Wolf's Rain Fan Fiction ❯ Love Object ❯ Chapter 24 ( Chapter 24 )

Chapter Twenty Four

Hige snuck away from the door, not wanting to be heard from the other side. This is just... He searched for a word. too freaky! There's no way the runt's actually attracted to this guy! It's sick! It's weird! He shook his head in dismay. But maybe I'm jumping to the wrong conclusions?

Toboe's door suddenly opened and the young boy was in the doorway.

Hige froze in his steps as though someone had run their finger up his spine. Then, with his hand behind his head, he turned around and grinned sheepishly. "Eh hahaha. Uuuh hey Toboe, small world huh. I didn't know your room was on this floor." He staggered lamely.

The young boy narrowed his eyebrows as though Hige has lost his mind, but with a shrug he headed down the hall and into the bathroom.

Letting out a breath, "Phew!" Hige wiped mock sweat from his forehead then headed downstairs again. "That was a close one." He mentioned to no one.

Toboe closed the door, leaning his back against it. Hige sure is acting weird today. He thought. Unzipping, he walked over to the toilet to use the bathroom.

..................

Tsume parked outside of the super market. Turning off the ignition, he pulls the keys from the steering wheel and dropped them into his coat pocket. The door popped open before coming back at the car intent on closing because of a gust of wind. Tsume's leg dropped outside of the car stopping the door up against it.

Searching through the glove compartment a moment he grabbed a card out of it then closed it back. Leaving his car, he slipped on a pair of sunglasses, zipped his jacket then started towards the store.

Kiba wished a couple with child a 'good day' before starting another customers groceries through the registers computer.

"You look like you're having a good day." The customer greeted coming up to the register.

"Yeah, I was out with my little brother and boy friend earlier." Kiba explained. He really was in a good mood. The day was going surprisingly well for him and tonight he would, hopefully, get the answers to the questions that have been plaguing his mind, concerning his little brother and a certain model which shall remain nameless.

"How sweet!" Declared the woman in all honesty. "How old is your brother?"

"Fourteen." He ran an item past the checker twice, three times before he heard the beep.

"My son is at home with a babysitter. He's twelve."

Kiba smiled thoughtfully at the comment. Though a hesitant frown mared his eyebrows as the woman fished through her wallet for what would either be just the money- or pictures of her kid since birth. "That'll be $12.50." He informed the woman.

"See," She was saying, probably missing what he had said altogether.

Kiba smiled looking at the picture of a snot-nose little boy, sticking one finger up his nose while the other hand- he cleared his throat- was busy showing a not so flattering gesture to the camera. "Cute." He stated simply before repeating. "$12.50, please."

The woman went on talking as though she no longer knew that he were there at all. "He's a ball of fire sometimes-" That made Kiba flinch. "but other than that, he's a dear."

"That's great. But other customers are waiting so..." He tapped the little screen that displayed the price.

"Oh! Honey I'm sorry, I must be holding you up." She reached past the pictures in her wallet to the compartment with the bills. Taking out the amount needed, she then fished inside for an extra five. "Here you are, and this is for you."

Kiba's eyes shown confusion, but then he smiled politely giving a little bow replying. "Thank you."

The woman placed a hand on Kiba's forearm, causing his right eye to scrunch ever so slightly- but not enough to be noticed- before she bowed herself then walked out of the store with her purchases. Kiba sighed in thought. I should quit this job and go into the postal serves or something. He smiled at the thought. Hige would never let him live down those shorts- but with a guy like Hige it was really hard to know what would ward him or turn him on!

The next customer cleared his throat bringing Kiba back to reality. He blushed slightly as though the man could read his thoughts, then he went back into work mode. He could fantasize later.

Tsume dawdled along the aisles, glancing back and forth for the things he needed. God I hate shopping in the kids section. He grouched as a young child went whizzing by, with their parent steps behind them telling the kid to settle down. With an angered sigh, he reminded himself why he was there. I'm doing this, for Toboe. Reaching out, he grabbed a box of Christmas tree shaped Little Debbie snack cakes and dropped them into the basket he held.

This is so damned embarrassing. He continued to angrily bellow to himself. Considering it now, he wondered what little kids liked to eat. Turning to a young woman- maybe in her early twenties- who had been standing in the aisle since he had strolled into it he asked her with sincerity. "Miss?"

"Mmm?" The woman turned her head towards him, though she kept turning her attention back to the shelf of snacks displayed before them.

"If you were... maybe fourteen. What would you want to eat?" He suddenly felt his teeth chomp down on his tongue as what he had just said played back in his mind.

"Little brother? Or nephew?" She asked.

"Nephew." He lied. It amazed him at how easily he was willing to do that to keep any indications of his life a secret. Something he wasn't used to. He thought his whole lifestyle to be a joke! Even though he did love modeling at some level, he still never held back a smart assed comment, whether on himself or someone else in the field.

"Mmm..." The woman considered the question, then looked the shelf over. "Kids usually like these." She grabbed down a box of Rice Krispies Treats with chocolate chips, handing them to the man. "I guess it's the chocolate." The woman shrugged.

"Thanks." Biting his bottom lips a second, he glanced around to make sure that no one was paying the pair any attention. "Listen, I'll pay you if you help me do a little shopping."

"For your nephew?" She asked.

"Yes, I would really appreciate it, my sister is bringing him by and," He laughed falsly but sweetly. "she never tells me anything expecting that I have the kind of stuff kids like to eat."

The woman held up a hand. She understood completely- having, done that herself a couple of times. "My names Tachikawa Michiko by the way."

"Nice to meet you. Mine's... Just call me T.K."

Michiko wasn't going to ask any questions as she hoisted her own basket up to support it a little bit more. "Okay, so where do you wanna start T.K?"

"Please, lead the way. Price is not a matter to me. Here-" He reached for her basket. "I'll carry that for you."

The woman smiled and wound her arm to relax the muscle in it, "Thank you very much." she bowed before stepping by the model, with him behind her she led the man down the aisle of foods.

Kiba had glanced up for only one moment so he wasn't sure but... did he just see Tsume?

"Most kids like finger foods." Michiko was saying. "Fish dishes are always popular." She grabbed a bag of flounder for him. "Frozen is faster to prepare than fresh."

Tsume nodded really listening to what the woman was saying to him. He may have to do this stuff on his own someday. Although, with the right price he was sure he could hire the woman to shop for him regularly.

"My son loves these canned foods from the states." She handed a can of spaghetti O's to him. Tsume eyed the can. Personally the stuff looked inedible- but whatever.

Michiko looked into Tsume's basket. Tapping a finger to her chin she then waved it into the air before walking back past Tsume. "You're gonna need more snacks than that."

.......................

"Aaand carrots." Hige held out a hand.

Toboe skimmed the counter for the item then smiled as he picked them up. "Carrots." Handing them off, he brushed the cool feeling from his hands. "You know, I always thought that carrot had two t's in it."

"Yeeeah that's because you're stupid."

"Hey! I am not, I just didn't sound it out really carefully." The boy explained. "Besides, I was only six. You can't blame a six year old."

"Ahahaha, calm down runt. I was just joking." Thinking a moment he snapped his fingers. "Alright, hand me the celery."

"Celery. Check." Giving the- slightly yucky- vegetable to the red head, he then turned around grabbing a chair from the kitchen table. Sliding it over to the stove, he stepped up on it with his knees and stood peering into the pot. "When is this supposed to be done anyway?"

"Hmm? 'Bout ten twenty minutes." Hige replied.

"Twenty minutes!" Glancing at the clock, his eyes sagged. "It's already 4:30!" He protests. "Can't you turn it up higher?"

"If you wanna spoil the meal than be my guest."

Toboe hesitated at touching the knobs. Kiba always told him not to, and the last time he had he freaked out! Kiba wasn't there sure but the cruel memory of his brothers sadness was. Sighing, he moved his hand away and shrugged. "I can wait. What are we gonna do till then?"

Now's your chance Hige, make your move. He coached himself. Then, slipping an arm around the young boys shoulders he led him into the living room saying. "How 'bout you and me spend some quality time together. We haven't done that in ages and we can talk."

"Talk?"

"Yeah, man to man."

"Man to man?" He smiled at the thought. "Like the big kids?"

"Suure, just like the big kids. Like Kiba and me."

"Cool!"

* * *

"Thank you miss, I think this is all I'll be needing for the week." Tsume bowed to the woman.

"Anytime. And say hello to your nephew for me."

"I will." He pulled out his check book and wrote down a nice round number for the woman, then ripping it out he hands it to her. "And as promised. Your payment."

"I couldn't." She shook her head.

"You can't say no, we made a deal." He held it out to her again. "Please take it."

".....Alright. Thank you." Michiko bowed again, before walking away to do some shopping of her own.

Heading towards the check out counters, Tsume skimmed the area for a practically empty one. He wanted to get out of there as soon as possible. Now this is interesting, dear brother Kiba. Hn... I think I'll chooose that one. Strolling towards the teen who had been with another customer, didn't notice the model approaching.

"Have a nice day, sir." He said to the man. As the conveyor belt began to move forward he looked down at all the items noticing that most of it was snacks and things. "Sweet tooth eh?" Looking up, Kiba's happy smile dropped drastically to a sneer. "What the hell do you want?" He growled.

Tsume turned his head from left to right as though he were looking for something, then he looked back at the teen stating. "I believe I'm here to make a purchase." he blinked innocent eyes at him.

"Don't give me that, you came over here just to be smug." The Wolf boy felt every hair on his body prickling up with this man in his presence. He hadn't forgotten the anger he bared towards the man. And he never would. Toboe was his life and he would kill anyone that did anything to him.

"Kiba.... Come on." Tsume cocked his head with a smile. "You can't deny me service because of personal hatred. You have no choice but to ring me up."

"I'd love to!" He started around the counter, but Tsume pointed out a little sign. "Be kind to the customers Kiba, or you're fired."

Kiba turned his eyes to a little sign that read: Service with a smile. The corner of his mouth twitched and he backed down. "Fine. The faster you're gone the happier I'll be." He began to run the items past the checker, all the while keeping a sharp eye on the model. "....You sure do have a lot of junk here, for someone so skinny that is."

Tsume smirked. Grabbing a box that had already been rung up, he opened it taking out one of the contents inside. "What?" He began to say. "I can't like... twinkies?" He began to shove the entire little pastry into his mouth.

That clenches it. He dove on him. Knocking the twinkie from the mans hands, Kiba grabbed a hold of Tsume's neck then he began to choke him. "You sick fuck!" He shouted. "You stay away from my brother!"

Tsume had clenched his neck to avoid being strangled by the disgruntled teen.

"I'll kill you, I swear!"

"Stop that!" A woman shouted from behind. Her purse came down on Kiba's head as she tried to defend her new friend. "Somebody help him! This man is attacking him!" She continued swinging her purse.

"Leave my brother alone!" Kiba shouted again and again. "Leave him alone!"

A small crowd formed. All watching the scene unfold. Whispers went up saying- Isn't that Tsume Keina the model? What's that kid doing to him? Never in my days have I seen such disrespect for elders.

"Hey! Hey! Break it up!" The guard warned, pulling the teen off of the older man. "Now what the hell's going on here?"

"Ask him!" They both shouted pointing at each other.

"One at a time." The guard ordered. "Now Kiba, what happened?"

"Oh sure take his side." Tsume mumbled.

"Sir please. Kiba?"

"That man is a sick monster.... He has no right to be in this store." Kiba panted through his anger.

"Oh yeah, that's real mature when you're the one leaping on people." Tsume rubbed his neck on a tender spot.

"Sir, I think you better just take your groceries and go. I'm very sorry for the assault."

Tsume grabbed his things. "You'd better do something about your employees or I'll have this place shut down by morning." With that he walked out.

Kiba followed his movements with his visions until he was out of sight. catching his breath, he turned to the man and the crowd, heat flooding his cheeks. "I'm... I'm sorry. I've been having a bad night." He started away towards the payphones, hearing the whisper of the crowd behind him.