Incubus - Chap 23

"Oh I'm so nervous..." Hoshiko mumbled as they were heading to Hatori's parents' house after going to the eye glasses' store. She squeezed his hand as she bit her lip.

"Sweetie, it's not like you haven't met them before."

"I know but...now I'm your wife..." She mumbled.

"They knew I'd be marrying you at some point." He chuckled.

"Yeah but...it was so sudden..." She took a deep breath. "What if your Mom thinks I did it behind her back to...be rebellious or something?"

"Would you relax? My mother will adore you, and my father is just a bit less emotional than me. Don't worry." He smiled.

"Okay..." She nodded. "But...promise me something?"

"What?"

"Don't leave me alone with them..." She mumbled, clinging to him a bit more.

"I promise... but I know you'll get along well with my mother."

"I hope so..." She breathed as they reached their place.

Hatori knocked quickly before letting himself in. "Mom, Dad?"

"Ha! Got you!" A little girl with vibrant blonde hair and big blue eyes shouted as he came through the door. She had jumped out into the hall when the door opened. "Wait..." She blinked. "You're not Daddy." She pouted.

Hatori smiled. "No, I'm your Uncle. Is your Mommy here?"

The girl pointed to the living room. "She's with Nana..."

"Thanks sweetie." He smiled as he lead Hoshiko inside.

Hoshiko clung to Hatori as they moved to the living room. She had always felt a bit...inferior to his sister and mother. They were so beautiful. Kairi was sitting on the couch with Yukina who was sporting a slight bump.

 

"I can't wait~! I wonder if it'll be a boy or a girl~" Kairi squealed.

 

Yukina smiled softly and rubbed her stomach. "Well...we'll see when they come." She breathed.

"Kanta knocked up my sister again, huh?" Hatori smirked as he came into the livingroom.

Both Yukina and Kairi turned their heads to look at Hatori.

"Hatori!" Kairi smiled as she got up and went over to hug him.

Yukina made a face at him. "I let him this time~"

Hatori hugged his mother before looking at Yukina. "Where is your man?"'

“Talking with Father," she shrugged. "They should be back."

"You guys remember Hoshiko, my fiancé, right?" He smirked at them. He would want till his father was home to announce that she was his wife.

Kairi nodded. "Of course~ Hello, sweetie~" She went to hug Hoshiko.

Hoshiko hugged back as she blushed. She felt weird. She felt like she really did sneak behind his mother's back just to please herself. "H-Hi..." She nearly squeaked.

Yukina blinked. "Your woman doesn't look good." She stated.

Hatori looked at Hoshiko before back at his sister. "She's nervous."

“Nervous? About what?" Yukina blinked.

"Oh, sweetie, it's okay." Kairi smiled. "We're not going to bite your head off or anything." She laughed softly but saw Hoshiko still hadn't relaxed. "Come on...have something sweet to eat." She smiled as she took Hoshiko's hand and brought her over to the couch where there was a tray of baked goods on the table.

Hatori smiled as he sat beside his sister while his mother took his wife captive. "So, how much longer~?" Hatori asked her, poking her stomach.

Yukina blushed. "It's only been a month...so I'd say either two or three more...You know that Nozomashii have short pregnancies."

He nodded. "Kanta excited?"

She nodded, smiling. "Yeah...He's hoping it's a boy." She laughed to herself as she rubbed her stomach.

He smiled. "Your daughter still seems attached to  him quite a bit."

"Very attached," Yukina nodded. "She says she wants to be a kunoichi when she grows up."

"Are you okay with that?"

Yukina smiled. "I am...I want her to do what makes her happy."

He smiled. "You're a good mother."

"Taught her everything I knew~" Kairi giggled.

"Mom..." Yukina pouted. "Hatori complimented ME not YOU..." She mumbled.

"You're both good parents."

"Thank you sweetie~!" Kairi giggled.

"Ah-ha! Got you, Daddy!" Kassita's voice came from the hall.

"Not if I got you first~" Kanta's voice came.

Kassita squealed and giggled, her voice coming closer.

Yukina smiled when Kanta and her father entered. "Hey, hunny..."

"Hello." He smiled, their daughter up on his shoulders.

"Hatori. What a nice surprise." Zeeto said.

"Hello father." Hatori smiled.

Hoshiko swallowed as she clenched her hands together. She could feel her heart beating in her chest. From her nervousness, it looked as if she was about to march off into war, but that wasn't it. She was simply going to tell his family that she was now his wife. That they got married without any of them there. She swallowed hard again as her leg bounced up and down.

Kairi got up and went to hug her husband. She knew he wasn't fond of PDA so she would kiss him later.

Zeeto hugged her back before breaking away. "And what brings your company, son?"

Hatori smiled. "I have news."

"What kind of news, Hatori?" Kairi asked, smiling.

"Yeah, what's so important?" Yukina tilted her head

"Did you get me a present?!" Kassita smiled wide. "Like chocolate?!" She clapped her hands.

Hoshiko swallowed hard.

Hatori smiled at his niece. "Not this time."

"Then what?" Zeeto asked.

"Hoshiko and I are married."

Kairi blinked. "What...?"

Yukina's mouth dropped. "No way..."

"So...no chocolate?" Kassita frowned.

"I'll buy you some today, and yes, we are... a week ago. We just wanted to tie the knot. We still want to have a proper reception with all the family."

Hoshiko got up and went over to Hatori, taking his hand in hers. She wasn't going to be separated from him during this...though she was overreacting a bit.

"So...you got married...without me there?" Kairi frowned.

Yukina smirked. "And here I thought I was the bad one."

"I am sorry, mother. But we will have a reception."

She sniffled. "I just...You promise I'll be there...?"

"Mother, of course." He smiled.

Hoshiko took in a deep breath. His mother's reaction could've been worse...but what about his father? Her eyes carefully glanced over at Zeeto. She nearly held her breath.

Zeeto was silent as he just stared at them.

Hoshiko bit her lip as she squeezed Hatori's hand.

Yukina tilted her head. "Did you knock her up or something?"

Hatori nodded. "We want a child."

"You know...if I hadn't met Kanta, I probably would've tracked down a Kasai myself." Yukina nodded. "They're supposed to be excellent in bed~" She smirked.

Hatori's face turned red.

Hoshiko's face turned red as well.

Yukina smirked as she leaned back on the couch. "Well, then, it's not so surprising after all~ Little brother grew up~"

Kairi looked over at her daughter. "Yukina...I'm sure Hatori's intentions were pure. He is much like his father like that."

"They were pure." Hatori said, seeing his father slip from the room silently.

Hoshiko frowned. She knew his father was going to hate her.

"See?" Kairi smiled and kissed her son's cheek. "Well...I'm glad you are happy."

Hatori smiled. "I am very happy."

"Congratulations, you two." Kairi looked at Hoshiko as well and frowned when she saw the woman distracted. "Hoshiko? Are you alright?"

Hoshiko blinked. "Huh?"

"Do not worry about my father." Hatori said. "He will come around."

Hoshiko frowned and leaned in to whisper. "I told you he hated me..." She mumbled.

“He doesn't hate you..." He breathed.

"Thanks for coming." Zeeto's voice came from down the hall.

"Yes he does..." She mumbled.

"Uncle Zeeto!" A young girl's voice cooed.

"It's nice to see you, brother." Suzuna's voice came from the hall.

"Does your wife know yet?" It was Lyon.

"No. I see your son's made it too." Zeeto said.

"Isao kinda drags me everywhere..." Takuma stated.

"Taku~" Isao pouted. "I don't drag you everywhere..." He mumbled.

"Is Kairi here?" Suzuna asked.

"Yes you do." Takuma smirked at him.

"Livingroom." Zeeto said.

Suzuna nodded as she moved from the hall and went to the living room where everyone else was. She blinked when she saw that there were more than just Kairi in the room. "Oh...hello everyone."

"Suzuna," Kairi blinked. "What brings you here?"

"Hi~ Hi~" The little girl cooed in Suzuna's arms. She was no older than three years. She had black hair and gold eyes. She could've passed for a Katorabe.

"We came to visit." Kanta said.

"And I had news for my parents." Hatori said.

"Nice to see you guys again." Lyon smiled as he came in.

Takuma came in holding his brother's hand. They had told their parents that they were in love, but hid it from the clan. No one would have acepted it.

"News?" Suzuna blinked, looking at her nephew. "What kind of news?"

"Hatori married his fiancée behind our backs." Kairi pouted. "But there's going to be another reception for us and her family."

"Oh...congratulations, Hatori...I would've brought you a proper wedding present if I had known..." She stated.

"Thanks, but it is fine." Hatori smiled at her.

 

"Married, huh? I don't see the point. It's just a piece of paper." Takuma stated.

Isao frowned. "Marriage is a beautiful thing...It connects you with the one you love for the rest of your life." He breathed.

"What? You want marriage?" He sighed.

“I didn't say that..." Isao mumbled.

Suzuna smiled as she looked at Kairi. "Did Zeeto tell you we were coming?"

Kairi shook her head. "No...He didn't..."

"It was a surprise." Zeeto said.

"Well...it was a very perfectly planned surprise." Yukina stated. "Did you know we were all going to be here?" She asked.

"I didn't expect Hatori and his wife." Zeeto said.

“No one expected that..." Yukina corrected.

Hoshiko looked over at Zeeto and frowned again. Maybe it was a bad thing to get married without anyone at the wedding...

"Dad, what is your problem?" Hatori growled.

"There is no problem." Zeeto said.

"You knew I was going to marry her."

"Yes... Kasai's in this family are a wonderful idea."

"Hatori..." Hoshiko mumbled his name. She didn't want him to get into a fight with his father...

 

"Zeeto," Kairi frowned at her husband. She knew Zeeto didn't mind working with the Kasais or associating with them, but she also knew that he didn't want to be a part of that kind of family.

"Perhaps you won't be invited to the official wedding." Hatori hissed as he took Hoshiko's hand and pulled her out of the house.

Zeeto was silent as he watched them leave.

"Zeeto..." Kairi went over to her husband. "Why aren't you happy for your son?" She frowned.

"I didn't say that."

"You made him feel like that." She stated.

He shrugged.

"Zeeto...You're not heartless...Now, go apologize to your son. He could've picked someone a far lot worse to be his bride. He idolizes you. He wanted to be as traditional as possible." Kairi breathed.

"He made a Kasai wait for sex." Yukina chimed in. "You know how hard that must've been for her?" She chuckled.

“He just doesn't want his son growing up. He did the same thing to you, Yukina." Kanta stated.

Yukina frowned. "I know...but...Hatori did it right. He dated her and then married her...I don't see what problem he could have. Everyone grows up..."

Zeeto left the room.

"Who knows." Kanta sighed.

Kairi frowned. She hated seeing her boys like this.

...

"Hatori...we didn't have to leave so suddenly..." Hoshiko mumbled as she kept up with him.

"My father is a jerk. He treated Yukina like this too over Kanta."

Hoshiko frowned. "But...he'll forgive you...He's forgiven her..." She breathed. "I'm sure...everything will turn out fine..."

"Eventually." He nodded. "I'm sorry about that."

She shook her head. "No...It's okay..." She breathed. "Your Mother's reaction was better than I thought..."

"I told you she'd adore you."

Hoshiko nodded. "You were right about that..." She smiled weakly and squeezed his hand. "Everything will be okay..." She breathed.

"I know... I love you."

"I love you too." She smiled at him. "Hey...you know what? I think we should stop at the store before going home. I wanna pick up something."

“Pick up what?" He blinked.

"Something~" Hoshiko smiled.

He blinked. "Okay..."

Hoshiko led him to the store and picked up a few things actually. She made sure to have Hatori wait outside the store as she was a bit embarrassed. She'd never bought something like this before. She came out of the store and smiled at him. "Okay~ Now we can go home~"

"What did you get?" He asked, trying to take her bag.

Hoshiko kept the bag close to her. "Nothing~"

He pouted. "Hoshiko..."

"You'll know soon enough~" She kissed his cheek. "These are for me~"

He sighed. "Alright..."

Hoshiko smiled at him. "Come on...Let's go home." She kissed him lightly on the lips.

...

Zuu sighed as he wrapped a towel around his waist and rubbed a second towel over his head, getting out as much water as he could before leaving the bathroom. He had enjoyed his visit to Shun's village, but it was time he moved on.  He was in the middle of packing his bags, intending to leave later that afternoon.

There was a knock at Zuu's hotel room door as the young man was drying himself off.

Zuu tightened the towel around his waist as he moved to open the door, water droplets still dripping down his chest.

It was Souta. He was in mid-knock when Zuu had thrown the door open. He blinked as he was a bit taken off guard with Zuu's appearance. "Uh...hi..."

"Hello Souta. Not working today?" Zuu asked.

Souta shook his head. "Nope~ I'm free today~" He said as he walked into Zuu's room. The fact was that ever since he met Zuu, he hadn't taken on a single client. He was avoiding them like the plague.

"Oh." Zuu blinked as he closed the door.

"I was in the neighborhood and was wondering what you were up to~" Souta smirked as he went to flop on the couch. He noticed a bag on Zuu's bed and frowned.

Zuu blinked. "Oh. Today I'm leaving."

"Oh..." Souta frowned a bit more as his eyes were locked on the travel bag.

"I can't stay here forever." Zuu shrugged.

"Yeah...I know..." Souta nodded. "Just wish you would stay a bit longer..." He sighed.

"I'm sure we'll meet again someday." Zuu smiled.

“You say it like it'll only be by chance..."

Zuu blinked. "Well I have no idea when I will be down this way again..."

"But you made friends...surely, you'd come back to see them..." Souta frowned, looking at him. "Right?"

"I hope so." Zuu nodded. "But that could be years from now."

"Why does it have to be years?" Souta sat up straighter, looking at Zuu--though his eyes couldn't help but to trail down his nearly naked body. "Why can't it be...weeks?"

"I want to travel, remember? Coming back here would be back tracking..."

Souta frowned. "What's wrong with staying in one spot?"

"I told you, Souta. My first chance at life was cut short. I want to live this one to the fullest."

"But..." He bit his lip and looked away.

Zuu stepped to him and smiled. "I'll never forget you, I promise."

"I...had the most fun with you..." He breathed. "What's going to happen when you leave?"

"I'm not sure..."

Souta shook his head. "I've never been good at anything...until I my brother showed me prostitution and it was easy for me...but...I'm weak. I get beaten up and abused and...I don't like it anymore..." He frowned. "While you were here, I gave myself an excuse to stop...but if you leave...I'll have nothing to do again. I'll have no choice but to go back..."

He blinked, shocked by this. "Well... ah... you're welcome to join me in traveling, Souta."

"But...I've...never left the village...What will my family say if I just left?" He frowned, shaking his head. "No...It's okay...I'll...find something..." He sighed and got up.

Zuu frowned. "Souta..."

"You have every right to live your own life, Zuu...I don't want to...be the reason why you didn't follow what you wanted to do." He breathed. "Just...write to me, okay?"

"Souta," He grabbed the man's wrist. "Stop."

Souta turned around and looked at him. "What? I'm just saying goodbye..."

"I... don't want our goodbye to be like this..." Zuu breathed, leaning in to kiss the man softly.

Souta closed his eyes as he slowly kissed him back. He'd done it so many times that he thought it wouldn't mean anything. He couldn't believe how wrong he was. There was a pull in his gut as he felt like his whole body was being electrocuted. He moved his hand to Zuu's hair as he pressed himself into him.

"Mm--!" Zuu let out a muffled gasp. Maybe he shouldn't have done this...

Souta heard Zuu's gasp and pulled away, nearly putting the entire room between them. He panted a bit and frowned. "I...I-I..." His face was red, but before he could explain himself, he ran out of the room. Zuu had kissed him to say goodbye. Souta had kissed him for him to stay. It was obvious Zuu didn't have the same feelings for Souta and it felt like his heart was crumbling.

Zuu frowned as he just stood in his room. He didn't mean to scare him away, but he wasn't going to run out with only a towel.

Souta had ran all the way back to his house. He closed the door behind him and slid down. He couldn't move. He panted as he let everything sink in, bringing his knees to his chest. Souta buried his face into his knees and started to sob. He was an idiot for thinking Zuu loved him back. Who would love him? He was a dirty prostitute after all...

"Sweetheart...?" Setsuko breathed as she came from the kitchen.

Souta shook his head. He didn't want to explain himself to his mother. What if he accidentally told her something he shouldn't?

"Sweetie..." She breathed, moving to kneel in front of her son. "Talk to me..."

He shook his head again. "I-I can't..."

“Why not? You used to always talk to me..."

"N-Not about th-this..." He sniffled, trying to calm down.

She frowned. "Ever since I was brought back... I feel further and further away from you boys..."

Souta looked up at her with his pink eyes that were so much like his father's. "I...g-got rejected..." Saying it aloud hurt even more. It felt...real.

"Oh sweetheart..." She breathed, pulling him into her arms.

Souta clung to her. He was so happy to have her back. "I-It hurts...s-so much..." She sobbed. "I-I...I-I hate it..."

"Souta... I'm so sorry... I know rejection hurts..."

"W-Well...I guess it was m-my fault..." He mumbled. "A-At least h-he's leaving...and n-never coming back..."

“Souta... how were you rejected?"

Souta frowned and wiped his eyes. "H-He...gave me a g-goodbye kiss but...I-I thought it was...m-more...so...I-I kissed him b-back...more p-passionately and he...gasped...so I...l-left..." He mumbled.

She blinked. "You think that was rejection? What if it wasn't?"

"I-It doesn't matter now...He probably...finished packing and...left by now..." Souta looked away and mumbled.

Setsuko frowned. "Come on..." She helped him to his feet. "I'll make you an banana split." She winked, trying to make him feel better.

He nodded as he slowly followed behind her. His feet felt like lead as he made his way to the kitchen. He sighed as he plopped right down at the table. He felt heavy and as if he wasn't there. Was this even real right now?

Setsuko moved over to kiss his forehead. "I'll always love you, sweetie."

"I love you too, Mom..." Souta mumbled as he looked down at the table and sighed. Kouta had been right. There was no true love in this world...at least, not for him.

She sighed softly and moved back to make his ice cream when there was a knock to the door.

Souta sighed. "It's probably Shohei..." He mumbled, laying his head on the table.

"Souta?" A voice called.

Souta felt a chill down his spine. He froze in place as his eyes widened. Was his imagination playing tricks on him now?

Setsuko looked at her son and smiled. "Go get it."

Souta lifted his head and looked at his mother before bolting to the front door. He stopped with his hand on the handle. He took in a deep breath before throwing the door open.

"There you are." Zuu breathed.

Souta felt frozen. His hand remained on the door handle as he simply stared at Zuu. He didn't know what to say. How would you tell someone you love them without sounding desperate?

"I don't want you to taint your lips anymore... that kiss can only belong to me now..." Zuu smiled as he threw his arms around Souta and kissed him deeply.

Souta's eyes widened. Zuu was kissing him. Zuu was kissing him! He wrapped his arms around Zuu's body and hugged him close. He felt a few tears trickle down his face as he kissed him back. He couldn't believe it. Did this mean Zuu really wanted him?

After a moment, they broke away for air, panting. Zuu smiled at Souta as he chuckled breathlessly.

Souta looked at him, trying to catch his breath. He bit his lip. "W-Why did you come back...?" He frowned. He felt elated, yet Zuu was going to leave. And that made his heart almost break all over again.

“I didn't like seeing you upset... that's when I realized I liked you." He shrugged.

Souta frowned still. "You're pitying me..."

"Not at all." Zuu smiled. "Your kiss was amazing... I want to own those lips~"

Souta blushed a bit and looked away. "But...you're leaving..." He mumbled.

"So come with me..." Zuu breathed. "Come with me back to Kumogakure and meet my sister... then you can decide where you want to live... here or there..."

"I thought...you weren't...back tracking..." He breathed. "Didn't you come from Kumo?"

"Yes... that's where I live now."

"Then why go back? I thought you wanted to explore..."

"I've decided I want you more."

Souta blushed as he looked at him. "Really...?"

He nodded. "If you'll have me..."

Souta threw his arms around Zuu's neck as he hugged him. He was a bit slimmer compared to Zuu, but he didn't care. He was used to being the smaller one. He used it to his advantage when he had to. "Always..."

Zuu smiled.

"Told you he didn't reject you~" Setsuko smiled from the doorway.

Souta pulled away from Zuu and looked at his mother. "Can you...make a second banana split for Zuu?"

"Of course." She smiled and headed back into the kitchen.

Souta smiled at him. "You'll love her banana split...It's amazing." He breathed.

"I think I'd like yours more~" Zuu smirked.

Souta blinked at him and tilted his head. He was about to ask him what he meant when his face lit up bright red. "Oh..."

Zuu smiled. "I am a virgin."

"You are?"

"I died early, remember?'

"Yeah but...you're so handsome..." Souta breathed. "I'm surprised you haven't...done anything yet."

Zuu smiled. "You'll be my first."

Souta smiled softly. "You'll be my last."

"Good." He smiled.

Souta took Zuu's hand as he brought him into the kitchen, smiling. He sat down next to him where there were two bowls already waiting for them. Souta looked to his mom and smiled. "Thanks..."

She winked. "I'll be upstairs." She said and left.

Souta took a bite of his ice cream and looked over at Zuu. He smiled as he watched him take his first bite.

Zuu looked over and blinked. "What/"

"Just waiting to see your expression~" Souta chuckled. "This isn't just any kind of ice cream~"

"It isn't?"

Souta shook his head. "Nope~ Mom actually makes the ice cream and freezes it here." He smiled. "My mother used to work in the restaurant business. Between her ice cream and ramen, she's invincible during mealtime."

Zuu blinked and quickly took a bite. "Mm~ This is amazing~"

Souta smiled and nodded. "Told you~"

Zuu smiled. "Your mother is very talented."

"Yeah...It was hard without her here..."

"That's what my sister said about when I was gone..."

Souta nodded. "It's hard to lose a loved one...especially if they were such an important influence in your life..."

“I have never really experienced that..."

"You don't want to..." He shook his head.

“No... I know I don’t..."

Souta looked at him. "It's...the worst thing you could imagine..." He frowned.

"Then I hope never to experience it."

He smiled.