-Strangers on the Bus-

- Wishing, Dreaming, Wanting -

By: Lil' Amethyst Angel

Warnings: Implied abuse, shounen-ai, AU

Pairings: Kamui/Subaru, Yuzuriha/Kusanagi implied

Yuuto sat on a bench, the park quiet except for the rustle of leaves. He took a breath of the crisp air. Yuuto leaned back against the wood, his form draped comfortably over the bench, staring at the passing clouds, swaying branches occasionally blocking his view. He had come to this park almost every Sunday for the past year. It was a lovely park, quiet and serene, a fantastic place to relax. Yuuto often preferred to visit the area during the mornings, while there were few to no people. On her way home from Church, Karen would sometimes stop and sit with him. He closed his eyes. He missed her. He had barely seen her the past few days, but from what he did see, he could tell she was sad. Seeing the sadness in her eyes that had no place there pained him more than he would have liked to admit.

Yuuto sensed a presence sit down beside him, but did not bother to open his eyes. He knew who it was. He could smell her subtle perfume, a mix of vanilla and spice. He felt a head fall to his shoulder softly. Still, he did not move, just leaned his head slightly atop of hers.

"I broke up with him."

"I know."

A cool breeze washed over them. The clouds continued to pass and the leaves continued to rustle. Neither spoke another word, just leaned against each other in silent comfort.

Kamui leaned back against rough bark, tilting his head to stare up at the amber sky peaking through leaves above him. A gentle smiled was fixed on his lips in contentment. Subaru's gaze was solidly set on the sight before him. Subaru stood to the side of Kamui, who was sprawled out on the shaded ground, his legs stretched out in front of him, leaning back on the palms of his hands, which were behind him slightly. He looked like a kid, Subaru thought.

When they had first met up that afternoon, Kamui had been somewhat twitchy and nervous, but he soon relaxed. The two had wandered the park for a while, stopping at a café for dinner.

The sun was setting now, and Subaru's breath caught at the deep beauty of the scene. Golden light engulfed Kamui. Now and then a breeze would blow dark bangs into his eyes, but Kamui didn't bother to move them. His form was loose, his eyes half-closed. Subaru had never seen Kamui this…happy.

Subaru lowered himself to the ground and leaned back against the tree, his shoulders brushing the Kamui's.

He stared at the evening sky before him. Pink sky chased gold. The colors flowed, leaking into each other. The darkest pinks looked almost red.

"The sky's on fire."

Subaru wasn't sure if it had been he or Kamui who whispered the statement.

The park was quiet, besides echoes of the distant world.

Subaru jerked when he felt Kamui reaching for the hands rested in his lap. He looked down. Kamui was gently cradling his right hand, stroking his thumb over a fading bruise.

"They shouldn't hurt you. No one should hurt you."

Subaru knew it was Kamui who spoke this time.

He shouldn't have been surprised. The raven-haired boy wasn't stupid and was too worn by life to be naïve.

It was dark then and Subaru wondered when the sun had disappeared. An few stars dotted the sky; glimmers of light to save them from getting lost in the darkness.

"I don't love him. Not anymore."

Subaru's voice was level, hiding everything as usual. It was surprisingly easy to say. He had never dared to before this point.

Though he couldn't see Kamui, he felt him nod.

Quiet.

Kamui stood and Subaru followed.

They walked for a few minutes, down the dusty cement path, until they reached a fountain. Spotlights could be seen, distorted, through the rippling water, lighting up the fountain. They both stood, watching the water move freely. Still, neither spoke. The sound of their deep breaths was sucked up by the thunder of the water.

Then they were turning. Then they were staring. Then they were moving. Lips met in a shock of pleasure and confusion. They couldn't hear anything, not even the roaring of the fountain. In that moment time stopped, everything stopped. There was nothing but each other. Then they were pulling back.

Subaru didn't know why. Why now? Why him? They hadn't known each other very long. They were just strangers who had met on the bus. That's all. He had never felt an interest in anyone else in all the time he had been with Seishirou. Then Kamui kissed him again and he decided he didn't care why.

A strong hand gripped a limp one.

Fuuma stared at his little sister. So still. She was so still. She looked almost dead. Like their mother. He shivered and held the pale hand more tightly. Kotori's hair fanned out around her. Her eyes were shut and her chest rose steadily, as if sleeping. He wanted to just reach out and shake her. Wake up, sleepy head. Fuuma pushed back the irrational though away.

He stared out the hospital window at star-littered sky. He was tired, so completely exhausted. Maybe he was asleep right now. Maybe he was actually tucked into his bed with Kotori safely asleep in the next room. Maybe this was just all some giant messed up dream. Because this couldn't be real.

Yuzuriha laid flat her bed, staring into nothingness.

She loved Kusanagi. She really did. She knew most could only see her as a child. She knew he could only see her as a child, no matter how hard he tried not to. She had wanted to be with him so much. Now she was and she couldn't help feeling…

"Disappointed."

Her choked whisper held all the confused pain she felt.

She was like a child who yearned for a toy so desperately, but once they got it, some of the appeal left. Wanting something gives it value, perhaps more than value than should be placed on it.

She was disappointed that she couldn't be with Kusanagi in public. She was disappointed that no one would accept it, be happy for them. She was disappointed that Kusanagi felt guilty. That hurt her most of all. He felt guilty for being with her. She knew it. He felt like he was doing something wrong, that he was only going to hurt her. He thought of her a child. A child who didn't understand what they were doing, like she didn't understand what she was getting herself into. He felt like he was taking advantage of her.

She felt a sharp stab of anger.

But he wasn't. She was intelligent. She knew who she was. She knew what she was doing. She knew.

She didn't want to feel like this anymore. She didn't want Kusanagi to feel like this ever.

She didn't understand what she wanted anymore. Tears came to her eyes unbidden. This just proved everyone right- that we was fickle, an uncertain child.

A dark head laid heavily on the side of the white hospital bed. Fuuma shifted in his sleep, his hand still clutching his sister's hand like the lifeline it was.

The siblings' father stood at the end of the bed, looking down at his children sadly. Kotori was everything to Fuuma. She was his light. It may seem like he protected her, looking out for her from everything and anyone that could hurt her, but really, she was the one who took care of him. She made Fuuma the man he was. If he lost her… The old man shook his head as if to banish the dark thought. Fuuma would be lost without her. He wouldn't be able to stand it.

Shaking his head, he left the room.

Even breaths were all that could be heard in the silent room. Even those were hushed, as if being swallowed by the darkness.

Suddenly, a gasp sounded in the room.

Fuuma's fingers twitched slightly, before resuming their firm grip. The soft hand he held squeezed back.

Kotori laid unmoving, holding onto her brother, staring at the dark ceiling with wide eyes.

To Be Continued

Author's Note: I managed to get some metaphorical stuff in the beginning there, heh. Apparently I wasn't in the mood for dialogue… Thanks for everyone's continued support. I really appreciate you guys not abandoning this fic, even with my atrociously scarce updating.