Toshi and the Curse Wombs.
At the domain in the mountains.
Toshi was sitting in the living room with Choso, he has found ways of bonding with various brothers, but some are a little harder to do so than others. He didn't realize how outgoing some of them can be, as such, he doesn't really have much of a connection to them. The Triplets for one.
However, most of the time, he sits and reads with Choso, the two have become remarkable book buddies in a sense. But he wonders what more can he do to be more like a brother to the others.
"You look conflicted and I can sense it from here."
He smirked, as Choso didn't even look up from his book.
"As Junpei says, you're very good at that. But, yes, I am. You see… I want to make sure I spend time with everyone. I don't just want to favor a few brothers since I can connect with them from my past life experiences…"
"Music," Choso said bluntly.
"Pardon?"
"Music, this was how Suiryu and Junpei bonded, it brought the brothers closer together too since it was an activity they could all do together. I find it a little too hard on my ears, but I can feel how much they enjoy each other's company."
He never considered music before, then again. Just like at school and in the clan, he has to maintain an image and listen to only what they approved of. He has since listened to other verities; he has heard The Death Paintings and Suiryu since. They are remarkable and appear to have fun doing such an activity.
"Back at the clan, I was permitted… well… forced to learn how to play a classical instrument…"
"But what do YOU want to play?" Choso asked once more, this time, he peered over to him from his book. "I have heard one group you listen too, it's hard on my ears but there are some part of the song that I do like since it's not heavy…"
"Oh, a Canadian band, Alexisonfire." He explained. "Yeah, I like those parts too, it clashes and yet mixes in the song well…"
"I've heard you sing it too…"
Toshi, blushed. "Oh…"
"Little brother, did you know since we are part curse, we have a remarkable mimicry ability? It is to help us fit in among humans and to pass off as one as well. The brothers have used this to play their music, when they hear a song once, they can play it flawlessly on their own. Their voices can alter and adapt to the song too, as such, I believe you have this ability as well."
He considered the notion. "Really?" he asked.
"It would be worth trying, at the same time, we need to train on your other abilities took, you have all the brothers' blood within you now, therefore you must have their abilities too. Correct?"
He… didn't consider that before.
He had been so dependent on blood manipulation, he didn't think he had obtained the other's strengths as his own.
"But first thing is first, let's see if you can join the brothers on stage, if you can, wonderful. The bond you forge will also help your training later."
Toshi agreed, it might not be what he really wants to do, but if it can help him connect to the brothers, it's worth a try.
#
He waited for the brothers to return.
They were out doing a concert today, but the funny thing was, the moment they did come home. Tanso grabbed Toshi instantly and dragged him to one of the many rooms in the house. He didn't know that Suiryu had made them a home studio to rehearse in!
"Tanso! Wait, why are you bringing me here?!" when Tanso finally released him, there was a massive grin on his face. He got set up on the drums, Junpei was calling out who was needed where. Eso on bass, Sanso and Kotsuso on guitar and he kept Shouoso on acoustic guitar.
"Hold on, how did you guys…"
He paused as he felt a gentle pull at his pant cuff. Peering down, one of Tanso's rabbit familiar was there.
"You got to be careful when you say something out loud around here. Tanso has ears EVERYWHERE!" laughed Kotsuso. "Besides… he only did this for you. He too wanted to find a way to spend time with you, besides training. I mean, that's all your clan made you do right?"
Toshi paused oddly, they… they were trying to find things to bond over rather than their abilities?
"It can't all ways be training, training, training right?" Junpei asked. "But this is perfect. Tanso has heard you sing too, we have been practicing the songs you listen to, so… wanna try?"
He was nervous, but, he nodded at the notion. After all, with the Kamos they never would have gone this far in attempts to bond or find a common interest with him…