A/N: This chapter was in the anime, I just needed to set up the scene.

I know there aren't many hybrid child fics out there but when I re-read and re-watched it, I can't help but feel desperate to create a happier ending for Kuroda and Tsukishima.

This is my first ever fic, so please any reviews and suggestions will be VERY appreciated! I will be improving my writing as I go on so please be patient with me :D

I try to get them to stay in character as much as possible. Enjoy!

Disclaimer: I do not own Hybrid Child, Nakamura sensei does =P

Chapter 1: An alternative suggestion

The numerous wounds on his body stung and ached as Kuroda staggered along the familiar road leading to Tsukishima's house, swaying as if he was intoxicated. Halfway through his legs gave way and he fell, retching, trying to catch his breath as blood seeped through the bandages wrapped around his neck. He gritted his teeth and stood up.

Tsukishima.

He started down the path again, his feet wobbling, and he could feel several stitches tear open. His mind was still reeling from the sickening conversation and he mustered up every ounce of energy, one step after the next, as fast as he could.

Tsukishima!

Kuroda arrived panting at the front gates and was stopped by the Tsukishima family guards.

"I am Kuroda, I seek an appointment with Tsukishima-dono! Let me through!" He cried desperately.

"Kuroda-dono! Stop! We are not allowed to let anyone in! "

"Move!" Kuroda shouted, fighting to break free from the restraining hands, "I still have things to say to Tsukishima. TSUKISHIMA! TSUKISHIMA!"

"Kuroda-dono, you can't…!"

"Let me through! TSUKISHIMA! TSUKISHIMA!" Kuroda yelled, pushing the men to the ground and stumbling into the courtyard.

The guards let him pass, after all they had known Kuroda ever since he was a little child. The front shoji doors slid open and Tsukishima appeared dressed in white, his long hair neatly pulled into a ponytail, surprise etched all over his face. Kuroda stopped in his tracks and glared at him, his breath in ragged bursts.

There was silence as Tsukishima took in his disheveled appearance. Kuroda was wrapped in bandages, gashes and splotches of blood marred the visible skin not covered by his robes. Although the night air was cold, his face was flushed and he was sweating profusely, his whole body shaking.

Tsukishima took a step towards him. "You look terrible. Is it ok for you to be moving around?"

Kuroda snarled, "HEY! WHAT DO YOU - "

"Stop hollering. It's the middle of the night."

Tsukishima led him inside and slid the doors close behind them. The whole place was bathed in dim candlelight.

"How are your injuries? How is Seya? I heard that he is in serious condition."

Kuroda fought hard to control the emotions welling up inside of him.

"My injuries are nothing. Seya is hurt pretty badly but something is affecting him mentally… He isn't talking. I don't know what he saw on the battlefield, considering that he is far from weak."

"That's worrying. I wish can go visit him."

What is he talking about at a time like this?

Kuroda looked at Tsukishima squarely in the eyes. "So I heard… I heard that you're going to take full responsibility."

Tsukishima let out a weak apologetic laugh. "Ah yeah, please take care of everything after I'm gone." The young man averted his gaze, "I had wished that all three of us would make it through the war. Then we can all go see the cherry blossoms again together." There was a pause and a rueful smile. "But well, you know things in life don't always work out."

Kuroda stood still, he felt a headache forming. He knew, but hearing it directly from Tsukishima made it all too real somehow.

Tsukishima started to pour him tea, his movements unusually calm and graceful. "I am worried about Seya. Please… please make sure Seya is fine and recovers well. You on the other hand, are the type who will never die no matter what happens, so I don't think there is a need for me to worry about you," he chuckled.

How can you be telling me these things with that face, and with such a casual manner? Kuroda felt a lump in his throat and a strange burning at the back of his eyes. Don't you know how much this is killing me? Are you really this clueless, after all these years?

Tsukishima turned to face him, handing him a steaming mug. "What? Why does your face look so scary?"

You have no idea how much I love you.

"In the end, you always take the best part and leave, don't you?" Kuroda's hands shook and his heart thumped wildly in his chest.

"Is it that you want to be a hero? You want to go down as a great figure in history? You want to be remembered as the man who committed seppuku to save his daimyo's* life or something? Oh the brave, selfless and honorable samurai Tsukishima?"

No.

"Kuroda! How dare you say that to me?!"

"Then don't tell me this shit with that kind of face! Let me tell you something, it is the ones who live that have it harder compared to the ones who go and die!"

No. This is not what I wanted to say.

"Kuroda, that's rude! There are things that you might want to say but you shouldn't be saying!"

"It might be all fine for you to die and say sayonara to this world but think about me, who is left behind to clean up after your mess!"

No. Tsukishima, I just wanted to see you.

Tsukishima's face was red and he looked livid. "Is this what you came here for? Is this all you have to say to me? If so, then just LEAVE! Get out!"

Why do things always turn out this way? Why are we always fighting?!

"When have I ever wanted to be…?"

Tsukishima's sentence was cut short as Kuroda lunged forward and tackled Tsukishima, both men crashing down on to the tatami mats. He pinned Tsukishima's arms down, heart beating so fast it hurts, adrenaline pumping through his veins.

No Tsukishima, this is not what I came here to say. All I wanted to tell you was one thing…

Kuroda kissed him.

"Kuroda! No, stop – "

Kuroda ignored the protest and forcefully kissed him. Years of uncertain and restrained emotions had burst through the dam and swept over them like a tsunami. When Kuroda broke away from the kiss, Tsukishima was silent, eyes wide, two splotches of pink forming on his cheeks. However there was no more time to be embarrassed, no more time to be beating around the bush. They had foolishly wasted all those years together, and now every millisecond count. It's now or never.

"Do you know that when a person dies, that's it for them? You return back to the Earth, you feel nothing… that's it!"

Kuroda held his grip on Tsukishima's rather frail arms, his skin felt as cool as always.

"It's the people you leave behind in this world that feel the most pain. Even though everything is over physically, there are terrible things like memories that will always remain." Kuroda lowered his head, his hair swinging forward to hide his face. Tsukishima's eyes started to water.

"And frankly, I don't want to have to deal with it. So if you are so set on dying, take all of my memories with you and then go and die!" His voice broke as he shouted the last word. It was getting harder to swallow that lump on his throat. The air between them felt thick and still; he could almost hear Tsukishima's heart thumping as loudly as his own.

Tsukishima scrunched up his face and broke into feverish sobs. "Why are you always fighting with me? Why? Ever since we were little, you've always listened to what Seya says but not me! You've always treated me like an idiot!"

"I know you're going to say you hate me or something, right?! Well, I hate you!" Kuroda shouted, shaking the other man's shoulders.

"Shut up! DON'T SAY IT BEFORE I CAN!" Tsukishima hid his face with his hands. "That's MY line! You're always like this… always!" He continued to cry, his voice muffled and thick. "I hate you, I really hate you. Why? Why someone like you…"

Kuroda was speechless as he listened to Tsukishima's choking, convulsive sobs. He knew now for certain that the other man harbored the same feelings as his; truthfully he had always suspected that but they had both been stupid cowardly idiots.

He slowly reached out and ran his hands through Tsukishima's straight auburn strands; the smaller man stopped crying abruptly in surprise. Kuroda pulled him into a tight embrace.

"Tsukishima," Kuroda kissed his forehead, "That's… enough."

Tsukishima's green eyes flew wide open and he blushed, he could feel Kuroda's damp breath on his cheek. His heart thundered against his ribs.

Kuroda's voice sounded low and husky when he next spoke, "Tsukishima… I love you," he whispered with his eyes shut tight.

Thump. Thump. Thump. Thump. He could hear the blood pounding in his ears and felt Tsukishima's face grow warm. Kuroda clenched his fists and braced himself for what he was about to say next.

"Tsukishima… don't leave me."

Outside, the wind picked up and fallen leaves rustled noisily. The doors slightly rattled in their frames.

Tsukishima froze. "Kuroda, what are you saying?"

He struggled to look at his best friend's face. Kuroda's short and messy ponytail had come loose and dark hair hung in front of his face.

"Just come with me."

"Kuroda... are you asking me to run away with you?"