by Sessha Batto
****
It was two more weeks before Yoshi hauled himself out of bed and into the shower, gratefully washing his matted hair. He drifted into memories of Kazuki helping him with this same task, staring off into space as his mind wandered, hot water thundering down on his motionless form. When the spray began to run cold he shook himself out of his stupor, toweling off and dressing in basic blacks.
“Senpai, you’re up,” Hideaki noted with surprise when he arrived for his daily attempt to rouse the elite.
“It's time to get moving,” Yoshi admitted. “What do I need to take care of before I leave?”
“Kobayashi Tatsuya is here with the treaty from Kobayashi shuudan. I don’t think he likes being around me, but he's been remarkably patient.”
“How long has he been here?” the shadow wolf asked.
“About a week,” came the airy reply. “He's been training with Katsutoshi. He's getting restless though. I don’t believe he trusts my explanation that you’re mourning. He's afraid I’ve done something to you.”
“That's ridiculous, you would never hurt me,” Yoshi retorted. “I need to talk some sense into him.”
“It isn’t important, senpai,” Hideaki assured him. “He believes I am a traitor, and he's right, circumstances notwithstanding. There is no reason why he, or any other member of Kobayashi shuudan, should treat me with anything other than contempt.”
“There is every reason. You were lashing out against what had been done to you. I admit, your actions were extreme, but I understand why you felt compelled to do as you did. Apparently Sato-san does also, as he has extended an invitation for you to return.”
“An invitation it would be unwise of me to accept. Tatsuya seems like a decent man. He is aware of my history and still has problems accepting me. Think how the other shinobi would react.”
“Once they know…” the shadow wolf trailed off into uneasy silence. “I wouldn’t want them to know about me either. I understand. I will miss your friendship though. You and Katsutoshi have been a great comfort to me.”
“Then I have merely returned the favor,” the Oonishi said. “I will send Tatsuya-san to see you now.”
“Hideaki.” Yoshi's voice stopped him halfway to the door. “I would like you to consider taking over here as Shuhan. You have the intellect, and the training. I’m sure Sato-san would allow me to act as ambassador. It would give me an excuse to come and visit you.”
“That's a very generous offer, senpai. Are you sure it's wise to give someone like me so much power?”
“I’m not worried. I believe you’ll uphold the treaty with Kobayashi shuudan. Beyond that it's up to you how to best rule these people,” the shadow wolf decided. “I don’t know of anyone else who would be capable. I do not wish to stay here any longer. You would be doing me a great service.”
“If you insist. I will be honored to succeed you.”
“Yoshi.” Tatsuya's voice suddenly rang out, causing both men to turn toward him. “It's good to see you,” he continued as he strode forward to clasp forearms with the shadow wolf. “I’ve been worried about you.”
“I needed some time to myself, Kobayashi-san,” Yoshi explained. “I am sorry to have made things difficult for you.”
“Oh no, it's fine,” Tatsuya assured him. “I’ve been training with Katsutoshi. I haven’t had such good workouts in a long time. I’m just glad to see you up and about.”
“I was … unsure of how to move forward. Now, I’m ready to go home. I no longer belong here. Did Shuhan-sama send treaty documents for me?”
“If you will excuse me,” Hideaki began. “I’ll leave you to your negotiations.”
“Wait,” the shadow wolf commanded. “This affects you more than me. Tatsuya, Oonishi-san has agreed to succeed me as Shuhan. Ultimately he will have to enforce any agreement we make.”
“How did you get to be Shuhan anyway, Yoshi?” Tatsuya asked. “Wasn’t it that traitor Nakamura's position?”
“Kazuki-sama was my lover.” The shadow wolf stared blankly into space as his mind returned to happier times.
“Takahashi-senpai is the strongest shinobi in the shuudan, as well as the former Shuhan's confidant,” Hideaki explained. “He was, of course, the first choice to succeed Kazuki-sama.”
“You had sex with Kazuki?” Tatsuya's cigarette dropped from his mouth in shock.
“Yes. Does that offend you?”
“No, no,” he assured the shadow wolf, waving his hands in denial. “I was just surprised, that's all. How on earth did you two ever, you know?”
“We had history in common. It was enough to bring us together. Who knows why people find solace in each other,” Yoshi concluded with a shrug.
“My father was a bastard,” Tatsuya gritted out, fists clenched unconsciously at his sides. “I am sorry for the hurt he caused you, Takahashi-san. I take it he had turned his attentions to Nakamura Kazuki also then?”
“He was your father's favorite apprentice,” Yoshi said, dropping his head to fix worried eyes on his feet. “I’d really rather not be the one to discuss this with you, Kobayashi-san.”
“With my brother then,” he remarked as he lit another cigarette. “He's anxiously awaiting your return.”
“You don’t have a brother, at least not one that's alive.”
“There have been a number of shocking revelations since Rin was replaced,” Tatsuya assured him. “Not the least of which was the fact that Sato Daisuke is my half-brother.”
“Daisuke?” the shadow wolf said in surprise. “I was wrong then.”
“Wrong about what, senpai?” Hideaki asked.
“I always assumed Daisuke was like us. He was always so pretty and he spent so much time with Kobayashi-sama, playing shogi, drinking tea. I never imagined. Did he know?”
“No, he was as surprised as I was,” Tatsuya replied wryly. “Just another dirty secret for him to keep.”
“Another secret?”
“He's kept this whole thing secret, what Kobayashi-sama and Rin did, what you were forced to do, who else was involved. Well, except for the clan elders, Souta and of course Makoto. They had to be told, but they've all been sworn to secrecy.” He took a deep drag off his cigarette and blew the smoke out in a long trail. “Daisuke's determined you should be able to live as you choose, without worrying about your reputation or the threat of reprisals.”
“I had hoped they would send Sasaki-san to negotiate with me,” Yoshi admitted. “I need to speak with him.”
“Shuhan-sama had Genki arrested for treason just before I left. I imagine Makoto is busy interrogating him,” Tatsuya explained.
“Aaaa. Shall we get started then?”
****
It took three days to finish hammering out the treaty and Yoshi was exhausted by the time the last document had been signed. “Now's as good a time as any. Hideaki, are you ready to assume your duties?”
“You want to do this now?” the Oonishi asked. “Can’t it wait until morning?”
“I want to leave tonight,” the shadow wolf insisted. “You’re welcome to wait until morning, Tatsuya, but I find myself anxious to get home.”
“No, that's all right, I’ll go with you. If you don’t mind, of course. I’d understand it if you’d rather not travel with me.”
“I’m happy to travel with you, Kobayashi-san. You’ve never done anything to harm me. I’m not one to hold the acts of the father against the son. It would be hypocritical of me, to say the least.”
“Daisuke uncovered information about your father also. Let's just say my family owes all the Takahashi an apology,” Tatsuya said with a grimace, shifting uncomfortably as he faced his fellow elite.
“Not all of them,” the shadow wolf grumbled. “My uncle seems to skate through everything untouched.”
“You have an uncle? I thought you were the last Takahashi.”
“So did I. Unfortunately it appears I’m related to Genki, the great asshole of Wolf Mountain.”
“I tol
d you he was arrested just before I left,” Tatsuya cut in. “For treason. You didn’t seem concerned.”
“I’m not concerned. At least, as long as I don’t have to see him. I wouldn’t piss on the old man if he were on fire.” The elite turned to Hideaki and touched his elbow. “Are you ready, kohai?”
“Certainly, senpai, let's get you out of here,” the Oonishi replied. “What do I need to do?” Yoshi walked him through the ritual, heaving a sigh of relief when the swearing in was complete and he could hand over the symbols of office.
“Nakamura no Shuhan-sama.” The shadow wolf bowed deferentially. “With your permission I would like to leave now.”
“Of course, Yoshi. We’ll miss you,” Hideaki admitted. “I hope you’ll come visit us.”
“You couldn't keep me away.” Yoshi wrapped his arms around the slender figure and pulled him into an embrace. “I wish you were coming with me.” He did the same to Katsutoshi, adding, “Call me if his health worsens. I’ll come right away.”
“Thank you, Takahashi-san,” the swordsman rumbled. “I appreciate your concern. Hopefully I will not need to summon you.”
The shadow wolf quickly shouldered his pack, following Tatsuya out of the underground stronghold. Once outside, the pair headed off at a rapid pace. Yoshi only stopped when the compound was almost out of sight, casting one last wistful glance back before turning determinedly towards his home and his future.
“We should rest soon,” Tatsuya ventured after a few hours traveling.
“If you like,” Yoshi demurred. “I think I’ll keep going though. I’ve been dreaming of home for a long time.”
“You won’t make it without rest,” Tatsuya argued as he lit another cigarette.
“I’ve done nothing but rest the last few weeks. I really don’t want to stop now. Don’t worry about me, Kobayashi-san, I can take care of myself,” the shadow wolf assured him. “I’ll see you there. I promise to check in at headquarters when I arrive.” With that he was off, racing gracefully through the trees as he rushed toward his destination. As the ground sped by under his feet Yoshi's mind mourned everything he was leaving behind, and filled with rising trepidation about his future.
****
“Daisuke, I need to talk to you.” The torture master hobbled through the doors, balancing on one crutch so he could shut them and ensure their privacy.
“What is it, Makoto?” the Shuhan asked without looking up. “I’m kind of busy.”
“Yoshi's going to get back any day now.”
“I am aware of that. Tatsuya went to engage in treaty negotiations with him before his return,” the Shuhan murmured, eyes on the document in front of him.
“What do I say to him? I have no idea how to win him back. He's been the lover of an incredibly powerful, charismatic, man. How can I ever get him to look at me again?”
Daisuke looked up sharply, eyes softening at the sight of the nervous man in front of him. “Sit down and relax, Makoto. After all, you can say the same thing.”
“But it's not the same,” the interrogator insisted. “Not the same at all.”
“What did Yoshi say to you?” the Shuhan prodded.
“That Kazuki had died and he would be returning very soon. He said that he thought of me often and hoped I would allow him to explain.”
“Well, that seems like a good place to start,” Daisuke decided. “After all, you shouldn’t form an opinion without all the facts.”
“But I don’t know if I can face him. I don’t know how I feel about any of this. I don’t want to upset him, but I’m confused. I don’t want to mess this up.”
“Woo him,” Souta's disembodied voice piped in from behind the desk.
“If you’re going to eavesdrop you might as well show yourself,” the Shuhan insisted.
“Sorry, Dai, it wasn’t official business.”
“It's okay,” Daisuke said. “Just come out and talk with us.”
Souta dropped the concealment illusion, striding forward to perch on the corner of his lover's desk. “Yoshi's never had a normal relationship, never dated, never been pursued, never been wooed. You need to show him how special you think he is, and how serious you are. You are serious, aren’t you?”
“What do you think?” the interrogator growled. “Would I be submitting myself to this…” he twirled his hands in the air as he struggled for the right word, “humiliating interrogation if I wasn’t serious?”
“Maybe I’m confused,” the assassin admitted. “It just sounded like you were having second thoughts.”
“About me, never about Yoshi.”
“Well then, let's see what we can do to ensure you get what you want,” came Souta's confidant reply.
“Why don’t you two take it inside?” Daisuke interjected, indicating the apartment. “I have a meeting in fifteen minutes. Go make dinner and I’ll join you once the clan heads leave.”
“I don’t need dinner.” Makoto backpedaled toward the door as he shook his head in negation. The last thing he wanted right now was another threesome with the Shuhan and his lover. As enjoyable as it had been, the torture master was already a bundle of nerves when it came to dealing with Yoshi, he didn't need to make the situation even more awkward. “Thanks for the offer, though, I appreciate it.”
“Just food.” Souta looped his arm through the interrogator's, dragging him toward the Shuhan's private quarters. Once inside he headed for the kitchen, pulling ingredients out of the cupboards and fridge and beginning to chop. “Hand me that cabbage, will you?”
“So, how exactly do you woo someone?” Makoto handed the item in question to the assassin, cautiously staying well away from the flashing knife he was gesturing with.
“I think you should try asking him out. Take him someplace special. The important thing is that he sees you want to spend time with him, not just jump into bed.”
“Is that what you did?” the interrogator wanted to know.
“Not exactly, but Dai is a completely different case. We’ve been together since before we were really old enough to know what love or commitment was. Not that I’m complaining,” Souta was quick to add. “But I didn’t have to convince him, not the way you need to with Yoshi.”
“What if he doesn’t want to be convinced?” Makoto asked. “Then what do I do? I’m afraid I’ll never measure up now.”
“To Kazuki? You can’t replace him, whatever he was to Yoshi. The best you can do is be important in your own way. Be supportive, let him know how much you care, then see where you are. I know it's not what you want to hear,” Souta continued honestly, “but it's the only way. When he's ready to move on he’ll come to you, assuming he knows he's welcome.”
“So, a date then,” the interrogator muttered.
“I know it's not hot monkey sex, but dating can be fun,” the assassin assured him. “It’ll be even hotter when you finally get around to it.”
“It's not that,” Makoto hedged. “It's just … I don’t know anything about dating.”
“Well then, we’ve got a lot of work to do, don’t we?” Souta declared, setting out to explain the intricacies of dating while dinner simmered.
****
Hi, I’m home. No, that's assuming a lot. I’m back … sounds flat. I’ve missed you, well that's not entirely true and he knows it. The shadow wolf's mind whirled as he tried desperately to come up with something to say, hand frozen halfway to the bell.
“Can I help you?” Makoto asked as he opened the door. “Oh, Yo … Takahashi-san, you’re back.”
“My things are here,” Yoshi mumbled as he examined his feet.
“I had them moved to your house,” the interrogator explained as he fumbled for the key. “Here you go.”
“I don’t have a house. Where are my things?”
“Shuhan-sama reacquired your family home for you. All your belongings are there.”
“Oh. I’ll be going then.” Yoshi forced his feet to turn away from the one place he’d expected to be welcome and trudge
d towards headquarters. Anything to delay his return to his childhood home, a place he hadn’t set foot in since his father's suicide.
By the time he reached the tower he was debating the wisdom of returning to Nakamura shuudan. At least I’m wanted there. Here I’m just an embarrassment. He slowly dragged his feet toward the Shuhan's office, knocking on the door and waiting for admittance.
“Takahashi-san, you’re back.” Daisuke rose from behind his desk and came forward to greet the elite.
“Thank you for allowing me to return, Shuhan-sama.” Yoshi bowed his head and studied his feet. “I am reporting for interrogation.”
“Why?”
“I have consorted with traitors. Obviously I need to be debriefed to assure my loyalty,” the shadow wolf elaborated. “What were you planning on doing with me?”
“I thought we could sit down and talk about what happened. I don’t think you’ll lie to me.” Daisuke studied him carefully. “You, of all people, have more than proved your loyalty. So,” he went on as he seated himself in a comfortable chair, motioning for his guest to do the same. “Would you like something to eat or drink? You must be tired. Did Tatsuya go straight home?”
“I’m afraid I left Tatsuya along the way. He wanted to stop for the night. I was in a hurry to get back,” Yoshi explained. “I hope you aren’t upset. The treaty is signed, he has it with him. Oonishi Hideaki is the new Nakamura no Shuhan. I hoped you might let me act as ambassador between our shuudan. I promised to visit.”
“It's nice to hear you were in such a hurry to return to us.” The Shuhan mentally cheered at the thought of what it might mean for Makoto. “What will you do now?”
“Go home, I guess,” the shadow wolf decided. “Apparently I have one.”
“Did you not want it?” Daisuke leaned forward to study guarded mismatched eyes. “I assumed you were living there before you ran low on funds.”
“I haven’t set foot inside that house since my father's suicide,” Yoshi explained. “I’ve lived in the bachelor quarters since Oonishi-sama's death. I never got around to moving back. I guess I can’t put it off any longer.”