There is only one thing that Toshiki and Juubei agree on, and that is that they must lift Kazuki above them.

When they had first met, they had made an effort to get along, but they were too different; there were always too many differences between them. Juubei may have fought, but he was a healer first and foremost, and a guardian. He was no weapon but a shield and a salve. For all that, it stung that his abilities were on the same level as Toshiki's; he could be an excellent warrior. Instead he fought in defense only, an eternal protector of Kazuki.

Toshiki, instead, had always ended up the not-so-metaphorical third wheel. Kazuki and Juubei had always known each other; even before Mugenjou they had been functioning as a team. The noble and his guardian, the musician and his audience, the warrior and his shield. What could Toshiki contribute? Had he known how they worked together, he would not have approached Kazuki at all, he thinks. He hadn't known.

He is a fierce fighter, willing to kill to make a point; Kazuki and Juubei will not kill except where it is absolutely necessary. He uses his bare hands and cannot relate to the needle and thread dynamic they have lying silently between them. Back then, he stood on the outside looking in, and Kazuki never looked at him, had eyes only for Juubei.

There were times he'd walk past whatever room they'd made a bedroom of and hear their noises, lean against a tattered doorway and see Kazuki straddling Juubei, Kazuki's hands on Juubei's chest, Kazuki's back to the door. Toshiki has never seen Kazuki's face in passion; it was not for him.

When they met again in Mugenjou after Kazuki returned to save Makubex, he thought that he would kill Juubei, and then even should Kazuki look at him with horror and revulsion, he would at least have Kazuki's eyes on him, Kazuki's gaze meeting his.

It sits hotly in him, the shame. Kazuki had lept between them, facing Juubei as always and his voice had gone soft - yes, he faced Juubei because Juubei was willing to attack from behind if necessary. But Toshiki had never done that and never would. He trusted Toshiki with his back as he trusted Juubei with his front. And if his place was between them-

He is not sure how he will ever learn to live with them, but he cannot do anything but try. They have earned it, together, and Kazuki's place is not between them, it is above them. But he must be supported from both sides to be held high, and if he can trust nothing else about Juubei, he can trust that Juubei will hold his side of Kazuki.

It is enough, in a way.