Chapter 4
The teen sat silently, unconsciously biting his nails. His mind was in turmoil as he tried to believe everything the taller blonde had told him. I'm not really human. I'm from another world above the sky. I can breathe underwater.' Shuichi shivered at the last thought. Why does it have to be water?' For as far back as he could remember the pink haired figure had been terrified of water. His parents had to drag him, kicking and screaming into the bathtub. Eventually he had been willing to take showers, however that was it. He wouldn't take a bath and refused to go near the ocean or a pool.
He jerked when a hand suddenly landed on his shoulder. The teen gazed up, smiling faintly at the blonde looking at him. He could see the worry in his golden eyes.
I'm sorry. It's just a lot to take in. Everything I've grown up with and known has suddenly changed, Shuichi murmured.
I know. I'm not quite sure how to deal with this either. My whole life I've felt responsible for your death. I shut out my emotions and hidden behind a mask. You're alive though, Yuki stated softly.
I'm sorry I don't remember. My earliest memory was of drowning. I struggled to escape but couldn't. Next thing I remember is my parents taking care of me, Shuichi wrapped his arms around himself, I can't stand the water now because of it.
I can understand why. You were so young when you fell into the ocean. It's a miracle you survived that, Yuki pointed out. He sighed as he made his way to the window. Tawny eyes gazed out at the ocean. I'll try and help you get over this fear of water if you would like. I don't know how much help I'll really be but I can try.
I suppose that would be the smart thing to do considering what I am, Shuichi murmured. He followed the blonde's line of vision, laughing as he noticed Ryuichi and Tatsuha splashing around in the water. I guess it would be nice to be able to join in the fun. I always have to watch from afar.
The blonde nodded, turning his head back towards the younger male. The gaze raked down the slender body. The pink hair framed a round face, violet eyes still looking outside. He's definitely cute.' Yuki frowned inwardly, trying to force the thought from his head. You just met him again after all these years. You know nothing about him; besides you like women.' The blonde paused at the idea. Do I really? Or do I just sleep with them because I can? I don't care about any of them.'
Yuki? Are you alright? Shuichi asked suddenly.
The older male shook his head slightly before answering. Sorry. I was just thinking.
The pink haired teen grinned. He was staring at me. I wonder if he likes me that way. He's so gorgeous. I wish I knew what it was like to be with someone. All I've even done is practice kissing with Hiro. That was lots of fun though.' Shuichi giggled, causing the blonde to give him a questioning glance.
Just remembering something that happened earlier, he informed. He quickly changed the subject, hoping Yuki would not inquire further. Do you think you could tell me about our world? Is it that different from this one?
The blonde once again looked out the window. Well it appears everyone is having a good time outside so I suppose we have time. They won't miss us well we talk. This could take awhile.
Shuichi smiled as he dropped down onto the bed. They'll be out there for hours. We have plenty of time, he exclaimed. He patted the mattress beside him, indicating for the blonde to follow him.
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
The long haired brunette laughed as he watched the two males splash around in the ocean. Ryuichi half squealed as the younger blonde dunked him under the water before swimming off to hide.
Did you see that Hiro? Tatsuha's being a meanie! the older male called out.
You should chase after him and teach him a lesson, the brunette suggested.
Ryuichi laughed. Watch me, Kumagoro! I'm going to get him! the male yelled before swimming after the blonde.
Hiro smirked as he touched the stuffed animal beside him. He knew it looked silly but Ryuichi wouldn't go into the water unless someone stayed with Kumagoro. Usually it was Shuichi but he was inside right now with Yuki. The long haired teen frowned. I'm not sure what to make of this situation. I mean it's almost like some fantasy story. Shuichi's from some strange world. Yuki, Tatsuha, and K are also from this other place. It's really hard to believe.'
He glanced beside him, eyes raking down the man's body beside him. K is kind of creepy. Why does he carry around all those guns? I'm sure that's not normal for their world.' Hiro blinked in surprise when he noticed that the blonde was carefully scanning the shore, taking in every detail.
What are you looking for? Hiro finally asked.
The blonde continued to look as he replied, Anyone suspicious.
Why? We've lived here all our lives. Nothing bad has ever happened. It's safe here, Hiro protested.
It may be safe for you but not for us. We have to be careful down here. I've heard countless stories from my world of scouts coming down here and never returning, K answered.
Why is that? the younger male inquired.
Because your species is obsessed with the unknown; they want to see how we tick. Scientists are capturing our people and testing on them to figure out our limitations. They want to see if they can give their people the same abilities we have.
Hiro's eyes widened at the stern tone in the blonde's voice. K suddenly laughed, slapping the brunette on the back.
Don't worry. I trust you. I know you won't tell because you're better then that. Plus Shuichi is one of us, K exclaimed good-naturedly.
Hiro shook his head. You are one unusual individual. Although I hang out with Ryuichi so I'm in not position to complain.
The blonde nodded, Do you know why he acts that way?
The brunette sighed as he picked up the pink bunny. I was pretty young when it happened so I don't remember that well. I know every time we played he always had bruises. His mother was very abusive. She drank a lot and just took her depression out on her son. He was never taken care of as a child. He was finally taken away from that bad situation and adopted by this older woman. He's acted this way for as long as I can remember.
If I were around then I think his mother would have had a date with my gun, K said with a mechanical laugh.
Hiro didn't comment, not wanting to know if he was being serious or not. He followed the blonde's line of vision, stopping when it landed on five men standing on the bank. They wore normal summer attire but had binoculars and clip boards.
What about them? K inquired.
My parents told me they are environmentalists. They're checking the condition of the land and animals. They've been doing it for years, the brunette answered.
K frowned, blue eyes staring intently at the men. Something feels off about them. I don't trust them.'
Ryuichi squealed suddenly, causing both men on the sand to turn towards the water. No fair staying under so long. Come out! Come out!
The older male almost growled as the younger teen finally emerged from the water. He walked swiftly to the water's edge, indicating with a jerk of his hand for Tatsuha to come to him. The black haired individual swam forward, standing when he could to reach K.
What is it?
Idiot! Don't stay under too long. It makes you look suspicious and we don't want that. You're not in our world. We have to be more careful, K stated, his voice lowered.
Sorry. I forgot, Tatsuha blushed.
The blonde sighed, Make sure it doesn't happen again. K patted him on the back, pushing him back towards the ocean. Go on now. Get back to your fun.
The blonde turned back, staring intently at the five suspicious men. They didn't appear to be paying attention and were instead writing information down. He headed back to Hiro, gaze still on the men. He watched them for several minutes before turning to the brunette.
I need to talk to Yuki for a few. Watch out for them, K ordered.
The long haired man patted Hiro on the shoulder before making his way back to the house. The brunette watched him for a moment before turning to look at the five men. I don't get it. They've done this for years and nothings happened. K is just being paranoid.'
Hiro shook his head before turning back to the water. He laughed as Ryuichi chased the younger teen down, tackling him under a wave.
They sure are lively aren't they?
The brunette blinked as he glanced up. It's one of the men K was so worried about.'
They're a handful alright, Hiro agreed.
Did you happen to drop something? the man asked.
Hiro frowned as he looked down. When he didn't see anything he shifted his head to gaze at his other side. The brunette attempted to scream as a cloth was shoved in front of his mouth and nose. His struggles began to grow weak as the chloroform took affect. Brown eyes slid shut as the body went limp in the man's arms.
The man smirked before raising his hand. Two of the men nodded before making their way over to the unconscious teen.
Hey! Are you friends of this guy? Something is wrong with him, the initial individual called out.
The two in the water suddenly stopped. Both raced out, running up to the three men.
What happened? Tatsuha inquired.
I don't know. We were just walking by and he suddenly passed out. It might be from the heat, the man explained. He carefully lifted the teen into his arms, Do you have a place close by we could take him to?
Ryuichi nodded, collecting the stuffed bunny into his arms. Shuichi's house is close. He'll help Hiro!
The man nodded, indicating for the two teens to lead the way. Both made their way off the beach, telling anyone who asked on the way that Hiro would be fine. When they reached the outskirts of the beach Tatsuha turned back to the men.
We're almost there. Thanks for the help. We can take him from here.
The man holding the unconscious teen smirked, leaning forward to whisper into the black haired individual's ear. So how do you like breathing underwater?
Blue eyes widened as the man beside him covered his mouth with a cloth soaked in chloroform. He turned, noting that the same thing was happening to Ryuichi. Damn it! I should have been more careful.'
The man holding Hiro laughed as the other two went limp. Three of them. This is our lucky day indeed. The scientists will be pleased.
Are we sure they're all of the same species?
I'm sure at least one is. We'll just have to have the other two checked, the man answered, Now hurry up so we can get out of here.
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TBC
Author's Note: ~hides from the people who are complaining that Tohma and Suguru are once again not in another chapter~ I'm sorry! But I promise they will be in the next chapter. Just needed to have this happen before hand. And since I've been asked about the ages of the characters I'll post that right here. ^^ Ok Shuichi is 19, Yuki is 22, Tatsuha is 16, Tohma 22, Ryuichi 21, Suguru 16, K 26, and Hiro is 19. And if I add anymore of the characters in later I'll add there ages too. ^^ Hope everyone enjoys this chapter and since finals are finally over ~cheers~ hopefully I'll have more time to write.