Daydreamer: Alright, so here is chapter four. Took me a long time because of the writer's block, which I think will keep on coming. But all in all, I will keep writing. Also, a little something will he revealed in this chapter, and you can only find out if you read. So, enjoy.

Chapter Four

A day like the one spent in Yoh's garage with Horohoro didn't come very often. Being one of the most popular bands in the world, their schedules are usually packed year round, on stage or not. A day off was rare because it's merely an unscheduled day which came out of sheer luck. After Horohoro's visit, Oversoul was driven with work again for a full month. They were quite lucky though, because they got three days off in that time period. And each time, just like the first, Yoh invited Horohoro to hang out with them. The Ainu never declined, and despite their one-year separation, they had fun like they used to when he was still in the band. They didn't just stay at Yoh's house but they sometimes went out too. However, those fun-filled four days were exactly what made Yoh feel the need for Horohoro's return to Oversoul all the more. The bluenette's presence brought a sense of completion within the group. Behind all the fun, while he was unaware of the silent friction going on between Ren and the bluenette, Yoh pondered about bringing Horohoro back into Oversoul.

One night the guitarist decided to visit a bar by the name of Kingston. Upon entering the small room dimmed with sepia lights,he noticed the tables were empty of customers and there was only one bar tender behind the counter. But this is how it usually was, part of why he liked it because there was no one to bother him and the quiet music made the atmosphere all the more relaxing. But then, Yoh stopped short in his tracks.

"Horohoro?" The azure haired male looked up over to the bruenette, looking just as surprised as his friend. They greeted each other with smiles and Yoh sat himself next to Horohoro at the counter as he ordered a drink.

"You come here often?" Horohoro asked and took a sip out of his own glass.

"Just sometimes. At least when I have the time." Horohoro chuckled, totally understanding since he used to be part of Oversoul too.

"So still popular as ever even after I left." He commented jokingly, not noticing the way Yoh watched him thoughtfully as he took another sip.

"Hehehe, ya...So...where'd you go after you left us, Horohoro?" For a moment Horohoro froze with the rim of his glass still at his lips. He slowly placed it back down on the counter, but didn't even move his head slightly to look at Yoh even if he could feel the bruenette's gaze.

"What'd you mean?" He finally said, trying to evade the question even though he knew he couldn't. Yoh's been wanting to ask this for quite some time, really. He turned back to the counter and spun the glimmering ice in his glass a he spoke again in a lower tone.

"Where'd you go?"

"I went home."

"No, you didn't." Yoh answered quite sharply making Horohoro look at him a little alarmed. But the way Yoh looked back was more sad than harsh.

"I called you the day after you left but you never answered. I called your cell but it was turned off. I went to your house, but you weren't there. And it's not just that day. I kept calling you, both house and cell, and I kept going to your house. But you never answered, your cell was always off, and you was never home!" Horohor stared back at Yoh's hurt eyes, speechless to the bruenette's story. Yoh continued more calmly with the anger still in his voice.

"I eventually gave up after a month, assuming you moved or something. So don't tell me you went home because I know very damn well that you didn't. So please just give me an honest answer to the fucking question. Where did you go?" Horohoro swallowed hard nervously from seeing a side of Yoh that rarely showed. But he knew it shows because of how much the guitarist cares. He looked down at the counter and took a breath as if he had to be careful with his words. But he couldn't change what he had to say.

"I went home...to Hokkaido." Yoh's eyes widened to the last part.

"What?"

"I went back to Hokkaido after I left Oversoul because I couldn't stay in Boston. I just...had to get away."

"Oh...," was all Yoh could get out of himself to Horohoro's confession. The Ainu couldn't even look at him, unsure if he was relieved or if he wanted to hurl. Yoh's face softened, realizing how much he reproached his friend.

"Horo, I'm sorry..."

"No, don't be. It's my fault for just leaving like that."

"...But you came back."

"I'm not staying." Horohoro countered and the flicker of hope in Yoh's eyes was replaced by a confused frown.

"What?"

"I'm not staying." Horohoro repeated with a sigh, still staring at his glass on the counter.

"Wait, what'd you mean?"

"I'm gonna stay a little longer. But eventually I'll move back to Hokkaido."

"You can't."

"I told you, I can't stay!"

"But...isn't that a little extreme?" Horohoro shrugged to Yoh's question, no longer seeming so nervous. In fact, he looked more like he's given up, his obsidian eyes tired and lacking spirit. Yoh then came to a realization, probably because he's the only one who could ever understand.

"He means that much to you?" Horohoro's fingers around his glass flinched just a little and his eyes saddened even more. Yet despite himself he forced a smile, one that almost looked sarcastic, like the greatest irony had fallen upon him. He closed his eyes and shook his head, an empty chuckle escaping his lips.

"I'm surprised too." He said truthfully, failing to hide the pain in his voice. Yoh knew that pain, he had been there too. But not anymore...and probably never as deep as Horohoro.

"Then...why not come back?" Horohoro shot a glance at Yoh, wondering if the guitarist meant what he thinks he meant.

"What?"

"Come back to us, Horohoro. Come back to Oversoul." The bluenette slightly furrowed his brows as he stared at Yoh and saw how serious he was. He swallowed hard on the words and took time to find his own. The awkward silence was deafening but he soon opened his mouth and slowly shook his head.

"Yoh, I...I can't. It's just way too late."

"No, it's not. We need you back, Horohoro." The blue haired male smiled sadly to those words. This was not only all too sudden and most unexpected, it was even confusing. Why now? Was it because this was all Yoh could think of to keep him from going away to his homeland?

"I appreciate it, I really do. But I just can't go back, Yoh." The Ainu looked back down at his glass, and though Yoh could see how bewildered he looked, his answer was firm. The bluenette kept his eyes on his nearly empty glass, not willing to meet Yoh's disappointed gaze. They were silent for a few minutes, and Horohoro hoped that the subject would discipitate in the emptiness of the room.

"...He needs you." Yoh's soft and almost hesitant voice shattered the silence and the Ainu's hope. A flash of hurt surfaced in Horohoro's eyes but only for a moment. The corner of his lips tugged to a bitter smirk. He shook his head with a scoff, almost mockingly, as if Yoh had said something in total ridicule. He remembers the last time his friend had said the same thing. The last time he tried to stop him from leaving.

"Come on Yoh, even I know that's not true."

"Why do you think that?"

"Because I know it, alright?!" Horohoro's voice got so loud that he was practically yelling at Yoh. When he realized his behavior, he shut his mouth to an embarassed frown and ran a hand through his azure hair.

"Sorry, I didn't mean to snap like that. It's just...the way Ren's been. He hasn't spoken to me since I woke up at the hospital. He won't do so much as complain for pick a fight. And it's the same fucking thing when I go to your house. He won't talk to me, he won't even look at me." Horohoro's voice went uneven and he finally looked up from the counter to Yoh, revealing his galzed over obsidian eyes.

"He hates me, Yoh. And he doesn't want me around."

"That's not true."

"Yes it is! He hates me! And...and that's worse than what I left behind. That's why I can't go back!"

"Look, Horo..."

"I'm not going back." Horohoro cut Yoh off with a sharp tone, letting him know that was final. Yoh sighed at his response and made a hopeless frown, seeing that his efforts will only go down the drain.

"You know, Ren might not be the only one being difficult." Yoh sounded slightly irrirtated and recieved a questioning look from Horohoro, as if the bluenette was asking him what he means. Yoh returned it with a knowing gaze, as if all fingers were pointing at the Ainu. Horohoro looked at his defyingly like the bruenette had said something offensive. No more words were exchanged by the two as Yoh pulled out his wallet and placed some money on the counter. He then stood from his seat and left the bar.

TSUZUKU

Daydreamer: So here's that little something I mentioned earlier. Sorry that the chapter was short, I hope you still enjoyed it. I for one enjoyed writing it. I'm sure there are people out there who are unsatisfied with Horohoro and his decision, but give the poor guy a break. The next chapter is a lot more important so do not miss it.

Reviews with criticism and story-line opinions are most appreciated.