Here I am again, being as selfish as ever. I can't stop my idea bunnies from spreading! This one just stuck to me and wouldn't let go... I don't even know if I'm going to be capable of finishing it... (I hope I do though, I really hope I do.) This idea seems interesting anyways. Hehe!

Dedication: sabiesakuramokona14, my favourite POT fan, and ButterflyStorm, my beta.

Disclaimer: I don't own anything except for the plot and Sasaki Ayumu.

Enjoy.

Prologue: The End of a Dream

From the moment one is born, one is always stepping towards their demise.

The pitter-patter of the spring rain on the window, the quiet whispers of the conversing nurses, the creaking of the white bed, the monotonous beeps of the medical machine and the slow intake of oxygen; the constant beat was comforting... but it was also cruel. Tension was thick as yet another breath was taken. From near the sickly bed was a rough, heart-breaking sob followed by gentle, yet shaky patting on the back.

This was the end.

Everyone was lying to themselves by telling themselves that it would be alright. Yet, even the most naive of the small group knew only too well that it was not. The doctor had calmly told them the blunt and painful truth. No matter how much they wished for the hands of time to stop ticking...time will wait for none. That was the honest truth that no one wanted to admit.

Another dry beep and the middle aged woman cringed. White knuckles, even paler face: her worry was evident. The one next to her stared at the black haired boy with the same worry, though she was still trying to reassure the other with docile gestures. Another tearful cry and the petting grew more panicked. No one knew what to say and so, the awkward silence continued.

"R-Ryoma..." a raspy voice called out yet the only response the grief filled woman got was a twitch of an eye.

Then silence.

"R-Ryoma!" she cried out again, choking on her tears as she pounced on the boy, "Wake up! Wake up!"
The soft weeps became full-scaled, hysterical sobs. Nurses had to intervene and they dragged the struggling woman away. "Ryoma!" No answer. There was only the noise of the raindrops outside. No whispering, no creaking, no beeps; not even the sound of pained breathing. He had gone so softly, like a flame in the breeze.

A man baring a resemblance to the unmoving boy came up to the bed. Without a word, he gently brushed the midnight bangs out of the vacant face. Those golden eyes that used to burn with such determination... would never reopen. There was a dull ache in his chest and even if he resisted the tears, they still flooded out. All those still present in the room quickly left, knowing that it would be better to leave this grown man alone.

There were no words spoken yet the man's pain was clear. The room was the man's closed universe that was separated from his bleak life outside. The man's body trembled as loud-pitch sobs came out. He grasped the boy's hand firmly, even if he knew that those hand would never react to his touch... not anymore. Another agonized sob. The man didn't even try to hold it in anymore. Yet, he knew that even if he cried all the tears he could, his precious son would not return to him.

Time moved on.

And rain would continue to fall.

XxXxX

"Sasaki Ayumu!"

"Huh?" a peanut butter haired boy replied, his head jerking in the direction of the voice. A black haired girl wearing a bored expression stood at the entrance of the classroom. Her green eyes were narrowed with irritation. "Are you finished yet?" she asked in an impatient tone.

"Almost! Go home, it'll be fine. I'll lock up when I'm done with this..." the boy replied, his attention back to his canvas.

"Why are you trying so hard? You're only a freshman and you're already stressing too much!" said the girl with exasperation. Why she asked? He wanted to get a perfect score. Sasaki already knew that he would fail all his other courses, whether it was physical education or English... At the very least, he wanted one class that he would pass with flying colours... even if it was only for this one term. That was the reason the light brown haired boy was working so hard. With a sigh, the black haired girl caved in, "Fine! Here are the keys! I'm going!"

She tossed him the ring of jingling keys but they slipped through the boy's clumsy fumbling fingers. In a failed attempt to catch it, Sasaki fell off his chair and into a bucket of red paint. The girl groaned and the boy smiled apologetically with a sheepish shrug. "Don't worry!" he repeated, trying to be as reassuring as possible. Though the annoyed girl mumbled, "I doubt it..." in a grumpy tone, she left. Sasaki returned to his work with an exhausted sigh.

He was oblivious as the late afternoon became evening.

There was a streak of grey, a dip of white and an inkling of black with splatters of blue and speckles of yellow. Now this was a painting that deserved a good mark! Sasaki's emotions were engraved deep within the colours: envy, tranquillity and persistence. With a satisfied smirk, the boy relaxed and set the reliable paintbrush back on the table. Time to clean up! Stretched his limbs, the boy stood and his amber eyes drooped lazily.

He stumbled, his limbs feeling awfully heavy.

He was so drowsy all of a sudden... This was very unusual.

The boy staggered and there was yet another crash. With all his might, he tried to stand but it was useless. He just didn't have the strength. All Sasaki wanted was some sleep... His eyesight blurred and slowly, those orange brown eyes closed. The last thing he saw was his lovely portrait of the rain. Then, his mind went blank... And his world went black.

Okay, that was the prologue! Pretty short but it is a prologue. XD I tried my best to smooth it out, I really did. Super angsty, I know. I will insert more action in the next few chapters. Review would be nice. I love reading them. Comments and criticisms are welcome. Hehe, I shall try to make this a story you will all enjoy!

Next chapter will be coming soon, I promise 'ya!

-huskies4EVER