Chapter Two
The landscape was as black as death, devoid of anything. Not a sound was heard but the soft breaths of the lone individual taking the darkness in. It didn't even appear to be just simple nightfall however for the teen could clearly see his own form. That was all he saw though, himself and the endless sea of back. Violet eyes widened in shock when he realized he wasn't even standing on ground, just more timeless void.
Shuichi, lets go to the park today.
The pink haired individual searched franticly for the one source of life but found nothing.
My dad said I could spend the night at your house. Isn't that great?
It's a child's voice I'm sure. Relatively young. I don't recognize it though. Should I?' Shuichi wondered, Where are you? he called out.
You're lucky you don't have a little brother. He drives me crazy.
Why can't I see anything? the pink haired teen desperately asked.
You're my best friend, Shuichi. I don't know what I would do without you.
The slender teen gasped when the lack of scenery changed and he found himself alone on a cliff. He swallowed nervously as he gazed down at the sharp drop, the angry sea below crashing violently against the rock wall. He slowly backed away from the fall, jumping in surprise when he felt a tug on his pants.
Why did you leave me, Shuichi? I was lost without you.
The pink haired individual glanced down at the young child. Pale brown eyes stared at him, a sad expression prominent in them. Golden blonde hair gave the boy an even more angelic appearance. He's very cute,' Shuichi thought, but I still don't remember him.'
You were my best friend. I couldn't believe that you left me. It was all my fault, the child whispered.
Shuichi's heart almost broke at the emotions the boy was showing him. I'm sorry I can't remember you. I truly am.
I know. I'll find you again though. You just have to go back and wait, the blonde remarked.
What do you mean? Shuichi inquired.
The blonde remained silent. He gave the older individual a faint smile before shoving him towards the cliff. The teen cried out at the force of the action, screaming as he plummeted over the cliff and into the murky water. He struggled viciously against the current, the fear spiking inside him. His body shook as he attempted to scream, absolutely terrified.
With a sharp cry the teen bolted up in his bed, panting heavily. He clutched so tightly at the sheets around him that his knuckles turned white. He slowly forced his breathing to slow before shakily reaching out to snag the phone off the nightstand. He quickly dialed, waiting impatiently for an answer.
a voice picked up with a yawn.
Shuichi stated. He heard the other teen sigh on the phone.
Nightmare again?
The pink haired teen quickly answered with a confirmation.
Ok, I'll snag Ryuichi from his place and we'll stay with you for the night, Hiro exclaimed.
Thanks Hiro.
No problem. Although you're lucky my parents are away. I don't think they would appreciate being woken at 2 in the morning again. We'll be there in a few, Hiro announced, hanging up the phone.
Shuichi set his own phone back before crawling out of the king sized bed. He stepped over to the window, opening the screen. All three friends tended to come through bedroom windows when visiting each other as to not disturb the others in the house. Although since Ryuichi lived alone they never had to worry at his place.
The lone individual hugged himself as he waited. He was very lucky to have friends like Ryuichi and Hiro. Most would have given up on him. He knew he tended to be high maintenance, although Ryuichi was too for that matter. Even though they lived at the beach he was terrified of water, having constant nightmares about a past he couldn't remember. He'd been very young when his parents took him in, a wailing child found soaked and scared by the ocean shore.
He shivered as he thought about the dream. This was the first time someone else had been in a nightmare; usually it was just the endless water and him. I wonder who the child is? I wish I knew something, anything about my life before being here.'
Hi Shuichi! Kumagoro wants to give you a hug to help you feel better, the hyper voice remarked from outside the window.
Shuichi couldn't help but smile at the stuffed bunny that sat on the windowsill, its left paw waving. The animal then vanished, as its owner came climbing through the window. He bounced over, wrapping his arms around the younger individual.
I thought you said Kumagoro wanted to give him a hug, Hiro commented with a smirk, entering the room after the other male.
I was faster, Ryuichi exclaimed.
The pink haired teen laughed, slipping from the other's hold. He gave Hiro a quick hug as well, silently thanking him for coming.
Well why don't we all get in bed and you can tell us about this dream of yours? Hiro suggested.
Ryuichi bolted to the bed, bouncing on it several times. Slumber party again! he squealed, dancing with Kumagoro.
Settle down. You can do that later in the morning, Hiro chided.
The older individual pouted before stopping. He slipped under the covers, clutching his stuffed bunny. Shuichi then followed suit, curling up against his friend. He smiled when he felt Hiro shift to get more comfortable on the other side of him.
The teen had lost count of how many times he had been asked if he was dating either Ryuichi or Hiro. The closeness the three shared was always misinterpreted as something physical. The pink haired teen loved them both dearly, but as friends. They were always there to give him a hug and comfort when needed. Almost every night found the tree sleeping together in someone's bed. His parents had gotten used to seeing their son off at night but gone in the morning or feeding additional people during breakfast.
So you want to tell us why you called at 2 am? Was it the water dream again? Hiro questioned.
Part of it was. The first part however was totally new, Shuichi remarked. He then went on to explain about the blonde boy and what he had said.
Hiro thought quietly for a moment before speaking. Sounds to me like parts of your memories are trying to resurface. You probably knew the child as a close friend when you were young.
That's what I thought too, the pink haired teen sighed in frustration, Why can't I remember anything? Why am I so terrified of water yet find myself staring at the ocean for hours on end?
Ryuichi tightened his hold on the distraught figure, stroking his hair in a soothing gesture. You'll be ok. I'm sure your memories will eventually return, the older individual murmured, his calm personality emerging.
He's right, Shuichi. Just calm yourself and keep on living. There's no point in focusing on the past when you have a future in front of you, Hiro added.
I know. Thanks you two, Shuichi exclaimed.
All three silenced when they heard a faint knock and the door slid open. The older woman at the entrance smiled at the figures.
The child in Ryuichi returned as he scrambled over the other two in the bed, bouncing up with a loud Hi!' to hug Shuichi's mother. She laughed softly, patting the hyper young man on the head. She, as well as everyone else in the town, were used to Ryuichi's usual actions. Most figured living with an abusive family for eight years of his life until he was adopted had shaped him to act this way. She had lost count of how many times in the past she'd had to patch up the bleeding and bruised child, who chewed quietly on the stuffed rabbit's ear, refusing to talk about what had occurred.
The woman considered Ryuichi's story a major failure of the town. Because the boy's father was in a high position for the government the negative actions of the mother were ignored so as to not hurt the man's reputation. When the child had finally ended up in the hospital with internal bleeding however the correct authorities had been alerted. Ryuichi was quickly taken from them and would have been placed in a foster home if an elderly woman two doors down from them hadn't taken him in. He lived there happily, although mentally changed forever. He continued to stay in that house, the owner of it now that his adopted mother had passed away a year prior.
Hello dear. And how are Kumagoro and you doing? she finally commented, breaking off her silent musings.
We're doing fine. Aren't we Kumagoro? Ryuichi stated, making the rabbit nod its head.
Well that's good. How about you get back into bed and everyone get some sleep? she suggested.
he exclaimed as he crawled back over the two in the bed, curling up again with Shuichi.
And how are you doing Hiro? she politely inquired.
the teen admitted.
The woman laughed. I bet you are. Get some sleep you three. Breakfast will be ready when you wake up.
Thanks mom. Good night, Shuichi called. The others followed through with the positive encouragements.
Night boys.
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
The tendrils of sleep slowly released their hold on the figure, body protesting the occurrence. He rubbed his blue eyes, wondering what had disrupted his slumber. He shifted and discovered the reason, the body resting beside him shivering rapidly. He wrapped his arms around the younger individual, pressing his body flush against the other. He then pulled the one blanket tightly around them.
I'm going to have to ask them for another blanket. It's just too cold in here now for him to take.' He sighed quietly, lifting one hand to gently brush the dark green hair from the boy's face. The teen murmured softly, snuggling closer to the warm touch.
I'll find some way for us to escape, brother. I swear I will. Then we'll finally find out what the outside world is like,' he vowed. Both had been born and raised in the laboratory, experimented on constantly because of their strange special ability to breath underwater. Touma had been lucky, well luckier than his younger brother any ways; he'd had the affections of his parents for ten years before they were taken away. Suguru on the other hand had only been four. The blonde had to grow up quickly after that, taking care of both his brother and himself.
He silently cursed the blood that ran through their veins. Despite the wonderful stories their parents had told them the truth of the matter is that if they were normal none of the testing and torture would have transpired. At least the scientists gave us an education. It wouldn't look well on them to have stupid specimens,' he thought coldly.
The sound of heavy metal shifting caused him to jerk, frowning. The light hit full force into the once darkened room, causing the blonde to shut his blue eyes for a moment to adjust.
Get that brother of yours up. The doctors need to see him, the burly man in the doorway announced.
Touma's resolve hardened as he slipped from the bed, tugging the blanket around the younger individual. He calmly made his way to the guard, gazing up at him without fear.
I don't think you want to take him. They would much rather see me, the blonde commented.
Don't do this again. They asked for Suguru, not you. I don't want to get in trouble again, the man stated.
Do you want them dealing with a sick specimen? You remember how mad they got when Suguru got sick a month ago? Look at him, Touma exclaimed, pointing at the still slightly shivering youth, If you take him and they toss him in the freezing water, which you know they will, he'll get sick. You'll then get blamed.
The blonde laughed inwardly as he watched the man attempt to sort the information out in his head. Too easy.'
If you can get another blanket in here it will help greatly. He's getting sick because he's cold. If he warms up I'm sure he'll feel better, Touma added.
Damn it! Fine you win, the guard sighed in frustration, I don't want them yelling again if that kid gets sick. I'll bring another blanket for him and you go with the doctors.
Lead the way, the blonde said simply, a smile gracing his lips
as the man muttered in anger.
______________________________________
TBC
I want to thank everyone that's been reading this fic. Sorry about the delay in posting but well school is crazy right now... my weeks have been filled with presentations, papers, and the dreaded MFAT test... which I got a 91 on I might add. *dances* Thanks Bishiehuggler, Yasha Misaki, MissyIrene, Sade, and Mia. ^^ Hope you enjoy this chapter and I'll try and do more.. although finals are next week. *winces*