Ketsueki and Aisoku 6

Aisoku steps from the dark vortex leading the pair from the Makai, still holding Ketsueki's hand. He looks up at the cloudy sky smiling contently, then he hugs Ketsueki, "Well....what do you think?" They have appeared in a thick forest.
Ketsueki blushes slightly as he is hugged, but merely shrugs. "...it's fine." He glances about warily, his tail swishing.
Aisoku releases him, glancing at his tale and ears, he hrms thoughtfully.
Ketsueki blinks, noticing Aisoku's gaze. "...what are you going to do?"
Aisoku lifts his finger as if about to speak, then he snaps his mouth closed for a few seconds. ".......I have no idea."
Ketsueki glances at his tail quietly. "...well, I don't know either. It's not that hard to miss this."
Aisoku smiles, "We could buy you a duster!" he says cheerfully.
Ketsueki blinks. "...nani?"
Aisoku grins, "It's a really, really long coat! It could hide your tail!"
Ketsueki, after a few moments, gives a small shrug. "But, do you have money to buy one?"
Aisoku pauses, pulling his bag off his back, he begins digging through it.
Ketsueki watches him silently, though every few moments he looks around quickly.
Aisoku is half inside the bag by the time he finds the money. He lifts his head, smiling broadly, "Hai!"
Ketsueki leans a bit closer, inspecting the money. He looks like a child, his head cocked to side slightly.
Aisoku smiles, holding them up for Ketsueki to view, "It's yen, Ket-chan."
Ketsueki pokes it with one finger. "..it's different."
Aisoku nods, "Well, yeah..."
Ketsueki straightens himself. "Well..I guess we should get going. We don't need to be standing around all day."
Aisoku stands, "Er....what about your ears?"
Ketsueki puts his hands to his head. "...dunno..."
Aisoku hrms, "I don't know if you'd wanna wear a hat...."
Ketsueki shrugs. "Whatever...I don't care...as long as I don't have people chasing after me yelling 'demon' and trying to kill me, do whatever you like to hide my ears and tail..."
Aisoku frowns a little, "No one will try to kill you..."
Ketsueki hms. "...I don't trust humans...or anyone, for that matter..."
Aisoku sighs, his shoulders slump, "Ket-chan..."
Ketsueki scowls slightly. "...can we get going? I don't like standing around."
Aisoku frowns, "Fine..."
Ketsueki sighs quietly, slowly shaking his head.
Aisoku takes Ketsueki's hand, slowly walking out of the clearing.
Ketsueki follows him silently, after a moment speaking. "Are you upset?"
Aisoku frowns, "I can't help but be, you know...."
Ketsueki hms. "...you're different.." he murmurs
Aisoku blinks, "...What do you mean...."
Ketsueki shakes his head slowly. "...when...I say anyone...that doesn't include you..if I said I hated everyone..I still wouldn't hate you...I guess I kinda think of you as separate from everyone else.."
Aisoku blushes a little, "That's sweet."
Ketsueki, after a moment, scowls. "No."
Aisoku grins, "Ket-chan....."
Ketsueki shakes his head. "No!! Now let's get going."
Aisoku smirks, "You're so strange..."
Ketsueki sighs, smiling slightly. "Thanks, I guess...now can we leave?"
Aisoku smiles, "Sure..."
Ketsueki gives a small nod. "Lead the way. I don't know this place at all.."
Aisoku nods, "Hai!"
Ketsueki hms, glancing about with his ears flattened. He remains silent.
Aisoku finally pushes through the trees out onto a small cement road. He smiles, "Home....back in Japan...."
Ketsueki looks around. "Where is your home...?"
Aisoku points down the road, "It's a little out of town....but first we need to go into the city and buy you a coat...."
Ketsueki nods slowly. "...alright..."
Aisoku begins walking towards the city, "But I guess you should wait a little in the outskirts if we don't want anyone to see your tail and all.."
Ketsueki is still looking around quickly and cautiously. "Mmm hmm..."
Aisoku notices his unease, "Ket-chan....what's the matter?"
Ketsueki blinks, slowly shaking his head. "Nothing...."
Aisoku sighs, "Ket-chan..." he releases his hand as they near the city, "Stay here, okay, koi?"
Ketsueki gives a small nod, blushing slightly. "H-hai..."
Aisoku turns, quickly running into the busy town.
Ketsueki hms, watching the boy's back until it can no longer be seen and sighing quietly.
A few small kids are walking down the side of the road, one of them a small girl, stops, looking at Ketsueki. "Hewwo miste kitty...." she grabs his tail. One of the older ones starts to pull her away, "Ira...leave this weirdo alone..." he whispers.
Ketsueki yelps as his tail is pulled, growling quietly. He glares at the older boy, his sensitive ears catching the comment. "I'm not a weirdo." he hisses quietly.
The girl refuses to release his tail, "No! No! No! Noooo! It's soft! I wike miste kitty!" The boy gulps, "G...Gomen....Ira...come on now..." he's obviously scared.
Ketsueki looks at the child, cocking his head slightly. He's never really encountered someone who seemed so fascinated with his tail. He slowly waves it, now ignoring the boy.
The little girl giggles, the fur of his tail tickling her. She smiles, "Miste kitty is tickwing me!"
Ketsueki's thin lips crack a tiny smile, and he waves his tail around a bit more, his eyes still locked on the small girl.
Ira grins, burying her tiny face into his fluffy tail. She laughs happily. The boys, now thoroughly agitated, "I'm outta here..." one of them says. The group turns leaving. Ira doesn't notice.
Ketsueki turns to the others. "And you're just going to leave her here?"
The boy scowls, "She can find her way home...not like it's your business." The girl peaks her head out from Ketsueki's tail, "Aniki......"
Ketsueki growls. "...you don't just desert people. Especially people who look up to you, idiot."
The boy scowls, ignoring Ketsueki's words. They walk away quietly. Tears gather in her eyes, "A.....Aniki....."
Ketsueki frowns, gently picking up the girl. "..not a very good aniki.." he murmurs to himself, looking Ira over quietly.
Her arms hook around Ketsueki's neck, looking up at him.
Ketsueki blinks. "...erm....shall we...go get your aniki?"
Ira raises one hand, gently touching Ketsueki's wolf ears. "Neko...?"
Ketsueki slowly shakes his head. "...wolf..."
Ira blinks, "Puppy?" she smiles, "Doggy?" She bends one of his ears happily.
Ketsueki sighs. "...fine..."
Ira smiles, "Was yer name?"
"Ketsueki..."
Ira smiles, "I'm Iwa..."
Ketsueki gives a small nod. "...do you know your way home?"
Ira nods happily, "Hai! Hai!"
Ketsueki smiles slightly. "Good. That would be bad if you got lost...."
Ira runs her small hands through Ketsueki's thin hair, "Pwetty...."
Ketsueki laughs quietly, watching her.
Ira leans her head on his shoulder, "Yor pwetty miste..."
Ketsueki smiles slightly. "Thank you..."
Ira rests silently upon his shoulder. After a few moments, it is obvious she has fallen fast asleep.
Ketsueki can't help but smile again, and slowly he sits himself down, still holding the small child.
Aisoku appears, walking away from the town with a large bag, "Hey Ke-" he stops, "Er...who's your friend?"
Ketsueki blinks, glancing up. "...her brother left her here..."
Aisoku blinks, "You look so cute...both of you." He kneels by Ketsueki, "You'd make a good daddy."
Ketsueki turns bright red. "Iie!! J-just a stupid lil kid....she kept pulling my tail..."
Aisoku smiles, "You would...." he laughs, "Would I be a good mom?"
Ketsueki twitches, remaining completely silent and staring at Aisoku.
Aisoku grins, leaning against Ketsueki, "Well?"
Ketsueki slowly shakes his head. "...no. Now let's get going..."
Aisoku grins, "Well...first, what do you plan to do with the kid?"
Ketsueki blinks, looking down at the child in his arms. "..she said she knows the way home...so, should I wake her up, and let her on her way?"
Aisoku smiles, "That's a good idea, assuming she'll want to leave."
Ketsueki gently shakes her. "Ira...? Wake up..." He glances up at Aisoku. "She thinks I'm a puppy...at first she was calling me mister kitty.."
Aisoku hides a smile, whispering, "Kawaii..." Ira stirs, "Nani....?"
Ketsueki doesn't seem to hear Aisoku, as he is currently focused on the small girl. "You should probably be getting home..."
Ira shakes her head, hugging his neck again, "Iie!!"
Ketsueki blinks. "...it's not like you can come with me! You have to go home to your mom."
Ira shakes her head, "Mommy's not home."
Ketsueki hms. "You still should go home...."
Ira clings to him, "Iie!" Aisoku smiles, "She likes you a lot, Ket-chan..."
Ketsueki tries to gently pry the small girl from his neck. "You can't live with me!"
Ira doesn't let go.
Ketsueki still tries to get her off without hurting himself or her. "Come on!! You hafta go home!" He looks at Ai. "Help me!!"
Aisoku is too occupied with hiding his laughter to help Ketsueki.
Ketsueki finally stops, standing up. "Well, Ira, what am I supposed to do with you?"
Ira scrambles, nearly slipping as he stands. Her grip around his neck tightens, "Wanna stay with miser puppy..."
Ketsueki sighs, putting his arms up and holding her so she doesn't strangle him. "But you can't stay with mister puppy...."
Aisoku smiles, "Mister puppy...." Ira frowns, "Why not.....?"
Ketsueki shoots a glare at Aisoku. "Because, mister puppy can't take you with him. Because you belong at home and your mom might get worried if you didn't come back.."
Ira shakes her head, "Mommy wouldn't worry."
Ketsueki blinks, looking at Ai. "What am I supposed to do???"
Aisoku laughs, though he tries to stop himself, "How should I know...."
Ketsueki sighs. "Well, someone will care if you're gone…you should get on home..." He scowls at Aisoku. "You're absolutely no help at all."
Aisoku erks, "G-gomen....." He smiles. Ira shakes her head, her blonde locks jumping about her shoulders, "Iie! Aniki wouldn't cawe."
Ketsueki sighs, looking pleadingly at Ai. "Tell me what to do!! I dunno...I'm not used to kids....."
Aisoku smiles, "You were a kid once. You can think of something."
Ketsueki shakes his head. "I wasn't this kinda kid!!! I didn't hang all over people. I didn't even talk to anyone. Come on!! Leggo 'a me!!"
Ira closes her eyes and holds onto him tighter, "Iie!!!" Aisoku flinches at the loud sound.
Ketsueki sighs. "...let's just take her...she's not about to let go, and we can just bring her home later, alright?"
Aisoku nods, "Sure..." Ira smiles broadly, "I cun stay wit miste ki- miste puppy?!"
Ketsueki gives a small nod. "Yeah, you can stay with Mister puppy...." He glances at Aisoku. "Shall we get going? And you get the duster or whatever else?"
Aisoku grins, pulling a long black coat out of his bag, "Hai! I thought black was the right color for you...." Ira nuzzles Ketsueki, "Yay!"
Ketsueki gives a small nod and smile, glancing at Ira. "Let Mister puppy put you down for a minute so he can put on a coat....."
Ira blinks, frowning a little, "Okay miste puppy..." Aisoku smiles, "Here! Let me hold her, Ket-chan! She's so kawaii."
Ketsueki slowly shakes his head in exasperation, holding Ira out to Aisoku. "Here, let's see if she gives you a stupid name."
Aisoku takes the little girl, smiling, "Not one as cute as yours, I'm sure." Ira looks up at Aisoku, then at Ketsueki, "Miste puppy...is she yor wife?"
Ketsueki slips on the coat easily, turning bright red at Ira's question. "......yeah, sure."
Aisoku twitches, "Er...No...I'm not his wife...." Ira grins, "Yor wife! Do yu have any kids?"
Ketsueki smirks. "No....not yet. Something wrong, Aisoku?"
Aisoku blushes, "I am not your wife, Ket-chan!"
Ketsueki coughs. "Let's get going."
Aisoku jabs him with one finger, "Say it! I'm your husband!" He grins.
Ketsueki turns bright red. "Can we get off the stupid subject?! You're not my wife, happy???"
Aisoku smiles, "Fine, fine.."
Ketsueki hms, adjusting the coat and running a few thin fingers through his hair. "Well, lead the way. I dunno where to go.."
Aisoku smiles, "Not so fast..." he pulls a small hat from his bag, plucking it down on Ketsueki's head, "To hide your ears."
Ketsueki blinks, shrugging after a moment. "Alright, alright, now let's go..."
Aisoku hands Ira back to Ketsueki, "Come on..." he starts walking again.
Ketsueki takes her back, silently following the other boy.
Aisoku smiles, "My home is this way...it's the closest village...maybe she lives there?"
Ketsueki gives a small shrug, looking at Ira. "Where do you live...?"
Ira grins, pointing towards the approaching city.
Ketsueki nods. "I guess so, then...."
Aisoku hooks his arm around Ketsueki's, "This is nice....I'm so glad you came." He rests his head on Ketsueki's shoulder, but yelps and moves away as Ira pulls his hair.
Ketsueki sighs. "Don't pull Ai's hair...."
Aisoku whimpers, "Owwie...Ira-chan, don't do that...."
Ketsueki looks at Ira. "Don't hurt him any more, alright?"
Ira nods, "Hai....awe you mad at me......"
Ketsueki shakes his head. "Nah...just..don't do that any more..." He glances at Ai. "Gomen...."
Aisoku smiles, "Iie...I don't worry about it....she's just a kid."
Ketsueki sighs. "Yeah...I know..." He looks again at Ira. "Why do you insist on coming with me?!"
Ira smiles, "Yur my fwiend!" She hugs him.
Ketsueki gives an exasperated sigh. "...how much further?"
Aisoku grins, watching the pair, "Almost there."
Ketsueki shifts Ira slightly in his arms, glancing forward silently.
Aisoku steps onto the familiar path into the small town, "My house isn't far...but what do we do with Ira?"
Ketsueki blinks. "Where's your home, Ira? We'll just take you there..."
Ira frowns and points to a small home at the boundary of town. She leans against Ketsueki's shoulder.
Ketsueki begins to walk towards it, sighing. ".....since we have to leave you here, would you like Mister puppy to come visit you later?"
Ira nods eagerly, grinning, "Hai! Hai! Hai!"
Ketsueki smiles slightly. "Alright. Then Mister puppy will." As soon as he reaches the house, he gently sets her on the ground.
Ira hugs Ketsueki's legs, "Bye bye miste puppy..." She turns, running off and disappearing into the house. Aisoku smiles, "Ket-chan...."
Ketsueki sighs, glancing at Aisoku. "Nani?"
Aisoku beams, "Seems like you made a friend...."
Ketsueki hns. "I hate kids."
Aisoku smiles, "You don't seem to hate Ira...."
Ketsueki crosses his arms. "I do. Leave me alone."
Aisoku takes Ketsueki's arm, "Come on, come on....mom will be so happy to see me safe...she'll be happy to meet you, I just know it..."
Ketsueki blinks, allowing Aisoku to lead him. "...y-your mom...?"
Aisoku smiles, "Hai. Where did you think we were going?"
Ketsueki slowly shakes his head. "...I knew we were going to your house...I just never thought about meeting your mother.."
Aisoku laughs, "Well, I do live with her."
Ketsueki gives a small nod. "...I don't think she'll be expecting you to come home with some youkai she's never seen before.."
Aisoku shrugs, "She won't mind....don't worry okay? You'll have to meet my siblings too..."
Ketsueki gives a small nod. "Alright..."
Aisoku frowns, "Though I don't know how well you'll get along with my brothers...."
Ketsueki gives a small shrug. "They don't bug me, I won't rip their heads off."
Aisoku sighs, "Ket-chan...please try and be nice to them...they don't mean anything by it...really..."
Ketsueki hns. "...if they do anything to you, then they'll have a real problem." he mutters quietly.
Aisoku frowns, "Ket-chan..."
Ketsueki sighs. "...let's just go. I suppose I can try, but I won't promise anything."
Aisoku smiles, "Thanks....I really appreciate it...really..."
Ketsueki gives a small nod. "Sure."
Aisoku grins, "You're the best....Aishiterou....."
Ketsueki blushes, though he remains silent.
Aisoku walks up the steps to his house, opening the door slowly, "Mom? Aniki? Anybody home?"
Ketsueki follows, glancing about quietly.
A rather small, black-haired woman appears from the den, dressed in a silken kimono. She smiles, "Ai-chan!" Aisoku smiles, temporarily leaving Ketsueki's side long enough to hug her fiercely, "Mom...it's so nice to see you..." As they separate, she smiles, "Ai-chan, you've been away from home to long, take off your shoes before coming in the house...."
Ketsueki watches silently, almost no emotion present at all on his face. He glances about again.
Aisoku smiles sheepishly kicking off his shoes. He glances at Ketsueki, hoping he will do the same. "Gomen..." His mother smiles, "no problem..." She hugs him again, "My little Ai-chan...." Aisoku laughs, "Moma stop it..."
The corners of Ketsueki's mouth threaten to move to a smile, though they don't as he slowly slips the small cloth shoes from his feet.
Aisoku smiles, turning and putting a hand on Ketsueki's shoulder, "Mom...this is Ketsueki...."
Ketsueki gives a small nod of his head, finally, after a moment, managing to say something. "Hello."
Aisoku blushes a little, looking down, "He's my er....I met him when I was looking for dad in the Makai...." His mother smiles, "Ketsueki..it's very nice to meet you," she bows her head.
Ketsueki gains a slight blush of his own. "..uh..it's very nice to meet you too..."
She smiles again, "It's so nice to see my little Ai-chan with a friend." Aisoku coughs, "M-mom...I don't think you quite understand....."
Ketsueki twitches slightly, watching Aisoku. If anyone was going to explain it, Aisoku would have to be the one.
She blinks, "Hrm?" Aisoku looks up at Ketsueki, smiling, suddenly comfortable, "Ketsueki is more than my friend," he takes the elder boy's hand, "Mom...do you understand?"
Ketsueki turns bright red, though he remains completely silent.
She blinks, a little startled. Then she hugs Ketsueki, "So he'll be staying with us then?" Aisoku looks down, blushing, "That's up to him, I guess..."
Ketsueki erks. "....stay.....?"
Aisoku's mother smiles, "Of course, if you mean so much to Ai-chan, you're one of the family. Welcome if you'd stay with us." Aisoku blushes, looking up at Ketsueki.
Ketsueki blinks. "I-I....erm...thank you for the offer..."
Aisoku smiles, laughing a little, "Mom, you're embarrassing him..."
Ketsueki gives a small nod. "I'm...just not really used to people being nice...."
She smiles, "Of course..." she takes Ketsueki's hand, beginning to lead him down the hall, "Well, until you make your decision, you can stay in the guest room, alright?" Aisoku blinks, following.
Ketsueki follows obediently. "Uh..sure...."
She opens the door to a well-furnished room, "Ai-chan's room is across the hall...the kitchen is down that way.....Well, dinner is at six o'clock. I'll be happy to see you both there." She bows and leaves. Aisoku coughs, "Sorry...sorry about my mom..." He smiles.
Ketsueki blinks. "...it's....alright...that was strange."
Aisoku smiles, "Well...make yourself at home!"
Ketsueki slowly walks inside, looking around. "It's nice...." he murmurs, his eyes searching the room.
Aisoku shrugs, "It's not much...but you can decorate it as you like...." He smiles.
Ketsueki hms. "With what? It's not like a really have anything..plus, plain is fine with me."
Aisoku smiles, turning and walking over to his bedroom, "I need to lie down I think...care to join me?"
Ketsueki blushes slightly, though, after a moment, follows Aisoku.
Aisoku's room is decorated in a childish fashion, a small futon in the corner, with sky blue covers and small bookshelves and a few stuffed animals. He plots down upon his bed.
Ketsueki glances about, moving to the bed and slowly seating himself next to Aisoku.
Aisoku blushes a little, "Yeah, I know what you're thinking..I'm a little kid, ne? Well it makes me happy..."
Ketsueki smiles slightly, shaking his head. "You're not a little kid....."
Aisoku smiles, "But I act like one?"
Ketsueki suddenly pushes Ai down on the bed, kissing him. "Not really...."
Aisoku blinks, smiling after a moment allowing himself to sink back into his bed. A tall, lanky boy walks by the open door, stopping at the sight he sees. "Aisoku, what the HELL are you DOING?"
Ketsueki turns slowly, a calm, though slightly annoyed look on his face. "Is it your business?"
Aisoku looks up, "A...Aniki!" The boy scowls, "Well this is just perfect. Always knew you were a little freak. Guess it's the demon in you," he laughs.
Ketsueki pulls back, sitting down and pulling off his hat and jacket. "Do you have some problem with demons?"
He narrows his eyes, "So you're one of them. What makes him different than dad, Aisoku? You'll probably make him leave too." Aisoku flinches, looking down at the floor...
Ketsueki scowls. "From the way you're acting, it seems more like he would've left because of you."
The boy hisses, "Shut your damn trap, demon." Aisoku frowns, "Aniki....stop..."
Ketsueki hns. "Why don't you make me? I'm not scared of you."
The boy laughs, "It's not concern of mine. Seeya later little brother," he sneers. Aisoku frowns, watching as his brother moves away from the door.
Ketsueki shifts slightly, his tail swishing., "What a moron."
Aisoku frowns, "Aniki hates me...and I don't think he likes you much either.."
Ketsueki shrugs. "It's not exactly a loss for me."
Aisoku sighs, leaning back against the bed again. "I guess....."
Ketsueki glances at him. "Does it upset you?"
Aisoku looks down, "Of course it does...he's my brother....he's my big brother..."
Ketsueki frowns slightly. "...relation doesn't matter, it's how he treats you."
Aisoku wipes his eyes, "Ket-chan...I can't help it."
Ketsueki bites his lip. "Ai...don't get upset.."
Aisoku reaches up, pulling Ketsueki down beside him. He moves close to the elder boy, burying his face in his chest.
Ketsueki sighs, wrapping his arms about Aisoku. "It's alright...."
Aisoku nods weakly.
Ketsueki hms. "At least I didn't have any siblings...." he murmurs.
Aisoku hugs Ketsueki, "Don't say that....siblings are supposed to be like a best friend...but aniki..." he shrugs.
Ketsueki frowns. "They're supposed to be. But people are supposed to be lots of things they're not..."
Aisoku nods, "You're right, Ket-chan....."
Ketsueki sighs, closing his eyes. "Just don't expect everyone to be like they should."
Aisoku flinches, "I guess...but......"
Ketsueki gives a small laugh, smiling at Aisoku. "I sound so optimistic, don't I?"
Aisoku laughs meekly, "Hai....like always..."
Ketsueki gently touches Ai's cheek with his hand. "Aishiteru...." he murmurs, a small blush reaching his cheeks.
Aisoku blushes and smiles, "Thank you again for coming back with me..."
Ketsueki gives a small nod. "It's not a problem.."
Aisoku looks down for a moment, "...What do you think about what mom said....?"
Ketsueki hms. "You mean..about staying...?"
Aisoku gulps, "H...hai..."'
Ketsueki frowns. "..I don't really belong here...."
Aisoku winces, "O..oh...."
Ketsueki sighs. "But....I don't know. I have to think about it...."
Aisoku looks down, "Gomen...I shouldn't have asked you...."
Ketsueki shakes his head. "Why...? I mean..look, it's gonna take me some time. It's not exactly a quick decision."
Aisoku nods, "I know...." He looks down.
Ketsueki sighs. "But, you want me to stay, right?"
Aisoku dampens his lips with his tongue, "I..."
Ketsueki releases Ai, sitting up and smoothing down his hair. "..it'll take me a bit to think."
Aisoku lies still on the bed, looking up.
Ketsueki hms, standing up after a moment and stretching out his legs. "You alright?"
Aisoku nods, "I'll be fine, Ket-chan..."
Ketsueki hms. "...are you sure?"
Aisoku nods, shifting and pulling a blanket over his body. "Yeah..."
Ketsueki sighs, turning and watching the other boy for a long moment.
Aisoku frowns, aware that Ketsueki's eyes are on him. He pulls the blanket tighter around his body.
Ketsueki shakes his head slowly, turning and heading out the door. "I'll be in my room if you need me." he murmurs.
Aisoku nods hesitantly, "Hai..."
Ketsueki sighs, leaving the room and closing the door behind him.
Aisoku watches him, "...J-Ja Ket-chan...."

~Owari~

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