Things Change
314 1 4
X
Reading Options
Font Size
A- 15px A+
Width
Reset
X
Table of Contents
Loading... please wait.

The days that followed dragged on slowly, pulling everyone around Kohaku down with him. Gin and Hide obviously noticed their brothers distress but neither wanted to press the issue. Kohaku was a fairly honest kid. If he had something he wanted to share, he'd do so. Pushing him wouldn't help.

As this was going on, Kohaku couldn't help but think about his Kitsune.

Was the boy still waiting for him in that clearing?

Who was going to hold him when he cried?

Was he sad?

Kohaku's thoughts haunted him for days. On the eighth day, Hide finally spoke to him.

"Kohaku? Would you like to sit with me?" He asked, his soft gaze warming the young boys heart despite his distress. Kohaku hesitantly nodded, letting Hide pull him into his arms. Hide's arms were slim and couldn't bear his weight for long but he made the effort anyway. Sitting on his lap, they enjoyed the quiet night for a while.

"Little one, do you know what I do for a living?" He asked, surprising the small child with his question. Frowning, Kohaku tried to think about it. He had only gone by Hide's job a few times and each time he was left with a lot of pretty women who smelled just like Hide. They were nice but didn't let him walk around or follow after the women who left with men. He didn't get it but he didn't mind since the ladies were nice to him and fed him treats. Kohaku then shook his head.

"Well, that's not surprising." Hide snorted, sounding both relieved and a bit sad. Kohaku couldn't be sure which. "What I do is give love and companionship to others who... need it but can't get it on their own."

"How come?" He asked, wanting to know more about his brother. Hide looked down at him, a bit taken aback to have Kohaku ask him that. How to respond...?

"W-well, it's hard to say." He replied evasively, The boy pouted, wanting an answer but losing interest as Hide continued. "As I was saying, it's a job that requires a lot out of a person, and ends up bringing with it a lot of... looks."

Kohaku, despite being young, knew what he meant. The looks he and Gin got as they walked down the street in their rags. The looks they got when being chased by officers. Sometimes, the looks were of pity but more often than not, they were being looked down upon. As if they were at fault for being poor, hungry or chased away. Kohaku wasn't sure which look Hide got but he knew it was there. The weary acceptance in his beautiful blue eyes.

Seeing the sadness in the young child's eyes, Hide couldn't help but pet him. "Don't look at me like that. There no need to be upset." He assured him, his smile warm and loving. "It might not be ideal but if it allows me to take care of you and Gin, I have no regrets."

"Do you like your job?" He asked, curious since he rarely heard his brother talk about it. Hide's expression was hard for the child to read but he thought he might be having a hard time coming up with an answer.

"...I used to hate it but I can't anymore." He replied, looking up at the somewhat cloudy sky. "It's unbecoming of a professional but my heart has been taken by someone." He sighed wistfully, his cheeks reddening slightly as he thought about that someone. Kohaku didn't get it but Hide continued before he could ask.

"That person, he was so kind of me. He treated me with gentle touches and shares only drinks with me. The time we spend together... It's invaluable." Again, Hide looked to be in his own world. Kohaku thought this person sounded nice too, though he wished Hide would stop daydreaming. As if he'd read the child's mind, Hide snapped back into reality, remembering that he had a point to all this.

"Ah, sorry. The reason I'm telling you this is because he offered me a place at his residence in England." He said, smiling down at Kohaku. Seeing the question marks circling the child's head, Hide continued. "England is a country far across the ocean and it's where this man lives. Originally, he only wanted me but after telling him about you guys, he allowed me to take you as well." He explained, turning Kohaku around so they faced each other. "I admit, I don't know know too much about him other than his profession but I do think it would be good for us to go with him. What do you think? Do you wish to go?"

Kohaku thought about it. If he left, they would be in a new land, around new people and an unfamiliar language. They would be in the care of a rich man but it was still risky. Plus the fact that if they left, Kohaku would never see Kitsune-kun ever again. That ate at him more than everything else. At his silence, Hide just sighed and patted Kohaku's head.

"I understand." He said, smiling at the child. "It's a big decision and I shouldn't be placing it on a child like you. Just keep this with you, just in case anything happens." He slipped a piece of paper in Kohaku's Yukata.

Hide's words stung Kohaku but nodded anyway. It troubled him to think that Hide might be thinking of leaving without him. Then he thought of the boy and how Kohaku had left him by himself days ago. Was this how he was feeling back then? Sadness and guilt flooded through the child and brought tears to his eyes. Kohaku hugged Hide tightly and started to cry. He had no idea why he was crying but that didn't stop him from sobbing. He fell asleep with tears in his eyes.

***

The next morning, Kohaku and Gin went to the town to "shop" as Gin had put it. The two had to tread carefully since they weren't very well liked in this part of town. The streets were packed with people, rich and poor alike.

"Come on, Kohaku." Gin said as he dragged Kohaku by the hand through the crowd. It was a real tight fit, weaving their way through the small spaces between the people. Kohaku didn't mind too much though, it was much warmer than being in an empty area anyway. Kohaku did briefly wonder why the place was so crowded so early in the morning. It wasn't like this very often, especially in the winter.

All of a sudden, Kohaku felt his free hand being tugged in another direction. Surprised by the action, Kohaku let his grip on Gin's hand slip as he was pulled. He tried to reach out to Gin but he was quickly swallowed up by the crowd, though he could faintly hear him calling out to Kohaku. The child turned to his assailant only to stop and stare.

"K-Kitsune-kun?" He stammered, somewhat out of surprise but mostly fear. His gentle and sweet Kitsune-kun looked furious. His once innocent violet eyes were now daggers, digging into Kohaku's soul and not letting go. He even flinched when the boy began to speak.

"Where have you been these last few days?" He demanded. They were still in the crowd so those next to them looked down at them. The looks were brief but definitely curious. What a sight it must have been. One kid, dressed in beautiful robes, yelling at another, dressed a dull colored rags. "I've been waiting for you all this time! Why haven't you come!?"

"I-I..." He started but stopped, unsure how to voice the feelings he'd been wrestling with for days now. He was but a child. How could he possibly understand the feelings he had, let alone explain them to the source of said feelings? Kitsune-kun, however, was a child as well. As such, he was very impatient.

"Answer me!" He shouted, freezing as he watched Kohaku flinch at him. He stared, confused and hurting as he watched Kohaku try and distance himself from him. Why? He just wanted an answer... "Y-Yuki-kun, I-"

From behind him, Kohaku could hear Gin calling him. In front of him, Kitsune-kun was crying and pleading with him to just speak to him. Kohaku was torn. Pulling his hand out of the boy's hand, Kohaku looked the boy in the eyes as he spoke.

"Look, I'll come to our usual spot tomorrow morning, okay. I promise." With that, Kohaku ran through the crowd to look for Gin.

"Wait, Yukihiro!" Kitsune-kun called from behind him. He tried to fight his way through the crowd but someone pulled him back. As soon as Kohaku had stopped hearing the boy's calls, he was struck on the head from behind. Looking up he saw Gin's angry face.

"Why the hell did you let go of my hand?!" He scolded as he pulled Kohaku from the crowd. "Do you know how worried I was? I thought you had been taken from me by some pervert or something." Gins hands were shaking as he clenched them around Kohaku's and his eyes looked a bit shiny.

"I'm sorry, Gin-nii." He said, feeling a bit guilty. Gin was tough but he was also very caring. Not wanting the mood to get too gloomy, he then chose to tease him. "I didn't think me letting go of your hand would make you cry, Gin-nii." Barely missing the punch Gin had aimed at his head, Kohaku ran away laughing. Gin came after him.

"I'm not crying, you brat!" He swore. "It's just that Hide would hate me if I lost you and... and..." The two ran to their home with smiles on their faces and happiness in their hearts. The moment of panic from before was briefly forgotten as to the two ran home. At the shack, Hide stared at the two younger boys covered in dirt. Gin was pouting as usual under his brother's scrutiny. Kohaku, on the other hand, was beaming.

"Let me guess." He said, pointing between the two boys. "You two started quarreling again, am I right?" The two nodded, their expressions remaining the same. Hide sighed and ruffled their hair good naturedly. "Well, I suppose it's a good thing you two are indeed dirty."

Kohaku and Gin shared a look of confusion. Hide never liked when they came home dirty. Kohaku looked up at Hide, wanting an explanation.

"Why's that?" Gin asked, voicing Kohaku's own thoughts. Just because we're poor, he'd say, doesn't mean we have to be dirty too.

"Because I earned quite a large tip today!" Hide stated, beaming down at his brothers. Gin scowled at the words but Hide kept going. "It's just enough for for us to go to the bath house in town." With that alone, the two boys brightened like lamps.

Kohaku had never had a real hot bath before. The closest he'd had was boiled water and snow in a wooden tub they used to have. It was nice but it had broken long before. Plus every time they (Kohaku and Gin) tried to sneak into the bathhouse or talk their way in, the owner would violently kick them out. To be able to enter as customers was definitely a treat beyond compare.

Gathering clean clothes, the three ventured through town toward the bathhouse. It was huge, decorated with gold statues and the smell of steam was enough to make Kohaku squirm in excitement. Kohaku saw a group of people enter the bathhouse before them. Watching them, Kohaku couldn't help but notice how nicely dressed they were compared to them. They were obviously rich. Staring at them, he spotted a child with them.

Kohaku thought it was his Kitsune at first but the boy had blond hair and looked about Kohaku's age. Kitsune-kun had said he was ten, like Gin. He looked to his brother, wanting to ask his opinion but found he was hiding behind Hide.

Was he hiding from someone? Kohaku wondered.

They walked in soon after, gaping at the interior. The inside of the bathhouse was huge. Since the three owned no shoes, the three brothers wiped their feet on the mat when they entered. The hall was all wood and the floors were so shiny. So clean. Kohaku almost felt bad for walking on it with his slightly dirty feet. They had only gotten half way through the hall when the man in charge, some fat old guy with roll after roll of fat on his face, stopped them.

"Where do you think you're going?" The he asked from him Bundai. Kohaku didn't like him at all and clung to Hide's leg.

"We'd like to take a bath here, if you don't mind." Hide said with a smile. The owner melted a bit, looking dazed for a sec but shook it off soon after.

"With what money?" He was sneering down at Gin and Kohaku who stood behind Hide. "Last I checked, you brats were as poor as dirt. Now Ge-" Hide presented that man with his purse. Silence fell for a moment before the man snatched it out his hand and opened it to inspect the bundle. With a snort, he waved them off. "I have much more distinguished guests bathing here tonight." He sneered. Kohaku remembered the people he saw walk in before them. The ones who Gin ignored. "I can't have some trash off the streets in there presence. It's bad for businesses." Hide flinched at the insult. He hated it when other insults them. Despite his frustration, Hide remained calm and let out a sigh.

"If you can't give us service, then may I get my money back?" Hide demanded, holding out his hands, Hide waited. The man smirked.

"Think of this money as payment for not ratting on these two brats you tow around. I hear they are pretty hated around these parts." Hide squeezed Kohaku hand in anger. Kohaku flinched, biting his lip to mask his whimper of pain. When he saw Kohaku grimace, he relaxed his grip. The man was now leering at Hide. "But I know you. You're pretty well known, Yoh."

Who was that? Kohaku wondered, frowning in confusion. Beside him, Gin growled at the man but he hadn't noticed. Now the manager was rubbing Hide under his chin like a dog.

"I may give you guys a break if you use those skills you have for me. Who knows, I just might let you bath here. What do you say?" Hide stayed silent. His face was of pure torment. Kohaku would have said something to the man but Gin beat him to it.

"I say, give us back our money, you fat ass pervert!" Gin demanded. When the man refused, dismissing the child with an eye roll, Gin climbed on the Bundai and bit the man's arm. Dropping the purse, Gin grabbed it out of the air and jumped down.

The three boys ran out of the bathhouse and into an alley. They could hear the man calling for the police to catch them. Gin swore under his breath he looked to the street. Hide was trying to shield Kohaku's view of the street but it was useless. He could see armed officers running through the streets looking for them. Fear was evident in Hide and Gin. Kohaku was scared too.

"Kohaku." He said with his hands on his shoulders. Looking up at his eldest brother, Kohaku saw the serious expression on his face. Worry filled him as Hide spoke. "I need you stay here, okay? Just stay hidden from the street and wait for me. I'll keep the guards away from this alley, okay?" Halfway through, Kohaku started to shake his head. Hide couldn't leave him.

"Don't leave, Hide-nii!" He cried. Tears ran down his face as the thought of his brother leaving drew ugly pictures in his mind. "Please don't leave! I don't want to be alone!"

"You won't be alone." He promised. Looking to Gin, he ordered. "Gin, stay here with Kohaku." Gin started to argue but Hide shot him down sooner than he could speak. "I'll keep the guards away from you guys, okay?" Kissing the both boys on the forehead, he gave them a promise. "Don't worry. Even if I don't come back, we'll definitely meet again. We're the ....?" His hand pressed to his chest, where the full moon mark was hidden from view. With tears in his eyes, Kohaku sniffled out an answer.

"We're brothers of the moon." With a pat on his head, Hide ran to the street, soon followed by the guards. Gin was holding on to Kohaku so tightly he could hardly breathe. Both were worried about their brother. After a long while, the two waited in the dark, damp alley. After a long while, Gin got up.

"I'm going to go check if the coast is clear." Gin said releasing Kohaku and looking around. Kohaku clung to his brother only for a second. Gin pointed down at Kohaku. "You stay here and stay hidden, got it?" Kohaku nodded despite the growing fear of being alone. He was a good boy and good boys obeyed their brothers.

Gin covered him with garbage and ran to the streets. Kohaku did what his older brothers had ordered. When the guards combed through the alleys, they all just walked right past Kohaku. Even when the street grew quiet, Kohaku stayed hidden. Waiting, he stayed under the pile of garbage until morning came. Night fell again and still neither Hide-nii nor Gin-nii came for him.

When the sun rose once more and hunger ate at his insides, Kohaku got up from his hiding spot. Picking garbage out of his hair, Kohaku made his way to the shack hidden in the forest. Trees parted and grasses flicked across his bare ankles as he ran. He smelled smoke. With a smile, he ran faster. Hide-nii and Gin-nii were there. They must be mad at Kohaku for making them wait so long. The food they had stolen before must have been cooked and they were waiting for him to join them to eat. The three of them would eat, huddle together and laugh about how they would never be caught.

Standing on the small hill that overlooked there small shack, Kohaku's heart froze. Their home, for as long as any of them could remember, was on fire. The guards who had chased them before were around the place, barking orders to raid the shack and burn it to the ground.

With a heavy heart, Kohaku ran from the only home he'd ever known.

Pressing his hand to his chest, over the official document that could get him to England, He disappeared into the forest he knew so well.

4