A-Z: The Simple As That Series
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Author: Fuji
Rating: PG-13.
Genre: Romance. Yaoi.
Status: On-going.
Pairing: Jyuubee x Kazuki.
Summary: Love is slowly discovered, from the beginning.

Step 6: Frustration

Things weren’t looking good on Kazuki’s train of thought. After many weeks of chasing and cornering Jubei in order to come with him to the hot spring that anyone would be glad they accomplish their task. WRONG instead of feeling the sympathetic accomplish feeling Kazuki felt frustrated. The more he tried to get closer to Jubei to be his friend, the quicker the other would run away.

After the hot springs spool boy was hoping that Jubei would open up more to him. Like they were in the past, yet even things didn’t go as planned. After the whole declaration of promises, then the whole epilogue of Jubei going away to train, things just went downhill rapidly.

Don’t get him wrong Kazuki love Jubei even with his whole flaw sense of logic. Well make it fallacy of logic, since it never was truthful sort of deal. After all it wasn’t Jubei’s fault that he was brain washed by his clan, well that was a bit drastic more like guilt tripped into the sense of logic.

The Fuchoin heir wasn’t that stupid ever since he visited the Kakei household he remembers hearing the words. ‘How do you expect to protect Kazuki if you can’t take out the trash.’ or even the most absurd lame excuse he heard, ‘How do you expect to protect Kazuki if you’re not able to sew.’ Indeed the whole linking of his name to any task would drive the little needle boy into doing what ever they wanted him to do. Total obedience.

Kazuki felt flattered that Jubei would hold him in that high regard. He felt love and cherished, the only problem it wasn’t the earthy type of love it was more of the pedestal sort of deal. Which never did bode well for the spool boy for he happened to like being touched talked to like a person not a thing.

Circling around the Infinity Castle he managed to spot Jubei, his bell chimed alerting the other of his presences. “Jubei.” He called out as he ran up to the other. “What are you doing?”

Noticing that the other stiffened a bit, “Nothing.”

“Honto?” A frown marred his face at the indication of such tapestry.

“Maybe.” Jubei vaguely stated.

Kazuki latch his hand onto the soft flesh of needle boys arms. “Jubei I’ve been your friend for how long, you think I wouldn’t know when something is bother you.”

Jubei stood stoic in his silence, and then broke when he felt the pressure in his arm increase, “Emishi.”

“Emishi what?” Kazuki was frustrated, after all what did this have to do with Emishi.

“He was telling me that he was good at some video game.” Jubei stated frozenly, things were beginning to clear up for Kazuki as he notice the logic behind the statement. “He told me to try, but I am blind.”

“Don’t worry Jubei we’ll find a way to make sure you can see again.” Finally acknowledging that the other was in turmoil probably because Emishi was making fun of him not being able to protect MakubeiX by not playing video games, it was ridicules since Jubei probably only heard the first part of the statement and substituted his name for the rest. “You’ll see again I don’t like seeing my best friend suffer.”

“It is not that.” Jubei grinded out, “How am I supposed to protect you if I can’t even play video games?” Tears started to stream down needle boys face as he got up, “Mada Mada I have to go.”

Kazuki felt a large sweat drop form on his brow as he pressed his finger to his temple. Wondering how on Earth did he know things would end up in this frame. “Where are you going Jubei?”

“Away to train, maybe I can borrow MakubeiX’s games to start.” With that, Jubei walked away into the sunset. Indeed things were frustrating Kazuki in the most extreme way, if he didn’t figure out what was wrong with Jubei let alone fix it soon, things would prove detrimental to his sanity.

Step 7: Guilt

One thing Jubei could never escape from was the faint whispers of his guilt. It wasn’t right he acknowledge to keep on running away from his one. After all didn’t he promise to protect Kazuki, let alone not to injure the other. Yet the phrase you hurt those that you love seem fitting in most things.

Jubei blinked frowning, when all he saw was the pitch-blackness, even though he could hear clearly around him. His body was lay down on the futon, if he were able to he would be staring at the ceiling above. However, it wasn’t possible for him. Snores were outside in the room next to his, where Emishi slept in. He envied Emishi. Very much. Because currently the man in the next room was able to get the sleep, how Jubei missed the ever-unconscious sleep.

A part of Jubei was still bitterly cursing Emishi for his constant jokes that were to lame. The door of his room opened, frowning he shifted to grab his needles at the intruder. It was very strange that anyone would be visiting at this time of night. The chiming of the bell made him relax as the scent of Kazuki surrounded him.

Slipping upward he grab onto the other’s throat pressing his fingers in a gentle squeeze. “What are you doing here?” He hissed a bit unsettled at the appearance of the one that tormented his dreams.

Slender fingers were threaded through the older boy’s hair gently, stroking his scalp, “I was lonely.”

Relaxing his hold on Kazuki neck, he slipped it off and walked back to his futon to sit down. “It doesn’t explain why you’re here.”

“Do you not want me here?”

Two minutes of silence crept into the room, Jubei crawled into his futon with a sigh, “It isn’t that.” His body was screaming at him that here was his chance, he would be able to nourish the craving he felt for Kazuki.

“Then what is it?” The smug sound of Kazuki’s voice came closer to him until a pressure was felt of the other plopping himself into Jubei’s lap.

Hissing at the sheer torture needle boy felt grumpy at being taunted, “Stop playing games Kazuki and tell me why you’re here.”

“Do you really want to know?” Came the faint reply against his neck.

Stiffening a moan when lips pressed against his neck, “Is it wise for me to know?” Jubei choked out.

“Ma ne, maybe not.”

Jubei jerked upward breathing quickly, his senses were going off the charts, and it was only a dream. A faint knock came on his door, “Aniki, are you alright?” Sakura’s voice slip past through the door.

“Aa…” Jubei manage to reply, while brushing the sweat from his brow. Indeed things were just peachy for the Kakei heir.

Step 8: Habit

Two hours later, Jubei crawled out of his futon grumpily, looking thoroughly molested by his dreams. Sakura glanced up when he came into the breakfast room grinning slightly at the bearish glares that he was radiating. The only good and bad thing about Sakura’s job to help MakubeiX that she was too busy monitoring things, yet the bad part was she was able to spy on her brother.

Jubei being himself figure at the beginning of things that was what his sister had been doing these past few weeks, since his return from the hot spring. “Ne Anki.” Sakura said smugly, which was tolerable until she started to press his buttons. “Why aren’t you with Kazuki-kun?”

Halting briefly Jubei did a quick calculation of how to answer so that he wouldn’t be chased around by Sakura with a ton of questions. “I’ve been busy, and so has Kazuki.” Grabbing the toast, he ate it quickly, then took the cup of milk and drained it. “Ittekimasu.”

“Have fun playing cat and mouse with Kazuki!” His sisters replied made him tremble, she knew was the only words trailing in his mind. After all, his sister was smart she obviously would have checked the video to find out if anything was wrong with him.

Step 9: Incontinent

The dreams were one deciding factor in needle boy’s incontinent for Kazuki. An deciding factor would be Kazuki himself, after running away from his house he discover that the area he was heading to held faint strings here and there.

Strings of course reminded Jubei of the Fuchoin heir, indeed the day was looking bad for Jubei already. Admiring looks were given to him as he pasted some giggles followed, with whispers of how strong and handsome he look. To his name being past on from here and there, did these people not realize that since he had been blinded that he could hear a long way off. Yet, that didn’t stop them from gossiping about him, let alone describe his assets to each other. It was utterly mortifying and what with the incontinent thoughts of Kazuki wasn’t helping him one bit.

One comment that got to him was the mention of Kazuki about how Jubei had been Kazuki of the Strings constant companion ever since they entered Infinite castle. Kazuki was the leader of a group, and Jubei was always the follower. Feeling ache at the memories. It was something natural, so unassuming of the both of them that they had fallen into the roles of leader and follower. Because of this rumors and misunderstandings were liable to happen. Many misunderstandings like how he was rumored to be some sex toy for Kazuki to play with. It was degrading Kazuki wasn’t that sort of individual; he was honorable in his intention and didn’t like seeing other’s hurt.

Enraged at the shunning of his one’s names made him clench his fist, after what Kazuki did to protect this place he was now forgotten in character. Then again, why was he so barbarically protective of Kazuki’s name? Wasn’t he one of those individual that lost faith in Kazuki and in turn went against him.

Leaning his head against the wall, he pressed his palm against the brick reassured that he had something to grab hold. There was a careful balance he acknowledges between him and Kazuki, one born from trust and something else, there was affection between them, perhaps even love. Perhaps before both of them didn’t acknowledge that it was love since they found the whole concept complex. Understanding of something that complex would only come after they grew up and gain wisdom. Before they were too young to understand the trappings, many individuals mistake both of them for rabid kids that were already doing things in adulthood.

If they only knew that Jubei and Kazuki remain together in steady fast love that they didn’t feel the trappings of something physical until recently. Maybe it was because both of them were too busy to notice the physical need, there was always the word late bloomers attach to a few.

Those that were close to them would judge Jubei’s interest in Kazuki was just a hair’s breath away from becoming obsessive. It was almost as bad as being over-protective in the extreme prejudice.

Jubei was incontinent toward any subject regarding the spool boy. Especially when his body and heart knew what they want, but he was still in denial. It was a bad form of habit, but what could someone like Jubei do about it. It wasn’t easy for him to admit that he needed someone as badly as Kazuki. Fuchoin heir was strong he acknowledge he wasn’t weak he was strong and sturdy presences to those around him.

A hand grasp onto his arm tugging, “Jubei-san.” A girls voice came to his ear, distracting him from his train of thoughts. “Are you alright?”

“Aa…” Jubei spoke wanting the girl to leave him alone.

“Anou I was wondering if you want to go out with me.”

“Gomen I am busy.” Not wanting to hurt the girl, he brushed off her hand from his arm, then turned away and started to walk. Whispers came from behind him, while the girl that touch him was complaining how he wouldn’t go out with her. Eliminating the whole prospect of his sympathy for her, it wasn’t his fault that he never felt anything for the girls around him.

One would think Jubei was oblivious that he had some admirers, but he had been aware of them since coming to the infinite castle. It was one thing of them hanging onto him another thing was when his friends and Kazuki teased him for attracting them. The whole blasted issue of the so call fan girls that were after him miffed him to say the least.

Then again when Kazuki left more of them been coming onto him, he felt a bit molested, if he wasn’t good at acting dense they would have been all over him like rabid dogs. It was worse for him lately since Kazuki had been seeking him, he didn’t want his one to become target to rumors let alone attracting some unwanted company.

Like men for one thing. It reminded him of the past when Kazuki’s mere presences drew tons of supporters to their group. This resulted in a conversation between Kazuki and Jubei regarding the supporters that were more for Kazuki instead of the cause.

‘Did you realize that you’re encouraging them.’

‘I’m not. All I did was say a few words to express my gratitude.’

‘Gratitude can be taken in different ways, try clarify things.’

‘I’ll try, but it doesn’t seem to be working.’

‘Try, I don’t find this amusing at all.’

‘I suppose that is a understatement.’

‘. . .’

Indeed things were different back then, Jubei had more of a fan girl basis in his admirer’s. Kazuki on the other hand had both girls and guys after him. It brought several headaches to him in the end, even though the Fuchoin heir found it all amusing.

Jubei didn’t like rumors he found them to have fallacy’s they did have certain elements of truth in them. He did feel more for Kazuki now in the physical sense, whenever the other was near him he felt like he was burning. In the dreams where one slender hand always reach over to rest on his skin with feather light touch warm him over. Jerking different responses from his body, and heart, this is part of the reason things seem strain between him and Kazuki. It was due to his incontinent feelings.

Step 10: Jealousy

Jubei felt his fingers trail on the wall until it paused at the feeling of thread, turning a bit he pressed his hand out and felt more thread. A frown marred his expression when he felt around him feeling more string. “Kazuki.” He breath with an impatient sigh, “Remove these spider webs of yours.”

“Says the fly to the spider.” Kazuki’s light subtle voice crept into Jubei’s ears, a chime sounded and the sound of string whipping around them until they disappeared. “Honestly Jubei your one hard fly to catch.”

The soft voice inside him screamed ‘Mine.’ Whenever he was near the other, it was something he couldn’t deny. Through all those years that he spent with Kazuki a certain frame of jealousy flared here and there. It had happened when Kazuki brought in the other the one that wanted Kazuki to look at him. The one with the fair hair and skin complexion that danced a form of fighting style for the enjoyment of Kazuki, he was always jealous of the other.

Nobody should be allowed to own the Fuchoin heir, other than him. It was a possessive and obsessive thought; compulsion, affection, and fear twisted into a tangle mess. Was this what Kazuki had been to him all this time? It wasn’t well known when they were young, surely before Jubei try to deny these feelings. Animals were territorial creatures; even Shido knew this most of his friends were composed of animals. Yet weren’t humans also creatures of habit and possession?

Jubei acknowledge that what he claimed, what he owned, would stay as his until he didn’t want it anymore. Yet he wasn’t cruel to stamp Kazuki as a meaningless thing that he owned. Sure he claim the other, the same could be said about Kazuki claiming him. That was the only thing helping his resolve and made him see things entirely different.

“Jubei?”

Kazuki’s concern voice jerked him from his thoughts. “Aa…?”

“I thought you gotten some brain damage for a second there.” Soft teasing hinted in the undertones. It was unnerving for the one thing that Kazuki did was provoking responses in him. Even when they were young he did so just by a mere gesture, expression, let alone reply.

“Iyada. Just thinking about a lot of things.” Roaming a bit in his mind, he barely notice the soft arms that gather around him, while soft hair tickle his neck from where Kazuki lay his head.

“Is that why you’ve been a bear to everyone lately?”

Surprised slightly he turn around to feel Kazuki’s face. “Who told you that?”

“Ma ne Jubei, you should know whenever things happen to do with you I would know.” The faint feeling of muscle contracting into a smile beneath his hands made the needle boy feel something burning in him.

“You and your strings.”

Chuckles were his response. “That is one way to see it Jubei, demo your Imouto told me that you’ve been slightly unresponsive lately. She gave me a call to let me know on my strings.”

Sometimes it didn’t pay to get out of bed. Especially when Sakura was on the prow, “What did she say?”

“Not that much just you’ve been grumpy, so she thought if I pop up you would feel better.” Kazuki responded cheerfully.

It was rather odd for where Jubei was serious and stall, Kazuki was carefree and cheerful, an odd combination for a pair. Maybe they were a pair. His thoughts trail away while Kazuki led him to where he willed.

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