Author note: Welcome back. I will not bore you all too bad. On to the story!

Disclaimer: I own the story but not the characters.

Chapter start

"How could this have happened?"

That was the question on everyone's minds, Kamui's especially as he waited in the hospital lounge. The doctors had already been out to say Subaru would be fine, just some bruising and a few scrapes. The injury to his head was the worst, they had said, a large bruise blossomed there.

They had all gathered, one by one. And they had all scattered the same. All of them except for Kamui. Kamui had refused to move from his chair. Beyond him, Fuma was the most present one, drifting in and out for half an hour or so. Finally, the older teen drifted over, plopping next to Kamui.

"Having fun?" the question was sarcastic, a superficial grin accompanying it. Kamui wanted to punch the smug look off the slimy bastards face.

"Not talkative, hmm? No, I get it. After all, accidents are a problem for young lovers."

Deep breaths didn't stop the anger from leaking out. "Do you even care your friend is in there, unconscious?"

"Hmm, honestly?"

Kamui narrowed his eyes. "You wouldn't know how to be."

Fuma merely kept on smiling lazily; smirking knowingly as he eyed Kamui over the glasses he wore. "You might have a point there. However, I am surprised. I thought belonging to Subaru meant you'd been tamed."

He snorted, crossing his arms. "I don't even want to know what you're talking about."

"Of course not," Fuma agreed. "Here it is though. Subaru and I have a… understanding. We're friends because it is a convenience."

"…He'd be hurt to know that's how you feel."

"Think so? Then you don't know the real Subaru, under all that genteel kindness. I wonder why he hasn't shown you his underbelly."

Kamui had officially heard more than enough. "Look-!"

Fuma grabbed the fist Kamui swung with, and used it to pull him closer. He used his other hand to caress Kamui's cheek, mockingly. All while he looked at Kamui through those damned sunglasses that hid his eyes, smile never dropping. It pissed Kamui off to no end that he could never read Fuma's real expressions, and that the one he always sported was never real. The smile never did more than twitch the lips, the smirk deadly but never more than a blank disguise.

"The thing is, Kamui, the doctor said Subaru will be fine. Good boy though, waiting around for what belongs to you."

"My, was little Kamui crying? To be so cuddled up to Fuma!"

Kamui jerked away as though he were burned, and Fuma let him, chuckling. Yuuto grinned unabashedly as he stepped in front of them, Satsuki a few steps behind. Sorata and Arashi were there as well, returned again.

"I brought some drinks. I figured we'd be here a bit longer," Yuuto cheerfully announced. Fuma caught the one tossed to him while Kamui took one offered by Satsuki.

Yuuto turned to Sorata and Arashi. "And here must be two of Kamui's little friends. I'm sorry, but I can't recall your names…"

Satsuki popped the top on her drink calmly. "They are first years Arashi Kishu, a young sword prodigy. And Sorata Arisugawa, a loudmouth sort of fellow."

Yuuto hummed in thought as he handed first Arashi a drink and then one to Sorata. "You know, Satsuki you really amaze me. Your brain is just like a computer sometimes. Of course, I'll forget their names within a day probably!"

Sorata was studying Yuuto carefully. "Ya know I wasn't gonna say anything…"

"Yes?" Yuuto tilted his head.

"It's just, you look like a pimp from the red light district or something!"

Fuma chuckled while Satsuki merely sighed. Kamui and Arashi both cringed, wondering how they were friends with someone like Sorata.

Yuuto merely started laughing. "You know, I get that an awful lot actually!"

Sorata laughed along with him, until Arashi smacked him upside the head. "Are you an idiot? You can't talk to an upperclassman like that!"

"Ow! Missy, look, I'm sorry. Geez, I didn't mean anything by it, really!"

"Even so." Arashi fixed him with a tough glare, designed to make men shiver. "You should think before you speak."

Sorata seemed to go into deep thought for a brief moment. While he was hard at it, Arashi left him to sit beside Kamui. Yuuto and Satsuki claimed the chairs directly opposite Fuma and Kamui, Yuuto starting up a small, inconsequential chat.

"Sorry I'm so late, Kamui. I didn't receive the news until after club was over; else I would have come immediately." Arashi gently laid a hand over his. "How are you holding up?"

"I'm fine," Kamui muttered, trying to keep tiredness from seeping into his tone. It must not have worked because Sorata suddenly shot up.

"You're right missy! It isn't right to judge an upperclassman on his possible moonlighting as a pimp!"

"Really, now I-" Yuuto began with a chuckle.

"As I said he is-" Satsuki began.

"We're here for Kamui! To support our friend." Sorata dropped in front of him, laying his hands heavily on Kamui's shoulders.

"-Don't moonlight as a pimp."

"-a truly loud individual."

"Kamui!" The violet-eyed teen barely restrained his flinch at the loud proclamation in his face. "If you need anything, anything at all, please don't hesitate. I'm here for ya buddy, all in, one-hundred percent. Cause we're friends and I gotta look out for you!"

"Though I wonder if maybe I should become one," Yuuto mumbled.

"You would have a significant profit increase, until you had to begin paying off the local police force to leave you and your girls alone." Satsuki took another drink.

"Oh, well, that doesn't sound like much fun." Yuuto sighed breezily as he took in the now tense atmosphere around Kamui and the still beaming Sorata. "My, what on earth is going on now?"

Arashi shook her head, groaning. Fuma cleared his throat. "Well, good thing we're in a hospital," he said darkly.

The very next second found Sorata sailing through the air and over some chairs, cheek burning. Kamui was now standing up, a dangerous aura pooling from him, eyes narrowed.

"I would agree," Yuuto said. "Now, we haven't seen Kamui go at someone in a long time."

"Two and a half months," Satsuki supplied.

Kamui felt a vein pop in his head as he watched Sorata get up, laughing. "Guess I deserved that, getting all up in your personal space. Damn, I forgot what a punch you had, buddy!"

"What's wrong Kamui? Feeling a little hot," Fuma mocked.

After a moment, the teen sat back down and Sorata chose to sit next to Arashi, whistling chipperly. The others began chatting lightly, keeping away from topics that could go beyond surface scratches. Fuma was a master at those. So was Subaru. And so too, were all his friends. Nobody in Subaru's group of friends gave anything up, to the stoically indifferent Satsuki, from the smiling Yuuto, the aloof Nataku, the kind but distant Subaru… and then to Fuma, who was somehow all of those personalities at once and yet also one his own design.

The difference in the groups was large, and obviously so. While the older teens practiced the ability to be anonymous, Kamui's group was more open. Arashi was stern sure, but there were times when she was vulnerable, and her heart was pure despite the circumstance of her childhood. Sorata was loud and sometimes obnoxious, and he liked to force his way into Kamui's personal space… but truly, Kamui knew the guy would be there for him no matter what.

Yuzuriha was the youngest of their group, and the newest addition. She had joined after moving in with Kamui, and was like that little sister, always underfoot and causing problems… but she made you feel better regardless.

Keiichi and Saiki were both kind and, while they weren't really part of the group, more just people Kamui shared classes with that had decided he was too much a loner, they were important.

Kamui wondered how Subaru traveled the line between the two so very easily. Was it as Fuma said? Would Subaru truly be all right if he was alone, with nobody to care for and nobody to give him helps?

He sighed, more an expulsion of his sour thoughts, forcing himself to eye the waiting area with eyes that are more aware. The place was just as a hospital would be, all white and polished to the point of gleaming. The plastic chairs they sat in and pretended were comfortable had red cushions, a rather macabre way to splash some color into the place. A sad, half dead potted plant loomed in a corner by the window.

Depressing, Kamui decided. This place sucked out the soul and left the people wanting, waiting desperately for news.

And news had finally came. A tired looking nurse, with a fragilely pieced together smile, came to announce Subaru was awake, and could have a few visitors. Two at a time to be exact. As badly as he wanted it, he let Yuuto and Satsuki go first, knowing chances were Sorata and Arashi wouldn't go visit. Fuma remained in his chair as well, eyeing the ceiling as though he were counting cracks.

Roughly, half an hour later, the two came back out, and Kamui launched from his seat this time.

Satsuki seemed almost at a loss for words. The normally indifferent scope of her face seemed… shocked. Kamui flitted his gaze to Yuuto who seemed confused as well, flitting glances to the doors and to Kamui.

"What's wrong," Fuma asked, shoving a hand into his pocket.

"Nothing, necessarily," Yuuto mumbled. "Just… Subaru is tired, I'm sure."

Satsuki cleared her throat. "These things happen sometimes. Human beings really are so fragile, but… this will repair itself I'm sure."

"You two aren't speaking sense. Kamui, let's go." Fuma dropped a hand to Kamui's lower back and gave him a shove. "I'll catch up in a moment."

Kamui walked a few steps and turned around warily, seeing the three now in close conversation. Fuma had taken off his glasses to clean them against his shirt. He must have somehow sensed the attention on him because he glanced up, catching Kamui with the golden eyes of a predator.

For once, expression was in that face, or perhaps that had always been the issue, that Kamui couldn't see the eyes. The heavy brows were furrowed as he listened to Yuuto and Satsuki, seeming irritated, as if a bug was bothering him.

Then it all smoothed away and Fuma began walking to him, putting the glasses on once more. Kamui thought he heard an "I'll take care of it," but put it to his imagination.

"Let's go."

Fuma tugged him along again until they reached the room number 303. Kamui protested when Fuma tossed the door open without a knock. Subaru jerked up before he settled again.

"I should have expected you to come waltzing in." Subaru glanced at Kamui and then away, almost with disinterest.

Fuma frowned briefly before bringing a smile out. He tool Kamui's hand and herded him next to the bed, wondering why the noisy Kamui was suddenly so damned quiet. "There are easier ways to get naps in without falling off a ladder."

"Really," Subaru said. "You'll have to tell me about them sometime."

Fuma laughed along amicably, dropping into one of the chairs next to the bed. Kamui took his numbly. There was so much he wanted to say. He wanted to reach out and touch Subaru so badly his fingers were itching, his heart a jackhammer against the cement of his skin.

Subaru was bandaged heavily around his head, where the brunt of the fall had landed, even his right eye covered by the white medical strips. Still, that look of vagueness had frozen him to the spot. Now Subaru was not even looking at him, giving all his attention to Fuma. Fuma seemed to be aware of it but not terribly surprised. Had Kamui angered Subaru somehow, before the accident?

"You know, Kamui is here too," Fuma finally interjected.

Subaru turned to him finally, smiling lightly. Kamui felt his heart beat again.

"I see that. It must have been a real bother, thank you."

"It… it wasn't any kind of bother!" Kamui protested, almost standing.

Subaru simply tilted his head, leaning into the pillow. "I see. Then thank you, again. I had thought Fuma dragged you."

Kamui reached out finally and ghosted his fingers against Subaru's bandaged eye. "This must have hurt…" then his brows furrowed. Subaru had tensed under his touch. Was he in pain?

"Do you need some more painkillers," Kamui questioned.

Subaru regarded him curiously. "No, I feel fine…"

"Good, then I… wait, why would Fuma have to drag me? Where else would I be but here?"

"Kamui-" Fuma began but Kamui ignored him.

Subaru removed the hand against his face calmly, ignoring the odd jolt to his system when he felt the soft fingers, as he let it fall back to its owner. Kamui looked bewildered, much like Satsuki and Yuuto when they had brought up his 'boyfriend' being beside himself with worry, and he had laughed them to scorn.

"But… you're dating Shiro!" Yuuto had protested in shock.

"I can assure you, Yuuto… I don't know anybody named Shiro."

"It's Ka-!" Whatever he had been about to say, Satsuki had cut him off, slapping a hand against his mouth. Yuuto had given her a reproachful look that she promptly ignored. Really, theirs was a relationship Subaru knew he would never understand.

"Silly us," the girl had murmured. "You must be tired, after all this today. Your body needs rest. We'll be taking our leave now." Her eyes had flitted curiously around his bandaging before her mouth had set.

Yuuto cleared his throat. "… Right, then. See you later, Subaru."

"See you." Subaru had echoed the words, all while wondering why, with him being injured, his friends were the ones acting weird.

Now here was Kamui, acting just as odd. True, Subaru barely knew the kid but still… "Well, it isn't as though we've known each other particularly long. In fact, the only time you come near us is when Fuma forces you into it."

Kamui felt his world go silent for a brief, annoying moment, and then he cleared his throat. Fuma was looking at him.

"Subaru… Subaru, what am I to you?" Kamui mumbled, a fear dancing in his chest.

Subaru seemed lost, but he remained polite. "You… you're Fuma's 'little brother', Kamui… Shiro…" His eyes widened as he recalled Yuuto's words from earlier. Then they swiftly narrowed when Kamui laughed. This couldn't be the Shiro they had been talking about, could it?

"Right, Fuma's 'little brother'. In that case…" Kamui stood up slowly, as if on command. "I'll be taking my leave."

He made it as far as the door before he couldn't remain the calm façade any longer. He wanted nothing more than for Subaru to laugh suddenly and proclaim this a sick joke. The teen didn't though, seemingly lost in his own thoughts now. He couldn't control himself when he threw the door open and bolted, acidic tears leaking.

Subaru was stunned back into his current self when he heard the loud bang. "Was he… crying? But why?" Guilt gnawed at him but he pushed the irrational feeling away.

Fuma had stood as well, and he fixed Subaru with a hard look that would make anybody else pause and pray. "You know, when people are given something precious, in general they try to keep it clean and safe. It isn't advisable to damage it."

"I… don't know what you're talking about."

Fuma pulled out a piece of plastic. "Your cell. I grabbed it out of your pocket after the fall. I knew the hospital wouldn't let you have it and you really are lost without this thing, aren't you Subaru?" Fuma dropped it into his lap. "I would read your messages, listen to voicemail. With particular interest to the ones marked 'baby' or 'sugar muffin' or whatever sick pet name you stored him under."

"What are you...? I don't have a boyfriend!"

"No, you won't," Fuma agreed, "if you can't get your head straight."

With that, the teen left. Subaru sunk back into his pillow, irritation in his featured before he forced them to smooth out. Deliberately he opened his cell and flicked through his apps. He scrolled through his messages until he came to 'Kamui Shiro', curious as to why there were over three hundred messages. Normally, he was quite thorough in cleaning his messages out, not wanting them to clutter up his space.

What he read filled him with a kind of dread.

Subaru: Usual place? I may be early, club will probably let out soon.

Kamui: that's fine, I can probably skip final half of this.

Kamui: I made us lunch today

Subaru: you shouldn't skip, Kamui, it doesn't reflect well on you or Imonoyama. Can you even cook? I recall a rather blackened scrambled egg…

Kamui: let that go, and no. but I do know how to bribe my new roommate and she always makes too much.

Subaru: I see, so how does that mean you made it? Reheating doesn't count, Kamui.

Kamui: I put it all in the bag, so I made it a lunch.

Subaru: Cute. I'll see you there.

Subaru tsked as a sudden sharp headache pierced his skull. He dropped the cell onto the bedside table, determined to shove any and all thoughts away. It took a few moments, but eventually he forced himself into sleep again.

He would wake up not remembering the way, in his dream, it was he who followed Kamui after the teen left the room. It was he that brushed tears from the trembling lashes, lashes far too long for a boy really, that framed gorgeous violet eyes Subaru loved to make light up in emotion.

He would wake up, still confused. And would be informed, quite calmly, by his doctor that it seemed he had a type of amnesia, but not to worry. The memories would probably return on their own volition.

Fuma couldn't believe he was running. Outside of a game or fight, he found it annoying and, damned it all, why did the kid have to be so fast for a shortie?

He finally caught up two seconds after Kamui had made it outside and across the street, into the small park area for the hospital. Fuma launched forward, grateful there weren't any cars this late at night, content now to walk. Kamui had paused beside the pond, out of breath, it seemed. His body was trembling, something Fuma couldn't help but find pleasant.

"Kamui."

When the boy ignored him, Fuma felt a moment of irritation, which caused him to spin the boy roughly around. He didn't count fully for Kamui being so off balance, something he never was during the times they had fought. Fuma followed the boy to the ground with a startled grunt, landing on top.

Quickly, he shifted so he was straddling the younger teen, both his hands captured within his grasp. A small grin flickered across his face as he watched Kamui, saw the stun take over the previously desolate features.

"Fuma…? What are you- get off!"

"That would be boring," Fuma decided. He leaned down close, enjoying the blush that dusted the teen's cheeks. "Don't you agree?"

Kamui seemed to be at a horrible loss for words. Fuma chuckled as his tongue darted out, tasting the tears that decorated the soft skin.

"What the hell?!" Kamui snapped suddenly, beginning to try and struggle. It was of course, futile, and both knew it.

Kamui was faster, true. However, Fuma was stronger, and it was that strength that gave him victory every time. Once in his grasp, Kamui was helpless.

"Why did you run?"

"What business is it of yours," Kamui snapped.

"I'm hurt. Aren't we friends Kamui?"

"I couldn't be friends with a liar, sorry," Kamui bit out.

Fuma chuckled, releasing Kamui's hands and letting the teen sit up. He didn't move off the slender hips though, so Kamui ended up leaning on his elbows.

"He doesn't remember you."

"Obviously," Kamui bit out.

"Crying won't change that."

"I know!"

"So… what will you do now?"

Kamui remained silent after that question, but Fuma could feel the delicious confusion. He reached out and drifted his fingers through the silky black locks.

"He'll… remember me, right? Subaru couldn't forget…"

Fuma tilted his head, smiling. "Even so, you won him once. Just tame his heart again. Who knows? Maybe this time you'll meet the real Subaru, and won't find it so pleasant being his."

Kamui sighed briefly, but he didn't comment. More cryptic remarks from Fuma, that wasn't surprising. What was surprising was the fact, after he remained so catatonic, eventually Fuma placed a hand against his neck, and massaging and then, he squeezed it. Kamui gasped and tensed but then Fuma went back to idly letting his fingers massage. He left it at that while he looked down on Kamui curiously.

"I'll take you home. You look like a real mess."

What was even more shocking was Kamui didn't protest when Fuma lifted him, or even when he stuffed him into the large duster coat he wore, that had buckles along it. It was a good, tight fit against the muscle Fuma had, but on Kamui, it swam and looked like a dress, a large dress. He couldn't stop the chuckle.

Kamui let him lead the way, falling asleep in the strong arms, praying this was all a sick, sick dream.

He was disappointed when he woke up, because he was in his bed, above the covers, with the coat draped over his form. And a note from Fuma that did he know he talked in his sleep, and it was 'cute', that he drooled all over Fuma's shoulder. Kamui could just imagine the mocking tone Fuma meant in the words.

End chapter

Author note: Well, what did you all think? For some reason, first chapters bother me. But then by the second, I get into the groove and things start to flow. I don't know, maybe I'm just weird and crazy and loopy… or all of the above…

Any who please leave a review! They make me happy, and feed the story so it can grow.