The Wanderer

[Birdie]

"Really?" Jun was unphased, though a note of questioning more than his age could be heard. Obviously Kouhei was not going to 'bring home' some kid. He had better manners than that. "You look and act much more mature. My bad. But still, we can get alcohol here and we can all drink together! No one need know. Our little secret." He winked and placed a finger against his lips to show. "Still in high school then, eh? I remember those days. Good days they were. Kouhei and I got into all sorts of shit together." He paused, sombering. There were also some really bad days mixed in there. Shaking his head he came back to reality. "Seriously though, how'd you get involved with someone like Kouhei. I don't mean just meeting. I mean how long have you known each other? Are you really okay with the stuff he does, the cross dressing and what not? How did you end up at his apartment? I promise I'm not trying to interrogate and be the bad guy. I just like to know my Kouhei is safe."

[Lord Sesshomaru]

Did Jun really think he was an average teen that spent their time sneaking drinks and smoking in alleys? The wink only made him recoil in his opinion of speaking freely and he glared again in almost warning. Then the questions started up again.

No matter how much Jun tried to reassure it was still an interrogation. Forgetting his phone, he placed it back in his pocket as he looked down on Jun from his standing position. Well, if that's the only reason why he was asking questions. "He is safe." It sounded more like a fact than a reassurance coming from Tsuyoi. He skipped all the questions Jun asked.

Because Tsuyoi wasn't sure he wanted to answer them. How could he explain that he met the strange man in a bookstore and ended up in his house that night? And that he'd been here since Friday? It made little sense to himself so he wouldn't try and explain it to someone else.

[Birdie]

Jun held up his hands as if fending off a fierce tiger. "Woah, woah okay then! I must admit I have never met anyone so defensive, but I suppose it is not a bad thing. If you aren't willing to tell these things to his brother you sure as hell aren't gonna say jack to anyone else, huh? You look like a tough 'un too, even if a bit... spoiled?" Even if it was wrinkled Jun could spot a high end suit. He was a stickler for fashion, though he tended toward the more punk rock scene.

"Gah, I wish that boy would just hurry it up already!" He threw his arms in the air and leaned back into the couch. His eyes turned toward the television as it seemed his companion did not want to do much by way of the conversing.

After some time passed the door to the bathroom opened and another door shut as Kouhei entered his bedroom. Minutes later the young man came out wearing a black turtleneck beneath a soft green, crocheted closed shawl. A pair of well fitting skinny jeans adorned his legs and his socks were mistmatched. One was dark blue with white stars and the other was bright orange and pink striped. His hair was dyed black and hung dripping water around his face.

He stood at the entrance to the hallway, hands on his hips, watching the two boys. He gave them a small grin before trodding forward and plopping himself between them. His feet hooked on the edge of the couch. "So, I figure I'll go meet 'im tonight or something," Kouhei said. "It'd be better if I just got it all over with and find out what that fucker wants."

"No! Just hide or something!"

"Look, he'll probably find me soon anyway. Probably had someone tail you here. Won't be long before he comes a'knocking. Why fight it?" Jun sighed, exasperated.

"Got anything to eat? I'm starved."

"Sure, I'll see what I can whip up." Kouhei pushed himself up from the couch and headed toward the kitchen.

[Lord Sesshomaru]

This newer conversation definitely had him intrigued. If not a little apprehensive. He picked up on Jun's worry and considered stopping Kouhei from meeting this so called person. But there was still too much information he didn't know, and he had no right to force Kouhei to do anything.

And when Kouhei went into the kitchen, Tsuyoi followed. Much better than being alone with Jun in the living room. "Is this something I should be informed?" He asked slightly confused as he absentmindedly grabbed things too high for Kouhei to reach for him. He didn't just want to ask outright. He didn't want to interrogate the man.

If Kouhei thought he should know, then he would tell him.

[Birdie]

He took time to go through his cupboards and his fridge. He decided a good, hearty stew would be good enough for his older brother. While he stooped down to take out a frying pan, Tsuyoi entered the kitchen. He gave the younger lad a small grin before placing it on the stove top. Strips of beef were laid into the pan. The sound of their sizzling filled the room as Kouhei contemplated how to answer. Nothing that made much sense came to mind so he moved across the kitchen to turn on the music. Stereo Love came on and Kouhei hummed absently as he began to process of chopping vegetables.

Tsuyoi was kind enough to grab him down things that he would need that were just a little too high for the crossdresser. It felt nice to have him like this. Homey and right. Time went by and he felt that he was talking too long to answer. Finally he paused his chopping to go flip the beef in the pan. "I was adopted, by Jun's parents. He my adopted brother. We've been close since we were little. I always knew I was adopted, despite my parents best attempts to make me believe that I was japanese. I mean, come on. I'm a blonde!" He reached up and touched his hair. He then seemed to remember that he had just dyed it black.

Frowning he took beef from the pan to place new bits in. At this point water he had set up to boil was bubbling in a lively way. He scooped freshly cut vegetables into the water. "Back when I was in highschool, I made some really bad choices. I fell in with a bad crowd... I guess, more accurately, I started up and was head of the bad crowd. It was through some of my less... legal pastimes that I happened to meet my biological father. Seeing him, the kind of life he led, what I was turning into... I was in and out of rehab before, but at that time I decided I wanted nothing to do with him. So I got straight." Kouhei shrugged. "You'll do a lot of stupid shit I guess when you hate yourself." He flipped the beef strips again and in the process managed to burn his finger.

"Fuck," he breathed, sticking the digit into his mouth as he glowered at the beef. "Let's just say he's not a nice guy and I would like to avoid him. But when he wants something he tends to get it. There's no point in denying a man like that." He stirred the veggies in the pot, took out cooked meat and placed in new before he put his burned finger underwater.

[Lord Sesshomaru]

Tsuyoi wasn't sure how to react to the hair color. At first he ignored it. There was much more important things to concentrate on. But throughout Kouhei's story he couldn't help but stare at the black strands. It was a sudden change and he wasn't sure that the hair color fit Kouhei. But the feeling of dread settled in his stomach.

With two thoughts going through his head he stepped forward, taking a possessive stance behind Kouhei and his hand tugging lightly on the newly dyed hair in curiosity. "And what does he want, Kouhei?" Part of him didn't want to know. His voice was low, and almost threatening as his thoughts spiraled out of control. He would do everything in his power to protect Kouhei. Make sure that whatever that man wanted, if it had anything to do with Kouhei, he wouldn't get it. His possessive and protective nature was kicking in. All he wanted to do was hold Kouhei close and keep everyone away.

[Birdie]

Kouhei shrugged at the question. "No clue. Last time he tried to keep me around with drugs. You know, get to know his son and what not." Then he paled, realizing he had just let Tsuyoi in on a very dark part of his history. I had implied it earlier, but now it became a stark truth. It was not something he was particularly proud of. If he were able, Kouhei would have gone back and changed it in a heartbeat. "Probably something similar, since I fell of the grid once I got out of rehab."

Absently he reached out and caught the hand which tugged on the newly dark strand of hair. He pulled it down so that both hands not held the one. "I'll be okay. He's just an asshole who's used to getting what he wants. It'll all be over soon enough." He gently caressed the back of Tsuyoi's hand before letting it go to get back to the cooking of stew.

"Things are complicated, yes.... but when aren't they really?' Kouhei laughed lightly. The situation weighed more heavily on him than Kouhei let on. He dreaded meeting that man. More than anything he wanted to go on the run again, but he did not want to leave the life he had recreated for himself behind. He wouldn't run anymore. It was time to stand up and fight, make his own demands.

[Lord Sesshomaru]

Drugs...it didn't seem like this Kouhei to be involved in drugs. It didn't bother him too much. His opinion on Kouhei was already set in stone and wouldn't change so easily. Tsuyoi was forced to step away from Kouhei to allow him to continue cooking. But there was still a horrible feeling in his stomach. The braver Kouhei acted the worse the feeling became. "What can I do? Could I go with you?" He didn't know what he was asking until it was already out of his mouth. He paused, swallowing hard.

Did he really just volunteer to meet a dangerous drug lord? Tsuyoi wasn't naive. Nor was he weak and oblivious to violence. But he was still very sheltered compared to most teenagers who willingly walked into that path. But he wasn't going to back out now that he said it.

[Birdie]

Kouhei paused and smiled. It was a warm smile that one would give to someone who did not quite understand the situation. Slowly he shook his head. "No, no. Thank you, I appreciate it. But it is much too dangerous and my father isn't the type to allow strangers. Don't worry he would never hurt me though." He reached out a hand to reassure him, but then seemed to remember that Tsuyoi did not like physical contact much, so he redirected himself. He had to finish cooking. He cut up the beef strips so that they would be bit size. It wouldn't be too much longer until the meal was ready. "What about you? What is your father like?"

[Lord Sesshomaru]

How could Kouhei change the situation like that? How could he shift it so easily? If it was really so dangerous...how could he ever go back to such a trivial conversation. But he wouldn't force anything more and with a frustrated glare, he looked away.

Tsuyoi crossed his arms across his chest, leaning away to give Kouhei room to cook and distance himself. "Powerful, charismatic, ambitious, and old fashioned." He stated it off dryly as his eyes narrowed. He didn't like the change of conversation and it showed. "Is that description adequate?"

[Birdie]

Kouhei couldn't help but laugh. "So he's a bit like you then?" he gave the younger boy a sly look over his shoulder. "My adopted father is really great. He's super smart. I swear he's like a genius. He knows everything about everything. He's retired now. So is my mom. They're both wonderful people. I'm pretty lucky to have them." At this point Jun wandered into the kitchen to find out what was taking so long.

"You talking about our parents?" He asked. "Why?" He was feeling bored and lonely. He needed to be a part of the conversation.

"No reason, get outta my kitchen" Kouhei grabbed a towel and spun it together to snap at Jun. Immediately the man turned and ran from the kitchen, the towel missing him by inches. Kouhei stood with a hand on his hip. He sighed and turned a pouty face at Tsuyoi. "Thanks for your help. It should be ready now if you wanna grab yourself a bowl." Kouhei grabbed one from the cupboard to prepare his older brother something to eat.

[Lord Sesshomaru]

A brow rose at that one. Like me...? Tsuyoi wasn't charismatic. He wanted to bring back up the conversation on Kouhei's biological father when Jun interrupted. Going quiet again, he watched their interactions and found it the oddest sibling relationship. He was an only child, but he had always assumed that siblings were nothing but a leech. Thoughtful and silentl, Tsuyoi made his plate.

Tsuyoi moved back into the living room with his bowel, sitting on the couch on the far end and furthest from Jun. He kept himself occupied with his food, mind reeling with thoughts of the danger Kouhei put himself in.

[Birdie]

Kouhei dutifully delivered the food to Jun before going back for his own. He decided to sit on one of the numerous beanbag chairs in the living room. Holding it carefully he dug in hungrily. He hadn't realized just how starving he was until the first bite hit his mouth.

"You look like one of those kids. You know, the ones in africa with all their bones sticking out? That's how they would eat." Jun teased, a smirk on his face. Kouhei flushed a hot red and pointed his chopsticks at his brother.

"Shut up. Say another word like that and I'll gouge out your eyeballs and cook them in my next meal." He glared, a pout on his lips. Jun raised a hand defensively.

"Woah now! Calm down there tiger!" Kouhei stuck out his tongue before glancing at Tsuyoi. He had forgotten himself and allowed the proper young gentleman to see him eating like a common heathen. Kouhei turned his eyes to his food and ate much more demurely. He was deeply embarrassed. "So, what time do you plan on leaving?"

"I dunno, prolly around eleven or so. Chances are he'll come here to pick me up, so whenever he wants me to." Kouhei was very calm about the situation. But it was obvious that Jun was upset.

"You could just leave or pretend not to be here." Kouhei picked at his food now, moving chunks of things across the bowl. He set aside the half eaten food, and wrapped his arms around his legs. He lay his head against his knees and watched his brother.

"I don't want to run. I'm sick of running from him. It's not like he's gonna make me do anything. Reality is that it wasn't up to him whether or not he kept me. He didn't even know I existed until..." He paused, tears coming to his eyes. He closed them, burying his face in his knees. He moved his arms up so they draped protectively over his head.

Jun also set aside his food and moved down from the couch. He wrapped his arms around his brother. Kouhei immediately moved to wrap his arms around Jun's neck and let his face rest against his shoulder. Easily the older man lifted Kouhei into his arms and cradled him in his lap as he sat back on the couch. Kouhei's feet now faced towards Tsuyoi, and his face was hidden in Jun's neck. He clung tightly to him. Jun stroked Kouhei's back, leaning his head against the younger boy's. They sat like this for some time, Kouhei crying as quietly as possible. "I'm really scared Jun. I'm really, really scared."

"I know," Jun replied. "Hey, how about I just kidnap you. We run away some place far!" Kouhei managed to choke out a little laugh at this.

"No... I'm just done running away."

[Lord Sesshomaru]

Tsuyoi was very uncomfortable. Conflicted between keeping his distance and helping his new found friend. But he could give no words of comfort. He could not take Kouhei into his arms and hold him like Jun was. Nor would he want to. He wanted to leave. Let Kouhei be consoled alone and have his privacy. It was something he would have wanted, but Kouhei was so different. Was his presence enough? He didn't know what to do and it truly bothered him.

All Tsuyoi knew was that he couldn't move. He couldn't risk making things worse on Kouhei from leaving. He could do nothing but look away, an uncomfortable and irritated statue. Stiff and with such a strange conflicting expression.

[Birdie]

When he finally calmed down, he daintily dabbed at his face. Sniffling he forced a small smile. He then moved from his brother's lap to sit between the two boys. Kouhei turned green eyes on his friend. "Sorry you had to see that," he laughed awkwardly. "I hope I didn't make you too uncomfortable." He drew his knees up to his chest. After what seemed like an eternity of silence he said, "So, ah, how about this weather. Tad bit chilly yeah?" He twirled strands of hair around his fingers, hoping against hope that the subject might change.

((Basically filler, time passer until I the suits arrive.))