A/N: Nice to see everyone, reading some more HokuxAki, huh? Good for you! This will contain minimal RyoxHoku mentionings, but I promise Ryouichi's not the bad guy in this! I wrote this a while ago and finally have had the time to post it, so please enjoy.

Disclaimer: Hisaya Nakajo would shoot me if she knew what I was doing to her work. XP

Ch. 1: Accident

It was a pretty typical Saturday evening for the two. It had been a little over a month since they had last seen each other, and there had been plenty to catch up on. It was mid-January and very cold out, and there were patches of ice along the sidewalks as they made their way to the train station to part and go home.

"So, Ryoichi, tell Masato and his family I said hello," Umeda said around his cigarette.

The black-haired man smiled at the redhead. "Sure. Hey, when the weather warms up, he was talking about getting some friends together and going out for a picnic. Anything to show off his little Hazuki," he chuckled, "you're welcome to come, Hokuto."

He relished the nervous flicker that passed through his best friend's light brown eyes. "No, thanks," he finally responded. "That's kind of you, but I wouldn't fit in there."

Ryoichi fought to keep the smile off his face. "Really? Please, you could come if you wanted to,"

"That's alright." Came the abrupt answer.

Ryoichi rolled his eyes, really glad Umeda had backed down. He loved the way the defiant doctor always gave up around him. It was pathetic, and might be offensive to most. But then again, Ryoichi Kijima was not like most. He knew how much he meant the Umeda and he liked having someone spun around his finger. Growing up alone had twisted him…rather than value the love of his friend he tended to exploit it. There was nothing he enjoyed more than seeing the gorgeous, cocky doctor squirm. "Fine, fine." He trailed off, not feeling like talking. Let Hokuto start a conversation for once. He listened to the blissfully awkward pause before Umeda did work up the courage to speak up.

"So, back to Osaka for me. How's the fortune shop been going?"

"Great, thanks," he was tempted to bring up Hazuki again but decided against it. That'd be overkill. Just then, the ebony-haired man slipped on the icy sidewalk. "Whoa!"

He felt Umeda's firm grip take hold of his upper arm and relaxed. He knew his friend wouldn't let him fall. "Are you okay? You should be more careful."

"I'm fine. Thanks, Hokuto." He flashed a brilliant smile, Umeda's face went from worried to flustered as he looked away, suddenly finding his cigarette very interesting.

There was a loud blare and they both turned their heads rapidly to see a motorcycle flash by in the blink of an eye. "Racing," the doctor muttered with annoyance, "on a night like this? What fools."

"Yeah, really, are they trying to kill someone?" the fortuneteller agreed. They made their way to cross the street one the 'cross' sign appeared on the street and a second motorcycle had passed.

"Ryoichi—!" the black-haired man turned to see Umeda looking down with the concern back in his eyes. Following his gaze, he saw he was headed straight for a patch of ice. Sidestepping quickly, he opened his mouth to thank the redhead. His own coal-black eyes widened in horror.

Umeda had slipped while watching Ryoichi's step and was slipping right back off the curb. Ryoichi reached out although he knew it was useless. All he could do was watch as the doctor fell onto the road—and right into the path of a third racing motorcycle that blatantly ignored the light and didn't see the black-clad redhead.

"HOKUTO!"

He shut his eyes tight but couldn't shut off his ears to the slam—and the scream.

Bum Bum Buum! I'll update soon, but reviews would be more prompting. Please let me know what you think.