He's left the Sohma's behind since he knew he had no chance beating Yuki. All the times he fought Yuki was to hide his feelings for Haru. He wanted the cow's affections but Haru had eyes only for Yuki and so left.

Disclaimer and etc: Yes, yes, I own nothing, you'll be happy to hear. Ignore the OOC-ness, if you will. Think of this as an AU and from Kyou's POV fic. I'm a Haru/Kyou shipper.

Happy reading!

A Night To Realize

by Zeto

Trudging quietly along the street, I stride alone.

As I stroll past the other city dwellers, their chatter and laughter reaches my ears.

How happy they sound, sharing tales of humour and having fun.

What am I doing here?

I shake my head, my orange and longer hair brushing against my face.

I've been here for several years now and I still don't fit in.

All these people with their family and friends-and what do I have?

Nothing.

Why am I here?

I watch the people busy with their lives, content.

My stomach twists, leaving a sickly feeling.

Heart wrenching, I let out a soft, trembling breath.

Entering a small cafe, I make my way to the server.

I take a seat by the window after a short debate, just as my drink arrives.

I take a sip and almost immediately, I feel the liquid scald my tongue.

Rubbing my tongue against the roof of my mouth, I feel the sandpaper-like roughness grate my mouth.

What a miserable day.

The sky is nothing but a grey canvas.

Cloaked in that-that greyness, the world seems so dismal, dead.

The whole atmosphere a mass of bland desolation.

What the hell am I doing?

I don't have a job, I don't have any friends.

I don't have anything.

Why? Why am I here?

Why am I living this dreary existence? This-this bleakness? This life?

Freezing, I suck in a shuddery breath.

Oh, gods. It's never been this bad before. I've never felt this lonely before.

Paper cup falling, it hits the ground, spilling its dark contents along the tiled, shiny floor.

My dark eyes watch the liquid dribble across; a result of my shaky hands.

I shoot up, out of my seat, knocking the chair back.

I take off as my heart pounds, eclipsing all other sounds.

I race down the black tarp of the street, blood rushing in my ears.

I love racing; by foot, car or motorcycle, it's all the same.

The sensation of blazing fire in my blood; the hotly comfortable burning in my lungs.

I love the impression that if I run hard enough, I can leave the rest of the world behind.

Eventually though, I have to stop.

No matter how hard, or fast or far I go, I will never escape.

This loneliness, this miserable feeling of nothing. Yet, I still need to run.

Though I know I can't hide from myself, I'd rather have my delusions, even if it's only for a short while.

Slowing down, I fall back into my familiar trudge.

There's nothing for me in this city. I know that but I can't leave here.

I don't want to.

It'd been calling me.

This city with its treasures, opportunities and adventures unknown.

I'd come here searching for something.

I know better now. I'm not that naive, foolish person I used to be.

Life isn't a faery tale with a happily-ever-after ending.

There's no Prince Charming waiting for me.

There's no pot at the end of the rainbow.

However, I'll keep looking for that something.

Keep trying my best. If I don't, no one else will for me.

This is life; I have to make the most of it.

But...how much more could I give?

Sky darkening, it rumbles ominously moments before the heavens begin to tear up.

A fat drop of rain pelts my arm, then another and before long, my shirt is splotched with dark circles.

Most on the streets run for cover but I simply continue my slow walk.

Feeling the rain plaster my hair to my skull, dripping down my scalp in a tickling trickle, I revel in its coolness.

I could get out of it but I'm already soaked. It'd make no difference, really.

The change doesn't matter to me anymore.

Is there something better out there? Something or someone waiting for me?

Feeling eyes on me, I pivot warily.

It's a young man, and although he isn't smiling, his eyes hold an intense gleam.

I know it's not love, not even close but there's something there.

Meeting his gaze, he is unreadable to me; his face gives away nothing as me merely watches me.

We don't exchange any words. There's nothing to say. Not anymore.

Are you lost without me?

Closing the gap between us, he shields me under his umbrella and we walk away.

Back at our apartment, I'm now clothed in dry, warm pajamas.

As I slide into bed, I can hear him in his own room.

He knows. We both do. But he'll never acknowledge it.

And as long as he doesn't, I still have a faint hope.

Shutting my eyes, I can already feel the clutch of sleep sink its claws into me.

Just before I'm completely unaware and asleep, a rush of air barrels down on me.

He's entered my room.

Nearly silent, he pads up to my bed and I feel his strong gaze on me but I can't move.

Pulling my blanket up, he covers me gently.

His hand ghosts over my hair and then he's gone.

Maybe it'll never change and he'll never reciprocate my feelings but he's here now.

That's all that matters.

...

...Isn't it?

Owari

A/N: I hope you don't expect more...seeing as it was a one-shot that I modified to even fit this fandom. It began as an original work, while I was in an Ayaka (from Gravi) mind-set. Now, I may not harbour any positive feelings towads her but I feel for her hopeless situation.

Feel free to comment, criticism if constructive, would be appreciated.

A second part would be miraculous. Certain events that have happened to me have conspired to crush my will to write anything more longer than a one-shot.