Third Person POV

"It will be good for you!" Touya said, exasperated.

"Lies."

Touya hid his face in his hands and suppressed the urge to scream. Touya had been living with Hitoshi for several weeks now. It was embarrassing that it had taken him this long to realize Hitoshi was not going to school.

Touya was thought dead, so he couldn't further his education, but he'd be damned if he let Hitoshi suffer the same fate.

Education was important, despite what the child might think.

"Hitoshi..." Touya sighed, "You should really consider going."

"Why? It's a waste of time."

Touya would admit that Hitoshi was relatively smart, but no matter how gifted a child is, they don't know everything.

"You can't stay in the warehouse and train for the rest of your life." Touya explained.

"And why not?" Hitoshi arched his brow.

Touya had felt it was his responsibility as the older of the two to make important decisions. He could tell that Hitoshi didn't like the change in authority.

"Because that's bad for you."

"Is it now? Can you explain how? I was of the sentiment that I was perfectly healthy."

Touya clenched his fist in frustration, fire licking his knuckles. "You might be in perfect physical health, but I meant mentally."

Hitoshi's face stretched into a slow smile, "I know."

Touya threw his hands up in the air, "You're so annoying." he huffed.

Hitoshi's smile didn't leave his face.

"Just... consider it?" Touya practically begged.

"For you? Of course."

Touya's eye twitched. "I'm going to the store, do you want anything?"

"Black hair dye. 2 boxes." Hitoshi responded.

Touya shrugged, "Alright."

Touya made his way over to their shared office turned bedroom. Hitoshi had access to his parents bank account, and was pulling out money every month (Hitoshi said he'd set up an online account or something, Touya didn't know the details) posing as his own uncle. Hitoshi had mentioned that he'd made up an uncle from the states whom he supposedly lived with now.

Touya wasn't sure how he'd created records for someone who didn't exist, but he knew by now not to question anything. The 'uncle' pulled money out as part of some kind of child support thing that Touya hadn't been given many details on.

Touya opened the desk drawer and pulled out a book. There was money hidden all over the warehouse, the money pressed between the pages of Touya's favorite book was simply the easiest to access.

Their bedroom was simple, they had two futons laid next to each other on the floor, and a small desk with a chair. They had no need for much more anyway, nor did Hitoshi's parents have an incredible amount of money. Therefore, they couldn't afford an incredible amount of furniture. The futons were bought, but the desk was found in the junkyard.

The majority of the money was going to electricity bills and food.

Touya was seriously considering getting a job.

He shoved the money in his pocket and made his way towards the warehouse exit.

He noted that Hitoshi was training, ruthlessly attacking the wooden dummy they'd created out of scraps. Touya shuddered, the kid may only be five, but god he was frightening when he wanted to be.

"I'll be back soon!" Touya called.

"Take your time."

Touya shook his head in amusement, Hitoshi loved having the place to himself.

-+-

Hitoshi was content. He stopped abusing the dummy a few minutes after Touya had left.

Touya was smart, but he was also dumb. He wore sunglasses and a hat when he went out (they'd decided a mask was too suspicious), but his white hair was still relatively obvious.

While Touya may have been thought dead, that did not change the fact that if he ever came across his family, they might recognize him.

Hitoshi knew he'd dyed his hair black at one point. It was a good idea.

As much as Hitoshi hated to admit, with his purple hair he looked a lot like his father. It wasn't far-fetched to think that someone (police who had taken his parents' case) might realize he was not living with his 'uncle'.

If they both dyed their hair black, they could pass as brothers if someone asked questions. It was more likely and believable for a 13 year old to be outside with a younger brother rather than some random 5 year old kid.

Hitoshi also wondered if he could change his features at will, to spare the effort of dyeing his hair. He'd already tried to change his height and age, no luck in that department. That led Hitoshi to believe that he was still capable of aging, even as a god. He knew on an instinctual level that he would eventually stop, he just didn't know when.

It was safe to say that Hitoshi was incredibly annoyed that he couldn't grow at will. It would take years for him to grow to a respectable height. If Hisoka were here- Hitoshi shuddered.

Hitoshi decided it was better for his health to not think about Hisoka, so he stopped.

His thoughts turned back to training. He was unable to procure a gun. It would have been too loud, and Hitoshi didn't have the money. He could've stolen a gun with a silencer, but he figured it wasn't worth the effort.

Instead, Hitoshi had turned to throwing knives (some bought, some found). Sure, there were several people who have quirks that a knife wouldn't be able to pierce. But there were just as many whom a knife could pierce.

Hitoshi smiled, a knife felt much more personal than a gun.

He started hacking away at the dummy with his knives. He's torn through many dummies with his knives. Touya charred the ones he used, at least the ones Hitoshi ripped up could be pieced back together.

They'd also hung wooden boards to the chains that swung from the rafters. Hitoshi used the wood as makeshift targets.

Hitoshi was mildly embarrassed to say that he missed 70% of the time. Throwing knives was hard, out of the 30% that actually hit the boards, only 10% stuck to the board. The other 20% hit the board, but fell to the ground.

He'd only been throwing knives for a few weeks, but he had high standards. The rate at which he was progressing was laughable. Sure, he was in the body of a five year old child, but that was no excuse to be bad at things.

Touya would disagree with him. Anyone would probably, but they didn't know he was a fully grown adult.

Touya was smart enough to not treat him like a five year old child, but the looks he got on the streets when he went out alone. It was always something along the lines of, "Where are his parents?"

Hitoshi had stopped going out alone, and only left the warehouse with Touya. It was inconvenient, but better than having some adult on his case.

-+-

Touya took his time, carefully perusing the shelves of their local convenience store.

Touya knew well enough that Hitoshi would savour every moment he got alone. Therefore, he was in no rush.

His basket was full of mainly necessities, but he'd thrown in a few things that he wanted as well (sweets). He grabbed the hair dye Hitoshi wanted, and was now looking for anything else he might need.

He was trying to take as long as possible for Hitoshi, he really was. Alas, he wasn't buying much, and he can only stretch out his trip for so long.

Although, he mused, he could take the scenic route home.

Hitoshi... the kid was like the annoying sibling he never wanted. In both the older, and younger sense.

When they first started living together, he behaved like the older brother in the relationship. Touya hadn't even known his first name until last week. Ever since he found out, Touya's made it his personal mission to get Hitoshi to act his age. But not too much! The kid knew more than he did about adulting, so he shouldn't alway act his age.

Their current life would crash and burn if that happened.

But, sometimes, Hitoshi should act his age sometimes. Touya'd love to see Hitoshi's face light up with a smile of childhood innocence.

A kid younger than Touya shouldn't have taken on the role of older sibling in their relationship. It was wrong. Touya didn't even want to think about what happened to him.

Hitoshi was the same age as his youngest brother. If Shoto acted like Hitoshi did-

Touya would kill whomever was responsible.

Thoughts?