Disclaimer: This fanfic was based on the 1st volume of the manga, "Only the Ring Finger Knows" which I did not write…it was Satoru Kannagi-sensei who created Wataru-kun and Kazuki-san… This has been mostly based on the summaries and If there are similarities it would be due to coincidences and through the influence of a few forums and fanfictions…

The Rings Unbind

Chapter1

(Deep emptiness)

With his heart racing and sweat running down his face, he still couldn't stop his feet from running at top speed. He definitely has to find Wataru. Shohei once again said unnecessary things- things he himself should've said long before. Okay, that was his mistake but- damn his brother for interfering with his life like that.

"Darn it Wataru…! Answer the damn phone! What good is your phone when you never even answer any of my calls?!"

Darn that Shohei, I'll really strangle him one of these days Kazuki kept cursing his brother and the fact that Wataru wouldn't answer his call until he noticed himself reach the park near his house- the park where he and Wataru first admitted their feelings beside the hydrangeas.

Considering all the times they fought, one of them always comes to this place- most of the times unconsciously. He can only hope Wataru was there, "darn, I'm thinking unreasonably…" that's all he could say as his feet gave way and he sank on the nearest bench exhausted from the marathon he ran…

While he was catching his breath and punching Wataru's number on his phone, he noticed someone sitting on the playground. He couldn't make out its figure since it was getting dark and all he could actually see a portion of the head as well as the hands and feet.

He came close, with every step he became more and more relieved as well as worried. It's been hours since Wataru and Shohei separated and he found out about it just 30 minutes ago. If ever this is Wataru, how long has he been sitting their? He's already wishing that this was just a random kid resting but to his dismay…

"Darn it Wataru, what are doing there?"

Wataru already felt light- headed since that morning and talking to Shohei about Kazuki's ex girlfriend wasn't good medicine for him either- it was more poison actually. He wanted to walk home or drink coffee when they separated but he felt so broken up and somehow empty that he didn't know where he was going. Heck- he could actually say that he was surprised he didn't get into any accidents now that he thinks about it. And now…Man! Who could just believe his luck, the guy who's at fault to all the pain he's feeling right now is walking up to him.

Wataru heard Kazuki call him, there was relief, worry and exasperation in his voice but he didn't move an inch, he just sat their staring at nothing, one arm lying limply on the ground and the other was placed nonchalantly over his knee. He didn't even turn to look at Kazuki and hell he will. He doesn't want to feel any worst than what he's feeling right now and recently, looking at Kazuki's demeanor, face and eyes- that's nothing short from above average nearing the point of perfection that he cant stand it. Considering how perfect Kazuki is he can't help but picture him and Mizuho together. 

Two beautiful people together- heck, it's what they call a match made by heaven. Just thinking about it adds pain to his already broken heart. He feels so broken and yet so detached…like something in him just died.

Kazuki can't help but get irritated by the way Wataru just ignores him but what can he say? No matter how he looks at it, he IS at fault. He still can't make out Wataru's face and he's starting to feel scared to get near him… just when he was near enough to actually see his beloved face he stopped…

"Wa…taru…?"

He remembered a warning from Kawamura…

… "I understand that you love each other and I don't think that you're the type who would just play around with Wataru or the type that would hurt him intentionally but promise us this- promise me and Karin that we will never see him look like that again."

There was such intensity in Kawamura's words that made him think that Wataru has such a good friend, but-

"I'd promise anything but what look would that be?" Kawamura sighed and looked at Karin- Wataru's younger sister and she started,

"Just before you and Wataru officially got together, he broke all ties with you remember? For a full week, we had to bear seeing him like that, he doesn't eat, I even doubt if he got any decent sleep or even rest for all I know, I see him like that for an entire week and cant do anything" Karin was looking gaunt herself while she relates this story to me and now I know why…

I'm sorry Karin, Kawamura I guess I managed to break that promise- right now, right in front of him, he's looking at the boy he loves so dearly with the face and aura that-

"…Couldn't do anything seeing Wataru look as if all life was gone- he looked dead."

Light and life was gone from his beloveds eyes- dark blue eyes that always had a glint, a shimmer of something strong and captivating… it was heart breaking to see and is really too much for him. He was actually scared of going near Wataru but unlike Karin and Kawamura- he can at least do something.

Wataru could sense Kazuki walking up to him and then stopping, he should have felt something but it all seemed to him at that time that it's not him that's there. He felt so empty that it's as if he was able to detach himself from his own heart and body that it just seems as if he's witnessing an event not related to his life.

Now Kazuki started to near him again, and is now towering over him...

"Wataru...?" Kazuki's voice was almost a whisper it's as if it was not directed to him at all…

"Wataru…what are you doing here? Wataru, look at me…."

His voice was filled with caution and worry that would have made all his sympathy transferred to Kazuki- but not now. he isn't feeling anything anymore… Nevertheless Wataru slowly closed his eyes and then turned his head… he stared up to Kazuki seeing and not seeing him…

Kazuki lost himself on that stare, he was surprised and somewhat horrified…'darn it Wataru…please don't…I'd rather you look at me with hate, contempt, irritation and even indifference…anything but this…'

Kazuki dropped to his knees and forcefully hugged Wataru… he has to make sure he's still there, that blank gaze… he couldn't handle it, that blank gaze deprived of any emotion, not even pain…it was total darkness that he cant even drown into… Wataru's eyes has always been something different for him… Innocent eyes that always betrays it's owner and let Kazuki read every emotion Wataru may try to hide…clear yet deep blue eyes that's startling against the light…but…whats happened to those eyes he loves…?

"Wataru! Wataru! I don't know what Shohei told you but please Wataru…"his voice is quivering now and his trembling all over…he feels so desperate and worthless he could kill himself-of course he'd kill Shohei first.

"…Wataru… I…love you…please… you've got to believe me… you've got to trust what I say… I love you…I love you… no matter how many times people say otherwise, you've got to believe me…please Wataru…at least say something… Darn it Wataru…"

He is nearing tears and loosing all focus, Wataru's body feels like ice to the touch, 'how LONG has he been sitting here?! With such thin clothes of all things!'- but the worst of all… those eyes he can't erase from his mind…

"Actually, you don't have to trust me- hate me, hate me you can even hit me, curse me all you want, shout at me just please… I can handle you more like that, like that I can still have hope that you'll calm down and listen to me. Wataru…not like this…please…not like this…" Kazuki held him tighter nodding his head on Wataru's shoulder. All the while Wataru neither moved nor flinched. He didn't even show any sign that he heard nor feel anything….

It was total silence and Kazuki couldn't handle it, but then- he felt Wataru turn his head to his ear and whisper,

"…Kazuki…I'm tired…"

...and then he said nothing more, he laid limp on Kazuki's shoulders embraced by the never ending darkness where bodily pains and heartaches can't penetrate…

Kazuki has been pacing his apartment for quite a while now; he can't calm down- this is something that seldom and almost never happens to him. It's always just with things concerning Wataru that the perfect model student Yuichi Kazuki looses focus, patience and face. All dignity dropped he carried the unconscious Wataru to a taxi not caring how they looked to the driver. He couldn't hide his emotions and was at the brink of breaking down himself. Wataru was so cold he actually feels dead. If not only for his heart beat and still soft skin and even breathing Kazuki would've really-

"Darn It!" he was really listless, upon reaching the apartment he immediately laid Wataru on the bed and covered him with layers of bed sheaths, jackets, everything that can warm Wataru up.

After all that, he just remembered to turn on the heater. He couldn't think straight anymore and have failed to actually think of bringing Wataru to the hospital- yup he's definitely loosing it.

Unable to think what he can do anymore he forced himself to calm down a bit just enough to make a decent phone call…

Karin has already finished cooking and washing up but Wataru haven't come home yet… Its already pretty late and as of what she heard from Kawamura, Wataru skipped class again… It's normal for her brother to be late but still…she's really getting anxious. Wataru has been in bad spirit for so long now, starting with Kazuki leaving for a week that lasted two and was nearing three. There was that letter as well, that letter he received from Kazuki containing vague writings and a small silver ring with a strip of gold in the middle- Wataru's and Kazuki's bind. Asaka-san wasn't of any help as well not to mention Kazuki's elder brother and most especially Kazuki's ex- girlfriend who also happened to be his first love. Her brother really is something…

"…honestly onii-san…"

Karin was in this line of thought when her phone rang…

"Hello…?"

"Karin? It's Kazuki...um…"-

"Kazuki-san...!"Karin interrupted.

"Wataru… he's with you right?! He hasn't come home yet and he's supposed to have cut his last two classes… he was looking pale and sickly this morning and was wearing really thin clothes as well… It's freezing right now and I'm really starting to worry- ah! I really should've forced him… he also hasn't eaten breakfast and truly doubt if he ate any lunch… Kazu-"

"Wataru's here with me-"Kazuki had just to interfere cause she's really starting to sound desperate and it made him feel worst…

"He's there? Thank goodness, Kazuki-san, better settle everything now, I can't bear seeing him like this, it's really not good for my heart…"

"Karin… I... actually…I found Wataru on the park… I think he's been there for hours and…he's unconscious right now." Kazuki can't tell her the story in a straight way and he noticed that his speech was faltering- damn his image is getting destroyed by the minute…

"He's what?! Is he alright…where are you…what happened…?"She's really getting a bad feeling about this and it's not just for Wataru…

"He's at my apartment right now, he's getting warmer. I sort of… missed the thought of the hospital and…Karin, any idea what I should do? I can't think straight at the moment…"

Karin couldn't believe what she was hearing, Kazuki can't think? That doesn't reassure her at all but- "Don't worry Kazuki-san, he'll be fine it's just that he'll be having a fever any time now and I don't mean a slight fever. You'd have to take care of him for a while… I don't think we should move 

him too much, it might get worst- I could go there if you'd like…Our parents aren't back yet anyways…"

"It's alright, Ill be able to take care of him… I wont attend class tomorrow, one to two days wouldn't be that much of a problem… my heads stating to clear up anyways- thank you Karin…"He was telling the truth, Karin just have the ability to make people calmer, women- they're intuition isn't all they have I guess…

Karin's starting to really worry and this time it's mostly for Kazuki… "Kazuki-san… I'm starting to think we should risk bringing him home… Its not that I don't trust you it's just that… Wataru…you might not be able to handle him…"

Kazuki got confused with this… "In what way… don't wor…"

"Kazuki-san, Wataru has issues when he's this sick… It's hard to explain but it really is torture for those who care for him…" there was definitely hesitation in her voice and one can tell that she really is worried about the matter. "Wataru seldom gets sick and it's actually just fine if he does but whenever he gets to a certain point… let's just say it's really painful to watch…"

"Karin, I'll handle it. It's mostly my fault anyway, he can pay me back through this…"there was finality from his voice and sincerity and sadness was eminent…

"…alright, but I have to ask you… have you ever heard Wataru complain about pains…? I mean like a wound, a headache or such things… can you handle him if pain is etched on his face?"

"Yes" actually I'd rather see that than a blank stare again…

"..ok…I'll leave him to you…just one more thing, the last time something like this turned up he became delirious and started talking and acting weird…that's the worst of it… at that point hell say whatever it was on his mind…" she really had to say all of it, she cant let Kazuki go through too much of a shock than he already has but in a way she wants to let Kazuki hear what Wataru has to say when he's in that state…

Shohei has been in his office and was on such a better mood that even his staff was feeling the chills… He really just can't accept that his important brother who's the pride of the family is going off track with his sexual interest. He watched that boy grow and had made sure to be the perfect role model for him therefore he will not accept that he would choose Wataru Fuji- a boy- to be his lifelong partner.

He wants to see what's so special about that boy that even Asaka- an equally almost perfect model student also from Tokyo University goes for Wataru. In all aspects, he is just a plain boy; too lean and small for his age, he doesn't stand out and isn't the intellectual type either. What's so good about him that the two most sought after students of TU is going after him?

Sure he's cute with that dark hair and blue eyes of his but other than that he can't see anything else! He ruled out long before the possibility that the boy seduced his brother and Asaka cause as far as he can see that older once are ones doing all the courting and seducing. The boy is also quite the innocent type but also not the push over type- his eyes reflects his strength, determination and naivety but that's still not enough! Many girls are like that, Yuichi just has to find the one for him.

Besides, the only reason he could consider why both Yuichi and Masanobu got attracted to him is that in one way or another, the kid resembles the ones they loved and lost- Mizuho and Asaka's dead ex-girlfriend Yuina.

The kid have the same facial structure as Mizuho and the same dark eyes- that's most likely what Yuichi saw and in terms of the kids aura and personality- he very much resembles Masanobu's dearly departed lover.

He just has to say those sorts of things out to Wataru and just adds a little background on Yuichi and Mizuho's past relationship. And oh, he must have really hit a bull's eye when he mentioned that no matter how much anyone would look at it, Wataru being Yuichi's love interest was hilarious and that no one would take it seriously…He'll just be a burden to Yuichi if he keeps on grabbing hold of him when Yuichi himself have now finally had the chance to get Mizuho back.

Of course just saying thing like that wouldn't affect Wataru that much but that is why he's been taking it slowly letting the dark- haired kid the truth until it sinks in- after that all he has to do is give the finishing blow. By now, if all goes well they would probably break up.

Shohei smiled to himself and thought that he didn't dislike Fuji, he's just not the best for Yuichi- they both will thank him for this one day…

"Ah, Takako…you visited papa?" Shohei smiled as his cute daughter approached him with the most curious stare…

"Papa's thinking something cunning and devilish again isn't he? Smiling like that, bad papa."

Shohei smiled at his child as he lifted her to his knees, "Ah-ah, your mama's been teaching you how to read papa's facial expressions isn't she? She's really good at it, neh Takako-chan?"

"Yup! Mama is really good she said she experienced it first hand! I wonder what she meant…"

At this Shohei laughed…he really cherishes his family…

This would be the first time I've made a fanfic but I do hope you've appreciated it…Please comment on my work and I really do have to apologize if the circumstances are a bit off- not just vague but unknown. This event should have transpired after Kazuki returned from America after two weeks that almost reached three...they had been arguing since then mostly because of Shohei's influence and little tricks…

This might sound pathetic but I learned the events that transpired after volume 1 through summaries and forums…I hope you guys liked it-

the next chapter- Wataru wakes up and falls asleep again leaving Kazuki pale, worried and somehow confused…

Please...leave me a treat...even if its bittersweet...a reply is what I wish to receive...