My first multi-chapter Niceart fanfiction This took me longer than expected because there were so many moments I was stuck with. There are some awkward places and there may be many confusing sections but I still hope you readers will enjoy this. (But please keep in mind that this is only the beginning so you are bound to have some questions…)

Please give me a review including any criticisms~!

Thank you!

-Miaicegirl

Chapter 1: Broken Boys

Art was a child who never believed in miracles. His weak heart always created limitations as to what he can and cannot do. The list of cannot dos was always long, unable to cross out anything from that list to add them into the can dos.

Then he was told to prepare for death at the age of seven.

The doctor told him that if they cannot find him a heart donor then they weren't sure how long he will live. One simple heart attack might take his life or he might survive for a few more years. They weren't sure. But to tell such a devastating truth to such a young child meant it was serious. Art was after all, a child standing in line with death.

Devastated, Art simply lived without a heart. He ate and slept and thought. He thought about his life. What he was to do from now on? But he came up with no answer because there was no one he can share his life with. Ever since they found out about Art's illness, Art's parents rarely came to visit him and their focus turned on the younger brother. Therefore, Art felt utterly alone in this world.

Through such times, Art lived for another three years.

Then at ten years old, Art meets a broken boy.

XxXx

Whispers. Art heard whispers at midnight. There were a shuffle of legs and the sound of a bed rolled in. There were a few whispers of voices then another shuffle of legs before everything turned silent. Art slowly opened his eyes and turned his head towards the place where he assumed the new bed was placed. The curtains were down therefore he was unable to see the bed next to him. Curious about the newcomer, Art quietly slide off his bed and slipped on his slippers. Tightening the cardigan around his shoulders, he drawn the curtain to find a new bed placed next to his. Art squint his eyes in the darkness before he stepped out from the curtains to peer down at the person lying in the bed.

It was a boy.

The boy's face was scattered with old and new scars. Brown colored hair was poking through the white bandages around his head while more bandages were wrapped around his entire body. He looked as if he was beaten up badly by someone a lot stronger than him.

Art guessed that the boy was around the same age as him and was about to return to his bed when he felt something grab his sleeve. Art turned and to his surprise found the boy grabbing his sleeve tightly even though the boy still seemed to be asleep.

Art grew flustered and slightly panicked before he heard the boy mutter, "I'm…sorry…"

Art stopped panicking and curiously examined the boy's face. He seemed to be in great pain as his grip on Art's sleeves grew tighter. Art glanced at the boy's nametag and read Nice which he found strange but he knew he can't really say so himself. Slowly, Art took the boy's hand with one hand while he softly placed his other hand on the boy's cheek. He noticed how the boy cuddled into Art's hand making Art smile.

"I'm sorry…" the boy whispered again which made Art's smile disappear in an instant.

He wanted to save…

"It's not your fault Nice. It's not your fault," Art said soothingly as he gently caressed the boy's cheeks. Suddenly, Art saw the boy's face relax and a small smile formed on his lips as if he was having a beautiful dream. Art took his hands away from the boy's face as he silently watched the boy sleep. His other hand was still within the boy's hands and there was no sign of him letting go.

Did I save you?

Tears formed in Art's eyes as he watched Nice smile so peacefully.

Was I able to save you from your nightmares?

More tears came before a sob broke out from Art's lips. Unable to hold it in any longer, he placed his free hand against his mouth to muffle the sound as his tears continued to flow.

You saved me too…

That night, Art cried for the first time in three years.

XxXx

When Art woke up the next morning, he found the bed next to him empty. He blinked several times in confusion as he stared at the empty bed. Then a nurse walked in and Art asked about the boy from last night. The nurse gave Art a relived smile and answered, "that boy is at the rooftop. Can you go fetch him for us Art-kun? He hasn't come down for some time and we are worried that he might get sick."

Art nodded before he took his cardigan hanging on the nearby chair and walked out of the room. He used the elevator to the top floor and used the stairs which gave access to the rooftops. He found the boy sitting on one of the benches. There were bandages wrapped around his head and body, same as last night. There was a faraway look in the boy's eyes as he stared out into the distance. Art slowly approached the boy and silently sat next to him, trying his best not to disturb him. The boy did not even move once and just continued to stare, not acknowledging Art's presence.

Art silently watched the scenery of the Yokohama city. Art could smell the sea water from the Yokohama pier just a few miles away. Art smiled; he enjoyed the presence of the boy next to him even though the boy has not said a thing. The breeze felt gentle and warm, the sun engrafting a gentle glow through the breaks of the clouds.

They sat there in silence, the silence not sounding awkward or uncomfortable. A comfortable silence.

"This place makes me feel as if I'm out of the hospital." Art 's gentle voice drifted in the air, his voice weaving together with the silence. "It's my favorite place in the entire hospital."

The boy slightly flinched from Art's voice but he still did not look in Art's way.

"I've been here since I was five years old," Art started, feeling the strange need to tell this boy everything. Art was always secretive and unrevealing when it came to what he felt. But strangely, he felt calm as he told the boy his short unfair life, "those five years outside of this hospital are my unforgettable memories even now. Even though I was so small at that time, I remember going out almost every day to play in the park with my younger brother treading behind me. After I came here, I became so much more restricted with what I can and cannot do. Then when I was seven years old, the doctors told me I should be prepared to die anytime until they find me a donor. Now, three years have passed and I'm still here alive without any news of a donor."

The warm breeze continued to blow. Art's gentle voice mingled, his entire life story told so briefly.

"Why are you telling me all this?" the boy asked without looking at Art, his voice cold and quiet.

Art thought about last night when the boy took hold of his sleeves. The boy's overwhelming guilt that always reoccurred in his dreams, haunting him, taunting him. Art knew what it felt like to not be able to escape from a nightmare. He knew and for some reason it saved him. He knew that last night he somehow saved this boy, then in turn saved.

"Because you shared me your worries."

The boy's eyes flashed with Art's words, his eyes firing with rage. He turned towards Art and glared at him.

"What do you even know about me?" the boy hissed, "how can you understand anything? About me?"

"I don't know anything."

"Then shut-" but the boy stopped his curses as he stared at Art in shock. A smile was on Art's lips as he watched the boy. The boy said nothing for a long time and continued to stare at Art as if he was mesmerized.

"What's wrong?" Art asked, suddenly growing worried with the boy's silence.

Tears started to fall from the boy's eyes, his eyes not once leaving Art. But the boy did not seem to notice the tears, allowing them to roll off his cheeks.

Surprised by the sudden tears, Art panicked, "what's wrong? I'm sorry did I say something to upset you?"

The boy touched his wet cheeks and seemed to notice his tears for the first time. "I…I don't know why I'm crying…" the boy muttered as he tried his best to wipe away his tears. "But when I saw your smile the tears just…"

Art widened his eyes from the boy's words before he smiled once again. "My name is Art," Art said softly as he kept his gaze on the boy whose eyes were slightly red from the tears.

"Nice…My name is Nice."

"I know…"

The wind was warm that day, the sunlight not harsh but gentle. It was a perfect day for an afternoon walk but two boys were on top of the hospital rooftop, talking for the very first time. An encounter changing both of their lives.

XxXx

Art noticed how Nice became more approachable as the days passed. Nice grew much brighter and more talkative and Art knew that this was Nice's true identity. And Art grew to like Nice this way, the true Nice.

They became inseparable and they spent most of their time together. Every weekday, Art attended a small school in the hospital and Nice went along with him. Art knew Nice was reluctant to attend school but Nice followed Art anyways. Also Art knew that the level of study was too easy for Nice as well as for Art, but Art just loved to study. Sometimes Nice would play catch ball with Birthday and Ratio at the small yard at the back of the hospital while Art watched them at a nearby bench. Birthday was another client at the hospital and was staying at the same room as Art and Nice. Ratio was the son of the director of the hospital and often came over to play with the three of them. But most of their time was spent at the rooftops where Art read his books while Nice took a nap on Art's lap.

Within their time together, Art came to understand Nice's charisma. Nice was a genius and it was obvious the way Nice acted and talked. Nice was simply living in another world. Art came to understand that and he came to admire Nice the way he was. Nice also had the unwanted ability to attract people around him with his personality.

But one thing many people did not know about Nice was his darkness. Art knew that there was anger and guilt within him which Nice didn't even share with Art himself. There were times when Nice would sneak out of the hospital and come back with new bruises. Nice would tell the doctors and nurses that he fell but Art knew better. Art somehow knew that Nice often sneaked out and got into fights with the gangsters on the streets of Yokohama. Art didn't know whether he intentionally went to fight but he knew that Nice wanted a way to relieve his anger and fighting was the easiest way to do that.

Then in two months since Nice's arrival, Nice at last left the hospital. His recovery was predicted to take only a month but because of his new injuries from sneaking out, his full recovery took another month. Despite Nice's smile the day of his departure, Art sensed the sadness in his eyes. Art did not know where Nice was going but he knew that he was not returning to the place he came from.

Even after Nice left the hospital, Nice still came to visit Art every day. Art enjoyed the visits from Nice and was always looking forward to seeing him. Then a few months later, Birthday was released from the hospital for his cure from his childhood chronic illness. Art was suddenly alone even though new patients filled in the spots of his friends. However, Nice, Birthday, and Ratio often came to visit Art whenever they had the time.

But one day, the visits stopped.

Art clearly remembers the day before the visits from his friends had stopped. Art immediately knew something was wrong as soon as Nice walked in for the visit and that there was something that was worrying him. There was a tight smile on Nice's lips and there were fear evident in the dark amber eyes. Whenever Art tried to ask what was wrong, Nice evaded him by changing the topic or trying to offer him sweets. A few hours later, Birthday and Ratio came to visit. Throughout their visit, Art felt awkwardness in how they interacted with him. Art felt as if they were forcing themselves to be cheerful around him. Birthday was always cheerful but he was a lot more jumpy and loud than usual, making the other patients in the room annoyed. Even Ratio was a lot more talkative than usual.

They both stayed for about an hour before they left with a "good bye" which left Art confused. They always left with a simple "see you" but never "good bye".

Nice on the other hand stayed until the visiting hours were over. Art remembers during the last hour before Nice was supposed to leave, Nice held onto Art's hand the entire time and refused to let go. Art remembers the sadness in Nice's eyes as they talked quietly, gently. Nice's grip on Art's hand tightened as the hour for Nice's departure drew closer.

Then ten minutes before Nice's leave, Nice suddenly grew silent.

"What's wrong Nice?" Art asked, Nice's silence scaring him slightly.

"I love you."

They both said nothing as they stared at each other. There was no smile on Nice's lips. There was a look of seriousness as he continued to stare at Art. Art did not know what to think about the sudden confession. It was too sudden, too brief. Art knew Nice never made a joke out of something this serious but he couldn't believe Nice's words.

"Nice, you have been acting strangely the entire day. Did something happen?"

The grip on Art's hand tightened for a second before it was released. Then there was a large smile on Nice's face before he answered, "nothing, it's nothing Art should be worried about."

Art was not convinced but he said nothing as Nice stood up to leave, Nice's confession still echoing within his mind.

"Good bye Art," Nice whispered as he started to walk out of the door.

"See you tomorrow?" Art asked, causing Nice to stop at the doorway.

But Nice said nothing and instead gave Art a sad smile before he left the room.

From that day on, Art never saw Nice again.

XxXx

14 years later

Inspector Art was growing impatient as he waited in the superintendent's office. He was told to be at the office an hour earlier but there was still no sign of the superintendent. Art was never the type to become impatient with anything but the recent serial murder cases had pushed him to an edge. And now his patience was being tested as he waited for the superintendent even though he could have used this precious time to track down the killer. Even someone like Art would feel annoyed.

The recent serial murder case was something Art had never encountered before. It was true that Art had a short career as an inspector but he was sure that he had never read about a case such as this in old files he had previously used as references. All the corpses were found in alleyways within the city of Yokohama, their heads completely blown up. The first time Art seen one of the corpses, he threw up at the mere sight. The open skull, the spilling brain, and the blood… But one thing that was more startling about this case was the fact that the heads were blown up from the inside of the head. Art thought over and over how this was possible but Art could not find any way to blow up a head from the inside except through the use of mystical powers. Of course, Art placed that idea aside but he couldn't find any better reason.

Art sighed. He knew for himself that he looked horrible. His usually combed lilac hair was in disarray while there were large black circles under his eyes. There was a hint of red within his violet pupils from the lack of sleep and his usually crisp suit was winkled. He had hardly eaten anything for the past week and had survived with convenient store bentous and energy bars. For the better word, Art felt terrible.

A few more minutes passed with no sign of the superintendent. Giving up, Art was about to leave when his superior walked into the office followed by a large man and a small girl. The large man looked like a beast with his orange hair, sharp looking fangs, and large masculine body. On the other hand, the girl was small and petite, her hair tied into clumsy pig tails, but her expression illustrated a sense of matureness.

"Inspector Art, I would like to introduce Honey and Three. They are both graduates from the Facultas Academy," the superintendent said, referring to the two strangers.

Art blinked and studied them more carefully. Art has heard of the Facultas Academy during his training period and how all the graduates from the academy were reassured with a good position in society. He also heard that only the brightest and the most talented people were allowed into the academy. But Art didn't believe such an academy existed because he never met any graduates from the academy until today.

"They are going to help you in this case."

With this, Art's head snapped towards the superintendent, his eyes narrowing. "Do you mean to say sir, that you are involving civilians?"

"They are not normal civilians, inspector. I told you that they are graduates from the Facultas Academy."

"That doesn't mean anything to me, sir. I still believe that it is wrong to unnecessarily involve civilians in a dangerous case."

With Art's words, the girl gave out an exaggerated sigh. All eyes turned to the girl who had her arms crossed in front of her. She studied Art before she said, "I believe what this man really wants to say is that you are incapable to catch this murderer by yourself."

"What?" Art asked. He watched as the girl took out a chocolate pop from her coat pocket then unwrap it before popping it into her mouth.

"This is a murderer we specialize in but after a brief background check we want more help." The girl turned towards Art's superior then asked, "is that fine with you?"

"That's fine as long as you catch that minimum holder."

"Minimum holder?" Art echoed.

"So, who are you going to contact?"

"I'm sure you have heard of them," the girl said with a small smirk, "we just have to give the Hamatora duo one simple call."