The Wanderer

[Lord Sesshomaru]

Tsuyoi quickly tensed, the distraction gone and he all too quickly remembered where he was. His grip on his phone tightened to stop himself from slapping the man's hand away. This was no time to recoil. He tried to stay still and not fidget from the finger playing in his hair. He could only be grateful that the hand retreated and was instead replaced with a rambling Kouhei. Unsure on what to think on icecream, he adjusted his position to be on his side as well. If only to give Kouhei the ear he was so looking for.

The instinct to tell the boy to shutup came to mind, but it was only a reflexive and defensive movement. He couldn't find himself to want anything else but to hear Kouhei ramble on and on about ice cream. "Then would you want ice cream when we leave the hospital?" he smirked, the feelings of affection showing it's ugly head in his heart once again. This time he was prepared, and it didn't scare him as much as last time.

[Birdie]

Kouhei brightened at the reply and a huge smile grew on his face, though it was hidden by the sheet. "Fuck yeah! Let's do it! Why wait though, let's go right now!" He moved to get up, sheet still covering his face. Trying to sit up was a bad idea and a pained expression crossed his face before he lay back down. He was now pouting behind his sheet. "I hate this. I hate it, hate it, hate it." He sighed, snuggling back under his covers as he situated them around himself. His hand still kept the sheet over his face, he was obviously a pro.

"What your favorite kind of ice cream Seishuku-san? Or do you maybe not like ice cream... You never told me your favorite foods. I wanna know lots and lots about you. Everything about you! Like what you wanna be when you grow up and how many times a day you brush your teeth or what it's like to be soooo tall! I dunno, just everything!" He yawned, finally satisfied with his position. "I like drugs," he finally said. "I mean... in a totally non-addictive totally non-narcotic way. Like... just a once in a great while thing. A happiness after a storm kind of thing. I wish it was raining right now. I think the sound of rain is best when sleeping."

[Lord Sesshomaru]

Kouhei was very odd. The rambling was hard to follow and he tried his best. He didn't seem as pathetically helpless as before, but he still wanted to do nothing but what Kouhei wanted. But it was hard to be compliant to this drugged version of Kouhei. How could he tell the man everything about himself in just a few sentences? He had never given out such information including things he found frivolous. Tsuyoi huffed slightly, settling his head down onto his pillow and trying to relax as best he could.

"I like sea food." He began slowly, his eyes half lidded in his exhaustion but he kept his intense stare on the drugged man next to him in the bed. "Oyster rockefeller...my mother used to make them, I like those the most. I don't like to eat ice cream very often, I used to like chocolate chip, but now it's fudge..." he was speaking so freely that it was slightly scary. But he felt oh so safe. Their foreheads were close to touching as they both laid on their sides, and he rambled whatever came to mind to satisfy Kouhei's curiosity. "I will take over my father's company when I graduate, and I brush my teeth three times, sometimes four...[/b]" his eyes closed, and he stretched out his long legs and they rubbed up against Kouhei's legs. Either too tired to notice or care, he continued on. "Being tall intimidates people...I like it that way." That settled most of Kouhei's curiosities but he opened his eyes again.

"Any other questions?"

[Birdie]

Kouhei's eyes widened as Tsuyoi replied to everything he had asked. Half of it had been silly and not so serious, but he even answered the toothbrush question. Kouhei giggled and murmured, "That's a lot," but in a way so as not to interrupt the speech Tsuyoi was giving. He thought it was sad that he would have to take over his father's company. He wouldn't be free to do like in a goosebumps book and choose his own adventure. Kouhei didn't find Tsuyoi very intimidating, but he was just one of those people who was too completely clueless to let something like height and a sour look bother him.

"Yeah, I have lots and lots of questions. Like I said, I wanna know EVERYTHING!" He whisper shouted the last word. He hadn't realized before just how deep and gorgeous and golden and perfect Tsuyoi's eyes were. Maybe he had but right now he just wanted to get lost in them. He stayed quiet for a few moments, eyes downcast and a blush forming over his cheeks. "Ahm.... You put me on the spot. It's really hard to think of questions. We could play a game so it's not so one sided! We could play the question game! I ask a question and then you answer and then you ask a question and then I answer! So... What is your absolute most favoritest color of all time ever? You can only choose one." This add on was because Kouhei had trouble deciding on his own favorite color.

[Lord Sesshomaru]

Staring into Kouhei's eyes, the answer to the question came out fast and without thought. "Green." He blinked, realizing his answer gave away much more than he wanted. Before Kouhei, he didn't have a favorite color. Brows furrowed, his tried his hardest to move on past the question and his answer that left a small blush to appear on his cheeks.

"Exactly how old are you?" There, let's go into the questions that gave reasons on why he shouldn't have any personal feelings towards Kouhei. Because for some reason gender alone wasn't enough. Which should have bothered him to no end. But the intimate position they were in was oh so distracting.

[Birdie]

Green? Yes, green was a good color. It was one of many fabulous colors though! "You coulda said rainbow and had all the colors!" He realized that he was interrupting though and was determined to stay silent as much as he mouth wanted to continue to so the saying words thing. Rainbow was his favorite though, since he liked all the colors. Every color was a good color. Why green, he had to wonder... He was really cute when he was embarrassed. Why should he be though? Was green that embarrassing? He hadn't said pink or something.

Really? How old? What a silly question! Did it matter? Kouhei fake pouted. "You never ask a lady her age! But I am twenty-three years old. I'll be twenty-four in the spring though. Gosh I'm getting old fast!" He laughed. "Before you know it I'll be all grey and wrinkly." He almost stuck out his tongue but remembered he had a sheet over half his face, which would have been defeating. He took a moment to consider his next question. "Hmmm...." he closed his eyes, running through what would be good questions. Something which would tell him a lot with out requiring Tsuyoi to say a whole lot. "Oh! What is your favorite plague slash disease?" It was a silly question and not really something he had meant to ask. "Aaaah... wait... no... I guess that's a really weird question to ask. Maaaybeee... What is your favorite mythological creature!"

[Lord Sesshomaru]

The question caught Tsuyoi completely off guard. Disease? He definitely didn't have an answer to that. A healthy being like himself would never consider such a thing. Frowning in puzzlement, he was relieved to have a second question. Still an odd one, he had to think it over. It was becoming difficult to keep his eyes open so he closed them while he thought. Tsuyoi didn't normally waste his time on learning about creatures that didn't exist, but he refused to fail at answering another question.

It came to him a few seconds later, a creature that was a huge part of his life that he never gave a second glance. "A Kirin."

With his eyes still closed he could easily image the creature sitting regally behind the letters of the Seishuku Co. logo. It was on the main building, on all business card and on every computer chip they sold. Holding back a yawn, he combed his fingers through his hair and out of his face. "I'm done asking questions. You can ask if you would like...I'll try and answer." 'unless I fall asleep'

[Birdie]

"What is a kirin?" he asked. he couldn't really think of anymore good questions either. It was becoming pretty obvious that his companion was having trouble staying awake. Kouhei did not want to sleep yet. He still wanted to talk and what not. The drugs said sleep but his brains said AWAKE! It was quite the conundrum. When he got his answer he then asked, "Can you play any instruments? What is your favorite hobby?" Get in as many questions as he could. Whether or not he heard all of the answer, he could not be sure. The drugs finally claimed him and he fell blissfully asleep, sheet over his face and fingers curled near his mouth.

---

The next morning came. Kouhei awoke feeling refreshed and fiending for some nicotine. He remembered that he was in a hospital, hook up to some baggies on a pole. He could go nowhere and do nothing without the doctors say so. Patience was required and he yawned, stretching out. The window showed him that it was late in the morning, perhaps almost noon. Pulling himself up into a sitting position he found Tsuyoi still there. He grinned. "I hope I didn't keep you awake too late past your bedtime." He could barely remember the things he said and did in his stupor.

"I'm ready to go, what about you?" It was a question that required no answer so he pressed the nurse call button. "GET ME OUTTA HERE!" he yelled into it and then began to laugh. A few minutes later the doctor came in and began to lecture Kouhei on the importance of healthy living and taking his medication and blahdy blah. Kouhei leaned back into his pillows with a look if complete boredom on his face. He'd heard the speech a hundred times. The doctor then said he wanted to keep Kouhei another night for observation and to ensure that his heart was healthy. Kouhei immediately disagreed and he was released in spite of the doc.

The nurse came in and unplugged him from all sorts of little monitors he had been hook up to. Kouhei made a quick call to Leah-lynne. He was given his dress to get back into and a wheelchair was brought around. He happily sat down in it, legs crossed and raised a pointed finger in the air. "MUSH!" he called to the nurse. The male nurse rolled his eyes and started out toward the exit.

Once outside he got out of the wheelchair and the two boys had to wait for the androgynous bassist to pull up. "You coming back to my place or do you gotta head home?" he asked of Tsuyoi, his eyes searching for the tiny car which would deliver him home.

[Lord Sesshomaru]

"A dragon...horse...ox...thing." He stretched out his arm, moving it beneath the pillow for extra support. He tried to shake his head but it was rather difficult with his cheek pressed against the pillow. "No instruments. Just studying...reading." He didn't know when the questions stopped or when he answered but he was soon out hard. What an eventful saturday night...

---

By the time Kouhei was awake Tsuyoi should have been prepared and ready. And he was to a degree. Calls had been made, he had tried to fix his clothes. His hair was still a slight mess but no amount of water could tame it. Wrinkles covered his jacket and dress pants from sleeping in them. He rubbed at his eyes, his phone still in his hand. When Kouhei awoke, Tsuyoi had planned to get the man driven home with him by Gakuto, but the sleeping arrangement had left him sluggish and things were going by so fast that they were already outside the hospital waiting on the friend of Kouhei's.

Taking his time answering the question, Tsuyoi skimmed through his text messages one last time. He should head back home. Tomorrow was Monday, and his father was already having a fit about him coming home today. But how could he? Tsuyoi wasn't in perfect health, and the doctor had tried to get him to stay. Could he just leave Kouhei at home alone to maybe pass out again?

No, he would stay just in case. "Your place." he answered simply, blackening on the screen before slipping it in his pocket. Realizing his answer was slightly rude and still learning from the lecture Kouhei had given him at the beginning, he hesitated. "If I may." He looked away, his narrowing with the forced politeness.

[Birdie]

Kouhei grinned. "But of course!" Soon enough Leah-Lynne pulled up and the pair got into the car. Leah-lynne hovered, trying to help her smaller friend into the car. Kouhei tried to wave the androgynous girl away but without much luck. It was not a very long drive to the bright pink house. It was done mostly with Kouhei talking about anything. The things and people he saw in passing, the stupid doctors, and singing along with the radio all became subjects.

Once at the house, Leah-Lynne wish to escort her friend all the way into the apartment. This time Kouhei was successful in waving her off. "Thanks a bunch hun! I'll see ya 'round. kay? I just wanna take a long, hot shower." He kissed his friend on the cheek before disappearing into the building with Tsuyoi in tow.

When Kouhei opened the door he was surprised to find it unlocked. Entering the apartment made it very clear as to why. Jun lay sprawled on his couch, finger on the remote, flicking through channels. He popped up when he heard Kouhei come in. "Where have you been!" He damanded. Jun was a very tall, very traditional Japanese man. The only abnormal thing about his appearance was the bright read streaks dyed into his beautiful long, black locks, and the number of piercings (ears, nose, lips, and probably some hidden ones). In a few strides he was across the room and engulfing a very surprised Kouhei in his arms.

Kouhei was stunned and it took him a moment to react. Slowly and awkwardly he hugged his brother back. "Uhh.... What are you doing here?"

"What no hi?"

"You didn't say it first, seriously why are you here?"

"I came looking for you. Bio-Pops came by the house and wanted your address."

"Did you give it to him?"

"Of course not! But it won't be long til he finds you. He's a man on a mission."

"Fuckin' a...."

"Where were you?"

"Uhhh... nowhere." Jun held Kouhei out at arms length and looked him over. The scrutinizing look caused Kouhei to blush brightly. "Hospital..." he mumbled.

"WHAT! The fuck happened!"

"Well.... there were circumstances and things...." At this point Jun saw past Kouhei and found Tsuyoi.

"Who're you?"

"That is Seishuku-san. He's a friend. Be nice." Kouhei wagged a finger at him as if to scold. "Seishuku-san, this is my brother Jun. Sorry I didn't introduce you sooner. How did you get in here anyway?"

"Miyoko let me in. So, Seishuku-san, why exactly was my Kouhei in the hospital?"

"You don't have to answer that."

[Lord Sesshomaru]

Kouhei was on the defensive as soon as they walked into the house. Hands clenched into tight fists, he was ready to take on any intruder but was confused on whether to throw punches. They seemed to know each other. That was good. But Kouhei was more confused than happy. That was bad! This Jun was interrogating Kouhei. Another bad! Tsuyoi looked ready to go on the offensive, eyes narrowed dangerously and he tensed even more when the man's eyes turned on him.

Then he was being introduced. Introductions meant...on friendlier terms, right? Tsuyoi was still very unsure, but he had been just as defensive and secluded with Kouhei's even friendlier gang. And his Kouhei? He bristled, and taking Kouhei's words to heart he took back out his phone as an obvious dismissal of Jun and slid past them both further into the living room. "I will not, then."

[Birdie]

Kouhei smirked as Tsuyoi denied his brother. Jun was none too pleased with this but was not about to start anything with a stranger. So he turned on Kouhei again. "You weren't taking your medicine again, weren't you?" Kouhei shrugged and followed Tsuyoi into the room.

"I'm fine so what does it matter. I am going to take a shower, you boys get along." With that he went down the hall and shut the door to the bathroom. Moments later water began to run.

Jun took that time to grasp Kouhei's purse and go through it. He found the pack of cigarettes and immediately seized them, placing them in his own pocket. He found nothing else which could harm his brother's health and so left the purse near the phone. He then went to sit back on the couch, crossing his arms in an obvious pout. "So... Seishuku-san... How have you gotten to know my baby brother?"

[Lord Sesshomaru]

Tsuyoi was too busy being on his phone than to be too distressed over Kouhei leaving him alone with Jun. Now that he understood their connection better he could relax. Somewhat. Jun wasn't as forward as the other man in Kouhei's life. It was just a tad easier. The sound of him typing away using just his phone filled the silence. Although distracted, Tsuyoi paused to eye Jun as he confiscated the cigarettes from Kouhei's purse.

He considered getting involved with that one, but thought better of it. He decided to keep standing, leaning against the that separated the living room from the kitchen. His eyes never leaving the phone he considered answering. How honest should he be? What more was Kouhei hiding and would his answers give something away?

Deciding to do what he was best at, he spoke vaguely. "Hair advice." For a moment, Tsuyoi's thumb paused on the screen as he thought back on it. To think, that's where it all started. A strange crossdresser commenting on his hair...

How strange.

[Birdie]

Jun raised an eyebrow. "Not a very talkative one are you?" He grinned, his feature becoming less pouty. He had someone to talk to so he could not stay all mad. "Hair advice eh? You bleach it? Yeah, that can take a lot of your hair. Kouhei's a rockstar at that stuff. He's always dying it a different color. Did mine too. Like? You'd look pretty cool with some sort of asymmetrical cut. Add some dark strands in there. Yeah!" His arms uncrossed and he became much more relaxed.

"How old are you? We should go out and have a drink together some time!" For whatever reason Jun felt like he could get along well with this guy. Then again he was a rather chummy person so naturally got along with all sorts of people.

[Lord Sesshomaru]

This Jun rambled just as much as Kouhei. Slightly intrigued he looked up from his phone. He was getting more hair advice but didn't see him taking any of it. Going blonde had been enough of a change and an extreme. And why was he trying to get on Tsuyoi's good side? What purpose did he have? Did he think there was more to him and Kouhei?

Suspicious beyond belief, he straightened slightly. He had considered withholding his age but thought better of it. "I refuse. I'm seventeen and can not drink." it was obvious knowledge, and now that Jun knew how old he was he would see how foolish it was to ask Tsuyoi to have a drink.