Summary: The meeting isn't the beginning; the parting is not the end… Witness how a simple friendship blooms into love. And prove to yourself that no matter how far your feet go, your heart will take you back to the Cherry Road.

Disclaimer: I own this story and its title, not the characters, not yu-gi-oh, not even the PC I used to upload this!

Hunter K: I'd like to thank all reviewers… especially Hikari Flame, who had found my other hideout and is dying to kill me now because of my late update... Thanks! The late update is because Flame told me to sleep. I did. I overslept plus it's vacation, no free internet access u.u, equals late update. Next update would take about a month n.n Please bear with me, if not you can pay for me to have a broadband connection in our house.

Warning: Shounen-ai! RyouxMalik

Last Chapter: Malik loves Ryou, but Ryou was unsure by that time… However now he was definite, he is ready to face Malik and return the love he had long been waiting for…

The Cherry Road:
where souls meet and part
By Hunter K

Chapter 7: Pinky Promised

Ryou called a taxi. It was about half an hour since Malik left. And the airport is just 15 minutes away. He can't be late! He slid inside the taxi and asked the driver to drive him to Tunsuya Airport.

He glanced at the window. He didn't even bother the stares given by the taxi driver; he was a bit intimidated about it though. But instead of shouting at the curious driver, he just asked patiently. "Could you please make it fast? I'm catching something."

The driver tried as much to cut the journey and make it faster, giving somewhat sympathy to his customer who seems to be weeping but trying to hide it.

Ryou leaned on the window, staring blankly at the busy streets, thinking of countless things to kill time. Until he reached a thought that made him shiver uncontrollably and sob.

…-…- Ryou's thoughts -…-…-

Malik sat under a cherry tree, staring nonchalantly at the languidly falling leaves. Ryou curls next to him whenever he feels the cold September wind blow against his slender frame.

"Ryou?"

"Yes?"

The setting was peaceful, only their voices can be heard, as if nature gave them the chance to talk solemnly.

"I'm leaving for Egypt tomorrow." Malik's voice was flat, trying to hide all emotions in it. He didn't dare to look at his friend. He didn't need to look; he already knew that the other was pained.

Ryou gawked at the Egyptian. He didn't want to believe but the words were so clear, clear as the water ebbing in the river in front of them. "Why didn't you tell me earlier?", his voice sent pangs of guilt inside him. 'He must be leaving because you hurt him!', Ryou mentally accused himself.

"Isis just told me this morning." Malik tried as much to think that it was just a normal conversation, as they were just talking about movies. But who was he fooling? He can't erase the fact that he was saying goodbye.

Ryou just nodded. He felt Malik's warm hands on his as the other placed a small ring on his pinkie. Ryou lifted his hand, studying the said ring. He turned to Malik with a confused look on his face. The tanned boy raised his hand to show a similar ring on his pinkie as he smiled.

"I hope it'll remind you our friendship…"

Ryou smiled and held his pinkie out, "Promise me you won't forget."

"I'll never forget, ever!" Malik embraced Ryou's pinkie with his, in a promise that'll bind them forever. "We'll be friends forever, like the lines inscribed inside these rings."

Ryou broke the bond though he didn't want to. Malik's warmth gives comfort but he'll be leaving soon so it's better to get used to being cold and lonely just like before. "What time will you leave?"

"We'll leave at five in the afternoon."

Life plays tricks through the things we call coincidences. "I'll be fetching Father at Narita tomorrow, same time." Ryou tried as much to make it sound like it isn't a reason, just a statement but Malik still thought it was just a reason for him to escape.

"I wanted to see you for the last time, tomorrow", Malik's voice finally cracked, "Here, around four." He leaped up while Ryou looked up at him. "I'll be expecting you!" He ran before his tears would even fall.

…-…- End of Ryou's thoughts -…-…-

Ryou wiped his tears as left the taxi and proceed to the airport foyer.

…-…-

Malik looked at the wall clock. It says 4:45. 'Fifteen minutes more' he thought. He kept on throwing stares at the wall clock and the entrance hall, walking back and forth like an anxious cat. He wasn't sure if he's waiting for his flight or for some…

"Malik!" Isis eyed him with annoyance. "Will you just sit down?"

Malik did, but apprehension was still in his eyes and countless thoughts flooded his mind. "I didn't even tell him that I am not coming back…"

"He needn't know." Isis patted her brothers back to soothe him. "We both know that we have to do this. It's hard but we are obliged to." Malik just nodded. "Think that you are doing this for him and for the world."

Malik vowed his head, trying to suppress the tears that are threatening to fall. He stared at the lobby once more, praying, to all gods he knew, that they at least let him see his best friend even for the last time. 'I'd take a miracle for him to come', he assured himself. But he ached for that miracle to happen.

'Please let this miracle happen, just for once…' he prayed.

And almost certainly, the gods answered.

An albino teen came rushing from the lobby towards him. He didn't want to believe his eyes. To Malik, it was all but his imagination, a product of his longing to see him, but not after Ryou clung on his neck.

"Malik!" Ryou sobbed, burying his face on Malik's shirt. The tanned boy was still dazed, rendering him unable to react. "Malik, promise me you'll be back…" he said in-between his sobs. Malik didn't reply though. Ryou lifted his face to see his friend's reaction.

Malik was confused; he didn't know what to answer. He wanted to promise to be back. But he can't go back, never! He brushed the tears that flowed from the smaller one's chocolate orbs, trying to hush him. "I-I can't" Malik tried to control his emotions but he still trembled.

Ryou shuddered at the statement; more tears came flooding his vision. He wanted to see Malik, to drink in his features, to memorize everything about him so he won't forget. He bushed away his tears but they still came ebbing down incessantly.

Calling the attention of all passengers of flight 156, please proceed to the dock, the intercom announced. The boys ignored it. They just wanted to be alone in their own world for a while. Isis stood, carrying her luggage. She stared at her brother to say they were leaving. Malik nodded, "I'll follow…"

Malik pulled away from Ryou's grip and started to haul his baggage, "I'll be going"

Ryou's eyes continued to well, "Malik…" Ryou pleaded, "Please…" he is still afraid to admit his love for Malik, but he is loosing him before his own eyes. How sarcastic that you feel someone's importance when you are already loosing him. He tugged Malik's left arm with both his hands.

He too was pained and he didn't want to let Ryou know. The Egyptian didn't dared look back. But he did, after he heard the words he didn't expect…

"I love you…" Ryou whispered, "Please promise me you'll be back…"

Malik stared Ryou straight in the eye. He wasn't lying. It was for real. He wanted to hear the words again but the intercom paged again, a warning for him. He has no time, so as his instincts told him, he reached out his pinky finger. Ryou reached for his, intertwining both fingers loosely. Malik tightened the grip. "I promise to be back… But I don't know when…"

Ryou smiled amidst his sobs, "And I promise to wait… Even for eternity…"

With the promise made, Malik ran as Ryou watched him disappear on the lobby.

tsuzuku-

AN:

(K sobs: T.T) This chapter is next to the last. Next Chappie will be the conclusion. But don't worry, there'll be a surprise next chapter n.n