The Brothers - Chapter 5 “W..what did you say?” Yohei was totally baffled. "Sigh. I always fell it is better to say it straight. Look Yohei, I know this will really shock you. But I love you.” The last sentence came out so sincerely, that it had easily melted a Yohei's heart. Yohei froze, looked blankly at the beautiful man in front of him. Although his heart already gave in to the guy who he least expected a confession. His head spun madly and he didn’t realize that the co-captain was still talking to him. “Well, maybe you won’t understand why I chose you over millions of people… I won’t blame you if you reject me…I was just wondering if you would give it a try… I just wanted you to know that I love you dearly… Mitokun? Mitokun?” Noticing that his love wasn’t listening, Kogure stopped his confession and reached out his hand to touch the other man’s cheek softly. The cheek under his touch was as soft as he had imagined. He sighed and whispered the name of the person he had come to know and fallen in love with. “Mito Yohei, are you listening?” Yohei did not know how to react to this so he did the first thing that came to his mind. He fainted. At Sakuragi’s living room, three figures sat and chatted happily on the brown sofa by the door when the doorbell rang. /Dingdong! Dingdong! Dingdong! / “I’ll go get the door,” Rukawa said as he half-rose but was pushed back on to the sofa gently before he could fully rise. “No, I’ll go, you stay. It’s my house after all.” Hanamichi strode off to get the door, not listening to the young man's protest. /Dingdong! Dingdong! / “Yes! Yes! Who is it?” He asked as he pulled the door open. “Kogure san, How did you get here?” “Hi, Sakuragi. Er, well I’m sorry I came to bother you but here is the nearest place I could think of, and well…” Kogure shifted his eyes to the object he carried dearly on his back. Only then didt the redheaded notice his unconscious best friend on the man’s back. “Holy shit! Come in quick!” Hanamichi moved aside giving just enough space for his friends to come in. “What happened, Kogure-san? How did he become unconscious?” He asked the man desperately as he walked after him in the hallway. “Save that for later please? Where is your living room, Sakuragi?” The man asked breathlessly. “Oh, sorry. It’s right ahead. Here, this room.” Hanamichi made a left turn and led the co-captain to their destination while Rukawa and Hikaru, who were surprised by the men presence, looked bewildered. Kogure made his way to the couch opposite them and lay the young man onto it delicately. “What happened? Why is Yohei-kun unconscious?” Hikaru looked as if he was ready to cry any minute now. “Yes, yes, please.” Hanamichi begged making Kogure feel very uncomfortable. “I… I….” Rukawa, who had been watching in silent all in the while, finally spoke. A smirk crept upon his usual calm face. “You did it, didn’t you.” Kogure gulped as he gave a submissive nod for he had acknowledged to the others already. Blushing madly, he confessed his deed. “Yes, I did. But believe me, I have no intention on…” “You did? How?” Not listening to the man, the brothers simultaneously voiced the question. “By confessing the fondness I have for him.” Kogure admitted guiltily. “No kidding! You didn’t!? I mean, you are not gay, are you?” again, the Sakuragies exclaimed in disbelief. “Oh come on, you couldn’t possibly miss the way our reliable senior here stares at your dark-haired friend over there whenever he comes round, could you?” Rukawa said carelessly not bothered that he had embarrassed his senior badly. “But still! How… how did he faint? He couldn’t have just listened to you and ‘Bang’ there he goes unconscious!” Hanamichi said as his brother nodded rapidly to support him. “Please, believe me I didn’t do anything, not ever. I, myself, don’t know what happened. You know, after the game, I went up to him and told him that I love him and hell I was nervous. I have never done it before so I went on and on about how I feel and stuff. Then I realized he wasn’t listening. I asked him if he was fine and he fainted just like that. I… I didn't know how to react so I…” “You brought him here.” Rukawa finished for him. “Yes! Exactly what I want to say. Thanks man.” “!?” /Since when Kogure san learns to talk that way?” Hanamichi looked shockingly at his usual polite senior. <To much of Zell in my head!! >.< / “Then why he did faint? I don’t see anything wrong with being told he is loved?” Hikaru pointed innocently sitting himself down beside the fainted man who shifted his position noiselessly. “I don’t know.” Kogure replied miserably. “Maybe he has had to much for a day. You know sometimes people do faint when they really need rest.” Rukawa made himself sound as normal as possible although he was struggling to keep his lips from twisting into a smile. “Is that so? But what made Yohei chan so exhausted?” Unable to maintain his composure any longer, the raven haired man burst into laughter. “!?” “…….” A dozen of little hearts with tiny wings attached to its back lingered around Hanamichi’s head. “Hmm….” /Who in the hell is laughing!?/ “Yohei, you have come to!!” Kogure rushed toward him. “Yohei-chan, you awake!” Yohei felt a small warm body throw himself into his embrace. He recognized at once whose it was, although his vision was blur. “Geez, Yohei. You scared the hell out of me. You all right, man? You look kind of loss.” “Hmm, I’m ok. What happened? I can’t remember a thing. Kogure san?” He spotted the man and the encounter an hour ago hit him hard on the back of his head. He blushed and turned to hide his face. But it turned a deeper shade of red when the number one rookie of Shohoku said. “Come Hana and you too Hikaru, I think we should leave them alone to do some personal discussion.” Then they left. There was a long period of uneasy silence between them. Neither one of them moved or even looked at each other. Yohei was the first to break the tension. “When?” “Pardon me?” Kogure replied timidly still not looking up from the floor, which he found very interesting. “You know, I mean this thing you've been feeling.” Yohei uttered his voice so soft that the co-captain barely heard what he was saying. “Oh! I… well I don’t really know. When I realized it, I found that I have been in love with you for so long.” He trailed off. /Damn, this was getting very embarrassing./ “Oh, I see," was the last thing the good-looking gangster said before he went silent once again. This time it was Kogure to make the first move. The co-captain made up his mind and approached the stunned man who tried to look less afraid as possible. When he finally stood before the man he kneeled down, his right hand reached out to finger the man’s kissable lips delicately. That however, couldn’t prevent the other from trembling. Therefore he drew back and held Yohei’s hands instead, careful not to make him feel offended by the contact. His heart pounded loudly in his muscular chest that he feared the other man would hear. “Yohei, please… I…” he pleaded desperately. Yohei hesitated but gave a nod of permission to the request nevertheless. Seconds later, Kogure was standing over him. He had both hands on either sides of Yohei's face. He closed his eyes when Kogure covered his mouth with a butterfly-like kiss. Unknown to the newfound lovers in the living room, three figures were peeking through the small gap between the living room doors. “There he goes! Yes! Do it, Kogure san!” “Oh no, Yohei chan is gonna freak out!” “No! He is not. Look, he nods and blushes too! Oh man, I haven’t seen those red stains on his face for god know how long!” “You lie, ‘neesan. I saw him blushed just yesterday.” “Whatever you say, bro.” “Quit arguing nonsense please and come check this out.” “I can’t see!” “Look through the key hole, ‘aho.” “Don’t you call me idiot!” “Why? You are an idiot. ” “They are kissing!!” “<Punch> I’m not.” “Och! What did you do that for? <Punch>” “That’s it, you stupid kitsune! I’m gonna kick your sorry ass! <Kick>” “Try if you can!! You idiot!! <Kick>” “Did you see that?" Hikaru turned to ask his elder companions and unfortunately found that they were engaged in a little lover quarrel. <Sigh> Here they go again.” Hikaru rolled his eyes. In the living room, two charming lovers were entwined in the new sensation they had discovered. Yohei’s heart and soul were entirely surrendered to the man whose relentless hands tugged at his green-grass shirt, trying to lift it up for an access to his chest but before the man could do just what he want he stopped him. “No, not now please.” Yohei struggled on keeping the senior’s hand still, despite longing for more. “Why…” Kogure didn’t stop his treat, instead he attached his lips to the junction between Yohei’s neck and shoulder then started sucking hard at the tender spot there. “Ah!! Kogure san. No. What if someone hears us?” Yohei moaned, losing his mind bit by bit with every caress the handsome senior applied on his slender neck. “Let them. Why would you want me to stop when you like it this much?” The co-captain asked seductively as he bit the small amount of tender skin under his perfect lips. Thissed Yohei to let go of his wrists. He heard the man hiss loudly when he successfully pulled open his shirt and pinched the nipples. “Ow! Stop. <Moan> Kogure san, no. I…” The rest of his words were swallowed down Kogure’s throat. He wasn’t ready for any serious relationship and definitely not ready for sexual relationship. He needed time. He knew he had to contemplate for another plan to come up with, fast. The heat in his body increased significantly and Yohei could no longer bare the pleasure touch the man applied on him. “Please…Nnn… let go… I…ahhh… No!” He was terrified when he felt Kogure’s hand moved down his firm adamant. Then he came up with the most effective way he knew. He punched the taller man with all he might, causing the man to collapse face down on the ground. “Oh no!” Hikaru’s heart sank, his face drained off its color. He was the only observer that actually saw what happened since his two elder companions were too busy beating the crap out of each other. Turning back to the quarrel nearby, he made up his mind. /It’s time to kick some butts for Yohei chan. / He strode forward determinedly and bent over the fighting couples who were too preoccupied to care about any one else. Hikaru skillfully reached down and pulled the men’s ears with each of his small hands. With several loud yells of pain the quarrel abruptly stopped. “Ouch! Ouch! He…Hee chan!! You are hurting me!” “Let go! Ouch! Hikaru! Ouch!” “I’ll let go if you both promise to stop fighting.” Hikaru demanded calmly though his hands mercilessly twitched the men’s ears. Both men gave an unhappy nod so he let go. “Sorry about that but we need to save…” Hikaru speech was interfered by a bang and instantly a man with an ugly bruise on his face brushed out of the room, almost knock him down to the floor, and exited the house in no time. “Kogure san! Wait!!” A second later Yohei rushed out of the room and ran after the already vanished man. “Did we miss something?” The lovers asked the boy perplexedly. Hikaru buried his face in his hand and groaned. Mito Yohei, the second greatest gangster of Kanagawa district, was on a terrible run. He kept running on and on as his mind roamed over the same dark-haired someone. He panted vocally as he ran; his legs becoming heavier and heavier from depleted of energy. His legs were wounded from falling down every time he bumped onto some chatting people. Even though the wounds were painful but that had nothing in compared with the heart pain he suffered. 30 minutes ago, he was the happiest person in the entire world; he felt completed and safe in the arms of the man who called himself, Kogure Kiminobu. But now here he was running liked a crazy man finding him whose whereabouts he had no idea. “Yohei, wait up!” Yohei heard a voice, which he knew all too well whose it was, called out form him though he didn’t stop; he didn’t want to stop. All he knew was he had to find Kogure. He had to tell him he was sorry. He had to tell him he love him… He had to… He had to… “Damn it!! He isn’t himself!” Hanamichi muttered angrily at himself. He felt so foolish and helpless upon seeing his best friend going crazy and he couldn’t do one damn thing about it. He wasn’t there when his friend needed him. He sped up a little so Yohie’s shoulders could be reached. He grabbed the man’s shoulder firmly, turning him around so they were face to face. “Yohei, look at me. What is going on?” “I don’t know, Hana… I don’t know.” Yohei suddenly regained his composure at the presence of his best friend; he lay his forehead on Hanamichi’s shoulder and repeated. “I really don’t know.” Hanamichi’s anger melted instantly and rapid concern assaulted his beautiful face. He patted Yohei’s back comfortingly and said. “I’m sorry, I shouldn’t have left you guys alone. I know you better than anyone else but still I left you alone with Kogure and watched him had his way with you…I…” “No, it’s not your fault. I fucked up, man. I know I always do.” Yohei admitted bitterly while trying to pull away from the redhead's brotherly embrace but failed. “He has the right to be mad, you know. I mean we were at it and I hit him.” He sighed then something kicked in; his anger raised. “Watching!?” Hanamichi mentally jumped, cursing himself for being a bigmouth. He knew his friend well enough to know that the man had never like the idea of spying on people especially if he was the one to be spied on. So he repeated the question trying hard to look innocent. “Watching?” “Yes, watching. Did you spy on ME, Sakuragi Hanamichi?” Yohei glared at the redheaded madly. The so-called tensai swallowed, the way Yohei called him by his full name indicated that he was angry, very, very angry. He was cornered that he had to reckon something out fast, something clever or the shorter gangster would have his head. But how could he possibly think about the excuse when the man stared at him as if ready to tear his throat off any minute now. “I… well…I di… did… Hey!! Look!! It’s Kogure san sitting in the coffee shop across the street.” Luckily Hanamichi spotted the beautiful co-captain sitting alone in the café opposite and pointed out excitedly. He successfully diverted Yohei’s attention to the dark haired senior and barely escaped from the death grip. Yohei immediately pulled away from his friend and headed towards the café entirely ignoring the redhead that was right behind him, running as fast as he could to keep up with his best friend. When they reached the co-captain, Kogure looked at them, astounded. “I’m sorr…” Yohei started, panting, but the man shook his head so he hushed. “Please, don’t say anything, Mito kun. I told you, I’ll understand if you hate me. There is no need for apology.” “No, you don’t understand! I didn’t mean to do that! I didn’t mean to hurt you…I…I… It’s just that I… ” Yohei protested, felt like he was some kind of freak. He was nervous and he couldn’t talk right. Hanamichi sensed the trouble in Yohei’s eyes and sighed heavily. He had known the man for a long time; he never saw the man act lik he did just now. His friend was beyond help or in another word he needed lots of help and that did not count supports. He placed his hand on Yohei’s broad shoulder, secretly hushing the man who complied instinctively, and smiled at his co-captain kindly. “Mind if we sit? Yohei and I are VERY THIRSTY.” Kogure nodded dumbly. They sat and the waitress approached them. She was about 165 centimeters tall with shoulder length straight hair. Her hair was as dark as night. She was wearing a simple white t-shirt and blue jeans with a light green apron tied loosely around her waist. She smiled at them and said soothingly, “What can I do for you today?” “Er, yes. Can I have a cup of coffee please?” Yohei requested. “And for you?” She asked turning to the redhead who looked somewhere between heaven and hell. “May I have a special fruity chocolate ice-cream cake, please,” He asked eagerly. “Yes, you may,” she edged her thick eyebrows even so slightly at the man’s order, then she turned to the man with the glasses. “Is there anything I can get for you, Kogure san?” “No, thanks.” The man politely shrugged. “I’ll be back with your drink and ‘cake’ shortly.” She left and seconds later she was back with a tray in her hands. She placed the cups on the table and left but not before giving the redhead a heartily wink. “She’s nice.” Hanamichi blushed. “Yeah, don’t know there is a nice girl around here.” Yohei added sarcastically, not so keen about the girl calling his lover-to-be by his name. “She is not from here actually,” Kogure said with in-the-matter-of-fact tone. “Really? What is she from?” Hanamichi asked interestedly. “Thailand. She comes here to visit her friend but her friend who’s supposed to be here is sick and she offered to help until she is well again.” “Cool!!” The so-call tensai whistled. “So that’s how did you know her?” Yohie couldn’t hide the jealousy in his voice. He knew his companions would instantly notice it but he didn’t care. “No, we met by chance in the bookstore next door.” Kogure secretly smiled as he calmly sipped at his still warm cup of coffee. “A bookstore next door!? But you can’t…,” Hanamichi had been living in Hanagawa long enough to know what the bookstore next door had to provide their customers, gay magazines. Yohie’s face reddened. “But… but how could she possibly…” The 19 year old girl popped up suddenly behind Kogure’s chair and wounded her arms around his broad shoulders which effectively pulled the envious string in Yohie’s head. She purposely rested her head on the man’s shoulder. “Oh dear, haven’t you notice the rapid rising of Yaoi supporters. They are tripled everywhere now and then, here and there, eastern and western…” The man simply put his large hand on her mouth, stopping her from talking further. “That’s enough, please. And since you are here all ready, Siw-wa, this is Yohei and Sakuragi. Yohei, Sakuragi this is Siw-wa.” The girl smiled sugary at them and said with what you could only call a try-my-best-not-to-laugh sort of voice. “Hello, heard a lot about both of you.” “You know us?” Hanamichi was astounded. “Yeah, Kogure told me all about you and you of cause.” She directed her glaze at Yohei who looked slightly red. Satisfied with what she saw, she excused herself. “I think I’d better get back to work now. My boss is coming out of the kitchen. See you.” She winked playfully at Kogure then quickly strode off just in time for a ruffled looking man whom they reckoned a manager to emerge from the kitchen. “Did… Did she know?” Yohei bided his question. “Not really. I have never show her your picture nor mentioned your name, but I guess she figured it out.” Kogure sipped at his coffee calmly as the waitress walked pass them, whistling. Yohei felt like his face was on fire. “So where are Rukawa and Hikaru, Hana?” He changed the subject. He felt too embarrassed to continue on the subject. “Oh them? At Kogure san’s house maybe,” Hanamichi answered through a mouth full of his cake. “Why my house?” Kogure asked, puzzled. “Well, after you guys ran out off my house, we were kinda worried. So we spread up and since Rukawa knows your house and Hikaru wanna go with him. I decided to come for Yohei,” He explained as he took another spoonful of cake into his waiting mouth. “And you easily found him. I’m jealous,” Kogure uttered then he added. “How long have you two been friends?” “12 or 14 years, maybe. I’m not sure. All I remember was Yohei’s family moved in the neighborhood when I was very little,” Then Hanamichi said playfully. “And that he was always crying when ever I threw worms at him.” “Hanamichi!!” Yohei was blushing like mad, he wondered if he could possibly get any deeper shade of red. Hanamichi laughed. “Sorry, bro. You were cute though.” “I was not CUTE!” The shorter man protested strongly. “Yes, you were!” Hanamichi treated, stuck his tongue out at Yohie. “And so you are now.” Kogure added slowly, his voice was clear though he didn’t say it loud. He smiled at the young gangster warmly. “Er…thanks…” Yohei was stunned at the openly complement. “There you are!! I was looking all over for you!!” The voice exclaimed and a little redheaded boy popped up form behind Yohei’s chair. The boy immediately jumped onto the man’s lap and gave him a quick kiss on the cheek. “And I have no wonder that you manage to get both in the same time, Hana kun.” The fox leaned over his redheaded lover from behind the seat therefore he could greet him with a small smile, he wore on his face, and to his surprise and appreciation, the redheaded pulled him downward by the collar of his t-shirt and kissed him lightly on the cheek. “I’m a tensai, remember?” “Now, now. That’s very sweet but can you please stop that, we are in here.” Yohei complained. “Whatever, you are just jealous,” Rukawa snorted and grabbed a chair to sit on. Hanamichi laughed the comment away. “Yohei chan?” Hikaru called the gangster from where he sat on the man’s laps. “Yes?” He replied. “Have you apologized to Kogure ‘neechan yet? I saw you punched him. See, there is still a bruise. Are you hurt? It looks pretty bad.” Hikaru’s innocent bidding made Yohei’s heart ached. “It’s ok, Hikaru. It doesn’t hurt at all. After all it was my fault that he hit me.” “No, it’s not! I was…” Yohei trailed off realizing the place they were in. /Coward! Tell him how you feel or lose him forever! / His mind screamed sternly at him. /Do it, chicken! / “I…I love you.” The teenage gangster’s face burned hot, so hot that he thought he could fly egg on his forehead. He felt even hotter when Hanamichi whistled teasingly next to him. The senior couldn’t believe his luck. The most wonderful man in the entire world just confessed that he loved him. He was content beyond word he wanted to cry. He wanted to cry… Tears gradually clouded his eyed, in no time he was sobbing freely. Yohei jumped out of his seats, automatically sending the boy on his laps down to the floor. The boy was skillfully safe and now sitting comfortably on his lap, watching Yohei tried with all he might to stop Kogure from crying with bemused brown eyes. After 4 and half-hours of frustration, confusion, joy and relief, the group of 5 was back in Sakuragi’s living room having a cup of hot tea after a delicious supper Yohei and the redhead had prepared for them. Hanamichi and Rukawa sat on either of Hikaru who was so concentrated on watching his favorite T.V. show to bother with anything around him and failed to notice that the men were openly sharing a tender moment. Kogure and Yohei were sharing a small armchair on the right side of the large couch, nuzzled against each anther happily. They were talking about the basketball game they had had that morning and Rukawa and Hanamichi engaged in a fight of disagreement as usual, when Hikaru nodded off and spilled his tea on the table. “Agh!!” Hanamichi yelled and was hushed by Yohei. “Shh! Don’t be loud, Hana. You are gonna wake him. Come on help me take him to his bedroom.” Hanamichi moved aside gave just enough space for Yohei to lift the boy up and into his arms. “I’ll clean this up. You go ahead and put him in bed.” Hanamichi said more quietly now, moving away to the kitchen. Rukawa stood up and followed suit. “Okei Dokei.” Yohei then carried the sleeping boy up the stair and was followed by the co-captain. “Why are you following me, Kogure-san?” He bided as his trucked the comfort over Hikaru’s chest. “Do I have to have a reason why?” The spectacular man asked back. “You didn’t answer my question.” He said dryly, turning to face the man behind him. “Why?” He repeated. “Because…” Kogure took a step forward so they were now standing toe to toe. “I want to watch you. I don’t want to miss a single move you make.” He tilted his face closing up their lips then he said one last phase he had meant to say all of his life. “Because I love you,” Shutting his eyes, he kissed Yohei sweetly on the lips. Downstairs “Do you think they gonna be all right?” Rukawa whispered into his lover’s ear nipping and pulling his earlobe gently. The redhead leaned into him and answered with a sigh. “Yes, they will. They will be just as much happy as we are, Kaede.” Then he paused and smiled. “Because Yohei is my brother.” ~ The End ~ **Previous**