Video Game (4 Years and 8 Months Old)

March 24, 05: 4 Years and 3 Months Old

Kurogane had been concentrating fiercely on his latest video game when he heard the phone. When he poked his head into his parents' room curiously, he saw his mom speaking in hushed whispers to whoever it was on the other end.

"Not now, Kurogane," his father said, noticing his son lurking in the doorway. "We're talking about adult things."

Kurogane stuck his lower lip out. "I understand adult things!"

"No, you don't," his dad smiled and ruffled his hair. "Come on, why don't we play your video game together?"

"I don't need any help!" Kurogane had said immediately. "I can do it by myself!"

"That's my son," Mr. Suwa smiled, if a little sadly. "Always so independent."

"You always told me to learn how to do things by myself," Kurogane pointed out.

His father laughed. "So I did. Well, even if you don't want my help, how about you at least tell me what this video game is about?"

Kurogane eagerly complied. "See, I play the part of this ordinary guy who has to go across a whole bunch of worlds to save his princess because she got stolen away by the bad guy, and along the way I have to fight a bunch of evil bosses, but I get to gather a lot of power ups and stuff to become stronger and I meet some people that help me too."

His dad remained silent and Kurogane looked at him in alarm. "Dad, what's wrong?"

"Son," His father sounded distant. "Do you know why that character is willing to go across whole worlds and face so many dangers to rescue a princess?"

Kurogane had a feeling he knew, but he didn't really want to say it, so he took the second thought that popped into his mind. "Well, a princess is an important person …"

"Yes, she is," Mr. Suwa said. "But Kurogane, if your mother or I was captured by an evil guy, would you go on a journey to save us?"

"Of course!" Kurogane was insulted that his father would imply otherwise.

"If Tomoyo was kidnapped, would you rescue her too?"

Kurogane would do anything to make sure his baby sister was safe, and his father knew it. "Of course!"

"And why would you do so, son?" His father pressed.

"Well … you're all important people to me, and …" Kurogane hesitated, and then rushed on. "And, well, I love you all."

His dad ruffled his hair again. "That's my boy."

Kurogane frowned. "What was that all about?"

"Nothing, really," Mr. Suwa said. "I just wanted to make sure you didn't grow up ignorant of love, and all that can be gained and lost because of it."

Later that night, Kurogane had been lying in bed when he heard the first sobs. He got out from under his covers and quietly crept down the hallway, pressing his ear to his parents' door. Due to the cries and the thick doors, he only caught bits and snippets of the conversation, but they were enough to scare him.

"… terrible …"

"… so sorry … if only …"

"… lot of pain, they say … often screams …"

"… hope …"

"… doctors say …"

"… Fai …"

"… might … let him go …"

Heart pounding in terror, Kurogane returned to bed and wished on all his tears that his friend would be okay.

Now (21 years and 5 months old)

Back then, he thinks, I didn't know what dead meant. I thought it was like gone, or disappeared, but if you're gone or if you have disappeared, then there's still hope that you might return. If you're dead, then there is nothing. No hope. Only tearful memories.

Kurogane looks at the pale hand in his, at the pale face in the bed beside his chair, and can't shake the feeling that he's missing something.

A/N - I didn't even notice the connection between Mario games and Tsubasa until I started writing this chapter, and then it hit me all of a sudden XD This is the shortest chapter and I assure you that they get (much) longer the closer they get to the end :D Reviews? Thanks for reading!