toward them.

Nelly smirked, "Only if you answer this: if she came in your room and wanted your dick tonight, you tapping?"

Shin almost threw his beer bottle at Nelly while Koji grinned lazily, "Shin, consent is the name of the game but Lyla has always had you a little wrapped around her finger…"

…Oh yea. He processed that and realized that, yes, Lyla would ask and he would oblige. That's how it generally had always been and maybe a little of that was at play last night. Whining, he shook his head, "If…if she came in tonight, I…I need to turn her down until we discuss what is happening here."

"Uh huh…"

"ANYWAY, so, it's come to my attention that Tony is having girls over" Shin redirected.

Nelly raised a brow, "…Yea, so? He's a teenager now, it was bound to happen."

"Of course" Shin nodded, "But, then comes the problem of his twin sister, Jill. If we're letting Tony entertain girls, are we letting her entertain boys?"

"Of course not! Where the hell have you been?!" leered Nelly.

Snorting, Shin swirled his bottle, "So, in other words, we're going to be hypocrites with the only female in the sibling group?"

It really looked like Koji had gone to sleep. He had gone to his bedroom for a few minutes so Shin imagined he'd taken his 'medicine'. Prepared to just argue it out with Nelly to hopefully come to some not terribly hypocritical way of avoiding what he walked in on today, Koji drawled. "So…here's the thing…"

Shin looked to Koji who still hadn't opened his eyes, "So, when I approach a woman, I am approaching them with my intentions. I don't want anything, I think you're attractive, if we're both of the same idea, let's get busy. Should at any point in this arrangement they want to bail, I understand and I respectfully duck out. Consent is the name of the game."

Shin slowly nodded his head, Koji drank before continuing, "So, if I were to hear that Tony was bullying women into having sex or being aggressive or rude, I would whoop his ass from here to Wednesday. However, I am aware how we all have collectively instructed him and Shaun in addition to our parents. I am confident he knows right from wrong. The problem with Jill is, I don't trust not a fucking one of those dipshit boys have been taught the same way."

"Fair" Shin conceded.

Nelly nodded as Koji sat up, stretching to his toes, "BUT, as Shin is suggesting, we start being hypocrites, she's going to start sneaking around."

…Also true. Nelly glared, crossing his arms, "…So, we watch her closer or…?"

"Our reputations precede us, correct?" Koji nodded, "If dude hears how we beat guys to a pulp and still wants to give a go at our sister, as long as I don't see it, I won't do anything. If I do? I'm going to ask him if he wants to have sex with my sister and if he says 'no', I'm going to whoop his ass because the bitch is lying."

Somehow, Shin just found himself staring at Koji in puzzled bewilderment. It…sounded like a logical plan as far as Koji plans went but at the same time, what? Nelly looked at Koji with probably the exact same expression before gesturing like he was counting, "…So, we're not going to seek out the guys she's into. She might even HAVE a guy—if we come across said guy, our tactic is not instant ass-kicking but to ask…if he wants to have sex with our only baby sister? And our permit to kill him or not is whether he says 'yes or no'…and we want him to say YES?"

"I don't like it either, Nell, but what can we really do? We all can't be everywhere. Shin's gonna be in another country eventually, we're going to be in college—Jill is a beautiful young woman. It drives me UP THE WALL but she's probably going to want one of these no-shit boys around here. IF we come across him though? Yes, if he has the balls to admit to my face that he wants to get it on with my sister, then I MAY let his existence slide."

Shin rubbed his chin in thought as Nelly's eyes narrowed at Koji. It…was the most unorthodox thing he thought KOJI would ever come up with. Alas, Shin sighed, "I mean, he's right. Like…when I came home today, uh, Jill was by herself but she very well could have been with a boy."

"Yep" Koji sighed as well, "If she were, we just question his intentions and go from there."

…Kay. Nelly tapped his lip, muttering, "…I mean, I'm getting lost on this part where I ask this penised being if he wants to put his penis in my baby sister and I want him to say 'yes'."

"THAT'S the next part" Koji droned, pressing his cell phone to his ear.

What? After a moment, Koji replied, "Princess, step into the eldest's wing for a momento, if you have it."

Uh oh. Shin sat up completely straight and Nelly gave Koji a very questioning look. Maybe two minutes later, Jill slowly entered the room. "Uh, you summoned?"

Koji sat up, crossing his legs, and smiled, "We need to have a conversation, baby sister."

Jill shot Shin a brief glare and he silently signaled 'NOOOOOOO' with as much nonsuspicious enthusiasm as he could. She looked confused but slowly nodded, sitting down, "Okay…"

Rubbing his hands together, Koji looked at the ceiling before suddenly laughing airily, "…Wow, this was way easier with the other two numbskulls."

"Wha?"

Oh no, were they doing this? Where was mom? Shin felt ill before squeezing the bridge of his nose like when he found her making out with some boy all by herself today. FINE. "…Jill, um, so…we addressed it with Tony and Shaun, I…guess we can address it with you too."

"Absolutely not" Jill huffed, "You three are not having 'the talk' with me."

"Oh my God" Nelly choked, "Are we?!"

"NO, YOU'RE NOT" Jill snapped.

"A VERSION. We are having a version of 'the talk' because you're going to have to understand things a little differently from your twin and other brothers, princess" Koji countered.

Jill rapidly shook her head, burying her face in her hands. Koji folded his hands, "You meet a male. You like him. He says something stupid like 'all girls should be on their hands and knees'. You…?"

"…Tell him to bug off?" Jill glowered incredulously.

"This guy says 'do what I say?' and grabs you…?"

Jill scoffed, "I bust him in the nuts! Or you just end up teleporting there because your internal crazy sensor will be buzzing."

Hmm. Shin tilted his head, "Okay, so, guy DOESN'T say anything blatantly sexist and you're in good standing with each other. You go back to his place at an OLDER AGE…he says he doesn't wear protection?"

"Wha? Why would he want a baby?" Jill demanded.

Yea, Shin was pretty sure he saw Koji and Nelly's brain explode, the twins almost falling over to their death. Shin was able to stabilize. "Jill, there are going to be men that will try to convince you to have sex without protection. There are going to be men who will wear the protection and remove it. You…must be mindful."

Jill looked perplexed, "…Why though?"

"Because men SUCK, Jill. Stay away from them!" Koji barked.

Shin smirked widely at Koji. Well, that was short lived. "Jill, a man can walk away all day from a baby. It would be YOU saddled with that responsibility. It's not right and we're not saying all dudes are going to pull that but, as Koji said, SOME men are not going to respect your boundaries."

"Yes, and we want you to understand your boundaries" Nelly grumbled, "No one—no man, no woman, NO ONE—is to force you to do anything you're not comfortable with. We'll protect you until the end of time but if you find yourself in a situation where someone is trying to hurt you, you call us or you call…the cops, I guess."

"Me first always" Koji said dryly.

While she was frowning, she did nod. "…Okay."

"And it's not just pregnancy either, Jill. You protect yourself against diseases too" Shin added.

The blonde stippled her fingers, her brow raising, "So wait…are you really saying I can have a boyfriend and sex?"

"No. You will never see a man naked in your entire life because I'll kill every last one of them first" Koji smiled.

Rolling her eyes, Jill sighed, "Then WHY have this conversation, nii-san?"

"Because I'm only ONE MAN, Jill. I can't get to every man efficiently" Koji rolled his eyes as well.

Jill looked at Koji questioningly and Shin also was at a loss because there was no real…trace sarcasm or anything in his voice. Like, he sounded dead serious right now. "Um…anyway, Jill. The name of the game is…?"

"Consent" Jill sighed.

"Good. I'm done" Shin concluded.

Nelly nodded in confirmation and Koji appeared dreary. "…I'd give my life for you, imoto, don't you forget that."

"…I know, nii-san. Um, dinner will be ready soon."

Koji kissed her temple and nodded, advising they'd be down momentarily. Shin grimaced and looked away. Damn. "…I think we're still hypocrites. I mean, I…literally just had sex with Lyla last night. That was me screwing with something I consider sacred. Our friendship means everything to me. And for us to tell Jill don't dabble…?"

"Our intention is never to hurt anyone. When we hook up, when we have relationships, our intention is never to leave that person in pain" Koji said softly, "…The problem is we can't…speak for the other person."

…Yes.

XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX

What a weird first day back.

It was a little confusing that the two youngest sons were out until ten without question, arriving and excited to see him very briefly before going to play video games. Jerks.

Around 11, alas, the door opened and the one and only Yagami 'Yagada' Dana walked through the door. Shin was about ready to head to bed but he had to admit, seeing her just kind of…brought back memories. He would wonder in his youth why he wouldn't get to see her all the time. She would stop by and visit and play and talk with him but…there were days when he just looked for her to come through the door with the twins. She…

He smiled as she squealed, "My Sweetie Plum!"

She wasn't disappointed in him.

Hugging her when she rushed him, kissing his cheeks, he squeezed her tight, "Mama, I was just about to go pass out. You still keeping those vampire hours?"

Dana pouted, "I was here all morning waiting for you and then someone called and said the store had a leak! I was doing inventory for the lost material all day."

Oh, jeez. "Oh mom, I'm sorry" he frowned, "I'll come help you get that patched up tomorrow or do some errands."

"Oh, you don't have to worry about that, honey. But look at you! You're as tall as your papa now!"

Ha, yea… "And so muscular! Were they feeding you?" she sulked.

He snickered, "Yes, mom. And my sergeant was very impressed when I advised them my mother is in fact not from a military family given both the tone and words you used with him."

Shin was mildly allergic to walnuts and, during bootcamp, without warning, was given a dish with walnuts and his face swelled up like a balloon. It was fine, an antihistamine later and he was peachy, just…they were going to continue to serve him that same dish or, per the cooks, he could go hungry. He was so pissed and hungry. Unfortunately, that was the phone call nights and really all he'd been doing was venting to his mother about it. Somehow he managed to forget exactly who his mother was and, by that next meal, he had a separate dish free of walnuts and the comment that 'your mother would have made general by now with that fire'.

She held his hands, smiling, "Well, I'm glad that part is over. Of course, I guess the next part is the worrisome part…"

"A little" he murmured.

"Well, your papa is in Sapporo" she explained, leading him back to the kitchen, "He was asked to come in and operate on this public official. He probably won't be back until tomorrow morning."

Oh. "That's fine. I, uh, I'm sure he's in no rush to see me."

Dana scowled, "Don't be silly, he's very excited to see you home. He was going on about it all week."

Hmm. "You had Lyla with you, right?" Dana asked, turning on the kettle.

Smirking, Shin directed the woman to sit, going to get the leftover stir-fry out of the fridge. "Oh yea."

Lyla got back at around 10 as well, all smiles, and he was pretty sure he might have kissed her if they were alone, she was so damn cute. Yea, they were in serious need of discussion. The pink haired woman had gone upstairs a while ago, having eaten while she was out, but came down now, wearing a robe. Um. "Oh! Hi, Dana!"

"Hi, sweetie! You're looking well!" Dana gushed, hugging her.

Shin glanced back over his shoulder as he warmed his mother's plate and made her tea, frowning. Well, it…it wasn't like his parents didn't already like her. Just…

"I hope it's not too much of a bother that I'm here, Dana" Lyla frowned, "I know that Christmas is a family affair for you all."

"Of course not" Dana huffed, "You are family too."

Oh jeez. Shin smiled awkwardly as he sat down across from his mom, Lyla standing, "Thank you for that, Dana, I…I always appreciate that. I'm going to go lay down, we had a long day."

"Okay, sweetie. Good night, I'll see you in the morning" Dana smiled.

Shin sipped the tea he made himself as his mother picked up her chopsticks, saying 'itedakimasu' and digging in. "Where are your brothers and sister?"

"Well, Koji and Nelly took off into the night so God only knows. Jill is apparently upstairs speaking to her friends on…instant messenger or something? Tony and Shaun are playing Super…Smash or something? I dunno, I can't keep up anymore."

Dana snickered, "Super Smash Bros. I only know because eventually I'm going to have to pry it out of their hands one day if their grades keep falling because of it."

"Well, big brother is here to get that rectified" Shin assured jokingly.

"I do need to ask 'big brother' if I should keep a lock on his and Lyla's door tonight?"

…Eh? Shin's eyes widened as he looked up at his mother, shocked. Her dark eyes were half-closed behind her teacup. "Now whatever got into you two, hmm?"

…Dammit, the hickeys! "U-Um, just…just confusing feelings and misplaced hormones, mama, promise. I-It wasn't going on or anything while we were kids" Shin blurted.

"Oh, I know that" she rolled her eyes around, "I very much love Lyla so I have no issues with it. Just, given her upbringing and family has some strong similarities to mine, please wrap up."

Oh God. Blushing completely, he nodded, "Y-Yes."

"And I do not mean that to say you are not my beloved Sweetie Plum. You got me out of that situation and life, just…it's not a set of cards I'd try to play twice" she whispered.

No, not at all. Shin wasn't sure what would happen if Lyla ended up pregnant with his baby but he certainly did not want to find out. And…what the hell? "W-Well, it was just a onetime thing anyway, mom, I-I doubt it'll occur again."

"Oh sweetie, I'm pretty sure that's exactly what I said with your dad and you see how that worked out" she snickered.

Bleh. Yawning, she stood to rinse her place, "I am thrilled to have all my babies back in the house one last time. I can't believe those knuckleheads of mine are going to college."

"Me either" Shin groaned. Soon, they'd…all be leaving the nest.

He snickered when she kissed his cheek again, "I'm going to bed and I am going to wake up and make my baby a nice breakfast tomorrow."

"Aww, mom, you don't have to. I should be making you food…"

Dana scoffed, walking with him to the steps as they turned the lights off, "Well, if you can try to keep those two hellions out of trouble while you're here, you're doing me a favor. I swear, that Koji is up to something!"

Yea…definitely something. He bid her 'good night' as he wandered to his wing of the house, unbuttoning his shirt. Opening the door to his room, he froze.

Lyla was stretched out across his bed, wearing a pink lace negligee. "Hi. I had actually come downstairs to ask you to come to bed. This is supposed to be sexy."

… "I would…say so."

"But it was asked, how difficult is it to seduce a Yagami?" she frowned.

"…Probably not as difficult as it should be, honestly."

Shin shut his door quickly as she sat up on her haunches, pouting, "I know I agreed last night it was just that once, Shin, but…"

Wandering over, he sat beside her and rubbed his face. "…Lai, what…what is this? I mean, are we…friends with benefits? Are we trying to be?"

"Explain what that is."

"…Well, we're…just friends and we have sex sometimes? Thing is, we're not together so I find a girlfriend, we end that agreement and vice versa."

Lyla looked thoughtful, "…Can we start there and see what happens?"

"Lyla, I'm not sure I want to be that with you. I…I'm not good at separating my feelings like that."

Nope, he knew he was screwed when she got up on her hands and knees, staring at him beseechingly in the eyes, her breasts just tantalizing him to suck one. He winced as she kissed his neck again, stammering, "L-Lai, please. I-I'm…"

Wait, did he get to suck her tits last night? DAMN IT, stop. Shin swallowed as she started to pull off his shirt, sitting in his lap. He rasped as she kissed down his throat, pushing him back. This… "L-Lyla, look, if-if we do this, we're wearing a condom tonight, okay?"

"I asked my friend tonight if there was another contraceptive and she helped me learn about sponges" Lyla nodded, "It feels weird but not as weird as that condom did."

…Oh. At a loss as she started to undo his pants, he glanced off momentarily.

…Well, guessed it was about to become a weird night too.

XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX
For years after that, he beat himself up. Not because of the act in itself. No, that, that he came to accept that he very much enjoyed. No, it wasn't…anything to do with the sex.

After she climaxed, after he climaxed, she fell asleep in his arms and he got to hold her. She felt nice and warm and he loved that sensation of the thick comforter wrapped around their naked bodies in the cold night. There'd been others but…Lyla always felt like home. Yes, his family did too. This actual structure felt like home. But Lyla? Like Koji had said since they were children, 'they' made a lot of sense. It was just…

A lot of years…too many years…he became a nomad.

It was freezing. Absolutely frigid. However, Shin would not be losing his progress just by taking it easy. He got up around six in the morning, Lyla still fast asleep, and jogged through the neighborhood. Some of the older residents of the nearby estates were getting their paper and waved at him.

In Wasaba, before they moved here, he had friends in the apartment. He would run up and down the hallway to certain kid's homes to play. Given it was thirteen years ago, some of them were a blur but he still remembered Akiyama Joe. It was sparse over the years but he was one of the few people Shin could meet up with again and just continue to have a friendly rapport. Back then, the apartment was, well, a community. When he got here, it felt…like isolation.

Of course, he thought as he stopped to help Yoruba-san get her dog, Skittles, from wrapped around the fence, this had become his neighborhood. It wasn't like Wasaba, no, but he could wander up to these people and have a congenial conversation. They gushed that he looked good and healthy and prayed for his safety. It…it all felt like home.

Jogging back up the long Yagami driveway, he briefly paused when he saw his father getting out of his car. Yagami Yamada looked toward him and his brows instantly furrowed. Oh. Shin pushed himself the little ways to close the gap, or…try to. "Hey, dad."

"Hey…son…"

…This didn't feel like home though.

Shin would have offered a hug right off but his dad was giving him a bewildered look. What? What could he possibly still have to say? Shin made it. He was promoted and everything to the next class. He'd…done it. What was the problem?

"…Sorry, I-I'm just a little surprised you got so tall."

Eh? Oh yea, right, he burst up to 6'1" in his absence. "Haha, yea, I didn't even notice until Lyla said something."

Yamada gave him a hug, taking a deep breath. Okay… "Um, dad, I…I'm sorry I distanced myself after that last conversation, I-"

"I understand, Shin" Yamada interrupted, releasing him and stuffing his hands in his pockets with a slight smile. "I'm…still working on it, son. I think my imagination is more vivid than I thought it was."

"Mm…"

Patting his shoulder, Yamada smiled, "Let's go get breakfast and you can tell me about your progress."

…Okay. So, maybe…maybe not so bad. Maybe…maybe this was okay. Maybe, just maybe, this…this was going to still be home.

XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX

…Or not.

Christmas was awesome. Nelly got him some Nikes, Koji got him a new CD player, and the kids gave him CDs. His parents got him some clothes and a new television. It was a splendid holiday. Lyla loved her outfit. She…she got him a small metal pendant to wear on his army dog-tags. It was inscribed with 'peace' on one side and 'safety' on the other. While it wasn't army protocol, he promised he'd wear it…

And then it came up. When they were eating a dinner of chicken yakitori, his father asked: "So Shin, what are you going to be doing when you're not on duty?"

Shin could have died. Luckily, Koji didn't say a word but the idea was weighing heavily on his mind. Just not on CHRISTMAS. "Uh, not sure yet, dad. I really don't want to be a liability to anyone when I am away on active duty so the army may have to be my career."

His dad gave him a look. Shin had never particularly tried to be untruthful with his father. However, ever since he was a kid, if he even attempted, his dad just knew. Yamada took a sip of wine before clearing his throat, "…Well, I imagine you can do temporary jobs in the meantime."

"Y-Yes."

For the rest of the night, his father fell quiet but everyone else spoke normally. Shin thought it was going to be okay…

But no, nothing was 'okay' now.

Yagami Shin gritted his teeth as he stomped to his brother's wing of the house, hearing the dull hum of music that was probably blasting within the four walls where it was homed. Coming to the door, he knocked hard. "KOJI."

Pick it, pack it, fire it up, come along, and take a hit from the bong.

Shin stared for a moment before looking down, noting smoke was billowing thickly from underneath Koji's door. Well…that was another reason his idea wasn't great: he'd mostly be busting his own brother.

Inhale…exhale…just got an ounce in the mail.

Opening the door because his brother would not hear him over this, Shin just automatically groaned when the weed smoke hit him in the face. "KOJI."

Koji was stretched out on his bean bag chair, smiling. Shin blinked languidly, guessing the only reason Nelly wasn't present for this hotbox was the presence of Koji's best friend, Ueda Kurou, also known as Corey. The fellow in question was 'taking a hit from the bong', coughing a bit. Nelly could never articulate why but he didn't like Corey. Shin surmised it was because Koji was close to him alone. The other chucklehead in this trio, Motosuwa Keiba, both Nelly and Koji had known a long time. He was face down in the floor.

"Hey bro, you here to bust us?" Koji teased.

"You told dad after I told you not to" Shin hissed.

"I ain't tell dad shit" Koji snorted, inhaling from a blunt, "…Wait, what did I tell dad?"

Taking a deep breath…and getting dizzy, Shin grunted, "About the cop thing, Koji."

Keiba lifted his head, his purple eyes bloodshot as he droned, "Cops?"

His brother held up a hand, giving him a look, "Shin, you know damn well I did not tell dad about you thinking about joining the cops. I held down your army deal for almost months, dumbass. I'm not announcing your life plans."

…Damn it. Shin shook his head, leaving the room, half because he was frustrated and half because he was starting to get dazed. He wasn't surprised when Koji followed, closing the door behind him. His dark eyes were red as he leaned against the wall. "What happened?"

"Called and laid me the hell out about the army" Shin glared, "About me 'throwing my life away'. Then he ended the conversation with 'and don't get any smart ideas about being a police officer either'."

Koji grimaced, groaning as he squeezed the bridge of his nose. "…Did you do a search on 'police employment' or something on the computer?"

… "…Yea, a couple days ago. Why?"

"Dad is working with the police program on some medical program…sometimes he uses the history to search his previous findings."

Well, that was just swell. Shin gripped his head, whining, "I-I can't be here when dad gets back. He's gonna break my legs and lock me in the basement."

"Do what now?" Koji echoed, raising a brow, "Bro, granted, it's not like your relationship with him but dad's been having random heart to hearts with me for a while now. I know it'll be hard but if maybe you just sat down with him and hashed this out, you'll feel better."

Ha, unlikely. "…I think I'm going to take off for a little bit. Maybe post up at a hostel for a little while and work construction until I get my papers."

While most of the family would protest, Koji nodded, "Might be a good idea."

No, it wasn't! Koji stood up straight, blinking knowingly, "It won't fix where you're at with dad though, Shin, recognize that."

"…That goes two ways though, Koji."

His brother frowned but nodded, "I agree. I also know a lot of Wasaba kids, Shin, and they tell me that they're trying to avoid death. You're running in multi-directions toward it. Dad's far removed from Wasaba but that life was his foundation. He's gonna need time to wrap his head around what it is you're doing."

…Damn it.

Koji went back to his room as Shin slipped down the stairs, at a loss. Yea, well, he couldn't do anything for that. He…he couldn't live an alternative life for his dad. It just…

"Do you mean for the exact same thing that happened with you and your mother to happen with you and Shin, Yamada?"

Freezing, Shin quickly slinked back on the steps. It…sounded like mom. Nothing returned with that comment, however. She grumbled, "Well?"

"…My mother essentially disowned me, Dana. I was dead to her, remember?"

Oh, so he was here. Shin crossed his arms, leaning back. He…probably shouldn't listen in on this again. Just… "Over a decision you made, Yamada. Over deciding you were going to take care of me and your child. You're being as irrational as she was right now."

"How even?"

"Because your life was on the line when you decided to accept your responsibility too, Yamada! She didn't even know the exact details but it was true! They could have killed you, you have the scar to prove it!"

…Eh? Shin's brows furrowed as his dad just…sighed? What scar? "…I have been shot at, grazed by bullets, beaten—yes, carved into—for you and my son. And I'd do it all over again. But I'm sorry—I'm sorry, I…I just didn't…want that for them. I didn't want that for our children, I didn't want them to have to live my life, Dana."

…Damn it. "But we want them to live their life, right? Maybe…maybe I don't want them to get hurt and it shakes me up inside too but…please, I…I trusted you with our firstborn and I know how much you love him…don't…don't let it go this way."

Trembling, Shin rubbed his arm and quickly snuck around the corner, grabbing the keys to his car.

Okay, he got it. He understood. It…it wouldn't fall into place until he could show his dad he could make it. Would make it. Right now, it…it was all up in the air. That was perhaps what his dad's mom thought, it…it was all up in the air, what he could do. For now? He…he did have to prove himself. Like Koji said, his dad's foundation, his experiences, said what Shin was planning was a death sentence.

He'd prove himself.

XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX

End Notes:

I don't own Steppenwolf's "Born to be Wild", Britney Spears "…Baby One More Time", or Ludacris' "What's Your Fantasy?". Can I rap it verse for verse though? "We can do it in the pouring rain, under a train, when it's hot or when its cold out~" (A.k.a. as a song I had no business singing at 11).

So when Koji and his little group were 'indulging', they're listening to Cypress Hill's "Hits from the Bong".

A lot of allusions to Dirty again but they'll work themselves out here.