New Beginnings

An annoying, buzzing noise pulled him from his jumbled dreams, though whether that was a good thing or bad, he didn't know. His first coherent thought was one of surprise that he could actually hear anything, having fallen asleep with his headphones over his ears. Blinking in the dark under his covers, he realized the batteries must have died sometime in the night, and reminded himself to find more somewhere in his bag.

With a sigh he reached out from under the fluffy white comforter, blindly fumbling for the cell phone he'd accidently left on vibrate somewhere on his bed, and pulled it into his dark cave with him. He flipped it open, pulled off one of his headphones and answered, his voice course with sleep.

"Hello?"

"Hakuei?"

He rubbed his eyes, realizing that he'd spoken in english. "Hai." The voice slowly sank in and he smiled. "Bou?"

"That's right! Did I wake you?"

"Hmmff, maybe." He tossed back the covers, temporarily blinded by the bright light streaming in through his open window. "Ack! What time is it?" He shook his head, ruffled main of thick hair sticking out in all direction.

"After 11am," came the perky reply.

"Jeez, I slept later than I had planned." He stretched and yawned. "I just felt like I hadn't slept in days."

"I'll bet. So, anyway, do you think you'll be up to running around with a few of us today? It'd be a good chance to see some of the bigger cities around here. Besides, I really need a new outfit."

Hakuei could practically see the little man grinning in that cute, innocent way he had. Then a thought came to him. "Er, Rose isn't coming, is he?"

Bou giggled. "No, he won't, nor will Kiyoharu."

He breathed a sigh of relief. "Ok, good. When were you wanting to leave?"

"Will half an hour be enough time for you to get ready?"

"That's fine." He crawled across his futon and stumbled towards the bathroom adjacent to his room.

"Great! We'll pick you up in thirty minutes then. Bai bai!"

Hakuei chuckled and tossed his phone back onto the bed before trudging off to brush his teeth.


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------


A car honked and a moment later Hakuei dashed out the front door, barely pausing to lock the door behind him. Kirito's sleek black Honda sat at the curb, engine purring, Bou hanging out the window.

"It's going to be a tight fit," the blonde grinned, "but most of the stores are near to each other, so we can park somewhere and walk." He climbed out as Tsukasa, Hide and Toshiya did the same. Bou frowned a moment, then Hide leaned forward, whispering in his ear. A mischevious smile spread across his features.

"Ok, Tochi and Hakuei, climb in. Hide can sit up front while I sit on Toshiya's lap and Tsukasa sits on Hakuei's lap," he turned to the taller man, "if you don't mind?" Hakuei shook his head and climbed in, Toshiya walking around to the other side and did the same. Hide took his place up front, giggling to himself as the other men scrunched into the back seat.

Hakuei put his hands on Tsukasa's hips, gingerly holding the man in place on his lap. Tsukasa looked down at him, and Hakuei immediatly dropped his hands, though there really was no where else for them to go as squished into the car as they were. After a moment, Tsukasa took his hands and placed them firmly around his waist.

"I'm.. not making you uncomfortable, am I?" the younger one asked quietly.

Hakuei pondered a moment, wondering just what the other really ment, then smiled. "You're bony."

Tsukasa grinned slightly, then was thrown back against Hakuei as Kirito pulled into traffic a little too fast. Tsukasa shifted back, paused, then wiggled again, not able to sit still for more than a few seconds until Hakuei gripped his hips more firmly. Tsukasa looked down at the other man questioningly.

"You might want to stop moving around like that," Hakuei whispered softly, "otherwise I cannot be held responsible for the reactions of.. other parts of my anatomy."

Tsukasa flushed a deep red and looked away, but not before Hakuei caught the beginnings of a smile on his face.

Hakuei tried to occupy his mind on the sights flying past the window, but he couldn't stop his nose from smelling the long, freshly washed hair brushing against his face, or stop from feeling the smooth skin under his fingertips where Tsukasa's shirt had ridden up slightly. With a sigh, he let his mind wander, praying that the ride would not be too long to their first destination.


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------


Soon enough, they were parking along a busy street, people of all ages and shapes bustling about in every direction. They spilled out of the car gratefully, streching kinked limbs.

"How about we start here," Bou suggested, pointing to the small boutiques behind him, "then we can head north." Bou bounced with childish excitement. "Let's go!"

The six of them ducked into the first small shop, Toshiya and Bou squeeling in delight, dashing off in opposite directions. Hakuei ambled inside last, hands shoved in his pockets, carmel eyes taking in the very female-oriented clothing shop. He passed skirts and tank-tops, blouses and a wide array of langurie, finally making his way to the counter where they had jewelry on display. He peered down through the glass at the more expensive pieces when he felt a presence at his side. Kirito picked up a silver mirror, turning it over in his hands, then placing it carefully back on the counter.

"I promise there are a few more interesting places down the street." the other man said, leaning against the glass case. "Trust me, things will go a little easier on all of us if we let Bou and Toshiya run around first, burn off some of that sugery energy."

"I don't mind." Hakuei smiled and looked in the direction the others had gone. "It's just nice to be out with you guys. I really didn't think I'd find such interesting friends right away."

Kirito shrugged, then sighed heavily as Bou shouted his name across the small shop. With a sympathetic grin, Hakuei watched as the dark-haired man met his boyfriend infront of the dressing rooms, the smaller man bouncing up and down with a shirt and skirt clutched in his hands.


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------


"Anyone else hungry?" Kirito asked over his shoulder as they stopped infront of an American- style pizza parlor.

Toshiya's hands flew to his flat stomach, a pained expression clouding his playful features. "I thought you'de never ask." he moaned in a fake, hoarse voice. "I'm about to...die!"

Hide reached up and wacked the taller man on his black and blue head before the two disolved into a fit of giggles.

The troup ducked into the pizza joint, the sound of retro American music and the delicious smell of fresh pizza assaulting their senses. Hakuei's eyes darted back and forth between the menu hanging above them, and the already preparded pies behind the glass, dark brows furrowed intently. After a few moments, he felt a hand tap him lightly on his bare arm.

"Do you know what you want?" Tsukasa asked. "Toshiya and Hide said they're buying today."

Hakuei looked down at his hands, a sheepish grin on his face. "Well, see, most everything has pictures listed by it, but some don't, and I, uh, can't remember the kanji."

Tsukasa smiled in understanding. "Tell you what. I'll help you relearn your kanji if you... help me with my English. Deal?"

"Deal."

"Great. Now, what are you in the mood for?"


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------


Kirito drove away from the bright lights of the city, stars twinkling high above in the darkening sky. The car was quiet, save for soft music whispering to them through the stereo. They had spent all day running around, walking from shop to shop, driving across three towns, and now they were totally and utterly exhausted.

Hide yawned, then tapped their driver on the shoulder.

"Look at your brother." he whispered.

Kirito glanced up into the rearview mirror and grinned. Tsukasa was once again sitting in Hakuei's lap, but at some point during the long ride home, both men had dozed off. Tsukasa had his back against the door, knees drawn up slightly, head nestled against the taller man's neck, his dark head half burried in brown and blonde locks. Hakuei's thin arms were wrapped around the thinner man, fingers laced together, with Tsukasa's hands resting on top.

Hide smiled at the older brother, a sly, knowing look on his face, then settled back in his seat. His eyes drifted outside, the dark highway scenery flying by, as his smile turned to a thin, thoughtful frown.