Disclaimer: Disclaimed

Welcome back!

Warning: None

Things might tone down for now but don't let your guard down! (evil author chuckles in the background) :3

LoveLess
Chapter 8: Start of a Normal Day?

.

.

.

"What?", Rin snapped, head tilted upwards due to the extreme height difference between his conversing partner and him. Yukio was standing beside his twin, he curiously tried to pinpoint the reason of the unfriendly exchange. They were walking home after the drama preparation when this guy accosted them, but Rin immediately acted as if they were life-time enemies.

The brunette flinched as he took a barely-noticeable step backwards. It was a peculiar event to see a considerably taller man with slight muscle rippling over his shirt cowered visibly to a lean man with tiny stature.

"U-uh", he stuttered, fiddling with a white paper in his hands, a big 'Registration Form' was written at the top, "About our offer yesterday, are you interested in joining the basketball te-

"For fuck's sake, what part of 'I know nothing about basketball' you don't understand?!", he hissed with voice dripping with venom, "Now scram before I shove your black-striped bouncy orange ball up your candy ass!"

Within seconds, the brunette had practically flown out of both twins' sight.

Rin huffed, obviously irked. Since his flashy encounter with the Karate club, rumors about his extraordinary performance had spread like a wild fire throughout the school. The ones who paid him most interests were clubs which required physical endurance, such as baseball, judo, soccer, swimming, aikido, and the list could go on and on. But of course, the most persistent of all was the Karate club, calling him Oyabun Oyabun and following him everywhere like demented lost puppies.

Thankfully they were nowhere in sight at the time being. Otherwise, he didn't guarantee he could keep from wanting to scorch the insufferable white-suited guys with his demonic fire and practically blew up whatever secret identity he had for the whole school to witness.

"What was that all about?", Yukio curiously inquired.

"Nu'thin, only a person with too much time to waste about. Didn't stop him from tryin' to steal mine though"

Yukio decided to not probe further considering the face Rin had at the moment was sooo dark that it was challenging to even determine his real expression.

Rin suddenly released his hold in Yukio's hand, "Sorry, need to do sumthin' somewhere", he quickly reasoned at seeing Yukio's confused look. Gone his earlier moody glare, replaced with the sweetest smile he shared only for his brother's privilege, "Go home first. And don't talk to strangers!", he added in mock stern voice before dashing off in a light run to one of the forked ways.

"Wait! Where are you going?", Yukio attempted to run after him. Chasing after a fleet shadow which disappeared beyond the tree, he rounded a corner but then found himself to be the only occupant at the place. At the entrance of the Eastern grand forest.

.

"I've told you, you should have left without him from the start dummy. He definitely will shower you with troublesome questions later"

Rin shrugged and stepped up the aged wooden porch, "Couldn't help it, my time with him is limited already, furthermore with this stupid House A plan. At the very least we have to go home together"

"Hmph you and that brother complex of yours sh-

"Shaddap!", Rin hollered as he slammed the door open, not bothering to care at hearing the pitiful groan of its aging matter.

Rin suddenly stood still, frozen in his place after scanning the clearing he had come upon yesterday. No, the majestic impression of the place was no longer what rendered him speechless and stunned.

The sun was... already setting at the far west horizon and the subtle signs of night had chased most light out above him.

'It's nearly dusk here?', Rin took a hesitant step forward, his gaze tried to unravel the peculiar event of time. He recalled just a moment ago the heat of the sun hampering his back in the forest, indicating it was supposed to be noon time.

A gentle bark voiced at his feet, immediately catching his full attention. A hound-sized dog met his gaze in a clash of blue and piercing silver. Fur painted with dark midnight hue, it seemed so frightening from its impression of nearly blending in with the blackening vicinity.

"Luka...", Rin breathed, confirming its identity due to the red distinct mark on its forehead. The animal flicked its head in what could be roughly translated as a nod as it turned around and started walking forward.

The half-demon wordlessly trudged behind it.

.

Luka led him through sections he hadn't had chance to explore before in Ei no Sumai.

On his left, rows of well-groomed trees were neatly lining the side of the road. They had repeating bulb-tipped branches and small reddish leaves dangled here and there. And at the right, a garden filled with weird but exotic-looking flowers spread wide in hectares. The crowns were painted in absurd striking blue and electric yellow, and bright spots of fireflies delicately floated above the corolla. It seemed so unearthly ethereal, as if he had stepped into another world and admired the nonsensical beauty.

Walking a little bit further, they reached their intended destination. At the end of the small path the gardens had diminished, leading to a clearing filled with giant trees with low branches lining on the left. Further front, two hills which were separated by a beautiful valley faced each other.

After taking in the sight of the new place, Rin noticed that Luka had vanished towards the side of a person sitting on a lone bench. The person, a male with long white hair kept in a loose ponytail, petted the black dog behind its ears endearingly.

Upon noticing Rin, he stood up and put a friendly smile, "Welcome Rin-kun, I am Setsu, a wind demon and your training mentor for today", his smooth voice flowed like honey and his kind violet eyes immediately ceased the thumping of Rin's heart which formerly dreaded this training session. This new teacher seemed to be a very gentle fellow, what with the kindness that seemed to radiate off his very presence and the mature expression he wore on his face.

"Uuum.. Hi! Looking forward to... training under you Setsu-san, I guess...?"

Setsu smiled brighter in response then his violet eyes lighted up. He seemed to have noticed something.

"Rin-kun", he walked towards the half-demon who once again had to look up due to his shorter height. Rin widened his eyes when Setsu reached a hand towards his shirt. He visibly blushed when the older man groped a section of his shirt, more like at a particular lump.

"You have a tail..."

"Ye-yeah, I'm a half demon after all"

Setsu let go of his clutch and smiled satisfactorily, "Good! Please let it out, it will help you in our first session!"

Rin cocked an eyebrow.

.

"A-are you sure th-this is sa-safe?", a terribly shaking voice squeaked out, a bit too high pitched though.

"Hm? Of course it is, I've tried it a number of times and came back in one piece. You'll be fine, as long as you don't fall down, that is"

Rin gulped and eyed down the sheer slanted cliff just under his toes in horror. Perspiration streamed down his flushed face and his stomach churned in angry turmoil. One could easily relate the panicky in his face to what a chicken might have when its time of death to the butcher knife was near.

The cliff was somehow connected to the other side by jutting high rocks which surfaces were flat enough for a person to step on and live. Unfortunately, the surface barely fitted two feet on and it was spaced ludicrously far apart from each rock to the other!

To put it simply, he was dead meat. Maybe in another 10 seconds or so.

"What does this have anything to do with becoming stronger anyway?", Rin tried to reason, "I can wipe a whole horde of psychotic giant scorpions off, I don't see this as necessary Setsu-san"

"For instance, your strength and combat ability are extraordinary, I am aware of that. But Mephisto-sama told me that you lack control and tend to flair too much power in strikes that you tire quickly. Of course you last longer than most people but we can't let such a talent to go off into nothing can we?", the demon explained thoroughly, the evident maturity was infused in each word, making even the hard-headed Rin to think twice. Did he really have that kind of stupid flaw?

"Well come on!", Setsu's cheerful voice chirped, "Don't be shy, you can do it!" He promptly shoved the half demon forward.

Rin shrieked in utter terror as he, at the same time attempted to balance himself on the rock and turned back to the safe zone. But a blow of strong wind immediately put-a-definitely-no-sign-to his latter one. Rin was wise enough to choose surviving from taking a suicide dive like that SkyFall James Bond movie he watched. Only what waited him down there wasn't peaceful river water, but menacing sharp rocks that seemed to chant his death.

"Stop that wind! Are ya crazy?! I'm freaking falling here!"

"Focus Rin! Don't be afraid of the wind, trust it and let your body flow alongside the nature. Refrain from doing unnecessary body gestures and keep your balance. Wave your tail and use it to maintain from falling off, it's just like mimicking the grace of a cat!", Setsu shouted in full cheering-for-your-race-horse mode. Rin could totally sense the happiness that killing-words-of-courage intoned.

"To hell with that stupid psychological dancin'-like moves! I'm not a freakin' believer to the flow-with-the-current principle!", Rin roared in full blown anger and fear, "And I ain't a cat-GRAAAAAAH!"

During his feverish complaint, Rin stepped on a loose rock which wrecked his balance completely. The last red ray of the sun left, serving a nice background to a falling silhouette of a young teen. Who was screaming his lungs off upon the prospect of instant death.

.

Yukio was about to head out of their dorm door before it was slammed open roughly. He instinctively clutched the handle of his gun before noticing who staggered inside.

"You're back...", the spectacled teacher voiced as his eyes immediately absorbed the outer appearance of his brother. To say that Rin was a mess was an understatement. His twin looked as if he had gone through a storm and dried himself manually with monster-sized fans.

"*Tadaima..", Rin announced without energy, what with his slumped back, disheveled hair, and mysterious bags under his eyes even though he went early to bed yesterday. Then he noticed the casual clothing Yukio wore along with his old duffel bag, "You goin' somewhere?"
(Translation: I'm home)

Yukio eyed his twin, worry evident in his eyes, "Yes, to town. I was assigned to buy some supplies for the drama"

Rin's eyes shone in disapproval, "To town? Alone? I'm going too!"

"Uuuuh, I think it'd be better if you just rest. I can go alone, you don't have to worry-

"Absolutely no! Who knows what sort of strangers or evil old men out there that might get you!", Rin immediately flew upstairs, "Just lemme change clothes first!"

Yukio sweatdropped. Sometimes the degree of his twin's overprotectiveness was beyond his knowledge to comprehend. Even when Rin looked strangely dead beat he still insisted on tagging along to 'protect' him, despite the fact that he was a male himself.

The brunette then frowned, 'It is two days already that he went home exhausted after going off somewhere... Just what is this so-called 'business' and mysterious 'place'? '

Yukio wasn't nosy, but the fact that his twin was deprived of his usual energy worried him greatly.

He promised himself to dig around later.

.

They took a two-hour train to reach their destination, a famous shopping district at the heart of the town. Yukio had dutifully inspected every shop and inspected the prizes meticulously to deal the most fund-saving purchases. Rin had, thankfully, retained his bouncy personality back as he awed and marveled at every intriguing shops and exotic things being displayed at the windows.

"Look look Yukio! Vietta ice cream booth! My favorite!", Rin energetically referred to a cozy booth which was selling the love of his palate. Yukio smiled warmly at seeing the happy glow his twin's blue eyes radiated as he let himself being dragged by a giddy Rin.

"Please? A scoop?", Rin puppy-eyed Yukio by rounding his eyes as cute as he hoped to be possible.

Yukio handed him money with a smile, "Of course nii-san, you can even get two scoops"

As Rin happily chose his choice of flavor from the assortments in the mini-display-fridge, Yukio looked around and noticed a shooting booth only across from them.

"What're ya lookin' at Yukio?", Rin stood beside his twin, his tongue eagerly darted to lap at his double-scoops of ice cream. He then saw the particular booth, "Interested?"

"Well... A little bit but-

"Ok then let's go!", Rin once again pulled his twin along towards the weaponry-art booth.

The young male behind the counter smiled before greeting the new customers, "Welcome to our Can Shooting Booth! So which one of you wish to try? Or perhaps both?"

Rin grinned as he gently shoved his younger brother forward, "Just him please!"

Yukio tried to dismiss his brother but gave up when he had involuntarily placed his arms on the counter. It'd be rude towards the proprietor, his conscience reminded. He smiled towards the male before observing the shooting challenge. There are several cans lining up far behind, approximately 15 feet from the counter.

It was no problem to him. Yukio gripped a long old-model shotgun provided and confidently took aim. Rin was standing behind him, a smirk situated leisurely at his lips.

BANG!

The air bullet soared towards the target and connected. 'Eh?', Yukio was sure it hit, but the can only wobble a little before becoming immobile and perfectly straight once again.

"Ooow, that's almost perfect mister!", the young male exclaimed in fake sadness. Yukio pursed his lips when seeing the obvious mirth dancing on the chocolate orbs. The cans obviously had been tampered beforehand.

The young male moved outside his counter, "Your shooting stance is a bit lacking. The arms need to be spaced apart as well as your feet. Here let me show you"

Rin frowned. He wanted to make a point that Yukio was far from lacking in the shooting department, in fact he was downright professional. But he decided to say nothing considering Yukio kindly accepted the offer of 'shooting stance lesson' from the teen.

'He's too damn polite, seriously...'

Yukio stood still as the young male moved behind him and gave him brief outlining of the 'proper' stance. However he got a bit uncomfortable when the instructor's hand lingered meaningfully on his thigh when attempting to position his legs.

"Your elbow needs to be exactly perpendicular-", he spoke near to Yukio's ear and stroked a totally-not-healthy light touch on his arms. The young male then traced the length of his spine, going lower and lower obviously intending to-

"Um... Sir-

Yukio's words were cut short when he felt that the touches suddenly left his body as he heard a thud and a terrified yelp. He turned around to see that... Rin had the guy pinned to the wall, legs dangling hopelessly as his brother choked him by the scruff of his neck.

"You...", Rin glowered in a murderous glare, "How dare you touch him like that *teme..."
(Translation: bastard)

The teen, although terrified, managed to choke out, "I-it's only for demonstrati-

"Shut up! I can differentiate innocent contact from fucking disgusting ones dammit!", Rin growled out dangerously. The young male's breath hitched as he saw the homicidal pair of blue eyes that were formerly smiling at him. He looked so innocent before, but now all there was was a display of monstrous strength accompanied by a furious glare which practically demanded his funeral. He gripped Rin's arm by the two of his own larger hands but the limb didn't even budge from the disturbance.

"Let me make it clear, I despise scumbags that dare to lay even a finger on him. The only one allowed to touch him beyond friendly terms is me. Yes me, even though I'm a fucking midget unlike you", he hissed menacingly with venom dripping off every word.

"Nii-san, let him go", a soft voice sounded behind him. Yukio concernedly looked between the two as he calculated a number of ways that could calm Rin down. His brother, when being seriously mad, was quite adamant to solve everything with violence. Especially things that were related to his little brother's well-being.

The young male, completely terrified and seeing that Rin didn't plan to let go quickly shouted, "I-I'm from the TV show III F, 'Fun-for-Fellows!' We are only aiming to sh-share the reactions of passerby who are caught in the pranks! No harm intended!"

Both Rin and Yukio put a confused look, "Huh?"

"In fact, the camera is rolling right now! Look!", he pointed to a certain direction. The twins looked towards the particular section pointed. Yes, there were in fact hidden cameras innocently situated at the corner of other shops. A few of stunned cameramen were watching them with wide eyes as well.

Yukio tapped his brother's shoulder, "Rin..."

Rin growled low but reluctantly let his grip go. The young male fell down unceremoniously on his butt.

"What the heck...", the teen looked up to see Rin condescendingly gazed at the whispering crew, "Using someone's idiotic reaction for the other's amusement is okay for me. But sensual contact like that? That's gone too far", Rin stared down at the male with scolding eyes. Although he was angry before, the young male was glad that his intended friend's 'victim' was able to see the fact that he was only following the script.

"Sorry. Please excuse our impudence", the young male stood up, then he sheepishly laughed, "If I had known that you two are lovers, I would have chosen other people"

Rin's jaw dropped open and Yukio merely raised his eyebrow, "Wha-

But the young male had already left them to join with the other crews. He conversed enthusiastically with his other teammates and the girl in the team giggled, no doubt talking about what had transpired between them. Rin's acute hearing prompted the tip of his pointed ear to redden at hearing the disturbing conversation.

"We aren't lovers dammit! And what do *'tachi' and 'neko' even freaking mean? And no, we don't fuck each other every damn night nor experiment various sex positions!", he shouted, jolting other passerby from their leisure walk and causing Yukio to blush tomato red.
(Translations: other words for 'seme' and 'uke')

"We're brothers!"

.

.

.

Thank you for reading!

For anonymous reviewer Mizuki: Thank you very much for the criticism! Yes I do feel like I always jump too quickly from one scene to another but if I don't do that, is it possible that the reader might get bored? Because this story needs a lot development scenes and if I drag it too long than the words might swell out of control (And I have a bad habit of writing things unnecessarily long) :) Once again thanks for the constructive criticism! I hope you continue to voice whatever things that doesn't sit well with your taste because it helps me a lot! :D

Review folks!

~Golden Mist Fox