After Acts

Scene 2

It had taken him 3 hours.

3 hours to find 1 book and 2 articles.

His mind wouldn't stop wandering; the past... this morning...

Needing to vent, he suddenly smiled as he looked at the clock.

Damn pork bun better be ready.

Scene 3

You'd think finding the fox oden cart would have calmed his down. It did as he sat and ate, getting caught up with the old kitsune that ran it. But of course, linger too long with one spirit; every other one in the area realized he was near. It was hard enough when they were out to eat him, but since he'd worked for Yûko so long and been given that crazy title every one that needed help was after him too.

So, after convincing four ghosts to cross over, helping a river spirit get along with the local tree spirits, patching up an injured maneki neko and agreeing to watch a baby tanuki Saturday night, he finally got back to their apartment. Heaving a sigh of relief as he got to their floor, he walked down the empty hall. Pulling out his keys, all the earlier anger and tension came flooding back at the noises he heard through the door, "Damn it Mokona!!"

Scene 4

He never realized how hard it would be just being back in Tokyo. The other temple was in a remote location on Hokkaido, with the nearest city a two-hour drive away, so different from being surrounded by the city. The chores and rites were still the same, but the visitors' interrupting was trying his nerves.

No. This morning's talk was.

Everything he'd learned... everything he'd been through...

Everything he'd missed...

Everything he'd lost...

Scene 5

He'd managed to keep half of the deal.

More like part; the apartment was a total mess, but at least he hadn't drank all the alcohol.

Three bottles of sake and part of a bottle of brandy (that was part of his payment for a simple summoning) were left.

Tying Mokona's ears to the towel rack above the faucet, he'd forced the creature to watch as the sake was poured down the drain. He held onto the brandy, had a feeling after Dômeki's sudden return he'd need it. Leaving the pork bun hanging, he went back to his bedroom and stuck the bottle in an enchanted cabinet an old mountain spirit gave him - only his touch could open it.

He'd somehow managed to get the place back to spotless with twenty minutes to spare. Mokona still hanging, he'd left to pick up groceries and the girls. Stepping out of the building changed his plans.

Dômeki was standing at the end of the sidewalk.

"We need to talk... for the girls' sake." Dômeki stated as he walked right past him.

He just kept walking, and sure enough, Dômeki followed, "What's to talk about, you can come see them whenever you can. Don't think I'll trust you alone with them and I expect we should at least be civil to each other around them."

"Like this morning," he agreed.

He suddenly stopped, remembering.

"You asshole," he muttered, storming off.

If Dômeki hadn't grabbed his elbow, "What?"

Turning to glare at him, he roared, "You're an asshole! You found out where we live, and I KNOW the address is only listed at the schools, so however you got it you had to know we were ALL living there!" Pulling his arm away, he got right in his face, "Showing up before they had to be to school... that's why you're an asshole!"

"Use them again..." the threat was left hanging as he started walking away.

He fell in behind him again; all was quiet until the crosswalk. "I am sorry about that," he almost whispered over his right shoulder. "I should not have done that... but would you have talked with me if I hadn't? You said it yourself, something about telling me off, to leave you alone."

He started grumbling obscenities as the lights finally changed and they crossed. The silence fell again as they neared the last corner. "I've said it before and I'll say it again, you're just damn lucky those two are everything to me now. Believe me if I find you're using them for some grand reconciliation scheme-" he was cut off by Dômeki's hand.

"If I can ever get you to forgive me, it'll be my own doing. I swear to you that I will never use the girls in any way again." Dômeki promised, his hand shifting to hover over his cheek before pulling it back.

His eyes wavered between rage and confusion before they slid closed and he sighed. Dômeki could only watch in awe as those delicate features slowly relaxed; his eyes softening, a smile starting as his brow unfurrowed. This was the face he saw so little of, even back then... he could suddenly smell the flowers...

He'd never looked more beautiful.

He'd opened his eyes to a sight he never in a million years expected. Dômeki was staring in blatant wonder... at him. Amazed at actually seeing any emotion out of him, he quickly turned away at his cheeks getting warm. Shaking his head, he started round the corner, vainly trying to push down the tiny bit of excitement that came up with that look.

With the gates in sight, he jerked his arm away without even looking. "I'm not putting any sort of front on here. Maru and Moro knew how it was this morning and nothing's changed since then," he sighed, centering himself all over again. "We're trying to be civil, right?"

Before Dômeki could answer the bell rang. The children streaming past made him smile, he jumped as he realized some were talking to him, waving and saying hello. "Daddy! And Papa!" made him turn to the stairs. Suddenly hearing his laughter, he turned to find him squatting down as they took off at a run to him, suddenly dropping their things. The girls surprised him as they practically tackled him to the ground. Turning away, he calmly went and picked up their things. The girls surprised him as they instantly hugged each leg again, saying, "Silly Papa. We always tackle Daddy when we get to go home."

Each was reaching for their bag, "We'll carry them Papa," Maru said.

"Daddy usually has to carry the groceries." Moro added.

Dômeki could only smile, looking up to find him going over a list. "Okay. I'll carry the bento then," he answered, handing over their bags. He smiled as they bowed before running over to him, each taking a hand; Moro taking the grocery list and cheering at it, showing Maru as they started pulling him down the street. He chuckled as he followed; not at all surprised they turned the other way at the corner.

"I've got a job I'll need some help with tomorrow," he started, getting curious looks from Maru and Moro, Dômeki only getting confused. He chuckled as he bent down, smiling at them both. "We're babysitting Yoshiyuki tomorrow night."

They suddenly started cheering and jumping, making him laugh; they were still holding his hands. They suddenly calmed down as they started planning what they'd do, "I wonder what he's gonna look like when they show up." Moro said.

Maru turned to him, "Do you know Daddy?"

He only shook his head, "Makiko-san only said she'd drop him off at 7."

"We'll have our homework done by then Daddy. We promise," they suddenly chorused.

He only laughed, "You always do." He looked up to find the confused look still on his face. But he just turned away as they started across the street. He tried to hold back the chuckles when he heard the sigh.

" 'gonna look like'?"

He turned to find the old exasperated look back. "Makiko-san and little Yoshiyuki are tanuki, they've used different disguises every time they've come over." He suddenly remembered and chuckled, "Mokona's not gonna be happy."

An eyebrow arched.

"Yoshiyuki-chan's only 4 and he just loves..." he started laughing between words, "he... loves hugging... Mokona..."

The girls suddenly giggled too, "Yoshiyuki hugs so hard Mokona boinks and he won't put him down all night."

Dômeki smirked, "A living teddy bear."

Scene 6

He'd just finished drying the dishes, closing the drawer and hanging the towel. Leaving the kitchen, he couldn't help smiling at the schedule hanging on the fridge. He didn't have classes tomorrow and the girls only had a half-day. He couldn't help leaning against the doorframe at what he found, smiling softly.

He was sitting between them, an arm around each. They were snuggled tight against him, both of the magical creatures curled up in their laps. They were holding the book, but it had fallen backward and was slowly slipping away. Each one of them asleep.

He wasn't sure how long he stood there, lost in the scene, the moment; but his arm was starting to go numb. He didn't care. They were so happy, so peaceful, so comfortable. He'd never felt so happy, content.

So alone.

A sudden little snort made him jump, chuckling softly. Standing, he quietly joined them, trying to pick up Maru without waking anyone. He was a little surprised as his hold on her tightened; no one was taking her away. Before he knew what he was doing, he turned and cupped his cheek, softly saying, "We should put them to bed." He nodded slowly as he released Maru and sat up, half-asleep, picking up Moro and heading down the short hall. He followed softly and they tucked them both in bed, stepping back to stand in the doorway.

He smiled as they cuddled with their creature, sleeping soundly. Turning to him, he chuckled at finding him leaning his shoulder flat against the wall, his head against the doorframe, sleeping again. Sweeping him off his feet, he turned around, carrying him into his room, his bed. Laying him in the middle of the large bed, he slowly removed his glasses and set them on the nightstand. Sitting back, he just watched: his chest rising and falling with each breath, his hair hanging over his eyes, those lips parting slightly, almost begging him to...

Squeezing his eyes shut tightly, he hung his head as he took a few deep breaths. With a deep sigh, he realized he'd just be tempted even more the longer he did this; he leaned in, softly caressing his cheek and placed a ghost of a kiss on his forehead. As he stood, he ran his hand down his neck, his arm. As his fingertips slid across his palm, he smiled as his fingers curled, his thumb running over the back of his finger. Pulling away, he clenched his fist, trying to hold on to it as he slipped out of the apartment.