Yuki walked through the empty house in a daze. How many days had it been since they had all last hung out together? The fight seemed to be the most recent. That was a week ago. Now, everyone was keeping to themselves. Each lost in their own world. They all seemed to be avoiding one another. When they ran into one another there were only small talk and nods of acknowledgment before they'd each head off. For Yuki the last he had even seen of Kyohei was the night he slipped into her room. Now he wasn't anywhere to be seen. When Yuki went to look for him all he would ever find was a messy room and silence.

Yuki was tired of this. He didn't want things to end this way. With no one talking there was so much left to be said.

From within his own room Takenaga sat in silence. He hadn't seen or heard anything of Kyohei. No one seemed to know where he was or even if he was still around. This worried him. He really hadn't meant to push Kyohei as far as he did, but he couldn't help himself that night. There was so much he wanted to say to Kyohei. So much he needed to know, but Kyohei himself wouldn't acknowledge it. He never did. Their friendship was falling.

Ranmaru walked back to the house slowly. He had just gone out for a walk to clear his mind. Over the past few weeks so much seemed to be happening that he himself didn't even recognize it all. It wasn't till he had woke up and looked in the mirror that morning that he was aware. He didn't even recognize his own reflection. What kind of person was he becoming? It was a simple question, but it left too much open. Pulling his arms tight around himself he hung his head.

Sunako quietly chopped away at the vegetables before her in the kitchen. Her mind lost leaving only her body to function mechanically. She had given up on seeing Kyohei. She knew he'd come around when he was ready. For now, all any of them could do was wait. But, waiting hurt. It hurt because you never knew what kind of person would come back to them.

Turning a corner Yuki came to the front entrance just as Ranmaru opened the door. For a moment neither spoke. They just stared at each other surprised and at a loss for words. Then Ranmaru looked away with reddening cheeks and made an attempt to walk past Yuki without a word. Yuki looked at his friend sadly then frowned. No. Leaving things like this would only hurt it more. Reaching out he grabbed hold of Ranmaru's arm.

Ranmaru stopped but didn't look at Yuki. He only waited for what his friend had to say.

"It's alright if you wanna cry," said Yuki softly.

"What kinda thing is that to say," asked Ranmaru with a smile.

"You always tease me for crying," said Yuki, "But, I'm still not afraid to do it. Sometimes it makes it better."

"There's nothing to cry about Yuki. Nothing at all."

Yuki let go of Ranmaru and watched him walk away. Smiling he followed. Stopping at Ranmaru's doorway Yuki leaned against the frame.

"I don't blame you for what happened."

Ranmaru stood with his back to Yuki. He didn't look.

"I know you were only trying to help. You didn't mean for things to happen this way. It's not completely your fault."

"Just saying it's not, doesn't mean it isn't," said Ranmaru turning. With a sigh he sat on the bed. "It doesn't change anything either."

"I keep thinking of what's been happening, Yuki. Everything fell apart and still I couldn't stop. I just didn't want to."

"Why didn't you want to." asked Yuki coming to stand at Ranmaru's side.

"Because being like this is easier than facing how it is. We all came with problems, Yuki. Even you did. But, unlike you or Takenaga I don't want to face it. Like Kyohei, I would rather ignore it than change. It's safer that way."

"You right. I came with problems too, but living with them and ignoring them sucks. Having to hold on to it isn't how I wanna live here. It shouldn't be how you want to either. I know it's hard, but it gets easier. It's worth it."

"She said I was a wall." Ranmaru whispered.

Yuki gaped at him in silence.

"She said walls keep people at a distance, leave them waiting and wanting. She said she didn't want to deal with it. Even though she loved me she said she couldn't deal with it anymore. That's why she left me."

Yuki bit his lip. Ever since Ranmaru and his girlfriend the beautiful princess had broken up everyone had gone out of their way not to mention it. He didn't seem to bothered by it, but Yuki had always wondered.

"At first I didn't care," Ranmaru closed his eyes, "But after a while I got it. Who would want a wall like me. I tried to change, you know. It's hard though. So I thought, maybe I didn't have to. Maybe it would be better if I just forgot. I was a fool. The only one who actually saw me was..."

Yuki patted Ranmaru on the back. It had taken a lot to say this. Yuki was amazed he didn't even cry. Smiling he Sat down.

"Like I said, It's ok to cry if you want to."

Turning Ranmaru smiled a sad smile at Yuki before closing his eyes and taking in a deep breath.

Further down the hall Takenaga got up from his seat. His back and legs hurt from sitting so long. Even his fingers felt cramped from holding the book open to the same spot for so long. He had been trying to read all day, but had given up. It didn't seem like a day for reading.

Quietly he headed out the door and down the hall. He could smell Sunako's cooking but didn't feel the need to eat. Hungry he was, but he still didn't want it. Walking softly down the hall Takenaga passed the kitchen door. He didn't really know where he was headed, but the feel of the floor against his feet was nice. Halfway down the hall he heard something shift and looked up. His heart jumped as his eyes met Kyohei's.

Kyohei was definetly a sight for sore eyes. He was simply dressed in a black shirt and loose jeans. His hair once again looking as though it hadn't been brushed for days. Staring at each other in frozen silence Takenaga felt himself swell with questions, but he didn't know how to speak. His tongue refused to move from behind his teeth. All he could do was move his mouth in hopes that something would come out. Nothing did, though. Instead Kyohei dropped his gaze and walked nearer.

Takenaga felt a burst of guilt wash over him as his friend walked by without word or glance. Turning hastily, Takenaga watched his friend pass and continue down the hall in silence. With irritation he bit his lip.

"Kyohei!" yelled Takenaga.

Kyohei stopped but didn't look back.

"Wait...I..," stammered Takenaga. The words catching in his throat.

"Don't," said Kyohei, "I'm not mad or anything. So don't worry about it."

Then he walked away without even glancing once at his friend who now was kneeling on the floor. Takenaga shook slightly. Why he wondered? Why was he always like this? Why was Kyohei always so...? but he couldn't finish the thoughts. All he could do was hand his head in defeat.