The Witch's Husband

by LostInTheMystery

Twin brothers, twin problems, are faced with the issues of a food shortage and dark intent that lurks around them. Left alone in the woods, they face death when they come upon, of all things, a witch – in a house made of candy. Is this a blessing to the starving village or is the witch looking for more?

10. All That Glitters

Chapter 10: All That Glitters

Toichi chuckled quietly as he listened to the two of them go back and forth. It was as though both agreed he won but didn't want to lose. He looked up at the clouds in the sky and his eyes automatically locked on an odd shaped one with four thin pieces extending downward and a forth wider one fifth outward with wisps behind it and more wisps from the opposite end. "Hey, what does that cloud look like to you two?"

Kaito looked the clouds, trying to figure it out. He cloud-watched all the time, but just for the fun. He never really spotted many shapes. "Ah... I guess it kind of looks like we have some weird weather." He chuckled. "Maybe bridge in the sky, being held up really high, and swirling off into another world."

Saguru tilted his head as it stared to shift and shook his head. "Kaito, you think the craziest things. It is a running horse, see the mane blowing behind the head, and that looks like you when you were a cat." Saguru pointed to another one, smiling again and feeling better now than he had a few minutes ago.

Toichi smiled and joined in, noticing Kaito made up stories and stuff to the things he saw while Saguru kept it to what the cloud looked like rather than where it was from or what it led to. It passed the time nicely while he felt himself recover, until he heard multiple stomachs growl at the same time, his own included. "Alright, I think it is time to return to town - Maybe stop at Azusa's for something to eat."

"Food sounds great." Kaito could have probably eaten more, even at breakfast and even with dad saying it was too much. He got up slowly, making sure he had dad's hand. Remembering them or not, dad seemed lot more like himself than he had when they first showed up. "Take it easy though."

Saguru stood, grabbing father's other hand to help him up. He was glad he stood all right and stayed beside him as he walked them back to town and into the small eatery.

Toichi smiled at the young woman as he walked in. "Afternoon, Azusa. Do you mind having three more for a late lunch?"

"Of course not," Azusa said with a smile, nodding to them. "I'll be right with you." She needed to finish cleaning the other tables up.

The smell was really good and they sat down near the front of the little shop while the lady working there was at the other end. "This smells great. Did you get more money while you were working? I don't mind eating back at the house." He did, everything smelled sweet here, but dad had come to make money for a house and other stuff like that.

Toichi smiled and tilted his head. "I help her out when she needs it, that defers it." He leaned back, recalling talking to her when he first arrived and giving her a hand before accepting food. It had started as a one-time thing but he knew, until the other day, he had stopped by most afternoons for lunch only to help her with one thing or another. It had turned into a barter system he supposed. It reminded him, he should ask how the roof repairs held up after that storm the other day, with the boys showing up, he had completely forgot.

Kaito was good with that. If dad had the money that was great but it was even better that he didn't have to pay. "Maybe we can do that too. We were working with food before."

"Hm, you could ask her. It wouldn't hurt to get to know the rest of the people here."

Saguru looked over and thought a moment. "Well, cleaning off tables looks easy enough- how does she balance all that on one hand?"

Kaito grinned. "I could do that. I could do it even better."

Azusa giggled to herself as she came over to see what they need, setting the tables before setting their own and coming over to them. "So, oh-taken-one, what can I get all today?"

Toichi shifted, realizing she must not know yet but deciding that he may as well introduce them. "I will take my usual lunch, um, these are my sons, Kaito and Saguru."

Saguru smiled wider than he had since finding out he did not remember them, hearing him say they were his sons. This was the first time he had said that since everyone else seemed to know. "Hi. Nice to meet you."

"Nice to meet you too. The really polite one, so you're Saguru."

Saguru blushed at the comment but smirked over at Kaito. "See, I'm the polite one."

Toichi watched them as Saguru turned back to Azusa and asked for just a sandwich and then stifled a chuckle when he added that he would do a job for it.

Kaito wanted something sweet but a sandwich sounded good. He said that he would help Saguru as well if she wanted and, once the lady turned her back, he grabbed Saguru's napkin and balled it up, throwing it at her and turning forward as if he'd done nothing.

Saguru crossed his arms and glared at Kaito. "That was mine and you had better apologize." He reached to take Kaito's so he would have one.

"Hey." Kaito grabbed his napkin back. "You're the one who did it. You apologize."

Azusa shook her head with a small laugh, trying to make sure the children didn't see her smile as she bent down and picked the napkin up.

Saguru huffed and looked over. "I am sorry- that my brother is being a dork."

"I'm sorry that my brother doesn't understand he shouldn't blame things on me. Gives me a bad reputation."

Toichi took a cue from Azusa, noting she obviously did not mind, and reached across the table, lightly tapping both boys. "You may want to stay on her good side if you want any of her pie afterwards."

"Yes, father." Saguru hid his face but smirked over, knowing any sort of dessert would entice his brother.

Kaito shrugged. It wasn't like he hurt her and she didn't seem mad. Saguru would share his pie with him anyway.

Saguru looked over as the woman walked away and then looked at Kaito. "I am not taking the blame next time."

Kaito smirked at him. "You weren't exactly trying to take it this time either. Next time will be the same. "

"I will just make sure you are the one without a napkin, or whatever you use."

"You can try but you never win." Kaito's smirk grew. "It'll be fun to watch."

Saguru nudged him back. "We agree you did that, you just refuse to admit it out loud."

"Exactly, I never said I did it aloud, so we never agreed I did it, and I didn't."

It was true, the stories between the two of them even showed that their views on their mother-his wife were different. Perhaps he could get Mr. Konosuke aside that night and run it across him.

Azusa came back to the family, the boys having a lively conversation still. "Here are your sandwiches. Make sure it all stays on the table."

"Yeah, Saguru," Kaito spoke as he nudged him.

Saguru smiled. "I promise, Miss. Azusa. I will not drop anything."

Azusa smiled to both of them. "Good. We have some juice as well. Do you want some? And what about you, Toichi? Coffee?"

"You know me too well already," Toichi said with a nod at the same time Saguru accepted the offer of juice.

Kaito was good with juice too, though he wanted to try dad's coffee. He drank that a lot. It must be good.

Azusa nodded, bringing their drinks quickly. "You all can have that table as long as you like. We'll be slow for at least an hour or so still."

"Thank you. Oh, I meant to ask how those repairs held up? Any leaks?"

"None at all. Thank you so much for your help. This area would still be drying out if not for you."

"I was happy to help, just let me know if you need any more."

"I sure will. Have a good meal." Azusa turned, not wanting to interrupt the family dynamic any more than she already was. Toichi was taken and he had kids. She was also a bit young for him.

"Hey, I don't have a younger sister, do I?" Toichi looked at the boys, wondering if his current attitude and his actions were because she reminded him of a sibling of his own.

Kaito shook his head. "Don't think so. You and mom never really introduced us to anyone else." It was pretty common not to have older people around, and if mom and dad had siblings, he was pretty sure they could have just gone to their place instead of having to move.

"Hm, alright." Toichi took a bite of his food and decided maybe it was watching these two that made him want a sibling. It was a nice thought, to pick new family members.

Kaito didn't know what brought that on but he picked up his sandwich and started eating too.

Saguru dug into the food, wondering about the conversation and glanced over. Could she be a younger sibling in some way? The sandwich was better than any he had ever had and he decided if Miss. Azusa was their aunt, he was fine with that.

"So, dad, we have some time after this. I guess we're going to look at boring books still, aren't we?"

Saguru looked up quickly and swallowed. "They are not boring and we were going after we played, right?"

"Yes, we can go to the bookstore and I am sure there will be a few that may interest you too." Toichi looked pointedly at Kaito and took a sip of his coffee.

"Yeah, well, Saguru had fun playing. If I don't have fun looking at books it's not fair." Kaito watched dad drink some of the coffee. "Hey... can I try that?" He pointed at the cup.

Saguru tilted his head and made a face but Toichi shrugged. "Why not?" He handed the cup over carefully. "Blow on it so you don't burn your mouth." This would be interesting.

Kaito took the cup carefully, having to shift it a bit in his hands because it was hot. He blew on it a few times before taking a sip. It was still a little hot. He wrinkled his face. "Yuck." Kaito handed it back. "That's gross."

Toichi chuckled and took it back. "Maybe when you get older, you can try it again."

Kaito shook his head. "No thanks." He liked a lot of things way better than what that tasted like, and those were his least favorite drinks.

Saguru could not hold back the laugh anymore. The look on Kaito's face plainly said 'yucky'. "I bet you want to eat a pillow to get the taste out of your mouth, right?"

"I'd settle for even a normal one," Kaito said quietly. "Try it."

"Not this time." Saguru made a face and took another bite of his sandwich.

Saguru had no reason to tease him then if he wasn't even going to try it.

"I'm sure if you work hard enough, you could get enough sugar to make that coffee taste good."

"You make it so I'll like it and then fine, I'll drink it."

"I bet I can figure out a way."

"Okay.. I'm good trying it again if it'll taste good." Kaito wasn't really sure why getting him to like coffee was such a big deal.

Saguru grinned to himself. He would get him to like it once, and then slip him something in it, as payback. "Deal."

"I think I can find another thing you two share. You challenge each other a lot, in one way or another. I guess no one would stand a chance when you two team up."

"Team up? With him?" Kaito pointed at Saguru. "No thanks."

"Hm, you two already have, a few times." He looked between them and saw when Saguru's eyes widened and he looked down a little.

"Well, you are our father. Of course we would team up to help you."

"Oh, well, yeah, that. Duh. That's not really us teaming up. I want you better and Saguru wants you better. It's more of a..." Kaito waved his hands around. "A family thing."

Toichi smiled. "I would think it was the same thing."

Azusa made sure they had some muffins when they left, thanking Toichi again and telling them they could all stop by whenever they wanted. The kids were kids. She'd seen a lot more misbehavior from some of the others in town and she didn't mind these two at all. It was clear they had still been raised well, if not a bit different.

,,,

Saguru was excited after they left, promising Miss. Azusa they would be back to help in any way they could. The bookstore smelled of books and more than he had seen in one place except in Akako's library. He skimmed the newest ones, pulling down a few and flipping through them, reading to himself as fast as he could. There had to be something that explained father's memory loss as well as the headaches.

Toichi was surprised Saguru was reading some of the ones he had grabbed and looked down at Kaito. "He really meant it when he said he would read those things."

Kaito nodded. "Our teacher said we aren't worth teaching. I'm not sure if she meant it for both of us in the same way. It's why we never learned some of the bigger words. The class was far behind us and we just found whatever we found." They probably weren't missing much, being out of school for so long. "You're a better teacher anyway."

Toichi raised an eyebrow at that. "You both sound like Yusaku's boy. I thought he was the only kid that intelligent. I hope I can live up to it still."

"Eh. What do I need books for? I don't want to become a teacher or anything - that's for women - and I'm still a kid so what do I care about learning? I bet I could skip school for years and easily go right back in."

Toichi smiled. "I don't doubt you can pick up things fast but are you sure you want other kids to know more than you?"

Kaito shrugged. "Schooling doesn't really help with every day life besides the basics, now does it?"

"Hm, so you think knowing about angles of triangles isn't needed in every day life?"

"I can guess at angles. Why would I need to know exact stuff?" Things had angle. He'd learned how to measure them but guessing was much easier. It wasn't as if he ever needed that information.

"Ladders are made of angles and if I make one that's off a little bit, it could wear faster and collapse with someone on it. It doesn't seem like much, but I need to check several times to make sure I'm not off."

Kaito folded his arms. "Well who says I'm going to make ladders? If I need to know something for my job when I'm older, I'll have someone teach me. I don't need to know little parts from every job without fully learning any in particular."

"I hope that is the case. It would be nice to only need one skill that will always be in demand. On the other hand, knowing a lot of different things, like I seem to, have let me do a lot of different things. I guess you most know than me about that though." Toichi looked over at Saguru and shook his head. "I will admit medicine is something I know little about, cleaning, binding and treating injuries, sure but internal things, maybe if I knew, I could fix myself."

"Well..." Kaito thought about it a second, letting his arms fall to his side. "How about we try the last resort when medicine doesn't work?" He smiled and opened his arms, waiting for his dad to do it too so he could hug him.

Toichi was almost certain this would hurt again, like before, so he mentally steeled himself, making sure he was on one knee, and found Kaito quickly in his arms. It caused an ache in him, increasing as Kaito kissed his forehead. He forced his voice to stay steady. "Is that going to help?"

"Mmm," Kaito said with a nod. "You always said it was the best medicine. You don't look like you feel better though." He didn't like hurting dad, but he didn't like being away from him. Kaito noticed an inner conflict start all of a sudden when he was sure that the two were connected. "Sorry."

"Never be sorry for this. Promise me, no matter what, you keep trying, I know I want- to remember." Toichi pulled him closer, closing his eyes to ride out the internal disagreement. He wanted something to break through. Something he could remember and hold on to rather than only remember when his mind was telling him it didn't matter and forget it.

That was just like dad to make him feel better. Kaito hugged him back, wishing he could help him. This was over his head though, like mom was, and he had no one to go to for help this time.

Saguru reread closely, wondering if this was it. 'Traumatic events could result in memory loss in response to the mind's inability to cope.' Maybe it was not an injury but that something happened that made their father's memories of them painful. It explained why it hurt when he tried to remember. Saguru wondered if, with the time they spent in the woods, had someone sent word that they were gone or dead? If he could not stand that, maybe that explained why it was only them that he did not remember. It made some sense since no one else seemed to think anything was wrong it could not be something he saw, or others would have seen it too. He had to talk to the men at the mill.

Kaito still didn't like hurting dad like this and he thought, maybe, if he went back and tried to help mom or explain things to her and get her over here, that was something he could do. He didn't want to go back to here alone though, and he wouldn't bring Saguru with how upset about everything he was too. He'd never have dad make a long trip like that while he was sick either. He just didn't know what to do to help him and stayed there with him while his father calmed down.

"Kaito, father, I think I- not again." Saguru ran over when he saw the two of them, resting a hand on Kaito's arm while he looked closely at their father's face. "Kaito, it was a memory of us, right? Someone wrote in a book, in a margin. I wish I knew who did it, they may know what to do."

"I don't know. Maybe." All he had done was do what dad had done for him before. If dad was that out of it that Saguru could talk over his head like that, he let the tears out of his eyes that wanted to fall. "I don't like hurting him."

Toichi heard the words as Saguru quoted the line and only knew one person who would write in a book like that. He did not want to listen to the voice and pull away but perhaps it was worth it to calm them. "You are not." He pulled away a little and looked at both of them. "I know who you want to ask, it is just a matter of finding him."

Kaito didn't really know what either of them were talking about and looked over at Saguru. He was looking for someone?

Saguru looked up in surprise but smiled. "I think he was right and maybe we can find out what happened to you." Saguru grabbed his father's hand when he held it out and waited for him to stand.

Kaito took dad's other hand like they had been doing, hoping this wasn't hurting him too. That would be like, pain all the time, and he could walk on his own.

Toichi led them out, describing Yusaku to them so they knew what he looked like in case they spotted him.

Kaito thought dad was crazy to think that he'd know one guy from another. A lot of people looked like the guy he was describing. Heck, even dad kind of looked like how this other guy looked.

Saguru kept an eye out, searching to see if he could spot the man. They had no luck that he knew but kept a hand on fathers as he started toward a nice house with a lot of bushes around it.

Yusaku wasn't expecting to see Toichi so soon. He had barely just escaped Yukiko insisting that he write something faster so they could repaint the kitchen. Not wanted to scare them by jumping out of the bushes or anything, he stood and brushed off his clothes. "Hello there. Haven't seen you since the last shopping trip. I heard there was some trouble, but nothing in particular." He'd already met one of the boys and he waved to both of them.

"Ah," Kaito exclaimed, pointing at the guy. "You're the guy who wouldn't let me go until I got out of the tree!"

"I wasn't about to climb up as far as you had now, was I? Besides, I don't think that matters much. What do I owe the pleasure of this meeting? I doubt it's to get another kid out of a tree and I'm not about to be moving down the ladder to cats anytime soon either." He smiled, his eyes on the front door, hoping Yukiko wouldn't hear them.

Saguru found his voice and tried not to laugh. "Sorry my brother caused trouble but are you really the one who wrote in that book?"

"I've written a lot of books and been many places to write them. Was this something this year, last year... a title? I can name a few if you give me the topic."

"Um, it was not written by you. It was a book called 'Mysteries of the Mind'. You wrote that traumatic events could also cause amnesia. I was hoping you could help us with father's memory?"

Toichi winced a little at the bluntness as well as innocence of the statement.

"Ah." Yusaku put a hand on his chin. "You're having memory troubles, are you? You are in a new town and, from what I was hearing, under a lot of stress as it was to provide. I suppose, with what you were already feeling, something here could have possibly thrown you the wrong way like that. From speaking with you though, you seemed fairly steady, not someone prone to this type of thing. I'd have to know a lot more about you to tell you what could have done it. My best advice, if you think that's the problem, is to retrace your steps. Outside help would be better as well, since you likely have no memory of when the problem started. How big of a gap are you missing?"

Toichi sighed. "To be honest, it is in pieces. I remember working before, then coming here. I remember everyone here very well, the only thing I seem to have forgotten was that I had a family and told others. Mr. Konosuke said two days ago, I was telling him stories over breakfast but by that afternoon, when these two showed up, I had no memory of those parts of the conversation, or any conversation. None of my coworkers said they saw me hit my head or receive any type of injury at all. I just-" Toichi looked down at the two boys, partly in shame. "Forgot them."

"I think it is your traumatic event idea because when we say or do something, or he does something he used to, he gets really bad headaches and sometimes collapses in pain."

"Hm." Yusaku's eyes narrowed. "Right when they showed up? Bad timing there. And you're in pain and collapse? That would have to have been some doozy of a mental block you put up to do that. I'm no doctor but I've seen and heard enough. Either there's some reason you don't want you to remember, or you may have something more physical wrong with you. I doubt any doctor here would be able to examine you to the extent necessary. It would be something internal, and explain away the pain far easier. For it to only hurt with them though..." He put his hand into his hair, messing it up on accident. "I just don't know. I've never heard of a particular case like yours. Sorry I can't be of more help."

Kaito's hand tightened on in his dad's. He really hoped he wasn't that kind of sick and they were just making him worse.

Toichi looked at Kaito, hoping he didn't think he really didn't want to remember them. He offered Kaito a smile, squeezing his hand back. "It will fine. I told you, I do want to remember. That wasn't a lie. From what I was told, I doubt anything would make me want to-"

Saguru looked up, gripping his father's hand with both of his own when it started to shake. "Not again."

Yusaku watched, unbiased for a moment, before showing both children off. "Just back up a second. Go stand next door. I'm not asking you to leave." He put a hand on Toichi's shoulder. "Speak to me. Where, exactly, is this pain?"

Kaito really didn't want to but he didn't want to hurt dad way more than he wanted to stay. It wasn't like he was going far and dad seemed to trust this man. He had been looking for him, so he couldn't be a bad guy.

Saguru backed up, staring, almost fascinated, at the way the man acted. It was calm, firm, like the doctor but that man had not asked that, just if he was injured and then looked.

This time, Toichi managed to balance the disagreement and answer at the same time, even though it was difficult. "Front, it's like there's another voice telling me... " Gritting his teeth, he spoke what his mind was thinking. "not to care. They aren't mine. I want to remember but there's no need. Everyone says they are my kids, my boys. It doesn't matter. It does, I feel it. Forget them and the pain will stop but I want to remember them."

"A voice...?" Toichi didn't seem the type to have these kinds of mental problems, and all at once it seemed. This wasn't how traumatic memories were held back, and he was very sure now that that was not what was going on. If it were a brain injury, it wouldn't have him hearing voices unless he was hallucinating, which was possible but made no sense when pertaining only to his children. "Okay, we're going to try something. Talk back to that voice, quietly." He wanted to help, not get the man thrown into an asylum unless he did belong there. "Then tell me what happens."

"I will try but I pass out, as they said, and it scares them, Kaito especially." Toichi met the man's eyes, hoping he knew he wanted them comforted if it happened again as he took a shaky breath. "I want to remember Kaito and Saguru, my sons." He closed his eyes tightly. "Increased pressure, it says no, push them away and I will be free of this. To never... never think of them again." Toichi shook his head.

Yusaku noticed more of a negative reaction on his own end and decided it was better not to push this particular mental disorder when it was accompanied by physical complications. "Now to test something. Ignore accepting or not. Talk to the voice about what you do at work, who's there, the weather, the forest, anything like that."

"Miss. Azusa said the repairs I did the other day held fine. The roof weathered the storm better than ever." Toichi opened his eyes and looked at Yusaku. "Gone."

"That quickly?" Yusaku had to blink, thinking on this. He couldn't understand how a person's mind could make them feel such intense pain over something. It was against human nature for the body and mind to want to injury itself. It happens, but it's not common, and it had to be something big enough that someone would have noticed. "You're healthy as a horse. Go retrace your steps. Something bothered you, a lot. There are still parts that don't make sense to me. I do not recommend you constantly being in pain because you are with your children though. Learn your limits until you figure this out," he spoke quietly, just to Toichi, from one father to another. "You won't pass out that way, and I'm sure they'll understand."

"Only thing, most of the time, it is spontaneous. I never know what will trigger it until it is happening. Just playing tag forced me to my knees. Besides, the last time I apparently knew them was just an hour before they arrived and I was working. I'm on leave, so taking them into the mill could be dangerous, especially if I react again."

"I'm sorry. I honestly don't know what to tell you. I've never heard of something like this before. Even with mental blocks, your mind wouldn't be telling you the opposite of what you're trying to do, or at least, not at the same time it's causing you pain. This is the first I've come across anything like this." Yusaku wanted to know what was going on himself. While Toichi would make a good research subject, he would never want him in pain while he tested out theories. "I offer you my condolences and good luck. If you need help with anything else I can assist with, by all means, ask."

"Just one. If this does get worse, my boys, they are as smart as yours I think. My... my wife, it seems, cares less for them now, according to Saguru. Would you take care of them?"

That was no small thing to ask, and from a virtual stranger. They weren't more than acquaintances and occasional drinking companions. "I take it you have no family." Yusaku wanted some time to think on this but, even if Toichi had family, it was possible he no longer recalled them. "I will make sure they are both in the best situation possible, whether with me or someone I deem better, if something happens. Know though, whatever mental problem this is, it doesn't seem to be getting worse, from what you've told me. I just stopped you from passing out. If something happens, do what you just did with me. I have no doubt that your boys are going to stay your boys, no matter what, if you do that." He smiled, patting him on the shoulder. "Memories or not."

"Thank you, and, oddly, I do remember my parents, both passed away when I was a teenager." Toichi looked past Yusaku to the boys, smirking a little when he saw a familiar woman pass them each something. "Come on you two, we can see if I can get some answers from some of my co-workers."

"Good, maybe I can get some answers from my husband too. Enjoy those cookies boys."

Yusaku sighed. "I believe you owe me one." He had gotten his help at the expense of giving away his hiding spot. Toichi had better remember that.

"Next round on me as well." Toichi shooed both boys by, nodding at the woman, thankful to have a smile directed at him this time, and turned to leave with the boys.

"I had no idea he'd be bringing those boys here so soon, that Kaito is a spitting image of him." Yukiko tilted her head, wondering what was different. "That's it! I knew something was different about him. I never figured him for it though."

"Hm?" Yusaku looked back towards Toichi. "Besides some memories issues and his children here, what's different?"

Yukiko giggled. "Nothing big, I just never thought he was the type to wear jewelry. That necklace should have something nice hanging on it at least. It's way to plain to wear that way." She put her hands on her hips, mystery solved, and looked at her husband again. "Now, about that painting?"

"Ah, I noticed that as well. I assumed it was from the kids." If they were short money though, that was hard to believe. It could possibly an heirloom but that didn't make much sense either. While the phone was out, he didn't think a necklace could have a speaker in it, or something that caused him pain, but maybe there was something on it. He wanted to check that out. Yukiko said something and he looked down at her, not sure he could openly run from his wife but he was curious. "What?"

She huffed and shook her head. "The boys would have more taste than that thing. Shin-chan would know to put something on it. Are you going to get to that painting or should I have Agasa try blowing up a paint can like he said you should."

"Sure, do that." Yusaku put his hand on her shoulder with a smile. "I'll be right back." If it was something chemical, or something that was near his that could make him sick, that wasn't good. He didn't understand it, but there were new mysteries in the world that were still waiting to be solved, and problems to be discovered.

"If you see those boys, tell them I'm not a witch either!" Yukiko huffed and turned back into the house. As though good smelling cookies could only come from magic witches. It was an insult.

Yusaku had no idea what his wife said but he figured if it were important, she'd say it again. She always did. "Hey, wait a second!" It was something small but he didn't care. 'Strange' had a weird kind of fascination with him.

Saguru looked over his shoulder, taking another bite of the warm cookie, as the man came running after them. He swallowed, hoping that his slip up had not upset his wife too much. "Sorry if she was angry. I did not mean it as an insult, really."

"Huh?" Yusaku wasn't sure what Saguru was talking about but he'd figure that out in a moment. "Toichi, that necklace, it's new. I heard you were saving your money. Where did you get it?"

Toichi blinked and looked down, a hand going to it. "It... I always had this."

Saguru looked up and tilted his head. "You never showed us. I thought you got it here."

"Yeah, you know, I thought maybe you were seeing a girl or something and hiding a new mom on us somewhere." Kaito hadn't wanted to say that aloud but only women had jewelry, and he was pretty ticked off at mom. Dad's reaction had thrown him off some much that he hadn't really cared about the necklace.

"No, there's no other woman, no one gave this to me, I just always wore it."

Yusaku would have noticed him with a necklace, and if he hadn't, he was certain his wife would have. He held out his hand. "My I see it? I won't ruin it."

"What? No, I... " Toichi looked down, shaking his head and finding he really didn't want to. "It would be wrong."

"Wrong? It's a necklace. A necklace you can't even tell me the origins of. I promise, again, I won't do anything to ruin it. You know I wont." Odds were his hands were clean since he hadn't work with his ink and paper yet.

"It's not that, I just... OK." Toichi shifted and slowly removed the necklace. He held it out but didn't want to let it go at all.

Yusaku was careful about it, barely putting his fingers on the necklace, afraid of what might be on it as well as Toichi's strange behavior towards it. "Okay, I have it. Let it go." He didn't want to break it trying to take it from him.

Saguru frowned when his father seemed to not let go. The change in attitude made him worry that there was something wrong. He reached up, pushing it out of his hand. "Let him check it."

Toichi took in a sharp breath, blinking down at Saguru, then over to Kaito, everything rushing back at once, before dropping to his knees and pulling both of them to him, kissing their heads. "Boys, I am so sorry, I have no idea what- Kaito did you really make Yusaku climb a tree after you?"

Kaito had no idea what was happening but dad was hugging him of own accord and suddenly talking about the tree." Ah… I guess. I mean, I didn't make him." Was dad okay? He was acting pretty weird. Sure dad shouldn't be wearing jewelry but that didn't really explain it.

Toichi chuckled and pulled away just enough to look at them. "I remember you convincing Saguru you were stuck up in one to get him to come up after you, only for him to be unable to get down when you jumped out."

"I never told you that one." Saguru studied his father's face before grinning and grabbing his neck. "You remember."

Did he? Kaito was afraid this was all some kind of horrible joke. He wrapped his arms around dad though and cried, not caring he was doing it in public. He had his dad back for now and hopefully ever and he never wanted something like that to happen again. He had to stay better. He had to.

Toichi nodded. "Yes. Everything, except... " He looked over at where Yusaku was standing with a handkerchief in his hands. "I have no idea how or when I got that."

"I don't think I should give it back to you either." There was something strange with it. He had had to drop it himself because it hadn't made him feel well, simply by having contact with it. "I'm... not sure what's wrong with it." He wanted to figure it out though.

"I don't want it." Toichi shifted his hands to ruffle Kaito's hair and smooth out Saguru's, knowing Saguru preferred that to messy hair. "I would almost call it a cursed thing."

Maybe it was. Kaito believed in magic and would forever now. Curses were probably real and he never wanted dad to look at again if that was the reason behind it all. It was dad. That dad that forgot him never played with his hair like that. He sniffed, wiping his nose and smiling. "Never leave us again."

Toichi smiled and shook his head. "Never."

Saguru could not stop crying as he hugged his father again, the one that remembered him, that knew them. He turned his head slightly to look over at the man still holding the thing. "Thank you so much but, I need to know, how did you even think of that being it?"

"I didn't. My wife pointed out a few strange things about the necklace that I had thought weren't that strange as they sounded aloud." Yusaku had expected something on the necklace. Whatever had made his mind go blank for a second when he held it was unnatural. Maybe the boy was right and it was some kind of curse, though he had never seen one or believed in one in all his travels.

Kaito was just happy to have dad back, and Saguru was hogging him all to himself. He pushed himself back against dad as well again, not really caring who thought what or why. "Who cares about all that? Dad's back."

Toichi tightened his arms on both of them, chuckling and lifting them both up. They still had things to talk about, based on the stories they told him, but right now it was as though he had been a lifetime without them and he was not letting go anytime soon.

"Glad to see that you're better, though I still don't understand how." Yusaku gesture to the necklace. "Mind if I keep this for a little while?"

Toichi shook his head. "Go ahead. If anyone can figure it out, I'm sure it'll be you."

Saguru made a face. "I never want to see that thing near father again."

Kaito still didn't understand it. He wasn't sure how a necklace could make dad forget. He didn't care that he was confused, he just liked dad being there.

Yusaku nodded. "I have to go back now. I think Yukiko was talking to me about something or another." He smiled. "Enjoy your kids."

Toichi nodded and smiled. "I will, just," he paused, knowing how to check things like that and what it did to him, "make sure you're careful if anyone tries putting that on or anything." He turned, shifting the boys a little. The first stop was going to be the mill to let Mr. Konosuke know the news.

Kaito held onto his dad and couldn't keep from smiling. "I'm so glad you're okay. I'm really not ready to be you, dad."

"You won't have to be, just be the big brother again." Toichi bounced Saguru slightly. "I'm sure you two can find some trouble to get up to here, and you do owe Miss. Azusa some time."

Kaito nodded, still smiling. He didn't mind working while dad was too. He could probably get some snacks too. "Oh, but can we still stay here? You don't have a house yet, and mom's..."

"I know. I will send word to her as soon as I can but, as there is no way I would send you there now, I am sure we can make arrangements for the next couple of days while I make up the time away." Toichi didn't want to put them down when he reached the mill so he stopped at the door and grinned. "Someone needs to knock and my hands are full."

Kaito stuck his foot out and kicked at the door, chuckling. "At least I know how to be something other than dull." Kaito stuck his tongue out.

Saguru rolled his eyes at Kaito's action but the sound of their father laughing at it made him smile. "Kaito, you are so immature."

Konosuke smiled brighter. "It seems you're feeling better."

Toichi shook his head and hugged them both tighter. "More than you can imagine. If you ever see me wearing a necklace again, rip it off and burn it."

"Necklace? Sorry, I guess I never noticed something like that." He wasn't with Toichi much since the man wasn't coming to work. "And… you don't like jewelry?"

Saguru shook his head. "That necklace was put on him just before we arrived. It made him forget us. Mr. Yusaku figured it out. It's cursed or something."

"A curse, huh? First I've heard of something like that in a long time." Konosuke had known a man when he was a child, said to be cursed to see evil spirits all around him. He was too young at the time to know if curses were real or if it was some mental condition, but it had left him with a strong impression that they existed out there, even if he couldn't openly express his belief.

Saguru nodded. "If I didn't want it near father again, I would see if, when we find Akako, maybe she could break it."

"Akako?" Konosuke looked at Toichi. "You have another child?"

Toichi shook his head. "No, just these two. Akako was the name of that 'witch' girl that apparently helped these two find me. I was going to bring her up again. I will admit it was a little far-fetched but the story was believable. Now that I know you two, I have a few new questions to ask, but later."

"Sure thing dad. Ask everything. Now that you remember I can tell you everything. I can teach you how to be a wolf." Kaito bit some of his dad's hair, pulling it a bit before letting it go and laughing.

Saguru shook his head. "I still liked the cat best, even being small, the sounds and smells were more varied. The tail is very distracting though."

Toichi dug a finger into them, tickling them a little while speaking to Mr. Konosuke. "I hope to be back to work tomorrow, if you'll allow that."

"Of course. I wasn't sure what was wrong with you and didn't want to risk your health further. As long as you believe you're okay now, feel free. You're only working a half-day though. I think you and you're children are glad to have you back. Take some time with them tomorrow as well." Its what he would have done the first day the kids had showed up if things hadn't turned out the way they did.

"Thank you, I will speak with Mr. Suzuki about the property and see if I can move in sooner so we will be out of your hair." He smiled as the boys were both laughing.

"Hey, dad, stop a second." Kaito wanted to talk but it was hard while he was being tickled.

Toichi had been about to say bye but figured he could wait so he stopped. "Alright, but only because you two sound like you stopped breathing,"

Kaito thought he must have and took in a few deep breaths before speaking. "How about we just go there now? Me and Saguru have already slept in the woods and we could probably borrow a tent from someone so you don't have to waste you're money, right?" He wasn't sure how they'd eat but that sounded like fun.

Saguru tried to squirm away, not quite catching what the adults were saying while he laughed and tried to get away.

Toichi tilted his head. He would still ask him. "I don't want to sneak on and maybe you can try charming him instead, see what he says." Toichi chuckled and nodded. "See you at the house tonight." He turned and headed to visit Mr. Suzuki first.

Konosuke nodded. "Have fun and good luck."

Kaito smiled way more than even he was used to. He was a lot happier now, and now Saguru and he weren't alone. "I'm glad you're back, dad. Now that you are, we're sleeping in the same bed. I think Saguru's going to hurt his back sleeping in the chair again. He'll start walking around like an old man."

"He-ey. At least I don't hog the covers." Saguru stuck his tongue out at him as they walked, or, they were carried.

Toichi was sure he hadn't stopped smiling the entire time and hearing them bicker again couldn't dampen it. He reached the house, hearing Saguru gasp. "I guess I should have mentioned, Mr. Suzuki owns the mill."

"Oh, wow." Kaito hadn't seen a lot of bigger houses. He'd heard there were a lot more in they city, but only from books. This was easily twice as big as the biggest house here. "Big boss."

Saguru felt himself be lowered a little and sighed. It was true, meeting a person in a house this big, standing would be better. He straightened his shirt as soon as he was set down and brushing his fingers though his hair to try and fix it while father knocked on the door.

Jirokichi wasn't expecting company. It wasn't late enough yet to have him worried though, and he didn't fear any of the townsfolk here. They needed him, unlike the people in the city. He answered the door, wondering if he should get a wife at some point. "Hello? Oh, it's you." He remembered the man from a few days ago, looking to buy some land on a payment plan. "Something wrong?"

"No sir, nothing's wrong, just had an unexpected change in plans." Toichi motioned downward. "My boys showed up early and, while I do not have the full asking price yet, I was wondering if there was a way we could set up a little sooner."

"Hm." Jirokichi had to think on that. He barely knew this man. There was also the cost of labor to build any sort of home on the land he was asking for. That left little that would be going to him. Then again, the man was working for one of his businesses, so it wasn't as if he couldn't find him, and he'd know if he wasn't getting paid while Toichi was. That fact that he had his two young boys likely won him over long before he even considered taking anything into question though. He smiled. "That'll be fine. I can help with anything you need, as long as you stick around. Can't very well live on grass now, can you?"

Toichi nodded politely, trying not to smile at the irony. "While Kaito mentioned that already, I think Saguru appreciates your idea more. Thank you so much."

"Yes, with Mr. Konosuke. I just did not want to impose on him longer than needed."

"Thank you, Mr. Suzuki sir. My brother and I will be helping around too, so what I make can go to you for this too."

"I'm going to pay for the food then."

Jirokichi laughed. "Alright. Give me a few days. Instead of paying for just the area, you'll pay to own the whole thing, house and all when I get it up. Good things he's got some helpers with him now. Probably won't be ready for a while. You have a place to stay still, right?"

Saguru smiled wider and nodded. "Yes, sir. We will make sure to pay you back for it." He pulled his hand from his father's for the first time since he remembered them and held his hand out to shake. "I promise."

Jirokichi bent down and shook the boys hand. "You take after your father a great deal. Good luck, my boy."

Saguru smiled, straightening up more and made sure his grip was as 'firm' as he could make it, like father said to do. "Thank you, Mr. Suzuki. You have a good day."

Toichi smiled, knowing that made Saguru's day, or, all things considered, made it even better. "We should head back so we can sort out these two's plans for tomorrow while I'm at work. Thank you again, sir, and good day." He held out his own hand to shake.

Jirokichi shook Toichi's hand as well. "Good luck to you too, and you're welcome. You're a good worker and this town could always use some more people like you."

Kaito smiled. He wasn't much for the hand shaking like Saguru and his dad were, but he'd keep his promise to help out where he could too. He knew he was just a kid and couldn't do as much, and he was going to keep acting like a kid once they had enough money to be okay, but for now he didn't mind. The people here were really nice, probably because they didn't have to worry about food like back home. It kind of made him sad though. He didn't want all his friends and their parents to turn out like mom was.

"You do. Us." Saguru took his father's hand and smiled. He would prove himself, no matter what it took.

Jiro laughed as the family took off. Good workers, good townsfolk, and he was sure he'd get his money back and then some as long as Toichi didn't go looking for another job.

Toichi smiled, grateful for the lighter feel as they left. "So, tell me again about how you two ended up in the woods and about this, Akako." Saguru shifted beside him before talking again.

Kaito made sure to add in things that Saguru liked to leave out, like that he bit his tail. It was only fair.

"That was only because I could not reach my own." Saguru crossed his arms then blushed when he realized he had blurted that out by accident. "I mean... " He turned away to hide his face while trying to look insulted at the same time.

Toichi was torn between wanting to laugh and feeling sick. He knew his boys and could always tell when they were lying. Hearing them talk, watching them now, watching for their tells, he saw nothing that said anything. They were telling the truth and between Sharon's actions disappointing him this witch's actions, it honestly scared him. That necklace that made him forget his boys also scared him and he really hoped, for once, there was a coincidence.

Akako had hoped that they'd come crawling back to her after their father turned them aside but it had proved rather aggravating, watching them try, and more so when a man discovered her charm. Happy children were so much harder to charm but she wasn't about to start all over, either of these two tolerable enough. It was just too bad their forgot about their own accessories. She'd wait until it was dark, when no one was out, and make her move then.

Toichi kept them close that night, distracting them into planning how to help Miss. Azusa while he was writing a letter to Yusaku about the necklace and how his boys knew a real witch and there may be others. He made sure to cheer him up by making sure to use his bed and some chairs to set up a tent like Kaito suggested for them to sleep under that night.

Kaito made sure he had more room than Saguru, pushing him or flat out laying on him whenever his brother got too close to 'his space'. It was fun, it wasn't really hurting either of them, and he had trouble punching his brother back if there was a problem. Saguru always backed down and that meant he won in his eyes. It was cool hiding away from even the house owner this way too.

Saguru rolled his eyes but he grinned sometimes, trying to hide it. It was fun and he could not resist trying to curl the blanket around himself in revenge. A thought occurred to him and he rolled closer, getting laid on again but he said it anyway. "It is so great having him remember us now. It is like we are getting our family together again."

"Yeah, part of it. I hope dad can get mom back together with us too. I mean, she's kind of mean normally, but never this mean. I don't really miss her too much, but I bet dad does." Kaito kept his place atop Saguru, finding it pretty comfortable.

"Hm... maybe Akako can help. Father had that necklace on him, maybe mother changed because of something too." That would be a lot nicer than her changing and being that mean on her own because father had left.

"Maybe. Maybe someone went after mom and dad. I wonder why. Oh well." Kaito shrugged. It wasn't as if there had to be a reason, and whatever happened to dad happened a week after whatever happened to mom.

Saguru frowned and touched Kaito's arm, groaning as he tried to roll over a little. "I am sorry now, if I ever forget you or get really mad or anything."

"Tsh." Kaito elbowed him. "Your too wimpy for me to worry about you getting mad at me for anything. I'm like, with you all the time too, so if you forget me I'm going to forget you."

Saguru grunted when he was elbowed and tried to push him off but gave up and huffed. "Fine, than we never forget each other or the rest of our family ever."

Toichi listened from the door, hearing them talk and deciding to stay up until Mr. Konosuke returned. He would let them go to sleep and stay in the kitchen for now. No one would get through the door if he had anything to say about it.

Konosuke was a bit surprised when Toichi was in the kitchen, staring at him as he walked in. He hadn't stayed incredibly late today and he had been sure the man would have been getting himself reacquainted with his children. "Something wrong?"

"The boys were talking in a tent I made beside my bed. Some of the things they said make me worry. Since we are in your home, I won't hide anything." He explained about his wife's odd behavior, the witch finding the boys and animal experiences. "Add that in to the necklace I was wearing, even Saguru thinks that they may be next." He held up an envelope. "If it's the necklace though, I want Yusaku to know to be even more careful since he has it."

"That's a lot to take in." Konosuke had sat beside him while Toichi was telling his story. "Even given what you were telling me earlier. I'm not sure what to do. The letter, what's that for?"

"I want everything written down in case one or both of us are effected. I don't really trust word of mouth after what happened but hopefully this will give a way out if any of us start acting strange again."

Konosuke nodded. He had no close friends but he was close with his workers. If something was wrong with him they would likely end up at his house at some point. He wasn't sure how well he'd take Toichi's written word but the man had already had something happen to him, and he may accept his own word. "I'll keep my eyes open, while I'm awake in any case." He stood. "Now I need to get some sleep though. You should do the same. I doubt your boys fell asleep while you have been awake."

Toichi smiled to himself. "Even if they have, Kaito is a light sleeper and may wake anyway. Once Saguru is out he won't wake until morning." He looked at the door again before getting up himself. He felt uneasy about going to bed but it was better than staying up all night.

"You're that worried about this, are you?" Konosuke wasn't blind to Toichi's uneasiness. He had never been on guard in this type of way before, and wasn't sure how to reassure him. "I'll just be one room over if you need me for any reason."

Toichi nodded. "I don't mean to be but the events the past few days have just made me really uneasy about something" He sighed. "You can go to bed, sorry to worry you. Good night."

"It's alright," Konosuke said with a smile. "Worry me. I am your boss still and you are still coming into work with me tomorrow, so I have to make sure you're taken care of. Goodnight, Toichi. Again, I'm one room over. Shout if you need something. I'm a pretty light sleeper myself."

"Thank you. Oh, I am going to drop the boys at Azusa's first, they promised to help her out and it will give them a way to meet more of the townspeople too." Toichi was sure that he figured out it was also a way to have them watched over. He headed to the bedroom, peaking under the blanket to where the two boys had been.

Dads head pop in and he went over to him, tackling him as best he could. "Got you!"

Toichi grinned and ruffled Kaito's hair. "Are you two settled enough?"

"Settled? It's not our first night here. Of course we're settled." Kaito could have gone to bed ages ago but dad wandered off and Saguru was no fun.

"You weren't sleeping under here the last few nights. Would 'are you comfortable?' suit your grammar better?"

Kaito snorted. "I'd be more comfortable if Saguru weren't so bony."

"So stop rolling on top of me."

"Stop taking up my space."

Toichi reached in and shifted them himself, ignoring the gasps but smiling at the chuckles. He tucked a blanket around each of them, leaving a small bit of room in the center. "There, now you have your own space. Get some sleep, Remember, I'll be waking you both in the morning."

Kaito laughed, curling up. "Too bad it's so small in here. Goodnight dad."

"Good night Kaito, goodnight Saguru."

"Good night father."

Toichi smiled and backed out, letting the area disappear behind the 'tent flap' as he stood and went to get into bed himself. He still felt uneasy but the boys were here and safe. He was sure Miss. Azusa would keep an eye on them tomorrow so he had nothing to worry about until then.

Akako felt like she waited forever until she was sure that everyone in the house was asleep. She had needed some ingredients for her spell anyway and she had stolen a bowl from a nearby house. With a pinch of the dust she now had, she sprinkled it on the ground, a marking for where she wanted the spell to take them, a good distance from the house and towards the woods. "Distance parameter reset." She would let the bracelets do the rest, as they would bring the kids to her in the most efficient, unnoticeable way possible.

...

Toichi woke and stretched sitting up, a little surprised that the boys were still asleep. "Come on you two, clean up and come out to eat breakfast." He figured he could start the food first and they could join him. When it was mostly done, Toichi looked in the room again. Kaito may roll over and sleep but Saguru usually woke and came out right away. "Kaito. Saguru, come on, time to-" He moved the sheet aside and found the blankets as he left them, wrapped around and tucked but it looked like the rest had dropped down into the two vacant spaces. There was no sign the boys left but they were not there at all.

Konosuke had been mostly awake, getting dressed when he heard Toichi making far too much noise and calling out to the children. He finished getting his shirt on before stepping out of the room. "Toichi? What's wrong?"

"They're gone. The blanket isn't even moved aside, it's like they just... disappeared." Toichi gave up with the window and headed pass Mr. Konosuke to get to the door and check outside.

"I'll help you look. Just let me get my shoes on." Konosuke was worried about Toichi's previously strange behavior but he had seemed fine with his kids. That fact that they were simply gone now left him worried. Kaito had gone into the wood before and he wasn't sure that they hadn't run off there again because something happened.

Toichi nodded, already dressed, and headed outside, checking the ground and then circling to the window, trying to find something but there weren't even footprints. He cursed and leaned against the wall, taking a deep breath and knowing he needed to calm down and think.

Konosuke took a look around the house the opposite way Toichi did. He could tell how upset the man was and placed a hand on his shoulder. "I easily got help when Kaito went missing. I'm sure we can get a group together and go look for them. They can't have gotten far on their own."

"I tucked them in myself and it wasn't moved. Kaito I would believe sneaking out to do something but he'd be back for breakfast and Saguru never acted this way." Toichi met the man's eye. "I don't think they left on their own."

Konosuke looked his house over. It was hard to believe someone could break in and take the two children away. Toichi was clearly distraught, which would have him jumping to conclusions, and the man had only just gotten well enough to know he even had children. For some strange reason though, be believed him lucid enough to humor the thought. "Either way that's they only way I can think to go about finding them. Maybe their mother came here and took them back. They had been saying she was not herself."

Toichi felt sick at that thought, wondering what was with the switches between the woman he married to one that took one of their sons into the woods and left him for an unknown reasons, to her taking them from him without a word. "I'm going to start looking. If anyone finds anything... I'm sure you can figure out a way to let me know." He pushed off from the wall and headed toward the woods.

"Don't go far! We don't want to be looking for you too! You know it's better with a search party!" Konosuke also knew the man wouldn't listen. He went into town, knowing Yusaku at least would help. He had nothing better to do most of the time and he was good at finding things.