Scabs

Disclaimer: Don't own it. Never will.

Joh: Yeah here's the second chapter…I really should have been working on my other stories but this one has been my favorite so….

Jessie: Aw, playing favorites?

Joh: Yep.

Jessie: Oh well, as long as you eventually get to your other stories than that's fine.

Warnings: Yaoi, twincest, angst, language

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"I'm worried about Yoh."

The group of shamans looked up at Lyserg, all of them blinking or frowning. They were sitting at the kitchen table and chatting together over their breakfast.

Ren set down his jug of milk and looked across the table at the green-haired shaman. "Why? Is something wrong?"

Lyserg shifted uneasily in his seat before glancing at the doorway to make sure Yoh wasn't standing there. He was pretty sure Yoh was still asleep. "Well…his birthday is coming up in a few days."

The faces around the table darkened with anxiety and dread. Lyserg felt a sinking in his stomach as he looked around. As Yoh's friends they should all have been happy and eager to plan out how to celebrate yoh's coming 23rd birthday.

But for Yoh his birthday always brought trouble.

Two years ago Horo had suggested that they throw a big party for Yoh's 20th birthday since it would be his first birthday free from Hao. They had all thought it a great idea and had all chipped in. Ren and Lyserg made the cake while Horo and Chocolove set up decorations and wrapped presents.

But when they had flung open the door to Yoh's bedroom to surprise him they were horrified to find the young shaman twisted in his bed sheets and sobbing.

Lyserg shuddered as he remembered the look of raw pain etched across Yoh's face that morning. His mouth had been stretched open into a silent scream as tears streamed down his flushed cheeks. They had all done everything they could to wake their friend but nothing would rouse him from his nightmares. So they had waited.

The torturous dream had lasted for six hours, six hours of helplessness for Lyserg.

As the years past they discovered that the same thing happened on Yoh's birthday. So now instead of baking cake they sat around and plotted on how to stop the dreams, or at the very least shorten them for they seemed to be getting longer and longer as the years went by.

"What should we do?" Lyserg asked softly, staring down into his porridge.

Horo sighed and set down his chopsticks. "What can we do?"

"Not much." Chocolove nodded sadly.

"I just feel like we really need to think of something this time…like it's going to be even worse this year." Lyserg looked up, green eyes wide.

Ren frowned and leaned back in his chair. "What makes you think that?"

Lyserg opened his mouth to tell them about how Yoh had had a nightmare last night but stopped when the young Asakura stepped into the kitchen.

His hair was pulled back into a messy ponytail and his eyes were red. He looked around at them as if surprised to see them there. "Hey guys." He greeted them quietly as he moved through the kitchen to the front door.

"Where are you off to?" Ren asked, frowning as he inspected the dark rings under Yoh's eyes.

Yoh smiled slightly. "Just going on a walk…trying to clear my head." He mumbled before slipping outside and shutting the door quietly behind him.

Ren stared at the door for a moment before turning his attention back to the green-haired shaman. "What's wrong with Yoh?"

Lyserg sighed and rested his elbows on the table. "He had a nightmare last night. I'm pretty sure it's Hao."

"The dreams are starting already?" Horo whispered, pushing his bowl of cereal away from himself. He had lost his appetite.

Lyserg looked away. "Yeah."

0o0

Yoh lay sprawled in the middle of a grassy field. The long green blades tickled his skin as the wind whipped them back and forth. The long shadows from the tree overhead stretched over him.

He stared up into the sky as he recalled his dreams. There had been a boy…and if he wasn't mistaken it was Hao's son.

The young Asakura closed his eyes as he remembered the young child. The boy had been sitting so calmly as he listening to his father declare his death. Not a strand of emotion had crossed over the young boy's features. Yoh felt an odd sense of connection with the child.

'That boy is my blood…my nephew.' Yoh thought to himself.

The more Yoh pondered over it the more he was certain that he could not let this child die.

Yoh's gray eyes fluttered open, reflecting the soft clouds above him. Suddenly a name came to him.

"Akito. His name is Akito."

0o0

Ren and Horo were scrubbing at the dishes in the sink when Yoh burst into the kitchen, slamming the door open so hard that it knocked against the wall.

The couple looked up, surprised. "What's wrong?"

"We need to go Japan." Yoh said firmly, eyes blazing.

Horo gaped. "You're kidding, right?"

Ren frowned and put down the plate he had been washing. "Why?"

"We need to go now! There's not much time left!" Yoh cried, striding past the two shamans. "I'm going to pack my bags now." He told them.

Ren reached out and grabbed Yoh's wrist. "Yoh…you can't go back to Japan…Hao will find you."

Yoh winced at his brother's name and turned his head to shoot Ren a pained look. "This is important. I have to do this."

"Do what?" Horo demanded, drying his hands on his jeans.

Yoh inhaled deeply. "There's someone who needs my help."

"Who?"

"Akito."

Horo blinked, confused. "Who's Akito?"

Yoh looked down at the floor before looking back up to meet Horo's gaze. "My nephew."

Ren dropped Yoh's wrist. "Hao has a son?"

Yoh nodded. "And he's going to kill him if I don't do something."

The room fell into silence as the three men all stared at each other.

"But Yoh…it's too dangerous for you to go back." Ren finally said, shaking his head.

Yoh scowled, anger sparking through him. "I…I don't want Hao to control my life anymore. And…the only way I can truly be free of him is to stop fearing him. I want to save this boy and I…I won't let Hao stop me!" Yoh looked at both of them, determination shining in his eyes.

Ren was still frowning but Horo grinned. "Hey man, if that's what you need to do then that's what you need to do." He shoved his hands in his pockets and let out a bark of laughter. "Hao can go fuck himself. We're gonna save this kid, right?"

Yoh smiled, relieved. "Thanks Horo." He glanced at Ren.

"I don't like the idea of returning to Japan. It's not safe. And too many things could go wrong. I mean…what if Hao caught you again?" Ren looked up, amber eyes narrowed.

Horo clapped a hand against Ren's back. "That won't happen if we're all their to keep Yoh safe."

Ren sighed. "It's been a long time since I've seen you this worked up about something Yoh…so there's no way I can stop you."

Yoh smiled before hurrying out of the room to go pack up.

Ren stared after him before shaking his head and turning towards Horo. "This is a horrible idea. If anything happens to Yoh I'll blame myself for letting this happen."

Horo smiled as he circled an arm around Ren's waist. "Didn't Yoh ever teach you anything? Everything will work out." He grinned as he pressed his lips against Ren's mouth.

Ren slowly relaxed into the kiss as he swung his arms around Horo and kissed him back with equal passion.

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Joh: Sorry Hao isn't in this chapter. But don't worry you will be seeing a lot of Hao soon.

Jessie: Oh, that sounds ominous!

Joh: Heh. And I want to thank everyone for the reviews! This is so amazing! Thank you so much for all the support and encouragement! You guys are amazing.

Jessie: And Joh apologizes for the long wait for this chapter.

Joh: Yeah, a lot's been going on for me but thank you for sticking with me anyway.