Good day everyone! Hope you are all doing well. ~ I must say, I'm very sorry for not posting within my week promise. I was at a convention (Naka Kon) three weekends ago and two weeks ago I was at a horse show, and now, this last weekend, I was at a Music convention, preforming. Not to mention all my other activities. Oh well~! Hope you all enjoy this chapter! :3

"Nuh," Misaki grumbled as he opened his eyes to the dimly lit room. Rubbing his eyes, Misaki sat up. The little eye crustys had formed and they were poking Misaki in the eyes; he had to get them out. Clearing his throat Misaki then pulled his legs over the bed and then just sat there, his elbows resting on his legs.

Misaki's head was foggy from the night before. He wasn't quite sure what had gone on, but he searched through his brain.

Usagi!

Misaki quickly sucked in a breath as he looked around him. There wasn't anything in the room, just Misaki and the millions of Suzuki's that stared the youth down in the dark.

"Must have been just a dream..." Misaki muttered to himself as he rubbed his face. As Misaki stood up he let out a sigh. The poor boy was so happy to see Usagi, and now he was gone! "Well, it was nice while it lasted," Misaki muttered as he walked out of the room.

The sun shone through the window, casting the brilliant reds and oranges across the floor. The entire apartment seemed to have a warm feeling to it. "Huh…" Misaki grumbled as he descended the stairs. Once he was down the stairs Misaki walked into the rays of the sun that shone through the window.

It was very warm. Misaki closed his eyes, trying to soak up all the rays. He was attempting to put his best attitude forward. He tried to pretend everything was fine. He wanted to ignore the pain. He wanted to forget the dream he had had about Akihiko. It was nice for the moment, but now it was bringing up emotions Misaki didn't want.

Small droplets of liquid hit the floor as Misaki lifted is hand to wipe away the tears. They weren't as furious as the last times. They just slowly flowed from Misaki's eyes. "I have to get my mind off of this," Misaki muttered under his breath as he made his way to the kitchen.

He would eat something! He had to. For one, it would get Misaki's mind off of the dream, and secondly, he was starving! Misaki had not gotten a proper meal in a couple of days. Digging into the fridge Misaki pulled out an orange and a jar of peanut butter. Next the youth got out a piece of bread and began to spread the peanut butter all over it.

Lifting the piece of bread to his mouth, he took a bite. It was a rather large bite, and now Misaki was regretting it. The peanut butter was thick and mixed with Misaki's saliva. It made a rather gooey substance in Misaki's mouth as it mixed with the bread. It took a moment before Misaki could swallow, but he did. Misaki took another bite, and then another. It was getting harder and harder to take a bite, but they youth pressed on. He was forcing the bread down his throat.

It was finally gone! Misaki stood in the kitchen looking at the jar of peanut butter that was still out. He didn't really want to move; he wasn't feeling well. As Misaki moved to put the peanut butter away something struck him. His stomach was protesting! It screamed, telling Misaki that it did not want the food inside of it. Dropping the jar Misaki rushed up the stairs, one hand clamped over his mouth. Bursting through the door Misaki fell to his knees in front of the toilet. The contents of Misaki's stomach spewed out as Misaki made rather loud gagging noises.

After he had finished Misaki continued to sit on the floor, his face hovering over the toilet. It made the youth sad that he couldn't eat anything. His body would just reject it. Picking himself off of the floor Misaki slumped over to the sink where he turned the water on to wash his face. Misaki leaned down and let the water rush into his hands. Splashing it up in his face Misaki let out a sigh. It felt so good up against the boy's hot face; he never wanted it to end. After the youth had splashed a couple more handfuls of water on his face, he stood up.

There, directly in front of him was there mirror. And what did it show? Well, a very shocked Misaki, and a large silver haired man that stood behind him.

"AH!" Misaki screamed as he flailed his arms backwards, falling to the ground. Looking up with wide eyes Misaki looked at the large man that towered above him. Misaki's voice stuck in his throat and for a moment he couldn't speak.

"Misaki!" The man said in alarm as he watched the boy fall. Usagi reached out of his love but Misaki's body went directly though Usagi's hand.

"eh!" Misaki squeaked as Misaki watched Usagi try and touch him. As his hand went thought a very strange sensation covered Misaki's arm where Usagi was touching. It tingled, kind of like when your hand falls asleep. It was strange and for a moment that's all Misaki was thinking about.

"Misaki," Akihiko said in his faint voice. At the sound of this Misaki lifted his gaze from his arm and looked up at the phantom.

"I guess it wasn't a dream…" Misaki thought aloud.

Letting out a chuckle Akihiko moved slightly back from Misaki to get a better look at him. "How did you sleep?" the writer asked.

"I slept fine," Misaki answered as he reflected back on his sleep a little bit ago. After a moment of thought Misaki realized something. Last night's sleep was probably the best sleep he had had since Akihiko's death! There were no bad dreams, no waking up in cold sweats, no crying…just a nice, deep, sleep. Wow. Misaki thought. Was Misaki able to sleep soundly just because Usagi was near him? Well, apparently so.

Looking at Akihiko Misaki pressed his lips together. He studied the man in front of him while the apparition did the same. It was a long moment of silence before Akihiko spoke.

"What are you thinking?" he asked softly. Misaki was looking at him in such a way that he couldn't help but ask. He wanted to know what was on his lover's mind.

"I," Misaki began. "I just can't believe this is happening," Misaki reported. "You died and…now you're here. It just doesn't seem real. Shouldn't you be in the afterlife or something?"

Letting out a sigh, Usagi smiled. "Like I told you last night, I can't go back. I don't know how." With that the writer reached out his hand again and set it lightly on top of Misaki's head, ruffling his hair softly. Misaki's hair barely moved but the boy could sure feel the tingling sensation.

"Oh, right. I forgot," Misaki muttered as he looked up at his lover, studying him again. "You look really faint today…" The boy commented.

" Well," Usagi muttered. "I feel faint today. Or, well, weak."

Hearing this Misaki got to his knees from his sitting position and reached out for Usagi. Akihiko leaned forward encouraging Misaki to do so. – He didn't want Misaki to be afraid of him. When Misaki got closer he held his breath. As the youth's hand went through Akihiko's shoulder he let exhaled, the tingling sensation taking over his hand and then flowing over Misaki's body.

"You feel warm," Misaki commented. "I don't like it."

"I'm sorry you feel that way," Usagi chuckled, looking at Misaki who still hand his hand in his shoulder.

Silence.

"I miss you Usagi," Misaki suddenly said as he pulled away from the specter, dropping his head to look at the floor. "I miss you so much! You don't know how hard it is!"

"I know," Akihiko cooed as he leaned closer to Misaki, speaking in his ear. "I'm sorry for leaving you…but just sulking around in this house is not good for your health. You should get out and do something."

"Hey," Misaki said as he looked up at Usaig, wiping away the tears. "Isn't that my line?"

"I guess you have told me that before," Akihiko laughed, thinking back the many times where he was up in his study, staying there for days to finish his work. "But," he then added. "It's the truth. I don't want you to be all worked up over me."

"But!" Misaki interrupted.

"No," Akihiko shot back softly. "You need to get out! At least go to class."

Misaki bit his lip, thinking if getting out of the house was even a good idea! What would class be like? Misaki knew he wouldn't pay attention anyways, but if Usagi wanted him to go…maybe he would. As Misaki thought through this his thoughts were interrupted by the writer. "I'll go with you," he offered.

"Fine!" Misaki finally stated as he got to his feet, the vision doing the same. "I'll go!" With that Misaki stalked out of the bathroom. He really didn't want to go, but Akihiko could be just so damn persuasive.

"Aren't you going to change?" The specter asked as Misaki reached the bottom of the stairs. Looking down at his clothing Misaki noticed that he was still wearing the same cloths from the previous day. Oh well, he wasn't out that long yesterday, and people in school didn't see him so Misaki figured he was fine.

"No," the boy sighed. "It'll be ok." Lifting an eyebrow Usagi looked Misaki over. His normal Misaki would have made sure he was showered and in fresh new cloths. He just hoped Misaki would go back to his normal self over time.

Grabbing his messenger bag with his books in it Misaki slung it over his shoulder and walked out of the apartment, the entire time he kept an eye on Akihiko.

"I would offer to drive you," the writer said. "But…" he said in a matter-of-fact voice.

"Yeah, yeah, yeah," Misaki commented as the two got into the elevator, riding it down. Once the elevator came to a stop Misaki stepped out and was soon walking towards M University.

As Misaki walked he couldn't help but notice that no one else saw Usagi who was standing right next to him. At one point someone even walked though him. Misaki only watched in shock as the apparition faded almost to nothingness before quickly turning back to his faint transparent self. Akihiko didn't seem very fazed by it though, he just continued to walk.

"Wow," Akihiko commented. "I've never been this way before. I guess it's different when you walk."

"Well yeah! Maybe you should get out more and do some exercise instead of driving your car everywhere! It's not good for you," Misaki shot out, rolling his eyes. As he did this a couple people turned their heads to look at Misaki. This lone boy had just randomly grumbled something rather loudly. Where had that come from?

Seeing this Misaki's face turned bright red. Hearing a chuckle Misaki turned his head to see Usagi with a smile all over his face.

"What?" Misaki whispered under his breath. He hoped no one heard him. He didn't want people to think he was a weirdo.

"Nothing," Usagi said as he continued to stroll with the boy.

Coming to a street Misaki noticed that the walk sign was still on, but only for a couple more seconds. Deciding to make a dash for it Misaki ran across the street to the other side, just as the light turned green for the cars to go. Looking back across the street Misaki noticed that Akihiko was still on the other side.

Not bothering to look Akihiko stepped out in front of the traffic. The cars whizzed by and halfway through his walk one even hit him.

"Usa-!" Misaki called in shock, but nothing happened. Doing his little fade maneuver the writer continued to walk. Letting out a sigh of relief Misaki smiled. Well, I guess he doesn't have to watch out for traffic anymore. Misaki thought to himself, remembering that this man had a terrible time remembering how to correctly cross the street. As Akihiko neared Misaki, a smile spread across his face. This smile suddenly collapsed, though, as a large bus came across his lover, making him suddenly disappear.

Misaki stood at the corner. He waited, and waited. Misaki's lively eyes frantically scanned the land in front of him as he searched for his friend. Where had he gone? "Usagi?" Misaki called softly, trying not to draw attention to himself from everyone else surrounding him.

There was no response. There was no vision in front of him. Misaki suddenly felt completely alone once again as he green eyes seemed to lose the life in them. Usagi was gone, he has left Misaki again. Turning around Misaki walked in a zombie like state towards the apartment again. He didn't want to go back to class…he didn't even want human interaction. No. Misaki then thought as he stopped in the middle of the sidewalk. He would go to class…that is what Akihiko wanted.

"It's nice for you to join us Mr. Takahashi," a strict voice called as the young man opened the door to the large lecture hall. Normally when Misaki heard this voice, his hair would stand on his neck and he would get shivers all down his spine. He might even wonder what this person was doing in this class. This time, though, Misaki could care less. Tilting his head to the side Misaki looked up from his depressed gaze.

"Oh, sorry Kamijou Sensei," Misaki muttered under his breath before lowering his gaze and walking up the steps to his seat. Once there, Misaki plopped down and looked at the table, not even wanting to pay attention.

Kamijou Sensei watched carefully as the youth entered the room, spoke to him, and then took his seat. Hiroki hated latecomers. If this was the class he actually taught, he would have disciplined the youth, but it was not his place. Miyagi had called in earlier that day. For some strange reason he was going to be out of the country (a spur of the moment fling perhaps) and since Hiroki was free during Miyagi's hour, he was forced to take on the job.

The rest of the class Hiroki continued to teach and every once in a while he would glance up at the boy who had his head on the table. He looked like he might be sleeping, but every once in a while Misaki would look towards the front.

I wonder what's wrong with him? Hiroki thought to himself as he thought back on Misaki. The youth was a previous student of his a couple years ago and from what he could remember; Misaki was usually a lively kid. What had him down? As he thought of this a flash of memory hit him.

Two days ago…. He remembered seeing Misaki. It was briefly, but he had seen him at Akihiko's funeral. Was that why he was so depressed? No…he was a college student. Maybe he was just tired. And anyway…what was Misaki's connection to Akihiko? He briefly remembered running into both of them one day, but Misaki rushed away before he could see what they were doing. Anyway, it wasn't Hiroki's business….so he just pushed it aside.

The sun was now hid behind the clouds. The warm of the rays were hidden and a soft, cool, breeze had rolled in. At this point Misaki was regretting the decision not to wear a jacket. After Misaki began to walk though, he seemed to get use to the cool weather. By the time he was halfway home, he was gloomy again. The cold had only distracted him for a brief moment.

Stopping in the middle of his walk home, tears began to fall from Misaki's eyes. Why did Akihiko have to leave him so suddenly? When he died and when he was a ghost. He always had to leave, without a goodbye. Misaki hated it. Wiping the tears away from his face Misaki looked up. He was at the entrance to a rather large park.

Looking at it a while, Misaki decided he would go in for a little bit. It would get his mind off of Usagi and he could enjoy the surroundings….or try to.

As Misaki walked around the park he seemed to have a hard time breathing. The air felt think and all the trees that surrounded him made him feel claustrophobic. After a while of walking, Misaki picked up the pace. He had to get out of here. Soon Misaki was running. He didn't know where he was going and the tears that collected in Misaki's eyes wasn't helping his vision. Turning a corner Misaki saw a break from the trees. He could see outside! He could see the bridge! He just needed to get out of this wooded area.

The youth held his breath as the opening got closer and closer but suddenly the opening strayed from the youth's vision. "ah!" Misaki quietly yelped as he fell to the ground. His foot had caught the edge of a children's sandbox and now Misaki was laying in the sand.

Picking himself up, Misaki sat on his legs and lifted a sandy hand and whipped away his tears. The sand caught hold of the wet substance and stuck to Misaki's cheeks. Though at this point, he really didn't care. Looking around him the boy suddenly noticed where he was. Of course he was in the park…but he was sitting in a very familiar sandbox. This was the same sandbox him and Usagi had built a sandcastle in. He was sure of it!

Suddenly Misaki's hands began to move frantically. He wasn't sure what he was doing….but he just felt like he had to move his hands. In a matter of moments Misaki had built a large mound of sand. He knew now what he was doing. He had made a "sand castle" just like he had done with Usagi. Moving his hands again Misaki began to claw at the side of the mound.

Sitting with his hands stuck in the mound, Misaki began to sob. Akihiko was not here this time to dig a hole on the other side. He couldn't feel Akihiko's cold hand…and this time Akihiko wasn't here to kiss him.

Misaki was alone.

Sorry for the crummy chapter. :T I wrote most of this in the hospital while I wait for my dad to get out of surgery so I'm not in the best mind to write…but yet again I'm bored…so here you go! :) Again, sorry about the long wait for the update. I SHOULD have the next one up in a week or so, I'm really trying my best to update ASAP.
If you have any comments or questions, or requests….let me know! ^^; Don't forget to check out my Tumblr while you are at it to see my reply to your review! (Shadows-little-miss) You can find the link on my profile.

Have a nice week!~