Disclaimer: I still do not own it… Ryuusei no Rockman, that is.

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"asa… kasa…" a faint voice called from afar. "Tsukasa… Tsukasa-kun!"

A worried face seeped into the blackness. Blinking away the haze, Tsukasa stared up at Subaru's knitted brow. The boy's eyes surveyed his face and he sighed, a soft smile relaxing his face.

Tsukasa gazed past his friend's face to the dark sky. Frequent droplets moistened his dusty face.

"It's raining…"

"Yeah. Can you move?"

He pressed his palms against the ground, but when his head lift off the ground, pain split through his temple. His face contorted and he laid his head back. Staring into the sky Tsukasa whispered, "What happened…?"

Subaru's gaze searched the area for any means to move Tsukasa. "I'm not sure. I was pushed on the ground. I guess I blacked out, 'cause the next thing I remember was the rain on my face, the boys gone, and you unconscious beside me." He looked back at Tsukasa. "What happened to you?"

Tsukasa was silent. He really didn't know what had happened. He remembered Subaru falling… Mizu had punched him, but everything after that was fuzzy. It had almost been as if his body was moving on its own.

"I'm not sure."

Subaru frowned. He walked over to a large garbage heap, and began to shuffle through the contents. He pulled an old wagon, pushed it aside, and dug deeper. A few minutes later, he extracted a small sled. Dragging it over to Tsukasa, the boy wiped rain from his brow, though it was drenched again a few seconds later.

Sliding his hand under Tsukasa's back, Subaru propped him up. Tsukasa pressed his hands against the pavement and scooted back. Once he was carefully laid on the sled, Subaru pulled it under the damp cardboard covering.

"You should think of changing the roof with something more weatherproof," Subaru muttered.

Tsukasa didn't answer.

Subaru sighed and plopped down in the worn beach chair. He surveyed the tiny hideout, then his gaze lingered on the smashed knick-knacks on the ground by the fallen table.

"You have some interesting things in here."

Tsukasa stared at the ceiling. "People discard possessions as if they had an endless supply of them."

Subaru shrugged. "Well, if something breaks, you can just go to the store and buy a replacement." He added, "If it's not too expensive."

"Not everyone has the money to do that, Subaru-kun."

He didn't look to see Subaru's expression. After a moment, his friend whispered, "I guess not…"

Subaru didn't understand. He couldn't. He didn't live in a cardboard lean-to. He didn't have to fend for himself. Tsukasa had always lived alone; he had never had anyone he could call family, except… Laying his cheek on the splintering wood, Tsukasa closed his eyes. No, he didn't count.

"Where did you get this?"

Subaru held up Tsukasa's dripping blanket. Tsukasa looked at the ground.

"My, uh… my parents gave it to me."

"Oh." Subaru lowered the cloth. "I've never met them."

Neither have I.

Tsukasa grasped the sides of the sled, and slowly forced himself into a sitting position. Pain spiked his skull, but it was now bearable. Subaru jumped up and helped Tsukasa prop himself against the wall.

Handing the blanket to Tsukasa, Subaru asked, "Where do you live, Tsukasa-kun."

Tsukasa stared down at the cloth. Should he answer? Resting his head back against the wall, he closed his eyes. He could trust Subaru, right? Someone had once told him it was a weakness to trust others so openly. Tsukasa opened one eye and studied Subaru's furrowed brow.

"Subaru-kun?"

"Yes?"

Tsukasa fingered the lettering on his blanket. "If I told you something, would you promise not to treat me any differently than you do now?"

"I, uh…" Subaru stammered. "Yeah… yes, I promise."

Tsukasa smiled inwardly. It was a hard question to answer on the spot.

Straightened, Tsukasa set his jaw. He didn't care what he was once told. He wanted a friend. More than anything, he wanted someone who cared.

"This..." Tsukasa faltered. "I don't have a home, Subaru-kun."

"Nani?" Subaru's eyes widened.

Tsukasa gave a humorless chuckle, continuing to finger the worn cloth. "Yeah, it's surprising isn't it?"

"Tsukasa-kun… you don't have a house?"

Tsukasa pursed his lips and shook his head. "No."

"But… but what about your family?"

Biting his lip in an attempt to hold back his tears, Tsukasa tossed the blanket aside. "What family?"

"Don't you have a mom or a… a dad?"

"I never met them," Tsukasa whispered.

"You've never had a family?" Subaru's voice was laced with disbelief.

Tsukasa stared out into the rain. "I had a brother once…" He looked down. "But he left a long time ago."

The only sound was the patter of raindrops. Several minutes passed, but Subaru didn't say anything. Tsukasa cringed. This was a mistake. His brother was right. People hated you if they found out you had nothing.

"Tsukasa-kun… you don't have a dad?"

Tsukasa looked up. Subaru stared anxiously.

"N-no, I've never had one…"

A small smile twitched Subaru's lips, and he looked away. Tsukasa frowned. Was Subaru going to laugh at him?

Subaru looked up; eyes that mirrored Tsukasa's, glistening with unshed tears, locked onto his gaze. Tsukasa drew back. Tears? Was Subaru that happy?

"If I were to tell you something, Tsukasa-kun, would you keep the same promise?"

His words caught in his throat, Tsukasa merely nodded.

"I," Subaru placed a hand on his chest, "I don't have a father, either."

Tsukasa started. "Y-You don't?"

Subaru shook his head. "No. He… disappeared a while ago."

Subaru didn't have a dad, either? He knew what it was like to live without a father? But…

"Why are you smiling?"

"I've never had a friend so much like me."

Tsukasa stared. Did he… did Subaru just say…?

" 'Friend'… I'm your friend, Subaru-kun?"

Subaru grinned. "Of course."

Tsukasa's eyes welled with tears. He felt like laughing. Friend… friend! Subaru called him a friend!

Tsukasa's back suddenly arched as pain streaked his spine. He cried out and slumped forward, gasping for breath.

"Tsukasa-kun!" Subaru rushed over. "Daijohbu?"

Tsukasa coughed, then sat up. "I… I think so."

"You must have really smacked your head hard."

"Yeah…" Tsukasa looked up. "Oh, Subaru-kun! Weren't you supposed to visit Amaken?"

Subaru's eyes widened. "I completely forgot! Oh…" he groaned, "Now Okasan's gonna worry."

"Gomen nasai, Subaru-kun! You should go."

"And leave you when you're like this?" Subaru frowned.

"I could go with you…"

"Are you sure you'd be alright?"

Tsukasa pushed himself onto his knees, ignoring the pain that coursed back. With Subaru's assistance, he staggered to his feet.

He smiled weakly. "I'll be fine."

Subaru hesitated. "If you're sure…"

"It's fine, Subaru-kun. I just need to walk it off."

"Okay." Subaru grabbed Tsukasa's backpack. "Do you want this?"

Tsukasa shook his head. "No, you can leave it here."

After he stuffed Tsukasa's blanket back into the pack, Subaru placed it behind the table and walked out of the lean-to. The rain had stopped, but the sky remained dark with gray clouds that threatened a second shower.

Tsukasa shuffled out of the junkyard, his friend a few paces ahead. He smiled. Subaru thought of him as a friend… a friend that had suffered the same grief as him.

All was perfect, except for that mysterious voice that echoed, Be wary of those you trust. Tsukasa looked over his shoulder. No sign of any other life in that isolated dump. He shivered, and hurried up to Subaru. He shouldn't dwell on it. Right now, he was with his friend going to Amaken. He would enjoy the moment.

Resolved to think nothing more of the strange occurrences of the afternoon, Tsukasa followed Subaru out of the junkyard, but not without on more look down the lonely alley.

Tsukasa hummed the tune vibrating in his earphones as he ambled down the street. Amaken was amazing. There were so many inventions, and such a breathtaking view of the heavens! No wonder Subaru visited it so often.

Turning the corner, he rubbed his head. The pain had subsided, but he felt as if tiny needles pricked at his mind.

"You are foolish, Tsukasa."

He whipped around. A few pedestrians walked past him, and a couple strolled up the opposite sidewalk. Furrowing his brow, Tsukasa scanned the windows of the surrounding buildings. Empty. Tsukasa shook his head. This was nuts. He was hearing voices from a mouth that didn't exist.

He hurried around the corner. The junkyard was only a few blocks further. All he needed was to sleep off the affects of a trying day.

Tsukasa suddenly halted. Not more than a block ahead Yukomo conversed with a smiling girl. She giggled as he caressed her cheek. Tsukasa's nose wrinkled in disgust. Even though the boy was a few years older, his apparent flirtation was revolting. The girl turned down the street, wiggling her fingers in farewell. Yukomo winked and turned down a different street.

Tsukasa watched the girl draw her jacket tightly around her slim frame as she walked up the opposite sidewalk.

"Now's your chance."

He searched again for the source the haunting whispers, but the street's only other inhabitant was the girl walking towards him.

"That worm's punishment wasn't nearly what he deserved last time. Make him hurt."

"Nani…?" Tsukasa whispered.

A chuckle echoed off the buildings. "I guess I'll demonstrate."

Tsukasa gasped, then gripped his head. Nausea built in his stomach, and his skull screamed as a sudden pressure crushed his temples. His head spun, as if his mind was again separating from his body.

His face concealed in shadows, Tsukasa crossed the street. The girl looked up and halted as Tsukasa approached.

"Um, may I help you?"

"Are you close to that boy?"

"Yukomo?" She blushed. "Well, we might be…"

Tsukasa nodded, then grabbed her arm.

"Hey, let go!" She tried to pulled away.

He didn't respond. Tsukasa dragged the screaming girl around the corner into a deserted alley.

"Help!" the girl yelled as she wriggled her arm. "Someone hel-"

Tsukasa clutched her throat, silencing her cries. Clawing at his hold, the girl gasped for breath, her eyes shining with panic. Tsukasa grinned. Such wonderful terror. The thrill of fear. It-

His breath caught in his throat. Tsukasa shook, and his head twirled in nauseous patterns. With a gasp, Tsukasa released the girl. She slumped onto the ground, her chest heaving. She touched her throat and looked up at Tsukasa. He stared at his hands, horrified. He had just…

Tsukasa's eyes locked onto the girl's, equally terrified. He shook his head, and whispered, "Gomen nasai."

He whipped around and tore down the street. What had just happened? He had… Tsukasa had almost killed her. He flew around a corner, then backed into an alley, staring in pure horror at his palms.

"What was that?!"

"Wasn't it exhilarating?"

Tsukasa spun around, his chest heaving.

"Who is there?" he yelled.

No one in the empty street answered.

"Who are you? What do you want?"

A low chuckle rippled through the air, quickly erupting into a frightening cackle. Tsukasa backed away, his eyes widening.

"Wh-who's there...?"

"Oh, Tsukasa... don't you remember me?"

He spun around, but again, saw no one. Breathing heavily, Tsukasa bit his lip. What was going on? Who was speaking in the shadows?

"You can stop your idiotic circling. You can't see me."

Tsukasa froze. "Nani?"

A chuckle rippled through the alley. "Come now, Tsukasa. You can't have forgotten your own brother..."

He sucked in a sharp breath. Brother...? It couldn't be. After all this time... all these years he had been silent. Could he really be...?

"Hikaru…?"

"You remember?"

Tsukasa stared into alley. No, it wasn't possible. He couldn't… Hikaru couldn't be back.

"What's wrong?" He laughed mockingly. "Are you speechless with joy?"

Tsukasa shook his head slowly. "No… you can't be…"

"I'm here, all the same."

"You left… you disappeared…"

"What meaning does that have? I took a small respite to see how you fared on your own."

"You left me!" Tsukasa screamed at the shadows. "You can't be back!"

The street was silent. Tears welled in Tsukasa's eyes and he looked down.

"You left… you left me alone… You can't be back."

"Then who are you speaking to, Tsukasa? Are you a madman screaming at nothing?"

"I..." Tsukasa shook his head. "I don't know… but you can't…"

"Accept it, Otouto. I'm as real now, as I was then."

Tsukasa started. "Otouto…?" he whispered the name. "Otouto…? No…" His shoulders trembled. "You're… you're not my brother…"

"Nani…?" A hint of anger seeped through Hikaru's inquiry.

Tsukasa's head shot up. "You're not my brother, and I don't want you back!"

He suddenly cried out as his arm twisted involuntarily behind his back. "You're... you're hurting me!"

"That's my intention!"

"Na… Nande?"

His arm stretched further across his back. Tsukasa screamed.

"I could pardon your forgetfulness, but you are an ungrateful worm."

His head burned with Hikaru's anger, and tears streamed down Tsukasa's cheeks.

"Yame... yamenasai!"

"Not until you learn a lesson in humility."

"I'm not ungrateful! I can get along without you! I've done it for the past four years!"

Hikaru scoffed. "I've been there for you ever since you were born, Tsukasa. I never left you. Without me you wouldn't know how to live."

Tsukasa pulled back at Hikaru's invisible grasp. "I don't want you here. Please leave me alone!"

His arm suddenly whipped around, and clutched his throat. Tsukasa coughed.

"You can't force me out, Tsukasa. I'm the stronger one here."

Tsukasa pulled with his free arm, but Hikaru had complete control of the other.

"Stop resisting me, Tsukasa. After all these years, don't you have the wisdom to at least know that?" His voice adopted a sweeter tone. "Why do you want to chase out your own brother?"

"You're…" Tsukasa gasped for breath. "You're not my brother."

"You know that's not true."

"Subaru-kun's more my brother than you!"

Hikaru tightened his grip, and Tsukasa gave a stifled cry.

"That boy," Hikaru hissed. "That boy is the reason you want me to disappear?"

Tsukasa slipped his free fingers between his neck and Hikaru's hold. "No, Hikaru." He winced. "You're the reason… you don't love me like a brother. You left, and I don't want you back."

Hikaru growled, released Tsukasa's neck, now red and bruised, and occupied himself with Tsukasa's legs. Tsukasa leapt backwards and slammed into a wall. He fell onto his knees, breathing heavily.

"See? Whether you want me or not, I'm staying. You might as well accept it."

Bracing himself against the wall, Tsukasa staggered to his feet. "Nande…?"

"Hmm?"

"Why would you leave… for so long, just to come back?"

"I wanted to see how well you fared alone… per se. I never really left you. I was just quiet."

"Just to test me…? You abandoned me just so you could see if your vessel was stronger?"

"That brat is affecting your vision."

"No… no. Subaru-kun is my friend, and the only one who cares about me." Tsukasa straightened. "I don't need you."

A soft breath swept through the alley, swirling papers in the air.

"Fine. If that's how you want it."

Tsukasa shrieked and fell forward. His temples blazed in agony. Gripping his head, Tsukasa rolled across the ground.

"I don't need you to co-operate. I'll just make you accept me."

"No…" Tsukasa cringed.

"Give up, Tsukasa. It'll be a lot easier if you just surrender."

Tsukasa rose, then fell against a wall, fighting for stability.

"Baka."

Still gripping his burning head, Tsukasa stumbled out of the alleyway onto the main street.

"Stop… stop. Please go away!"

"I'm not leaving, Tsukasa."

He twisted around, and planted his feet in the middle of the crosswalk.

"Leave me alone!"

Tsukasa heard faint cries, but his mind roared in pain, overwhelming his senses.

Hikaru gave a short laugh. "As you wish."

The throbbing disappeared the next instant, and Tsukasa nearly fell under his weak legs. His chest heaving, he stared at the ground. Was he gone? He had left… just like that?

Tsukasa straightened, and gingerly touched his head. Nothing. No ache; no voice; nothing. A small smile curled his lips and he looked across the street.

He took a step forward, but paused when continuous honking registered in his mind. Tsukasa turned to see a huge semi-truck rushing toward him. There wasn't enough time to move. He sprinted toward the sidewalk, but the next second flashing metal collided with his fragile body. He heard Hikaru's faint laugh, then darkness overwhelmed his consciousness.

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Author's Note: Woo-hoo!! It's done. My deepest apologies for this taking so long. Well, I hope it was well worth the wait.

Translator's Note: 'Nani' means 'what', 'daijohbu' means 'are you okay', 'Okasan' is a name for 'mother', 'gomen nasai' means 'I'm sorry', 'Otouto' is a name for 'younger brother', 'nande' is 'why', 'yamenasai' means 'please stop', and 'baka' is 'stupid' or 'idiot'.