Part Two

"Aren't you finished yet, boy?"

"Quit calling me that!" he snapped, glaring over his shoulder at the older man. All it took was a look from his grandfather before he turned back to the sink and sulk, but he still kept up his grumbling as he began to clean the last two bowls. "You'd think you could remember my damn name..."

"I told you to watch that mouth of yours," the other growled as he took another swig of his coffee. "You're still too damn young to be talkin' like that."

"I'm fifteen."

"You don't even got hair on your chest yet, boy." The young man whipped around to face him, his face burning a bright red right up to his ears, but when he tried to tell him off, his voice cracked which caused him to turn an even deeper shade of crimson.

"Just... shut the hell up, old man."

For six years the two had lived like this, sharing the one-room house and forever stepping on one another's toes. The days they spent together seemed to be growing longer with every passing hour, and the air was always thick with animosity. All it took was a spark for one of their tempers to flare, and so it really was a wonder that they had yet to come to blows although neither one doubted that that time would certainly come at one point or another.

"Guess I ought to be gettin' to bed then." Saibara groaned as he lifted himself off his chair as the boy looked on. He would never admit to it, of course, but there was little doubt in the mind of his grandson that his age was starting to show. After all, most of his hair was now gone and the rest was more salt then pepper. He hadn't changed any of his more unpleasant habits in all that time, though.

"Can't you at least put on some pants or something?"

"When you get to my by age, boy, it doesn't really matter," he replied with a snort. "Ain't like I'm trying to impress no body." Gray muttered an ugly reply under his breath, putting the last dish on the drying rack for the night, but it was only after he was sure there was nothing left to see that he turned back around and headed for the door. "Where you off to at this time of night?"

"No where," he grumbled as he picked up his hat from the hook just beside the door. He didn't even bother to hear the other's reply before closing the door behind him, and only then did he allow himself to sigh.

He stood in the darkness of the forge for a moment, his sharp eyes straining to see past the long shadows. He didn't bother with the light, but instead he began to feel his way across the room and towards the front counter... which he found only after stubbing his toe and letting out a curse.

While he knew just how childish he must've looked doing it, he crouched down and began to crawl under the desk. It was hard doing being as he was still growing into his new, clumsy body, but he still managed to hide himself away without too much trouble. Once there, he began fumbling around until he found the flashlight and the book he'd stashed away there many years ago.

It was clearly an older book with its brittle cover holding on by nothing more than a thread, but he paid it no mind. He simply flipped it open and began reading the all too familiar words. It was the only thing he had ever gotten from his father, and even then, he had to steal it away. He didn't have to consider the consequences, though, because he had known from the beginning that he would probably never see the man again.

As he read, the words began to slowly blur together, but just when he closed his eyes...

"What the hell are you doing, boy? Get your ass out from under there! We got customers!"

Gray jumped, slamming his head, and before he could even say or a word, he found himself being dragged up by the old man. The whole world seemed to be spinning at first, but it all stopped rather suddenly when he noticed her standing there.

She was the neighbor girl, the one with the bright pink hair that lived across the street, and although he couldn't explain why, he felt his whole face warm just at the sight of her. She only giggled at his flustered expression, and not sure what to say, his face turned all the more red.

"Oh, you must be Gray." Even her voice was bright... just like her ruby eyes. "I'm Popuri." She gazed expectantly at him, waiting for him to say something, but just as he was about to-

"Don't mind him none," Saibara assured her with a gruff chuckle. "He ain't one for usin' his head if you know what I mean."

"Shut the hell up!"

He hadn't meant to say it, not out loud, but by the time he realized it, it was already too late. The girl could only gape at him in shock, but he knew all too well that the old man was glaring at him without bothering to look for himself. He didn't say a word as he pulled his hat over his eyes, and it was only after he did so that he was able to mutter an apology, one that sounded pathetic even to his own ears. Not just because his voice cracked when he said it, either.

To his surprise, though, she actually smiled. "That's okay," she giggled. "My big brother does the same thing when Karen teases him." Gray nodded, feeling more than a little relieved, but the other just scowled, his bushy brows meeting at a point just over his nose.

"Give me a minute, and I'll be right with you." Taking the young man firmly by the arm, he lead him into the back room, and as soon as the door was securely shut behind, he turned on his heel to face the boy.

Then, without any warning, he swung.

"Didn't I tell you to watch your god damn mouth! Didn't I?!"

At first, Gray could only stare, the sharp pain in his jaw not even registering in his mind. After all, even though he'd been struck before, it had been over six years since it'd happened last and never by this man. Once the shock had faded, his eyes narrowed until they were thin as knives and cut right through the other.

"Well, you sure as hell didn't have to make me out to be a dumb ass!" he snapped. This time, his voice didn't crack.

"Seems like that's the only way you know how to learn..." While he still sounded gruff, Saibara's voice had softened, his eyes filled with regret. However, the moment soon passed, and after clearing his throat, he began again with more force. "Maybe it's time for you to move out."

"What? You gonna try and send me back to my father then?" The old man shook his head.

"Can't very well do that without knowing where the hell he is, can I?" His grandson only looked away. "Nope. You're gonna stay at the inn from here on out... and you're gonna work for it. I won't pay a damn thing."

"Yeah? And how's that?"

"You're gonna be working for me as my apprentice. That's how." Gray bristled, his eyes caught somewhere between anger and confusion. "Ain't no sense you stayin' here, that's for sure... Not with that temper of yours." Like yours is any better, he thought bitterly as he nursed his aching jaw. "This place is too small for the both of us anyway with you gettin' to be a man an' all."

At first, he wasn't sure if he heard right. Praise was just something couldn't have come from his grandfather... and yet the other's steady gaze was enough for him to know that he meant exactly what was said. He felt his face warm again, but he didn't say a word. After all, what could be said... to something like that?

"Your training starts today." His words spend, Saibara headed back out the door, a soft smile on his thin cracked lips, but Gray made no move to follow him. He only stood there for a time as he smiled to himself as well. Of course, that was only until his grandfather called for him...

"Gray, get your lazy ass in here and get to work for this young lady!"