Ffff- Where's PinkBlackWhite? ; A;

Chapter 5: Little Steps

Once Akihiko learned how to walk without the gray wolf as his support, he was finally able to move on. Amaterasu was resting in her shrine when it was time for Akihiko to leave. The lavender eyed man knelt down and patted Nowaki's head and then Hiroki's. The sun was just setting, which made Akihiko displeased since he knew Misaki would be asleep soon.

"Thank you," Akihiko smiled and stood up. He was about to turn around leave until he stopped himself. How was he going to introduce himself without creeping him out? Hiroki and Nowaki gave each other confused looks before Hiroki barked to gain Akihiko's attention.

"I think I actually need one favor," he muttered loud enough for the animals to hear. Akihiko turned back around and looked at Hiroki. "Here's what I need you to do..."

Misaki hummed as he walked through the forest. Him and his brother would go fishing every Sunday since they thought more fish gathered then. Takahiro had told Misaki to go along without him since he was carrying the fishing supplies. Misaki offered to help, but his brother had told him he outta wait for him at the river. The river wasn't too far away, so it didn't really bother Takahiro that Misaki would be walking alone.

When Misaki arrived at the river, he sat near the edge, looking at his reflection. Then, he heard growling behind him. Slowly, Misaki turned his head to see a gray wolf baring it's fang and stalking up to Misaki. The green eyed boy gasped and backed away only to fall in the river and scare the fish away. To his surprise, a man ran up and tackled the wolf. He watched as the two rolled around and growl at each other. Misaki had failed to notice a black cat in a bush, watching the scene while hissing lowly with it's ears back. The man had pushed the wolf off and stared at the wolf retreating into the woods.

"Are you okay?" the man asked.

When Misaki looked up, the first thing he noticed was his amazing lavender eyes staring down at him with his hand out.

"Y-yes!" Misaki stuttered and took the man's hand to pull himself out of the water. "Thank you, Mr...?"

"Akihiko. Akihiko Usami."

Misaki gawked and widen his eyes. "Y-you're related to King Usami?"

Akihiko blinked. Who was he? "I couldn't be. I'm a traveler and I just came into the area. Who's King Usami?"

The younger male seemed to relax. "King Usami is the ruler of this area. The Usami family is royal."

"Misakiii!" Takihiro called out while running up, well, trying to run.

Akihiko turned his head to see a dark haired man bending over to put his hands on his knees while panting. He has seen this man with Misaki before, so they must be close... Takahiro looked up and blinked when seeing Akihiko.

"Who's this? A friend?"

"This is Akihiko Usami. He's a traveler."

"USAMI?" Takahiro gasped and imminently got onto his knees. "It's an honor to meet you!"

Both Akihiko and Misaki sweat dropped. "Nii-san... He's not connected to the family. It was just coincidence."

Takahiro smiled and stood back up. "Oh! Sorry! Misaki, why are you wet?"

"Oh, I uh... fell in the river-"

"You fell in the river? Misaki, you're going to catch a cold!"

and Usagi helped me! And I'm not going to catch a cold! "

Both men stared at Misaki before questioning at the same time, "Usagi?"

Akihiko was a bit scared, thinking that Misaki knew he was a rabbit and wouldn't give him a chance. But he calmed down when the boy stuttered. "I-I'm sorry! It's just that your hair reminds me of a rabbit!"

Takahiro laughed and patted Misaki's head. "Silly Misaki!~ So, Usami-san, you're a traveler?"

Akihiko nodded. "Yep. I'm thinking of staying here. It seems nice..."

"Do you have anywhere to stay?"

"No, I just came here."

"Would you like to come over and stay the night?~"

"You're going to let a complete stranger come into your house?"

"Anyone who helps Misaki can't be that bad!"

Akihiko smiled. That was one step closer to getting to Misaki... The two brothers sat at the edge of the water with some fishing poles. "Would you like to fish with us?" Takahiro asked as he cast out his line.

By lunch, Akihiko and the brothers were sitting in a hut with a woman named Manami. She wore a yellow yutaka and her brown hair was pulled back into a bun. Her and Takahiro chatted as they all ate, well, almost. Akihiko looked down at his soup full of vegetables and his spoon.

"What's wrong, Usami-san? Do you not like it?" Manami asked with a small frown.

Akihiko shook his head. "It's not that. I have never used utensils like this back were I come from."

"Oh! Well, have Misaki show you!"

Akihiko looked over to Misaki, who was grabbing his wooden spoon and put it in his hands. "Now just adjust your fingers and... done! You just dip the spoon in, scoop, and eat."

"Thank you," Akihiko said with a small smile, making the boy turn his head away.

After lunch, Misaki took Akihiko around the village. While walking, the rabbit felt something against his legs. He looked down to see Nowaki pawing at the leg with each step he took.

"Nowaki, what are you doing here?" Akihiko asked while picking up the cat.

Misaki turned to see Akihiko holding the cat and smiled. "I've seen that cat before! You know it?"

Akihiko nodded. "Yes, it's one of my friends. Nowaki, this is Misaki."

Nowaki turned his head to Misaki and purred while giving a loud 'Meow!' Misaki made a giggling noise and patted Nowaki's head.

"Now, what do you want, Nowaki?"

Nowaki started meowing and looked over to a pile of fish a fisherman had just caught.

"Just for you?"

Nowaki shook his head and Akihiko gave a small nod. Misaki stared at Akihiko and the animal, amazed at how her could understand the cat. Akihiko had explained a plan to Nowaki and set him down. Akihiko approached the fisherman who was now sitting down.

"How much are those fish? I want one."

The fisherman looked up at the tall man and adjusted the hat on head. "Demanding are we?"

As Akihiko distracted the man, Nowaki took a few fish and looked back to Akihiko to give him a little nod before running.

"-and it takes time to fish! It's actually harder than-"

Akihiko turned and headed back to the gawking Misaki."I have to go now. Thank you for the information."

"U-Usagi-san, that's stealing!" Misaki whispered sternly.

Akihiko shrugged. "It is, but I can't get in trouble. The cat stole it."

"You helped!"

"No one is going to know but you. I don't think people would believe you if you said I helped a cat steal. Are you going to show me the rest of the village now?"

Misaki's eye twitched. He could tell this man was going to be a pain.

A I am sorry for the crappy chapter. I had a brain fart and didn't know what to do...