-Kazuhiro has been acting strangely lately, don't you think, Akira? - queried Takeru, as he calmly observed the blonde in question walking towards the entrance of the gardens, followed by the young apprentice, from one of the windows in a room on the west side of the second floor of the Hayashi residence. Akira, who was holding himself on the wall next to the window, his arms folded on his chest, with Tora and Saga crouched on each of his side, slowly turned his head towards the window to glance at the same scene, and moved it back to its previous position keeping his quiet.

-He is distancing himself from us … like he is hiding something – continued the other, as he kept his gaze fixed on the blonde outside the window, who was now pointing at the red themed garden.

-Where have you been? - suddenly asked the nose-banded lawyer as he looked up to a blonde who had nonchalantly entered the room, and roughly dropped on the armchair next to a mantelpiece.

-Where I go, or what I do is none of your business, Akira. - drily replied the blonde, who was looking at him, in a slouched position, and then bent his head backwards in a seemingly attempt to catch a nap.

-It will soon become my business, when you'll come begging me, once again to defend you in court, Takahiro – pointed out Akira, tightly holding his teeth together, as he studied his twin, who simply turned on his side in search of a comfortable position, ignoring his brother's remarks. If it were anybody else, such behavior would have normally, and quickly, enraged the short-tempered blonde lawyer. However, his posture did not bulge, and his eyes did not glare, he wouldn't get angry at his twin brother, he knew that, even if he might have been in the deepest of wrongs, he couldn't get angry at him, or any of his siblings, and he was well aware of such fact; they were his only weakness.

-Tora … Saga … not now … - faintly mumbled the half sleeping blonde on the armchair, as both dogs reached for his face and affectionately liked it, with their tails quickly shaking in excitement.

-Takahiro, is not time to nap, we have some serious issues to discuss – stated Takeru in mock reprehension, who had abandoned the contemplation of the couple outside the window, followed by the annoyed sigh coming from the table in the center of the room, where a of a eye-glassed blond was sitting, and suddenly dropped his quill, and apathetically looked up at the youngest blonde in the room.

-There is a reason why there are books on the walls of this rooms, and there is also a reason why it was appositely built for my own unique use – calmly explained the eye-glassed boy with a hint of vexation – So whatever it is take it out of here -

-Takanori, Takanori. Aren't you not part of this family? - quickly asked Takeru in mock curiosity

-For some ill-fated reason, which is yet beyond my comprehension, it appears like so – drily replied Takanori, who had resignedly resumed his scribbling.

-We seriously should stop having this useless little meetings – pointed out Akira, looking at the seemingly saddened Takeru – … but if we must, we could pick another of the infinite rooms in the house – he then added, causing the youngest to smile.

-If we did so, then it would just be the six of us all the time, because Takanori will not move from here – calmly explained the youngest

-Hust tell us what you want already – urged Takahiro, who was now massaging Saga's belly, while stroking Tora's back.

-Help with getting rid of the apprentice as fast as possible, obviously … - abjectly replied Akira

-Wrong – replied the youngest with a devilishly looking smirk on his face. -Shouldn't you be the one wanting that anyway, Akira? You did not seem to pleased, with that thing - noted

-You don't want him out? - surprisingly replied the seated twin looking at the youngest, who was now as well sitting in a chair at the table facing Takanori.

-No. Well, that had been my initial intent, however I profoundly thought about it-

-You think? - quickly interrupted Takanori, while reading a passage from one of his books, as the youngest heedlessly resumed speaking

-I profoundly thought about it, and realized that lately, things around here have been somewhat ... static, and ... I am rather bored … so - replied Takeru, curiously observing his fingernails.

-So?- impatiently asked Akira

-I thought we should perhaps have some fun with the brunette … old style – quickly replied the youngest, as the room fell quiet. Nobody seemed to want to give a reply, when the youngest finally resumed talking – So, what do you think? -

- … What does Yasuno say?- inquired the seated twin

-He doesn't know yet, but he is always okay with whatever I say anyway. Kazuhiro may not agree, as usual, but has never objected, as he? Takanori here, I am sure doesn't even care, and Kazamasa doesn't understand anyway- swiftly replied Takeru

-Whether or not Kazamasa understands, we still cannot discern … - pointed out Takanori, never looking up from his book, as his hand continued jotting notes.

-Whatever- snapped the youngest blonde - So? - he then hastily inquired excitedly looking at both Akira and Takahiro

-I am in – laconically replied Takahiro, as he shoved his nose with Saga's

-Do as you please Takeru, I have no time for such things anymore – replied Akira getting off the wall, and kneeling to scratch behind Tora's ears – just don't kill him, I don't think I could defend you in a murder case – concluded the blonde lawyer, as Takeru rolled his eyes with a pout in response.

-You must really hate the poor guy though … - remarked Takahiro, who was now massaging an extremely pleased Saga.

-Not really, in the end, he is like all the others – swiftly replied Takeru assuming an emotion-less tone – Coming here thinking they know it all, when they know absolutely nothing. They have no idea what we have been through … what we are still going through. The pain, the loss, the mistrust – cynically smirked Takeru -Yes, because we can't trust anybody, not even the general and his whore -

-I have told you too many times already, to mind what you say, Takeru – strongly admonished Akira -they are still the people, who gave birth to you … -

-I could care less, especially of her … is not like she cares about me anyways, does she now? - asked Takeru in a tone, which was understood that didn't need any answer, as Akira helplessly stared at the youngest.

- … I will not allow anybody come and destroy what we so desperately and arduously built. Nobody. - strongly stated Takeru, wearing a chilling expression as he intently stared at nowhere. - which of course, also includes our oh so dear lady Ayaka ... she will soon be gone too- he added with the same cold stare.

-That may not happen, Takeru– commented Akira, as he worriedly watched the youngest raising from his seat, and directing himself to the exit

-Oh, just wait and see – cheerfully replied the younger -now I have to go and join her back in the new tea room. I told her that I absolutely had to see mother for I was in dying need of her oh so endearing embrace, and she gave me her permission, with those oh what sweet boy eyes.- laughed the youngest blonde -women … - he then whispered as he almost exited the room, but stopped hearing the old pendulum clock ticking eight o'clock

-Oh, and I would like everyone together for dinner … you too Takanori! - added Takeru – we need to give the impression of a normal family, even if the general and … her majesty, will not currently be able to attend. Then, see you all in a while – concluded the blonde, finally exiting the room.

-Can't wait … - excitedly exclaimed Takahiro

-You should find something better to do with your life, other than playing around with a sixteen year old – remarked Akira, looking at his twin

-Drop. My. Case. Akira. - strongly replied the other – I am not Mr. Smart like you, I don't believe in justice, and will not fight for this stupid country – nonchalantly replied the other, making the other slowly hyperventilate in a successful attempt to keep his cool.

-Are you saying … Are you really saying that you just intended spending your entire life, doing absolutely nothing from morning until night? - finally exclaimed Akira, in light frustration

-Aah there it goes again! The renowned telepathy of twins' brains, a miracle I tell you … - readily replied Takahiro as he got off his chair – you should definitely take some time into such studis Takahiro – he then concluded swiftly leaving the room followed by Saga, as the nose-banded blond irritatedly hit the wall besides him.

Releasing a resigned sigh, Akira slowly stood up from his still crouching position, and as he walked towards the exit, followed by Tora, he stopped by Takanori

-Do you still intend to leave? – inquired the elder

-I was never meant to be here in the first place – drily replied the younger. Akira simply smiled at the busy-head, and playfully ruffled his hair, while Tora placed his forefeet on the younger one's lap with his tongue sticking out, as Takanori massaged in between the dog's ears, still maintaining his gaze on his papers.

-If it makes you happy - calmly added Akira – Are you ... coming for dinner? - he then inquired in feign curiosity.

-As if. I will ask one of the servants to bring my food … as always – replied the younger

-You are aware of the fact that if you do not show up, Takeru is going to be angry at you, which means … - noted Akira as he bent a little closer to the younger

–he will disturb you incessantly for at least a week or so ... a whole one week of wasted study … - pointed out Akira, at whom the younger quickly glanced in apprehension

-You shall have absolutely no peace, like when he found out that you did not show up for his birthday last year, remember? which by the bye, I would highly recommend you to go to this year. - continued the nose-banded lawyer in an amusing tone, knowing he now had the younger one's full attention, given that he had placed down his quill, while releasing an irritated sigh.

-Do you really want to be once more continuously subject to all those nonsensical questions such as “Can a woman grow a penis?” or “Can I become pregnant?” or “Can you die of overorgasm?-

-I shall … momentarily stop for dinner – quickly interrupted Takanori with a frustrated sigh - that idiotic brat ... he doesn't even care about anybody else but Yasuno anyway, why this?- he then hissed, furiously grabbing his quill, as Akira once more ruffled his hair in amusement for having accomplished his task of getting the other away from his books, even if just momentarily, for he wasn't looking too healthy, and the excessive study was obviously the cause

-It might seem so but in the end, I believe he feels like we are all that he has, and ... he needs to feel like we all believe the same – calmly replied the elder, receiving another quick glance from the younger -Well, I shall let you be – he then concluded

-About time … -replied the younger, receiving a smirk from the elder, as he and Tora left his studio.

888 --- *** --- 888

Yutaka and Kazuhiro had finally got back into the house, and where silently walking trough a wide corridor in the east side of the second floor, when they stopped in front of white and gold wooden double door, of which Kazuhiro slowly pushed open one of its sides, and let them both in.

The room was quite spacious, as the apprentice believed all the ones in the house to be. The floor was made with a light brown wood, and one big multicolored carpet had been placed in the middle of the room, and opposite them, to the far left, there was a glass door connecting to a balcony. Next to glass-door were three wide windows, all at a fair distance from each other, and they all, including the glass door, were adorned with thick purple velvet curtains that were, at the moment, tied up to the sides. To the far right, in front of one of the windows, there was a majestic baldachin bed, which was facing the left wall, the wooden part of the bed was made with an ebony looking material, and its drapes where of an artistic mixture of violet and white. Next to the bed, on the right side of the wall, was an ebony desk, followed by a yellow couch. On the left side of the wall, right in the center, was a gigantic white wooden wardrobe, and to it's right, a door that most likely took to room's owner bathroom, who was sitting on a stole in the middle of the room, apathetically facing a painting board, as he rhythmically moved his brush on it, with one hand, and held a squared paint-palette with the other.

-Shou, I am here, are you all right? - cheerfully asked Kazuhiro gently closing the door behind them.

-Shou? - confusedly inquired Yutaka in a low tone

-Yes, that is the only name he answers too, we don't know how he came up with though. - sadly confessed the elder blonde

-He has also gave each one of us other names. I, for example, am Bou - Explained the elder blonde, as they walked towards the blond painter.

-I brought a new friend with me, his name is Uke Yutaka … - tried to say the elder blonde, but the younger continued his painting unmoved in posture and expression.

-Good evening Mr. Kaza- … Shou ... my name is Uke Yutaka, and it is a great pleasure to make your acquaintance – introduced the brunette with a warm smile on his face, as he extended a hand, which was meant to be shaken, but was plainly ignored as the younger blonde didn't seem to have even acknowledged both men presence.

The apprentice retract his hand, without taking offense, and kept smiling as he got behind the blonde, in order to observe the object of the painting. As he studied the drawing a sudden blush covered his face realizing what was being portrayed. The background was a night sky, full of stars, and a half quarter moon at the upper right side of the drawing-board, drawn with unbelievable accuracy in every detail, such as the embraced naked bodies, of two blonde men, of whom only the back of one, the head and wrapping around arms of the other, could be seen.

Kazuhiro then noticed the reddened expression of the apprentice, and hurriedly spoke

-Lately … this two men are a constant subject of his paintings – he calmly explained – but we don't know who they are, for as you can see, their faces are always left blank … and it might seem like they are ... - nervously concluded the elder blonde, at which Yutaka simply replied with a node, as he continued making notes in his head.

-However – suddenly spoke the blonde with a jollier tone - What is so astonishing, is the quality of his drawing, they look so … real – added Kazuhiro absently staring at the drawing -... for a person, who has never once received drawing lessons.

-Impressive … - replied Yutaka, as he fixed his gaze on the peculiar square shaped palette -This is the first time I have ever seen a squared palette … - he then observed

-Yes, I believe it would be. This was made appositely for him – sadly replied the elder blonde – The regular palette is naturally rounded in shape, and some of his unexplainable tantrums were cause by his continuous attempts to place the curve edge of it, in perfect alignment with the straight edge of his table -

-Unexplainable tantrums?- attempted to asked the brunette

-Yes. The first time he finished using it, he was ten by then I believe, he decided he was going to place it on his desk, and as he kept trying to align the two sides of the palette, we tried to tell him that it wasn't possible, but he would simply keep going, never acknowledging anyone, with this same cold expression of his – sighed Bou as he gently stroked the painter's hair.

-Subsequently, during different times of the day, we would keep stopping by his room, and there he was still attempting his impossible task. During his pursuit he hadn't eaten or even drank, thus, scared that he would starve himself to death, Yasuno attempted to remove the palette from Kazamasa's grip, and it happened- sighed the blonde as he paused

-… he screamed as loud as he could, while furiously hyperventilating at the same time, as if in excruciating pain, or as doctors would always end up diagnosing him, possessed. - bitterly smirked the blonde

-Then, once he had regained control of his palette, he suddenly ceased his cry, but began to forcefully hitting it on the edge of the table, we believed, in an attempt to perhaps smooth its edges, but he was hitting the object insanely hard, and it inevitably broke a part, with him impassively staring at it, trying to put the pieces together – explained the blonde.

-Yasuno would always immediately send one of the servants to buy new once, but the same thing would happened over and over again, until the day when Akira went and buy a wide flat piece of wood, and spent an entire day constructing this squared palette. That day, was one of the few days we have ever seen Kazamasa smile – concluded the blonde warmly smiling at the still indifferent painter, as he kept his stroking movements of the younger one's hair.

The apprentice, who was silently taking in the story, had already an insane amount of questions he wanted to ask, for it was indeed the first time he had heard of anything such as this, and had absolutely no intention to dismiss it in mere case of possession

-If I am correct, you had previously stated that this was part of some of his unexplainable tantrums … what are the others?- attempted to ask the brunette, to whom the other replied with a nervous smile, while still gazing at his younger brother with eyes that seemed to be drowning in sorrow.

-Shall we first go and have dinner? It's getting late, and I am sure you must be hungry Mr. Uke – suddenly replied Kazuhiro – … You could continue tomorrow, if you don't mind – hesitantly proposed the blonde.

-Most certainly – promptly replied the apprentice, with a tone of disappointment

-Are you hungry Shou? Shall we go to eat now? ...- gently asked the Kazuhiro, still stroking the younger blonde's hair

Kazamasa suddenly stopped drawing, and affirmatively replied with a slow nod as he got off the chair, and slowly walked to his desk, under the scrutiny of the apprentice, who was observing his every move. While Kazuhiro, had gone to the check for a vest in his brother's wardrobe, the younger placed the palette at the edge of the table, making sure that both edges were aligned, and then placed the brush straight across the middle of the palette, were Akira had appositely carved its space. He then walked back to his drawing, and as he attempted to lift the whole stand.

-Let me help you with that – readily offered Yutaka as he rushed to his aid, at which words Kazuhiro swiftly left his search, and hurriedly turned around

-Mr Uke! do not- tried to warn him Kazuhiro, but it was too late. The brunette had already reached the younger blonde, and in doing so he accidentally grazed the back of the younger blonde's hand, who suddenly dropped the painting, and with a terrified expression, frantically began rubbing the touched spot as he kept horridly staring at nowhere.

-Shou!- yelled Kazuhiro, as the younger dropped to the ground, while the elder rushed to join his brother on the floor, carefully embracing the younger from behind. Kazamasa's body was violently rocking back and forth in his brother's embrace, eyes still panicked and gazing nowhere, and soon, what was just a rub, became a scratch, and the scratch became so rough, that the spot began bleeding as the skin was being roughly thorn.

-Stop it! Shou, please stop it! - begged Kazuhiro as he held the blond even tighter, trying not to touch his hands, which Yutaka was about to reach, with the intent of stopping the younger.

-Do not! - quickly screamed the elder blonde, startling the brunette, who promptly stopped on his tracks – do not touch him, anywhere he is not clothed, he will become frenzied, … and this is nothing compared … to what I have witnessed him do to himself – added the elder blonde, as he continued trying to calm down, the agitated body in his embrace, while Yutaka was helplessly observed the scene in evident stupor.

-I-I am m-mortified -he tried to the express brunette, words choking in his throat.

-everything Is all right Shou, … just stop ... please – at those words the younger suddenly ceased, and turning to slowly hug the blond around his waist he spoke for the first time that day, as he slowly chanted the same word, over and over again – Sorry … sorry … sorry-

-It is alright Shou, it is alright … it is not your fault- confirmed Kazuhiro, gently rocking the still chanting, and now sobbing body.

-Now let's get up and go and eat alright? - gently asked the elder, as Kazamasa slowly stopped crying, and nodded, while still chanting his sorrys.

-And stop apologizing, it is alright – reassured the eldest as the both got up, under the stupefied and powerless eyes of the brunette, who wanted to help them up, but was scared of accidentally touching the younger again.

-Please do not mortify yourself for what had just happened. It was my fault, for I should have warned you in the first place – quickly stated the blond with a friendly smile -I keep forgetting your not one of those doctors, whom would have never lifted a finger to do anything else other than jutting notes – he then explained

-I-I still am, tremendously sorry – deeply bowed the apprentice, whose heart was finally starting to regain his regular pace. He then rushed to open the door, as the two still embraced brothers walked towards it, receiving a smile and a grateful nod from the eldest. He then gently closed the door, and silently followed behind them the couple, with the eldest still professing words to reassure the younger, that everything was alright, and that it wasn't his fault, at which words the apprentice seriously began to think whether it was really going to be alright. This was indeed his first time having to deal with a person such as Kazamasa, and he suddenly wondered how was he going to deal with someone, whom he couldn't touch, and that barely spoke? However, the thought was swiftly pushed away as he stopped to think about a more imminent problem. He was soon to dine with the whole Hayashi family, thus, with Akira and his recently discovered clone, and the brunette had a strong feeling that the nose-banded lawyer wouldn't have been far from pleased at the sight of Kazamasa's injured hand.

CHAPTER 3 PART 1

A/N: I know it might seem like it is going slow, but I really really don't won't to leave out any single emotion, or detail, that might help in understanding the way they feel or they perceive situations. So I apologize for that, hope you enjoy this chapter, and thank you so so so much for reading. Much love, and happy 4th of July to all the American readers!