Setsuna stood in front of the first Hotel he came across. It wasn't the best place but it was all he could afford at the moment. "Well, this is home for a while until I can get a job and find an apartment," he sighed, looking up at the blinking neon sign that read 'Clean rooms, Cheap rate, Fast service' I don't even want to know what that's supposed to mean he thought as he walked through the front entrance.

He made his way to the front desk "Excuse me?" He called out into the room hoping someone would come to his aid.

A man walked out from the room behind the desk. "May I help you, sir?" The man asked.

"I need to rent one of your rooms for a while," he answered, pulling out his wallet.

"Yes, sir. Will that be a 'full' service room?" The clerk asked with a sly smile and a wink.

Needless to say the man's question infuriated him, he grabbed the man by the front of his shirt and drug him half way across the desk.

He got in the mans face"If you EVER ask me that again you'll meet the end of my fist, is that clear?" He asked angerly.

The man nodded vigorously, Setsuna let him go and allowed him to get off the desk. The man stood and smoothed his shirt down.

"What is your name, sir?" The man asked breathlessly.

"Setsuna Mudo"

"Age, sir?"

"20"

"How long will you be staying, Mr. Mudo?"

"As long as I have to. Hopefully no longer than a couple of weeks"

"How will you be paying, sir?"

"Cash, and I will pay everyday"

"Alright, sir. That will be 50.00 for tonight. Here is your room key. Your room number is 777, it is right up the stairs the last door on your right. Will you be needing anything else, Mr. Mudo?"

He took out a 50.00 dollar bill and slapped it down on to the desk and took the key from the clerk "No, I think that is all"

The clerk nodded as he picked up the money, then added "If you need anything at all, don't hesitate to ask!"

"Don't worry, I won't" he replied coldly.

He went up the stairs and found his room with ease. He put the key in the key hole and turned the knob. He stepped into the room and found a small kitchen, an old T.V, a bathroom and a rusty old bed. At least the the covers on the bed are clean He thought as he made his way over to it and dropped his cloths on the foot of the bed. He plopped himself down next to them, he layed back, feet hanging over the side and his arm sprawled out beside him.

Looking up at the ceiling he thought to himself I should have been more careful about hiding my feelings...I wonder how Sara is doing...what she's doing...I wish I could hold her...smell her beautiful hair...hear her voice... "God, please I beg of you let me see her again! And if you do not allow me to please make sure she is alright and at least let me know how she is doing from time to time," he silently prayed. He hoped God was listening to him.

He got up, grabbed a pair of black PJ pants and a pair of boxers, he went into the bathroom, got undressed, turned on the water and got in. He just stood under the hot water running down his back, he leaned his head against the tiles wishing the water would help loosen his sore tight muscles. After a few minutes of letting the water sooth him, he decided to finish showering. Once he was done, he grabbed a towel, wrapped it around his waist and stepped out of the shower. He dried off and got dressed, Shutting off the bathroom light, he went over to the bed and layed down. The pillow felt so soft against his cheek, he just wanted to fall asleep but instead he grabbed his cell. Instinctively he went to dial his little sisters number but he caught himself. He wanted so badly to call her but it would end in disaster for her if their Mother found out so instead he dialed his best friends.

The phone rang twice, then someone answerd.

"Hello?"

"Hey Kira, its me"

The man on the other line chuckled "How the hell are ya Setsuna? I haven't talked to you in months!"

"Yeah, I know. Sorry about that"

"No sweat, man. Things happen. So how's everything?"

"Horrible"

"Why? What happened?"

"Well, for starters my Dad left my Mom today because somehow they found out how I feel about Sara, apparently they've known for some time, so my Mom is blaming me for him leaving her and for everything else that's gone wrong! She kicked me out, so as of right now I'm living in a Hotel but worst of all I can't see the woman I love"

Damn, man. What are you gonna do?"

He sighed into the phone "I have no idea..."

Kira thought for a moment when he came up with an idea "I've got something"

"What is it?"

"Don't ask questions, just leave everything to me. What's the name of your Hotel?"

"The Water Dragon Hotel"

"Room number?"

"777, up the stairs, last door on your right"

"Alright, you get some sleep man and I'll call you tomorrow"

"Thanks, Kira"

"For what?"

"For being a good friend and helping me out"

The man chuckled "You'd do the same for me"

He smiled "Goodnight, Kira"

"Night, man"

Setsuna hung up and set his phone on the instand next to the bed, He sighed and closed his eyes, Soon after he fell into a restless sleep.

Sara layed there in her bed curled up in a ball crying. It had only been a few hours since she saw her brother but if felt like forever. She wanted him to comfort her the way he always did but this time he wasn't there. "God, I know it is a sin but I love him! Please help us...I need to be with him!" She prayed tearfully.

'Tinkle...tinkle...tinkle'

The sound of the phone startled her, She picked up her cell and answered it "Hello?"

"Sara, its Kira. Listen carefully, your brother called me, I know where he is and he's safe. He wants to see you badly"

She was speechless, Kira's call was the answer to her prayer. All she could muster up to say was "When can I see him?!"

"Soon, does your Mother work tomorrow?"

"No, she has today and tomorrow off. Why?"

Ignoring her question, he continued "Do you have school tomorrow?"

"Yeah, tomorrow's Saturday. I have Sunday off"

"Good. I'll be calling you tomorrow"

"Wait! Does my brother have his phone?"

"Yeah"

"Why didn't he call me?"

"I don't know"

"I'm going to call him"

"Don't, he has his reasons. Just leave everything to me, I'll help you guys get through this, just wait for me to call you"

"Ok..."

"Now try to relax and get some sleep. I will call you tomorrow"

"Ok, goodnight"

"Night, hun"

She hung up and let the phone drop to the bed. She got up, walked over to the door and locked it, All she'd need is to have her Mother come in uninvited. She went over to her dresser and pulled out her nightgown, she changed and layed her uniform at the end of her bed. She went over to her brothers bed, pulled back the covers and layed down pulling the covers back over her. She buried her nose in his pillow and closed her eyes, She fell asleep dreaming of her and her brother hand in hand on the grass under a cherry blossom tree.

'Ring...ring...ring...ring'

"Yeah?"

"Dude, did I wake you up?"

Setsuna rubbed his eyes and yawned "Yeah, but I needed to get up anyway. S'up?"

"I talked to your sister last night"

The mention of his sister jolted him awake "Is she ok?" He asked anxiously.

"She's fine, crying but fine"

He sighed into the phone, pinching the bridge of his nose with his wright thumb and index finger.

"She really wants to see you but that's not the only reason why I called, I wanted to know if you need a job sense your living on your own and all?"

How did his friend always know exactly what he needed and when? "Yeah, as a matter of fact I do"

"Good meet me at Yoru's Market at 2:00 this afternoon. I've done Ol' Yoru a few favors in the past, he owes me one. I'll fill you in on what I have planned for you and your sister after your interview"

"Thanks man, I one you one"

"Yeah, I'll keep that in mind when I need a favor. Now get your lazy ass up and in the shower"

He laughed which felt quite good after how he had felt last night "See ya in a while, Kira"

"See ya"

They hung up. He looked at the clock, it read 12:37pm. He got up, grabbed a pair of faded blue jeans, a tight fitting long sleeved button up shirt and a pair of boxers. He went to take his shower, after he was finished, he dressed and finger combed his hair and shook his head for the messy look Sara loved, checking himself in the mirror before he left, he thought to himself I look pretty damn good, if I do say so myself! Satisfied he walked over to his bed, put on his shoes and socks and left his room to grab a bite to eat before his interview.

'BANG BANG BANG'

She was startled awake by her Mother beating down her door.

"Get up, Its 12:37! Your gonna be late for school!"

She grumbled and rubbed her eyes "Its a late day, I don't have to be there until 1:30..."

The banging stopped and she had peace once again. She pushed back the covers, swung her legs over the side of the bed and sat there a moment looking around the room. "Well, I guess I better get up and start this day" she said out loud to herself. She sighed and got up, grabbed her uniform off her bed and grabbed a pair of panties from her drawer and made her way to the bathroom to take a shower. Once she was dressed she brushed her hair and teeth, feeling somewhat refreshed she went and put her shoes and socks on, grabbed her cell and bag and left the room.

She peaked her head around the corner into the kitchen, so far the coast was clear. She tip toed through the kitchen and had almost made it out the door when her Mother spotted her "What are you doing? You weren't going to leave without telling me goodbye or having breakfast, were you?"

"Eeeep!" She spun around surprised, holding her right hand over her heart and the left hand behind her, bracing the front door which was still closed. "You scared me, Mother!"

"Sorry dear, but you know how I hate it when you rush off without so much as a word"

"I thought you were busy, so I was just heading to school. I figured you were right and I didn't want to be late"

Her Mother smiled "What about breakfast, sweetie?"

"I'll just grab something to eat at school"

"Alright dear, just make sure you come home right after school. We are to meet your Grandmother for dinner tonight"

A feeling of dread washed over her Great, its not bad enough that I have to deal with one crazy woman but now I have to deal with TWO! Things just keep getting better and better! She thought to herself but she nodded and smiled "Yes, Mother"

Her Mother kissed her cheek. She opened the door and left the house. She had to walk to school alone for the first time since she could remember, as she continued her walk to school a single tear rolled down her cheek.