Lost and Found

Guilt

"Sorry I just feel as if I know someone with that name, but I can't put my finger on it." Mineko nervously chuckled and sipped on her tea.

I shrugged my shoulders. "I think I'd know if we met before." I said, giving her a small smile hoping to make it less awkward.

She nodded in agreement and we both sat back down. I'm not usually good around others but she makes me feel comfortable. I find myself wanting to ask her more about Kaoru, but I also don't want to make things more awkward than they have been.

"Ok...I'm really thinking I should go to sleep now." I break the silence, trying to hold back a yawn.

Before I can get up to place my mug in the sink, Mineko grabs it from my hands. "I got it."

I smile at her.

"Seriously, Kyo. You can have the bed tonight."

I don't bother arguing with her. If there's anything I've learned so far, it's that she is good at standing her ground.

"Thanks."

"By the way", she starts as I'm walking into her bedroom, and I stop to look back at her.

"Do you prefer Tooru?" Her question caught me off guard and my heart panged in my chest. The only other person besides my family that called me by my given name was Mizuki.

"Umm...I actually do prefer Kyo. Thanks for asking though." Mineko nodded her head in understanding.

"Sounds good. Have a goodnight, Kyo. Sweet Dreams."

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

It's been about a week since I've left Mineko's place. I hate to admit it but I miss being there—being around her. Don't get me wrong, I love my privacy and alone time, but being with her makes me forget about all the shit I have going on in my head. This upcoming tour is a good distraction, though. I hate how miserable I feel, sometimes....

"Good morning!" I turn my head, craning my neck to look back at Die. He's been showing up late to the studio these days.

"You're late again." I snap.

"Yeah, yeah... I made it though."

"Time is of the essence Daisuke." Shinya retorts. I smile at his comeback.

"You know we have to get more practice in. We haven't had a 3 month tour in a while." I say, getting up from my seat.

Die places his hand on my shoulder. "Yes leader-sama." He jokes.

"Speaking of leaders...where is he?" Toshiya pipes up, plugging his bass into the speaker.

"Good question" I respond, "It's not like him to not be here yet."

Die looks at me. "Oh, so it's okay when he's not here yet but when I'm late it's an issue?"

"Die...you're always late."

"Not true!"

Toshiya and Shinya just stare at us going back and forth when Kaoru finally walks in.

"Sorry guys...I hit traffic on the way over."

I couldn't help but glare at him—but it wasn't because he was late.

"Let's just get started." I said walking past him, not making eye contact.

"Kyo has a bug up his ass Kaoru." Die smirks, "What he meant to say was 'I'm happy you made it safely Kaoru; we were all getting worried! Now let's get this show on the road'. " He impersonates me sarcastically throwing his fists into the air.