That guy...

Kazahaya stared up hazily through the dark. He couldn't sleep... Everything from earlier was still swirling around in his head, and he just couldn't shake it away... That guy... who was he? Why did he feel so familiar...? It was confusing... But at the same time...

I wish I could've spoken to him...

Why...? Why was he feeling like this...?

He could still see him so clearly... But above all else, he remembered his eyes... Such intense, dark green eyes...

Watching me...

Slowly he let out a long sigh, turning onto his side and curling up... It was impossible to even try to sleep when his mind was so mixed up... Stupid... He had only just seen him and already he felt as if he was becoming obsessed... After all, he was just a stranger... some guy he had caught a glimpse of... He didn't even know his name... Dammit... what was wrong with him? He was guy... a guy... There was no way... No way...

...Am I...

He couldn't have been...

...Attracted to him...?

He had certainly seemed handsome enough... But cold... There was something very cold about him... in his eyes... Yet the way he looked at him... it was like... he knew him...

Kazahaya curled up further, fingers tightening around the sheets. He had to put him out of his mind. Whoever he was... Maybe he would see him again, but until then he had to forget about it... stop thinking about it...

...and sleep...

-

"Good morning, Kudou-kun!" came Kanna's cheerful voice.

"Good morning…"

Kanna blinked, observing the boy's somewhat distracted expression, "Huh...? what's wrong with you...?"

"Oh, uh... its nothing…"

"Really? You look kinda out of it today…"

Kazahaya forced a smile, shaking his head, "Really, I'm okay... just a little tired…"

"Here you go Kudou…" Hanako smiled sweetly as she handed him a small plate with a single slice of toast laid upon it.

"Thank you…"

"Well…" Kanna went to sit down, "You should go to bed earlier…"

"Ah, un…" The lighter haired boy nodded, absent mindedly starting to eat.

Was he so obviously distracted...? It was no good trying to ignore his thoughts. No matter how much he tried to think of something else, his mind just went wandering back to him...

"Kudou." Kazuo said sharply.

"Uh, yeah...?" Kazahaya blinked, suddenly snapping back to reality.

The other boy sat across the way, watching him with a somewhat harsh expression. "You seem quite happy to eat our food...but you don't actually seem to be putting much effort into acquiring it…" he closed his eyes, tone remaining icy, "...I think its about time you start pulling your weight around here."

"Huh...?"

"Ano ne, Kudou…" Jun sighed, a little more light hearted than Kazuo, "We just think that... you've been staying with us for so long now that maybe you should actually try to learn how to... well... 'secure provisions'…"

"Yeah, they have a point Kudou-kun…" Kanna said with an unusually severe look.

Kazahaya looked stung by the sudden remarks. "wh...what do you mean, 'try'...? I have been trying...! I tried so hard to learn, but I just couldn't do it...!" he said in a hurt confusion, "And its not like I'm doing nothing...! I take the work that Amano-san gives me, don't I...?"

The others exchanged glances. They seemed doubtful.

Just what the hell is going on here...?

The lighter haired boy looked about desperately for support, turning to the kindly Hanako in hope of a word or two in his defence... but she just bowed her head sadly, eating her breakfast in silence.

"Minamura-chan…" he said quietly, almost expectantly.

"I'm sorry... Kudou…" the young girl said softly, "But I think... maybe if you could try even just a little harder…"

Kazahaya's eyes widened ever so slightly in surprise, "But I!"

"Kudou... Its not fair on us…" Ran said eventually, hesitantly.

"He's right." Kazuo spoke again, satisfied that everyone had voiced themselves on the issue, "Kudou, we don't understand why we should provide for you when you're unwilling to do the same for us…"

"I…"

"Until you can provide, even if its just for yourself…" the older boy stood, walking away, "We will not be sharing any of our resources…"

But...

Kazahaya stared at him in shock, eyes quivering from the sheer confusion of it all...

But why...?

The others ate on in silence, avoiding eye contact...

Why are you all... being like this...?

"Why...?" he whispered.

-

"What?" Rikuou blinked, irritated.

"Now, now Rikuou…" Kakei smiled kindly, "All I asked was if you were feeling okay…"

"Huh…"

"You just seem a little... distracted today…" the shop's owner beamed, tilting his head, "...like you're thinking of someone…"

"Don't be stupid…" the darker haired boy glowered, arms crossed.

"Well, just make sure you look after yourself…"

Rikuou closed his eyes as Kakei walked away, eventually proceeding to then get back to stock checking.

It was stupid. Thinking of someone who he had only seen, just for a moment... and he didn't even know his name... It was ridiculous that he couldn't put a total stranger out of his head... Yet...

It was like... he had already known him... It was strange... The logical part of his mind screamed at him to just forget it... forget him... but then a part of him refused...

It was almost as if... he wanted to see him again...

-

Kazahaya walked onwards down the street with a melancholy look fixed firmly upon his face. Why was everyone acting like this...? They knew he had tried. They had watched him continuously, desperately attempt it... He just... wanted to fit in... Now they were pushing him out because he was no good at stealing...? It just didn't seem fair... He really... had tried so hard...

I can't stand this...

He needed food. Some work had to come up soon or he'd be done for... unless...

He glanced warily across the road at the convenience store the others usually took from, eyes sharpening in determination.

I... haven't got a choice...

-

The store's owner blinked, observing the lighter haired boy suspiciously. The store had always seemed to be an easy target for these homeless looking kids, and he had had enough of it. He and the second owner, who stood nearby watching Kazahaya just as coldly, managed to catch just about all of them who so much as took a step towards the door without having paid for a product in hand... But then... There was one group who always managed to evade them... every time... The store, as far as he was concerned, was not going to make anymore loss...

Unfortunately for Kazahaya, he looked familiar.

Ah... How the hell am I supposed to steal anything with those guys watching me...?

He was starting to get very nervous. This was impossible... There was nothing for it but to just grab something and get the hell out of there pronto... But summoning the courage to do so was easier said than done...

Just grab the bread and run... Just grab the bread and run...

He could feel sweat already staining his skin, each heartbeat deafening...

On 3...

1...2...3!

In a flash he grabbed the loaf of bread, running desperately with all his might out the shop.

"HEY! STOP!" One shop owner roared, charging after him shortly followed by the second.

No, I can't let them catch me!

The adrenalin was starting to make Kazahaya feel sick, his white fingers clutching the loaf tightly, and his legs moving out of his control as the only thing on his mind screamed away: ESCAPE.

He turned another corner, darting through the crowds in a desperate attempt to loose the men with no success before rushing on through the market.

"STOP! THIEF!"

Kazahaya gasped for breath, legs carrying him onwards with all his might. They were going to catch him... and he just couldn't let that happen. He couldn't get caught!

He felt like his lungs could explode, his heart pounding fiercely in his chest. Pain... the pain was becoming overwhelming... His legs ached yet still he ran on, forcing his eyes open through the burning sensation that was tearing his body apart.

The square...

Yes... he had to head for the square...!

He turned yet another corner, heading down a narrow alley way with his pursuers barely even an arm's reach away. In desperation he kicked out clumsily at some of the boxes piled up beside the walls, sending them tumbling into the path of the men who continued to yell furiously and even louder at the momentary hold up.

The lighter haired boy cringed hard, eyes shut tight. The agony was becoming too much... He couldn't go on for much longer...

Its over...

He had tried so hard... All this just to fit in with the others... But why did he even care that much...? Did he just want to be accepted...? Just...

...to belong...

There was a thud as he charged straight into someone, crying out in shock.

"STOP HIM! QUICKLY!" called one of the men, some distance away.

"N-No!" The lighter haired boy shook his head, struggling wildly with what little strength remained as the figure grabbed his wrists tightly to prevent escape, "LET ME GO!"

"Oi, calm down…"

"H...huh...?" Kazahaya's amber green eyes opened uncertainly, observing his captor weakly through the fuzzy pain when a gasp suddenly escaped his lips.

Him...?

It was him... that guy from the other day... He froze, staring in surprise.

Rikuou stared back, silent before opening his mouth to say something when Kazahaya's pursuers rushed over, grabbing the smaller boy's arms.

"You brat!" one man spat before turning to the darker haired boy, "Thanks! This kid's caused us a hell of a lot of trouble!"

"AH! LET ME GO!" Kazahaya yelled desperately before having his hair pulled back roughly, "A-AH!"

"...Hey, what's all this about?" Rikuou asked in a hard tone, glaring at the two men with harsh eyes.

"He's part of a gang of good-for-nothings who have been stealing from us for months now!"

"Stealing...?" The taller boy glanced at Kazahaya, eyes softening ever so slightly, "…"

"A-ah...! Stop! ST-STOP!"

"No way! You're coming with us straight down to the police station!"

"No! N-AH!" Tears had started to trickle from the smaller boy's tightly shut eyes as the pain finally became too much to bare.

"Yeah, you'd better cry you little-"

"How much?"

"What?"

"How much does he need to pay...?" Rikuou asked again, shooting another intimidating glare at the aggressors, "Considering that you have no evidence to say it was him all the other times... how much does he owe you for this?"

The two men glowered at him in confusion.

"About... 192 Yen…" One said slowly.

Rikuou paused for a moment before eventually reaching into his jacket pocket, taking out his wallet. "Make it 500... just to cover any time you wasted chasing him like this…"

Kazahaya's eyes flicked open in surprise, quivering.

What...?

He...

But why...?

He was helping him...?

...Why are you doing this...?

The two men accepted the payment grudgingly, avoiding Rikuou's dark stare as they released the smaller boy, "...okay…"

"Ah…" Kazahaya rubbed the back of his head before wiping his eyes dry, glowering at the aggressors angrily.

"We'd better not see you again or we wont go so easy on you!"

"Yeah…" He muttered before turning to Rikuou who was watching them leave in a hurry, "...um…"

The taller boy blinked once before glancing down at him, his expression remaining indifferent, "What...?"

"…" Kazahaya looked away guiltily, "Thank you…"

"...Just who are you, thief?"

Hey... that tone was a little harsh, wasn't it?

The lighter haired boy pouted, keeping his head turned, "Kudou Kazahaya…"

"...stealing...? That's kinda stupid don't you think? In such a crowded place…"

"I'm poor, okay!"

Dammit, what was with that superior tone he used?

What a jerk...

"... Come on."

"Huh?" Kazahaya blinked in surprise, turning to observe the other's face.

".…" Eventually he turned away, hands in his jacket pockets, "You're poor, right...? If you want a meal, hurry up…"

What...?

The lighter haired boy calmed suddenly, eyes quivering as he stared after the other boy. He looked exactly like he did that day... And he really was... attractive... "Ah, hey!" He gasped, stumbling after him before collapsing to his knees, "ow…"

"Hm?" Rikuou stopped, turning to find the other boy trying hard to get back up without much success, "...what's wrong...?"

"My legs... They wont work…" Kazahaya muttered, collapsing, "ugh... I must've ran for miles…"

"That seems somewhat of an over exaggeration…"

"I'm Sorry…"

".…" The darker haired boy tilted his head slightly before letting out a wary sigh, kneeling beside him, "Come on... you can lean on me…"

"H-huh?"

"Look, I'll carry you if I have to... That is if you really want to embarrass the both of us so much…"

"N-no... um..." Kazahaya blushed slightly as he felt Rikuou carefully lift one of his arms over his shoulder, wrapping his own tightly around his waist before getting to his feet, "…"

"Y'know, for someone who's poor you're kinda heavy…"

"WHAT?"

"lets go…"

"What do you mean, 'heavy'...!"

"Do you want a free meal or not?"

"Ah... U-un…"

Strange...

This feels so strange...

But at the same time...

So nice...

He was warm, and the figure supporting him felt so secure... He felt secure...

"Um…" Kazahaya bowed his head nervously, lowering in voice, "...what's your name…?"

The taller boy was silent for a moment, glancing down at the other before turning to face forward again. "...Himura Rikuou…"

-

It was a nice cafe... small and quiet...

Kazahaya glanced down sheepishly at the crushed loaf of bread in his still shaky hands. Apparently he had held on too tight...

He exhaled heavily, glancing up at Rikuou who silently handed him a large bowl of chicken and noodle soup, "Ah, thank you...!"

"Are you sure that's what you wanted...?" The taller boy sighed, seating himself opposite.

"I can use the bread with it too…" Kazahaya beamed, snapping his chopsticks apart, "Itadakimasu...!"

Rikuou rested his chin on his hand as he watched the other boy hungrily, almost ferociously devour his food, "…"

"Ahh, this tastes great...! Its been forever since I've had food like this...! Its a proper meal...!"

The darker haired boy watched a little longer before smirking, laughing quietly to himself.

"H-huh...?" Kazahaya blinked, noodles hanging from his mouth before he quickly finished them, swallowing hard, "What? Why are you laughing at me...?"

"Y'know... You eat like a kid…" Rikuou closed his eyes, still smiling as he took a sip from his tea.

The smaller boy blinked again before his cheeks reddened, a pout forming on his lips, "Huh…"

"Just how old are you anyway...?"

"17... 18 in June…"

Rikuou's eyes widened suddenly, surprised, before he slowly relaxed, "Really...? I thought you were 15 at the most…"

Kazahaya smiled a little evilly, "I have the power of youth... How old are you?"

"17..." the taller boy closed his eyes, raising the cup to his lips, "And you're one to talk about the power of youth... You're older than me…"

"Wh-What...? Seriously?"

This guy's younger than me...? But he seems so world wary...

The lighter haired boy blinked, observing the slightly unamused Rikuou as he continued to drink his cup of tea.

I would've thought he was 19 or older...

"Stop staring at me."

"Ah, sorry…" Kazahaya quickly looked down thoughtfully into the half eaten bowl of soup, slowly starting to eat again.

He's so kind to do this for me... even if he acts so superior...

He smiled, finishing off the last piece of chicken before placing his chopsticks back down on the table and taking the bowl in both hands, holding the edge to his lips.

But... Why is he doing this...?

"You... were in the street the other day, weren't you...?"

"Huh?" The lighter haired boy blinked, nodding slowly, "Yeah... I saw you across the road…"

Rikuou's eyes softened slightly before he glanced away out the window, "Thought so…"

"You remember that...?"

"Obviously... Its not everyday you spot a total stranger gawking at you from across the road…"

"G...GAWKING! Who was gawking!"

The cafe went silent, everyone staring at the suddenly very embarrassed Kazahaya and far from amused Rikuou.

"Ah…"

"Could you keep it down, PLEASE...?" Rikuou growled, hating all the attention.

"S-sorry…"

the lighter haired boy sunk in his seat, taking out a slice of the bread he had acquired, and dipping it carefully in the remaining soup.

"Don't you have a job...?"

"Uh... yeah... but work rarely comes up…"

"What kind of work...?"

Kazahaya looked away nervously, avoiding eye contact, "Just... work... little jobs and such…"

"Doesn't sound very reliable…" Rikuou sighed, finishing his cup of tea.

"Its a job... I came to Tokyo to work, and that's what I'm going to do…" the smaller boy downed the last of the soup, letting out a long sigh of satisfaction as he placed the bowl back down on the table, "ahhh, it was good... Thank you very much...!"

"You're welcome…" the taller boy stood, walking away.

"Ah, wait...!" Kazahaya called, rushing after him, "What's the hurry...? I-I mean, why don't we just sit and talk for a little while...?"

Rikuou glared, continuing to walk "I have to get back to work…"

"But... I feel bad if you just buy me a meal then leave…"

"... I don't care... I've done my good deed, feeding some poor guy... What else do you want...?"

"Uh... Um…" Kazahaya bowed his head in embarrassment. Those eyes were getting him flustered.

Eventually Rikuou sighed, tilting his head a little, "Well...?"

The smaller boy closed his eyes, voice almost a whisper, "...That day... you saw me in the street…"

"...We're you looking for me...?"

"Huh?" Kazahaya gasped, eyes widening, "N-no! At least... no, I wasn't...!"

Was I...?

The taller boy smiled, turning away, "Idiot…"

"H-HEY!" Kazahaya yelled, going to run after him when he heard his watch beep, "Ah…"

4pm... I... I have to go back...

He blinked, a pained, melancholy look suddenly reappearing on his face as he looked up to find Rikuou stood down the street, watching him... Those dark green eyes on him...

But I... I don't want to go yet...

He took a step back, eyes quivering, "Rikuou…"

I don't want to leave...

The taller boy closed his eyes, turning away.

I have to go...

Leaving...

We both have to go... now...

"We... have to…" The lighter haired boy felt his heart twinge suddenly, like he was afraid... scared...

Rikuou...

He watched for a moment longer, the other boy disappearing through the crowds before shutting his eyes tight, running quickly in the opposite direction before he couldn't stand it anymore...

-

"A young man with dark hair and dark eyes...?"

"Yes, they were at a cafe together... He bought Kudou a meal then left…"

"I see... They spoke a lot...?"

"Yes, they seemed to have quite a long conversation... It was like they were old friends meeting again…"

"Oh really..?"

"Kudou had this look on his face... He really seemed to like him...He blushed a lot, smiled at him a lot... His eyes had this emotion in them…"

"What kind of emotion?"

"I'm not certain, but it seemed like... Affection…"

"This could be problematic…"

"Is there anything you want me to do about it?"

"No, not yet... But I will contact him about this matter later... Thank you for the information, Kazuo... You can get back to your job now…"

"Thank you sir…"

The phone was placed carefully on the table, a pair of wary, pale hazel eyes staring out the window across the dusky district.

"Affection, is it? Oh dear, Kudou, if you're not careful ...things could get dangerous for you…"

-

I had to leave...

Rikuou leaned on the steel staircase leading up to his room, eyes closed as he felt the cold night air on his face.

But... hadn't he been wanting to see him again...? Since the other day, he had wanted to see him again... thinking only of him... And today, finally seeing him again, talking to him... spending time with him... he just walked away without a second thought... leaving him standing there...

That guy...

Kazahaya...

He sighed, letting the night-time breeze pass through his fingers. He had wanted him to stay... But he refused, walking on... Like he was nothing...

But he wasn't nothing. He was the only person who had made him feel like that in a long time...

Made him feel...

Needed...

Letting him go... passing through his fingers like the night-time breeze... He felt annoyed at himself, silently scorning his actions as he thought again of the childish and light-hearted way Kazahaya had acted around him, his bright, amber green eyes staring at him with...

That emotion...

Rikuou's eyes opened hazily, staring out across the street. It couldn't have been the same... That look... that emotion that he refused to acknowledge himself... Deep inside... calling out at the back of his mind...

Affection...

-

The sky was grey, clouds stifling the weakly shining sun the next day... But every so often the rays would penetrate the hazy cover, shining down on the streets below...

Kazahaya yawned, walking with the remainders of his loaf of bread under arm into the room where the others sat having breakfast. "Good morning…"

Silence.

"Huh...?" He blinked, glancing at the group who continued to eat in silence, heads bowed. "Um... Good morning...!" He said a little louder, forcing a slight smile.

Still, no one spoke. It was as if the others were ignoring him.

"Uh...I finally managed to 'secure provisions'…" he beamed, holding up the loaf, "Well... 'provision' really... um... Hello...?"

"Kudou... Do you have any idea just how much trouble you're in...?" Kanna said eventually, voice unusually slow and quiet.

"Huh...? 'trouble'...?" Kazahaya blinked, confused, "What do you mean 'trouble'...?"

"Just go eat somewhere else, Kudou…"

Trouble...? What trouble...? why?

The lighter haired boy blinked before eventually turning away and returning to his room.

He sighed, collapsing on his bed warily. He had had enough of those guys. They were getting creepy and ominous... treating him like a burden… And it seemed just about impossible to please them these days...

I don't give a damn anymore.

He huffed, falling back on his bed with his eyes closed. He was going to get out of here. No matter what, he was going to find something better...

A small smile formed on his lips. It was strange... ever since yesterday, he couldn't help but feel an overwhelming optimism... It must have had something to do with that guy... 'Rikuou'...

The funny thing was, he couldn't help but call him by his first name... He laughed quietly.

Already I'm too familiar...

The phone rang.

"Ah... hello...?" He answered, holding it to his face.

"Hello Kudou." came the reply. That deep, dark voice...

"A-Amano-san... Good morning…" Kazahaya said quickly, cheerfulness fading.

"How are you today, Kudou...?"

"Um, okay...! Very well, thank you...! And you...?"

"Oh, that's not important. I have some things to discuss with you Kudou…"

"Do you have another job for me to do...?"

"Yes, but first there are other things I'd like to talk about…"

"Oh...?" He just knew it had something to do with him 'being in trouble', "Is something... wrong...?"

There was a few seconds silence before Amano exhaled tiredly, continuing. "Kudou. You met with someone yesterday, didn't you...?"

"Ah, yeah...!" But how did he know...?

"Who was that someone...?"

"Oh, er... some guy who offered to buy me a meal…"

"And you accepted?"

"Yeah. I had chicken and noodle soup." He felt that maybe if he included some details of the incident, Amano could relax the interrogation. Unfortunately, there was no such luck.

"What was his name?"

His name...

No way, he couldn't tell him...

What if Rikuou got dragged into this as well...?

He couldn't cause him any trouble... Not after everything he had done...

"I...hmmm... I don't think he gave it…" He said eventually, putting on a convincingly thoughtful voice, "Y'know, like an anonymous act of charity...?"

Amano was silent.

It seemed like hours before he eventually spoke, "Are you certain...?"

"Yeah, and if he did, I wasn't listening... I was too busy eating…"

"I see... Kudou?"

"Yes Amano-san...?"

"This boy you met... What do you think of him...?"

"Ah…" Kazahaya's eyes widened ever so slightly, "I... that is... he seemed pretty nice, buying me a meal... And... He was very good-looking... And he was kind to me, so…"

"Kudou. Let me put this... Bluntly…" The voice sounded sharp and dangerous, "Any affection you feel for that boy will only cause you problems. As a member of this 'family', I will not allow any such interaction without given permission. If you do so... I will have no choice but to severely reprimand you. Understand?"

"Y-you're saying I can't see him again...?" The lighter haired boy asked quickly, trying his hardest to disguise the desperation and utter shock in his voice.

"Yes."

"But…"

"Kudou, are you questioning my request?"

Kazahaya bowed his head, submitting though he knew there was no way he would ever agree to such a 'request', "...no…"

"Very good. Now, about this job... I need you to acquire something for me. I understand that during daylight hours, you're 'acquiring' abilities leave somewhat to be desired, am I correct...?"

"I guess…"

"But in this case, I will need you to act after hours... Tonight infact at exactly 12am midnight…"

"What is it you want me to... um... 'acquire'...?" the smaller boy asked nervously, fearing for the worst.

"There's a shop in the next district."

"Shimokitazawa?"

"Yes. I need you to get inside and go to the office at the back of the store. There you will find a small, silver box. You might have to look for it, so make sure you don't make a mess…"

"Okay... Uh…" Kazahaya blinked, "...sorry, which shop...?"

"A pharmacy...The Green Drugstore."

-

The sky was a little cloudy that night...

Kazahaya was making his way as quickly and quietly as possible down the street towards the shop in question. He was still resenting accepting all this... After everything that had happened recently, he really didn't like the idea of stealing, but breaking into somewhere too...? Just what the hell did Amano-san think he was doing, requesting illegal stuff like that...?

He sighed silently as the Green Drugstore finally came into view. It looked small and quiet... not some big supermarket like he had expected...

But how am I supposed to get in without setting off an alarm of something...?

Kazahaya blinked as he looked over the shop for any place he might be able to infiltrate. The shutters we too risky... probably alarmed or something...

Uh...

Maybe there was an entry around back... He swiftly cat-footed his way round the side of the store, halting upon spotting the steel stairway running up the wall.

The roof...? Could I get in up there...?

He blinked again looking around nervously, just to make sure the streets were as empty as they seemed, before making his way silently up the stairway, past the single door and onwards towards the top. Upon reaching his aim, however, there didn't appear to be much at all concerning a way in.

...Dammit...! what now...?

He glanced over his shoulder at the railings looking down over the back alley way. There was a possibility...

There has to be a back entrance or something for deliveries, right?

Wasting no time at all, he quickly rushed over to the edge, peering down through the dark at the narrow path below.

The eerie silence was suddenly broken... by the clanging sound of footsteps on the steel staircase.

AH? Someone's coming!

Kazahaya gasped, looking about desperately before spying the drain pipe... The only way down other than a straight drop... Quickly, heart starting to pound from imminent threat of being caught, he climbed skilfully over the railings and grasped hold of the pipe, sliding down a little way.

Agh, it must be at least the 4th floor up here...!

He shut his eyes tight as the foot steps continued to clang softly for a moment. Sweat was now starting to glisten on his face, using all his might to take each breath in silence.

Then the sound stopped.

H...huh...?

He forced his eyes open, looking up at the edge where he had came from - deserted - before letting out a long, quiet sigh of relief.

Th...thank goodness...

Kazahaya smiled a little, pausing for a moment before reaching out to grab the base of the railings, grinding his heals against the wall for support. All that he needed to do now was get back on a solid surface, and get back to that 'job'...

But in a flash, like a sudden bolt of lightning, his fingers which had been tightly clasping the metal bars slipped, his feet scraping the wall before loosing contact altogether, the lighter haired boy plummeting through the air towards the hard concrete below...

There was a soft thud.

"H...huh...?"

I've...stopped falling...? What's going on? Why don't I hurt or anything...?

Kazahaya sucked in his breath, forcing open his tightly shut eyes.

He gasped.

Staring back was an all too familiar dark green glare, belonging to a slightly unamused but just as surprised Rikuou.

"R-Rikuou?" Kazahaya whispered, eyes wide, "What're you doing here?"

"I was about to ask you the same thing." Rikuou answered.

The smaller boy was dumb-founded. It was at that point he realised that he was being held quite securely in the other's arms, one arm hooked around his back and the other supporting his legs beneath the knees.

He went red.

"UH…"

"You fell on me." Rikuou said coldly, "What the hell were you doing up there?"

"Um... I…" Kazahaya wasn't sure on how he was supposed to answer.

"I was trying to sleep when I heard someone outside. I never would've guessed it was the world's most notoriously unskilled cat-burglar, thief…"

"I'm not a thief...!"

"Then what were you doing?"

"I…" The lighter haired boy blinked, reprocessing the information, "Uh... you were trying to sleep...?"

"I live and work here."

Kazahaya's eyes widened.

Wh...What are the chances of...?

Rikuou sighed. "Look... I can understand if you wanted to see me again, but do you have any idea what time it is...?"

"Who said I wanted to see you again? Ah…" The smaller boy blinked, going red.

Okay, so what if I did want to see you again! Its not the reason why I'm here...!

He turned his head, trying to hide his face.

Dammit, why can't I just look at him and not feel weird...?

"Right, I'm putting you down now."

"Huh? A-AH! OW!" Kazahaya cringed hard, eyes screwing shut as his feet touched the ground, "Oww, I can't stand dammit...!"

The darker haired boy's eyes became ever so slightly tainted with concern, although the rest of his face remained ever indifferent. "You've hurt something...?"

Kazahaya felt his heart twinge again.

Ah... it was just like that day...

He glanced sideways into the dark green stare, feeling his cheeks redden further before turning away again quickly in embarrassment..

He's so attractive...

"Um... I must've caught my foot on the wall or something...a-ah…"

Rikuou sighed, glancing up at his room. "…"

"ow...! ah, man that hurts…"

"Come on."

"H-heh...?"

"I'll check it out... come on…"

-

Kazahaya laid back carefully on the bed, feeling a little nervous in case the other boy should try anything... He'd never felt like this before... being so close to anyone other than her... He stared up as the taller boy leant over him.

"You're ankle's strained... You should probably rest it for a little while…" He said in a low voice.

"Thank you…" the lighter haired boy turned his head, uncomfortable at the eye contact. Seeing him again... being with him again... It all felt so right, so why couldn't he look at him...? Was he... embarrassed of something...?

embarrassed that I feel like this...?

What if he didn't feel the same...?

That I...

Just looking at him made his heart beat furiously...

That I...

His eyes on him... Staring back...

I really like him...

There was a long silence before he returned his gaze towards the other boy who sat, watching him calmly. The two stared in silence for a moment, Kazahaya's eyes quivering hazily as he stared back into the other's intense, dark green stare.

"…"

"…"

The silence was getting to much, Kazahaya opening his mouth to say something when, to his complete surprise, Rikuou leaned in closer, kissing him gently. His eyes widened in utter shock, his heart skipping a beat.

He...He feels like this too...?

His fingers tightened around the bed sheets.

...Like... me...

Rikuou kept his lips pressed gently against he other boy's, parting them slowly to let his tongue slide against Kazahaya's. The smaller boy moaned softly as the other tongue caressed and tasted his own, suddenly finding that his lips were moving hungrily against the taller boy's as the lengthy kiss continued.

Rikuou leant away, staring down affectionately at the other boy.

He looks at me like back then...

Kazahaya thought sleepily, remembering when he had first spoken to him... The tone he used... The words he used... Even the way in which he stood... it was like he was trying to act superior... But... wasn't he just lonely, too...?

Lonely...

...like me...

"…What?" Rikuou blinked, eyes sharpening ever so slightly, "What're you smiling at...?"

"You can be such a jerk sometimes…"

"Huh…"

"But…" Kazahaya turned his head to the side, closing his eyes, "...You're still so kind…"

The taller boy smiled slightly before leaning down to gently kiss the other, carefully moving one hand through his lightish hair.

Kazahaya's lips remained curved in his amused but almost blissful smile as the other's pressed against them softly.

I...

His eyes opened hazily, staring into the other boy's face.

...I want to stay here...

It was warm. Warm... and safe... Just being there with him... He'd forgotten all the painful feelings he had felt, feeling nothing but the peace... the security...

Like... he belonged...

"Rikuou…" He whispered weakly as the taller boy leant away. He was starting to feel exhausted from using every ounce of will power to stay out of the other's mind during such intense contact, "You'll stay with me, right? If I stay with you... Promise me... You wont leave me…"

Rikuou's eyes softened sadly.

Rikuou...?

Kazahaya blinked once before reaching out to touch the other's face, eyes quivering. It seemed like he was remembering unhappy thoughts again... Something bad must have happened... Yes, something bad in his past...

"I'm sorry…"

"Huh?" The darker haired boy blinked, confused, "Why? What's wrong?"

"I find it hard to keep promises like this... but... I promise I'll try…" Kazahaya closed his eyes, voice barely even a whisper, "I let someone down once... Someone... who asked me to promise the same thing... But I wont let it happen again... Okay...?"

"…" Rikuou smirked, leaning forward to press his forehead against Kazahaya's, "You're an idiot…"

"Don't call me an idiot... I mean it... I'll try so hard…"

"I believe you... But…"

"But what...?"

"...No...Its nothing…"

"Rikuou…" Kazahaya smiled again, a childish tone suddenly gracing his voice, "You're hiding something from me…"

"…"

"You don't have to tell me... but I'd like it if one day... you did…"

"It'll be morning soon." Rikuou said eventually, pushing himself away.

The smaller boy sat up, watching the other with melancholy eyes.

It must've been really bad...

...for him to change the subject so quickly...

"Ne...Rikuou…"

"What...?" Rikuou asked as he raked his dark hair back off his forehead.

"…" Kazahaya blushed, turning away, "I want to see you again…"

"Yeah, well with the way things have gone recently I don't think that will be any trouble…"

"Ah...yeah…"

".…" The taller boy stood, back to him.

".…"

"Do you have to...?"

"Huh?" Kazahaya blinked, also getting to his feet. His voice had suddenly become so quiet... almost hesitant... "What do you mean?"

"Do you have to leave?"

"... un…"

".…"

I don't want to...but...

He had to... The others... they would be waiting for him... wondering where he had gone... And if Amano found out that he'd been with him again... Been with Rikuou... There could be big trouble... He had to go back...

"Okay…" The darker haired boy said eventually, crossing his arms. "You know where I live and work, so... I'll see you soon…"

He was sounding hurt again... Kazahaya tilted his head with a sorrowful expression, suddenly struck with guilt at the sadness he was causing the other."…"

"…"

"Yeah... I'll be over tomorrow maybe…" he walked forward, heading past Rikuou when the taller boy turned suddenly to grab his shoulders, pulling him forward quickly.

Kazahaya gasped in shock before Rikuou's lips met with his own, kissing him roughly. His stronger arms slowly wrapped around him possessively, pulling the smaller boy against him tightly in an almost suffocating embrace.

Rikuou...

He moaned quietly, feeling his own arms reaching to return the embrace as he moved his hands to rest on the other's muscular back.

No... he wouldn't leave him...

No matter how bad things get...

He smiled blissfully as the taller boy leant away, burying his face against his chest.

No matter what...

Even if you hated me...

He would stay near...

I promise...

-

Kakei smiled slyly from the shadows, observing the smaller boy hurry silently down the metal stairs leading from Rikuou's room above the Green Drugstore. "Finally…" He whispered, smile widening...

He's finally here...


To be continued