How We Began

Part Eight (cont.)

Kuroo stared at Tsuki, not even remotely sure what to say to that. He simply stared, looking at his love's face, noting that Tsuki looked like this was something he'd lived with for a long time. He somehow looked both resigned and determined at the same time, too.

"She wants you... dead..."

"Yeah."

"Okay. Why?"

"She disapproves of my... lifestyle. It brings shame to the Tsukishima name, according to her. Grandmother is of the opinion that I'm a disgrace, and that 'my kind' should not exist."

"Moonshine..."

"I was allowed to at least graduate high school, but by then, it was obvious she no longer considered me part of the family," Tsuki said. "After graduation, I was forced to leave my home, and told that I had to leave the prefecture or face the consequences."

"But for her to want you dead..."

"That came later. She decided that living far away wasn't enough. As long as I was alive, I could still bring shame to the family."

Kuroo's hold on his hand tightened. "So, how does your mom and brother fit in?"

"Aki is the heir apparent. My dad should be, but he's been missing for longer than a decade, so Grandmother had him declared dead. A few years after Aki was made the heir, he started acting according to her wishes, and doing everything she told him to do. He didn't even try to stop her when she banished me."

"And your mom?"

"Grandmother doesn't trust her. Not since she found out mom was tipping me off about the men Grandmother sent to kill me. Mom's under constant surveillance."

Kuroo took a deep breath, and let it out, trying to take it all in. He knew there was a lot more to this story than Tsuki was telling him, but that could wait til later. There was something bothering him that he needed to ask about, and he tried to gather his thoughts. Tugging gently on Tsuki's hand, he pulled him into his arms.

"You said Akiteru being here was a warning that your grandmother knows where you are. Did he mean here?"

"No, Tokyo. Specifically, Nerima ward. She knows about my bookshop, too."

"Did she also send..."

"Aki says she sent men after he left, so he lost them around Wakkanai. I have what's left of today and tomorrow until they either come here, or wait for me back in Tokyo. And that's assuming she didn't send anyone else in the opposite direction."

"Tsuki, I need you to answer truthfully," Kuroo started, his voice firm.

"I've never once lied to you," Tsuki replied, feeling a little offended. He started to lean forward, to turn around and look at him, but Kuroo held tighter.

"I didn't mean it like that, Moonshine. Please, tell me something."

"What?"

"Are you planning on leaving Tokyo? Leaving me?"

By his silence, Kuroo knew that leaving was exactly what Tsuki was going to do. He had to admit, it stung to know the man he loved was going to leave without saying anything. But he could understand why.

"I have to," Tsuki almost whispered. "I can't stay. I especially can't let them find out about you."

"Akiteru knows about me. If what you've told me about him is right, then they'll know about me soon enough."

"Damn it."

"When will you come back?"

"I don't know. I've never been able to go back anywhere a second time."