Ketsueki and Aisoku 12

Seki is standing at the kitchen window, looking out into the garden and watching Ketsueki. He is chopping vegetables, assisting his mother in the preparation of dinner. However, his mother, Aisoku, and Karusu are all out for the hour or so, visiting some of the other villagers.
Ketsueki sits on a bench outside, swishing his tail slightly in boredom. When was Aisoku going to get back? "Better be soon..." he grumbles to himself. He lets out a small sigh, though it's cut short as suddenly he's whirled about by a strong hand. Suddenly, he has a hard time breathing as a hand clenches his throat, lifting him bodily from the ground. A tall, black wolf youkai's face is what he first sees after he gets his bearings again, who's eyes are narrowed into small slits.
Seki's eyes shoot open in shock and his breath catches in his throat. All he can manage to cry out is, "K...Ketsueki-san!!"
Ketsueki shudders, clawing at the hands that all but restrict his breathing. "Who are you??" he manages to hiss. The youkai gives a small, mocking smile. "How dare you even ask that of me?" He squeezes Ketsueki's neck tightly for a moment, causing the younger boy to choke a bit and struggle more. "......you killed father...."
Seki shakes his head in disbelief, stumbling as quickly as he can manage to the door and out onto the porch overlooking the garden. "Stop it!! Let him go!" He leans on the door heavily, his lame leg threatening to give way.
Tekka doesn't even turn, shooting a blast of fire at Seki with his free hand. Ketsueki's eyes shoot open. "F-father......? I-I...father...mother...h-he...." Tekka growls. "You killed him.....I know you did!! I came home.....I left when you were so little. Even then you favored mother!! You killed him!! They said they were both dead!! You, it was you!!!"
Seki cries out in pain, the force of the blast knocking him back into the railing of the porch. He slumps down, blood pouring down the back of his head. His injured leg is twisted unnaturally in a grotesque manor.
Ketsueki claws desperately at the fingers gripping his neck. "S-Seki....?" He turns again to look at Tekka. "...y-you...no..no I don't...have a brother..." Tekka scowls. "Oh, you do. And he's right here. Ready to avenge our father." Ketsueki shudders, his past memories resurfacing. "....I...killed no one...m-mother....father...he beat her!! H-how...could you not see...?" He looks scared, now, a few tears streaking his cheeks.
Seki forces himself up, "P-...Please let him go....Ketsueki-san..." he flinches, grabbing his side.
Tekka turns, hissing at Seki. "Do you want me to hurt you a second time, human? This is none of your business!!!" Ketsueki looks over at Seki, murmuring. "...l-leave...." Tekka growls, "Father beat her because she was unfaithful. She had no right to even be alive!!" Ketsueki growls, kicking his brother hard in the stomach. Tekka stumbles slightly, but regains his footing quickly, tightening his grip further. "...t-that's...not..t-true...he drove..her to insanity..." Ketsueki chokes out.
Seki pulls himself up, "S-Stop it!!"
Tekka, again, shoots a blast of fire directly at Seki. "I warned you." Ketsueki shivers, "I-I...can..barely breath..." Tekka smiles, "That's the point, little brother. And, now, I will avenge father...you had no right to kill him...or to lie, and make it seem like he was the one to blame. Hn, you've even turned on mother, I see...such a useless little pup....your killing will be a loss to no one."
Seki releases a short gasp of pain, the blast sending him flying back. Once again he collides with the railing. However, this time the aged wood cannot hold and snaps. He falls to the ground a few feet below, shuddering. "K..Ket...san.."
Ketsueki begins to lose much of the color in his face, a blue tinge replacing it. He can only manage to choke out one word. "A-Ai...." Tekka looks at his younger brother blankly, tightening his grip slightly.
Aisoku appears at the road a short distance away from the house, running up towards the garden. He holds a small bag in one arm, "Ket-chan! Seki-san! I'm...ho...me..." His voice trails off as he sees Ketsueki.
Tekka turns, looking at Aisoku. ".....I'll deal with you...after Ketsueki is dead, of course." As Ketsueki sees Aisoku, he manages a weak smile, though it's hollowed. He's on the verge of passing out.
The thin package slips from Aisoku's hands falling to the floor. "D-d...dead...?" he repeats quietly. He shakes his head, "I...Iie!! Let him go!! Let Ket-chan go!" He runs at Tekka, jumping and throwing a kick at the man's face.
Tekka, though he's strong, is obviously not fast. He twists to the side, the kick catching his shoulder. He stumbles, practically falling, tightening his grip. "Leave, or I'll snap his neck this instant!" Ketsueki watches Aisoku. "......aishiteru..."
Aisoku shakes his head, "Don't!! Don't you...." he clenches his fists, shaking visibly with rage. "Let Ket-chan go!"
Tekka smirks. "And just why should I let him go? He killed father...and mother, as well. This pup has no right to even have been born."
A brilliant aura surrounds Aisoku, flaring with his anger. "Put him...down...." He lowers his eyes, shaking.
Tekka takes a small step back....he was used to surprising the enemy and killing them with brute strength..face-to-face, he had a bit of a problem. He tightens his grip a bit more. "...he killed our father. He should die, as well..."
Aisoku raises his gaze, his eyes practically aflame with rage, "I swear...if you hurt him..."
Tekka gives a small laugh, though it shakes a bit. "You'll what? You really shouldn't associate with him...he'll turn on you. Let me guess...he convinced you he was some sweet little youkai, and got to be friends with you, hmmm? He'll kill you, too..."
Aisoku growls, "Damare! Ket-chan loves me! He would never hurt me!" Suddenly he charges at Tekka, throwing punch after punch at the larger youkai, his aura glowing more fiercely with each movement.
Tekka yelps, dropping Ketsueki to the ground, who crumples, gasping for air. He snatches his bi-scythe from the ground, trying to elude as many as the punches as he can, though he doesn't do a very good job. He attempts to swing the heavy weapon at Aisoku, stumbling away from the attacks.
Aisoku blocks the attacks without much effort, his final block snapping the head of the bi-scythe through it's hilt to that it falls into two long pieces. He attacks again, more quickly this time. More truculently. In his fluid movements a slight change begins occurring through his small body.
Tekka's eyes widen. This wasn't going to work as he planned. He stumbles back...and over Ketsueki's conveniently placed foot, almost falling to the ground.
Aisoku jumps back for a moment, breathing heavily. He seems slightly...different. Long fox-like ears are pressed flat against his head and his build seems slightly taller. After this break, he charges at Tekka again.
Tekka twitches, his eyes widening slightly. .....those ears were -definitely- not there before. He tries to move out of the way, but, being as slow as he is, is caught by the attack.
Aisoku's slim fists are soon engulfed in the fierce aura as well and he continues throwing punches and kicks at Tekka, growling with effort.
Tekka stumbles backwards, trying to fend off a few of the attacks. He looks about quickly, trying to find an escape route.
Aisoku lunges at Tekka, throwing a punch into the boy's stomach, "How -dare- you!?" Within his liquid movements he continues to...change. Tekka lets out a gasp of pain, trying to scramble away. "He deserves it!! He killed our father!!"
Aisoku knocks Tekka back into the wall of their house, then snatches the boy up by the color of his shirt. He is now in a different form, much taller than usual, with slender fox-like ears and a long tail gracing his legs, now swishing back and forth.
Tekka doesn't move or struggle, but merely watches Aisoku with widened eyes. "...y-youko....."
Aisoku growls, not even listening to Tekka.
Tekka begins to struggle, and fiercely, at that. "Let go of me!" Ketsueki has gained back a bit of his color, and shakily he looks up, his vision still swimming from the lack of air previously. But, that doesn't stop him from seeing the change. " ....A-Ai...? but......"
Aisoku turns, throwing Tekka across the ground and into the grass. He steps back into a fighter�s stance, watching his foe.
Tekka scrambles to his feet, glaring at Aisoku. "...later...I'll get you later, kitsune." And he dashes off as quickly as he can...he knows he can't win a face-to-face fight like that. Ketsueki sits on the ground, watching Aisoku with a slightly blank look, his hand absently massaging his bruised neck.
Aisoku hurries over to Ketsueki, kneeling down and pulling the elder boy into his arms, holding him close. "Ket-chan! Are you alright..." his voice is panicked.
Ketsueki remains slightly rigid, after a moment leaning back to look at Aisoku. He reaches up a hand, gently touching one of the fox ears now present on Ai's head. "H-hai..."
Aisoku blinks, confused by Ketsueki's actions. "N-Nani...?" He seems to have, for the first time, noticed his ears, and he reaches up to touch one with one hand.
Ketsueki cocks his head slightly, the far away look still in his eyes. Suddenly, he blinks, snapping back into reality. He lifts a hand, pointing. "S-seki..."
Aisoku blinks, looking around, "What? Ket-chan.....w-where's Seki-san?"
Ketsueki shakily stands, frowning. He makes his way as quickly as he can to the other side of the deck. "H-hurry..."
Aisoku follows Ketsueki, fear painted upon his features.
Ketsueki, as soon as he reaches Seki, shudders, kneeling down, though he practically drops. "Seki...?"
Seki is lying, broken and still upon the dirt, scattered shards of the wooden deck railing below him, stabbing into his flesh. Aisoku's eyes widen and he barely manages to choke, "S...Seki-san..."
Ketsueki shrinks back slightly, shivering at the sound of Aisoku's voice. "A-ai...we have to hurry..."
Aisoku kneels, scooping Seki into his arms, "Oniisan.."
Ketsueki, after a moment, weakly stands, moving towards the house. "..come on...."
Aisoku nods meekly, his entire body shaking. "H-Hai..."
Ketsueki quickly opens the door, holding it open for Aisoku and Seki. "G-gomen......gomen Ai...."
Aisoku shakes his head slowly, walking into the house without a word.
Ketsueki shudders, following the other boy in silence.
Aisoku lays Seki on the couch, gently touching his brother's face. "Seki-san..."
Ketsueki frowns, watching Aisoku, his shoulders slumping slightly.
Aisoku frowns, "Ket-chan...please get me a wet towel..."
Ketsueki nods, moving off. In a moment he returns with the towel, quietly holding it out to Aisoku.
Aisoku takes it, gently beginning to was the blood off of Seki.
Ketsueki closes his eyes, looking rather sick. He slowly sinks to the ground, murmuring incoherent things to himself.
Aisoku continues about his task, murmuring quietly to Ketsueki, "....H..He'll be alright....But..."
Ketsueki frowns. "..but what?"
Aisoku frowns, "Look at his leg...it looks a whole lot...worse."
Ketsueki bites down hard on his lip, sinking further to the ground. He remains silent.
Aisoku sighs, gently touching the twisted knee. "I just hope mama gets home soon..."
Ketsueki slowly shakes his head. "I-I...."
Aisoku looks back at Ketsueki, "Nani?"
Ketsueki again shakes his head. "..nothing..."
Aisoku frowns, "Ket-chan...can you tell me what happened? Who was that? Why was he.."
Ketsueki shudders. "......b-brother...." He closes his eyes tightly, trying to keep back a few tears. "...later....I'll explain later..."
Aisoku nods, his ears flattening against his head. "Well....can you tell me one thing?"
Ketsueki looks up weakly, nodding. "..what?"
Aisoku rubs his own tail, "...What happened to me?"
Ketsueki watches him for a long while, suddenly blushing. He was so beautiful like that.... He shakes his head, "...I..dunno...."
Aisoku bites his lip, "...I look like dad...don't I?"
Ketsueki gives a small shrug. "...you're a youko...." He keeps his eyes locked on the other boy, a bit of the blush still present.
Aisoku frowns, looking down. "Like dad."
Ketsueki gives an absent nod.
Aisoku looks up, watching the blush upon Ketsueki�s cheeks. "....What are you looking at? What is it Ket-chan?"
Ketsueki slowly shakes his head, tearing his eyes away. "Nothing..."
Aisoku blinks, "But...you were looking at me.."
Ketsueki shakes his head once again. "Iie...."
Aisoku shrugs, dismissing it. He lowers his head, "So...how do I get back Ket-chan?"
Ketsueki shrugs. "..how should I know?"
Aisoku tilts his head to the side, "....Ket?"
Ketsueki still keeps his eyes averted. "Nani...?"
Aisoku blinks, "....Thought if anyone you'd know.."
Ketsueki merely shakes his head. "...I don't change..I've never known anyone who did change..."
Aisoku nods, "I suppose that makes sense...but what do I do?"
Ketsueki shrugs. "...wait, I suppose...eventually you'll change back, I'm sure."
Aisoku nods, "I guess...." he forces a weak smile, "You won't think any less of me as a youko will you?"
Ketsueki almost smiles. Hah, think -less- of him? He shakes his head, still refusing to look at the other boy.
Aisoku puts his hand on Ketsueki's chin, lifting the elder boy's chin. He smiles, "C'mon...why not answer me?"
Ketsueki turns redder, trying to look away. Aisoku leans forward, kissing Ketsueki firmly on the lips. "Well?"
Ketsueki turns a deeper shade of red, averting his eyes. "...um...."
Aisoku's now golden eyes glimmer and he playfully nuzzles Ketsueki, "Answer me, Ket-chan..."
Ketsueki swallows, closing his eyes. "Iie...."
Aisoku blinks, raising his eyes, "Nani?"
Ketsueki, after a moment, opens his eyes, looking at Aisoku. He leans forward, kissing the other boy and trying as hard as he can not to tackle him.
Aisoku blushes and as the kiss breaks he says, "So you approve then?"
Ketsueki smiles slightly. "Hai."
Aisoku hugs Ketsueki close, "Aishiterou...."
Ketsueki blushes leaning into Aisoku. "Aishiteru....."
Aisoku sighs contently, "I'm glad you don't mind this...I know it must be weird....."
Ketsueki shakes his head. "......not really..I don't mind at all....."
Aisoku stops suddenly, "You don't?
Ketsueki tenses. "....iie......."
Aisoku is uncertain of what to say.
Ketsueki frowns slightly, though he, too, says nothing. He leans back a bit, though, so that he can stare at his kitsune some more.
Aisoku's tail flicks, "...This makes me a little uneasy...."
Ketsueki cocks his head slightly, still watching him. "Why?"
Aisoku dampens his lips with his tongue, "....I don't want to be like Outa-san..."
Ketsueki leans on Aisoku. "You're not."
Aisoku frowns, "I try not to be."
Ketsueki shakes his head, kissing Aisoku's neck. "You're not, Ai. Don't worry about it...you never will be like him."
Aisoku nods, "I-I guess..." Seki stirs on the couch, groaning quietly.
Ketsueki frowns slightly, glancing at where Seki lies.
Aisoku looks back at Seki, "...onii-san..." Seki's eyes flutter open and he looks around for a long moment, confused.
Ketsueki watches the other boy. "...Seki?"
Aisoku leans close to Seki, "O-Oniisan..." Seki frowns, "W-What happened...?" Ketsueki frowns. "...don't you remember?"
Aisoku wipes his eyes which are rimming with tears, "Seki-san are you okay...Seki-san.." Seki forces a weak smile, "Hai, hai...I'm fine....Ketsueki-san, what happened to that guy?" He stops suddenly, looking around, "Where's Ai-chan?"
Ketsueki hms quietly. "...'that guy' ran off..." He cocks his head slightly, pointing to Aisoku. "...he's right there..."
Seki shakes his head, "Iie...Iie, that's not my little brother..." he sits up slowly, "Where's Aisoku? Is he ok?" Aisoku flinches, "O...Onii-san..."
Ketsueki frowns, nodding. "It is Ai...we dunno what happened..but..he's a youko...."
Seki frowns, "B-But...." Aisoku smiles weakly, "You remember Seki...like dad...I don't know what happened..."
Ketsueki hms quietly, remaining silent.
Seki looks at Ketsueki, "Can you get my note pad?!" he points to the small book on the table with a pen lying atop it. Aisoku blinks.
Ketsueki, too, blinks, giving a slightly confused nod and snatching up the book, handing it to Seki.
Seki smiles, flipping it open and starting to sketch, "This is amazing!" Aisoku blinks, "What is?"
Ketsueki sighs, shaking his head and resists the small smile that surfaces against his will.
Seki ignores him for the moment, glancing up every few moments. Aisoku's ears go flat against his head, "Onii-san!! Would you cut it out?!?!"
Ketsueki smirks slightly. "I don't see why you're so upset, Ai..."
Seki grins, "What's wrong Ai-chan? I'd be flattered!" Aisoku facefaults.
Ketsueki watches Aisoku, smiling fondly, though he says nothing.
Seki lifts up the sketch, "Had to document this." Aisoku looks down, "Seki-san...."
Ketsueki cocks his head slightly, "..is something wrong, Ai?"
Seki blinks, "What's the matter?" Aisoku twitches uneasily, "I-I...."
Ketsueki frowns. ".....what, Ai?"
Seki frowns, closing the notebook. Aisoku stands, shaking his head and quickly walking out of the room.
Ketsueki's frown deepens, and he stands, glancing at Seki. "......I'm gonna go see what's wrong.." He quickly follows the other boy.
Seki watches them leave and sighs. Aisoku is laying on his bed, curled up tightly, his tail twitching uneasily.
Ketsueki moves to Aisoku's room after him, stopping in the doorway and leaning on the frame. He rubs his neck for a moment. "...Ai.....?"
Aisoku doesn't reply, but he pulls a large blanket over himself.
Ketsueki frowns, walking into Aisoku's room and sitting on the bed next to Ai, remaining silent.
Aisoku still doesn't say anything as Ketsueki, but he shivers.
Ketsueki moves slightly, hugging the 'lump' tightly, burying his face in the fabric.
Aisoku shivers, "...I don't wanna be like Outa-san...I don't..."
Ketsueki frowns, closing his eyes. "You're not, Ai....."
Aisoku flinches, "S...Seki used to draw daddy...it looked just like..."
Ketsueki shakes his head. "Iie...you're ten times as beautiful as your father, and you're nothing like him at all...."
Aisoku doesn't say anything, but he leans closer to Ketsueki.
Ketsueki sighs quietly. "...shall I explain what happened earlier, now?"
Aisoku nods, murmuring, "P-Please..."
Ketsueki gives a small nod, stopping to think for a moment. "I was sitting outside, waiting for you to come..and all the sudden someone grabbed me by the neck....the other youkai...h-he said he was my brother...."
Aisoku pulls himself out from under the blanket, laying into Ketsueki's lap. "You have a brother...?"
Ketsueki gives a meek shrug. "...I..suppose....but...he started strangling me...and....blaming me..." He frowns, his body tensing slightly, and a small shiver runs through his body.
Aisoku frowns, "B-Blames you...for what?"
Ketsueki slowly shakes his head. "......mother and father......"
Aisoku looks down, "K-Ket-chan....you know that isn't true..."
Ketsueki frowns, still tense. He doesn't say anything, though he bites down on his lip.
Aisoku looks up at him, "Ketsueki..."
Ketsueki closes his eyes. "..nani?"
Aisoku repeats, "You know it's not your fault..."
Ketsueki shakes his head slightly. "...he said...he said I betrayed mother....but..I didn't, Ai...I couldn't stop him..."
Aisoku frowns, "Ket-chan....koi.....there's nothing you could have done.."
Ketsueki gives a quiet sigh. "...how do you know? I could have told someone...maybe they would have helped...but......"
Aisoku wraps his arms around Ketsueki's waist, resting his head on the boy's leg. "Iie...you were just a kid...you can't blame yourself..."
Ketsueki looks down quietly at Aisoku. ".......my brother...he doesn't understand..not at all...he sees the situation the opposite the way I do...."
Aisoku looks up at him, waiting for him to continue.
Ketsueki gives a quiet sigh. "...mother...he said it was all mother's fault....he said she didn't deserve to live at all......"
Aisoku flinches, but still remains silent.
Ketsueki's shoulders slump slightly. "....but...that's not true...it was all father's fault...he made everything horrible....it was all his fault....."
Aisoku sits up, putting his arms around Ketsueki. "It's alright Ket-chan...."
Ketsueki shivers slightly, but nods, leaning onto Aisoku. "...hai........"
Aisoku holds Ketsueki protectively, sighing.
Ketsueki closes his eyes. "...aishiteru..."
Aisoku blushes and smiles weakly, "I know."
Ketsueki nods slightly, "Good.."

~Owari~

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