PLANS TO REACH

At the entrance to the hut the pair let go of each others hands.

Souichi frowned as he entered the hut that had been prepared for himself and Morinaga. Once they were alone and the doors closed he swung around and glowered at his kouhai.

"I want to punch someone. Something. I didn't ask for this!" And he hadn't. The choice had been taken from him. Even if it was tradition he, they, should have been told.

"I'm sorry Senpai... Souichi. I wouldn't have forced this on you, but I didn't know anything about it either."

He grit his teeth, "I know. If I'd wanted babies and known about this, I would have had you carry it."

"It?"

"The baby. I have no idea if they will be a boy or a girl."

"We wont know until they're old enough to tell us."

He frowned at that. "What?"

Morinaga shook his head. "It's nothing Souichi. But what do you want to do about this?"

"I will carry the offspring I carry to term. In the meantime and even after I shall be researching every angle of how this is possible and how that harvest, Kyoko spoke of, works. And you will help me Morinaga. After all you're the only lab assistant I can trust with this information. And you've a vested interest, don't you?"

"Well, yes. I love you."

"Not what I meant," he practically growled even as his cheeks grew a bit pink.

"And they're my baby too."

Souichi nodded.

"Will you tell your family?"

He grew still for a moment. "I will. Just... not yet. Have you told yours?"

Morinaga shook his head. "I'm not sure its fully sunk in that this isn't just some bizarre dream. But I will. I'm just worried about how safe this ordeal is going to be for you."

Pushing his glasses up he pondered that himself. "We'll ask the islanders. I'm sure that since they know about all of this that their input and experiences will help a great deal in our research efforts."

"And if we can cultivate more of these plants, any gay man will be able to give birth. Well age and health being factors, so perhaps not all."

Souichis' eyes narrowed. "I still think its wrong."

"But if it were, it wouldn't be possible at all. Just think, now we can give your dad grandchildren and our siblings a niece or nephew."

"What about your parents?"

Morinaga lowered his head.

There he went getting all depressed again.

"Morinaga..." when his kouhai didn't lift his head he frowned. "Tetsuhiro!"

That did get his attention.

"Let's concentrate on our research. It'll help with the baby we're having. Whatever goes on with your parents and you... our baby will have both his or her's parents and at least one loving, if a bit odd, grandfather. Two uncles and an aunt."

"Four uncles."

He stared blankly at him.

"Did you forget Kurokawa? Masaki?"

He glowered. "Kurokawa can stay away from my child. Its bad enough what he did to Tomoe."

"So-u-i-chi!"

With a huff he crossed his arms. "Fine. But he's not being left alone with the child. If nothing else he isn't intelligent enough, he might drop them."

Morinaga chuckled. "That's fine."

At least he didn't seem to be in so dark a mood. Good. "Now Morinaga, lets see if we can get any of those plants they mentioned. We'll need to dissect them and probe them thoroughly. Lucky we already have labs set up here."

"Are you sure you don't want to rest first?"

"Yes."

"Get something to eat?"

"That can wait?"

"Have a nice long hot soak in the natural hot springs?"

That did give him pause. But there was something in the other mans eyes that had him frowning. It wasn't just a puppy dog eye expression. There was far more to it and knowing Morinaga Tetsuhiro as he did he already knew what he was after.

"The answer is, no, Morinaga. I want to see the plant and its berries first."

The mans shoulders slumped as he let out a sigh.

He grit his teeth. What was it about this man that always got not only on his nerves, but made him feel the tiniest bit like he'd kicked a puppy and wanted to make sure it was okay.

"Maybe later we can indulge in the natural wonders of Kowaku Island."

That seemed to perk his kouhai up. Of course he wasn't just his kouhai, but it was better to think of him in those terms, for the most part.

"Yes Senpai. Let's get going then. Maybe Shirou and Takashi are still outside and can show us these plants."

He glanced out one of the windows after moving aside the curtains made from the pelt of a dark brown animal that the villagers had no doubt consumed the organs of and used its bones as pieces of jewelry. They tried to use everything if they took the life of another living creature.

What he saw outside had him frowning. He recognized, "Kou," he growled recalling the absurd idiot.

Morinaga moved to stand behind him. "What are you looking at like you want to punch it?"

He heard him draw in a quick startled breath. "Oh. Kou. Souichi, there's nothing to worry about," his hands reached around his waist. "I love you," he felt the brush of lips against the back of his neck and shivered.

Whirling around he placed his hands on Morinagas' chest. "Now is not the time. We have work to do."

Morinaga sighed. "I know. I just wanted to reassure you."

"I don't need reassuring!"

Morinaga arched a brow, but said nothing else before walking to the door and opening it. "Shall we head to the labs then?"

"Yes. Let's."

Just as they left the hut Souichi came to a sudden stop and turned to walk through the longer path.

"Senpai?"

He shook his head. He wasn't going to look back. He didn't want to know what Takashi was doing to Kou.

'At least he wont bother Morinaga. I need to get this research done as soon as possible.'

He knew that wasn't the only reason he was relieved, but he refused to let himself dwell on it.

Author Note: Sorry its taken forever for me to update. Computers like to crash and little usb drives like to disappear. And so I no longer know where this story was headed but I'm trying to get back into the groove on a more... by the seat of my pants than a little outline of plot by chapter. So if anyone would like to suggest what might happen next feel free... just realize that I might not use the suggestion should inspiration strike like hot iron and coal.