Family Affair

Chapter 7 ~ Departure

~§~

Yoh walked quietly towards the train station. He had left early to avoid any possible anxiety his leaving may cause, but he was strongly tempted to return home. He came to a stop and sighed, wondering if he had it in himself to stay away from his family for so long. Finally he began walking again, trying convince himself that it would all be fine, but already he was missing Kibo’s energetic voice and Manta’s soft aura. He sighed sadly, then blinked when he thought he heard something. A moment later he yelped when somebody jumped on his back.

“DADDY!!!” Kibo yelled.

“Huh?” Yoh looked back in confusion, and then blinked when he found it was Kibo who rest piggy-back style on his back. “What are you doing here?”

“I love you too, Daddy,” she said with an annoyed smile. “Why’d you leave so early?”

Yoh looked down quietly. “I didn’t want to make it hard on you guys by saying good-bye...”

“Hey, it’s not like you’re going away forever,” Kibo said with a laugh.

“I know... But the last time I was away from your mother for more than a week was when Mansumi forced him to go to Mt. Fuji...”

Kibo blinked. “What was so bad about that?” she asked as she laid her head on his shoulder.

Yoh sighed sadly.

“Mom was sad when he woke up,” Kibo said quietly. “And scared.”

Yoh blinked while looking up, then turned when he heard a twig snap. “Hmm?” He stared when his gaze fell on Manta, who was standing a few metres away, looking at the ground and holding on tightly to Sakura. “Manta-chan...”

Manta slowly looked up at Yoh with shaky eyes.

Yoh stared. “Manta-chan, what’s wrong?” he asked.

After a moment the blonde let his head droop while nuzzling his face into the teddy bear.

“Manta,” Yoh said quietly, then when Kibo finally got off his back he knelt down in front of Manta and hugged him warmly. “Don’t be sad.”

Manta stood there, allowing Yoh to hug him, then reluctantly leaned his head against the strong chest.

“Shizuka said he had a sorta flash-back type dream,” Kibo said quietly. “Apparently it had to do with some guy, Ren,” she said quietly.

Yoh thought for a moment, then blinked when he felt Manta begin to cling to him. “Manta-chan?” He looked down and saw the blonde was crying. “Manta, don’t worry. I’m going to come back as soon as possible.”

Kibo sighed, then lifted Manta up. “Mom, come on. It’s okay.”

Manta shook his head and then held his arms towards Yoh.

Yoh looked at Manta shakily. “Manta-chan... I thought you were okay,” he said as he gently took the blonde into his arms. He gently rocked side to side, trying to comfort his small beloved. “Manta-chan, it’s okay.”

After a short while, Manta sighed while closing his eyes, then nodded slightly.

“You’re okay now?” Yoh asked quietly.

The blonde nodded again, then looked up and kissed Yoh’s lips tenderly.

Yoh smiled while happily returning the kiss, then gave Manta a lopsided grin. “I’ll be back soon. I promise. And I’ll try to call every day, okay?”

Manta nodded some while leaning against the brunette.

Slowly Yoh rose to his feet and looked at Kibo. “You look after things, Kibo,” he said with a smile.

“I know,” she replied, then she looked down at Manta. “Mom, let’s go. Gramps said he’s gonna make us some strawberry and orange pancakes.”

“Aww! I want some!” Yoh said, half joking and have serious.

“You’ve got a train to catch,” Kibo replied with a grin. “We’ll have Gramps make you some when you get back.”

Yoh nodded while smiling, then looked at his watch and yelped. “I should have taken the later flight!” he cried, then he quickly gave Manta and Kibo a kiss. “I love you both. Take care,” he said quickly, then turned and ran for the train station

Manta watched silently as Yoh ran off, then looked down quietly while holding on tightly to Sakura.

“Mom? Are you okay?” Kibo asked as she knelt down. She smiled when Manta nodded, then clasped his hand gently while standing up. “Let’s get home. Breakfast will be ready soon.”

Slowly the blonde nodded, then allowed Kibo to lead him back to the estate.

~§~

Golden eyes stared boredly at the ringing phone. After the fourth ring, he lifted the receiver. “Mushi mushi.”

“It’s been a while, Tao Ren,” a sickeningly sweet voice stated.

Ren’s eyes narrowed “Who is this? How did you get this number?”

There was a clicking sound, then finally the person spoke up again. “Do you remember a sweet little child by the name of Oyamada Manta?”

Ren’s eyes narrowed slightly. “Yes. What about it?”

“Well, it would appear that he has been left to spend his nights all alone. Would you be interested in helping to keep him accompanied?”

The Tao frowned. “And what makes you think I’m still interested in that pipsqueak?”

“Because you are Tao Ren,” he said gravely, \"wasn\'t it Asakura Yoh you lost him to?”

The Tao was silent for a moment, then slowly his eyes narrowed.