Chapter Four: The Monster

Rikuo looked up from the paper with worry written all over his face. Even though he knew Kazahaya was alive (although he didn't know where he was) he felt a tightening in his chest. He remembered being immensely happy, and not paying attention to anything else except the ring. Why was he so happy? It was very out of character for him, and he was starting to wonder why he was acting that way. And why was Kazahaya so tired?

I was looking at you, while you were looking at the ring. You seemed to be coming out of that weird state, as I was too, and you seemed to be remembering what you acted like. I would have laughed at you, and I probably did, because you turned around to glare at me and make some witty retort.

Something you saw must've changed that look within a spit second, because I saw your face go from glare to stare. Your eyes grew large and you made a little grunt as you pushed me to one side. I fell into some boxes, not even worried about spiders anymore. I was worried about you, if it wasn't something really bad you would've ignored it and gone straight to teasing me. When I lifted myself out of the rubble of old clothes and china, I saw that something that which made your eyes grow large like mine. It was huge, how it fit into the attic was completely beyond me, especially in my current state of panic. It was a large spider thing, it was hairy and hard to see in the dark. It was coming after you with long sharp legs, but you were dodging them expertly. I had to go and screw things up. I screamed out at you, and you turned your head to look at me. That's when it got you, right across the head.

Rikuo unconsciously brought his hand up to the gash on his forehead. He started to remember that fight, he had tried to go on the offensive, but that...thing had armor-like skin.

I remembered what Kakei-san told us, this job was going to be a little different, a little harder. I thought to myself, yeah, a little harder. It got you again, flinging you like a rag doll to the opposite side of the room. I screamed out your name again, but you didn't stir. My stomach dropped, if you were so easily beaten, what would I be like?

Rikuo glared at the paper, since Kazahaya wasn't there to receive it. All the concern he had for his roommate was not returned. But what should he expect from Kazahaya?

The monster, instead of coming for me, crawled back into the darkness, leaving me stunned beyond all my wits and you laying unconscious in a pile of junk similar to the one I landed on. I heard something being repeated over and over again, and I realized it was coming from me. I was whispering your name. My head snapped from the direction the monster disappeared to where you were groaning softly on the boxes. The next few minutes seemed to fast forward as I ran to your side and lifted you into my arms. You were unconscious by then, completely unconscious. I started saying your name louder, hoping that you would wake up, but you didn't. Suddenly, a problem popped into my head. How was I going to get you back home?

By some magic of the will I managed to drag you out of the attic. All thoughts of the monster in that attic were completely erased from my brain, all my thoughts were directed at your well being. I couldn't believe that you had put yourself in harms way again, just for me. You got hurt because of me. Again. That's always the part that gets me. You seem to be such a jerk to me almost all the time, but then you save me. Why? So you can tease me? I find that hard to believe.

Rikuo felt his heart beat faster. Kazahaya was actually thinking this out. And he was coming to rational conclusions, not just assuming the worst of Rikuo. Rikuo smiled as he wondered what Kazahaya would pull out of this. Would he realize why Rikuo saved him time and again? He loved the little brat, with all his quirks and his quick temper. The way he slept right before the compulsion Rikuo had to drop something heavy on his stomach. Kazahaya did not see the way Rikuo stole little glances at him when he would stretch to place something on a high shelf, or at the way he would seize up when Saiga grabbed his waist. Rikuou thought about it a moment longer before deciding that he probably shouldn't make assumptions. It was better to hear it directly from the source.

Maybe there is a potential for being your friend.

Rikuo smiled, a real smile. He was truly happy. He made a mental note to be nicer to Kazahaya from then on.

Anyway, I pulled you as far as I could, which stopped at the front door. There was no way I would drag you across the pavement, that would probably hurt you more. But I couldn't lift you like you lift me, that was physically impossible. I sat on the floor next to your body, unsure of what to do. It took me a long time to come up with a plan, and once I did, I was kicking myself for taking so long. Call Kakei-san. While waiting for Kakei-san to come, I was muttering insults at myself, since you weren't aware to be doing it for me.

Kakei-san didn't take long to get there because I told him that you were unconscious and probably dying. I didn't want to believe that, but it made Kakei-san get there in record time.

When I heard a car come up the drive, I felt pressure building in my sinuses and forehead. I reached up to see what it was and felt tears coming out of my eyes. With Kakei-san, nothing bad could happen. Although, that's what I thought with you. And now look at you.

He took us home, the whole way there I had your head in my lap. You looked so peaceful, I took that as a sign that you weren't having nightmares, and not a sign that you were dead. Though, if I hadn't been so freaked out by everything that happened that night, I would've just looked at your chest to see that you were still breathing.

The drive home was uneventful, you never woke up and I fell asleep.

From what I gathered, when we got home Saiga carried you up to your room and then came back to get me, seeing as how I was still asleep. I had a night of fitful dreams, most all of them containing either you or a certain hairy beast. When I woke up in the morning, I felt a distinct pain in my stomach, and thinking you had dropped something on me, I sat straight up to see how you were feeling. But when I sat up, no one was there. Confused for a second, I swung my legs over the side of my bed and felt my stomach growl. That pain was just hunger. I sat on my bed feeling a little disappointed. My normal wake-up call was probably still laying in his bed, the agony of the wounds received the night before tormenting him to no end. Ok, so I was probably going overboard on how much pain you were in, but I couldn't help it.

When I finally got into the kitchen, I was surprised to see Kakei-san and Saiga-san sitting on the floor drinking tea.

Kakei-san looked up at me and smiled, "Did you sleep well?"

"Not really," I replied. Kakei-san got up and started to make me breakfast, he also said that, unfortunately, we would not be getting paid for this job. We failed to get the ring. I stared at Kakei-san, knowing that we didn't get the item, but still feeling disappointed. I felt light-headed as I remembered that monster retreating, and how easy it would have been to just pick up the ring while I walked over to you.

I sat in silence as I ate my breakfast. I was thinking of a way to get that ring. Thinking of a weakness in the monster, a weakness that would allow me to get the ring and not get killed.

A lightbulb snapped on.

I know how to get the ring. You're probably not going to be awake by the time I leave, so I'm going to do it without you. I know, you think that's a stupid idea, because I usually get a foot away from death before you come in and save me, but I'm positive I can do this one alone. So don't worry. Just sit there and get better.

Kazahaya

A/N: Stupid Kazahaya... LEAVE REVIEWS!