The Wanderer

[Lord Sesshomaru]

Tears were bad, right? He tensed, uncomfortable and unsure on how to handle Kouhei crying. Was the mess really that big of a deal? The hug made him even more uncomfortable, but it soothed his conflicted emotions. Slowly and carefully Tsuyoi placed his hands onto Kouhei's shoulders. He accepted the embrace but wasn't sure if he could return it.

Luckily the hug didn't last long enough where he could make up his mind. He nodded his acceptance, and satisfied he went back to the kitchen to get the plate he had made with himself. He wasn't satisfied with the taste either, but smothering it in butter and syrup made it tolerable.

The cleaning was the thing he dreaded. The music kept things cheery and he helped the best he could without getting in the way of Kouhei and her dancing. Which was way too distracting. The cleaning also meant himself, and he did his best to get the powder out of his hair and off his face. His clothes were still a mess but he didn't change seeing it as unnecessary.

Things were starting to finally look nice and clean again when Kouhei remembered what even Tsuyoi had forgotten. Not only had he forgotten, he had decided to ignore that whole thing all together. He didn't expect Kouhei to invite him after the incident.

"Ten? Why?" Tsuyoi asked, brows furrowing in confusion and slightly suspicious of the whole thing. Any follow up questions would be interrupted by Kouhei's phone ringing. Tsuyoi went to pick it up but restrained himself, remembering his place in Kouhei's home. He was still a stranger and stranger's do not answer the other person's phone. Even though he knew who it probably was.

[Birdie]

He scrubbed out the last pan and set it in the strainer to dry with the rest. He managed to get the burnt bits off of it, luckily. Next up was the scrubbing of counters. Cleaning could be fun, Kouhei found it therapeutic often times. As he swept the floor he gave Tsuyoi his reply, "Because you are underage and that's when the restaurant officially closes and the bar officially opens. It's unfortunate, but you'll be old enough before you know it." He gave one of his silly grins before throwing away the stuff he had swept into a dustpan.

"Mop..." he mumbled under his breath as he headed toward a closet in the front hallway to retrieve the object. Just as he pulled out the swiffer the phone began to ring. It caused Kouhei to give out a little cry and momentarily freeze up. "You can go ahead and shower again. We'll get your clothes in the wash." Holding the mop, he walked across the room to lift the phone from its cradle to his ear. "Hello, Mitska Kouhei speaking!" His voice was chipper as he smiled into the cradle. Who would be calling him now?

[Lord Sesshomaru]

Tsuyoi frowned, not liking the idea of being banned from some place. His age never affected things before. But he guessed that was because he was tagging along with his father. He stayed where he was, knowing that showering now wouldn't be a good time as he moved in closer to try and hear. It should be him, right? But if not...who would be calling Kouhei?

"So you're the lucky one that gets to have Seishuku-sama sleeping under their roof!" Ah, that was enough for Tsuyoi to hear. He leaned in more and slipped the phone from Kouhei's hand gently, putting it to his ear.

"And to think that I would have so willingly allowed Seishuku-sama to stay in my home-"

"Enough, Gakuto." Tsuyoi interrupted, taking the phone and sitting down onto the couch, crossing his leg. His mood and posture shifted from the comfortable openness he had somehow allowed in Kouhei's home. Suddenly he looked all the rich heir he truly was.

"Y-Yes sir! I called to inform you that I brought what you asked! You know, you can always just come and stay at my house Seishuku-sama."

"I refuse." And before Gakuto could cry too much about it to Tsuyoi he hung up the phone. He stood up swiftly and placed the phone back where it belonged. "I made a phone call while you were gone." he paused, remembering the scolding he recieved as he narrowed his eyes at Kouhei. "I'm--" hesitating, he concentrated on rephrasing his words from his original plan.

"I hope you don't mind. I did not ask to use your phone." he gulped, looking away. "Gakuto is my chauffeur, I asked him to bring my things. Including another set of clothes..."

Tsuyoi paused again, getting to the hardest part. Maybe he should have just accepted Gakuto's invitation so he wouldn't have to ask. Why would he have to ask? Because he finally snapped himself out of that delusional reality he had made of Kouhei and himself.

"I will not be allowed back home until Sunday. May I stay another night?"

[Birdie]

Kouhei's brow knit in confusion. Who was this person? How did he get his number? Why was Kouhei the lucky one? This guy sounded like an absolute creep. He opened his lips to say something like, 'Get stuffed,' but the phone was easily removed from his fingers. He stared at Tsuyoi is shock. How dare he just take things out of his hands like that! And the way he acted towards that other person on the phone, Kouhei finally had an understanding of why the boy acted as if they world belonged to him.

Despite the slight anger at having something stolen from his grasp, Kouhei found himself staring. There was something regal in the way Tsuyoi sat. His long legs crossed, his back stiff and straight. It was as if he were looking at a very moody young prince. He briefly imagined the boy in Medieval type clothing. It should have been funny, but it made Tsuyoi look even more... enticing.

Kouhei blushed and hurried about with the mop. Trying to pry his mind from the well of perversion it had fallen into, he filled a bucket with hot, pine scented water and finished the task at hand. Part way through he paused as it seemed Tsuyoi addressed him. The boy was part way between the stiff gentleman he had to be and the relaxed child he became when around Kouhei. It didn't matter how he sat or presented himself, that face was gorgeous.

Blushing, Kouhei forced himself to stare at his fingers curled around the mop handle. "Ah... no problem. That's what it's for..." He trailed off, feeling foolish and dirty. Maybe he should bleach his brain or something.

Chauffeur! This kid had his own driver? Kouhei's jade eyes grew wide and he clung tightly to the mop. What a life this kid must live! Living in the lap of luxury, never having to worry about rent. Or eating. Or anything much, actually. Somewhere Kouhei felt a little jealousy, but he also understood that the obscenely rich had their own problems. This became evident in Tsuyoi's question.

He hadn't really though about Tsuyoi going home. It felt right having him here, like this was home. Or, home was where Tsuyoi was. Something stupid like that. They had just met, sure there was a minor fight but it felt like the parting shouldn't be happening so suddenly!

"Of course! I don't mind." He smiled kindly. "My couch is always open. Or my bed," he winked. Immediately he regretted it. He shouldn't be so flirty with someone who was underage. It was wrong to the extreme! Quickly Kouhei turned away to finish up his mopping. "Well, if you aren't going to take a shower yet, I was going to take a quick one, clean all this stuff off of me." His cheeks were beet red and he couldn't look up from the floor.

[Lord Sesshomaru]

Tsuyoi was...happy. Relieved and happy. The fight hadn't turned Kouhei against him. He felt himself relax and could even see past the the wink as the joke it was. Or at least he hoped it was a joke. But in his relaxed state he might have accepted the offer.

Allowing himself the small opportunity to join in on the humor, he lightly added. "We will both take a shower." Realizing that could be taken the wrong way, it gave him a slight thrill as he slipped into his shoes at the entryway. "You can go ahead first. I was just waiting for my extra clothes."

Tsuyoi quickly left, his heart pounding but a grin that he could show all to himself plastered to his face. Things were good. Better. He could play, too.

But first, his things!

Tsuyoi returned a few minutes later. It took a while to get Gakuto to leave and not follow him inside. A lot of whining ensued. And a lot more insults on his part to finally get the annoying man to get back in his car. But he finally did, and he took his school bag inside. Now he didn't have to rely on Kouhei so much except for a roof over his head.

Tsuyoi returned with his phone in hand, going through his unanswered phone calls and unread text messages while he was parted from it. Not too much. Mostly it was Gakuto probably freaking out when he first went 'missing'.

Looking around he realized that Kouhei was still in the shower. Taking his chance he took the wallet Kouhei had allowed him to borrow from the coffee table he had placed it on and slipped half of his money stash into it. It was double what Kouhei originally had and he innocently put it back before waiting for his chance to take a shower with the clothes Gakuto had brought for him.

[Birdie]

There was a small hint of a smile. It made his heart do fluttery things and his stomach all jumbly. It all only worsened when Tsuyoi spoke. If Kouhei had been red before, it was nothing compared to the bright blushed which now dusted his cheeks, nose, and ears. Shower?! Together?! Kouhei calmed when he realized the joke and felt embarrassment for having been so flustered. If he could be inappropriate, Tsuyoi should have the chance to make such jokes too right?

"Sounds good hun. Good luck! Ah sorry. Not hun. Seishuku-san..." Giving up in trying to correct himself, Kouhei rinsed out the mop and dumped the bucket. He saw Tsuyoi head out the door. Only the sound of music floated through his small apartment. Kouhei sighed, and placed a hand over his fluttery heart, trying to relax. He took a moment to light up some incense from his stash before he went about his shower.

He spent extra time making sure everything was clean and properly shaved. Looking perfect was imperative. Wrapping the towel about his body in a girlish fashion again, he quickly zoomed to his room. "Bathroom's free!" he called lighty, in case Tsuyoi was back.

Safely in his sanctuary, Kouhei allowed himself the time to properly dry and take care of himself. It would also take him a while to get ready. In fact, it took him approximately two hours to do everything he needed in order to reach the level of perfection he desired.

When Kouhei emerged from the room he looked like an almost completely different person. An angel of white. His dress was long and flow-y, the hem brushing against the ground. It was split up to the knee, allowing his long slender legs to be seen. They were covered in white thigh highs, held up by unseen garters. The dress clung lightly to his waist (held in place by a black waist cincher) but hung loosely around his chest and shoulders. Part of the dress attached to his fingers so that when he raised his arms it appeared as if wings grew from his back. The fabric was opalescent in color. He wore a wig of long, white hair was waved smoothly about his face. His make-up and nails were painted dark to contrast with the shimmering, glittering white. The shoes he chose were a pair of dark, high lacing roman sandal heels.

[Lord Sesshomaru]

Putting away his phone into his book bag he took the clothes Gakuto brought into the bathroom with him. The shower took longer than usual since the powder quickly turned into goo with the helping of water. All of his scrubbing paid off in the end and in his good mood he actually took time with his looks. He even blow dried his hair for once!

Tsuyoi was hoping that Gakuto would bring him something more casual to wear. Instead, he was given a specific outfit that didn't hide the size of his wallet at all. As subtle as it was with color, it was still more professional than he was hoping.

A suit, of all things! They were going to a bar; a restuarant! The dark gray colored suit was just too business like for his taste. Trying to play it down he removed the tie and unbuttoned the white undershirt just a bit.

He pouted, hoping not to emberass himself when he would see Kouhei in something silly and loose fitting. But when he exited the bathroom, he got something...very unexpected.

Stepping back and eyes wide, he did something he never done before. Stutter.

"Y-You-" He stopped short, tensing as he regained himself. Eyes narrowing and continuing his sentence although very different from what he was normally going to say.

"You look a little overdressed." Yeah, how he went from an almost compliment to an insult, he wasn't sure. Nor did he feel too good about it. But he couldn't risk another fight like last time, including so soon.

"But," he began, working his way to the coffee table to slip his phone and his wallet into his pocket. "you pull it off well."

[Birdie]

The look on Tsuyoi's face was priceless, but the words which came out of his mouth made Kouhei pout. Obviously he had made some sort of impression, but to go so far as to down play it like that. It made Kouhei was to get him back. "Well aren't you one to talk Mister Fancy," he teased lightly. He followed the younger boy into the living room. "Pretty nice outfit you've got going on!"

It was quite the outfit too. It was obviously some sort of high end suit, though Kouhei had never been good with brand names. It probably cost ten times more than the homemade dress he wore. It looked very good though. Tsuyoi appeared very posh. "But we match though!" He liked the idea of matching.

Kouhei placed the wallet from the table into his purse. Pulling on a heavy sweater, he lead the way out of the door. Into the cool late afternoon air. He chatted idly about anything he could think of, people they passed, ads, store names, even went so far as to ask what sort of songs Tsuyoi would like him to sing. He barely expected a reply, just the silence made him nervous. It would mean he would have to think...

It was only fifteen minutes before the reached Saturn's Rings. It was located down some stairs in a basement. It was dry and warm though. The room was a little dark but it had a rather comfortable setting. There was a bar along the wall, and a series of tables set out in front of a well lit stage. The decorations were a little tacky, but fun. Curtains hung around lights coming from the wall, and tiny chandeliers hung over each table.

"Kou-chan!" Arms wrapped around Kouhei's neck as a heavy body pressed against his. Olivia greeted him excitedly. She was dressed in a stunning cocktail dress, though it was a poor choice for Ollie's lack of curve.

"Hey gorgeous," Kouhei hugged the Queen back. "I brought a friend along." Olllie looked him over and then smirked, winking at Kouhei.

"Looks like a nice young man."

"He's great! Also, Ren and the band might show up."

"Oh exciting, it would be just like the old days eh?"

"Old days? I guess so..." Kouhei shrugged, unsure of what old days even meant.

[Lord Sesshomaru]

It wasn't like Tsuyoi meant to be fancy, so the comeback didn't affect him as much. But just in case, he unbottoned the undershirt more, trying to make it look messy. But maybe it was okay. They matched, after all.

And that made him happy. They matched, and they looked like an item. It made things all the better and he finally felt comfortable in the suits that he avoided.

Everything felt right. Walking side by side with Kouhei while blabbering nonsense. It fit. Saturn's Ring didn't fit in his fantasy, though. He had expected it to be fancier to fit Kouhei's outfit much less his own. And definitely not this new woman.

Tsuyoi took a step back, straightening himself and adjusting his suit. He didn't feel the easy comfortability he did when Kouhei and him were alone and his walls quickly went up in defense.

He didn't fit in, and wasn't sure what to do with himself. This place was completely unusual. And as long as everyone else dressed up just as fancy it would be alright. But as a whole...strange.

[Birdie]

There were already a few people mingling about in the store. Their dress varied from completely casual, to business casual, to things more like what Tsuyoi wore. No one was as dressed up as Kouhei. There were a couple of families eating as well as a few mixed couples (being of different heritages or of the homosexual variety). It seemed to be a place meant to accommodate all sorts.

Kouhei said his momentary farewells to Olivia. He then turned to Tsuyoi. "Let's go find a table, yeah?" he took the younger man's hand and led him through the maze of tables. People looked as they went passed, more on the clothing Kouhei had chosen to wear. He found a table off to the side, a little more in the dark as to allow Tsuyoi a sense of privacy but also letting him have a great view of the stage. "Aaaah, home base." Letting go of his hand, Kouhei took a seat, leaning back in his chair. It was not long before a waitress dressed in the mens waitstaff clothing appeared.

"I'll have... Sex on the Beach and whatever this guys wants." He gestured toward Tsuyoi. "I'll need a minute to decide if I want anything to eat." After Tsuyoi ordered his drink, Kouhei grinned at him. "What do you think? I'm really excited. It's been a while since I've sung here." He could not seem to get comfortable, moving about in his chair as if to prove just how excited for everything he was.

[Lord Sesshomaru]

He relaxed in his seat, his eyes wandering every which way and was very satisfied with Kouhei's chose in table. Even if he had to endure holding hands with Kouhei to get there. Tsuyoi flexed his hand, and was highly distracted staring at the appendage that the sudden declaration of 'sex on the beach' made him jolt back to attention.

He blinked, completely confused as he looked from Kouhei to the waiter before catching on. "Oh, water." he answered stiffly, looking down at the table. He wasn't comfortable again. The only thing distracting was Kouhei squirming about in her seat.

"It is a strange place..." He commented, looking around again. He would never see himself finding a place like this on his own. All he wanted to do was take out his phone and do other things. This was way out of his comfort zone and it showed with his tense form and stiff shoulders.

[Birdie]

Kouhei nodded. He supposed it was a strange place for anyone coming here for the first time. But then, he had loved it when he first stepped over the threshold. It hosted those who were very similar to himself. Or those who were at least sympathetic to his plight.

As he sipped his alcohol, Kouhei became that much more chatty. He barely required any sort of response as he spoke, not that Tsuyoi would give him much of one anyway considering his great discomfort in new surroundings.

It wasn't until Kouhei finished his second drink that Ren and the rest of the band showed up. The man's hand touched his shoulder. It made him jump and then his face brightened. They greeted each other happily, and then the rest of the band. It consisted of one other man who took the punk rock style to heat, a very pretty young woman with golden blonde hair who seemed to enjoy rockabilly, and someone who was androgynous like Kouhei, but wore a more masculine style of clothing.

After initial greetings the band went to set up on stage. Kouhei was even more jittery as he began on another drink to calm his nerves. The waiter/ess appeared again.

"I'm not really hungry, I'm too excited to be hungry. But Seishuku-san, would you like anything?" He waited for the possibility of Tsuyoi placing his order before, "I should go up and help or something. I'm really sorry, I'll be back soon enough though." Kouhei winked and tapped a finger against Tsuyoi's nose. He downed the last of his drink before hurrying onto the stage to help finish the last of the set up.

Dinner was starting, the food was being carried out as Kouhei and the band began their set. Their songs varried as much as Kouhei's music at home did. Some of it was originals by the band, but much of it was covers of both English and Japanese music. Kouhei sang his heart out.

Nearing the end of the set, Kouhei began to feel faint. His face paled and his hand became shaky. He stopped singing and watched the microphone fall from his fingers. He was dully aware that the music had stopped. He could remember thinking that he should pick up the microphone.

Hands cradled his arms. It was that touch that made him realize his legs felt weak and he leaned heavily against Ren. His pale brows furrowed as he looked up at his friend's face. His lips parted, he tried to say something, but his eyes fluttered closed and the world went dark.

-------

Ren scowled as Kouhei fainted against him. Damn it all, he should have seen the signs before it came to this. But it had felt too wonderful to be playing in front of a crowd again. He sank to the floor, carefully holding Kouhei's chilled body. His pulse was slow. "Call an ambulance," he cried angrily. But Morraine, the pretty blonde haired girl was on it. Her cell phone was pressed to her ear as she clearly spoke to the operator. The murmur of the crowd was deafening.

It would be five minutes before the ambulance arrived.

[Lord Sesshomaru]

The more Kouhei talked to him the more he situated himself in his surroundings. But everything was a waste when Ren showed up. His mood shifted quickly and he eyed the man as he came up behind Kouhei.

After that, Tsuyoi avoided all eye contact. At least with Ren. Either way, why was Kouhei drinking so much? Once the band was gone he could finally relax again. And get food! A place like this was always good with finger food and he ordered fried mushrooms to nibble on. It would keep him company while Kouhei was on stage.

Tsuyoi was still absentmindedly rubbing his nose when his food arrived and the attention of the room was placed on the stage. He ate a few hungrily before Kouhei's singing overwhelmed him. He could only faintly concentrate on the food he was lightly nibbling on. Now the dress made more sense...and Kouhei was...mesmerizing.

IT was because he was staring so intently that he noticed the shift in Kouhei. He wasn't sure what it was, but his plate was forgotten and he was up out of his seat before Ren reached Kouhei. It took him a while to swirve his way through the tables and other diners to hoist himself up onto the stage.

Tsuyoi was angry. It was an anger that didn't really have a place and was only a way to soothe his worry as he glared at Ren. He wasn't bold enough to snatch Kouhei out of the other man's arms however.

"I'm sure there is a better place to wait for the ambulance than in the middle of the stage." He snapped, thinking Ren was spending too much time holding Kouhei than finding a place that was not so crowded to put Kouhei down.

Tsuyoi realized quickly he was overstepping his boundaries. He was sure if Kouhei knew how he was speaking to her dear old friend she wouldn't be happy with him. Trying to walk away before he picked a fight, he ignored whatever came out of Ren's mouth and forced himself back to the abandoned table.

He picked up Kouhei's purse from the chair (assuming that's where he put it) and slipped it into his coat. He'd rather carry it in his shirt than hold it in his hand. No matter how odd it was to have a strange shaped bulge in his chest, he didn't see much problem in it. Including when he plopped the last few mushrooms into his mouth as he made his way back to Kouhei and the others.

[Birdie]

"No, no," Ren replied absently. "It is better to stay here. Moving around could cause complications." He gently removed the wig from Kouhei's head, revealing the asymmetrical peacock hair. It fell around his pallid face, slightly crumpled from being put up into the wig. he barely noticed that Tsuyoi left and came back. His whole thought process was on Kouhei. He was still breathing but his heartbeat was worrying. He kept fingers pressed against the boy's throat as to constantly monitor his pulse.

The ambulance arrived and the EMT's pushed their way into the building. To Ren it was as if everything was moving in slow motion. They asked him to move, leaving Kouhei to the experienced hands of strangers. An oxygen mask was prepared, he was placed into a stretcher. He followed closely behind answering all the questions put to him with ease.

"Name? Age?"

"Kouhei Mitski. 23... There has always been heart complications. I have a feeling he hasn't been taking the medicine prescribed..." he trailed off as they exited the building.

---

Leah-Lynn stepped down from the stage. The androgynous young person came to stand beside Tsuyoi. "I can give you a ride to the hospital." The voice was small and cracked, as if it were rarely used or a lot of cigarettes were smoked. "I drive well. You must be worried." The face seemed to wear a constant look of disdain for the general surroundings.

Without waiting for a reply, the young person went through the throng of people. The instrument was carried in the case with the them. Their stride was even and fluid but quick though it was without urgency. They paused by a smart car (a strange mode of transportation for this person) and waited only momentarily to see if Tsuyoi joined them.

[Lord Sesshomaru]

It wasn't easy to stay calm in such an intense and worrisome situation. But at the same time, it slightly scared Tsuyoi how calm he was really able to be. Inside he wasn't truly sure what to think or how to act. He'd never had this happen before. There was no one he cared about to actually panick when they had to go to the hospital. It felt so wrong to hover around Kouhei until he left in the ambulance.

He...Ren had said he. Tsuyoi didn't think this was a slip up. And such a close friend to mistake Kouhei's gender? Tsuyoi was confused and conflicted. He didn't know how to express his new feelings and so they were locked up inside, leaving him a tense moving statue. He could only nod in acceptance to the drive to the hospital, unable to make eye contact with anything. The only thing that might have showed some distress was how he clutched at his chest where the purse was hidden in.

Tsuyoi was silent. Normally he always was, but even he would complain of the lack of personal space given in the smart car. But he bared it with a dangerous calm that seem to settle around him like an evil aura. He was a slowly ticking bomb, and he didn't even know when he'd go off. Or if he ever would.