Bath Time Fever
Even though a few hours had passed since the ghost story disaster, Yata Misaki was still feeling the warm flush of shame and embarrassment lingering in his cheeks. Although Fushimi had chased after the crow to try to calm him down, he ended up exacerbating the issue.
"Just leave me the fuck alone Saruhiko! It's already bad enough when people saw me cling onto you earlier, but now you've come after me. I'm really just going to look like some fucking pathetic, girly wimp who can't even handle a simple ghost story!"
Fushimi clicked his tongue. "Who cares what other people think?"
"Saru, I care what other people think! I don't want to embarrass Mikoto-san and make the Red clan look bad. I don't want Mikoto-san to get upset or disappointed in me. Mikoto-san is my hero after all."
Mikoto-san, Mikoto-san, Mikoto-san. Every time that name rolled off of the amber-eyed man's tongue, he could feel his bitter resenment for the crimson-haired man increase. No matter what Saruhiko did, he could never become more important in Yata's life than his precious Mikoto-san. His marred skin over his HOMRA tattoo itched and bothered him every day, as he could remember Misaki slowly fading away from his life. All due to that one man.
"Hmmmm? But in the end, aren't you really just some 'fucking pathetic, girl wimp who can't even handle a simple ghost story'? Stop fucking kidding yourself, Misaki. Garbage always ends up piling on top of more garbage. You continue to waste your time with worthless people and lifting your king of the trash heap. When are you going to wake up and smell the shit around you, Misaki?"
Yata grabbed onto Saruhiko's collar. "I'm going to fucking kick your sorry ass!"
The two began to brawl out in the hall, frightening all of the other guests at the inn. Both Seri and Izumo swiftly came in and stopped the fight before they accrued another bill. "You two need to grow up! I want the both of you to go take a bath and let your heads cool off!" Izumo shouted as he smacked both Yata and Fushimi upside the head.
Not wanting to test Kusanagi's patience any further, the two went to the men's bathroom immediately. Kanamoto soon followed as the blond man wanted him to keep an eye out for any fighting. As the three began to undress, they saw the Black Dog already wrapped in a towel.
"Kuro Inu! Why the hell are you here too? Shouldn't you be with your King right now!?" the crow shouted.
"Not that it's any of your business, but Shiro is currently having a drink with the Gold King. Despite him looking like a teenager, the Silver King is really ninety years old." As he opened the door to the main bath area, he continued on, "You need to stop shouting all the time and learn how to relax. You should remain calm and clear of negative emotions when you take a bath. Let the water cleanse your soul."
Wrapping a towel around his waist, Misaki began to follow Yatogami to the large tub. Kanamoto and Fushimi soon followed after. The water was being supplied from the hot springs itself, so the entire bathroom was steamy and warm.
"Uhh…so I got to ask, but why are you carrying your saber into the bathroom with you Fushimi?" Kanamoto asked.
Recalling the brawl he just had with the Red vanguard, Fushimi clicked his tongue and replied, "As if I could be around you guys without protecting myself. Besides, the Black Dog over there also has this sword with him, so why don't you ask him the same question?"
"I would never leave something as precious as Ichigen-sama's sword out in the open. It could be stolen."
The four sat in the water in without making a sound. However, the tension was overwhelming within the confines of the bathroom. Rikio could no longer stand the silence. "So…I heard that the girls were getting along well. Apparently they were talking about the guys they like. So…do you guys have anyone you like?"
The question had hit a nerve in both Yata and Fushimi. They had spent the entire weekend battling their emotions on whether or not they loved or hated each other, as it constantly teeter-tottered back and forth. The two could not understand each other, and what the other person was thinking. Unlike most people out there, the two found it too difficult to simply ask.
"A person I like…" Kuro began to ponder.
"Ehhhh? You have someone you like, Kuro Inu?" Rikio's ears perked up with interest. He quickly regretted pursing this, as Yatogami spent the next ten minutes straight talking about Miwa Ichigen, the previous Colorless King that he served under. Feeling extremely dizzy and warm, Fushimi became increasingly irritated.
"Creepy," the Blue clansman said to Kuro.
"…Why do I get the feeling that you should be the last person to be telling me I'm being creepy."
"I totally understand what you mean Kuro Inu. Fushimi has always been a weird-ass person," Kanamoto said.
Feeling himself lose control over his body, Saruhiko quickly stood up to get away from the others. "I'm leaving," he said flatly. His gait was unsteady as he began to wobble towards the door.
Seeing how flushed Fushimi began to look made the crow concerned, despite the fact that they were on bad terms with each other at the moment. "Hmmm, Saru, are you feeling okay? You don't look so well."
The room was beginning to spin for the blue-haired man, but he would never show any weakness to others. "Shut up, I'm fine."
The little vanguard of HOMRA sighed. "You've always been like this since middle school. You never want to admit when you need help.
Although this was true, Saruhiko couldn't help but to remember how Misaki could always tell when something bad was happening to him. Whether it was catching a cold or having an argument with his parents, Yata's instincts were spot on when it came to Fushimi's distress. If Saruhiko got sick, Misaki would show up at his place with hot and cold packs, various cold remedies, and ingredients to make porridge. Though the porridge was always too salty, or burnt, or just plain disgusting, Fushimi couldn't help but to eat every last bit, as it carried Misaki's feelings within it.
The little crow wrapped Saruhiko's arm around his shoulders and propped up the blue-eyed man beside him. "I guess it can't be helped. Kanamoto, go ahead and tell Mikoto-san that I won't be coming to the banquet party tonight. I'm going to take him back to the room."
Fushimi swatted Yata's hand away. "Stop bothering with me. I'm okay so go to your little party tonight."
As the four left the bathroom, they changed into their yukatas and walked out to the main hallway. The Scepter 4 officer's vision began to get less and less focused as he felt lightheaded.
To their surprise, there stood the women clansmen—scantily clad, if wearing anything at all.
"Kyaaaa!" Misaki instantly buried his face into Rikio's back.
"How shameless!" Kuro said in disgust as he saw Awashima.
The blonde Scepter 4 officer was wearing a kimono that looked at least three sizes too small for her bustline, as most of her chest was exposed. Normally well-mannered and strictly professional, the woman was known to do a complete 180 once she became drunk.
"Ugh…she looks drunk…" Fushimi didn't want to deal with his superior, especially when she was sloshing about.
"OH MY GOD! LOOK! THAT GIRL IS COMPLETELY NAKED!" Kanamoto pointed at Neko, who wasn't even wearing a yukata over her body.
Kurogami shook his head as he face palmed. "That girl…never listens. I'll go do something about it."
As Yatogami charged towards the Cat Girl, he shouted, "Hey Neko! Stop acting so shameless and put on clothes already! HEY STOP RUNNING AWAY FROM ME AND GET BACK HERE!"
After the Black Dog and Neko disappeared from view, Kanamoto asked, "Yata-san…how much longer are you going to be hiding like that? They're already gone you know."
"Shut up!" Misaki's face was still bright pink. "Anyway, since you said you're fine, I'm going to head to the banquet party, so see ya Saru."
As the two Red clansmen began to walk away, Fushimi could hear Mikoto's name come up at least three or more times in his conversation. Lightheaded, annoyed, and burning up, Saruhiko began to charge at Yata, grabbing onto his shoulder before he walked any further.
"MISAKI! Stop ignoring me!"
"Haaaa? You're the one that said you were fine in the first place! And stop saying my name like that!"
"Mi-Sa-Ki! Miii-saaaa-kiiiiiii~ Mi—ughhhh…" the blue-eyed man felt his legs give out completely.
Yata's eyes widened in surprise as he moved to catch the taller man. But whether it was poor positioning or just not being strong enough, Saruhiko's hands began to slip all the way down his back, finding respite around his hips.
"Wahhhh! Where the hell do you think you're grabbing, you idiot!"
The two both lost their balance as they landed on the floor together—Fushimi's face was planted against Yata's bare chest. Before he blacked out, the last thing that came out of Saruhiko's mouth was the one name he would never tire of saying. "Mi…sa…ki…"