Hello readers! I'm not sure if fav/follow is working correctly on FF, so if you've left a review or have tried to follow this story—shoot me a PM, please! Thank you and enjoy! -Samron

Yusuke was crying.

"…I guess I Just don't give a fukin' shit anymore… ya'know? Life has been so dull lately bud… do you ever miss work? We had purpose back then."

Kurama sat on the side of his bed while his free hand fidgeted, phone in his other, listening to a voicemail from Yusuke. He had called late, and since Kurama was already in bed he see it until he woke up. Yusuke was drunk, so he rambled. Kurama had been worried about him the last few months. Keiko left over six months ago, and he hadn't realized how bad Yusuke had been until recently. He'd make comments about being bored, or lonely, and had been asking for Kurama's company more often. That's a lot of the reason he went to that damned bar the night Marshall approached him, for Yusuke's sake—even though he'd be lying if he didn't admit he was out a bit for himself as well.

He sounded so pathetic, and Kurama was still as he listened to the message, worry growing.

"…*sniff* God, jeez. I'm such a fuckin' loser, leaving my busiest friend a sob story of nothin'. Sorry in advanced for this bud, but I didn't know who else to call. And since you're probably asleep like most normal people… I might as well just talk a bit... hope you're not mad…"

There was silence for a moment, then Kurama heard a sigh.

"Hope you're sleeping well, Kurama."

And that was it.

Kurama frowned as he pulled the phone away to examine it. Yusuke had called around three in the morning, so he'd obviously been out late or was drinking alone again. He moved his thumb up to Yusuke's name, touching it once to call him back. He wanted to make sure he was alright. It rang, and then went to voicemail. It had been full for the last month, so he wasn't able to leave anything. He glared, knowing Yusuke was probably just sleeping, hungover, or… most likely—both. He swiped up to get to his messages, then opened his texts to Yusuke.

"Are you alright? I got your voicemail. Please call or text me when you can, maybe we can meet up after my meeting this morning. I should be out by noon."

He reread it before sending, then bit the inside of his lip as he typed out another line.

"I could bring you some food. Let me know."

He watched it send, waiting for a bit before locking his phone. Knowing full well it'd be a while before hearing back. It was six in the morning, Yusuke never got up this early. He glanced toward his door, hearing his family start to wake for the day, feeling somewhat guilty. Knowing Yusuke was alone in his tiny apartment. Was it bad that he related to the message Yusuke had left?

Once he was up he went down to enjoy breakfast with his family. Today he decided to wear beige Gurkha business pants, they fit his hips and butt well, not too tight—but sleek and simple. They were straight leg, and then rolled up at the hems, showing off his ankles some. He wore his brown leather oxfords, then tucked in his long sleeve, blue, loose cashmere shirt. It was crew cut, but since it was a couple sizes up from his norm it showed off his collarbone on the side the shirt slumped to. Then, since he was preoccupied with Yusuke, he ended up showering later than usual. So he was forced to blow dry his hair some—when he usually always let it air dry. It wasn't what he was used to, it was much straighter than normal, but he enjoyed the extra shine.

"This is the first day you two are going into work together!" She spoke excitedly.

Kurama smiled to his mother but waited to let Kazuya respond.

"Yes. Shuichi has been quite patient with me, and I'm happy to have his company." He smiled to Shiori with excitement, and then glanced at Kurama with a nod.

Kurama gave him eye contact with a neutral look. That's all he could manage. He was a demon and all, but his other side was just Shuichi. So, acknowledging his mother's newer husband was something—even though, not difficult. Just… new. And he enjoyed the idea of having a father, but, it hadn't seem to click yet. Even after nearly nine years of them being together.

Maybe that was more of a reflection of his own disconnection he felt with his human family… The older he'd gotten the more he had noticed it. And, it was only natural for them to grow apart. But, Kurama didn't know what he wanted—so again, he thought of the voicemail from Yusuke. What was he supposed to do now? He made his choice to live as a human, but here he was. On a path, but a path that lead him… nowhere? Yusuke had already made it there, but Kurama just had tasks to do before he arrive to the same place.

"Shuichi?"

"Yes?" Young Shuichi said along with Kurama.

He laughed out and so did young Shuichi, a bit caught off guard by their perfectly mirrored response.

"Jeez bro." Shuichi laughed.

Laughing again, Kurama looked to Kazuya, assuming he was talking to him. "Which one?" He chuckled again as his brother laughed along with him. Shiori laughed from the kitchen as well.

Kazuya smiled to his son, then averted his attention to Kurama. "We need to leave in about five, you ready?"

Kurama nodded, "Yes. I'm ready when you are. What time is the meeting?"

"Dean said it started around eight thirty, and don't forget, their potential investors will be there. So we want to make sure to keep our heads down."

"Maybe you shouldn't be bringing me then." He partially joked as he took another bite.

"Well that's not a nice thing to say about yourself sweetheart." Shiori walked back in, adding more coffee to Kazuya's mug, then sitting down to continue eating. Kazuya glanced to her, a bit of stress in his expression—still not sure how to talk about Kurama's appearance.

"Mother, we all know I stand out."

"Yeah, some of my friends still think I have a sister." Young Shuichi made an annoyed face.

Kazuya gently hit the back of his head, giving him a look.

Shiori giggled. "My boy is beautiful. Handsome, and stunning. There isn't anything to be ashamed about. But he does have a point, honey. He stands out." She made a face to him, as usual making the subject easy to talk about.

Sighing now, Kazuya finally looked to Kurama. "Well, you're my business partner. I need you there." He smiled. "And if these men can't act professionally that'll be a cue that it wasn't meant to be."

Kurama raised his eyebrows—that surprised him. He seemed very keen in getting with Dean's company, but him taking Kurama over a potentially perfect seeming merger or any sort of collaboration, made him smile. So he nodded.

"I will be there, then."

Kazuya stood quickly, getting ready to go. Kurama wiped his mouth as he swallowed his last bite. He now leaned toward Shuichi. "I apologize." He made intentional eye contact with him.

"I don't care." He smirked. "I always enjoy their shock when meeting you." He joked, but Kurama could tell it did bother him some.

"Regardless. I apologize."

He smiled to Kurama. "Thanks, Shuichi." He shrugged as he stabbed the last bite of his waffle.

"Shuichi?" Kazuya spoke loudly from the front door.

Kurama stood, smirking at young Shuichi as he gathered himself. "Have a good day at school."

He smirked back. "You have fun with dad." He rolled his eyes in understanding.

Kurama laughed as he kissed his mother's cheek. "I will." Then he smiled to his mother, "I hope you have a nice day as well. I may be late."

She glanced back to the front door, then back to him with a nod. "Alright." She grabbed his face, admiring him. "Tell Yusuke hi for me." She spoke quieter now.

"You—"

"I always know when you're hiding, son." She gave him a sharp look; a talent he'd learned from her.

"I'll tell him you said hello."

They got to work together, and Miss Kagero greeted them more formally today. Since Kurama was with the owner. She stood quickly to bow, "Good morning Mr. Hatanaka. I hope your day has been well so far. I have your itinerary whenever you'd like it."

"I'll take it now—thank you!" He smiled as he reached out and took it from her. "We will be leaving for our eight thirty soon, make sure no one has issues here. And if they do, take notes, and make sure only the important ones make it to my office." He chuckled.

Miss Kagero laughed, "Yes sir!"

"Good morning, Miss Kagero." Kurama smiled to her with a quick bow.

"Mr. Minamino." She gave him her usual big smile. "I hope your day goes smoothly."

"Same." He waved to her as they made their way to Kazuya's office.

They got settled for a moment, then Kurama grabbed a small notepad and pen—ready to take notes. Kazuya grabbed a few forms and pamphlets that provided information on the Hatanaka Jewelry company, then grabbed his reading glasses just in case he'd need them.

"Ready? It's up a couple of floors."

"Yes."

They walked out, then went to the elevator to wait for it to come down.

"Oh shoot." Kazuya whispered as he searched his pockets. "I forgot business cards, and our damned samples." He rarely swore, so Kurama knew he was nervous.

"I'll go ahead, you take your time picking out good ones." He didn't want to go at all, but here he was going alone to represent his father because he was going to be late. He knew Kazuya hated being late, so here he was, doing his usual outreach to others when he felt bad for them. "What's the floor and room number?"

He glanced at him in surprised but smiled in relief. "I apologize son but thank you very much. It's floor twelve, conference room four. Their receptionist's name is Julia White."

"Got it." He nodded with a smile, getting onto the elevator.

"I'll be quick!" He barely raised his voice as he held out a finger, now walking off quickly.

The elevator door shut, allowing Kurama to let out his frustrated sigh. The Dean guy seemed normal at least, so hopefully Kazuya didn't take long. But, he always wanted to make sure to bring the perfect samples for specific types of people. So, it could be a minute.

He arrived on twelve and walked out to the lobby. It was far more modern than their floor, and busier as well. People were sitting out on the benches waiting for meetings, and the phones were ringing one after another. The beautiful blonde woman at the front had her hair back in a professional bun, looking very calm as she answered phone calls calmly and professionally.

"Monstera, this is Julia. Do you mind if I put you on a quick hold?" She waited, then nodded. "Thank you." Then tapped her headset, looking directly at Kurama as he walked out of the elevator.

"Hello. How can I help you?" Her face seemed to be a face that always wore a calm expression, but Kurama could see the intrigue in her eyes as she gazed at him a bit longer—just as people always did. But she did it quick, now reverting back to her professionalism she had on second before.

"Good morning. I'm here to meet with Mr. Capo, I'm Shuichi Minamino, my father is running late so he sent me ahead of him."

She opened her mouth some in realization, then nodded, "Hatanaka?"

"Yes." He smiled, barely glancing in the direction a couple of women giggling loudly across the room. He easily heard their whispers commenting on his appearance.

"…his ass is sexier than mine." One girl said, obviously bummed.

"His hair is sexier than yours too."

"Oh shut up." She snipped back as they giggled again. "Are you sure it's a guy?"

Julia smiled up to him. "Here is the agenda for the meeting. And I'll send your father back as soon as he arrives. I'm sure they're getting ready to start, Mr. Kotobuki just arrived. They're in conference room number four." She pointed to a hallway.

Kotobuki!? Kurama was surprised, he knew that name well. His father had mentioned him only a few times, but he was one of the big shot investors and co-owners of many of the companies that resided in this building—even throughout Japan, so that name was everywhere. He didn't know they'd be meeting with such a big deal today.

"Thank you, Miss White."

She blinked, making the slightest of hesitation as she heard him say that—but nodded with another friendly smile. "You're very welcome Mr. Minamino."

Then he walked to the hallway she pointed to, now seeing all the conference rooms. He found conference room four, happy to see the door was still opened. He heard laughter from inside, it sounded like there were at least three to four people in there. He knocked on the partially opened door, now feeling a bit nervous.

"Come in!" Dean yelled.

Kurama pushed the door opened all the way as he barley registered the three other men in the room, being hit with a familiar scent as he stared at the man who sat at the head of the table. The man was unfortunately closest to the door, so he was the first thing to greet Kurama. The cologne burned his nostrils, as he held back a grimace. It was the vile man from the train yesterday… the one who was shamelessly touching himself. He automatically recoiled but stopped himself, standing his ground as he made eye contact with the odious person. The man turned in his chair and paused, but his face quickly gave recognition without shame as his smile grew, looking Kurama up and down. This man was closer to his age, he'd heard Kotobuki was much older than this idiot. But Kurama didn't care who the hell he was, he has zero respect for this human.

"Are you lost, little fox?" Kotobuki seemed excited.

…Little fox…?

Kurama raised his eyebrows, taming his anger as best he could. And, just like yesterday, images flashed through his head of the man's arms being sliced away. His screams, the fear in his eyes, the smell of warm blood spraying everywhere—

"Mr. Kotobuki, this is Shuichi Minamino." Dean said quickly as he stood, frowning openly due to the inappropriate comment.

Tearing his eyes away from the waste of a body, Kurama snapped himself out of his violent daydream. He barely made eye contact with Dean, because something else caught him off guard entirely. It was a pair of blue eyes staring directly back at him, straight into his soul. His face fell, now frozen as his heart rate picked up.

"…I hoped you wouldn't."

Marshall's whispering voice rang through his head as his stomach warmed and his face burned; unable to look away from Marshall's beautiful blues. Marshall's face displayed the same horror Kurama felt, now staring at each other as if they were the only ones there.

"Should I know this name?" Kurama barely heard the pudgy degenerate speak.

"Uh." Dean sounded confused as he followed Kurama's gaze to Marshall, looking at his colleague with even more confusion. Kotobuki stood up, and that made Kurama instinctually turn to face him again. Keeping his guard up, knowing the vermin's true nature.

Dean spoke quickly again, still distracted by all of what was happening. "Your father is acquainted with his father. Kazuya Hatanaka."

He looked over to Dean in surprise. "Of Hatanaka and Co.?"

Right then a loud bang came from where Marshall sat as he began coughing loudly, sitting up straighter while setting down a bottle of water. He was grabbing his knee in pain, while the other hand covered his mouth in attempt to stifle his choking. Everyone looked at Marshall, and Kurama stared in stress. Well, now Marshall knew he slept with the stepson of Hatanaka, the owner of one of the most successful family owned jewelers in Japan. What the hell was happening right now? The younger blonde man next to Marshall leaned in, asking if he was okay as he pat his back. Dean could barely look away from his colleague as he placed a hand on his shoulder, once more averting his attention to Kotobuki.

"Yes, Shuichi is Mr. Hatanaka's stepson." He looked confused but kept a professional expression.

Kotobuki looked back to Kurama still wearing a smile. "It's lovely to meet you, Shuichi. Your stepfather is a well-established businessman." He reached his hand out, attempting to act professional now. Kurama looked down at the pudgy hand.

No way he was touching that.

"I know." He said coldly, shooting his eyes back up to the prurient.

Kotobuki raised his eyebrows in surprise, and Dean reached his hand up to rub the back of his head. Now clearly stressed and entirely lost as to what was going on. He looked down to Marshall for help, who was just sitting quietly, watching the entire shit show unfold.

"Heh…" Kotobuki gave Kurama a look, seeming to enjoy. "Do you know when he'll be arriving? It's ten past." He glanced up at the clock on the wall.

"Anytime now—but, we'll be leaving once he does." He looked to Dean, making his authoritative expression clear. Far different from how he acted when they first met.

"Excuse me?" Kotobuki laughed.

Kurama gave him a look of disdain. "We aren't interested in working with you. Forgive us for wasting your time." He bowed but kept his eyes on the disreputable person in front of him. Kotobuki looked at him with annoyance, clearly filtering more than just that. Behind his faded eyes Kurama could see rage from the rejection. And that gave him great satisfaction.

Right then Kazuya walked up behind him, slowing as he saw his son bowing. Kurama straightened and turned to greet his father.

"Father." He gave him a look of apology.

Kazuya looked at him, frowning in confusion as he took a few steps into the room. "I apologize for my tardiness, but what's the matter?" He looked stressed as he held a handful of pamphlets and jewelry samples.

"We tried starting—" Dean spoke but stopped, still not sure what happened.

He glanced at Dean, then looked to Kotobuki. "Toda?" Kazuya nodded to him, "How are you?"

Kurama couldn't hold back a smile after hearing his first name, looking down some in attempt to hide it. It was a fitting name for such a lump.

"Well, we were about to start and then your son…?" He questioned, glancing at Shuichi as if he were some freak now, "…walked in. Seems he's uninterested in working with my father." He sounded genuinely confused.

Kazuya made a face, clearly shocked as looked to Kurama with confusion. Kurama could tell he was upset, but he didn't care. "Shuichi?"

"We aren't interested." He spoke the calmest he had today, looking his father dead in the eye.

Frowning, Kazuya studied Kurama's face before turning back to Kotobuki. "I apologize."

"It's alri—"

"But." He interrupted. "As my son said, we aren't interested." Kazuya echoed Kurama.

Kurama stared at him, feeling surprised but kept his calm expression. Dean frowned now, sitting down as he rubbed his chin. He turned to Marshall, speaking quietly.

Kotobuki frowned, clearly not happy with being interrupted.

"Dean, Mr. Mathes. Please forgive us for wasting your time." He bowed to both of them, as did Kurama.

…So his last name was Mathes? Kurama glanced up to him, meeting his eye as they were already looking his direction. He was obviously nervous and still processing all of the shit that just went down, especially their unexpected run-in. Kurama felt guilt hit his gut, now looking back to the ground as they both straightened back up.

"I'm still very interested in your company." He nodded at Dean, seeming hopeful. "Feel free to call anytime." Then he looked to little Toda, not smiling, but shaking his hand. "Toda, tell your Father I look forward to our meeting next month."

"Yes sir." He barely murmured back.

Kurama looked to Toda with triumph then turned swiftly to get the hell out of there. Following his father out of the conference room, he realized his usually calm stepfather was walking with anger.

"Have a great day, Mr. Hatanaka. Mr. Minamino!" Julia was barely able to say as they got into an elevator. The doors closed, and Kurama could hear his own heart pumping as he hit the button for floor ten. Keeping his eyes on the lit up numbers.

"You've got a lot of explaining to do."

He'd never heard him sound like that. He glanced at him, then to the ground with a nod. "Of course, whatever you need."

Once the doors opened to their floor, Kurama welcomed the quiet. But his ears still rang with the blood flowing through him, and his heart racing. He glanced up to Miss Kagero, but her eyes shot straight to Kazuya, frowning immediately.

"Back already, sir?"

He sighed deeply, "Yes. It didn't go well." He forced a smile for her, "Please hold all my calls unless it's from Mr. Capo or Mr. Mathes… also, please let me know if you hear anything from the Kotobuki's."

She glanced to Kurama, looking worried. "Of course, Mr. Hatanaka. Will do." She smiled with a nod, and he walked off toward his office. Seeming more defeated the more he walked.

"You okay?" She leaned in.

Kurama began to slowly follow his father but made a face in an attempt to relay the craziness that just went down. "It's quite a story." He made sure to look more nervous than he felt.

"Good luck." She was still confused but sighed in stress for the both of them.

He walked into his father's office, shutting the door, and going straight to the couches. He sat down quickly to poor himself a glass of ice water. The stress of seeing Marshall was still the heaviest thing on his mind at the moment, but, seeing Kazuya this upset wasn't his favorite either. He sighed as he drank some water, then leaned back against the couch as he watched his father put away the samples and pamphlets. They had been arguing more often these days, so he knew he needed to give him a moment to gather his thoughts.

He looked out the window, mind wandering back to Marshall. He would've chuckled right now if he was alone, realizing Marshall caught him off guard once again. Kurama definitely would have smelled his butterscotch cologne before entering the room if that damned pervert's body spray hadn't already tainted the air.

Those blue eyes almost sparkled more than he remembered… he lowered his gaze as his mind reeled. Remembering the feeling of belonging as he allowed the man to touch him, being held by him; all comforting. The way they kissed during their second time having sex, how he looked at him, his voice when Kurama touched him, his hands on Kurama's hips as he—

Kurama swallowed, now crossing one leg over the other, feeling his in his crotch warm as his thoughts got away from him.

"Shuichi?" Kazuya spoke harsher than usual.

Kurama snapped his head up as if almost afraid his father heard his thoughts. He must have really been zoning out. Kazuya looked concerned, "Are you okay? You didn't answer me."

..did he miss Marshall?

"I'm frustrated." He forced himself to focus, now fake smiling—but, frustrated didn't begin to explain this unknown feeling.

"Are you going to explain why the hell I just spoke to Toda that way?"

"I can, if you want to know. But, I do appreciate you backing me up." He nodded. "Really."

No façade, no faking. He really did.

He glared, now sighing out. "I hope I did for good reason."

"You did. That Toda person is a disgusting, vile, degenerate."

Kazuya looked stunned by his son's harsh speech. "Shuichi…"

"I didn't know Kotobuki had a son, but I had the misfortune of getting to know him some on my own, yesterday." He grimaced as he looked away, surprised by how embarrassed he felt about talking on this subject with Kazuya. He sighed, then looked to him again. "This is awkward."

Now Kazuya looked more worried, and the anger faded as he waited for Kurama to finish.

"I was on the train, and he was… self-gratifying himself…" He cocked his head to the side. "…to me." He scratched the side of his neck.

Kazuya stared—and Kurama wasn't sure if he heard or understood him.

"I could tell he recognized me today and had no shame." Kurama really hated scum like him… he could only imagine how many women or men—maybe even children, had been scarred by that pile of shit.

"He was masturbating in the train…?" He spoke so calmly it took Kurama a second to register that that word had come out of his mouth.

Raising his eyebrows, he saw a look he'd never seen from Kazuya before. He nodded. "Yes."

"To you… meaning?" He asked, still calm.

Kurama frowned, worried he'd broken him. "He stared at me while he—" He sat straighter, now setting his drink down on the coffee table, making an awkward expression.

"You're sure it was him doing this?"

Kurama made another face, widening his eyes as he looked down. "Quite sure." He hesitated, "This happens often fath—" Kazuya was walking out of the office now. Kurama frowned, blinking in shock. Where was he going!?

"Father?" He stood quickly, following him, now feeling rage emanating from Kazuya. "Father!" He spoke louder this time as he caught up with him, as they both walked into the lobby. "What are you doing?" He kept his voice hushed as he continued to keep up.

Kazuya roughly hit the up-arrow to the elevator several times, "No one gets to treat other's that way—especially my son, goddammit!" He spat out, not caring if anyone heard.

Kurama was surprised. He'd never heard Kazuya speak this way. He looked at him a little worried, then glanced around the lobby, seeing Miss Kagero cover her mouth in shock. A random somebody was waiting in the lobby, pretending not to hear what they were saying. But they were tense.

"Father. Please, can you hold on for one moment?" He didn't want to go back up there—and not because of Toda.

"Why doesn't this elevator ever work when I'm in a rush!?" Kazuya was clearly upset, grinding his teeth as his mind was racing.

Kurama had no idea what he was planning, but no way was he going to let his father go rush into a situation fueled by rage. "Father. He never touched me." He spoke calm, still attempting to stop him.

Kazuya looked to him in disgust. "Thank the heavens, but that doesn't make it any better, Shuichi!"

The man was shaking! Kurama raised his eyebrows, shocked to feel… well, shocked by this reaction. Did his stepfather really care for him this much? The man was quiet, and not the best at showing his emotions, but apparently this topic was a sensitive one. Kurama felt his chest warm, once again processing the shock of human love.

"Father."

The elevator finally beeped, and he ignored Kurama.

"Please stop."

"Oh." Kazuya stopped, looking up with a stressed expression.

Frowning, Kurama followed his gaze to the opened elevator. Once again feeling like he was punched in his gut as he met eyes with those ones. Marshall was on guard this time and kept a straight face as he looked back to Kurama—he swallowed and his eyes quickly shifted, showing he too was uncomfortable.

"Kazuya, we came to talk." Dean's voice cut the tension as he stepped out, now blocking Marshall from Kurama's view. "Ah, you're both here." He looked at Kurama, smiling gently to him, then back to Kazuya. "Let's go to your office, shall we?" He suggested as he guided Kazuya and Kurama watched as his father listened.

"Good idea." Kazuya barely said as his anger was clearly being replaced by duress.

The lovely butterscotch pine scent hit Kurama as he looked up to meet Marshall's gaze as he walked out of the elevator. His heart picked up, realizing scents always triggered memories the quickest with him. Feeling him this close again was strange, considering he thought he'd never see him again… and because they'd both done so much together…

"How are you?" Marshall sounded shockingly calm, but Kurama could see the pulse in his neck pumping… and the sheen on his skin.

That voice made goosebumps hit his skin, avoiding the shiver that came along with them Kurama took in a deep breath as he took in Marshall's stress for a second. He then forced himself to look at the obvious wound on his lip—the mark he'd left on him out of anger.

How embarrassing.

He was surprised the man was even talking to him, after what he did. Was he afraid…? Kurama set his jaw as realized his body remembered the taste of that blood…

He looked at his eyes finally, even though it was difficult to. "I'm alright."

"Just alright?" His response was quick. Kurama stared at him a little longer, then looked away. Knowing he deserved it. Of course he was angry.

He swallowed, as his eyes looked up to see his father leaving the lobby with Dean. "We shouldn't keep them waiting." He responded, ignoring Marshall's anger. Looking up to him with full on professionalism now. The two of them had to wait for now.

"Please, follow me." He kept strong eye contact with him as he moved his hand out, motioning for Marshall to walk.