Chapter 2

Summer Shower

 

“DOMOTO?!” Tsuyoshi exclaimed, staring at the samurai called Domoto Koichi.

 
Koichi looked back at his benefactor, confusion written on his face. “Is there something wrong with my name?”

 
“Me! Me! I’m Domoto too! Tsuyoshi!” Tusyoshi continued, pointing to himself excitedly. “Are you really Domoto?”

 
Koichi nodded, a small smile gracing his face, amused by the antics of the shopkeeper.

 
“Where are you from? Maybe we’re related!” Tsuyoshi asked excitedly, plopping himself down next to Koichi.

 
“Well, I’m not really sure, because my parents traveled a lot while I was young, and they never kept track of where they were when I was born…” Koichi began to ramble.

 
“Oi... hey... Sorry, one word?” Tsuyoshi prompted.

 
“Oh, sorry. I’m from Hyogo, probably,” Koichi said, after a few moments.

 
Tsuyoshi looked crestfallen. His gaze dropped to the ground, and his shoulders slumped.

 
“What’s wrong? Where are you from?” Koichi asked gently.

 
“Me? I’m from Nara,” Tsuyoshi replied.

 
Koichi nodded in silent understanding. “Well, at least we’re both from the KinKi region, right?”

 
Tsuyoshi brightened at that. “Yeah, I thought your accent sounded familiar when you spoke.”

 
“Well, it’s been great to meet someone from back home. I really shouldn’t impose on you anymore,” Koichi said, pushing aside the comforter. He tried to stand up, a grimace of pain on his face.

 
Tsuyoshi put a firm hand on Koichi’s shoulder. “Where do you think you’re going? You’re staying right here.”

 
“But I was on my way home. And I got so far west too,” Koichi protested, pouting to gain more sympathy.

 
Tsuyoshi raised a curious eyebrow. “Hyogo is north-east of here.”

 
“Is it?” Koichi’s eyes widened. “But it’s over there!” Koichi pointed to his right.

 
Tsuyoshi reached over and moved Koichi’s outstretched arm to point it to the left. “That’s where Hyogo is.”

 
“Besides, it would be inhospitable of me to allow you to go out in your current condition,” he continued when Koichi merely blinked in confusion.

 
“And you’ll probably get lost and end up somewhere in Okinawa,” Tsuyoshi muttered under his breath.

 
“Am I being held against my will?” Koichi asked, one side of his lips quirking upwards.

 
Tsuyoshi, not missing a beat, nodded gravely. “Yes. And you’re not allowed to leave until you pay me back for the food and bandages. I charge a high interest, so you’re looking at a minimum of 5 years hard labor.”

 
Koichi let out a laugh, gasping and clutching at his wounds when they hurt. “Not if you kill me first with your humor.”

 
Tsuyoshi returned Koichi’s grin. “Not many people appreciate it. Be thankful you’re considered an elite few,” he winked.

 
Koichi chuckled, holding his hands up in mock surrender. “Okay, Shopkeeper-san. My life is yours until my debt is paid.”

 
“Good. Now, be good and stay in bed. I have a business to run,” Tsuyoshi said, tucking the comforter back over Koichi’s legs.

 
“Roger, Tsuyoshi-san!” Koichi saluted.

 
Tsuyoshi raised an eyebrow. “Tsuyoshi-san?”

 
“Well, yeah… I can’t call you Domoto-san. That would be strange,” Koichi said, scratching the back of his head uncertainly.

 
Tsuyoshi looked up thoughtfully. “I guess that’s true. Then, you’ll be Koichi-san!”

 
******************

 
“You WHAT?!” Tom exclaimed as soon as Tsuyoshi told him about Koichi staying with him. Tsuyoshi closed his hands over his ears and braced himself.

 
“How could you just pick someone off the street like that?! What if he was a murderer? A wanted criminal? A lunatic?” Tom continued, ignoring the annoyed tapping of a sheathed katana from the adjacent room.

 
Tsuyoshi sighed, pinching the bridge of his nose. “Would he be the one bleeding if he was a murderer? There haven’t been any wanted criminal posters up since 5 months ago. And he makes more sense than Taichi, so he’s definitely sane.”

 
Tom gave Tsuyoshi a look. “Well, I don’t trust him. And you should either! Honestly, I don’t know what you’re thinking sometimes.”

 
Tsuyoshi gave a small shrug. “Would I have to put up with so much from the townsfolk if I could be understood easily?”

 
In the next room, Koichi stopped tapping his katana in place of listening more intently on the conversation between Tsuyoshi and Tom.

 
“Samurais are bad news, and you know it. Trouble is always close behind when they’re around,” Tom warned. Getting no response from his employer, he pushed open the curtain and stepped into the next room.

 
Koichi looked up at Tom, instantly making mental notes of his size and possible strength. Tom held his gaze steadily, noticing Kenshiro burrowed under the covers, on Koichi’s lap.

 
“What’s your purpose here? We don’t welcome your kind,” Tom spat out.

 
Koichi lifted a finger to his chin. “I’m injured, and I owe Tsuyoshi-san a debt. I’ll leave when I’ve repaid it,” he said, “plus interest. He charges a very high rate.” Koichi winked.

 
Tom huffed, wary of the injured man. The frame of the sliding door rattled when he slammed it shut after his exit.

 
“Kenshiro likes him. I’m sure he’s a good person,” Tsuyoshi said, patting Tom’s shoulder.

 
Tom huffed some more. “Well, Kenshiro doesn’t know much. And why are you putting your life in the paws of a dog?” Tom followed Tsuyoshi back out to the front of the store.

 
“Because Kenshiro’s smart like that,” was Tsuyoshi answer before an energetic greeting of “Welcome to SS Ramen!” was heard.

 
******************

 
By mid-noon, Koichi was bored of sitting still in the room. From the other side of the door, he could hear the clanging of cutlery and either Tsuyoshi or Tom’s confirmation of an order or thanking their departing customers.

 
Koichi gingerly supported his wounds. Placing a hand on the tea table, he winced as pain lanced through his body. Taking a few deep breaths, he put his weight on the table and moved to stand up.

 
“Hey, I’ve got your lunch… WHAT ARE YOU DOING?!” Tsuyoshi exclaimed, hurriedly putting the bowl of ramen on the floor and rushing to support Koichi’s weight.

 
Koichi let out a breath. “I was bored. Thought I’d go out and help. You know, pay my debt and all.”

 
Tsuyoshi frowned. “You’re still injured. There’s no way I’m letting you move until you’ve recovered.”

 
Koichi groaned. “But I’m bo~red,” he whined, making Tsuyoshi stumble as he put more of his weight on the other man.

 
Tsuyoshi quickly grabbed Koichi across the waist. He looked up to meet Koichi’s face, less than an inch away from his own. He could feel the samurai’s faint breath on his cheek.

 
“Tsuyoshi, two more orders of pork cutlet ramen,” Tom said, poking his head in. It took all his control for Tsuyoshi to keep himself from throwing Koichi across the room.

 
Koichi gave a yelp as he was deposited unceremoniously back on the futon. Thumping his palm against the floor a few time, in hopes of alleviating the pain of his wounds, he glared at Tsuyoshi.

 
“What the hell was that for?”

 
Tsuyoshi turned his heated face away. “You’re only allowed to come out from this room when you can get up by yourself.”

 
Koichi was left to pout at Tsuyoshi’s back as the shop owner went to attend to his customers. Moments later, he was surprised when Tsuyoshi doubled back in, placing the bowl of ramen close to him.

 
“My ramen works wonders,” Tsuyoshi said, giving Koichi a wink. Tsuyoshi then went back outside.

 
When the lunch hour rush was over, Tsuyoshi took his own bowl of ramen and retreated to his room. There, he found Koichi’s bowl of ramen untouched.

 
“What’s wrong with the food?”

 
“Nothing, I was just waiting for you,” Koichi answered, an innocent smile on his face.

 
Tsuyoshi felt embarrassed at those words. “Well, I can’t serve you cold food, so have mine. I’ll take yours.” Tsuyoshi placed his bowl of ramen in front of Koichi and took the latter’s bowl.

 
“Ittadakimasu!” Koichi said, breaking his chopsticks and digging into the ramen. “Delicious!”

 
Tsuyoshi grinned at the way Koichi was devouring the ramen, breaking his own chopsticks and taking a mouthful of noodles.

 
Koichi peeked at Tsuyoshi from the corner of his eye, watching the other man slurp hungrily at the noodles.

 
Seconds later, Tsuyoshi gasped and spat the noodles back out. Flailing wildly, Tsuyoshi barely noticed Koichi rolling around the floor, laughing hard.

 
Finally grabbing a glass of water, Tsuyoshi finished it in one gulp, his mouth on fire. Panting for air, he took another few gulps of water before turning an accusing glare at Koichi.

 
Koichi was still laughing so hard tears streamed from his eyes when he felt something soft bounce off his head. He looked up to see a very annoyed Tsuyoshi.

 
One look at Tsuyoshi’s bright red lips had him cracking up again, ignorant of the pain of his wounds.

 
“Why you little… Why’d you spike my ramen with chilli powder?!” Tsuyoshi demanded, hand on his hips and still panting to get rid of the heat from the chilli.

 
It took a few more moments before Koichi brought his laughter under control. Wiping the tears from his eyes, he said in a mock cute voice, “That’s payback for dumping me on the floor, Tsuyo-chan.”

 
Picking up the pillow thrown at him, Koichi grinned. Fluffing up said pillow, Koichi turned to Tsuyoshi. “I’m very particular about paying back everything I owe.” A smirk graced his handsome features.

 
Tsuyoshi gaped. “But that’s no reason to try to kill me!”

 
Koichi was about to retort when Tom came stumbling into the room.

 
Both Domoto men stared as Tom stuttered out, “Sakamoto’s harassing the customers.”

 
Tsuyoshi rushed out to find Sakamoto, Morita, Inohara and Sakamoto’s right hand man, Nagano, throwing his customers out.

 
“Stop that! What are you doing!” Tsuyoshi yelled, helping an elderly customer to his feet.

 
“Ooh… Domoto-san! How nice to see you again. It looks like some people came to trash your reputable establishment,” Sakamoto began, kicking the last customer out. “Tsk tsk tsk… This won’t do! Think of how this will affect your business.”

 
Tsuyoshi struggled to keep his temper in check as Sakamoto circled around him. “But! The good news is, if you give us a little fee, we’ll make sure your business is safe and sound from such troublemakers.”

 
“I gave you some yesterday,” Tsuyoshi ground out, hands clenching so tight, there were nail impressions on his palm.

 
“Oh, but that was different,” Sakamoto drawled, slinging an arm around Tsuyoshi’s shoulders. Tsuyoshi immediately shrugged it off.

 
Sakamoto grinned at Nagano. “Feisty, isn’t he.” Nagano smirked back.

 
“Yesterday? That was a bit of charity on your part, Domoto-san. Today, it’s a fee for our services,” Nagano said, standing on Tsuyoshi’s other side, propping his elbow on Tsuyoshi’s shoulder.

 
Tsuyoshi set his lips in a determined line. “Well, I don’t have any today, since you chased off my customers.”

 
Sakamoto raised an annoyed eyebrow. “Haah? What did you say, you punk?”

 
Tsuyoshi stared back defiantly at the mob boss. “Are you deaf? I said, there’s nothing for you today.”

 
Nagano made a grab for Tsuyoshi’s collar. Tsuyoshi closed his eyes, bracing for the blow.

 
“OUCH!!”

 
His eyes snapping open, Tsuyoshi saw Nagano kneeling on the floor, hands holding his head. A pair of chopsticks lay near Nagano.

 
“Oi! Who the hell threw that?!” Sakamoto snarled, whirling back to see someone going through the cutlery with their back to him.

 
“Tsuyoshi-san~… I can’t find my chopsticks. They slipped out of my hands,” Koichi whined, turning to stare at Tsuyoshi with a pitiful expression on his face.

 
Tsuyoshi’s eyes widened in horror.

 
Baka! You’ll get yourself killed! And you’re still injured!

 
Sakamoto lunged at the blinking Koichi. Tsuyoshi made a mad grab for the mob boss, hoping to stop him from injuring the samurai further.

 
As Sakamoto came within a few feet from him, Koichi suddenly shifted his standing position, clutching his katana in his left hand. Lowering his stance, his face changed to one of full concentration. Koichi took a steady breath, unsheathing his weapon in one swift movement with his right hand.

 
Tsuyoshi had to jump out of the way as Sakamoto came flying backward at him. Sakamoto landed on the ground and writhed around, a red line could be seen under his torn yukata.

 
Koichi stood back up, resheathing his katana fluidly. “Leave.”

 
Tsuyoshi could only stare in awe at the samurai. That one word had such a commanding tone to it, leaving no room for protest or second thoughts.

 
Nagano helped Sakamoto up, as they stumbled back out of the shop. Inohara and Morita had long turned tail, as soon as they saw Sakamoto take the hit.

 
“You haven’t heard the last from us!” Sakamoto hollered, hauled away by his lackeys.

 
No one moved for a moment in the shop, as Tom and Tsuyoshi continued to stare at Koichi, too shocked to react.

 
Koichi looked at Tsuyoshi and gave him a weak smile. “See. I can stand on my own,” he said, before collapsing.

 
Dashing forward, Tsuyoshi managed to catch Koichi before he hit his head on the floor. With Tom’s help, they carried the unconscious man back to the room.

 
******************

 
Hours later, Koichi woke up to find Tsuyoshi sitting up next to him, breathing steady and eyes closed. Wincing slightly, Koichi looked down to see fresh blood staining his bandages.

 
“A~h… I re-opened my wounds,” he sighed, prodding at his chest carefully.

 
“You’re lucky that’s all the injury you have,” a quiet voice beside him said.

 
Koichi grinned at Tsuyoshi. “You didn’t think you’d get rid of me that easily, did you? I’m sorry, but I really don’t die easily,” he winked.

 
Tsuyoshi rolled his eyes. “Yeah, guess I’m stuck with you for some time.”

 
Koichi yawned. “Great! We understand each other. Now, an injured person needs his rest,” he said, closing his eyes.

 
When Tsuyoshi felt that the samurai had fallen back asleep, he quietly got up and turned his back to Koichi and clambered back into his own futon.

 
In the dark of the night, a barely audible “Thank you” was whispered. Koichi grinned, shifting a bit to find a better sleeping position.

 
“You’re welcome.”

 

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~* End Chapter 2 *~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*