CHAPTER 1 PART 2

Yutaka would have gladly remained in his present pointless musing state. He was apathetically contemplating the shape of the luxurious glass that he was tightly holding, which contained that simple yet vital liquid, as he reached a sudden conclusion; water had never looked so interesting. Sure enough more interesting, or rather, far less intimidating than the extremely perplexed five pairs of eyes, which were nonchalantly roaming in the immense living room, as their attentive five pairs of ears were awaiting for any utterance from the young brunette.

He was aware that he had been the unfortunate protagonist of a rather pathetic and humiliating show, and he didn't exactly know how to face the awaiting crowd, or what was appropriate to say to save what little had remained of his dignity. Quickly swallowing his water in one go, as if it were a shot of some very powerful liquor, he slowly placed the glass on the table, and slowly raised his head in order to continue in his miserable performance.

-I -

-Akira – interrupted Takeru - can create such ... reactions in people. Especially, if he had an unpleasant experience with a person, and unfortunately, I am afraid ... that mentioned person will automatically be listed in his … mental black book. - calmly explained Takeru sorrily looking at the young brunette, who felt grateful to the younger blonde for ending his shameful act, but felt equally unappreciative to the sharing of the worrisome of information concerning the mental black book.

Not knowing how to reply, as he sadly felt was often apt to happen during his stay, the brunette flashed a sort of smile at the youngest blonde, and turned his now unreadable expression, towards one of the seven glass-doors that were adorning the right side of the excessively sumptuous main living room. The sun was turning orange, still brightly shining midway in the sky, but irrevocably proceeding in its descent, starring at the brunette, as if telling him that even the higher powers had no way to aid him at the moment.

-Yet, he was not as belligerent as a child – suddenly sighed Dr, Niikura, with a tone of sadness on his slightly time proved features, which Yutaka had witnessed for the first time, as he turned to face his usually smiley interlocutor.

-To be more precise, he was quite the calm kid. Not too talkative perhaps, but always with that wide reassuring smile, which could make anyone feel like everything be alright after all – continued Dr. Niikura with a bitter smile, as he now stared at the glass, which his apprentice had abandoned on the coffee-table opposite him. He then looked up at Yutaka, with his usual smile, as if conscious of the younger brunette's uneasiness, and continued

-However, life will sometimes test people with unbearably harsh, and unjust challenges, causing the unforeseen to happen, the unwanted to settle, and the inevitable appearance of change.

At those words, the younger brunette felt a sensation close to pity for the raging blonde, wondering exactly what could have happen, to have turned him in his present being, when a last remark from Dr. Niikura regained his attention.

-This being saying, it is important to remember that not all change is permanent or irreversible. - he then concluded firmly and serenely looking at the brunette, who believed he had also been winked at, but brushed the thought with all the other things he thought he had seen that day.

-Not irreversible, uh ... – whispered Yasuno, who had also been abstractedly staring outside the glass-doors, as he had carefully listened to Dr. Niikura. The eldest blonde then recollected his usual confident, and untroubled features and turned to face the yet uncomfortable brunette – But shall we not continue to turn what was such blissful day in a depressing analysis of things we have no power over, such as faith and life? What I am strongly hoping right now, is that you will not have second thoughts on your stay here, Mister Uke - concluded the eldest blonde.

-Precisely - stated Takeru -The rest of us, as you certainly must be aware by now, are quite the civilized people. - reassured Takeru with a polite smile, and then quickly added - Besides, Kazamasa needs your help, which is the most important issue. - concluded the youngest blonde, as all five pairs of eyes were now once again awaiting a response from the apprentice, who began to feel, if not relaxed, a tiny bit better. He then showed a assuring smile to the his surprisingly amazing audience, and mannerly cleared his throat as he prepared to give his final remarks.

-I still intend to perform the duty I was called upon for, so please do no worry, I shall gladly and gratefully stay– concluded the brunette with a most sincere smile.

-Excellent - exclaimed the eldest blond in relief -Then, I am afraid I have some business I need to discuss with Dr. Niikura on behalf of my father, so if you would please follow me – he then instructed as they both stood up from their sofas.

Yasuno then swiftly turned around, as if suddenly remembering about something vitally important.

–And … I shall leave you, Mr. Uke, in the safe and delightful company of my brothers - stated Yasuno bowing to his guest, and redirecting himself to the main exit, but was forced to halt once again as he heard a familiar, not so delicate, throat clearing. The eldest then immediately turned to face lady Ayaka, who was visibly offended to the realization of having been forgotten by her fiance.

-My dearest! will you ever forgive my forge- … my lack of proper attention? – pleaded the eldest Hayashi member, as he quickly directed himself towards his fiance. He knelt in front of the still bothered lady, and holding her right hand he once more spoke – I shall have no rest if you were not to forgive me my dear – the lady then slowly rose her head and looked at the man in front of her with a smile, which indicated that she would have forgiven him, but that also requested something more.

The eldest blonde also smiled in response, and placing a soft peck on the ladies hand, he turned to his left to face his youngest sibling - Takeru ... would you please be so kind to keep my oh so precious jewel entrained in my absence? - he then asked, gaining a satisfied grin from the brown haired lady, who with her left hand, placed her opened fan in front of her face in feign modesty.

-Most certainly. - slowly replied Takeru with a half smile, as he turned to face lady Ayaka as well – we actually happen to have just completed the decoration of our new tea room, which hasn't yet been exposed to the public. Would you like to be the first see to do the honors, lady Iida? – he then proposed to a now ecstatic lady.

-I would love to! – she exclaimed swiftly standing up from the couch, as she releasing herself from the grip of the still crouched man in front of her. The elder blonde then stood up, and folded his arm towards the joyous brown haired lady -shall we then exit together? - he proposed, as she happily and mannerly encircled her arm with the one of the eldest, and both bowing to the apprentice, they walked towards the exit.

-If you'd excuse me as well – politely stated Takeru as he bowed at Mr. Uke, following the already absent three.

With the departure of Takeru, Yutaka was now left in the sole company of the handsome blonde, who he was still having a hard time believing a male, not to mention, the soft lineament of the blondes face, the impeccable make-up, and the fancy dress weren't of any help either. The brunette kept glancing at the blonde, whose face had now assumed a somewhat worried expression as he held his hands together, on his laps, while silence had slowly joined their party of two, but didn't stay too long, when Kazuhiro suddenly spoke.

-Mr Uke? - hesitantly called the blonde

-Yes – promptly replied Yutaka as he swiftly looked up in interest.

-I am well aware that you must be extremely tired from the entire journey, and this will sound very selfish on my behalf, but … - he then paused, and directed his gaze to the attentively listening brunette -would you mind joining me for a walk? … please – concluded the blonde, in a tone that almost sounded pleading.

Yutaka felt the unwanted, and now too well familiar feeling of discomfort creeping on him once more, for he could sense that the walk wasn't the blonde's main interest. It almost felt as if now that everyone had left, the blonde had safely remove his heavy cheerful mask, and let out his real emotions, which appeared to be of worry and pain, and which the apprentice couldn't of course keep indifferent at.

-Gladly – he promptly answered as he stood up - Please do lead the way – he then requested with the best smile he could muster, trying to initiate the soothing process he felt was going to soon be required.

-Thank you – replied the blonde with a grateful look – this way – he then concluded, walking towards the room's center glass door, and gently propping it open.

Yutaka was the first to exit, as the blonde closed the door behind them, they were standing in a semicircular open space, on smooth white outdoors marble, and white Greek columns were surrounding the perimeter that began from each ends of the living room's length, and proceed to the front providing an open space, where people could descend through a set of marble stairs, leading to the previously mentioned garden.

-We usually hold summer banquets in this space – pointed out the blonde -We had have a couple of occasions though, in which this space was not enough for the guest, and we had to use the living room, which is usually the place were we hold banquets, during cold or eventual dreadful weather -explained the blonde, as they walked down the stairs.

The sight that awaited the brunette at the bottom of the stairs, was plainly astonishing. He had never seen such a vast amount of green, adorned with the occasional oak tree, and other elements, all in one estate, and even though the blonde referred to it as garden, he thought the most appropriate definition would have been the one of a park, or four gardens, for the green field had been divided in a peculiar way. The rough stone path which, stretched for a long way stopped at a central majestic fountain, with the statue of what from afar, seemed to be a man and a woman. Facing the two main statues, as well as on the right, on the left, and even though he couldn't see it, he was sure at the back as well, there were four little figures pointing in their respective directions, thus creating four different sections.

The brunette couldn't see the two farthermost gardens, but he was stupefyingly trying to admire, at the same time, the two gardens on both of his sides, which attempt was noticed by the blonde who suddenly stopped at the garden to their right.

-It would have probably been more precise for me to have said gardens, for this area is really divided into fours gardens, each one of them possessing it's own peculiarity, and owner. This one, for example, as you can well observe, it is themed on red colored flowers, such as thorn-less roses, tulips and hollyhocks. - explained Kazuhiro, as the brunette meticulously observed each detail; the plants, to little decorative ponds, the benches, and the one majestic oak at the center of it. Any spectator, such as the apprentice, could tell that that all the plants, like the grass itself, were most likely been scrupulously taken care of daily.

The brunette kept silent as they turned to the opposite side garden, as the blonde resumed with his tutorial.

-This instead is based on yellow flowers, to be more precise, only yellow roses and … - he then paused once again with a sad expression, facing ahead of the path they were walking on - … and they all have thorns – he then concluded. Yutaka wanted to ask the reason why the thorns were being kept, but didn't want to push unnecessary buttons on the already seemingly stressed blonde, as he observed that the garden had indeed only yellow roses, and a big white gazebo at the center of it, which had a path connecting to the one they were standing on.

-Dr. Niikura had mentioned, in one of our letter exchanges, that you are from a beautiful city named Inverness, Mr Uke. It most be quite a charming place over there ...– suddenly stated the blonde, as they walked in direction of the center fountain.

-It is indeed, though it is just a town thus, very small and tranquil. - replied the apprentice

-I see … - acknowledged the blonde, never ones looking at the brunette, even as he displayed a gentle smile, which Yutaka had caught in his continues peeks at the blonde whom resumed speaking

-If you don't mind asking, may I inquire your age, Mr Uke -

-Certaintly. I am 23 years old -

-Such coincidence ... I myself am twenty-three … – absently replied the blonde, still walking and staring at his feet. Yutaka simply nodded, as he impatiently desired to stop the ever so apparent, beating around the bushes. Not that he didn't enjoy the company of the blonde, in the least, but the rapidly increasing tension and pressure, in the age mate was rubbing off on the brunette, whom was also quite aware of his own incapability of handling such feelings. They finally arrived in front of the gigantic fountain-statue, and he noticed that the little figures around it, where the ones of young boys . The blonde stayed still, as the apprentice calmly walked around the statue, to confirm his assumption, and indeed there was another child pointing to another path, but differently from the others, this was a young girl.

As the brunette carefully observed the two main statues of the man, he remembered seeing both faces on two big paintings that were at each side of the door of the living room. The left painting had the man standing proudly in a military uniform, while the right one, had the woman, sitting at a tea table, displaying a delightful smile.

-Are these your parents? - asked the apprentice, walking back to the blonde, without tearing his gaze of the structure.

-Yes they are. Lord Yoshiki Hayashi and Lady Namie Hamuro – replied the blonde

-And the kids? - successively asked the brunette looking at the blonde, who stared at the brunette slightly widening his eyes, and quickly moved them to look at the statue of the young boy facing him

-They are … - hesitantly replied the blonde, shifting his now mortified gaze to the ground, which Yutaka had noticed and swiftly added

-I would have concluded them to be you and your siblings, before the birth of the other three of course, however … - paused the brunette, who didn't see any change in the mood of the blonde -However, if I am correct, you do not have female siblings … - kindly stated the apprentice.

-Yes, it is us, and yes, the only female component of this family is my mother … -calmly replied the blonde.

–the boy facing me is Yasuno, to whom the red themed garden was dedicated. On the right Akira, to whom the light blue and white themed garden, that you can see over there, was dedicated. On the left, my other brother and Akira's twin, whom you haven't yet met, Takahiro, he owns the yellow roses garden … and behind … behind- gropingly paused the blonde, leaving the brunette prying for an answer, and at the same time aghast at the discovery that somewhere around the house there was a duplicate of the same angry genes possessed by his dreaded tormentor.

-... During your stay here, Mr. Uke, … some things may happen … that might – continued the blonde startling the brunette, because of the sudden change of subject. Nevertheless, the apprentice patiently stared at the blonde, who had paused and deeply sighed

–You see, our family has … Kazamasa has a problem, true but … - stated the blonde biting his lips, looking even further distressed, at which the brunette began finding words, to somehow ease the summon of the seemingly oppressive words that the troubled blonde was trying to verbalize.

-I understand ... and I am here to help you with your brother's problem ...- he hesitantly said

-Yes, I know, but … our family has … has issues – tried to continue the blonde, who was starting to look more and more frustrated, as the brunette once more attempted his soothing process

-All families ... maybe in different forms, have-

-No- harshly interrupted Kazuhiro facing the shocked brunette, and quickly returning his gaze to his feet sighing, while holding his forehead with his index finger, as he had previously seen Akira do; a family trait it seemed. -No … our … our family issues are different – continued the blonde, at which the brunette could only keep silent not knowing how to reply at the plain stating of the obvious.

-But that is obvious, is it not doctor? - painfully smirked the blonde, who looked up as he bit on his lip, as if trying to stop upcoming tears.

-Apprentice … - gently corrected Yutaka -and rather than obvious … I would say normal, and if you could perhaps, tell me what exactly you are referring to ... – attempted the apprentice, as he slowly got closer to the shaking blonde, cursing himself for never knowing how to effectively act in such situations, when the person in question wasn't a patient. It would have seemed like not knowing what to do or say, defeated the whole purpose of his study, but it was in fact because of such studies that he didn't attempt any actions. A regular person, would have by now, hugged the blonde and offered comfort, but he knew better. He knew that he didn't know what caused the distress in the blonde, thus even the most felt act of kindness, could have been wrongly received by the suffering person, who might have not wanted pity, resulting in ulterior upset.

-I am tired … I am really tired of it all, and I just want it to end … - resumed the blond gazing at nowhere.

-All of it- he then firmly concluded resentfully looking at his dress and then locking his now solemn gaze with the disoriented brunette – but I don't know how … - he then stated, as he slightly motioned his eyes downwards, but then quickly locked them back with the apprentice, as he got closer.

-But I have a feeling, I feel like you are different from all the other doctors … Dr. Niikura himself had said it in the letters … so please, I beg of you. - he then tightly held the hands of the ever confused brunette – Please do not give up … on Kazamasa – he requested swiftly freeing the apprentice hands, as if he hadn't even noticed grabbing them in the first place – … do not give up on on us all – he then whispered to himself, as he looked towards the center fountain with a hopeful expression.

-I will try my best … - nervously replied Yutaka, as he slowly robbed his hands together as if trying to get rid of the unthinkably arduous additional task he felt was being led on him. Then both men turned to the building That was facing the direction pointed by the statue of the young girl. It looked like a little chapel, and besides it there was a campanile, whose bell had just chimed eight times, as the sun in front of them approached the horizon.

-Shou … - whispered the blond, and then looked at apprentice – I have to go to Sh- Kazamasa, would you like to join me? - asked the blond - Afterward we shall all go to dinner together … hopefully, with the rest of the family as well – added the blond

-Most certainly – readily responded the apprentice, who felt a sudden surge of energy and curiosity, knowing he was finally going to meet the reason for his being there. Finally he would have had the chance to put his brains at work, the best way he knew how to, and also collect more information for his research and thesis. Thus, he followed the blonde in the direction they had earlier come from, trying to hold his excitement in check, reminding himself, as he usually had to, that the patient himself wasn't mere data, but they were human beings as well, he also didn't fancy the thought of Akira having to further reinforcing the same concept, again.