Complications

“…………………..”

Mitsunari- What is wrong with her?

Kanetsugu- She is shocked that she got so many new reviews.

-Cries- people actually like my story!!!!

Kanetsugu- I believe that people enjoy the story because it is silly and serious at the same time. You wrote things that actual happen in real life conversations.

…..Enough of your demon logic, Kanetsugu.

Kanetsugu- But….-

Enough! Let’s get to my wonderful reviewers!

Keios and Tirani

Thank you so much! I’m so thrilled that you enjoy my story!

HeartAngelgirl

Wow… okay. Let’s see…how should I do this one?

Mitsunari- looks at Fan- Uh...thanks, I suppose.

Sakon- drools-

Kanetsugu- uh….thank you?

Kejji- YAY!!!! I can…Ahem, use these things for stuff…

Mitsuhide- smiles- Thank you.

Yukimura- is holding it while Mitsuhide dies in the background.-

There we go.


Meinarch

Thank you. I an Honored to get into your personal records. I am aware that I misspell Kejji’s name. If it really bothers you that much, I can change it. –Looks around- Kejji, you will now spell your name correctly.

Keiji- oooooh Kay.

Continuing on, Thanks for the long review. I do enjoy reading them. I understand your bias. I have my own. Kanetsugu and Keiji are my second favorite, next to Kanetsugu and Mitsunari. Oh! I do have Orochi warriors and have received that dialogue. I laughed my ass off for a long time as well. I’ve noticed that Zhang He sounds a lot like a woman when you hit him. It was quite disturbing to say the least… Anyway! Thanks again!

X-Sage-X

Thank you. I an honored to hear that you enjoy my story so much!
Mitsunari- Yer a dummy!
Kanetsugu- Down boy.

LuMike

No need to worry. No one is after you here! We are all friendly with one another! Stick around and stay a while!

Xing Xing

Kanetsugu- I’m sorry to hear that you are of ill health. I hope you get better soon.

Iana Silmir

Mitsunari- You are crazy in my book. Completely.

Kanetsugu- Smiles softly- Thank you Raziel. Be sure to keep her updated.

TripleMGurl

I always laugh at your reviews! I look forward to them after every chapter! I’ll do my best to change your opinion.

I finally have an AFF reviewer for this story!

Kerianya

I will do the best I can, thank you for your support!

Now that those are over, a short announcement!
This story has officially beat my other one, “To hell and back” With twenty one reviews and half the chapters! To hell and back has twelve chapters. And twenty reviews!

Mitsunari- That one is more serious that this one, though.

Kanetsugu- Yes.

I have to point out something Keiji said in Orochi warriors. “In the name of our creepy snake overlord guy!!!” Mwhahahahahaha!!!!

Oh well! Let us bring on the next chapter!! Oh, and this chapter gets a bit serious. I warn thee ahead of time.

Chapter 6- Traumatized.

Keiji was napping against a tree, while Mitsunari and Kanetsugu talked over tea. He had been invited to join in the conversation but he declined, saying “Leave me outa the girl talk.”

“Look at him, Kanetsugu.” Mitsunari spoke softly. “He’s so lazy and fat.”

Kanetsugu rolled his eyes. “He’s not fat, Mitsunari. It’s called muscle.”

“That’s an awful fancy word for fat.”

“What, muscle? No. It means…Why am I explaining to you what muscle means!? You cannot be that stupid.”

Mitsunari narrowed his eyes. “I know what muscle is, Kanetsugu. Sakon has a lot of muscle as well. Keiji just has an overabundance of it. Making him fat.”

Kanetsugu scowled. He has had Keiji pressed up against him and knew it wasn’t fat. He wasn’t quite ready to tell Mitsunari everything that had happened between them. Like that other day… Kanetsugu’s face turned red. That was embarrassing…

“Are you okay?” Mitsunari asked when he saw Kanetsugu turn red. “Are you mad because I called Keiji fat?”

“Wha? No…Because Keiji is not fat.”

Mitsunari huffed and turned back to his tea. “Whatever. He is lazy though.”

Kanetsugu looked over at his sleeping boyfriend and couldn’t help but smile. “Yes.”

“OH MY GOD!” Mitsunari yelled slapping Kanetsugu’s arm and jarring Keiji slightly from dream land.

“What?” Kanetsugu asked and rubbed his arm where he was struck.

“I forgot about Yukimura! Where is he anyway?”

“In his room. We put him there after he passed out. I left Mitsuhide with him.”

“WHA?! What if he rapes Yuki!?”

Kanetsugu blinked. “Mitsuhide is a man of honor. I highly doubt he would rape Yukimura. If by some reason he did decide to try and take advantage of Yukimura, I believe that Yukimura would be able to defend himself quite well. No offence to Mitsuhide or anything, but he is rather feminine.”

“Yes.” Mitsunari rested his chin on his hand. “He is like a woman.”

“Your really not one to talk, Mitsunari… I mean the big pink fan you wield and the hand jesters...Ouch!” He yelped when Mitsunari hit his arm again.

“I’m serious! Do you think Yukimura will be okay?”

Kanetsugu smiled. “I’m sure he’ll be fine.”

“Hey you two!” Sakon called coming over with his pipe crammed between his lips. He reached down and pet Mitsunari’s head. Mitsunari scowled and tried to shake his hand off.

“What do you think I am? An animal?”

Sakon laughed. “A fox, maybe.”

Kanetsugu laughed as well when he saw that the comment had completely flown over Mitsunari’s head.

“What do you want?” Mitsunari pouted from being laughed at.

“You, of course. That is, if you’d stop laughing, every time we try.”

Mitsunari turned red and Kanetsugu tried to muffle his laughter behind his hand.
Mitsunari left to his feet and smacked Sakon in the arm a few times. He finally grabbed Mitsunari’s arm.

“You’re violent today!”

“Ow! Let go Sakon!”

“If I do, you’ll start hitting me again.”

Kanetsugu watched the whole thing like a tennis match. It was quite amusing to say the least. They’d do this occasionally. Kanetsugu found the concept strange, however. He didn’t play fight with Keiji. Kanetsugu believed affection was represented by a kiss or an embrace, yet they showed affection by hitting one another. It was something Kanetsugu knew he’d never understand.

Then something…pink caught the corner of his eye. He turned his head to see Okuni, standing near where Keiji was sleeping.

“Lord Keiji!” She cooed out sweetly and made Keiji stiffen. He cracked open an eye and then yawned.

“Yea?”

She pouted. “I never see you anymore. What have you been doing with yourself?”

“Just busy.”

“Oh? Too busy for little old me?”

Kanetsugu held completely still. Even Mitsunari and Sakon had fallen silent to watch.

“What are you talking about?” Keiji raised an eyebrow. “I never see you because you’re never around.”

She smiled. “Well, I’m here now. Let’s go somewhere together!”

Kanetsugu started to feel his heart sink. He knew Keiji and Okuni had a past together. He didn’t know if they had ventured past the borderlines of friendship.
‘This is why; I never fall in love....’
He could feel Mitsunari nudge his shoulder and hissed, “Say something!” But he couldn’t. He was rotted on the spot, watching helplessly as Keiji slipped through his fingers without a fight.

“Sorry!” Keiji laughed and stood up. “I’m busy.”

The smile slipped from her face. “What?! You were sleeping!”

“Was, sleeping.” He corrected her. “Now, I’m going to go and spend some time with the love of my life!”

“You mean that stupid horse of yours?!”

“Don’t speak about Matsukaze like that and that’s not who I mean.”

“Who then!?” Okuni yelled stopping her foot in a child-like manner

Keiji grinned and turned completely in Kanetsugu direction. He smiled gently at him. Kanetsugu felt his heart beat a little faster. Without another word to Okuni, he walked over casually as if nothing was amiss and sat near Kanetsugu. “Mind if I join you?” He didn’t wait for a response and just reclined backward, resting his head in Kanetsugu’s lap.

Kanetsugu blushed. Mitsunari’s eyes widened. Sakon smirked. Okuni screeched.

“HIM?! Him?!” They all could see the rage flowing from her.

Keiji ignored her. “Now that Sakon is here, maybe I’ll stick around. Won’t be so much girl talk with him around.”

“Indeed.” Sakon agreed, when both Mitsunari and he had sat back down.

“HOW CAN YOU LOVE HIM?!” Okuni kept on yelling although she knew they were trying to ignore her. “HE ISN’T CAPABLE OF LOVING YOU! HE DOESN’T EVEN KNOW WHAT LOVE IS!!! HE CAN’T EVEN SAY IT!!!”

Kanetsugu looked at her. ‘She is right. I don’t know what love is…’ He bit his lip and looked sadly down at Keiji in a silent agreement to what she was yelling. Keiji looked back up at him, completely calm.

“AND YOU DO?!” Mitsunari couldn’t keep quiet any longer. “PREACHING ABOUT LOVE WHEN YOU’D FLURT AND SLEEP WITH ANYTHING WITH TWO LEGS AND A COCK!!!”

Okuni’s mouth opened in horror. Kanetsugu and Keiji blinked. Sakon’s eyes widened but he remained silent.

“Why-WHY YOU-!!!” She let out a cry of frustration and stomped away.

Then all heads turned toward Mitsunari. Sakon scooted closer and took the still angry, Mitsunari’s hand. “Mitsunari…You scared even me with that outburst,” He smiled widely. “My, God. I love you.”

Mitsunari finally cracked a smile and winked at Sakon. “Love you too.”

Kanetsugu sighed and stared down at the man in his lap. ‘I do not deserve him. Love was a happiness that I didn’t want. I can’t even tell him that I’m afraid to loose him to another.’

Sakon, being as smart as he was pulled Mitsunari up by the arm. “Let’s go check on Yukimura, shall we? I believe they need some time alone.”

Mitsunari, for once, allowed himself to be led away without an argument.

“Kanetsugu, you know I’m an all action, and no talking kind of guy. But even I know that something is bothering you. Not just Okuni either.”

Kanetsugu looked away shamefully. “She’s right.” Keiji was starring at him with a blank expression and waited for Kanetsugu to elaborate. “Keiji, I had decided a long time ago that I didn’t want to be happy.”

“Wha? Why? Why wouldn’t you want to be happy?”

Kanetsugu shook his head sadly. “War stole many people I loved. I cried almost every night for them and my sadness consumed me. I decided there, that if I was never happy again, I would never have to feel that pain again.”

“So what was I to you?” Keiji was trying to keep the anger in his voice away.

“A companion to share my pain.”

“So…You’ll never love me?”

‘I love you now. I just don’t have the guts to admit it… If I tell you no, it will be all over and I can go back to my sorrow. I didn’t want to be happy after…..’

“Kanetsugu…”

Kanetsugu bit his lip and felt tears hit his eyes. ‘No…I won’t cry. Not in front of him…’

“When you fought, Kanetsugu…. You always spoke about love and honor. Do you know what I think? I think you’re just afraid to love anyone.”

‘He finally gets it…’ “I’m sorry.”

Keiji took Kanetsugu’s hands in his. “Kanetsugu. Listen to me. I love someone with all my heart and I love them for all the right reasons. But, in any moment, you could walk away. But I love you anyway. Don’t be afraid. Let me love you and you can learn to love me.”

‘But I already love you…’ Kanetsugu nodded instead of speaking his mind. Keiji reached forward and hugged him. Kanetsugu sighed in his embrace. ‘The war is over…. Maybe I have no need to fear this feeling. I’ll tell you one day…what truly plagues my heart.’

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“What do you think Yukimura is up to?” Sakon asked.

Mitsunari scowled. “I’m more worried about Kanetsugu. He tries to avoid his feelings like the plague.”

“Hey…” Sakon warped an arm around Mitsunari’s waist. “If anyone can break Kanetsugu out of his little shell, it will be Keiji.”

“Yes, I suppose. But Kanetsugu tries to avoid his feelings all together. I don’t blame him. After all he was traumatized when his old master…” A loud scream cut him off. It came from Yukimura’s room. “YUKI!!!!” Mitsunari yelled and took off down the hall with Sakon in step with him. When he got there, he ripped open the door and both there mouths dropped to the floor in shock.

Yukimura was screaming in the corner and Mitsuhide had his Katana drawn. He was standing over, a body on the floor. Mitsunari didn’t recognize it at first but it slowly dawned on his when the figure sat up and rubbed its head.

“Kunoichi…” Mitsunari mumbled rolling his eyes.

When she saw Mitsunari she leap to her feet and pointed an accusing finger at Mitsuhide.

“HE TRIED TO KILL ME!!!!”

“I simply hit her with my hilt, because she tried to tackle Yukimura.” Mitsuhide said calmly sheathing the blade.

She kept pointing the finger of accusation. “HE REALLY TRIED TO KILL ME!!!!”

“Shut up!” Mitsunari called. “No need to yell, I’m right here. Yukimura, tell me what happened.”

“She came jumping through he window and scared me. I screamed when she ran toward me. Then Lord Mitsuhide hit her with the hilt of his blade. Then you guys showed up.”

“Can you get your finger out of my face now?” Mitsuhide asked the still pointing Kunoichi.

“NO!!!” She wagged the finger of accusation in his face.

Mitsuhide scowled. “What is it that you want, assassin? If it is Yukimura’s head, you’ll have to try and take mine first.” He let his finger’s graze his katana handle, which he could draw in the blink of an eye.

She finally put her finger away. “No! I’m here to get Yukimura and take him away from you freaks! He’s mine!”

Mitsuhide smiled charmingly enough. “Really? Is that so? We’ll I do believe that Yukimura has an opinion of his own and doesn’t belong to anyone. So, he should choose.”

Yukimura finally came out of the corner and approached Kunoichi. “They aren’t freaks. They are my friends. I’m not going.”

“WHAT?!” Her ear splitting screech sounded. “WHY NOT?!”

“Because…I...”

“Because, he’s with me!” Mitsuhide said cheerfully warping his arms around Yukimura’s shoulders.

“EWWWWWW!!!!!!’ She screamed. “THAT’S GROSS!!!! NO WAY MY YUKI IS A HOMO!!!”

“Wow, she’s as dumb as a sack of potatoes, isn’t she?” Sakon whispered to Mitsunari, who nodded.

Mitsuhide smiled charmingly. “IF you don’t keep quiet, I’m going to cut out your voice box.”

At that moment, Keiji and Kanetsugu were trying to find everyone else and overheard the commotion.

“What’s going on here?” Kanetsugu asked at Mitsunari’s side.

“Jealous bitch-wad over there wants to take Yukimura away.” Mitsunari answered him.

“….Oh.”

Keiji saw Mitsuhide and grinned. “YO!”

Mitsuhide smiled. “Ah. Keiji Maeda. Would you help me dispose of this situation?”

“ABSOLUTLY!!!”

Kunoichi tensed. “What are you going to-…” She was cut off when Keiji came over and grabbed her off the ground and went toward the window she had entered from. “NO! WAIT!”

“POLLY GETS A CRACKER!!!!” Keiji bellowed and chucked her with all his might, out the window. She went so far, that they all lost track of her.

“Polly gets a cracker?” Kanetsugu finally asked and Keiji shrugged.

“Well…That’s over at least.” Sakon scratched the back of his head...

“For now.” Mitsunari echoed.

Mitsuhide grinned and pulled Yukimura closer to his body. “’I'll protect you from her. Do not worry.” Yukimura blushed as red as his armor and leaned back into him.

“Okay.”

Mitsunari and Sakon did a joined, “awwwwww” and Yukimura blushed deeper. They grabbed some food from the kitchens and they all sat down to eat in Yukimura’s room. It didn’t take long for the room to be filled with laughter again. Sakon couldn’t get over Keiji’s obscure battle cry he had bellowed when throwing Kunoichi out the window. Mitsuhide was persistent on feeding Yukimura his food. Yukimura finally relented, although he was embarrassed.

Though the mood of the room was happy enough, something was off. Surprisingly, Mitsunari was the first to notice. After all, Kanetsugu is his best friend. Kanetsugu looked down at his plate, barley picking at his rice. Mitsunari recognized the look. ‘Something is wrong.’

Mitsunari stood up suddenly, scarring the living crap out of Sakon who sat next to him. “Well, I’m done. Kanetsugu, will you help me clear some plates?”

Kanetsugu blinked and pushed his food aside. “Of course. I’m not hungry anyway.”

They gathered up some of the plates and left for the kitchens. When they were both inside the abandoned kitchen, Mitsunari set the plates down and faced Kanetsugu. “Spill it.”

Kanetsugu blinked. “The food?”

“NO! Tell me what is wrong.”

Kanetsugu put his own plates down and avoided eye contact. “Nothing.”

“Ah! The old, I’m-not-looking-at-you-so-I-can-lie trick. Nice try Kanetsugu.”

Kanetsugu scowled. “Nothing is wrong Mitsunari. Forget it.”

Mitsunari grabbed his sleeve. “You know you can’t lie to me. You might as well tell me what’s wrong with you.”

“Nothing.” Kanetsugu hissed.

“This is about Kenshin, isn’t it?”

Kanetsugu’s eyes widened and then he ripped his sleeve from Mitsunari’s grasp and held his arm protectively against his chest. “You said we’d never bring him up again! You promised!”

“I think we need to bring this up again. It’s what bothering you, right?”

Kanetsugu looked sadly at the floor. “Yes.”

Mitsunari smiled sadly at him and took Kanetsugu’s hands. “He’s gone, Kanetsugu.”

“I know. I’m just not…over it yet.”

“I don’t blame you. But Keiji is not Kenshin. He won’t hurt you.”

Kanetsugu laughed bitterly and gave Mitsunari’s hands a squeeze. “If any thing he can hurt me more. He’s very forward with his advances. It scares me.”

Mitsunari stayed silent for a moment, then squeezed Kanetsugu’s hands back. “Will you tell him?”

“Keiji? No.”

“Why not? It would be better if he heard it from you.”

“You’re the only other person who knows. How would he find out if we don’t tell him?”

Mitsunari bit his lip. “I’ve…kind of told Sakon.”

Kanetsugu pulled his hands away. “YOU DID WHAT?!”

Mitsunari flinched at the harshness in his voice. “He asked and I told him. He promised not to say anything about it. Please forgive me.”

Kanetsugu closed his eyes in disbelief. “I can’t believe you.”

“Kanetsugu. I told him because I love and trust him. Do you trust me?”

Kanetsugu nodded without opening his eyes.

“Then relax. Sakon will help you as I have all these years. He’s just another pair of ears to listen and a pair of arms for comfort.”

Kanetsugu nodded again. He couldn’t stay angry at Mitsunari, no matter how hard he tried. Maybe he was right. Maybe, he needed to tell Keiji…

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Sakon and Keiji got tried of watching Mitsuhide and Yukimura’s love fest, so they wandered the halls looking for there own boyfriends.

Keiji had never really been one to confide in anyone, but he supposed Sakon would be the best choice if it had to be anyone.

“Something is bothering Kanetsugu.” He said finally.

Sakon looked over. “Oh?”

“Yea…after the whole incident with Okuni this morning he’s been twitchy. Well, twitchier than usual…. I just wish he’d tell me what’s wrong.” Sakon paused mid-stride in the hallway. Keiji looked back at him curiously. “You know something…don’t you?”

Sakon sighed. “If I tell you this, you have to promise to never bring it up again. Not to me, Mitsunari or especially Kanetsugu. Understand?”

Keiji nodded and walked closer to Sakon.

When he was close enough, Sakon sucked in his breath. ‘I’m sorry that I’m breaking this promise, Mitsunari. But he has a right to know…’

“Kanetsugu once served a man named Kenshin Uesugi.”

“Yea, I know him. He’s a war crazed old man who everyone believed was the avatar of err…Bisho-something rather…”

“Bishamonten.” Sakon corrected him. “Anyway, he was Kanetsugu’s old master. A very honorable man indeed, which is why I believe Kanetsugu, followed him. He was a good man, but liked his drink a bit too much. Sometimes…he’d get too drunk.”

“We’ve all had days like that.” Keiji smiled and nodded.

‘You won’t be smiling in a minute Keiji…’ “Kanetsugu was sort of like his right hand man. He shared a bed chamber with his master to help him prepare for battle every morning…On nights after a victorious battle, he’d drink heavily. Well…when you drink too much and you still have the adrenalin from battle pulsing through you, you need someone to take out your frustrations on….”

The smile fell from Keiji’s face. “Did he beat Kanetsugu up?”

‘Worse than that. Gods forgive me.’ “Promise you won’t tell Keiji!”

“I already promised!”

Sakon could hear the anger rising in Keiji’s voice. This was not good. “Kenshin didn’t beat him up or anything like that… He was an old war general, miles away from his wife or any woman. Kanetsugu…he’s a good looking kid…and I guess, Kenshin used to…molest him…after drinking too much.”

Keiji’s eyes widened. “What…?”

Sakon backed up a bit. “He didn’t have sex with Kanetsugu from what I hear…he just…fondled him…I guess…”

Everything finally clicked in Keiji’s head. Kanetsugu’s relationship problems, why he squirmed when he was touched and why he was so uneasy being with a much larger man than himself.

“He’s scared shitless…” Keiji finally mumbled.

Sakon nodded. “That’s a good way of putting it.”

Keiji cracked his fists angrily. “If that old fool wasn’t dead, I’d beat the shit out of him.”

“Remember!” Sakon scolded. “You don’t know this. You promised.”

“Yea…okay.”

Mitsunari came up the hallway and both clammed up immediately.

“There you are. I’ve been looking for you.” Mitsunari laced his fingers with Sakon’s.

“Wasn’t Kanetsugu with you?” Keiji asked.

Mitsunari nodded. “He’s in his room…thinking.”

Keiji nodded and took off down the hall.

“He’s rather fast for such a big guy, Hun?” Sakon joked but Mitsunari was staring at him. “What?”

“You told him, didn’t you?”

Sakon sighed. “Yes. I told him. He had a right to know what he was getting himself into.”

“Kanetsugu, of all people, did not want Keiji to know.”

“Keiji promised not to act on the information.”

Mitsunari scowled. “He’s already acting differently. Kanetsugu will notice!”

“Relax, Mitsunari. Maybe this will all work out for the better…”

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When Keiji went to Kanetsugu’s room, he found him with his back to the door and he was looking out the window, apparently in very deep thought. He didn’t even seem to hear Keiji come in and close the door behind him. Keiji came closer and wrapped his arms around Kanetsugu’s waist. Kanetsugu jumped and then stiffened instantly. As soon as he realized who was touching him, however, he relaxed.

“Keiji…”

Keiji made Kanetsugu turn to face him. He lifted a hand to Kanetsugu’s cheek and saw him flinch. “Don’t be afraid. I won’t hurt you.”

Kanetsugu’s eyes closed when he felt Keiji graze his cheek with his fingers. “You know…don’t you…?”

Keiji sighed. “Yes.” Keiji pulled his hand away and sat down. He was relived when Kanetsugu sat down next to him. “What exactly did he do? If you don’t want to tell me, I understand.”

Kanetsugu bit his lip. “He used to molest me. He’d stick his fingers….” Kanetsugu shuttered visibly. “I never wanted his touch…”

Keiji stared him down. “What about my touch?”

Kanetsugu looked at him with those big gold eyes. “Hun?”

“Do you want my touch?” Keiji realized how perverted that must have sounded only after it came out of his mouth.

Kanetsugu’s cheeks turned slightly pink but a very small smile graced his lips. “Yes.”

It was Keiji’s turn for the blood to rush somewhere, although it was not the same way Kanetsugu’s had gone. ‘Now is not the time for this! No matter how sexy he looks right now’

“Really?!”

Kanetsugu nodded. “Yes. I’m scared Keiji. But I need to move on with my life. I want to move on with someone like you. I…” ‘..Love you.’

Keiji leaned forward to graze Kanetsugu’s lips with his own. “You can tell me to stop at anytime. I won’t get mad.”

Kanetsugu smiled. “I know.”

Keiji ran his fingers through Kanetsugu’s soft hair as he kissed him. They would get over this and he would make Kanetsugu say that he loved him! Even if it was the last thing he’d ever do.

“Oops! They both heard Mitsunari yell from the door way.

“YIP!” TWACK!!!

“OW!!!!”

“Ohmygosh! Sorry!”

“Stop barging in on them Mitsunari!!!”

“I’m sorry I hit you again Keiji…are you okay?”

“Yea, I’m fine. We need to find someway to lock that door though…”

End of chapter 6

Got wayyyy to serious in that one, but it was a story that needed to be told.

Kanetsugu- ewww, Master Kenshin is really old.

Old perverts. What’cha ganna do?

Mitsunari- Review pleases and you shall receive a cookie!