Pain Defined

Authors Note: This story is really demented and you really should be told so I'm telling you It's strange and I'm VERY proud of it though I must say there is always the possibility that I made tons of mistakes. The main problem is name confusion there is so many ways to spell each name, I ended up picking whatever spelling I like. The next thing I should bring up is that I have lots of suicide and of course the ever popular shonen-ai. NO FLAMES! thank you. As for this chapter it would not make too much sense if I didn't tell you that what you supposed to look for. This chapter is clues to what I will be doing later, look for the name after the lyric and you'll get the clue, they may or may not make sense yet.

ALSO: to those of you who read this earlier now I have had a chance to fix my spelling and grammar mistakes so I hope it is easier to read and understand. thank you.

Contents:

Prelude: Random Moments

Forgetting

Picture Framed

Prelude: Random Moments To the song: Are We The Waiting? By: Green Day

Starry nights,

Keiko breathed in the sweet smell of night. She felt surrounded by life. She felt the soft brush of the world's pulse beneath her, and the grass seemed to cradle her relaxed frame in a soft embrace. There was a distant voice murmuring something to her but she could not pay attention. Everything was so calm. She breathed deeper letting sleep overtake her, giving in to the calm. A soft fey touched her skin and she slowly began to stir. Something was on her face…the touch. She opened her eyes. At first she was unaware of where she was, and then she took in her surroundings and discovered that she was in the park. She lifted her hand to her cheek and pulled away something soft. She looked down at it puzzled, a white flower pedal. Suddenly there was a rustle and pedals and flowers were everywhere floating around her. She rolled off her side and so she could lie (lay?) flat and peer above her. She focused at the flowing tree's branches and saw Botan grinning down at her from the tree.

City lights, coming down over me

Hiei would have seemed distracted, if Hiei could seem distracted. He walked down the street slightly stunned by the large crowds that were out at this hour, but walked directly down the center of the sidewalk anyway. If they didn't move it wouldn't matter anyway, he would keep going.

Skyscrapers and stargazers in my head,

Kuawbara walked down the street like the fool he was. His mind was obviously elsewhere (or maybe it never was there). He made his way to the arcade like a madman (and was avoided as such).

"Ah," he thought out loud "what a lovely night."

Are we, we are, are we, we are the waiting unknown

Koenma paced in his current state of insomnia but it did nothing for his malaise. He knew that the world would have great need for a hero soon…it would need such a magnificent sacrifice. All he had to do was play his part but he was held back.

He looked out the window and whispered to the stars. "This peace is always so swift I almost trust it less then when I know I have an enemy. Calming peace is a faceless enemy to us all."

This dirty town was burning down in my dreams

Sweat poured off of Yusuke's forehead. He struggled to breathe. Keiko's name burned on his lips. Burning…just like she had been…screaming…calling for him…he couldn't reach her, he was beyond her, she was beyond him. He stood and began to dress. This night was not made for dreams…it was made of them.

Lost and found

Hiei watched as the crowd suddenly shifted to let through a harried girl. She was muttering about her tardiness when she turned. Her crimson eyes focused on the spot where Hiei had just stood.

Yukina's voice came out choked, "Hiei?" she said softly to the wind.

City bound in my dreams,

Botan had drifted off into slumber almost the very second Yukina had arrived. She opened her eyes when she felt a friendly tug on her hair…Keiko smiled down brightly at her.

"You can't sleep all night, Botan," Botan opened her mouth to retort when Keiko continued "Besides, we're gonna go get ice cream and …" Botan stood up.

Keiko giggled hooked arms with both her friends and asked suddenly, "Botan, do you remember your dreams?"

"Oh… never mind" she said waving her hand dismissive.

And screaming…the waiting

Kuawbara now wandered the streets moping over his empty pockets. Over all his (excruciatingly) loud thoughts he heard a familiar, shy voice. "Yukina!" he cried rushing to her side "oh, hi Botan, hi Keiko." They both were riveted at being remembered. (Sarcasm implied).

And screaming…. the waiting

Kurama entered his room and closed his door. He felt that sleep was somehow improbable, if not impossible. Unsure of what to do instead he turned and opened his window. The air was warm and had the distinct scent of the Makkai. The smell was fait and somehow reassuring. He began to undress.

Forget-me-nots

Hiei was so shocked he almost fell out of his tree…almost. The kitsune had ignored him. Did he know he was there? He had smelled the air, but then he just looked calm. He was sure the kitsune would know he was here. He must have let his guard down. Bad move. Hiei touched his sword's hilt. That second the kitsune returned and stared at Hiei, unblinking. Kurama just stood there, totally defenseless and shirtless, without even a hint of fear. Hiei smirked. Kurama knew he was here, he just wasn't threatened.

"Stupid fox," Hiei muttered. He drew his sword and lunged at Kurama. Kurama didn't even flinch. Hiei stopped about an inch away from Kurama's gut. "Damn fox."

And second thoughts,

Keiko's brown eyes slowly began to close. Now that Kuawbara was here, he was the only one talking and all he seemed able to do was brag to Yukina. They were reentering the park they had been in earlier, and Keiko was looking for a bench. Botan was the first to find one and wordlessly they all sat down except Kuawbara who stood in front talking and gesturing loudly. Keiko, who sat in the middle, watched him like a silent movie never hearing a word until she slowly sunk into Botan's lap. The other two were asleep soon after. Kuawbara kept talking.

Live in isolation,

Hiei jumped into a tree. He looked about him, he was in total seclusion. He had nothing to fear and he let his thoughts wander. With a sudden need, he reached into a hole that was conveniently carved out of the tree. He pulled out a worn wooden flute and felt its scars. A pattern had been etched into its frame. It shaped the way it was. It became this way in order to be the instrument it was, the tool. Each etch a memory, one that cast and shaped it to be useful, to be used. He stared at it. It's hallow, empty center, the holes, and the scars. A dragon slipped and coiled around this flute…molded into its very frame. He lifted it to his lips and played. He wove a song of pain and betrayal. He wove a song of death, the Makkai, and a mother's hand. He wove a song of two pasts, his and the dragon flute's.

Heads or tails,

The sun was barely peeking over the horizon and Yusuke's and Kuwabara's voice was echoing over the park trees. Attempting to avoid getting involved or getting trampled Kurama and Hiei stood just outside of the fight.

"At least we are well behaved and start meaningless fights." Kurama said with his eyes shining.

"Hn," Hiei replied without expression.

And fairytales in my mind,

Botan relaxed and stretched as she lay down. She began to let herself be taken by the seductive lure of her dreams. 'All I need to do is dream…as long as I can dream…'

And screaming are we, we are. Are we, we are the waiting….

Keiko stared at Yusuke. She couldn't help but look at him; he was so alive right now. She didn't know if she felt anything at all towards him. She was so afraid. He looked up at her as though summoned by her thoughts. She began to memorize his face, like she expected him to disappear. He gave her a confused look. Sweat beaded off of his face, his hair looked wet, and his eyes…something about his eyes, his deeply troubled eyes, made her remember, they made it impossible to forget all the times he should have died and the time he did. She felt heat rise in her face as his look changed into concern…

The rage and love the story of my life,

Hiei closed his eyes in irritation and began a low growl. Kuawbara kept up Yusuke's side of the conversation for him as Yusuke paused to look at Keiko.

Hiei's growl intensified. "Shut up you idiots," when Kuawbara gave no response he continued "Hey stupid did you hear me?"

Kuawbara turned sharply. "What did you call me?"

"Are you deaf too, or just stupider than I thought?"

"Now see hear (bad pun) shortie." Everyone sweat drops but Hiei and Kuawbara.

"It seems that Hiei was feeling left out," Said Kurama with a shy glint in those emeralds of his.

"Hn," Hiei replied as he walked back to his place next to Kurama. Yusuke laughs.

The Jesus of suburbia is a lie,

In a rush of girly brilliance Botan decided that this was somehow worthy of a picture. Keiko had a Polaroid on her (don't ask why) and the next step was setting it up so they all could be in it. Hiei looked as though this was the last thing he planned to do, but with a shy look from Yukina and Kurama he simply deflated and stood there as a perfect example of a pacifist.

"Smile" said Keiko enthusiastically. She clicked the camera's timer and rushed to get in it. They all smiled except Hiei. They all gathered around to see how it turned out. The picture was all in shadow.

Are we, we are the waiting, are we, we are the waiting unknown. Are we, we are the waiting …..