How We Began

Part Seven

"How did she find me?" Tsuki hissed.

"Info leaked by surveillance on mom," Aki replied. "They reported to Grandmother."

"Okay, but still... how?"

"One of mom's old friends. Older lady in a quilting club. She'd heard one of the earlier stories we'd circulated about your death, and had called to ask because she'd seen you. Oh, Grandmother also found out about your bookshop, so I wouldn't go back there."

"Shit."

"Yeah. Sorry."

"So now I have to run again, huh?"

"Yeah. And soon. I may have lost them, but I don't know how long it'll be before they find me. Or you."

Tsuki wrapped his arms around himself. This had been his way of life for more years than he cared to count, and he was so tired of it all. The bookshop was meant to be his last bastion, his last stop. He was done running. Done with everything. If Grandmother truly wanted him dead, then why fight? At least he wouldn't have to run anymore. Right?

But then, Kuroo (and his sweet auntie) came into his shop, into his life. Tall, dark, handsome as sin; kind, funny, chaotic. Absolutely the best in bed, no question. He'd calmly, and steadily, worked his way into Tsuki's heart. Now, he had a reason to stay alive, to stay in one place forever, but that also meant leaving Kuroo behind. He couldn't let him be sucked into the dumpster fire that was his life. Grandmother already had her grip firmly on Aki, and his mother. He wasn't about to let her near Kuroo.

"Aki?"

"Yeah?"

"How long do I have? I need a time frame."

"Two days. Three, if the goons on my tail haven't worked their way out of Wakkanai, yet."

"Wakkanai? Did you bury them under the snow?"

"Can't say I didn't try," his brother replied sardonically. "And I did try."

"That's also assuming Grandmother didn't send more goons in other directions."

"Right."

"Two days. Fuck."

"Sorry."

Tsuki snorted. "Sure you are."

"Still believe I'm tucked up in Grandmother's pocket, I see."

"You haven't given me reason to believe otherwise."

"I didn't have to tell you you were being hunted again."

"We're both weak where mom's concerned."

"True. But Kei..."

"Don't call me that!" Tsuki practically growled.

"Why not? It's your name. And you call me by mine."

"Kei lived during happier times. If this nightmare ever ends, you may use my name again. Until then..."

Akiteru sighed. "Fine. I'll call you Tsuki. Though, I seem to remember a time when you hated the nickname."

Tsuki shrugged. "Yeah, well, I don't anymore. I haven't for a long time."

There was a few minutes' of awkward silence between the brothers. They'd been close once, when they were still kids, and their family was whole. But, while Tsuki was in middle school, their father disappeared without a trace. As the heir to the Tsukishima family, this was disastrous. As far as Tsuki knew, there were still hired men out there looking for him, over a decade later. Even so, Grandmother eventually convinced their mother into moving to the family compound, and life for their small family started a slow downward spiral.