Chapter 29
(A.N: Okay guys! I finally managed to update this! Sorry it took me so long to get it out to you...But, it's here now! Hope it's good! And I'd really love for you guys to read the AN at the end of the chapter, too. But for now, ENJOY! TT means time passing, or scene changes. R&R? I'd appreciate it!)
Answering Reviews:
mutilated-butterfly:
Glad to know that you're as fond of the characters as I am! And I'm sorry for making you cry, but at least you get to laugh and daydream too, right?
yotzie:
Glad you loved it! And yeah, I wanted to end that chapter on a good note, because there was just so much angst...
ShingestsuXMangetsu:
I had to add in the locket. From the minute that Fai touched it in chapter nineteen, I knew that it would have to play an important role.
TrueDespair:
Well, firstly, I'm glad that I threw you off with the name thing. I didn't want it to happen in an easy way, and this seemed like a good way to play it out. This was a lot of angst and I wanted to give Tomoyo more of a character depth. Something that made her wise, and not just cute and friendly. I also wanted to add on to Chi's character a bit more.
And secondly, I was actually waiting for the two of them to get together myself. As odd as that may sound. I planned on them becoming engaged...I just found that it took forever for it to actually happen – because my imagination kept coming up with other things to add.
Nokia 5233:
Glad to have made your day!
Luimeril:
I'm glad that it provokes so much emotion! I've become really attached to these characters...So I suppose I just let myself feel what they're going through, and express it to the best of my ability. And yes, there will be more.
Carmen Veiga:
Glad it made you feel for the characters! Thanks for reviewing!
sammycrusinx:
I'm sending you on an emotional roller coaster!
And I believe I answered this for you in a PM, but I'll answer it here too, so others can see it – in case they were confused. Back in chapter twenty-five, Fai attempted suicide. In chapter twenty-six Kurogane was with him in the hospital room. He reminded him that he loved him, and he kissed him. And Fai's heart started beating a little faster. And he was hooked up to a heart monitor – which meant that more people could hear it.
So, in the last chapter, when Fai awoke in the hospital again, with Kurogane at his side, the raven told him that he wasn't angry with him for lying. He reminded Fai that he loved him, and needed him – which made Fai's heart beat fast again. And Chi found it funny, because she could hear it happening.
Hope that helps people out!
foxyaoi123, Faceless Charmer & The Black Sheep Juri:
Thank you for reviewing!
3hourmonologue:
You seriously read this from start to, "finish," within three hours? I bow to your awesomeness. And thank you, for taking the time to read it...And for liking it enough to review it. Wow. And don't worry! It's not over yet! I still have more for these guys...Kind of reluctant to let them go, really...
Luna-Discord:
Glad you love it! That means a lot to me!
TT
The blonde had woken up early – again. This time though – as he shifted to get up – his boyfriend—
No, his fiancée...Woke up, and questioned him on where it was that he was going. When Fai reassured him that he was just going downstairs – the raven sighed, and sat up, murmuring that he'd be down soon as well.
Fai wandered wordlessly into the bathroom to freshen up – knowing that he had brought this upon himself. He would have to earn Kurogane's trust, as he had lost it...But he didn't allow himself to think about it. He didn't want to remember how he had managed to lose the raven's trust, or the other consequences that could have come from his actions. He simply did his morning ritual, before heading downstairs.
However, as he was descending, he heard a click – which was followed by a startled gasp...
He didn't give himself a chance to think. He dashed down the stairs, and flicked on the hallway light – stepping out in front of a terrified looking Subaru. Raiko stirred, and opened his eyes...Only to find Shooter pointing his gun at Fai.
"Babe, what are you doing? Put that away!"
It was a moment of frenzied confusion. Shooter lowered the gun, switching on the safety. Raiko finally noticed Subaru, standing behind Fai – terrified. The blonde sighed in relief that things hadn't ended badly. And the raven behind him took off, running up the stairs.
"Subaru! Wait!" That was Fai, who went to chase him...But he paused when he heard two bodies colliding upstairs.
"Ow! What the-?" That was definitely Kamui – who was not a morning person, by any standards. Fai cursed under his breath, knowing that things had just taken a turn for the worse.
"...Subaru? Why are you crying?" The older of the two raven haired males, was now completely confused. And concerned.
He hugged the boy that he considered to be his brother close, as he turned into a wreck in his arms – crying, and clinging. Subaru tried to catch his breath, knowing that this was dangerous. Knowing that Kamui was the very last person that should hear about this...But he was scared. He'd just had a gun aimed at him – which had reminded him of a scary moment from his history...
One that he'd never told a soul about.
"Subaru...What the hell happened?" The harsh question was spoken in a gentle tone. Kamui was upset, because he hated to have Subaru crying. He hated being confused – especially in the morning. But most of all, he hated that the younger raven couldn't even calm down enough to tell him what was wrong.
Seishiro and Fuuma were both in the hallway by now. They both questioned their respective counterparts on what was happening – Seishiro was met with a crying boyfriend, Fuuma was met with an; "That's what I'd like to know!"
Subaru tried to calm himself back down – knowing that he was letting this get out of hand...But the images were in his head. He felt like a child again. And he hated to feel like a child. He hated it because it reminded him of how scary the world could be.
It reminded him of that day.
Somehow, he forced himself out of Kamui's hold. He knew that the male would baby him...And he didn't want that. He knew who he could find reality in, while still being comforted. It was the only person in his life who didn't question every frown – but looked out for him in silence, nonetheless. The one person who knew how to handle him when he broke down.
Seishiro.
He was one of his best friends...But he was so much more to him than that. He was his boyfriend, his lover. The person he sought comfort in. And, although he loved Kamui dearly, it was Seishiro that he needed at that time.
And – because they were so silently in tune with one another – the mentioned male was understanding as the shorter raven found his way into his arms. He smoothed down Subaru's hair as Fai came up around the corner, and – after doing so – he spoke,
"Stand up. No need for you to continue this in the hallway."
Kamui was quick to become angry,
"What's wrong with you? Can't you see that he's upset? You bastard! He's-!" His voice trailed as the shorter raven did as he was told. He got to his feet – and Seishiro followed. The taller raven led his boyfriend back to their room for some much needed privacy.
Kurogane stepped out into the hallway just as Subaru's bedroom door closed, and looked to his fiancée in confusion,
"...What just happened?"
Kamui answered, even though the question had been aimed at Fai,
"That's what I want to know!"
TT
He locked the door behind them, and watched as his boyfriend headed for the bed – collapsing onto it in a heap of tears. He approached him, and sat himself down on the bed,
"Are you ready to tell me what's wrong?"
Subaru shook his head from side to side, still crying.
"Okay then. I'll wait." He held the younger male in his arms, but didn't speak to him. He knew him well enough to know that he didn't want him to talk. He just wanted to curl up in a place of comfort, and cry himself out. If he could do that, he'd be able to speak, and he wouldn't feel like a child in the process.
It wasn't easy for Seishiro to sit in silence as Subaru cried...But he'd had practice. He'd learned over time that he was meant to be quiet during these breakdowns. It was Subaru's way of getting over it. He needed the silence. He needed the occasional reassurance as well...But that came with a trigger. The taller raven wouldn't speak until Subaru spoke the triggering term. And it felt like an eternity before he heard it stutter its way past his boyfriend's lips,
"S-Sei-Sei-kun..."
"I'm right here, Subaru." It was a gentle reassurance that he was, in fact, still present. Because, although the shorter raven was curled up in his arms physically; psychologically – he wasn't there at all. He was fighting his way through his pain. Speaking the nickname, and hearing his boyfriend's voice responding, was his way of becoming anchored down, and returning to reality. A slow process, but it worked.
It was Subaru's way.
The nickname was spoken once more, throughout the course of ten minutes. It hadn't been a long cry – at least, not as long as Seishiro had anticipated - which meant that Subaru was running from it. Whatever it was that was plaguing his mind – he was trying to escape it.
The crying subsided.
"Better?" It was gentle, as he wasn't sure if Subaru was back yet or not.
"Mm. Better." The shorter male wiped at his eyes, and sighed. Sighing was a good sign. It meant that he was coming back around. He was coming out of his trance.
"Where did you go?" He knew that the shorter raven would understand the question. He wasn't asking about where he had gone after leaving the bed...He was asking where he'd gone mentally.
There was a moment of silence – which was never a good sign – before the shorter raven spoke once more. His eyes turned hazy,
"I was six. I was staying at my Uncle's house for a week, during the summer. I'd fallen asleep on the couch – watching movies...And they hadn't wanted to move me. Their room was just down the hall, so they figured I'd be okay on the couch. They went to bed. Someone broke into the house. We all woke up. My Aunt called the police. My Uncle told her to stay in the bedroom – with the door locked - so she did...And, he came to get me."
Seishiro didn't push his boyfriend for the details. He simply waited in silence.
"...The intruder had a gun...My Uncle saw that he was pointing it at me...He...He got in the way..." Fresh tears stung at the male's eyes,
"The police showed up...They shot the attacker down, because he wouldn't drop his weapon, and he had me as a hostage...My Uncle covered his wound best he could, and my Aunt came out to sit with us. He told us how much he loved us...Touched my face with his bloodied hand, and told me not to let the experience change me. He told me not to let myself become a different person...But, I'd already changed...And..." The tears were rolling by now, and he choked on his emotions,
"...He died before the ambulance could get there..."
Seishiro did the math himself. This involved a gun – and one of Fai's friends had a gun. He must've aimed it at Subaru – who had likely come downstairs quietly, in the hopes of not waking the two males that were asleep on the couch...
"Sei-kun..." His soft voice whimpered. Seishiro held his boyfriend closer, with a simple murmur of,
"I'm right here, Subaru...And that won't be changing anytime soon."
TT
Shooter had explained to the group that he didn't like to be snuck up on. He knew that that hadn't been Subaru's intention, but sneaking around in the darkness was a bad idea. He'd been taught from an early age, that if that ever happened, he was to point his weapon, get a visual, and quickly determine whether or not the person happened to be an enemy.
He'd been firing a gun since he was a child. In his old neighbourhood – you had two choices; walk around without a weapon, and risk dying, or carry a gun. He'd always chosen the latter.
Kamui had become viciously angry when he'd realized that Subaru had had a gun pointed at him...But Fai and Fuuma worked as a team to keep him under control. Fuuma kept him sitting down, and close by...And Fai reminded him that he'd acted quickly and gotten in the way – preventing Subaru from becoming harmed in any way.
Of course this upset Kurogane, who let it be known that he'd rather not lose his fiancée to a gunshot wound, within their home, or otherwise. And Fai had to gently remind him that if anyone in the house was going to be shot at, it might as well be him – as he was dying anyway.
Fuuma and Raiko found themselves teaming up to stop the inevitable battle.
"Come on you two...Things finally got calm around here, don't start this up again," Fuuma spoke up, running a hand through his hair. It was too damn early to be dealing with this. Calming Kamui down was one thing, but these two...
"Oh stay out of it, Fuuma!" That was Kurogane – who was already angry. First thing in the morning – it was just never a good thing.
"Leave him alone, Kurogane! He's trying to help! No need to be a jerk!" That was definitely Fai. And he wasn't liking this argument any more than anyone else in the room.
"Oh, I'm sorry, am I supposed to be cheerful after you say something like that?" Obvious sarcasm. Kurogane was supremely angry. Borderline livid.
And Fai knew just what buttons to push, to send him over that edge.
He closed his mouth, and crossed his arms over his chest. It didn't take Kurogane long to clue in to what was going on.
"Oh no. You're not going to play the silence game with me today!" He was definitely being pushed over that edge. But the blonde didn't speak. At least, not verbally. His eyes said enough. He was indeed going to play this game today.
"Dammit, Fai! Why do you have to be so stub-"
"—Fai? Kurogane?" Another voice was questioning them, so they both turned to look.
Subaru was standing there, with Seishiro behind him. His face was apologetic,
"I'm sorry...This is all my fault..."
"Subaru!" Kamui rushed forward, embracing the younger male tightly. Subaru smiled, returning the hug,
"I'm fine, Kamui. Really."
"...It's not your fault, Subaru. It was a simple misunderstanding," that was Fai – who directed his attention to the shorter raven as he spoke the words.
"It's my fault that you and Kurogane are arguing though...I'm sorry for putting him in harm's way, Kurogane."
The raven sighed, and went to reply...But he was cut off by a voice as it travelled down the hallway.
"You guys aren't fighting again, are you?" The voice clearly belonged to Chi – who appeared around the corner, adjusting the hem of her shirt,
"It's a big day you know." She leant against the wall nearest her, and sighed,
"I hate to put you guys in such a tight spot, but you're all going to have to deal with our Father today. I know how much you hate him...But, be civil, alright?" She met Kurogane's gaze for a moment, with another silent message, for him; don't let my brother out of your sight.
She met the gazes of Fuuma and Kamui as well, knowing that – next to Kurogane – they would be the ones who kept the closest watch on Fai.
Her gaze finally turned to Shooter, and Raiko,
"As for you two...I don't want you to feel as though you have to hide your relationship from him. Just, be yourselves, and enjoy the celebration, okay?"
TT
Kurogane had paid to have a building rented out for the day – and that meant that the kitchen was included. And that was exactly where Fai set himself to work. He wasn't working alone. He was teaching Fuuma, Kamui, Subaru, and Syaoran – as he set himself to work. He also had help from Watanuki – though he had experience in the kitchen, and didn't really need any training.
"So, Syaoran-kun," Fai spoke up amidst the quiet conversations. There was a smile on his face, and he was trying to contain his amusement,
"How does it feel, to be the only straight guy in the kitchen?"
Syaoran blinked, looked around himself, and then met the blonde's gaze once more,
"Honestly, I didn't even notice."
The room erupted into laughter, and Fai shook his head as he worked. He liked Syaoran. He was so honest, and easy to tease.
"It's not really something that I pay attention to...Not because it bothers me, but rather, because it doesn't change who you are as people." Syaoran was smiling as he made his statement. In his mind, it was a simple explanation. In their eyes, it meant everything.
TT
"Hey Daddy," she spoke up as she appeared at the table. The others were all off a distance – talking, and filling up their plates. So it was just the two of them.
He gestured to the chair across from his, and she took it. His eyes wandered back to the group of people that Chi considered friends. His son stood among them – currently shaking head, with a smile, as Raiko animatedly recounted one of their adventures, to some of their friends.
"Dad?" Chi questioned him gently, knowing that he was watching Fai. But he didn't return his attention to her. His eyes were locked on his son, as he laughed at whatever it was that Raiko had just finished explaining. Kurogane turned his attention to them, looking bothered, but Fai waved him off – probably reminding him that it –whatever it was – had happened a long time ago. Tomoyo was there, to calm her cousin back down as well. It worked.
Then Fai turned his attention back to Raiko and Shooter, and went to begin a story about something more recent, but he stopped. His attention had fallen to his Father. And his eyes grew, before he managed to turn himself away again.
Chi had had enough.
She stood up, pushing her chair back at the same time. She kept her hands on the table – needing the support. And then, with a force she hadn't known existed, she showed her anger towards her Father.
"STOP IT!"
His attention returned to her, and his expression changed to display his confusion.
"When will it be enough for you? He's not hurting anyone! He's happy! For the first time in a long time, he's genuinely happy! Why can't you just accept that?" She shook her head, squeezing her eyes shut, trying to avoid the tears,
"I know about what happened to you...But it isn't like that with him. For Yuui...For him, Kurogane is everything. And Kurogane would never hurt him...They love each other..." She opened her eyes once more, glaring him down, with as much courage as she could maintain.
"When will you open your eyes and realize that? When are you going to open your eyes, and realize that what you're doing is wrong? He's my baby brother, and I love him...I've stood idly by, for far too long...I should have stopped you sooner. Every time I pull his head above the surface – you're right there, drowning him all over again...If you didn't want to see him, then you should have stayed out of his life. If you didn't want your own son, then you should have stayed away. Do you know how many times I've nearly lost him? How many times he's tried to take his own life? I was asking for one day, Dad. One day. One day of my brother celebrating with his family, and not being afraid, or hurt. One day of him being himself, in front of you, and you accepting him...You couldn't even give me one goddamn day." She shook her head and stepped away from the table. She turned towards the others – not really seeing them – and ran in their direction. She was blinded by the tears. Tears that she hated to be crying.
It didn't take long for him to reach her. He called out her name, and she'd known that he'd come running. And she was glad that he was there – that he met up with her, and brought her into his embrace. Because she needed him. She would always need him, and it scared her to think that he wouldn't always be there.
Why didn't their Father want to know him while he still had the chance to do so?
"Hey, it's okay...It's okay..." He was holding her close, and running his hand through her hair. She pressed her face into his shoulder, clinging to him. He was skinny, and fragile, and she could feel it through the tux that he was currently dressed in. But in his arms, she could feel some muscle. And in his heart – which was beating beneath one of her hands – she could feel his love. And that was his strongest area. He was good at many things...But loving others, was the thing that he did best.
She wondered if he knew that.
"I couldn't take it anymore, Fai...I just...I stood up to him...I knew that I had to...I'm so sorry for not doing it sooner..." She clung to him more tightly, hating herself, for not standing her ground against their Father, a long time ago.
"Chi...Listen to me, okay? I'm not mad at you. I never expected you to stand up for me, because it wasn't your job to do so. I should have been standing up for myself...But I'm a coward, so I always ran away. I probably always will. I hid behind our brother, and now I hide behind Kurogane. I lean on him, even though I never wanted to lean on anyone. It's always been so unintentional...But I've realized that I rely on him. He's the reason that I haven't died yet. Because he was worth life itself...And the last time that I tried to end it all – we had been apart for so long, that I was sure that he would be able to survive without me. But, he's made it clear to me that we rather need one another." He chuckled, and hugged her closer,
"I'm rambling. What I'm trying to say is; you don't have to blame yourself, for not standing up to our Father, until now. I can't be mad at you for it, because you didn't do anything wrong. He's the one who's in the wrong. He's closed minded and that will probably never change. But don't blame yourself, for the things that he's said and done." As he spoke, Chi continued to cry against his shoulder. Her brother, who had suffered through everything throughout the entirety of his life...Didn't want her to be in even the slightest amount of pain. She had suffered so little in comparison to him...Yet he was more concerned about her, than he was about his own wellbeing.
Because loving others, was the thing that he did best.
She wondered once again, whether or not he knew that.
TT
Everyone had sat themselves down to a wonderful dinner.
The seating arrangements had been altered – so that Chi would not have to sit across from her Father, and Fai would not have to look at him. The table was actually two tables pushed together, and both were covered with black tablecloths.
Starting on one side, the order went; Watanuki, Doumeki, Seishiro, Subaru, Chi, Hideki, Hideki's Mother, Hideki's Father, Yuuko, Raiko, and Shooter. And, on the other side, starting at the seat across from Watanuki; Subaru's Mom, Taijo, Fuuma, Kamui, Fai, Kurogane, Syaoran, Sakura, Tomoyo, Primera, and Shogo. Subaru's Father was sitting on the end – between his wife, and Watanuki.
The conversations ranged across the table. People laughed, and joked...People were smiling.
Chi kept her attention away from her Father, and focused it on her brother, and the others around the table, instead. Fai didn't fail to notice, but he didn't comment, either. He knew that his sister was upset, so he wouldn't push her.
Meanwhile, Taijo found himself trapped, surrounded by homosexuals – spare the couple seated next to him. Subaru's Mother (Nori) – who was either blissfully unaware of the situation, concerning her son...Or she simply didn't care. And his Father (Kazuo) who was seated on the end, with a perfect view of everyone.
Taijo fiddled with the food on his plate, before he turned his attention to Nori. He cleared his throat, and she turned her attention to him, confusion taking its place on her features. She didn't appear bothered, however, as he started to speak.
"Nori, wasn't it?" She nodded, and he continued,
"May I ask you something?"
Her eyes were grey, with a tint of green in them. They were reflected in the eyes of her son – who sat across the table, and a few seats down. Her long black hair hung down, past her shoulders. He looked like her. Although his hair was much shorter than hers was...He resembled her.
"What's your take on this whole...Gay, thing?" It was the only wording that he could come up with, for his question.
She blinked, and her face turned thoughtful, as she looked towards her son. She watched him chuckle about something or other, as he and some of the others conversed. She watched as Seishiro kissed his boyfriend's cheek, and Subaru's face lit up. She smiled, and turned her attention back to Taijo,
"...I think it's beautiful...Two people loving one another to such a degree – regardless of gender. Gender and sexuality...None of it matters, really. I mean, as long as they're not too old, or too young for you...Then, you should be able to love them openly, freely. That's what I see. It's just two people falling in love."
"So you don't think that it's wrong? That two people of the same gender, have chosen to love one another?"
She arched a brow at him,
"Taijo...Do you honestly think that anyone would choose such a life? A life that is filled with hatred, and discrimination? A life where telling your friends, and your family, that you're not heterosexual...Could mean losing them completely? You get laughed at, picked on, harassed, bullied, hated...And sometimes, disowned. Now tell me...Who would choose such a life?"
He couldn't answer her. He wasn't sure how to.
"I wouldn't change anything about either of my boys. I love them both, unconditionally."
"Boys? I thought that you only had Subaru..." Now he looked confused.
"No, I have two boys. I have Subaru, and I have Kamui. And while the latter may not be my son through birth...That doesn't change the fact that he is still my son. He has been, from the moment in which he stepped over my threshold all those years ago." She seemed to find her simple explanation suitable, and so, she took a drink from her glass.
Baffled, Taijo looked to Kazuo, whose bright blue eyes were smiling almost as much as he himself happened to be, as he spoke up,
"I agree with my wife. We have two sons, and we wouldn't change either one of them for anything in the world. Besides...They're happy, healthy, and we know that their partners are good people. What more could we possibly ask for?"
"You chose to use the word; partners. Isn't that, to some degree, an avoidance of their relationships?" Taijo wasn't sure how to feel. He was grasping onto nothing, and he knew it. These people were completely fine with everything that he could never understand.
Kazuo blinked, surprised,
"Of course not. It's just convenient in this case, because Seishiro is Subaru's boyfriend, while Fuuma is Kamui's fiancée. Saying partners, is just an easy way to summarize two different stages of two separate relationships."
TT
Chi and her Father did not make up by the end of the day.
So when her cell phone rang the next day – displaying the name; Dad – she was rather confused. She forced herself to answer it, and was rather surprised to find that his voice was shaking.
"Are you alright?" She was walking down the hallway of Kurogane's home, and she wasn't surprised to see Fai rounding the corner – to check on her.
"You mean...?" Her gaze turned to one of concern, as she listened to the sound of knocking, over the phone.
"Wait! Don't hang u-!"
She closed the phone, and stared into the eyes of her younger brother, unsure of what she should do. What she should say. Fai didn't know the history of their Father, in the ways that she did.
"...It was Dad...He's...Scared..."
"And how do you know that that's not some trap, to lure out Fai?" Kamui questioned, as Fai, Chi, and Hideki – rounded the corner.
"No, if he were after me, he'd call me. He wouldn't dare involve Chi," Fai managed to answer the question quickly, before turning his focus back to his sister,
"What's happening?"
"...Ashura..." The name came out on her breath, and Fai's eyes widened in horrified shock. He rushed to the front door, and began pulling on his shoes. He didn't know the details behind his Uncle. He only knew that he wasn't a good person. He'd been in and out of prison for years...
"Fai, what are you doing?" Chi rushed over to him, clearly taken aback by his actions.
"He's scared, right? He needs help. We can't just leave him." He grabbed his car keys.
"No way. You're staying here. Hideki and I will go." She said it as she tugged on her own shoes,
"Besides, I'm the oldest. It should be my responsibility – not yours."
"I'm not a child, Chi," as he said it, he felt his keys being pulled from his grasp. He knew that Kurogane was the culprit – which just made him sigh in frustration.
"If you want to go so badly – we'll go. You're not going to your Father's house alone."
TT
Chi had tried knocking, at first. But Kurogane didn't have the patience to wait around. He kicked the door in – literally – which allowed them immediate access into the house.
In the living room, they could see Taijo, and Ashura...In a rather compromising position.
Taijo had his back to the wall, and his eyes were wide – with obvious fear. His wrists were clasped firmly in one of Ashura's hands...And the raven's other hand, was travelling. He traced his chest, and undid the buttons of his shirt as he did so. There was a wicked smirk on his face...
"Ashura." He didn't know where his courage came from; all he knew was that his Father needed him. And that was all that he needed. It was more than enough motivation.
The male's head turned. He blinked, and then released Taijo – smiling. He took a leisurely paced stroll, towards the table that sat in the hallway. And, once he'd reached it, he let his fingers trace along its surface, as he studied the people in the doorway.
"Chi...You're all grown up now." His voice came out soft, and eerie. Chi was shaking – her left hand hovering near her lips, and her right hand clutching her left wrist. Her eyes were wide with shocked, disbelieving fear.
The amber green eyes traced her expression – the smile never faltering,
"And married, I see."
She let out a soft gasp, and brushed the fingers of her right hand, over her wedding ring. Hideki stepped out in front of her, pulling her behind himself, gently. He kept his gaze on Ashura.
"And Hideki, is that you? It's been a long time." He turned his attention to the pictures lining the table. His long, ebony locks shifted, and they did so again when he redirected his attention to the blonde haired male who had first called out his name.
His eyes traced him. Not only his face, but his entire form. He could see how uncomfortable the male was with that, but the blonde didn't falter with glaring him down. However, he couldn't stop his blue eyes from widening slightly, when the male before him, uttered his name.
"...Yuui..." His voice was disturbingly gentle, for someone who had been violating his brother a mere minute ago. His smile was both menacing, and yet...Friendly. The perfect combination for someone like Ashura. There were no boundaries in his world. He took what he wanted, from whomever he felt like taking it from. And yet, he could make small talk – like the family member that he was meant to be.
It was eerie, and disturbing.
"You've grown up so much...The last time I saw you..." He trailed, turning his attention back to the table. This time though, he picked up a family photograph, and held it up for the others to see,
"You were only seven...You, and your brother; Fai...You were turning eight in two weeks. My, my, my, how things have changed. That was more than a decade ago!" He smiled fondly at the picture, before he set it back down on the table, his fingers tracing the figures in the photograph,
"Shame that he died so young...Poor thing...But it was a relief that he didn't have to suffer long." His eyes shifted back to the blonde haired male. He turned his head slightly, for just a moment, before his smile grew,
"You're engaged now?"
Fai understood now, why it was exactly, that his Father was so against homosexuality. And he understood now, why his Uncle had been in prison. His relationship with Taijo went far beyond that of a brother.
"You should leave, Ashura." Fai's voice came out as strongly as he could force it too, for the time being. He was trying to come to an understanding with this newfound discovery.
Ashura frowned,
"Oh, Yuui, that's not very nice at all. Hasn't anyone ever taught you to respect your elders?"
"Considering your position, I don't think that you have a right to talk to me about respect," the blonde's voice came out strongly now – but he was terrified to the core. He was standing out of Kurogane's reach, but he knew that the raven wasn't too far behind him. He wasn't moving, but his very presence, was powerful, and familiar. It gave Fai the strength he needed, to speak.
"Get out, Ashura. You're not welcome here, and now it's time for you to go."
The addressed male had that smile on his face again. It was sinister, and it didn't falter unless he wanted it to. He was in perfect control of his facial expressions...
"Get out, Ashura..." Fai spoke up once more, but the raven haired male didn't move.
"GET OUT! NOW!" His fingers curled themselves into fists, and he resisted the urge to strike his Uncle.
Ashura barely batted an eye, even though he'd been screamed at. However, he did move. He stepped towards the blonde haired male easily, swiftly...He'd noticed that the raven behind him was locking up, in anger – but he didn't mind. He just approached his nephew, and reached up with one hand; gently touching his cheek.
Fai couldn't keep his eyes from expanding at the mere contact. He was afraid, but he couldn't move...
"Oh little Yuui...You try so hard to be like Fai...That strength that he had within him – he was never afraid of anything. He wasn't afraid of those bullies, that always seemed to target you...He would fight them, and they would fight back...But he was never afraid. All of your past confrontations...He was always there to protect you. And now, it seems that that job has moved on to someone else. But you'll still try, won't you? You'll still try to be strong, and unafraid. You'll still wear a mask when you're unhappy. You'll still lie, just to keep that heart of yours protected. Funny, isn't it? You look just like him, but you're both so different..." Ashura was bringing back the memories of his past. Memories that the blonde had tried his hardest to forget. He was unsure of how his Uncle knew all of these things, but somehow he did...And that made him feel threatened.
The level of his fear increased, as Ashura traced his fingers down his neck, and out onto his chest. His hand stopped over his heart, which meant that he could feel it, as it hammered against his ribcage. He could see Kurogane out of the corner of his eye. His scowl had deepened, and he seemed to be resisting the urge to rip Ashura apart – though he did take a step in the male's direction.
Ashura had noticed the raven's expression and actions as well – but he didn't look concerned. Instead, he looked amused – and that only made things worse. Kurogane's anger levels were reaching that point...The point that they were not meant to reach. His knuckles had changed colour, and his fists had started shaking.
Ashura chuckled, and turned his attention to his nephew,
"My dear little Yuui...It seems that your fiancée is a very protective person indeed. I'm so glad that you have someone to keep you safe...But he needs to learn how to control his anger." He leant closer to the blonde, and his eyes fixated themselves on Kurogane – who was approaching the two of them now.
"I believe I have just figured out what it is..." His voice was a mere whisper, and his eyes returned to those of his nephew,
"...That makes him tick."
Fai's heart thundered more wildly than before, and he tried to keep his breathing even. Kurogane was standing a mere arms length away now, but Ashura kept his attention on the blonde before him.
"Little Yuui...I do hope to see you again sometime soon..." He finally released the blonde from his hold, and went to walk away...However, he didn't get very far. Kurogane had grabbed a hold of one of his arms, and was squeezing the area around his wrist – tightly.
"If you value your life...You will stay away from him. Away from the rest of this family. And if you ever touch him again...You'll lose the use of your fingers completely. Understand?" His voice was a threat, if his words hadn't been enough of one on their own.
However, Ashura wasn't disturbed. He merely looked to his hand, as the circulation was being cut off, and curled his fingers.
"My fingers tingle..." He uncurled them once more, keeping that amused expression plastered on his face.
Kurogane threw his arm from his grasp, and watched as the shorter raven finally left the house. It took a few seconds for the tension in the air to crack, and once it did, it shattered.
"Fai! Are you okay?" That was Chi – who rushed from behind Hideki, to check on her brother.
"I'm fine," it wasn't exactly true. He wasn't sure how he was. But he didn't want her to worry about him. And he was glad when she went to check on their Father. Hideki followed, and helped Taijo back onto his feet.
Their Father was fine, though slightly unsteady. And Fai himself didn't feel too well. His vision was becoming blurry. At first, it looked like an out of focus picture. But then, it all started to fade out to black. His feet came out from beneath him, and he felt himself falling. He heard his name being called though it sounded foggy. It was as if the voices were calling to him, while he himself was submerged in water...
He was vaguely aware of the fact that he'd landed – in Kurogane's arms – and that his sister was calling for an ambulance, on her cell phone. He couldn't feel much of anything, or hear too well. His eyes had closed, and they refused to open. So everything was dark, and muffled, and chaotic, in his world.
Everything, but the voice. And this voice was gentle, and familiar...And clear. He'd recognize it anywhere.
"Hang in there, you'll be okay."
Why couldn't he understand that for once in his life, he didn't want to hear those words? Couldn't he see that he was ready to go? It was his time to go. He could die, right at that moment, and he'd be satisfied with the ending that his life had brought him.
"Everything will be alright, Yuui."
His voice faded out, and so did the blonde's remaining consciousness.
TT
(A.N: Please don't hurt me? I'm sorry you guys, but this is what happened when I decided to update. Uhm...I hope you found it interesting, at least? We got some Seishiro x Subaru in this, finally, and we learned something about Taijo too. Yaaay horrible pasts! Now, here's why I wanted you to read this AN; I have created a Tumblr account, where I will be posting what has inspired the chapters for all of my fanfics. You can find it on my profile. I won't be deleting this – like I did with the Facebook account, as I truly love Tumblr, and I am there a lot. So feel free to check that out. But I'll ask that all reviews go to . I need you guys to keep reviewing here. It definitely makes my day. R&R? Love you guys!)