New Beginnings

Dr. Ishikawa wrapped his stethescope around his neck, gathered his instruments into his bag, and with a final squeeze to the young man's arm, he left the bedroom, quietly closing the door behind him. With a weary sigh, he joined the other four men huddled in the kitchen.

"I've given him some pain medication and he should be asleep soon."

Tsukasa looked up. "Is he.. going to be ok?" he asked in a small voice.

"He's exhausted and severely dehydrated, but he's going to be fine." The doctor smiled slightly. "Before I gave him the medication, I did get his previous doctor's information and will call him as soon as I return to my clinic." his brow furrowed slightly. "Your friend did tell me that he suffers from headaches and occasionally passes out when over-stressed or excited."

Yoshiki stood and bowed. "Thank you very much for coming down here to look at him."

The doctor sat his medical bag on the counter and pulled out a small pad of paper. He scribbled something on it and tore a sheet off, handing it over to the bar owner. "When he wakes, have him fill this prescription. It will help with the headaches at least. I will call you after I've spoken with his doctor." he picked up his bag and turned to leave. Pausing at the door, he turned towards Tsukasa, an odd expression on his face.

"I remember when the two of you came through the emergancy room five years ago." He said quietly, his head turning back towards the door. "I left general practice after that." Without another word he opened the door, just as Kirito was making his way up the stairs. The younger man let him pass, then stomped up the stairs, dropping a duffel bag at their feet.

"Tora had a taxi cab waiting on him outside", he said, nudging the heavy bag with one foot. "The driver got sick of waiting and dropped this off downstairs." He leaned against the back of Rose's chair. "Evidently they had been driving all day looking for Tsukasa, all through campus, downtown where we used to live, even my old job at the movie theater." His small eyes rested on his brother thoughtfully. "The driver said that Tora hadn't stopped to eat the whole time, so determined was he to find you."

Tsukasa looked down at his hands, unsure as to how to respond.

Kirito turned his attention towards Yoshiki, one arm resting on his hip. "I dropped the tills in the safe for you to count when you get the chance. Hide and Bou are nearly finished with the dining room, though I think I need to sweep more under on the tables in the back and the pool room hasn't been touched yet. We've been picking glass out of the floor for half an hour. Toshiya and Kiyoharu are taking out more trash now and Hatsu's working on the dishes."

Yoshiki nodded and looked down at the paper in his hand. With a sigh he set it on the table and headed downstairs. Kirito turned to follow him when his brother called him back.

"If.. if it's ok with Bou and Tochi..." Tsukasa looked up at his older broth4er, voice soft, "can Tora-kun stay with you guys, just until he gets a place of his own?" His eyes pleaded, something Kirito didn't see often. "Please?"

Kirito stared down at him a moment, a thousand thoughts rushing through his mind, then gave a kurt nod and disapeared down the stairs.

Hakuei leaned over and kissed Tsukasa's forehead. "I better go help them finish up." he squeezed his lovers hand, then followed the others down to the bar.

Rose shifted in his seat across from the other man, fingers idly playing with the fringe on his shirt. "Will this affect.. will this change anything between you and Hakuei?"

Tsukasa's head shot up, eyes flashing dangerously. "Why? Still interested in bedding him too?" the younger man scowled. "Bite me, Rose."

The blonde man sighed and stood, walking around the small table. He knelt down so his head was level with the seated man.

"Now, don't get mad at me." he said gently, his voice for once devoid of his usual sex-kitten lilt. "We all knew how much you loved Tora, how his injuries hurt you as much as your own did." he shrugged. "It's plain to see that you love Hakuei now.... but can you honestly say you still don't love Tora? Especially after he's come so far, after all these years, just to find you again?"

Tsukasa frowned but remained silent, staring downward to avoid the other's gaze. Rose sighed and stood to his full height, placing a gentle hand on his friend's shoulder. After a moment, Tsukasa's own hand came up and gave his a squeeze.

"I do not envy you this desicion," Rose said quietly, "but at least you are getting the chance to choose. And maybe, when it comes time, it will be easier than you think." He pulled his hand away and checked his watch. "I better go. Kiyoharu has work in.. less than five hours. I'll see if he needs a ride home." He reached out and ruffled the other man's dark hair playfully, getting the desired shy grin from him. "Call me later, ok? We're probably going over to your brother's later on for practice anyway, maybe watch the ball game too."

Tsukasa nodded and watched as his friend left, quietly shutting the door behind him. He sat there a moment, alone with his thoughts, then stood and walked towards Yoshiki's bedroom. He slowly opened the door, pausing when he thought he heard a sound, the entered.

The room was dark, save for the sliver of light coming in from the door only partially closed behind him. Sleepy, half-lidded eyes followed him as he sat down lightly on the edge of the bed.

"How are you feeling?" Tsukasa whispered.

Tora smiled. "A bit tired, I think. Whatever the doc gave me is starting to kick in." He reached out a lazy hand to take Tsukasa's. "I'm sorry if I scared you earlier." his eyes fluttered, but he fought to keep them open. "Sometimes... when I get too tired..."

"Is it because of... of what happened?" TSukasa asked, squeezing his hand.

"Hhmmm... yes, but don't worry about me." His dark eyes drifted closed and he sighed in contentment. "I'm fine... now."

"Just rest." Tsukasa whispered, leaning down to kiss his forhead. "Tomorrow you can go to Kirito's place. But for now, just relax." Tora nodded slightly, then stilled, his body finally giving in to sleep.

Tsukasa stared down at him a moment, gently rubbing Tora's hand with his thumb in small, soothing circles, then stood and left, closing the door as quietly as he could. He stayed there, with his back to the door, head leeaning back, eyes unfocused at the ceiling for a long time, thinking.


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Hakuei waved as Yoshiki left, then leaned against the counter with a sigh.

"Were's your dad going?" Kirito asked, joining him at the bar.

Hakuei smiled ruefully. "It seems these days are ripe with unexpected visits." Kirito shot him a questioning look. "With everything going on, I forgot to tell you that his old lover has come back to town too, and you'll never guess who it is." He shook his head. "But anyway, since his bed is taken for the moment, he decided to crash at that guy's place tonight." Hakuei sighed, folding his arms on the counter, chin resting on his wrists.

"So... that was Tora."

Kirito nodded, leaning backwards on his elbows. "Hai."

"Tsukasa's lover five years ago."

"Hai."

The one that was nearly beaten to death by your father."

"Hai."

Hakuei sighed. "He really loved Tora, didn't he?"

Kirito's head rolled to the side, regarding him with a pointed stare. "He loves you."

Hakuei nodded, smiling slightly. But when the other man looked away, his face fell into a thoughtful frown.


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He closed the door firmly and locked it, his hand resting on the cool doorknob a moment, thoughts chaotic. With a sigh he turned away, eyes wandering over the kitchen and livingroom. Puzzled, he quietly made his way down the hall. The door to his room was open and a slim figure lay curled up on his side, back turned towards him. Hakuei carefully set his keys down on the dresser and climbed onto the bed beside him.

Tsukasa's eyes flew open, body stiffening until he recignized the feel of Hakuei's gentle arms wrapping around him, the smell of his familar body so close to him.

"I just ment to lie down for a minute," Tsukasa murmered, his voice thick with weariness, "to wait until you came back up. Are you sure it's ok with you that he-"

"It's ok." Hakuei said, his voice purring behind Tsukasa's ear as he softly kissed the other man's neck. "Dad's staying elsewhere tonight, so Tora's more than welcome to spend the night."

"I hate to do this to you, it's so unfair..."

Hakuei squeezed his lover gently. "I don't mind, and Dad certainly understands. Besides, how exactly were we going to move him, now thats he's out cold?" Tsukasa could feel Hakuei smiling on his neck. "I can just picture one of us slinging him across our backs and carrying him down the stairs like a sack of potatoes. I'm not sure he'd appriciate such harsh treatment."

Tsukasa smiled and breathed a grateful sigh of relief. "Is Kirito waiting for me downstairs?"

"No." Hakuei reached around the slim man and pulled a thin blanket over the both of them. "I told your brother that you'd be staying the night as well, so they went home a few minutes ago."

Rolling over to face Hakuei, Tsukasa burried his face in Hakuei's chest, giving a little, tired sigh. "Thank you." he whispered.

Hakuei stroked the other's dark head, running long fingers down to caress his cheek, over and over until he felt Tsukasa relax and fall asleep.