Kukai Souma had gotten his phone back from his brothers earlier and read what they did on it and at that point had to leave the house again because if he didn't he was going to clobber somebody.
So he'd grabbed one of the boxes of chocolate he'd gotten for White Day out of the fridge, texted Nadeshiko if he could come over, and walked along, trying to put his head in order and failing miserably. For once, for the chipper, witty Jack, there are no words when faced with this level of confusion.
Nagihiko got the text while laying on the roof, protected by the dappled shade of a large tree.
He opened his eyes and squinted, having dozed off for a few.
It's probably why he doesn't warn his friend that he won't be meeting Nadeshiko, but her 'brother' instead. It shouldn't be too much of a shock. After all, Kukai knew the Secret now.
He gives a wince of guilt at how Kukai found out.
He doesn't do much to prepare for his friend's arrival. If Kukai should choose to look up when he reaches the gate, he'll see a boy his age making faces at him while hanging off the statue.
Kukai Souma still isn't sure how to respond correctly. He walks down the street, box under his arm, the large wall of the Fujisaki estate keeping his prying eyes off of it, until he turns around the corner, seeing the gate open and a.. person, hanging off of it.
In some ways it wasn't the same person. Kukai had never seen Nadeshiko in anything but either a school uniform or a traditional kimono. The comfortable looking street clothes are a shock. But in other ways it's still the same person - the figure is the same, the long, flowing purple hair is the same, the smiling, far-too-intelligent eyes are the same.
Kukai recovers after a moment and grins, waving, Daichi standing on his head and staring, as he relies on his strongest feature - sheer stupid confidence. "Hey! I, uh." He holds up the box of chocolates. "Didn't know what to do with these. Wanna help me eat them?"
For a moment, there's that apprehension. Because lies are lies, and Nagihiko is pretty sure his friend was a little too quick to forgive. Maybe it was the moment. Maybe, after thinking about it, Kukai's decided he really isn't okay with it.
But then Kukai's offering chocolate and the boy on the gate grins as he slides down.
"They from a girl?" He considers for a moment. "I'll help you eat them, either way. After all, chocolate is chocolate and I--"
He also can't keep up the facade of fine much longer as he's suddenly hugging Kukai, tight. "I'm so glad you all made it back. So glad."
Kukai Souma erks and suddenly has Nagihiko hanging from his neck. Male or female, -this- is the person Kukai remembers, who keeps their emotions under a tight wrap but feels so strongly that Na-chan hurts. He waves the box of chocolates around, trying to find a place to set them, and finally settles for just putting one arm around Nagi. The voice is the same, and the hugs are the same, at least.
"Nade... Na-ch.. We almost didn't." He takes several long breaths, hugging Nagihiko close. "If things hadn't gone the right way, I wouldn't have. A lot of us wouldn't have." He shivers all over, remembering fireballs and darkness. "But it's all right now. Better than all right."
It's only a moment Nagihiko needs to cling. And the shift of an arm to hold Kukai closer, hand against his hair, the subtle tilt of the chin. It's all he needs to do to go from the comforted to the comforting. His arms tighten at the shivers, not to stop them but to remind Kukai that he's here.
"I know it is." He really doesn't know what happened yet. "But it's okay if you think its not all right every once in awhile, don't forget."
The transition is complete. "Did the Moon girl take care of you guys, at least? I don't want to have to bop her."
Kukai Souma leans back after a moment, supported and given the strength he needs, smiling. "Would you believe me if I told you she brought me and a bunch of the others back to life? And that I have a couple guardian spirits now? If you don't, it's ok." He shakes his head again. "It wasn't all right for a while there. I think that's the thing - when it's not all right, you remember it more than when it is."
He grins and shrugs, back to himself again, still hugging his friend. "So, yeah. I'm back. ...I'll tell you the horrible details if you really wanna know everything that happened, but you may have nightmares for a month."
Nagihiko blinks. Back to life? That means he died?
Put in a box, process and freak out later, this isn't about him.
"Did she now?" His voice is calm. "Well, then. Maybe I'll make her a cake, instead."
A pause. A beat. "Does she even like cake?" After all, he's never met the infamous girl.
Strangely, though he wouldn't mind meeting her one day, he doesn't really see himself in any form conversation with her.
When he pulls back, he grins. "Well, don't worry about me, if it will help give you less nightmares. Do you want some--"
"Kukai-kun!" An older woman comes out the door of the house, warm smiles. "The Young Master told us of his deplorable display the other day! I am so sorry he is so rude with how he shares secrets!"
Nagihiko groaned. "Come on, Aunty, I was going to apologize for that all on my own."
Aunty smiled at patted Nagihiko's cheek. "Of course you were, dear. Next month, perhaps!" Her attention is back to Kukai. "Do come in! I could have some tea sent to the room. Are you hungry?"
Kukai Souma smiles and nods. "I think Usagi likes everything sweet in existance. A cake would be fine. You should meet her sometime, yeah."
He starts to answer that no, nightmares are weaker shared when he hears that voice from the house. By the time she finishes he's trying very hard to hold back his laughter. "It's ok, ma'am. The Young Master just had a small explosion. Nothing major, nothing broken, still friends." He hugs Nagihiko and deftly slips around him, one arm around his shoulders (with the box of chocolates) and one hand playfully messing up his hair. "Still friends, see?"
He looks at Nagihiko, then holds up the box. "Sure, something that goes with chocolate would be nice." It's not like she'll take no for an answer.
His mouth works over words before he's chuckling. "Her name is Usagi and she's Sailor Moon. Hah, Rabbit of the Moon, that's beautiful."
Nagihiko is, of course, more than a little flustered by the time Aunty finishes talking. Then the situation is diffused, along with about twenty-billion fears, and he allows Kukai to noogie him. He even makes a show of protesting for his benefit! (Revisionist History happening in present tense.)
"See Aunty, I--" A clearing of the throat at That Look. "You told me so, yeah, yeah."
Aunty smiles again at Kukai. "Of course! I'll bring you boys something. Young Master, please do not sulk on the roof anymore today. I cannot climb up there anymore."
Even as she's walking away, Nagihiko is squawking out his indignation. "I wasn't sulking! I was contemplating!" Again, Revisionist History.
He takes a moment to straighten his hair before leading the way to his room. Well, his other room, the one that isn't for Nadeshiko. And of course, he walks on ledges and benches until they're inside. "If you want, I could change clothes if it would make you more comfortable."
"No thanks. My brain can't handle that kind of whiplash. Young Master is fine." Kukai stays on the floor until it's clear Nagihiko isn't going to walk on the floor at all if he can help it, and hops up behind him. With Daichi's help he's fine, but he can't help but admire Nagihiko's perfect balance.
He nods, looking into the room and then at Nagi, undoing the wrapper on the chocolate box. "So... just since you haven't told me yet, whose room is this I'm entering, again?"
He grins. "I get that." He'd probably be confused, as well, whiplashed into next week.
In his room, Nagihiko leans against the wall and sighs. This is his sanctuary, where he didn't have to pretend. "This is Nagihiko's room. Nadeshiko's is okay, but I have to be Nadeshiko even in there. In here? Just me."
There's a bed -- an actual bed -- and a small couch. And, because this is his sanctuary, of course he has a television and some sort of game system he doesn't get to play nearly enough.
He takes a seat on the couch. Not on the cushions, but on the back of the couch. When he's settled with his legs crossed, he spreads his arm. "Welcome to my room. You're the second person who doesn't actually live here to see it."
Kukai Souma hmms, looking around, walking around the small room and examining everything - the fine sheets on the barely-used bed, the couch, just big enough for someone to lie on and watch television or play video games. He sees the game system - modern, up to date, not a lot more he knows at this point because Kukai gets to play games less than Nagihiko does - and finally Nagihiko. There's a few posters and pictures and things, as well, and a small table where Kukai sets the chocolate box.
He hmms, rubbing the back of his head, and then grins. "Well. It's really nice." He grins. "I dunno. It's a room. I guess that you're letting me in means more than what it is." He sits down on the other side of the couch and looks up at Nagihiko. "Are you..." He starts to say 'ok', but for some reason he gets the mental image of a caged bird, more than anything else. "What do you wanna do?"
He feels a bit...weird as Kukai looks at his room. He wasn't kidding about him being the second person to see it. The only other person to see it is Tadase. Amu, well, that wouldn't be proper.
He blinks and looks down at Kukai when he speaks, and his mouth opens before it snaps closed. He looks off to the side for a moment.
"We could...watch a movie. Or turn something on for background noise. Is there a game on?"
To cover for Akward Boy, because that question is much easier to answer as Nadeshiko, he dives across the back of the couch and stretches his hands out for the chocolate. "And these! Wonder what Aunty will bring by to go with them."
Kukai Souma shrugs and then turns around. "I think I saw the remote on the table." He leans up onto the back of the couch as well.
This is a very fine couch. It's made of real balsa wood and actual leather and has real fur coverings. Nagihiko is very light and agile to boot. Unfortunately Nagihiko and Kukai are not, no matter how well Kukai keeps himself in shape, he still goes in for hamburgers and ice creams and such. The couch doesn't know how to react to this.
As Kukai leans for the remote the couch decides it wants to tip over backwards - there's just enough room for it but it means that the landing may end up against the wall for the two boys atop it. Kukai acks and wobbles as the couch tips past the breaking point, and ends up landing on the back (now on the floor) side of the couch as it hits the floor with a 'WHUMP!'
At least he didn't hit the table and send the stuff on it everywhere.
Light and agile, Nagihiko also possesses the grace of a cat. Years of dancing and climbing walls and trees and scaling roofs have ensured that graceful landings are in his repertoire.
But, years of training haven't involved tipping of couches and flailing limbs.
At least he manages to fall with some grace!
And where Kukai misses the table, Nagihiko doesn't.
As random things fly and land around them, Nagihiko's too busy laughing his butt off to care.
Kukai Souma just... sighs. You have to have a minute when you do this sort of thing to let it properly sink in.
He's pretty sure he can hear the sound of Aunty charging up the hallway, and the sound of various raining chocolates bouncing off different surfaces in the room.
The remote went flying, caromed off the wall, and turned the TV on - there is in fact a soccer game on.
Somewhere in all of that one of his shoes got loose and went flying.
And he's pretty sure he provided Nagihiko with a soft, cushiony landing site on his back. Ow.
But all of that doesn't matter. Because Nagi's laughing like someone who hasn't laughed in months, and it's a glorious, musical sound. A chocolate lands in front of Kukai, and he picks it up, popping it into his mouth. Raspberry cream. Tasty. And for now, all the bad things are past.
Kukai's right, of course.
There is indeed an Auntry barreling down the hallway at what sounds like a speed that probably shouldn't be normal for a woman her age.
The door is slid open with a loud bang and the woman is there, eyes frantic and chest heaving.
When Nagihiko manages to roll off Kukai, it's not that that causes him to start laughing again.
A tray is in her other hand, and even from this distance he can tell nothing was spilled.
Seeing her charge is not, indeed, dead, and that his guest is still in fact alive, she slumps a bit before giving them both The Eye. It's probably frightening to someone who's never witnessed it before, so Nagihiko ruffles Kukai's hair.
"Honestly, Young Master. I haven't seen such a display since you were six!" A clicking of her tongue as she rights the table with her foot and sets the tray down. "You and Tadase-kun got into quite a bit of mischief back then."
As Nagihiko did, Aunty ruffles Kukai's hair. Just for a moment, of course, nothing longer.
She's at the door before she pauses. "I'll speak to your mother about the issue with your schooling."
She's gone before Nagihiko can catch his breath to offer a cheery thanks.
"I think I pulled my spleen."
Kukai Souma is only moderately terrified by Aunty, but the hair-ruffle helps put him back into his confidence. He steps in a chocolate (peanut butter filled, thankfully) as he gets up and sighs, grinning at Nagihiko, helping him right the couch. "Well you didn't need it anyway, right?"
He moves around the room with Nagi, helping clean the room up of chocolates, remotes, and whatever else, putting them back in the box and setting it to one side. He does make a point to hide one under Nagi's bedcovers while he's not watching, though.
Finally he sits back down on the couch - on the cushions firmly this time - and examines the tea, two cups already poured. "Geez. This is not how I expected the day to go." He grins. "I didn't know how it was gonna go, so this is probably just fine." He seats himself next to Nagihiko and leans over to get one of the cups.
And its highly likely Kukai will wake up to a grumpy text from Nagihiko about getting chocolate in his hair.
For now, though, he cleans and straightens. "Hmmm. Not as much as I needed that."
He's more loose and relaxed when he sits, spine not as straight. He's actually lounging.
"What were you expecting?" He's curious, of course. "Oh, those punks ever give your phone back to you?"
Kukai Souma grins and then laughs. "Oh, yeah. And then they grilled me for half an hour about the girl I kissed or what I did with you and all of that." He shakes his head and nudges Nagihiko in the side. "I dunno. Drama. Arguing. I don't know why."
He sips the tea and sets it back down. "That's good." He leans back on the couch, eyes flicking back and forth between the game and Nagihiko. "So back to what I was saying earlier. How much do you wanna hear?"
His mouth quirked into a grin as he sipped the tea. "They didn't get you too hard, did they? I was serious about bopping them with my fans." Another sip. "And, ah. Sorry. But when I realized who they were like right away, I figured I had to do some damage control. What better way than be crazy, right?"
He observes Kukai over the rim of his cup. It's easy to be centered now. When Kukai asks that, Nagihiko picks up the remote and turns off the television. "However much you wanna tell me."
There's a few moments of silence before Kukai reaches up and scratches his nose, thinking the scene though. "Well. I guess it's important to start at the end, and say that everything bad that happened? It's all fixed. The magic was the most powerful I've ever seen. So it's all ok. OK?" He nods at Nagihiko before continuing, wanting to make sure he understands that first concept - that everything's OK now.
"So. We got there and it's freezing cold. We encamped once on the march, but I don't think anybody could sleep. We tried, though." He shrugs. "The first snowstorm hit and with it came the first legion. Ravenous, mindless youma, lead by riding lancers and later by these elite youma that looks like girls, but..." He runs his hands down his body, curving in all the right spots. "They had wings, and were all sorts of colors, and they had black, insectile eyes, and powers. We lost several in the first wave - Madoka and Homura, a couple others too. We blew up a few of the elites, but they had so many more than we did. I think I made a joke to Tux about taking one home after all this was over but he just told me no. He wasn't in a joking mood, and I wasn't soon after."
He hmms. "Lots of fighting once we got into the caves. I've never been transformed so long - even now it hurts to think about." Daichi nods from the table, where he's investigating a cookie with his mouth. "I was so tired all the time!" Kukai smiles. "Yeah. Well, then we found out that Yellow - Prism Keeper Yellow - and the Nameless Heroine had collapsed a bunch of the caverns in on top of themselves and damaged the structural integrity of the entire Dark Kingdom in doing so. I tried to save them, but they were past saving. Tux and Kunzite knew they were gone but I couldn't go, so I yelled at him a bunch, and then prayed for them. He used some of his magic or something and we pushed the prayer onwards to where they'd hear it for sure. We had to turn around and find another route inwards."
He looks over at Daichi as he hops up to sit on Kukai's leg, and pats his head, making the little Chara smile. "So at that point we reach the bridge to the main fortress, and we're all hurt and tired, and the -real- youma start coming out. We lose people, Jupiter, Nephrite. Firebird and Hagane get separated from the group and later on we heard this giant explosion. Aannd..." He stops here for a moment, then picks up the teacup and takes a sip before continuing.
"And then I died. I got shunted into a side passage but found a way to ambush part of an ambush onto the lead group with Tadase and Amu and Moon and Tux and the others. There was this incredibly powerful witch there who had created dark clones of the three of us - me, Amu, and Tadase - and I faced myself down with everything I had. It was just enough to kill him but he literally broke my heart in two with his last blow." He says this with the same sort of tone one would discuss the latest weather report with.
Nagihiko just listens. His eyebrows raise at certain parts, draw together at others, but his mouth is set in a thin line.
Gruesome images flash through his mind and his breath hitches as Kukai literally describes his own breath. He refills his cup with tea and tops off Kukai's, because there's safety in tea.
"I wish I could have been there for you." His voice isn't full of the self blame he feels, even as he knows there wasn't anything he could have done to make it any better.
He doesn't say anything else, but his posture is more Nadeshiko than Nagihiko, feet drawing beneath him as he sits on the couch to face Kukai.
He doesn't say anything else because he feels like there's more Kukai needs to say, just watches with those eyebrows, teacup hovering.
There's safety in tea.
Kukai Souma smiles, then reaches over, patting Nagihiko's shoulder, putting a leg up on the couch and bending it as he faces him. "I know. I kinda wish you'd been there too, but in a way I'm glad you stayed. To be honest if you'd gotten killed I'd have been that much more of a wreck." He nods his head gratefully for the tea and takes it, sipping, then sets it down. "So I don't remember a lot after that, exactly. But it's important to go back a bit. Remember Walpurgisnacht and how I didn't come around for a day or two afterwards, and I was more hyper than usual? There was a reason for that."
"That was the first time I'd really fought anything besides X-Eggs. I didn't know how to deal with it. I watched several girls die that day. I didn't know how to deal with it. I had nightmares and terrors ever since then, until I went north, and I couldn't stand the idea of any more little girls being killed or hurt."
"Then in the warm mist, I met them." He grins. "And they told me that they loved me for remembering them, and that they'd watch over me, and we'd meet again some day, just before the spell went off and everything went back to normal. But I haven't had any more nightmares since."
He drops his hands into his lap, startling Daichi, who zips back over to the table, and smiles. "So, I'm alive, I'm happy, and I have two guardian spirits. I think that's about as awesome an outcome as I could have hoped for."
This time, there's nodding to go with the eyebrows, though there's more furrows as he hears about night terrors and Walpurgisnacht. To be honest, his dreams about that incident weren't exactly pleasant, either. He can't imagine what it must be like for someone who actually fought that day.
His eyebrows ease at the mist, and his lips quirk at the spirits.
"I'm glad your nightmares are over." And if they come back, well, that's to be expected. But a reprieve is a reprieve.
He shifts again, one foot still tucked under him but the other dangling to the floor. "I'll be sure to light candles for your two friends, as well."
He made a noise as he set his teacup down before reaching over to his bed, rooting around under the pillow.
That piece of chocolate is still lying in wait.
"Most exhausting that happened to me was Chara changing with Ran. That was...new." He sits back down and unwraps a piece of cloth. "But I woke up to this."
A new, blue egg.
Then he blinks. "How ticked was Amu-chan when she found Temari?"
Kukai Souma makes a noise of amazement as Nagihiko holds up the new egg, reaching up as well to hold Nagi's hands for a second, then grins at him. "You've got a new egg! You must have a new dream?"
He thinks about Temari, then ohs. "When I got hurt the first time in the big fight, Amu couldn't keep her Transformation with Miki. And suddenly Temari came out and she... she transformed with Amu and -wow-." He laughs, remembering Amulet Maihime.
"I really wish I'd thought to get a picture of it. She tore through the first few waves of youma and gave us a moment to recover, but then she collapsed. Apparently Transforming with a Chara that's not yours is really hard?"
Nagihiko beams at Kukai's reaction, because sometimes it's easier to believe a dream when someone else sees it, too. "Yeah, I-I guess! I wasn't even sure I could do the change anymore, but with Ran..." He shakes his head a bit and just looks at the blue egg, eyes softening. "I guess I realized I still could."
"She transformed with Temari?" He winces in good natured sympathy before reaching over to lightly chuff Kukai's shoulder. "Of course she came out. After all, we gotta keep an eye on you guys." And it's not the same, of course, but some of the guilt ebbs away because a part of him was there. "Bet that was a sight."
His eyes may or may not look off in the distance for a moment as he tries to picture that.
Then he laughs. "Oh yeah. It's like...backyard soccer and the next thing you know you're in that." He gestures toward the television. "Except, in my case, there was a lot more pink."
Kukai Souma makes a rude noise at the idea of Nadeshiko OR Nagihiko Fujisaki not being able to Transform anymore. "Puh-leeze. You'll probably still be magical when you're nineteen."
He puts his hands down, grinning at the egg, fully convinced in it. "Yeah, it was you, taking care of us in the end when we needed you most." He grins and leans over, hugging Nagi just for a moment. "And thank you for it. And it was a sight. She was beautiful and powerful and a little crazy."
He ahs, nodding. "I had Eru with me - do you know Eru? She's one of Utau's Charas. She snuck into my jacket. I didn't Transform with her, but she helped me a lot." He grins, then looks at Nagi. "How much pink?"
At this, Nagihiko flips his hair. And even down, it still does that shampoo commercial fly and flutter. "Well, you know. I'm pretty sure we'll still be saving X-Eggs when the other groups are in a Magical Nursing Home or wherever they retire to when they graduate."
There is, of course, no thinking about why they don't see any magical girls and boys after a certain age.
He laughs a bit against the hug, happy for it. And then he sighs. "Yeah, that's my girl."
A fluster. "Temari! Temari's my girl! Not Amu-chan!"
He clears his throat.
His eyebrows rose, though, at the mention of Utau's chara sneaking along. "Oh hooooh?" A sly grin. And then a wince. "So much pink. I don't look good in pink or that tennis outfit."
He studies his egg for a moment. "Hey. This isn't official yet or anything, still working things out. What would you think if Nadeshiko went to another school and her brother shows up at Seiyou?"
Kukai Souma laughs. "Well I was pretty sure you weren't talking about me! But I figured it was Temari." Then there's that eyebrow raise and grin and Kukai just looks confused. "What do you mean, hoooh?" He can't help but imagine Nadeshiko in the tennis outfit, and laughs! "I dunno, you probably looked pretty good. I keep hearing purple and pink are complementary."
He looks down at the egg for a moment, then hmms, leaning against the couch and thinking. "Well, if he's a Character Bearer, then we may need to invest him into the Guardians."
There's a moment's thought and he winces. "Not as Queen, though. And I'm pretty sure Amu-chan would hit me and you and Tadase all if we tried to bump her up. Oh man." He grins weakly. "We'd think of something. But otherwise it'd be great. I'd miss you if you weren't around." It's spoken very plain and simply.
Phew! Crises averted! "Once I get her back, I'm gonna live in that chara change for a week, you know." It won't happen, because even he can't keep up with Temari for that long, but it's a nice thought.
At Kukai's reaction to his teasing eyebrows, Nagihiko just shakes his head. "You are a very good guy, you know." And as Nadeshiko, he'd know!
He taps his finger against his chin. "I'm pretty sure he's a Character Bearer. You may have to be patient while the egg hatches, though."
He shrugs a bit. "That's another issue. I mean, what. Become the Ace?" His eyebrow raises at that.
He sighs and leans back a bit. "But yeah. Even if it comes down to not being Nagihiko at school, I'd still get that time during the meetings to be not quite as Nadeshiko. That would help, you know?"
Oh crap. That sounds bad. "I mean, I love being Nadeshiko, don't get me wrong. And I love dancing still. It's just..." He waves his hand.
Kukai Souma laughs and nods. "Hey, if you can manage it, go for it." Daichi winces at the idea of being in a Transformation for a week. Kukai grins, leaning on the couch back, soaking in the compliment. "Well, not too good. And that's not a bad idea. Hello Ace. Hey Ace. How're you Ace?" He can't keep it up and starts laughing. "oh man."
Kukai hmms, then grins. "It's ok. Nadeshiko's part of who you are, too." He looks at Nagi for a moment. "You know I suddenly realize why you and Amu-chan get along so well. You're neither one exactly able to be who you want to be. You want to be both Temari and whoever this is." He taps the little blue egg. "And she wants to be Ran, Miki, and Su. You're more powerful, having more dreams, but also more lost when it comes to thinking you have to pick one over the other."
He puts his hands behind his head, thinking very hard about how it all works. "I think a lot of people do that, but I bet if you tried hard enough you could figure out a way to have all of your dreams." He looks over. "And we'll all help you. Me, and Amu, and Tadase, and everybody."
He laughs. "I don't think I could do it for half that long. Temari's a bit competitive, if you haven't noticed."
He snorts. "Sure, you're a regular rapscallion. But good where it counts, though."
Nagihiko makes a face at the Ace quips. "Well, I guess that's better than people being dorks about a male Queen. Though I could easily have fun with that, too." He taps his chin in thought, mischief in his eyes.
He leans back as well, looking up at the ceiling. "Amu-chan is Amu-chan. It doesn't matter the dream she has, or who she thinks she should be. She's who she always is." It's so easy to think that about someone else rather than one's own self.
His cheeks turn a bit pink at the end and he lightly shoves Kukai. "Yes. Well, I'm here for you, too."