Still don't own Uraboku.
12
Following the white haired boy, Hotsuma reluctantly descends the staircase. Before reaching the bottom, a new figure catches his eye. A man sitting in the sofa in the recreation area in the front of the mansion. It was a tall man, he could tell, even when he was sitting. He had long light brown hair and a scar on the left side of his face. He also noticed Ibuki standing by, giving him a reassuring smile. Without even saying anything, Hotsuma had reservations about meeting this man. There was something about him Hotsuma didn't trust, like he was a man with many layers of secrets.
When he reaches the bottom of the stairs, the man stands and introduces himself, "Hotsuma, it's good to see you are well. I am Takashiro Giouh. The leader of the Giouh clan," He held out his hand which Hotsuma hesitantly took.
"Tsukumo told me about today. He's also made you aware of the situation regarding our family. I've never intended for this to happen so soon. I'm sorry, I know this is difficult." Takashiro said.
Hotsuma wasn't sure what to say to this man just yet, after all, he's the leader. He's not even sure how to address him.
"You've no need to worry about anything just yet regarding the Duras. Since we have discovered your reincarnation, we have been keeping a close eye on you."
This irked Hotsuma, "You knew all this and never told me anything, why is that?!"
Tsukumo and Toko winced at Hotsuma's tone in speaking with their leader.
Sensing their uneasiness, Takashiro turned the siblings, "Would you mind giving us privacy."
They nodded and left, as well as Ibuki.
"Hotsuma, your situation is…unique this time around. Otherwise, the minute we found you, you would have been under my care immediately. Believe me, I do have your best interest at heart." Takashiro said quietly and with authority.
"What do you mean my situation is unique? What's wrong?"
"Honestly…I don't know exactly." Not knowing clearly irritated the man.
"What the hell kind of an answer is that?" Hotsuma yelled, "You can't just say all that and not give me an answer!"
"Hotsuma-" Takashiro attempted to calm the boy down remembering his fiery temper from all his previous lives.
"After what I saw today, everything has changed now…my life won't go back to normal…and supposedly I am some soldier with powers and here you are telling me nothing?" Hotsuma fumed.
"It's not that simple, Hotsuma, " Takashiro ignores his abrasive attitude, "What I mean to say is that the reason I am unaware of your situation is because I wasn't there…at the end."
"The end?" Hotsuma echoes.
"When your partner died."
Hotsuma's mind went blank. Not sure of what to say he waited for Takashiro to explain further but was disappointed when he didn't.
"You found your room before. Why don't you rest. Tsukumo will come for you when dinner is ready. If you need anything else, ask him or Aya. We'll talk later." Takashiro turned leaving Hotsuma in the foyer by himself.
When my partner died?
He stood alone in the room staring at his feet, wondering.
What am I supposed to do now?
"Hotsuma?"
He looked up and saw Tsukumo peering from behind a corner.
"I heard the commotion." He says, "Just wanted to check up on you."
Hotsuma nods, "It's fine…"
"No it's not," Tsukumo smiles, "But that's okay too."
He walks up to Hotsuma and grabs him gently by the arm, "Let me show you around."
For a while Tsukumo just leads the absentminded Hotsuma around the mansion talking about the mansion and what goes on where. Eventually he leads Hotsuma to the courtyard and sits on a nearby bench, inviting the blond to sit by him.
"Nobody knows why things happened the way they did back then. Not even Toko remembers. But also we weren't there."
Hotsuma realized he was referring to his past, "If I remember…will everything just fall together?"
"I don't know." Tsukumo says sadly, "But we aren't meant to remember. We go through life after life, fighting and getting hurt and seeing those we love die. It's better for us that we don't remember."
"I think Takashiro knows more than he's letting on…"
"That's probably true. He's not exactly easy to talk to though. He's been alive for hundreds of years. He's the one who reincarnates us and has been leading this battle from the beginning. He has many secrets but I can assure you of this, not even he knows what happens to you two."
Hotsuma stayed silent for a while. The cool breeze gently rustled the boy's hair and the sound of leaves stirring soothed his thoughts somewhat.
"Everything will be fine. I promise. You two, no matter how much you argued, everything always worked out. You're too stubborn to not get your way." Tsukumo smiled.
Hotsuma let his head fall into his hands. Today had been draining and he can feel his body slowly sinking and his mind emptying, ready to embrace sleep.
"What was his name?" He asked.
Tsukumo knew his name could trigger memories or strong unyielding emotions. However he knew he couldn't keep it a secret for long. Inevitably Hotsuma would know.
"Shusei. Shusei Usui."
Hotsuma's eyes shot wide open. All thoughts of fatigue left his body in that instant.
That name… it couldn't be… could it?
Tsukumo knew the consequences of telling Hotsuma his name, but he couldn't not tell him now. Tsukumo can't imagine a world without his sister. The thought of her being alone and lost would kill him. That was the empathy he felt for Hostuma and that is why he told him.
"Hotsuma, don't do anything rash." Tsukumo said calmly.
"Of course not." Hotsuma said with a grin.
Before Hotsuma could up and run Tsukumo chimed in, "Dinner should be ready now. You must be hungry."
Having had a busy day, to say the least, Hotsuma hadn't even realized how hungry he was until Tsukumo mentioned it. His growling stomach answered the white haired boy's question.
"Come, let's go to the dining room then. You can meet Tooma-san. He's our chef."
There was no point in protesting as Tsukumo again grabbed Hotsuma by the arm leading him to the dining table. Slowly the residents of the mansion began filling the space, some Hotsuma met, others he didn't. There he was introduced to Tachibana the curator who was a little to clingy for Hotsuma's taste. He also met the mansion's doctor Isuzu who was clearly sleep deprived.
Eventually Toko came in, sitting next to her brother, "How are you adjusting, Hotsuma?" She asks.
"Fine." He said, focusing more on the meal than the girl. He admitted to himself this was without a doubt one of the best meals he's had in a while. As much as he was enjoying the meal, his mind was elsewhere. In the background he could hear all the talking of the Twilight Mansion's residents however all he could think about was meeting with Shusei again.
Could it be him? If I tell him, would he remember?
With his plate clear, he rises, "I'm going to my room if you don't mind."
It having been a long day, no one minded the blond returning to his room.
Obviously he wasn't there to rest, but rather pace relentlessly across the parlor of his room.
I need to see him again, that's for sure…
He glances around until he finds a clock. It's late, too late to venture out in the dark, fortunately for Hotsuma, listening to common sense isn't exactly his best attribute.
He quickly throws on his jacket and walks out his door.
He hurries down the stairs, too preoccupied to bother saying anything to the mansion's residents, and quickly walks to the door. As he places his hand on the door knob a voice calls for him.
...
Since when have the days become so long?
Shusei wonders to himself walking amongst his adopted family of sorts. They were all busy with work but lately Shusei had been given a reprieve due to his failing health.
It's all his fault…
He continues thinking. Ever since Hotsuma entered his life he hasn't quite been feeling right. Usually his days went by with a blur, going through the motions of life only because it's what his body was telling him to do. But ever since that blond appeared, it's like he woke up and he isn't sure how to go about life.
Things were easier before you came along.
Despite the strange comfort he feels having met Hotsuma he wishes the encounter never happened. If it's one thing Shusei learned in this life, it's that whenever something good comes along, it inevitably disappears leaving a dark pit in his heart. Somehow though, he just knows the blond will make another appearance. After all, he doesn't exactly think things through.
Please, Hotsuma, just stay in your world and leave me in mine…
Sorry this one is a little short… this just seemed like a good spot to end this chapter.
I just want to take some time to thank my reviewers! You guys are awesome! In response to your latest reviews:
AliceMcHugh240: Ahh! You have no idea how much I loved reading your review! Thank you so much! Hope to hear from you again!
Giogiu: Hotsuma is too single-minded to be worried about the forces of evil when his partner is somewhere on the loose! Thanks for the review!
Tess: I love having Hotsuma interact with the Murasame siblings. Toko vs Hotsuma with Tsukumo on the sideline trying to cool them down… It's fun to write! (P.S. I totally forgot to sign in when I reviewed your new chapter! I'm still loving Destiny!)
Amani96: Don't worry! Shusei will be back soon! :D
Bob: Will do, thanks for reading! :D
And thank you to everyone who favorited and follows this story!
