Chapter 66: Recounting an Escapade

Mio refused to get comfortable until he heard about Cassiro. He was covered in blankets, fed, watered, and told not to move from the bed. Mio snarled at the nurse, but he slowly gave in. The nurse said gently, "when I know of Cassiro's condition, I will tell you." She walked away as he sat here four hours of silence… Mio was very scared for his friend, but he was even more scared of everything Cassiro told him… All the blankets in the world could not warm him from the truth… His eyes drifted close as he remembered the past thirteen hours…

Cassiro slipped into the frozen pond and screamed when Mio chased after him and found Cassiro hanging onto a frozen piece of ice... Mio slipped down closer to the pond and threw a rope. Cassiro ignored the rope as he shivered violently and said, "Leave…me…"

Mio couldn't believe his ears as he said, "grab the rope!"

Cassiro sighed and said, "I…am…not…worth saving…"

Mio snarled, "why?"

Cassiro said, "I…am…a spy…for Settori…"

Mio stalled breathing and stared at Cassiro. Cassiro sobbed as he said, "I…was asked to tell him information…about Goda and you…"

Cassiro shivered and said, "I could not tell you the truth…that's why…I sobbed when you called me your friend…"

Mio snarled, "I TRUSTED YOU! This…" He almost wanted to hit Cassiro, but he was going to die in the water. Mio said, "Grab the rope, so I can kick your ass out here."

Cassiro whimpered as he did as told. Mio used all his strength to pull Cassiro to him. Cassiro stared at Mio as he shivered; Mio glared at him and started to remove Cassiro's clothes. He yelped and tried to stop Mio; Mio slapped his hands away and continued to take all the clothes off.

Mio took off his bag and used some old rags to cover Cassiro's feet. He stood and made Cassiro stand close to him. Mio unzipped his coat and sweater to allow Cassiro to access his body heat. He enclosed Cassiro into a tight embrace as they stood there.

Cassiro shivered as he said, "we…are lost…right?"

Mio nodded and said, "We need to get to the forest. The mountain pass is not safe…" He shivered when the mountain began to rumble under their feet. Mio gulped and said, "run…AVALANCHE!"

Cassiro yelped as they ran…the snow was slightly faster as they were swept into the waves of snow, trees, rocks, dirt and limbs of bushes. Mio swam hard to keep a float of the waves of snow as he went to Cassiro. They were quickly slammed into the forest as Cassiro hit his head and slumped to the ground. Mio was rolled away as he quickly went back to Cassiro. Blood started to seep from Cassiro's head wound…

Mio felt his body wanted to run and hide…but he gulped. He took his friend's right arm and carried Cassiro in bridal style. Mio shifted to keep Cassiro close to his body heat as Mio quickly moved to a huge tree to rest for a moment.

Cassiro woke slowly and mumbled, "My head hurts…" He kept shivering as Mio cooed, "stay awake…sleeping in snow is…"

Mio gulped when he found himself slowly surrounded by wolves. He turned Cassiro's head away as he twisted to grab his flare in his pocket. Mio pointed it at the wolves as the wolves slowly walked away… He moaned as he fired the flare into the air. Mio turned to Cassiro.

Cassiro's face was twisted in pain and exhaustion…he mumbled, "Totio…to think I wanted to know more about you…"

Mio snickered as he walked on…he walked a little more; he was hoping for better shelter and some warmth. He found a place a few meters away from the wolves found them; Mio set Cassiro down as he gave his coat for Cassiro to sit on, and he felt for his bag on his back. Mio moaned as he searched his pockets…he had three candy bars. He took one as he gave one to Cassiro.

Cassiro moaned and said, "No…"

Mio took off his shirt and wrapped Cassiro's head. He placed Cassiro carefully against the tree again. Mio took some of his candy bar and chewed it to mushy bits; he came to Cassiro's mouth and placed his mouth over Cassiro's to place the mess inside Cassiro's mouth. Cassiro shivered, but he accepted the mess and swallowed. Mio did this a few times as he took his own candy bar and ate it slowly. He wrapped Cassiro close to him as he shivered with Cassiro.

Cassiro's wet body made Mio cold, but they needed each other's body heat. They shivered together as Mio looked up. He prayed…for a miracle to save their lives…anyone…just save them. Mio kept thinking about Juss to keep himself occupied as Cassiro kept mumbling about Totio. They shivered and kept close as Mio felt more blood…Cassiro was badly wounded. Mio enclosed his hands and prayed harder…they needed a miracle faster…if Cassiro was going to live.

Mio was near to giving up when he heard a scream. He sat up and turned. Footsteps ran to them…within a few minutes, Totio stood before them. Mio slowly smirked as doctors and Sensei Laire came to check on them.

Mio sighed as he returned to the present and opened his eyes… He looked outside his window, and he saw snow gently falling down in the lighted outside. Mio had no idea what day it was, but he groaned when he heard breathing near his feet. His eyes enlarged as he stiffened in his bed when he turned to the person beside him. The last person on earth he thought would be near the door of his room…Fuyuhiko Usami sat there and stared at Mio.

Fuyuhiko sighed and said, "I thought Akihiko was lying…apparently, he was not."

Mio just stared at him as he slowly said, "Why…are you here?"

Fuyuhiko stood and looked down to him. He said, "What are your plans? Are you trying to destroy my family? Are you planning to steal the family name for your personal gain? What about your thief-of-a-mother? Why…are you here?"

Mio blinked a few times and said, "I do not want to destroy this family…please do not make me an outsider. I…may have some of your DNA, but…that does not mean I want your name."

Fuyuhiko stalled his breathing for a moment as Mio continued, "I do not expect anything from you…other than this. Cold indifference. You can hate me…since I am still angry about New Year's."

Mio gasped when Fuyuhiko sighed and sat down beside him. He watched the small changes in Fuyuhiko's face…Fuyuhiko had a face of anger to confusion in small motions. Mio shivered more when Fuyuhiko's hand slowly touched his. He slowly smiled and gripped it back.

"So…you were hurt by homosexuality too, huh?" Mio asked as Fuyuhiko turned to him.

Fuyuhiko said simply, "homosexuality has very little to offer you. Stop playing a game that burns you in the end."

Mio smiled and said, "I can't…my adopted father tried to stop me. Usami-san, I am gay. Deal with it."

Fuyuhiko sniffed and turned away. But his hand never left Mio's…he said, "You are just like Haruhiko and Akihiko…stubborn and too involved with their partners. When will all of you learn?"

Mio rubbed Fuyuhiko's fingers and said, "When will you?"

Fuyuhiko turned back as Mio smirked at him. He opened and closed his mouth. Fuyuhiko snarled, "I am not apologizing for that…incident. You spoke out of terms."

Mio snickered and said, "I did not expect you to apologize. But I hope…someday…we can talk like family…that is what I wished for at New Year's."

Fuyuhiko slowly smiled and said, "Wishes do not come true if you tell another person…"

Mio moaned dramatically and said, "Darn! Oh well…"

Fuyuhiko fully smiled as they stared at each other. He sighed and said, "It's unreal how much you look like Akihiko…yet…not. You are so…what word fits you?"

Mio sighed and said, "Weird?"

Fuyuhiko chuckled and said, "I am not sure but…" He stared at their enjoined hands and finished, "when I heard about you being lost…I actually ran to my car and sat there while my driver asked me why I was sitting there. Mio…I do not know what to do other than this… Your mother…should have told me about your existence."

Mio nodded and said, "I bet you would have not come to see me…or make a drastic change from the way we react to each other now. But…can I call you…Dad?" His eyes connected with the black eyes…he could see the hurt, anger, and confusion building in Fuyuhiko. Mio watched when Fuyuhiko leaned close…to place a kiss on Mio's forehead.

Fuyuhiko sighed and whispered, "Not yet…I need more time to think." He gently removed his hand from Mio's and went to grab his coat. Fuyuhiko finished, "we need to have a talk soon. Come when you are ready, and be sure to have Haruhiko bring you. Alright?"

Mio smiled and nodded. He said, "thank you for coming."

Fuyuhiko stalled as he smiled…really smiled. He said, "Next time, do not get lost." Fuyuhiko bowed gently and walked away.

Mio sighed as he lifted, painfully, his right hand. He could not believe…Fuyuhiko, here. Mio smirked gently as he replaced his hand down. He could hear more footsteps as the nurse came to see him.

She smirked and said, "There is quite a few guests to see you. Would you like to see a certain person or I choose for you?"

Mio said, "Usami, Akihiko first. Alone…please."

The nurse smirked and said, "of course, I hope you did not mind your father was here. He was very…persistent and urged to be by your side. He has been here for nearly ten hours since you fell asleep."

Mio slightly flushed and said, "Wow…Cassiro. What about him?"

The nurse sighed and said, "His parents had him transferred to another hospital in Tokyo. But he was in good health before he was moved; awake and most of his wounds were fine to move him. His parents were not happy with the school…I could not overhear that…" She sighed and finished, "you friend…is not returning to your high school."

Mio paled as he said, "why?"

The nurse said, "His parents, well mother, told the principal that they were in the middle of a divorce. Also, Mrs. Jubular has friends at…America. She plans to move quickly with Cassiro as soon as…Mio?"

Mio's tears quickly down his face came as he said, "damn…damn!" He gripped his sheets and finished, "thanks…for telling me."

The nurse sighed and said, "I was not supposed to…but since you two fought so hard to stay alive on that mountain. I thought…he might want to know about his friend. Excuse me! I was coming to get one visitor at a time."

Mio turned as both his brothers stood outside his door. Akihiko looked tired but smiled. Haruhiko smirked slowly as Haruhiko said, "I am Allens-san's brother as well. I would like to come to see him."

The nurse snarled but turned to Mio. She said, "Would you like these men to see you, Allens-san?"

Mio nodded as the tears slowly stopped. He watched as the Usami brothers enter the room and close the door. Both brothers took a chair and came close to Mio.

Akihiko said, "Cassiro told us a little bit about the escapade. Can you fill in the holes?"

Mio nodded as he explained everything. He did not tell them about the Settori part, but he did explain about everything else.

Haruhiko simply looked expressionless as he said, "how…when…damn. I never expected this from you…"

Akihiko looked stunned as he said, "I must agree…this must be a huge ordeal on your mind. Are you sure you are alright?"

Mio nodded as he said, "is it true what the nurse said? Cassiro…is leaving Japan?"

Akihiko nodded as he said, "his mother was very vocal at the exit when she exclaimed she was leaving with Cassiro soon to go to America. She also is suing the school…"

Mio said, "Please do not sue the school, Akihiko. They did not do this… I only chased after Cassiro to save his life. Cassiro…he was confused. This…is unfair." He turned away as he mumbled, "Why…why did this have to happen?"

Akihiko stood and sat beside Mio. He said, "I did not plan to sue the school…but our father…what did he say to you? He was here…before I came."

Mio sighed and said, "Nothing much…just like before…he is slightly threatened by my existence. But…he might like me."

Akihiko snorted and said, "He is probably lying…"

Haruhiko said, "do not doubt Mio's words…father has been different lately. Also Willow is still at the main house. That man…he is different, but father has not forced Willow out yet either. I question father on many levels for this behavior…but mostly for this. Would father run this far for Akihiko and me?"

Mio turned to both brothers. He smiled and said, "Yes, he would. Our father may have a hard time with his homosexuality and expressing himself…but I believe…he would run a million, no ten million miles…if any of us were hurt."

Akihiko's face was blank as his eyes enlarged. He opened and closed his mouth five times before he kept his mouth closed. He breathed silently as he turned away.

Haruhiko blinked a few times as he too turned away. He breathed deeply as Mio just watched his brothers.

Mio said, "Both of you…need to love father. Our father needs you both…more than both of you will ever see. Show him your lovers and be yourselves. Common, why are you—"

Akihiko moaned and stood. He snarled at Mio's face, "He will not listen! He tried to break Misaki from me so many times! With tons of different little schemes and…yet he came all this way to spend hours watching you…that does not change a thing…"

Haruhiko said, "Mio…do you really believe in what you said…before? The moment we left our mothers' wombs…you lost control of our destinies… Like falling in love?" He held his shirt in front of his chest and finished, "I…am in love. I know it…more deeply and stupidly than ever before." He stared at Mio and begged, "what should I do? I know my motions are being watched by father…what should I do? What should I do…"

Akihiko snickered and said, "Aren't you an adult? You're asking a teenager for love advice…cute."

Haruhiko snarled at him as he looked at Mio. His face begged for Mio's advice…

Mio said, "Love him, Haruhiko. Our father might dislike the idea and watch you…in protection. Believe in your heart; it will always lead you in the right direction."

Haruhiko released his shirt as he opened and closed his mouth. He slowly went to the door and ran out…

Akihiko watched as he spun to Mio. He said, "Who…are you? You changed so much! You…made Hiroki into a softer person… You made me…into this…" He looked deeply into Mio's eyes and finished, "I…cried so much in the past couple of hours…in fear of your death… Look at me! I never ran or did this for anyone other than Misaki… Mio…please…tell me this. What is your next plan? I need time and preparation to allow myself to get used to this much action."

Mio snickered and said, "I am going to sing, have fun, and…make waves with this family. I want to be your brother, not an…" He stopped talking as Akihiko came to him and hugged him.

Akihiko held him close and said, "I love you Mio…as my little brother…and thanks…for coming and…doing all of this…"

Mio weakly hugged Akihiko back and said, "What I did I do that was so special?"

Akihiko snickered lightly and said, "You taught me…how to love Misaki deeper and better than before…also…you gave me other reasons to write. You…are amazing. Please…never stop doing what you do. I have to write about this…"

Mio giggled and cuddled close to Akihiko. He said, "I love you too…and thanks…for opening the door to your home…and heart."