No Choice

 Yuu was no longer getting possesed by his demon. Mika was able to return to drinking Yuus blood after reluctantly drinking the rest of the teams blood every three or four days. Shinoa wasn't having nightmares everynight and Mitsuba was able to sleep at all. Narumi on the other hand still woke from nightmares and had a hard time focusing on anything really. It worried the team but they understood. He watched his squad get murdered not only by vampires but also by the humans, more specifically Kureto and anyone who followed him. He lost his family and even though the Shinoa squad is his new family they won't be able to replace them.

Kimizuki sometimes had random outburst of anger and times when he would cry, this was for Mirai of course. Yoichi always did his best to comfort his team no matter what.

To tell you the truth he had his own nightmares, his own mini outburst were he wasn't sure what to do but he hid that for the comfort of his team. When he couldn't help but cry he would go were he was alone so he didn't worry them. When he woke up from a nightmare he resisted the urge to talk to someone and want to be comforted. He told himself that he couldn't put anymore worry and stress over his team. 

He and Kimizuki often cryed to eachother and Kimizuki was convinced Yoichi was crying for him or because he was crying but Yoichi cryed for his own reasons as well. Tonight that was exactly what they were doing. Curled up with each other on Kimizukis bed and they cried and Yoichi did his best to help Kimizuki though it. He couldn't bare to see him like this almost every night or even during the day sometimes when he retreated to his room. 

"Its o-okay... Ev-everything will b-be okay..." Yoichi whispered to the pink-haired boy who only pushed further into Yoichis small shoulder. Yoichi pet his hair with one hand and held Kimizuki close the best he could with the other. Yoichi could hear his choked sobs and whispers of Mirai, saying she was innocent and that she did nothing wrong, saying it was his fault this happened. Yoichi continued to comfort him even after he fell asleep, maybe more for himself than Kimizuki.

**

The next mourning Shinoa woke them up by running down the halls chased by a very unhappy Mitsuba while banging a pot with a large silver ladle and laughing hysterically. Yoichi could hear a collective groan comeing from several people in the house including the taller male laying next him. Yoichi looked to Kimizuki and frowned, which slightly worried Kimizuki on Shinoas behalf.

"WHAT THE HELL?!" They could hear the screaming voice of Yuu in the hallway. "WHAT IS YOUR PROBLEM!?!" He yelled again and this time Mika was heard trying to get Yuu to calm down. Shinoa only laughed and yelled for everyone to get up and ready in a very cheerful tune. 

Yoichi was seen as the sweet innocent one but everyone should have known by now not to wake him up in any way that would make soemone angry. He was NOT a mourning person. When he opened the door, or should I say slammed the door open so hard it almost came of its hinges, Mitsuba was first to respond with "Oh shit..." before rushing to the living room to stay out of the way. Everyone but Narumi had witnessed how he acted when he was grumpy and tired. In fact a dark aura could be seen around him as he slowly approached Shinoa. Shinoa didn't move or remove the bright smile on her face. That is until Yoichi slapped her as hard as he could. A red mark was left though it would soon disappear. 

No one had quite expected that. Even Yoichi was a bit suprised by his own action. He wasn't a mourning person but he never hurt them before. Shinoa looked as him in shock, not sure what to say to the brunette standing in front of her. 

"Never do that again." He demanded bluntly in a low voice then turned back to where Kimizuki waited in the door way. A low growl may have even been heard from him as he disappeared into his and Kimizukis room. 

"The fuck?" Narumi was staring at the closed door with the others unable to move. "Did Yoichi just? But..." Narumi didn't finish. He hadn't seen him like that before. Even the few times Shinoa did something like this he had already been up and in the broken down hotels break room. Where he spent most his time. He wasn't sure if that had even happened before. He never heard anyone say anything. No one moved for a minute or two until Yuu asked Shinoa, "Are you okay? It's still red." 

Shinoa muttered a "Yeah Im fine" and left the hallway. She went straight to the break room. Mika and Yuu went back to their room to get dressed for the day and Narumi still stared a moment longer. "Wow... Okay." he muttered as he headed back to his own room.

"Yoichi you okay?" Kimizuki only earned a glare from Yoichi. As Yoichi began to pick out his clothes for today from the few choices he had Kimizuki sighed and walked over to his small drawer of clothes. It had taken them forever to find clothes that were wearable and fit them. Once they were dressed Yoichi let out his own long sigh. "I should apologize." He said this a bit more to himself than to Kimizuki. "Yeah, why did you do that in the first place? I know your not a mourning person but that was really unlike you." Kimizuki questioned him.

"I dont know, I'm just tired." He sighed again, "I'll go apologize now." 

"I'll come with you." He stated and fixed the bottom of his shirt before they left the room. 

**

"Hey, Shinoa?" Yoichi asked entering the room. She didn't answer verbally but turned to him. He felt bad when he seen her holding an ice pack to her face. "Uh, I'm sorry... I shouldn't have done that. I was just really tired." Narumi and Mitsuba acted as witnesses to the smallest boys apology. Shinoa smiled and nodded. 

"It's okay, I kind of deserved it. Sorry for waking you up so early." Everyone had expected Yoichi to apologise but Shinoas apology was completely unexpected.

Yoichi laughed a bit, "Yeah well It's okay. So is you cheek alright?" He asked hopeing it wasn't bad.

"Oh it's fine. It just stings a little is all." She replied and they both smiled at eachother. Kimizuki smiled a bit too before getting angry himself, "But seriously Shinoa don't do that again. I'm gonna have to hit you myself if you do." Shinoa only laughed in response. 

Just then Mika entered followed by a sleepy Yuu. He wasn't even awake enough to yell at Shinoa right now. He was slouched and rubbed his eyes every couple seconds. 

When he got to the couch he almost dropped himself on Narumi but he moved quick enough. Narumi was not letting Yuu plop down and fall asleep on him. 

Kimizuki was obviously the one to make breakfast. After all Narumi and him were the only ones with good cooking skills. Though Kimizuki was far better, Narumi could cook pretty well especially since he usually ate food cooked by the JIDA. 

During breakfast Shinoa decided to explain her reasoning for waking everyone up so early. 

"As you know the food the village supplied us is running low so today we are going to have to scavenge up some more. I want to send five of us and the other two can stay here." Kimizuki was about to announce that he would be fine going but Yoichi stopped him first. "Can Shiho and I stay here?" 

"Hm? I wouldn't mind. Wanting some alone time with boyfriend Yoichi?" Shinoa giggled. Kimizuki blushed hard but Yoichi only slightly colored. "It's not like that..." Yoichi said quietly and Yuu cut in. "So Shinoa, Mitsuba, Narumi, Mika and I will go and you two stay here." It was almost a question when he looked toward Yoichi who quickly overcame his blush. Kimizuki was still recovering. 

"Yeah, If thats okay with everyone?" Nobody disagreed and Yoichi smiled. Usually he would have offered to go but he wanted to talk to Kimizuki.

**

A little bit after breakfast Yoichi and Kimizuki were waving goodbye as the other five left and once out of sight Yoichi turned to Kimizuki. He smiled brightly and they went inside. 

"So Yoichi, Is there any specific reason why you wanted me to stay here with you?" Kimizuki asked a little annoyed.

"Uh, yeah actually..." He blushed a bit and then looked up at him and smiled. "I wanted to talk to you about-!" He cut himself off. "Uh I mean I was hopeing we could talk, privately..." Kimizuki blushed and scratched the back of his neck.

"Oh, Okay? What about?" 

"You and me?" Yoichi was slightly questioning himself on the answer he gave.

Kimizuki froze. He wasn't really expecting that but he also wanted to talk about them as well. He wouldn't admit it to the others but he really liked Yoichi... 

Yoichi continued when Kimizuki was silent. They stood near the front door to the old hotel where people used to check in. 

"Uh Shiho... I uh, really like you and you probably don't like me back but I needed to tell you!" He was talking so fast Kimizuki barely made out all the babbling. When he didn't answer again Yoichi looked up at him and saw how wide his eyes had grown and noticed his mouth hanging just slightly open.

He then watched as Kimizuki took a deep breath, held it and kissed him right on the lips (leaning down to do so.) It was deep and passionate but he pulled away faster than Yoichi wanted him to. 

"I-I like you t-too... A lot." His face was a bright red and he tried to hide it in his hands but Yoichi took them and held them down. The two stood there glancing at each other then looking away in embarrassment.

"So does this mean that we are dating now?" Yoichi finally asks receiving even for blush from Kimizuki. "Y-yeah," there was a beat of silence before he continued, "but can we not tell the others... Sorry but I know that they will make fun and I don't want them to ruin it or anything..." Yoichi only smiled but Kimizuki knew that meant yes and smiled back.

They went back to their room and cuddled a bit awkwardly as an effect of the earlier embarrassment until the others came back. 

"So did you miss us? Or were you to busy with 'Other' things? Hm?" Shinoa asked amusingly. They both went a bit pink but Yoichi simply said, "No, to both of those things..." Shinoa made a playful shoked expression, "Now Yoichi that was just cold! You really didn't miss me at all?" Yoichi just smiled and shook his head with a small laugh.

Once Yoichi and Shinoa had stopped in their fun he noticed two large bags full of stuff. There was mostly food but a few clothes were shoved in the bag as well.

Shinoa came over and tap Yoichis shoulder, when he turned around he hadn't thought Shinoa would be holding out a pair of light brown knee high combat boots. They had laces all they way up the front but were undone by zippers on the inner parts of the boots. The heels were probably two inches but Yoichi couldn't really tell because of how Shinoa was holding them. "You said that you needed some new boots and this was all they had in your size. I think they'll look very nice on you Yoichi!" Shinoa seemed rather excited about the boots she had picked out. 

"Oh come on don't lie to him. There was a few pairs you just really liked those ones for some reason."

"Mitsu you're no fun, you know that? I think they will look great and the other ones were just hideous!" Shinoa exclaimed.

"Uh, thank you, Shinoa." He smiled at took the boots.

"Oh you should go try them on! Show us what they look like on you!" Why was Shinoa so excited about the boots? 

"Oh make sure your outfit matches..." Mitsuba threw in. What he was wearing now would look ridiculous with these boots.

He smiled and left to his room being followed by Kimizuki. "That was weird..." he stated as he closed the door and began rumaging through the small amount of clothes. 

He hummed as he did so and Kimizuki watched him as he pulled out and placed back each shirt. 

Finally he put on a nice dark blue shirt and tight black jeans. He wore his boots and his large gray jacket. He looked REALLY good in the boots if you asked Kimizuki. 

"Uh how do I look?" Yoichi crossed his arms and stood up straight. "You look amazing, Yoichi." Yoichi blushed at Kimizukis response. 

"Th-thank you... Um should I go show the others?" Kimizuki kind of wanted to just keep his cute little Yoichi away from anyone else. No one else was allowed to call him cute or make him blush. But Kimizuki knew better. "Yeah, Let's go." He opened the door and went into the break room. 

"Yoichi you look great." Yuu said as he looked at Yoichi in his new boots. Yuu also had new boots and a new sweater as well. His boots were almost flat on the bottom and were black. They only came to his mid-shin. His sweater was a much darker gray than his own jacket and had little dark green designs on the shoulders. 

"Yeah, the boots suit you..." Mitsuba added from across the room,"I guess Shinoa isn't as bad as I thought at picking out clothes." She shrugged. Mitsuba wore a new pair of dark jean shorts and thigh high cat stockings.

"Where is Shinoa? She was the one who wanted to see Yoichi in his new boots." Kimizuki asked.

Everyone looked at the others but no one knew. "She must have left after you did..." Narumi assumes.

They all sat in silence as they waited for Shinoa to return. It must have been at least five minutes before she came back. When she entered the room she had a wide smile on her face. "Shinoa? Are you okay?" Mitsuba asked when she saw her expression. 

"No need to worry Mitsu. So Yoichi do you like the boots? Lets see." Yoichi stood and nodded walking away from the couch so Shinoa could see the boots. 

"They look great, don't you think Kimizuki?" Shinoa smile turned into more of a hidden evil grin. "Y-yeah" He responded trying to pretend he didn't know what she was doing. 

"Look Yoichi you dear lover approves!" She almost yelled jokingly. 

Yoichi was taken by suprise and thought maybe she knew but quickly remembered how she liked to joke about such things and they literally just started actually dating today. He still blushed but laughed quietly. 

"So where were you?" Yuu asked. Everyone suprised he was quiet this long. 

"Don't worry about that. You'll find out tomarrow." Eveyone sighed. It wasn't the first time she has said that. 

'So she's probably was excited for whatever she has planned,' Yoichi thought, 'not the boots.'

**

Once everyone retreated to their rooms for the night Yoichi decided he wanted to cuddle with Kimizuki. He went straight to Kimizukis bed and sat down. When Kimizuki entered he smiled and laughed. 

"Already wanting to sleep in the same bed are we?" he laughed a bit more and joined Yoichi on the bed. They both removed their shoes and changed into their pajamas in silence. When they were done Kimizuki was the first to plop down onto bed. "Come on." He scooted over and motioned for Yoichi to lay down. 

"Is-Is that okay? I can sleep in my bed if you don't want me too." 

"Get over here already." 

Yoichi was happy that Kimizuki WANTED them to sleep in the same bed together. So he smiled and joined him. They lay in silence for a while until Yoichi wanted to confess to Kimizuki.

"Hey, Shiho?"

"Yeah Yoichi?" 

"I don't want to go to sleep..."

"What? Why not?"

"I had a nightmare last night... I- " He didn't finish. He didn't want to worry Kimizuki but he should still tell him right?

"Yoichi it's okay... I have nightmares all the time, you know that better than anyone." Kimizuki tried to be comforting. He pulled Yoichi close to him so that Yoichis forehead leaned against the taller males chest. 

"Yeah... But I don't know what I'd do if it came true..."

"Do you... Want to tell me what happens?" To be honest he wasn't the best at this sort of thing. He tried to do something like what Yoichi did when he couldn't sleep when he had his nightmares. 

"You all die because," He choked and began to curl in on himself, "Because I can't- Because I'm not strong like all of you..." He was full on crying now and failing at trying to hide it. Kimizuki was mostly shoked. He didn't know thats how Yoichi felt.

"You are strong, Yoichi. You're one of the strongest people I know." Kimizuki wasn't lying. He wasn't necessarily talking about physical strength though Yoichi was able to run while carrying him for a couple of miles after a battle. 

He was more talking mentally, different from emotionally. If it came to it Yoichi could probably endure the most traumatic experiences and somehow he was still his normal self. He could take alot. And even though he is very emotional he isn't unstable in the slightest.

Thats how he was strong. He wished he could say these things out loud better. He sucked at things like this. Emotional things? NOT his thing. 

"Yoichi... No one thinks your weak. In fact we all Know that you're really strong so... Don't think like that. Don't think that we see you as weak or not strong enough. Please." 

Yoichi didn't answer. He only pulled himself closer to Kimizuki and made sure the position was comfortable for both of them. Silence filled the room and the only thing they could see was the pale moon though the window. 

"Thank you, Shiho." Yoichi whispered as they fell asleep. No more was said or heard for the rest of the night other then Yoichis quiet sobs.