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Jizoku songai-hen Sustained Damages Chapter

If you are confused with the japanese terms, I have the definitions here 1: Tsundere (Tsoon-De-Re) describes a person who is initially cold and even hostile towards another person before gradually showing their warm side over time. 2: Happosai (Hop-po-sAI) -just a note, the japanese do not have an I sounding vowel in their language, so you mesh together the ah sound with the long e sound- Happosai is the Japanese version of chop Suey. 2: Umeboshi (Oo-me-bow-shee) a Japanese dish of salt-pickled plums served whole or in a purée and originally used as a disinfectant and preservative. It is highly valued for its medicinal properties.

Toshio was pissed. He searched in his normal hiding spot (underneath the floorboards), in the closet, under his bed; he couldn't find his sake, The alcohol that had no real purpose before, now had been the utmost importance; he couldn't cook the dish without it. Toshio was hosting a dinner party, all of his friend where invited, so he thought of cooking his best dish, Happosai. But he needed Sake, the most important ingredient in the dish. Toshio shuffled through his pocket and pulled out his phone, the screen flickered white. He quickly hit the speed dial button, releasing mixed dial tone sound, "Hello? I need to speak to chef Giullio." The voice spoke in Italian, so naturally Toshio did the same, "No, it can't wait, it's important." The phone clicked and spoke out in Italian again, "Ciao," Toshio Launched into hasty speech, "I can't find the sake, I thought it was in my room but it's not-" The Chef's booming voice left Toshio's ear throbbing, "You what?! You realize that I need that sake just as much as you do!" Toshio stammered on his words, "I-I'm sorry I f you'd like I can go down to the liquor store an..." The Chef cut him off again, "Good, do that. We need 2 good bottles on the double, don't screw this up. My restaurant's reputation is on the line."

The phone clicked and silence ensued. Toshio sighed a curse and pushed his head fur back, not only was his dish counting on the sake, but the Chefs as well. Some critic is supposed to show up at the restaurant and the chef is cooking his signature in hopes of getting a good review. Toshio was in over his head, the liquor store was a good ten minutes away, not to mention he hadn't even started prepping for his own dish. Toshio Dashed out the door, flying down the street, 'Ten minutes by car' he thought to himself, the city made its normal route, about 7: 20 is routine drop off and pick up. Toshio raced around the corner, cracks in the sidewalk causing him to trip up slightly. Struggling to keep from sprawling on the ground, he twists his footpaw, shooting pain through his leg. Wincing and cursing, he lunged for the door of the bus. He slammed shoulder first into the side of the automatic door, almost breaking it off its hinges. The bus driver, a large muscular otter, stands up and yells, "What the hell, Toshio?! You almost broke the door; if it breaks I have to pay to get it fixed you know!" Toshio rubbed the back of his head, embarrassed, "I'm so sorry Jack, I-" Toshio winced and collapsed on the railing, Jack grabs Toshio's arm in alarm, "Are you alright?!" Jack leads Toshio up to the front seat and sits him down, "I'm fine, just sprained it." The otter lifted his jean leg up gently; the ankle was swollen, turning mixed hues. Jack touched the edges gently with his fingers. Toshio winced in pain, pulling his leg back in hesitation. Jack stands and nods, "It's Broken, not sprained. Here I'll drive you home-" "No, please... I'll be fine. Just... drop me off near the liquor store." The Otter nodded in disapproval, but sat in his seat and pulled the door closed.

Toshio laid his head back on the seat, testing his footpaw on the smooth bus floor. The sound of whispering and giggling made him want to turn around and tell them to shut up. He hoped to god they didn't see him blush when Jack touched his ankle. Jack turned the wheel and the bus careened around the corner. The rest of the ride was pretty uneventful; women and men filed off at their stops, and Toshio nearly dozed off in his sleep. The door swung open and jack stood up, "Do you need help getting up?" Toshio nodded in disapproval, flushing red, "I can get up myself, I'm not crippled." He put pressure on the paw and winced, nearly falling out of the bus. Jack acted on instinct, he caught Toshio's hand and pulled him foreword, clutching his shoulders to keep him balanced, "Are you alright?" Toshio flushed red, nodding his head in agreement. Jack must have noticed the blushing, he reacted by suddenly letting go of his shoulders and turning away, "Uh... well- can you get down the stairs?" Toshio nodded, dumbfounded by the twenty year olds' reaction. Jack nodded his head, "Good, so...uh, see you later?" Toshio nodded and walked painstakingly off the bus. All the women on the bus 'awwwwed' continually; Toshio bright red with embarrassment. He had never felt that way about another man before... or... that he could remember anyway.

Toshio turned the corner and into the small shop, Erik's father had just started to leave with a case of beer, but didn't hesitate to smile at Toshio and make small talk, "Hey there, Toshio. Hope Erik's hasn't given you any trouble lately." Toshio smiled and answered, "Na... he's a little preoccupied with football, you know, so we don't talk much." Erik's dad's smile disappeared, he became somber and serious, "You take care of him now, alright?" Toshio was taken aback, "What are you talking about?" Toshio's surprised reaction registered on Erik's father's face, "I think you know exactly what I mean." Erik's father tipped his homburg hat and left. Toshio blushed scarlet, was it possible Erik's father knew about his crush? On top of that, he hadn't quite gotten over the strange dream the night before, why he would have such terrible vivid nightmares was beyond his understanding. A German shepherd appeared from the back room and smiled, "Oh, hey Toshio, what can I get for you." Toshio smiled, "The usual, 2 bottles of cooking sake." The German shepherd eyed him, "You got a permit?" He pulled out his alcohol permit. He acquired this through business; Toshio worked at a 4 star restaurant downtown, which he started working at since he had moved to America, the head chef is Toshio's uncle (Toshio's father's brother). Kyle rang up the price and the receipt poured out with an automated click and buzz, "So, what's the occasion?" Toshio grinned, "It's my day off at the Restaurant, so the head said I could invite a few friends for dinner, I was gonna ask if you wanted to go." Kyle boxed him in the shoulder, "Don't play with me dude." Toshio smiled and rubbed his shoulder, "No joke, I'm paying for it, so wear something nice." Kyle's face registered Enlightenment. he ran down the hall with audible footsteps to the backroom which lead into his house, "Hey dad!" his dad yelled back, but it came from the upper floor, so it was stifled somewhat, "What?!" His father's Baritone voice boomed "Can you watch the shop for a bit, I'm gonna go with some friends to that fancy pants restaurant downtown!" His dad called back with envious tone, "sure, I'll be down in a few... but maybe next time you could take me!" Kyle laughed and said, "Not in a million years!"

Kyle ran back with the sake bottles in a plastic bag. Toshio laughed and teased some, "So, you gonna bring a date?" Kyle blushed, "Dude....not funny, no guy in the school would be caught dead with me." Kyle was Toshio's first and only completely gay friend, He despised women, they where always trying to sneak into the locker rooms to get a peek of him naked. It reminded him of vultures and carrion crows. Toshio took it one step further, "C'mon, there must be one guy you'd like to take?" Toshio smiled and took on a carefree note, this pushed Kyle to answer, "Well....there's no... 'Available' guys in the school who are... you know." Kyle turned scarlet. At one time or another he thought about going out with Kyle himself, but knew they wouldn't be anything more than friends, they trusted each other with a bond almost like brotherhood. Toshio took a Tsundere pose, "Well, what about Nick?" Kyle's eyes widened. "Nick, there is no way he is gay!" Nick was a black and white Siberian tiger from Russia, his accent made all girls fall for him; He had transferred sometime last year from Moscow, ever since then he has been one of Kyle's best friends. Toshio chuckled, "Dude, he couldn't be more into you; he's been dropping hints to you since he's transferred here." Kyle was lost after the words 'into you', his mind drifting through all the moments he had talked with Nicoli, "But...but- I, why didn't I catch them?" Toshio smiled broadly," No offense, but you're pretty dense when it comes to these things." The Big German shepherd blushed, "No...I don't think I could ask him out, I'd freeze." Toshio smirked wickedly, "Don't worry; I've already asked 'im for ya." Kyle's eyes widened in horror, "You... you didn't, how could you?" Toshio laughed, "I took your phone and text him while you weren't looking, see." Toshio pulled the phone from his oriental jacket and gave it to Kyle. Kyle blushed with pleasure; the contents of the text made his blood burn with hot intensity. Kyle: goin' to that fancy restaurant d-town with sum friends, wanna join? Nicoli: "Sure, sounds great, I have no ride though." Kyle laughed a little to himself, even in text he speaks so proper. He texted back, fingers fumbing over themselves. Kyle: No prob... I'll just pick u up in, say... 45 min. The response came immediately, Nicoli: Thanks, so 45 minutes than... Kyle texted a see you later and closed the phone, he than proceeded to smother Toshio with a hug, "You're the kindest friend I've ever had." Toshio hugged back, "Well, I try to be... now stop the mushy attitude and go put something decent on." Kyle looked all around his body, which smelled of alcohol, the stains of wine and other alcoholic beverages permanently stained the smock he wore. He bounced up the steps and out of the shop, "Thanks again, Toshio!" Toshio smiled. The sound of cheers and enlightened whistling was a sound he had missed for a long time.

Erik felt trapped; he wanted to sneak out, to run away. His aunt and uncle had come down from Wisconsin to talk business with his father. He was impartial to his uncle, and hated his wife. She was always bitching about Erik's looks and behavior at the dinner table, on top of that, questioning his sexual life. Erik's father talked about the need for higher sales prices, as to meet the demand. Erik's uncle chortled, continuing on their...less than interesting conversation; making it known that action would not be taken anytime soon. Erik's aunt eyed her nephew disgustedly, "I thought you said you work out?" Erik stiffened and dropped his fork from his mouth, tension built up as he ground his teeth in frustration, "I do... is there a problem?" She giggled and said, "My dear boy, nothing good comes from obesity, believe me. I think a diet may be best for you're health," She continued on in her own non threatening way, "You could always try a liquid diet, that worked wonders for me; I lost 6 pounds in a few days!" He knew there was nothing wrong with him, he was the perfect weight for a normal healthy bear, but for some reason she was getting to him, why where her petty insults breaking through? The next comment could not have gone amiss, she started questioning his sexuality, "And what happened to that girlfriend of yours, I haven't seen her since you where in seventh grade. If I didn't know any better, I'd say you where gay." She chortled obnoxiously, then proceeded to bash his friends- preferably Toshio- in her own non threatening way. Erik stood up, excused himself from meal, and walked out of the room fearing he might throw something or hit someone...preferably his aunt.

His floor vibrated with the force of the slamming door. He collapsed on the bean bag chair. He reached into his dress pants and pulled out a small black book, he flipped through the pages at random. Numbered pages zoomed and zipped like the pages of a flipbook. Equations seemed to fly off the pages as they flipped audibly. He landed on the page where he had sketched Toshio, below it an equation that seemed to have no end. It stretched on to the bottom of the page and on to the back. He smiled and touched the image, heart heavy with mixed emotions. He wondered what Toshio's lips would taste like, what scents would linger and emotions pull him away from insanity. He didn't want to admit his feelings for him, he just wanted them to vanish, to go and stop haunting his every waking minute. The phone in his back pocket vibrated with warm and continuous intensity. The feeling lulled and droned, giving a groggy sensation that made Erik want to fall asleep. He flipped it open and the text message filled the shining screen

Toshio: Going out 2 dinner with some friends, wanna come?

Erik frowned and bit the bean bag chair with anger and frustration. He knew if he had left without his fathers consent, he would have an earful about it later. He texted back, Fingers fumbling on the small keyboard.

Erik: not sure, have to ask dad

The phone was hot in his hands, almost like an indirect, sweaty pawhold with Toshio. He felt the angles of the phone, imagining they where Toshio's ears. He wondered what his velvet ears actually felt like, the tips to the base. The wonderful way they shot foreword in enlightenment. The phone vibrated, Erik's heart skipped a beat and unnerving twitches surged through his spine. He flipped the phone open.

Toshio: Don't worry about it then, see you in school tomorrow.

Erik's heart shattered... this was Toshio's polite way of saying don't bother. Erik cursed himself, why did he always need 'Daddy's' permission. He was 18 years old; he was legally allowed to make his own choices. He wanted for once to do what he wanted, he wanted to learn new things, explore the world... but it all kept coming back to football, He did whatever he could to please others instead of himself, and it was tearing him apart... from the inside out. He tapped the text board quickly, Erik: Scratch that last, I'm coming... wat time r we leaving? The answer came immediately, just like he had hoped. The message only contained a location and a time Toshio: Giullio's Italian Restaurant, 8:30 pm Erik Jumped up, feelings of regret and terror where immediately erased from his mind. Tossing the phone on the bed, He cleared his head and thought of what to do first, to concentrate. He began Fumbling through clothes, picking out a black suit, dress pants, and a tie Toshio got him last Christmas. The tie had Japanese characters that said 'grace' and 'versatility'. Erik loved this tie; it was the first gift Toshio had ever given him. He loved the way it had smelled of plums, as did everything Toshio came into contact with. He held the tie up to his nose and breathed in deeply, he thought of what his life would have been like if he hadn't decided to join football his sophomore year. He would have most likely fallen in love with Toshio...but... wasn't he already in love with him? Would it really matter if he chose now rather than later... no, the outcome would probably be the same in the end.

He threw his clothes on top of the toilet seat, stripped, and climbed into the shower. His had trembled as he reached for the faucet; it was cold to the touch, round edges dug firmly into rough padded paws. He pushed in and pulled left, hot water poured from the ceiling panels, waves upon waves of droplets falling continuously. Erik let out a sigh of pleasure, hot water coursing down his back. The warmth reminded him of Toshio's soft pelt; he wondered if this is what it felt like to sleep with Toshio. His testosterone crazed mind wondered what Toshio would look like naked. He closed his eyes and sat on the cold shower floor. Visions of Toshio's naked form danced in his mind. Startled by his next thought he fingered the tiles on the floor. Memories of the past came back to haunt him, and thoughts of betrayal began to root themselves into his feeble and weak mind... the only thing he could say up to this point was, "Why am I so pathetic,"

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Sicily Hadn't seen her father for two years since he left for a job in Hong Kong china. It was only earlier this morning she got a call from her father stating he was on his way home and he'd be there later that evening. The news had made her ecstatic, whatever thoughts of importance she once had where gone from her mind. She forgot her homework, forgot to clean the shed out, forgot to water the plants, everything was put aside. Her father was coming and her heart rejoiced, she began cooking millions of different dishes, so her father would have something to eat when he got home. She baked pies, cookies, and a giant chocolate cake with 'Welcome home' written in white piping. She dusted the entire house from top to bottom, and scrubbed down the entirety of the Foyer. The hardwood floor gleamed and sparkled, though her knees had become tender, her clothes stained, she couldn't present her self in such a manner. She ran up the stairs to wash up and put on decent clothing. She opened the closet door slowly. The very presence of her mother could be felt here. It weighed on her, causing tears of happiness and pain streaming from her eyes, "I'm here, mom. Dad's coming home, so I won't be alone anymore." her words floated into the dark open expanses of the closet. the smell of wicker and lilac crowded her nostrils. All around her where dirty, ripped farming jeans, straw hats, gardening tools that had yet to be used, watering cans and canvas gloves littered the remainder of the bear floor. Pictures of her mother hung from every wall, painted portraits, and photographs taken when she herself was just a little girl. The few clothes that weren't used for farming where towards the back, through the expanding darkness. She made her way towards the back, the smells of lilac getting stronger, making her feel lightheaded. She grappled the cold fabric of a leather jacket, this made her smile, her mother loved riding motorcycles, she remembered her mothers Harley in the shed, and how she used to give her rides all over town on it. She shimmied over the line of fabrics. Her hand caught the jewels of an embrioded bodice. She smelled lavender and lilac coming from the fabric...this was it. She grabbed the gown from the hanger and ran out of the closet, slamming the door shut. Her enthusiasm made her do crazy things; she began to speak to herself. She contemplated what activities her and her father would do. She strolled through the room, spinning around with the dress pushed towards her body. She sized her body up with the dress, "This will fit perfectly." She said. Her mind reeled in on itself, heart pouring out sorrow, she remembered the last time she had worn this dress. She had broken up with Toshio, and to the funeral of her ex.

Sicily Ran towards her father, hands held high preparing to embrace him. He grabbed her and held her tightly, "I missed you, bumblebee." Sicily flushed bright red, "Dad, don't call me that. I'm not a little girl anymore." he tucked a loose strand of fur behind her pointed ears. Her father laughed, "But you'll always be my little bumblebee." Sicily couldn't help but tear up a bit; she hadn't seen her father in two years, painful memories of his job transfer still lingered. "I want to see your dress, turn for me." Sicily smiled and spun once around, the dress glittering and shining with white intensity. The flashes from the pearls made her look like a dancing light, streaming through a canopy of trees. Dapples of rose pink, aqua blue, crimson, all flashed from the single gem at the center of the gown. Sicily's father smiled, "You're mother wore that on our first date." Sicily couldn't take it anymore; she collapsed in his arms and sobbed. She let all her emotions wring her clean, her father holding her tightly. "What's wrong, Bumblebee?" She sobbed harder, burying her face into his chest, chocked voices came from her pitiful form, "So much has happened while you where gone." He kissed her cheek and spoke softly, "I know, I know. But things will be set right," silence ensued; he let his daughter wring herself dry before he spoke again, "... What are our plans for this evening?" Sicily dried her eyes and smiled, "Were going out to dinner with my friends!" Her father brightened, "Well, that sounds great but... but I really want some of that chocolate cake." The hungry look in her fathers eyes made her laugh, "Don't worry, were gonna eat that when we watch home movies tonight." Her father hugged her tightly, "Home movies, eh... looks like you came up with everything." Sicily grabbed her father's arm, "Dad, do you think mom is happy right now?" Her father shook with soft sobs, "Of course bumblebee..." he kissed her on the cheek and dried his eyes, "Oh god if she could see how beautiful you are." Sicily broke the hold and grabbed her jacket from the back of the sofa, "Well, hurry up and get ready, dinner starts at 8:30!"

Erik dashed toward the back door, hand swung outward for the doorknob. Air swept in as the door swung open, Erik had little time to react. He held his stance, trying to break before slamming into the door. His father stood, motionless, dumbstruck look on his face. Erik had pushed the pack of glass beer bottles; they flew through the air before ear shatteringly... crumpling upon the ground. His father stood a few moment's in the midst of the awkward silence. Erik stammered on his words, "Dad, I'm so sorry... I didn't- I mean-," Erik's father's jaw slid back and forth in a grinding motion, audibly making itself known, "Erik... it- it's fine, just... tell me what's going on." Erik calmed his nerves, which wasn't easy. He had never stood in his fathers presents like this before, "I- I'm going out to dinner with some friends." Erik's father grimaced, "You may not-," Erik interrupted, "I wasn't asking for your permission." Erik's dad's eyes widened, "Excuse me?" Erik continued, "You heard me, I'm old enough to take care of myself now... maybe get away from this stench for awhile." The last words stung, it felt as if they cut across his father's burning face. Erik stormed past his father, bumping into his shoulder. He pivoted and grabbed Erik, "Erik, wait..." Erik turned around, avoiding direct eye contact, "Look at me when I am speaking to you." Erik raises his head, eyes settling on the hat in front of him, "What's this for?" Erik's dad turns scarlet, speaking out of the corner of his mouth. "It's a hat...take it." Erik was dumbfounded, "Why?" his father smiled weakly, still scarlet, "I think your friend Toshio likes it." Erik blushed, his head swam; his father's words screaming in his mind- he knows-. Erik stuttered, "I-I-I have no idea what you're talking about." Erik's father put it simply, "Erik, I know you love him." Erik's fears where true, his father knew everything; and now... so where others. Erik's father picked up an unbroken beer bottle from the ground and started back towards the house, Erik became furious, "You ASSHOLE!" Erik's father turned at this exposition, eyes registering fear and shock. Erik continued, more anger and contempt in his voice "You're seriously gonna get drunk right after spewing that shit to me?! Why can't you stop, just stop!" Erik ran towards his car, slamming the door angrily and sped off. Erik's father was left alone; he made his way back to the back door and slipped inside the dark living room. He leaned on the wall, taking a swig of the beverage. He felt hot liquid rush from his eyes, and his body tremble and shake. He slid down the surface of the wall, collapsed, legs folded, arms around his face... and sobbed heavily. His body racked itself with a thousand shaking motions, trembling and pitiful. He was bitter, not with feelings against his son...but to himself. He couldn't give Erik what Toshio could, Toshio could give him happiness.

Erik was furious, careening down the street. He wanted to smack that smug look off his face, he wanted to throw broken beer glass at him, he wanted to... something caught his eye, on his shoe was one of the beer labels. While focusing on the road, he bent down and peeled the label off. It didn't smell strongly like beer normally did, it had almost no scent at all. He turned the label around it and read, 'Non Alcoholic' Erik turned pale; stomach turning in embarrassment. He had talked to his father millions of times about lying of the stuff...but he never made any real effort to do it. Erik glanced over at the hat, sitting on the passenger side seat. He picked it up and slipped it around his head. The ears fit perfectly through the holes in the sides, he looked amazing. It was probably the first time he was glad he resembled his father so much. He smiled a weak smile, he knew he would never say it to his father, but he wanted his own voice to say it, to challenge his self. "I love you, dad."

Erik pulled into Giullio's parking lot. The parking lot was crowded with hundreds of cars, all of them really nice and expensive. He had never seen so many people at one restaurant before, people where filed one by one inside from a line that stretched out the door and onto the deck. Erik saw waiters and waitress's bustling through short gaps between hundreds of hungry people. Erik felt lucky, his meal was being prepared already, as well as a reserved table. The only thing to do now was find a parking spot. Erik pulled in to the back of the restaurant and careened the car around as to look again. He had to hit the breaks; Toshio was sprinting towards the car, hands waving. Toshio was soon followed by Adam and Kyle, as well as the Siberian tiger, Nicoli. Erik got out of the car and stared at him, "What's with the welcome reception," Toshio smiled, "You get to park in employee parking!" Erik looked confused, "Well, why didn't you tell me?" Toshio looked confused, "Uh... I sent you a text." Erik started fumbling through his pockets; he left his cellphone on his bed. Erik rubbed the back of his head in embarrassment, "Uhh, I left my phone at home," He anticipated some sort of snide rebuttal from Toshio, but instead he caught Toshio staring at his hat. Sustained eye contact with it made him uncomfortable, "Sugoi...Ah, Watashi sore o hoji shimasu!" Toshio tended to leak out emotions in japanese. It's just an impulse, but it seemed to cause him trouble, especially since he wasn't the only one who could speak it anymore. Erik flushed red, he knew exactly what Toshio said, and his dad was right... Toshio has a hat fetish. Erik smiled nervously, "Err... I'm glad you like it." Toshio snapped out of it when Nicoli interrupted, "I don't mean to be rude, but is he your mate?" His accent made the air thrum, Toshio flushed red in anger, Erik's jaw dropped "O...Of course not, how did you jump to that conclusion?!" Everyone laughed except Erik and Toshio, Nick blushed, "I just assumed, you where staring at his hat for a long time." Toshio blushed and stammered, "I...I like his hat, so.... Just- park your car already." Erik nodded, embarrassed. Erik walked back to the car, a weak smile hovering on his face... he was glad he wore the hat. Toshio Wasn't listening, but Kyle and Nick where having a conversation about the former events. Nick was still confused, "So...He doesn't like Erik?" Toshio already started back towards the restaurant, dazed and furious, stammering to himself in Japanese, Adam following close behind, still stifling laughter. "Watashi kare ga, baka no yo ni narimasu yo!?"

Kyle waited until Toshio was out of earshot and continued the conversation, "Toshio likes Erik, but Erik doesn't...well, no... I guess Erik is just-" Nick cut him off, "He's too insecure, he's afraid of being scorned for his sexuality, right? America is such a strange place, its amazing what people will think of you, based on sexuality and social status." Kyle looked up at him, surprised, "Wait, you don't have these problems in Russia?" Nicoli looked at him, nonplussed, "Not really, unless of course you're part of a religious branch. But even then we do not force our opinions on others." Kyle nodded, "Huh.... w-wait a minute... are you like... bi or something?" Nicoli answered flatly, "No." Kyle felt his stomach cave in on itself, was Toshio wrong? He felt physically wounded, he wanted to go home, to hole himself up in his room. Even he wasn't expecting what Nick said next, "I'm gay." Kyle was taken aback, "But...huh?" The tiger didn't blush, or retreat on his words, it just...came out, flatly, plainly so. Kyle continued, "But... what about school, how come no one knows there?" Nick smiled serenely, "No one asked, it never came up in conversation either." Kyle laughed, "So, let me get this straight. If some guy asked you 'Dude, that girl is hot, isn't she?' Then you would say 'No, I'm gay.'?" Nicoli nodded, "Thats correct. If it never came up, there was no need to talk about it out of the blue." Kyle was still a bit confused, but he got the gist of it, "Huh..." Nick's fur glistened in the dim light, making him appear specter-ish. Kyle broke the awkward silence, "So... is there a guy you like in school right now?" Nick grinned again, "Why do you think I'm here?" this was another one of Nick's hints that Kyle didn't seem to pick up, "Really, well... I'll guess a few." Kyle thought about it for a moment, "Is it Adam?" kyle laughed, "Adam is nice, but he's not my type." Kyle tried again, "what about Toshio?" Nick thought about this for a minute, "I can't say that Toshio is not attractive but... no, he's got too much to deal with already." Kyle pulled another name, "Well... what about Erik, he's on the football team." it didn't take long for Nick to make a rebuttal, "The bear is very attractive, however I would not date someone so... two dimensional." Kyle crossed his arms in agitation, "I give up... who is it?" Nick laughed heartily, "I'm not letting you off that easily... think for a moment. You have already eliminated the other guys here." Kyle thought about it, but the realization made him feel like an idiot, he was talking about him. The Tiger stood in front of the German shepherd, looking nervous and stand out-ish. His bulky shoulders shrugged, hands in pocked, and his pink face was all too much for Kyle to handle. "W-when you sent that text earlier... I was happy. I had wanted to tell you for a while; you know... how I felt...but then..." Nicoli stammered onward, "I...I really like you." This was the first, unconditional emotion he had ever experienced from Nick. Nick had always been cold, distant and sometimes cruel, yet... Kyle loved him; he loved him more than anything else in the world. He walked towards Nicoli with brief quick strides, pushing all thoughts of nervousness and regret out of his mind. He realized that he too had been cold and distant, fearing that after his mother's death just 3 weeks before... he would never experience happiness or pleasure again. He locked his lips with Nick's soft bare ones, intertwining scents of fresh herbs and cologne. Nick held him tighter, wanting all of him for himself, wanting to wash away fears this new country had rooted into him. Here was someone who loved him for him, and not because he had an accent, or because he was different... but because he was the same, accepted, loved, cherished... What more did he want.

Sicily rushed inside, throwing her hands around Adams neck, "Hey you!" Adam hugged her back; the scent of lilac intrigued him. "Hi, glad you could come." She removed herself from Adam, taking in his outfit, his classy clothes with his top hat, his tie with intricate design and detail, and the tail of the outer dress coat that seemed to flow to every sharp movement. "Wow, snazzy." She unwrinkled his tie with her forefinger and thumb "Is that your dad?" She turned around slowly to see a man with a scarlet homburg waving greetings to the cooks in the kitchen, "Yeah, that's him." Adam snickered, "Damn he's tall." Sicily laughed playfully, "Yeah, but Erik is still the tallest guy I think I've ever seen." Adam nodded, "Can't argue with ya there, but I think Nicoli could give him a good run for his money." Sicily looked confused, "Who?" Just than a large Siberian Tiger strolls in, Sicily gasps. The Tiger is at least seven feet tall, with large muscular arms that make him look almost godlike. She than notices his laughing, playful mannerism with the German shepherd around his waist, "C'mon... haha, give me back my phone" Nicoli laughs, "You have to wrestle me for it." Kyle makes a rebuttal, "Don't make me get Toshio." Sicily interrupts, "Mind introducing your friend there Kyle." Kyle stop laughing, Nicoli turns scarlet, "Hey Sicily, when did you get here?" The big tiger was still tongue tied. "So, is that you're new boyfriend." Kyle laughs, no longer nervous, his outgoing sporty attitude returning, "Nah, haven't gotten that far yet... were dating though." Sicily almost had a spaz attack, "Ooooh, you guys are so cute together!" Kyle rolled his eyes. If there was anything he knew Sicily for, it was for liking Yaoi. Sicily blissed out, "Have you guys kissed yet, come on, spill all the juicy details." Kyle laughed heartily, "Well if your looking for entertainment, watch this." Kyle leaned into Nicks face, innocently, sweetly, and woundedly speaking, "Nick, can you please give me my phone back." Nick melted like butter, "Uhh...Okay." Nick turned bright red, ears perking up in arousal... Toshio appeared from the back of the Restaurant, startling Sicily, "Hey Adam, you called Gio up right?" Everyone turned and stared at Adam, Adam looked back blankly... suddenly realizing his mistake, "Oh, shit!"

Erik walked in at a bad time; everyone was arguing, spitting rebuttals left and right. Erik made his voice heard through the arguing crowd, voice bellowing like a pipe organ "HEY!!!!" everyone stopped yelling and turned to meet the estranged bear, homburg hat tipped loungingly at the side. Toshio flushed bright magenta; Kyle was the first to answer, "What?" Erik asked, power in his voice, "What the hell is going on?" Kyle continued, "Genius Adam over there forgot to call Gio." Adam argued this accusation, "Why the hell am I always the one who has to call him up?" Erik yelled, "You're the only one with his number, dumbshit! He's your best friend!" Toshio felt bad for Adam, "Look, everyone just sit down and relax... Adam, you have to call him up tomorrow and apologize." Adam knew it was much worse than that, he had promised Adam to walk with him tonight. He had blown Gio off for the last month to hang out with Toshio. Everyone took their seats, with one extra seat remaining. Kyle sat next to Nick, holding hands underneath the table cloth and whispering to each other (Nicoli's accent makes it hard for him to whisper.), Toshio sat next to Sicily and her father, with Erik sitting on one of the ends of the table, next to Toshio, and Adam sitting next to the happy couple, Nicoli and Kyle. Not long later Had four waiters come out, each one holding Toshio's Dishes'. Toshio shifted, "Oop, better present my dish." Toshio stood up and allowed the waiters to finish placing the dishes on the table. Toshio's tenor voice came out long and announcing, though muffled by the crowds of people around them, "For your meal today I have made Tempura battered prawns with hoisin sauce as your appetizer. Entrée is Happosai, and dessert is Italian Profiteroles." His friends Eyed the food hungrily, Sicily father commented, "I can't believe you made all this, Honey... your boyfriend is really talented." There was quiet, Everyone stared at her father awkwardly. Sicily turned bright red, "Dad... Toshio isn't my boyfriend anymore." He looked confused and dazed, "Oh, oh I'm sorry." Her father avoided eye contact with Toshio, but Toshio's threatening gaze landed on Sicily. It wasn't long before he noticed her dress, it was taunting him, mocking him, he didn't see beauty, he only felt disgust. He wanted to tear it to shreds, to scream at her. To lash out in anger... but why did he still love her than...

Gio walked down the stairs, quietly as to not disturb his stepfather. He crept up to the back door, turning the doorknob slowly, "Where are you going?" Gio turned to see a large black wolf standing over him... his stepfather wasn't asleep, "Eh, I'm going to my friends house." The big black wolf smiled, white teeth shining, "which one?" the black wolf moved closer, Gio flinched on impulse, His stepfather looked down at his stepson and a worried expression, "He's been hitting you again, hasn't he?" Gio didn't answer, he didn't want to. His Stepfather barely ever came to visit, considering his mother was in rehab, he was his only family member he actually felt close to, and they weren't related by blood. His stepfather was only 23 and was seen as irresponsible by court of law, so they moved Gio to his father's house last year. He hated his father, he was a religious, jealous, bigot asshole that took out his anger on Gio, especially if he's drunk. "I-I'm fine really." His stepfather teared up, "I would help you if I could, you know that." Gio avoided the teary gaze keeping his eyes on the floor, "I don't think you'll ever get me back." The stepfather hugged him tightly, squeezing life and warmth into Gio's exhausted body. The stepfather sobbed gently, muttering apology after apology. Gio had to do something; his father would be back from the bar in a few minutes, "Umm... I better go, my dad's gonna be here and well...you know," His stepfather released the hug and continued, "You have to stand up to him one day, find a place of your own to stay for a while if you have to." Kyle opened the door, releasing the scent of air freshener and alcohol. He continued out the door, "I will." The door slammed shut with a force that shook the house. The stepfather walked back to the couch and collapsed, waiting for his ex best friend to come home.

Gio ran down the street corner, careening down the railroad tracks, bounding off of them with playful skill. He felt ecstatic, he hadn't had one of his night walks with Adam in a long time, and he was glad to have him for himself for a while. Adam was Gio's best friend, or... they where. Past events clouded his mind with hatred and envy, ever since the day Toshio moved in, it was as if Adam forgot that he even existed. Gio never hated anyone as much as Toshio, but yet... he could see why Adam was attracted to him, he had found himself sometimes wondering what his lips would taste like. His head was spinning through thoughts of bittersweet renditions. He wanted Toshio as a friend...yet... in some aspects; he loved Toshio more so than Adam. He turned into a large, expansive backyard. The smell of oranges was enticing, which seemed to be emitting from the open door of a rather large greenhouse. Gio walked over to the glass barrier, tapping on the shining door gently. A gruff, slightly muffled noise came from inside, "Be out in a minute." Gio sat next to the greenhouse, waiting for some sign of life, a movement or noise. The door slid open and a large husky with glasses came out, "Oh, hello Giovanni... what are you doing here?" Gio grinned from ear to ear, making his happy and content mood known, "I'm looking for Adam, where supposed to go on our night walk in the woods tonight." Adam's father wiped perspiration from his head and spoke, "Adam isn't here, he went out to dinner with Toshio and his friends, funny though... I thought you would have been invited." Gio was stunned... his facial expression registered nothing, but inside he felt shock, depression, fear, and loss... but of all those emotions, hatred was his strongest. "No...No they didn't invite me, in fact... they didn't tell me anything." Adam's father noticed the monotone he used and tried to fix his last insensitive comment, "I'm pretty sure it was an accident... sometimes people forget." Gio nodded his head and put on a mask of a smile, "You're right, it was probably just an accident, people forget." Gio turned around to leave when Adam's father called back again, "Hey Gio." Gio turned around and caught a strange looking fruit that caught him off guard, the red-orange skin felt rubbery to his paw pads, "Ever had a blood orange before?" Gio nodded no, the sight of the fruit sent chills down his back... why was it called a blood orange? "Keep it, they're really good." Adam's father turned back towards the greenhouse and re entered its lush, vivid greens. Gio looked at the fruit with bitter longing. He tore into it with his claws, pealing the skin off with little effort. Once removed from skin, he sank his teeth deep into its soft, red flesh. He tore out chunks of it with his teeth, 'this is what I want to do to Toshio!' droplets and flesh of violet and red spilled out from its center, covering his paws in its bloody juice. He loved these, and he wanted more of them. His twisted mind went through all the torturous methods he would use to make Toshio pay for the two years of pain and heartache, and if he could take down Adam and Erik along with him, well... that wouldn't be so bad either. The red fruit reminded him so much of blood, but without the metallic taste. The word metallic ran through his mind, the taste, the smell... and he realized what he had smelled earlier. These oranges where the exact symbol of Adam, tough exterior skin with fleshy entrails and blood on the inside. He remembered the countless numbers of times he had to stop Adam from hurting himself in feverish dreams, His diseased mind crazed with fear to the point of attempting suicide. He was going to use this to his advantage, and drive Toshio away from Adam. He became enamored by the red, sinful fruit of pleasure. He walked back towards the greenhouse, knocked on the door and proceeded to ask Adam's father if he could spare a few more. Adam's father's hand swung out from the greenhouse door, a wicker basket full of the bloody red fruits. Gio continued with a hasty thank you and pried the wicker basket from his loose grasp, the adult husky complied with a exaggerated 'you're very welcome,' and continued back to the harvesting of the fruits.

He smiled wickedly to himself, cackling insanely while walking back to his house. He contemplated the methods he would use. First he would re open all of Adam's old scars, than try to pit Erik and Toshio against each other. He formulated the perfect plan... but to set it into action is easier said than done. But whatever regrets he ever had... he felt none now

Toshio got up, excused himself from the meal and left to the back of the restaurant. Toshio was silent, depressed, and somewhat pissed. He contemplated why she loved to watch him squirm; it had not been long ago, since their break up... is she that insensitive? Toshio walked back into the kitchen, grabbed a bottle of sake from the counter, and briskly walked out the back door and into the fresh night air. He bit the cork with his fangs and pulled, once open, he took a rather large swig, rice wine running down his cheek. He swallowed, and proceeded with a deep, exaggerated breath. Large, shifting paw steps could be heard from behind him, his ear flicked, picking up the identity as Erik, "What do you want." Toshio's voice hostile and distant. Erik shuffled a little, "Are you angry, I mean... if you are I could-" Toshio cut him off, "I don't know if I'm angry, Erik! Just... leave me alone..." Erik walked over to him, pressing onward, jokingly so, "I know how you feel, I mean... Sicily is hot, so I can see why-" Toshio turned around, furious eyes beating down on him, snout curled in disgust and raw fury, "Don't you DARE try to level yourself with me, you little prick!" Erik was taken aback, he had never seen Toshio act this way before, "You don't know what it's like because you ALWAYS GET WHAT YOU WANT!" Erik bowed his head, avoiding eye contact with the now feral replacement Toshio, "You've got your nose so far up daddy's ass that you get whatever you want by batting your eye lashes and obeying his every command.... your not your own person, your a surrogate allowing yourself to be used by other people... AND I HATE THAT!" Erik felt like collapsing, he really did... but in front of Toshio? No... He had to try something else, anything to make Toshio stop...but what? It came to him so simply, so plainly that it was perfect for the predicament he was in, "Your right..." Toshio looked up in shock and surprise. "W...what?" Erik smiled weakly, "Your right... I only let myself get used.... it just makes things easier, but.... I can't do that any more...I just... can't." Toshio smiled, laughed even. He threw himself at Erik, throwing his arms around his wide neck. He burrowed his face into his chest fur, breathing in a musky scent that seemed vague and familiar. Erik's face was on fire, the level of arousal was too high, pretty soon the erection in his jeans would not go unnoticed, "I'm so glad you're trying to be honest..." Erik couldn't hold it any more, he released the hug and turned his back to regain composure, "uhhh... sorry, I guess im just not used to... you know" Toshio laid off for a moment, but the erection wasn't hidden well, Toshio still felt it on his leg a moment ago... This was wonderful news to Toshio, he finally figured out that Erik is sexually attracted to him. Erik smiled again, "So...uh, I wanted to know.... umm" Toshio was thrown of his train of thought, "hmm?" Erik tried not to blush, but every part of his body felt like it was in a brick oven. "Uhh.... I thought, maybe... if you're available tomorrow... we could go see a movie together, just the two of us." Toshio was floored, he swore to god if he heard any more, he would have a nose bleed and pass out. "you mean like... on a date?" Erik turned his head away again, trying to avoid eye contact, "Well, I don't think I'm ready to call it that yet." Toshio completely understood, he had to come out of his shell a little at a time, or he'd crack from the pressure and go back to being a jackass jock. But Toshio was not a benevolent bystander, he got up, regaining cocky composure and presented his body in a Tsundere fashion, "And you gotta learn how to train your little friend there." Toshio's finger pointed at Erik's crotch, Erik's face heated up like a ceramic stovetop, "Uh...well, I-," Toshio laughed, "You don't have to explain yourself, I know what I saw." Erik felt succumbed to a life of awkward situations if he remained so vulnerable like this. Toshio reached out for the bears paw and squeezed it tightly, Erik jumped, trying to pull his paw away, but Toshio had collapsed, putting all of his weight on the bear's body. Erik Noticed something was wrong immediately, "Toshio, are you alright?!" tears squeezed out of the corners of his eyes, "I think my footpaw is hurt..." Erik set Toshio down on as nearby bench, he gently lifted up the pant leg to reveal a nasty swollen ankle the size of a soft ball, the color was bright magenta. "w-what the hell, Toshio... Are you trying to kill yourself?!" Toshio breathed heavily, one eye squinting in pain, "I- I'm sorry, I didn't think it would get this bad." Erik noticed a small bone poking out from the ankle, the hairline fractures looked painful, but knowing Adam, he could probably do this better. "Hold on, I'll be right back, I'll go ge-," Toshio yelled, "No!" Erik turned around surprised by the wolf's hasty decision, "Why the hell not?" Toshio blushed pink.... " I don't want Adam right now, I want you to take care of me." Erik blushed bright red, "Well, umm... what do I do?" Toshio grinned, "I'ts just a hairline fracture, it'll heal over time if I rest, so just take me home, 'kay?" Erik smiled weakly, yeah, yeah... I'll drive you home." Erik helped him into standing position, and walked him towards the red viper in employee parking. Toshio opened the door, feebly climbing inside. Erik entered the other end. Toshio had never felt so at mercy to another person before...but he was going to enjoy it. He slipped on the seatbelt and slumped into resting position. Erik started the car with an audible thrust, pulling out of the driveway. He felt the car glide across the flat road and decided to let his mind wander. He tried to recall what Toshio had said to Sicily earlier, but all he heard was Toshio saying. 'Why are you wearing that?' he wondered if Sicily's dress had anything to do with his reaction. "Hey, Toshio?" Toshio was busy with a mouthful of sake, "mmmh." Erik looked out into the bleak empty street, hoping something of significance would happen, "Aren't you calling your parents to tell them what happened." Toshio grinned evilly, "Nope." Erik was stunned by his uncaring attitude, "Well, you should!" Toshio smirked, "I'm not going home because I said I was crashing at your place." Erik almost swerved, his leg jumped slightly, making the car accelerate slightly. Erik was furious, "And you weren't gonna tell me? You didn't even ask!" Toshio smile lightened, "I'm sorry, does that bother you?" Erik ground his teeth, "Yes, it does! Now... call your dad and tell him your not spending the night with me." Toshio frowned, he laid his head back on the chair, "He can't..." Erik was still angry, speaking in unaffectionate tone, "Oh really?" What Toshio said next was startling... "Yes really, Miji is in the hospital, he had a fit yesterday at school." Erik wax taken aback, stomach dropping uncomfortably, Toshio continued bleakly forward "They sent him to the hospital and marked him mentally unstable for school activity.... He's suspended for a week." Erik's anger smoldered some, "I'm sorry that happened to your brother, but you can't stay at my place, maybe you can stay at Adam's or something." He didn't realize the effect his words would have before it was too late, he had given his competition the advantage, "Yeah... I guess I could stay there." Erik felt like an idiot, he knew Adam liked Toshio, he could see it on his face... and now Erik just gave him what he wanted

Silence ensued in the car, making Erik feel uncomfortable, he tried using small talk, but Toshio only answered with comments like yes and no and sure.... The Car reared around to the Commons district of the town, Erik turned his head slightly to speak to Toshio, "Were almost home, did you find-," He looked over at Toshio's sleeping form. His fur seemed to puff up and become untidy, his ears twitching to foreign noises, tail unanimated, sitting across his lap. Erik thought for a moment, "One night wouldn't hurt." He pulled into a large driveway and proceeded in parking it gently, exactly in a way that made it seem artful (Erik is a showoff ;P) he tried to Arouse Toshio, which was much more painful than he realized, "C'mon Toshio, we gotta go-," Toshio grabbed his hand and twisted it, which he always did to Miji in the mornings. Erik jumped, yelping in pain, Toshio jumped up as well, "Oh, god... I-I'm so sorry, it's an impulse." Erik smiled, grabbing his paw and rubbing it, "It's fine, really." Toshio looked at the big bear questioningly, "So... do you wan't me to call Adam's parents?" Erik smiled weakly, "No, you can stay here..." Toshio's face lit up, he leaned over and kissed the big bear on the cheek and whispered, "Thank you." Toshio opened the door and slid out, Erik still inside, rubbing his cheek, arousal was imminent. Toshio called, "Hey, are you coming?" Erik woke up from his daydream, "Uhh, yeah hold on." Erik pulled out a small stick like object and got out of the car. Toshio was leaning on the other side of the car, breathing heavily; walking on his footpaw took a lot of effort. Erik took the small quarter length stick and gave it to Toshio, who gave a 'what the fuck' face, "What's this for?" Erik explained, "It's my dad's walking stick.... He uses it when- his leg broke" Toshio looked confused of Erik's choice of words, "Well, okay... but It doesn't look like a walking stick." Erik smiled, "You flick it open," Toshio held the button on top and waved, the stick almost doubled in size, but he looked kind of hurt, "Oh, great... now I'm gonna look like an old dude..." Erik laughed, "don't complain." Toshio walked into the house, which at this point, had been dark for some time now. Erik flipped the light switch on, looking around the room. The large foyer made him feel uncomfortable, hardwood cold and bare. Erik led him up the stairs, but something caught his eye. He stopped for a minute, caught up by the sight in the next room over, a slumped hand holding an empty, non alcoholic beer bottle. Toshio turned around, "Everything okay?" Erik grinned, "Uh, yeah... but I'm gonna get some drinks, you go up and wait." Toshio smiled back, "Sounds good," Toshio walked slowly up the stairs, Erik in the opposite direction. Erik looked upon the sleeping form in the living room, slumped on the couch, lightly breathing... it struck him as strange, his father was always knocked out cold with alcohol, he drooled, and snored with all sorts of tossing and turning. But this was different; he pulled the blanket off the back of the couch and slung it over him. His father mumbled a little, hands dropping the beer bottle, and pulling the blanket up to his face. Erik smiled and continued to the kitchen.

Toshio waited in the bathroom, waiting to pounce on his prey... The room door opened and hovered towards the bed, speaking into the open air, "I hope you like soda, 'cuz it's all we got..." Toshio waited for the big bear's back to be turned... The bathroom door swung open, Toshio launched in midair, hollering, "Kyaaaa!" The bear turned around, but not soon enough, Toshio slammed into him, the soda's inertia refused to move with his body, falling to the floor. Toshio knocked him onto the queen bed, Erik still stunned, confused on what just happened. Toshio and Erik both started laughing, tears squeezing from Toshio's eyes, Erik wiping away the tears from his own. Erik proceeded with a compliment, "You really should join the football team, 'cuz that was amazing! I mean, I've NEVER been knocked off my feet before." Toshio was still laughing, talking through bouts of it, "You-you should have seen- the look on your f-face!" Erik laughed more, both of them lying on the bed; it wasn't soon after that Erik noticed that Toshio's arms where still around his abdomen. Toshio fell silent, Erik stared up at the ceiling, and reverie surged through his mind, "remember how you used to teach me martial arts?" Toshio smiled, closing his eyes. "Yeah... I remember." Erik's eyes squinted in effort, "What was the name of it again?" Toshio snickered, "You mean the style?" Erik commented back, "Yeah." T`oshio's voice hushed some, "Hakkyokuken." Erik smiled, "Yeah... Do you think maybe we could start doing those again," Toshio made a barely audible answer, "sure........" Erik mustn't have heard it, "What you say?" He turned his head slightly to see Toshio's sleeping figure. His face turned scarlet, he was in a very awkward position... He wanted to escape this grasp, yet... He tried to move Toshio's paws away from his Waist, but instead they reached around, grabbed his ass and pulled him closer, burying his face into his warm chest... Erik flushed red, arousal peaking. But his arousal quickly disappeared after Toshio mumbled a small sentence in his sleep, "Protect me...please." Erik felt warmth inside his chest, this wasn't nervousness or sexual attraction... he really loved Toshio. He pulled Toshio closer and whispered, "Always."

School was boring him to tears, luckily he and Adam had the same free period together. Toshio yawned audibly, eying the masonry ahead of him, books covering long shelves behind the Masonic walls. The library was full of students, clicking away at laptops and cell phones. Toshio smiled to himself, Adam looked over at him, exhausted, "Did...did you get the text?" Toshio nodded, "Yeah, everyone did." Toshio didn't even want to think about it. Erik had officially pissed him off, they had made a promise earlier that day, and he had smashed it, like it was nothing...

(7:30 am, Enter Erik and Toshio)

Toshio leaned against the wall, waiting for Erik to come down the stairs. "C'mon, we don't have all day!" Erik ran down the stairs, royal blue Homburg hat on his head. Toshio flushed red in arousal, "W...where'd you get that hat?" Erik smiled; it was finally his turn to tease Toshio, "My dad let me borrow it. Does it look good?" Toshio leaned forward, kissing Erik fully on the lips, Erik was taken aback, "W...what was that for?" Toshio smiled, tweaking his hat upward, "I have a hat fetish; and that hat," Toshio teased with Erik, flicking him in the snout, "makes you look sexy." Erik stammered, "s-stop messing with me." Toshio laughed, "Who said I was messing with you? Erik felt awkward again, he really wanted to get out of this one, but Toshio lured him back in, "Hey, Erik?" Erik wiped his snout and answered, "Yeah?" Toshio smiled weakly, "I know your not ready yet but..." The room fell dead silent, Toshio turned his head, his face serene, yet holding a dangerous seriousness to it, "Promise me we'll be honest with each other, from now on... I want to know all your secrets, you likes, dislikes... I want to know all of it... no matter how painful." Erik bit his tongue, some secrets he'd rather leave unsaid... but he loved Toshio, and he'd do anything to keep that alive. He decided he would tell him, but later... After school maybe...

(Present day '2007 technically', 1:15 PM) Toshio flipped the phone open to read the public text again, " Erik got a girl knocked up! Link here ," Toshio didn't want to click the link again, it was just a family tree that showed Erik had a child. The tree was official since 2003, also date of babies birth... his son was four years old. Toshio felt sick, Erik got a girl pregnant at the age of fourteen. Adam tapped lightly on his shoulder, as if to draw some of the tension out of him, "Hey Toshio, are you alright?" Toshio teared up slightly, "He promised me, you know... he promised that we would be honest to each other." Adam thought for a minute, "So, he's not being honest with you?" Toshio laughed sarcastically, "Did you read the text, obviously not." Toshio looked down at his footpaw, which was still throbbing, but at least the crutch that Adam gave him worked better than the cane, even took some of the weight off of it. Adam turned Toshio's head and looked directly into his deep blue eyes, "You know I'll always be honest with you." Toshio thought about this prospect for a minute, "Really? Okay, let's test that... what's your bottle of pills for?" Adam sucked in loudly, for some reason he felt like he had said this before, but this time it was much easier to explain, "They're for my BPD." Toshio nodded, "Hmm..." Toshio seemed unsatisfied. Adam leaned forward, lips touching Toshio's, the smell of oranges intoxicating Toshio's senses. Toshio broke the kiss, turning his head to the side. Something inside Adam flipped, Adam got up, almost hollering "You think I'm just going to ignore you like Erik? You think I'm not going to be truthful... well how about this," Adam got up, filling his lungs with oxygen, than bellowing out, so that the 3 boys and all the girls in the library could hear, "I love Toshio Decanello!" The whole library went silent, He grabbed Toshio's hand and hauled him upward, Toshio still in a daze, still processing what was going on. Adam kissed him, tongue and all. The girls in the library whistled and screamed in delight, the guys yelled things like, "Get a room, fag!" until they realized that it was Toshio, they knew they would probably end up with their teeth knocked out if they continued. Toshio felt... Safe, independent when he was with Adam. He had forgotten all of the previous night's events, Hugging Erik, sleeping with him, all that seemed so miniscule and childish compared to the ballsy move Adam just made.

Erik couldn't walk the halls without being ridiculed. Most guys threw stuff at him. Girls called him a 'whore' and a 'slut'. Many people thought it was good he didn't have possession over the child. Rumors spread around that Erik raped the girl. These insults cut deep, who had spread this information about him? How did everyone know about this? Erik spent a moment, looking for Toshio, but he couldn't find him. Most people started talking about some sort of event that took place in the Library. He stopped for a minute. A wolf and badger where talking about the kiss that happened in the library, Erik walked up to them, but they seemed to scowl as he came close...no surprise, "Don't you come any closer asshole!" the badger yelled, he soon noticed it as one of Toshio's bisexual friends, John. John was dating the male wolf he was talking to a moment before, who at this time, was also snarling, "We heard what you did to Toshio, and it's a good thing he chose Adam over you!" 'Did everyone know everything?!' Erik asked himself. How did they know he was in love with Toshio? Erik decided to play dumb, to see what information he could get, "What are you talking about?" John barked out in anger, "You know what I'm talking about! Toshio has had a crush on you since the tenth grade; you didn't think it was important to tell him about your child... you're sick!" John turned away abruptly, holding onto the wolf's hand for support. Erik soon heard other rumors that Toshio and Adam where going out. Erik felt betrayed by Toshio, he had tried his best to... well... he couldn't say that. There was more he could have done. Adam did something that Erik couldn't, Erik couldn't say 'I love you', which is what Toshio yearned for more than anything.

( 8 hours previous, enter Gio.)

Giovanni spent hours on the computer, digging up any information he could about Mr. Goody goody Toshio. But everything he found where positive comments, 'some negative, considering he's bisexual.' and remarks about his job life. Gio was starting to feel his heart harden more, the perfect smile of this, this succubus wolf. He tore into another blood orange that he had picked up from Adam's father the night before. Watching the fruit bleed itself dry, he went back over his plan to emotionally destroy Toshio, and eventually... kill him. fatigue settled itself upon him, searching for information on the wolf was leading him nowhere. Than it hit him, he would destroy Toshio indirectly. He would pitch Adam and Erik against each other rather than him. It was a perfect plan, ideal in many ways. He knew his sources where limited, as far as health information well, he could coax that out of Adam if need be. He typed in Erik Ursal in the search bar, which did almost nothing. He picked up webpages about football, being quarterback and blah blah blah.... Nothing! Gio knew something was up... his father was rich and famous, with friends in government positions, and rich snobby local connections (aunt and uncle in particular), it wouldn't be hard to make others omit any information not wanted to be seen by the public. The last link he found was on the 3rd page, but it was someone's family tree. That can't be right?' he thought to himself. The small description of page information only mentioned Erik's name once, but the last part of the description was cut off. Gio felt pulled to the webpage, clicking on it almost reluctantly.

The result.... Exceptionally dastard

Gio couldn't help let a small cackle slip from his mouth, the contents of the page leaking information. On the bracket closest to current date was a girl named Thyme Johnson, She had one child, Erik Ursal Johnson... another line jetted of from her name, Erik Christopher Ursal, Illegitimate father.

By the end of the school day, Erik had suffered enough injustices. He had been called a rapist, whore, child abuser, but none where as bad as 'turncoat' and 'cheater'. Almost all of Toshio's friends had made it their business to torture Erik, and by this point, he just wanted to go home. Erik had heard the rumors circulating that Adam could have sent the text, considering he was the first one to know about it. Erik felt betrayed, along with bitter agony and hatred towards not Toshio, but Adam. He wanted to see Adam brought down, to denounce the text. No part of Erik had any doubt that Adam sent it, he was jealous, he was a succubus, and he was wisking away Toshio, while, at the same time... chipping away at Erik's ego armor. Erik turned the corner and into the locker room, where he knew Adam would be. Adam was always the first one to get ready for practice, first one to stretch, and first out on the field. This made it perfect for Erik's entrance, no one around and no Toshio to stop him. He made a beeline towards Adam, who at this time... was putting the final touches on his baseball uniform. Erik slammed his fist into the locker next to him, Adam reacted by jumping back a foot. Erik's eyes shone bright green, pupils dilating into ferral slits. Adam hollered, "What the hell is you're problem?!" Erik laughed, "Don't play innocent, you little pissant!" Adam regained calm and collective composure, "So, mind telling me exactly... what I did?" Erik smashed his fist farther into the locker door, causing the metal to crumple under the staggering pressure, "I know you're the one who sent that text!" Adam laughed playfully, "Oh god, you really think I'm so desperate that I would do something so... pathetic." The monotone on his last word sent a shiver through Erik's spine. Erik recoiled and lashed out, "So you admit that you're jealous of Toshio liking me?!" Adam's head snapped back in an audible crack, his eyes dilated ferally, fur spiking out in sheer fury. Erik shrunk back, startled by this form that stood before him. The form dashed forward, paws throttled towards his neck. Erik let out a short, audible cross between a grunt and gasp as the paws closed in around his neck. With crushing force, Adam squeezed and pulled up, lifting the bear off the ground, footpaws thrashing, trying to find something solid to grasp. Erik's gasps where muddled with terrified painful tears that streamed down his face, which at this point was turning magenta from lack of oxygen. Adam brought his muzzle close to Erik's and spoke in a hostile, insane, and unearthly tone, "I'm the one who's jealous?" Adam laughed insanely, paws crushing the bears windpipe, "You're not WORTHY of being jealous of, you can't even get over your own ego to save your drunk father's LIFE!!... And yet all the while you piss and moan about how unfair and cruel life can be, well.... Maybe I'm wrong but." His paws started to slacken, as if questioning himself, but the next movement was ear shattering. He threw Erik through the air and into the locker bay across from them, the crash sent the air vibrating with the sound of crushed metal, and the crack of a broken limb. Erik screamed, holding his broken arm in agony. Adam cackled, eyes dilating again into sadistic slits, "You should see the look on your face!" Adam continued to laugh at Erik's pitiful broken form. Erik struggled upward, which in turn sent Adam into a comical frenzy, "Hahahaha! Oh, oh stop... you're making my sides hurt!" Erik got up, staggering forward. Adam was to busy holding his sides to notice. Erik let out an unearthly yell, sending his fist straight towards Adam's jaw.

Toshio rubbed his head in anxiety, if there was one place he'd rather be at... it wasn't here. He walked up to the locker room door, and turned the handlebar counter clockwise, the echoing click noise made him sigh in apprehension. The door swung open and tension released from his mind. He glided in, as if in a trance or daydream. The sight of blood was overwhelming, he could see Adam holding his snout, which was bleeding excessively. Adam had enough time to redirect the blow to his nose, rather than his jaw. The blood covered a small spot on the floor, it gleamed crimson, with flecks of some fleshy substance. Toshio screamed, "What the hell did you do?!" Erik swiveled towards the vague voice, ears still ringing from Toshio's scream. Adam coughed out a little blood that leaked into his throat, making little effort for conversation, "Toshio...." Toshio bolted towards Adam, frantically collecting pieces of the situation. He grabbed Adam to steady him, just in case he fell, and eased him to the floor. Erik stood there, terrified, consumed by the experience. Toshio tried to help Adam staunch the bleeding, covering his nose with his sweatshirt. Toshio muttered to Adam, "Are you alright?" Adam nodded his head hastily and whispered, "I'm fine, but I think it's broken." Toshio's head snapped around, eyes filled with disgust, tears flowing down his face, "What the hell is you're problem?!" Erik responded, "He was choking me!" Toshio's head turned slowly towards Adam, who at this point, had curled up into a tight ball, he apologized repeatedly, words overlapping in hasty speech, "I'm sorry, I'm sorry, I- I forgot to take my medication today, I... I just can't control it... he was, he was screaming and yelling and..." Adam's salty tears mixed with the metallic blood, causing vomit to stir in his esophagus. Toshio hugged onto Adam's Emasculated form, trying to rub warmth into his body by excessively rubbing his shoulders, "It's fine, it's not you're fault." Adam shook his head 'no' taking blame on his self, this sent Toshio's fiery gaze back at Erik, "You... you BASTARD!" Erik's face only registered pain and regret, all anger and power pulled from him, the vise grip of his fist became an opened beggar's paw. "I swear I'll make sure you-," Adam cut in, to save Erik the trouble, "Don't Toshio... Don't tell anyone about this, please." Toshio's eyes widened in shock, Erik opened his mouth, "I'm sorry Toshio, I-," Toshio mumbled, "Fuck off." Erik stopped in his sentence, the whole locker room silent except for the ticking of the wall clock. Erik asked, "What?" immediately, Toshio started screaming, "Fuck off, get the hell out of here!" Erik just stood wide eyed as Toshio continued the onslaught, "I never want to see your fucking face EVER AGAIN!" Erik stood a moment longer before Toshio completely lost it, He got up, positioned his paw into a strong cuff, and popped him upside the head. The blow was dizzying, Erik stumbled to regain balance, but he knew his eardrum had busted. Blood leaked from the impact, and Toshio screamed one last time, "Fuck OFF!!!" Erik turned towards the steel door and stalked off, whatever he did, he was not going to win Toshio back... not this time. Adam smiled, "Thank you." Toshio smirked bitterly, "I shouldn't have let him off that easily." Adam smiled, "It wasn't entirely his fault. I snapped, because of my stupid..." Toshio helped him into standing position, "Don't you ever think for one second that your disorder is your fault." Adam stood wide eyed and confused, he had never had anyone stand up for him like that, well... not since him and Gio where best friends. Toshio laughed, "Let's get you to the nurse before the team gets here." Adam Exclaimed in exertion, "But, I've never missed a practice before." Toshio eyed him severely, while still keeping his tsundere approach, "I think he'll omit you for this," He removed his sweater to show the blood smeared across it, making his point evident, While also, using it to mop up the small bit of blood on the floor. Adam blushed in embarrassment, "I... I'm sorry..." Toshio laughed, helping him out of the locker room, "Don't be, I have 3 more just like it." He threw the blood stained oriental sweater into the nearest trashcan. Toshio laughed nervously to himself, "To think that my ride is an injured beast." Toshio's soothing voice made Adam shiver in arousal. He grabbed Toshio's hand not for support, but to show affection. Toshio, in turn... kissed the Husky on the face. The faint smell was now everywhere The smell of Blood and Oranges

(About an Hour later, Toshio and Adam in car)

Toshio grinned abashedly, "Sorry, I would drive you home if my dad would let me get my license." Adam grinned, "It's no problem really." Toshio decided to change the subject, "So... what did the Nurse say about your nose?" Adam laughed, "Actually, it's better than I thought it would be, my snout is broken in two places, and there is some tissue damage, but nothing that won't heal on its own." Toshio frowned, "Yeah, but the crook in it is permanent you know." Adam almost swerved, his eyes registered terror, "There's a crook in my snout?!" Toshio laughed, "No, no... I was just kidding." Adam boxed him in the shoulder, "You jackass!" Toshio couldn't stop laughing, "You-your face was all like," He mimicked Adam's terrified expression, Adam rebutted, "I did not look like that." Toshio pointed out where to stop, "Here's good." The car gently pulled to a stop, Toshio and Adam got out of the car. Toshio turned to Adam and smiled, "I guess I'll see you tomorrow?" Adam sat in thought for a moment, "Listen... do you think," Toshio eyed him, discomposed, "What is it?" Adam took in a deep breath, "Do you think we could, you know... go out on a date some time?" First, Toshio's face didn't register anything. Than a wide grin spread across his face, he laughed with intense pleasure, "Of course, definitely!" Toshio was happy he used the word 'date', his heart was elated. Adam smiled, "Uh, great so...this weekend, maybe a movie and dinner?" Toshio felt even more bemused, when Erik asked him out, he didn't give a time or location. Toshio leaned forward, lips pressing gently to Adam's. Adam held Toshio close, taking in his wonderful scent, Plums.

Sicily struggled internally. She couldn't bring herself to call Toshio, not after the way he fled from her at dinner, and ignored her at school. She and him where paired together for their science project, which they chose air resistance and gravity. She felt terrified even going near him; he had been glaring at her dangerously since she had been in school. She knew she had to pick up the phone and call, but she wasn't sure. He had been through enough already, what with the baby text popping up on him and the encounter with Adam in the library. She felt somehow responsible for his reaction to the text, to his avoidance, to his cruelty... She, after all... had dirty secrets of her own. She snatched the phone up with blurring speed, the cold sleek texture easing her frayed nerves. She pressed the speed dial button and the phone released mixed dial tones into her ear, almost in musical harmony. She sighed and commenced calming herself, collecting what courage she had left. A strange foreign accented beast picked up the phone, "Moshi moshi." She exhaled, releasing words swift and fast, "Hey Toshio, do you think we could work on our project together?" a small, happy voice poured out, almost serenely, "Sure, where and what time?" She felt elated, finally she was making some sort of contact with him. She expected a cold explanation, so this was unexpected altogether. "Well well, sounds like someone is happy?" Toshio laughed, "Yeah, me and Adam are going out now." She gasped, her Yaoi obsessed mind pictured nosebleed, "So, so it's official?!" Toshio's voice came in, exaggerated "you bet." She almost past out, "You have to tell me everything, did you guys kiss? Have you snuggled up in bed together, or-," Toshio laughed, "Woah there, lets reel the moe in for a second okay? So, when and where?" She rubbed the back of her head in embarrassment, "right, so... how about turquoise plaza downtown, say... six ish?" Toshio's voice spoke out in Italian, "suona bene!" She laughed happily, "All right, I'll bring the supplies." Toshio let out one final word, "ja 'ne!" Sicily smiled, "Bye." the phone clicked audibly, she snapped It closed with the flick of her index. She knew he would never quite get over... past event's, but that was fine with her... so long as they where friends. A voice called from some distance away, disturbing her train of thought, "Hey, sweetheart, Gio's here!" She ran towards the door, her tawny paws pattering against the floor, "Tell him to come up!" the voice that spoke to her father sounded sporty and gruff, definitely Gio, "Thanks mister M." She heard his footsteps echo down the hall and up the stairs, She ran towards her backpack and shuffled around for her Italian textbook. She pulled out the book with haste and vigor, flipping through the marked pages. Gio knocked on the opened door, Sicily still searching for the right page, "Come in." Gio walked over to Sicily, smiling with warmth, "Why do you still need me for a tutor, you're already excellent at pairing sentences and words together." She laughed, "That's not my problem, it's the past tenses and verbs that trip me up." he laughed, "I suppose those can be tricky." He sat down next to her on the bed, catching site of her Italian language notebook. The notebook was filled page after page, circling transitive verbs, adverbs, formalities, and informalities. "Are you sure you're gonna need my help?" She laughed, "Maybe, just give a shout out if I got something wrong." Gio nodded, "Okay," The room sat eerily quiet, the sound of scribbling and page turning echoed off the walls. Suddenly she stopped, She glanced over at Gio... confused, "Well?" Gio looked at her, nonplussed, "Well what?" She laughed, "You know chatting helps me focus." He laughed, "Right, sorry. So... how about those rumors going around at school." she continued to scribble down notes, "Yeah, can't believe everything you here- is this right?" She held out the notebook, Gio eyed it quickly, "Verb, not adverb." She quickly erased the mistake she made, changing it to a new Italian word. Gio continued, "I don't know... that family tree looked pretty real," She frowned, lines crossing her fur in agitation, "No, that was real, I looked up Thyme Johnson on the internet, beautiful young woman- I don't get it?!" Gio laughed, "What is it?" She held out the notebook, "What the heck kind of past tense is this?" Gio chuckled more, "Just, leave it without tense, it's an informal sentence." She sighed, "I swear to god if I see any more of these formalities, I'm gonna tear my fur out." Gio continued the conversation nervously, "The whole 'Adam and Toshio going out' thing is false, right." Her next sentence through him in a tailspin, "No, it's true..." Gio felt as if he had been stabbed by thousands of surgical needles. Pinpricks of red started appearing on his cheeks. He felt betrayed, angered, frustrated, furious... but now it was clear to him.... Toshio was going to die, one way or another. Sicily continued her Conversation, "I feel really bad though... I mean, how does Erik feel about it?" a cruel smile crossed his face, it stretched from ear to ear, fangs peaking over bottom lip, "Probably jealous, angry.... I'm just worried he'll do something to Adam." Sicily looked up from her notebook, mortified, "You don't think he'd hurt Adam do you." He quickly masked his smile with a grave frown, "Erik is a physical, angry guy... he's probably already has done something." She sighed, closing her notebook quickly, "I think we should... finish this later. I need you to do me a favor, go check on Erik, make sure he hasn't done anything crazy." Gio smiled, "Don't worry, I'm on it." she grinned widely, "If you need me, I'll be with Toshio working on our project. Turquoise plaza... remember!" Gio turned and left the room, confident on his next move. It wouldn't be long now Soon Toshio will be dyed Crimson.

Gio knocked on the large mosaic door, which caused the air to rumble with loud reverb. The sounds of numerous locks unbinding themselves made their intent known, the door swinging inward, sucking outside air in. Erik's father opened the door, not looking up, but voice threatening, "Erik isn't here right now, go harass someone els- oh..." His eyes lifted to meet Gio's grey ones, "I'm sorry, I thought you where..." He took in a deep breath, eyes settling back on the husky, "Never mind, come in." Gio walked in to the open foyer, the hardwood floor cold beneath his footpaws. Erik's father shifted uncomfortably, "He's upstairs, knock before you go in." The house had an awkward stand out-ish ness about it. The stairs spiraled up in colonial style, but at the top became eclectic, warm, carpeted, and plush. Gio didn't have anything against Erik, but he had to sacrifice one of his pawns to get Toshio out of the picture. He knocked on the small wooden door, which felt warm and inviting to the touch. The door creaked open with little effort, revealing a large, muscular bear. His ears poked cutely out of the sides of his Gatsby cap, face creased in anger and frustration, "Oh, hey Gio..." Gio smiled, "We need to talk... mind if I come in?" Erik tried to crack a smile, but instead a scowl stretched across his face, "Sure..." Erik lead Gio into Erik's room/study. Gio was completely caught off-guard, Most of the room looked like any other jock's. Posters of football stars, dumbbells lined up against the far wall labeled by weight, bicycles and treadmills, Video games, flat screen T.V... But in the far corner sat a desk with a laptop covered with thousands of textbooks, some names foreign, most on mathematics and geometry. Gio muttered under his breath, "What the hell?" Erik didn't hear, he began by explaining the snacks covering the open coffee table, "Help yourself if you'd like, I've only got soda, so there's not a whole lot to-," Gio raised his voice, "I need to talk to you about Toshio." Erik swiveled forward, eyes widening in alarm, "Why, is he okay, What happened?!" Gio smiled lightly, voice calming and serene, "Everything's fine." Erik sighed and collapsed into the armchair, raking his spiked headfur, "If nothing wrong, than there's nothing to talk about." Gio's smile disappeared, he began his defensive act, "It's that kind of attitude that Toshio hates!" Erik put his fist under his chin, nonchalantly rocking back and forth. "get in line, dude." Gio pushed his act farther, "So, you're just gonna let Toshio and Adam hook up?!" Erik laughed, "I know Toshio, he wouldn't pick Adam to be his boyfriend." Gio laughed sarcastically, "Well you better believe it, 'cuz their going out." Erik looked up surprised, "How do you know?" Gio smiled playfully, "Sicily heard from Toshio himself." Erik felt like he had been punched in the gut, he didn't think that it would go this far. Erik panicked, "What do I do then?" He rubbed his forehead in apprehension, "I-I didn't want him to, to..." Erik tried to keep himself from leaking too many emotions. Adam continued, "You need to stop it, tell him that you love him... do something, or he'll be gone." Erik agreed, "But, where... when?" Gio spoke serenely, solemnly, "He'll be at the Turquoise plaza tonight, I think he's going to be working on a science experiment on the roof." Erik nodded hastily, looking at the clock, which read 5:30. "So, Turquoise plaza... what time?" Gio smiled, if his sources and well... past experience where correct, Toshio always made it 30 minutes earlier or more to an event or occasion. "I'm thinking around six, but Sicily will be showing up soon to work on the project with him... I'm only guessing but, you probably have 20 to 30 minutes to get in and out of there before she shows. Erik smiled, "Thanks, you're an awesome friend." Gio nodded, "I try to be." He stalked towards the door, speaking out loud to Erik, yet partially to himself, "I'll leave you alone to get... composed. I have to study for the ACT's, so I give you my best." Erik nodded, "Yeah, thanks again..." Gio smiled wickedly, his plan was working perfectly. He knew Adam worked at the plaza as a janitor, with the arrival of Erik and Toshio... the Inevitable wasgoing to happen...

There will be blood

( Turquoise plaza, 6:15 pm)

Toshio took in the smell of seafood, the odor of carbon from nearby cars and buildings interrupting bitterly. Toshio loved this town, It was cold mostly, with warm days only during the summer... but it reminded him of Tokyo, where he was raised with his mother and uncle. He felt the cool breeze belt across his face, spring scent lingered only from nearby terrace gardens, along with foreign obnoxious odors coming from opened windows. Toshio sighed, this was the closest he would ever be to Tokyo again. There was a small clatter, the door behind him swinging out in earnest. A large husky clambered out into the night air, he composed himself, dusting his janitor uniform off with vigor. He continued towards Toshio, "I'm sorry sir, but you have to... Toshio?" Toshio smiled open mouthed, "Adam... what the hell are you doing here?" Adam walked slowly towards the wolf, "I work here, anyway... I saw someone come up here and... well." Toshio laughed, "Don't worry, I have permission." Adam's mind had slipped up slightly, he remembered that Erik's father owned the Turquoise plaza, it's how he'd gotten the job in the first place. "Right, sorry..." Toshio smiled, grasping Adam's hand, "Don't be... I'm glad you're here." Adam leaned forward, lips touching softly to Toshio's. Toshio snickered, "No...no-not right now." Adam started pinching Toshio's ass playfully, "What? It's not like you don't like it." Toshio laughed harder and harder, Adam continuing his onslaught of tickling and pinching. A loud bass voice cut through the air, "Hi, Toshio." Toshio's eyes widened in terror, Adam turned slowly, as if in a trance. The large bear's shadow stretched across the length of the flat roof. Adam was the first to speak, "You shouldn't be here," Erik laughed, "I didn't ask for you're permission." Toshio frowned, "Wha-what do you want?" Erik cleared his throat audibly, "I, I want to ask you..." Adam answered his question before it came out, "Toshio and I are together now..." Erik cleared his throat and turned his gaze toward Toshio, who at this point, started to back away from the pressured conversation. Erik continued, "And how do you know he prefers you?" Adam's mouth twitched, lack of medication would probably be an issue. But with Toshio nearby, he felt more levelheaded, "I don't know that, but I know he loves me, and I love him." Erik felt anger well up inside him, "Why don't you ask Toshio to decide, it's his choice in the end, isn't it?" Adam turned his gaze on Toshio. Toshio fumbled with his thoughts, it was a hard predicament, "Well," he cleared his throat, "I, you see... I can't-," Erik couldn't hold his anger in anymore, "Go on, how 'bout it?!" Toshio couldn't deal with the pressure, "I-I can't... I," Erik laughed sarcastically, "You can't...because you still like me." Adam started yelling, "Who the hell are you to come up here and spew this SHIT to us?!" Erik's head snapped around, angry eyes focusing on Adam, "He can't take his own advice?! Why then... why is the finger only pointed at me?!" Toshio felt terrible. Erik was right, he wasn't the only one to blame. Toshio couldn't admit to himself who he loved more... The strong, defensive, shy and yet protective Bear? Or the young, sweet, honest, and trustworthy Husky? Adam started yelling in anger again, "Leave him alone, can't you see that he doesn't want you around?!" Erik froze, his body tensed up, "I-Is that true Toshio, I mean... do you really want me to leave?" Toshio avoided eye contact, roving left and right, "Maybe it's best if.... If you just leave." Erik felt as if every joy, every happiness Toshio ever gave to him, was stripped. Adam continued, "It's best if you just forget." That word rang in his mind, forget. Forget he ever met Toshio? Forget he was in love? Forget it all? No.... It resists...

Erik let out a ghastly scream, he charged like a bull towards Adam. "No!!!!" His fist throttled forward with incredible speed. Toshio bellowed, "Adam!" He ran towards Adam's frozen form, throwing his hands forward. Adam was pushed aside, leaving Toshio in the bulldozing path. Erik tried to stop, but it was too late, his fist had made contact with Toshio's snout, sending him staggering backward. Blood leaked from his broken nose, brain transmitting mixed and incomplete signals, he continued to stumble backward, blood pouring from his face. Toshio tumbled off balance, footpaw's scrambling for solid ground. His mind slowly came into focus, the shocked expression on Erik's face, the horror in his eyes flashed only for a second. Toshio felt wind tear past his body, pushing his ears flat against his skull. The building rushed past, window after window passed, illuminating his face in warm gold light. He thought for a moment, blood streaming from open wounds, 'I wonder if I can find a happy ending... for everyone' bitter tears flowed from his face, twinges of fear surged down his spine. He turned his head left, revealing a smirking golden retriever. Time suddenly shifted, as if everything slowed down to a complete stop, the Golden retriever smile became a cruel, gaping grin. Toshio didn't know why, but he felt pity for him, he wanted to hold him close and tell him 'I'ts not you're fault' Toshio wanted him to know, he mouthed the word, gently spinning through open air, 'I'm sorry' The Golden retriever's face became confused, lined in pain and sorrow. Eyes still holding contempt Are these damages forever sustaining?

Sicily searched her bag for her cell phone, rummaging through the science supplies. She found it and proceeded to dial Toshio's number, she had been on time exactly.... 6:30 pm. A strange ringing made its way to her ears, she stopped dead in her track's. The ringing got louder and louder, becoming more evident. She soon recognized the ringtone, it was Toshio's. A wolf's body shot like a projectile in freefall, 10 feet in front of her. It's inertia remaining constant. Sicily's eyes widened in terror, the body didn't take long to make contact with the pavement. The cranium disintegrated, turning into bits of flesh and blood. A sickening crunching noise muddled with cracking concrete echoed in her ears. The rest of the body crumpled in on itself, organs being thrown from the body at ridiculous speed, bones breaking almost all at once. The spatter of blood covered everything, including Sicily. The crimson splatter filled the streets, people leaving the plaza turn their heads in horror. Sicily was the first to scream. Soprano and ear piercing, her scream ripped through the air, it didn't take long before police sirens where heard. People crowded the body, women crying, children screaming, diverting their eyes. Police soon started breaking up the crowd, one placed a hand on Sicily's shoulder. Sicily screamed, "No, please!!" the police man pulled her back from the dead body, if it could be identified as a body any more. She threw herself on the ground, sobbing uncontrollably, women started to rub her shoulders, comforting her pitiful form, muttering thing's like, 'Its okay, everything will be fine' the crimson covered everything.... This, this is exactly why she hated the color red It was the symbol of deceit Of death

Erik looked over the edge at the blood and pulpy mass spread across the concrete, his heart sunk, he was a murderer. Erik felt tears rush down his face, the thing most precious to him... was gone. Adam had lost all sense of reality. He curled up into a ball, sobbing, screaming in agony, and sometimes hitting himself in frustration, "I-I can fix this... I, I... TOSHIO!" he started screaming Toshio's name, but he wasn't there. Each scream pushing Erik farther into insanity. "stop." he mumbled the first time, Adam continued his howling pain, Erik felt something inside him snap, "Stop!!" he continued to scream, Erik grabbed the Husky by the shoulder and started shaking him excessively, "Shut up, shut up, shut the fuck up!!!!!!" Adam stopped, eyes looking deep into Erik's viper green homicidal ones. Adam smiled weakly, "We don't have to do this anymore...if we don't want to." Erik looked dazed, confused, and frustrated, "What the hell are you talking about?" Adam raised his head, all light left his eyes, all that was left was the expansive dark blue, "I have a boxcutter in my pocket." Erik's eyes dilated, but his paw motioned towards his pocket, as if on its own accord. Erik jammed his paw into the pocket, wrapping his hands around it, and swiftly pulling it out. Erik stared at its black handle, the switch clicked upward with the smallest flick of his thumb. The blade glared blue in the eerie moonlight, Erik glanced over from the blade towards Adam... they knew what they had to do.

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Toshio felt weightless, the expansive darkness enveloping everything in sight. There was no comfort, no light... no hope. He stumbled into the darkness, blue eyes glowing. Illuminating a small trail in front of him. All around him where trees whose dark crimson leaves where almost too difficult to reconcile. He continued on the stark, illuminated path, mind wondering on past lives. How many times had he restarted now? Three... at least, that he could remember. He wondered how he would escape from the never ending purgatory. What did he do to deserve this torture? Toshio walked onward, until he reached a reflective pool. It perplexed him as they usually did, the way the water remained flat, and how it stood vertically, against gravity's pull. Inside the pool he saw not his own reflection... but parts of the events about to unfold. Toshio leaned into the pool, letting it's cool waters rush him to the surface of 'reality.' this reality wasn't 'false' but it was an outcome of his decisions...