Welcome back to 'It all changed…', so nice of you to join me! Thanks for reading my first three chapters guys! Many thanks to my lovely reviewers too! I appreciate the info some of you gave me on RENT. Overall it seems like most people don't like it, so I might never get around to seeing it.

I took a slightly different approach with this chapter, but it's probably not noticeable! I'll let you guys decide!

Last thing, no one has commented on the formatting of my fiction. That is probably a good thing, but I would like to know if anyone finds it difficult to read, because I will change it if that is the case. I do try hard to make it easy to read and understand, but we all make mistakes! Especially me!

Chapter Four: Rose

"Isn't it beautiful?" She smiles at me. "Look how it floats softly to the ground. Hold out your hands…" I do as she says, and she laughs like a child.

"Like this?"

"Yes sweetie. Catch them with your pretty hands!" She keeps smiling. How can she laugh like this?

"Mommy, it's cold…"

Snow is white, pure and pretty. I used to be able to see that. But everything that is beautiful always disappears.

"They are so big this year! I've never seen snowflakes like this before!" Her dark eyes shine down upon me. Eyes identical to mine. She was beautiful. "But they'll never be as pretty as you." She pulls me into a warm embrace, and her lips rest on top of my curly sand coloured hair. "Ai shiteru…"

My cheeks feel colder when she hugs me close like that. It reminds of hugs that I don't want to remember. I know why my face is wet even when there is no rain.

I'll cry for you, mom. I'll cry for you because I can't cry for myself.

"I wonder if it's snowing…" Ryo mumbled, lying down on his bed, his head dangling over the edge.

"Well it is November, so I guess sooner or later we'll get some." Dee was busy messing with something he had stuffed into a carrier bag. With all the junk surrounding him, it was impossible from Ryo's viewpoint to see exactly what it was. "You know you'll get a migraine if you stay like that for much longer." He joked, turning to look at his roomie for a second.

"Yeah, well nothing can be as damaging as the choice of death you've chosen." Ryo returned sarcastically.

"What?" Dee's face quickly changed to one of pure innocence. Ryo didn't buy it and stared back at the dark haired teen with a face of stone.

"Whatever Laytner." Ryo shook his head and sat up slowly as his upside down world had begun to spin, reminding him of a sitting on a merry-go-round.

"You bastard, I thought I told you not to go through my things!" Dee growled, standing up and walking to the other side of the small room.

"I didn't touch your stuff. But it's kinda hard not to notice a box of cigarettes when they are on full view." Ryo stated as he pointed to the little cabinet next to Dee's bed. The draw was open; and if you squinted your eyes you could see the shape of a box.

"How the hell did you know what they were? I can barely see them myself." Dee sighed, closing the drawer hastily.

"I glanced in this morning before we went for breakfast. It isn't a crime. Well, maybe it is for you. I doubt you are allowed cigs here. What would the Head Nurse say…?"

"You gonna tell on me?" Dee asked, his smiling green eyes darkening. 'This is the other side of Dee Laytner. The one who belongs in this facility', Ryo thought instantly.

"Nah, it wouldn't do me or you any good. Besides, they might think I helped you get them. I don't want trouble."

"No, I bet you don't." Dee's face had returned to the familiar goofy smile Ryo had got used to in his time at the psychiatric ward.

'That smile. I like that smile.' Ryo blushed red, turning away from Dee. 'Why did I think that?'

"Dee, I'm just going to the bathroom." Ryo announced, walking to the door.

"Want me to come with?" The taller teen asked protectively.

"I'm only going to the bathroom Dee. I don't need your help with that." Ryo shook his head. He and Dee were equals. Sure, he was more timid than Dee, and he was new here, but that didn't mean he was weak and couldn't look after himself.

"Okay man. I was only asking. Don't be too long though, I've got my appointment later today."

"Dee, your appointment's in three hours! Why would it take me that long?" Ryo sighed exasperated.

"'Cos I know that you couldn't find your way out of a paper bag. Face it, bud, you are like totally useless. You couldn't even get back to our room without my help!" Dee laughed, sticking his tongue out immaturely.

"Fine, laugh all you want. You'll see, I'll get back just fine. Bye Dee." And Ryo left the room in a huff, making Dee laugh harder until his sides started hurting and he fell over the junk in his side of the room.

"Oh man, that'll teach me to tidy up more!" Dee finally stopped laughing. He looked at Ryo's side of the room, allowing his eyes to wander to the already made-up bed. He could visualise the body of his roommate tucked underneath the sheets. His sandy hair would be ruffled and untidy, his pale face only visible in the dim light, and those soft pink lips moving in time to this slow, steady breaths. There would be little bumps in the covers that showed where Ryo's curves were laying still, and his long slender arms would be wrapped around that bear he was attached to. Bikky.

"Hey there Biks. Remember me?" Dee smiled, getting up from the floor to sit on Ryo's tidy bed. He picked the toy up and looked directly into its dark glassy eyes.

"Can you tell me more about your owner, hmm? I think you know why he's here. Care to share the story with me?" Dee's voice was soft and gentle, as if he was talking to a young child.

"No, you're as silent as Drake. But you know what…? I'll find out myself from him. Just you wait Bikky. And then you'll have to share him with me."

The more Dee looked at the bear, the more he began to believe it was mocking him.

'You won't take Ryo from me.' The bear just stared up at Dee with its beady eyes.

"Stupid toy." Dee threw Bikky at the wall as anger quickly built up within him. The toy bounced off and landed on the end of Ryo's bed. "Lucky bastard." Dee growled, before returning to his turf to watch the ceiling and pass the time before his roomie would return.

XOXOXOXOXOXO

"Oh man…" Ryo sighed as he turned down the next hallway. No luck, there were still no signs of a bathroom. "Dee was right…"

The teen walked with his head down, wondering how he had got to this part of the facility in the first place.

'I'm lost, darn it!'

Just as Ryo turned the next corner, bam! He walked into something. No, someone!

"Oh! Sumimasen! I'm really sorry!" Ryo quickly apologised, looking up to see the victim of his stupidity.

"Watch where the hell you are going, you useless prick." The other teen responded nastily. He was tall, even taller than Dee, with wavy blonde hair and sharp blue eyes.

"Huh?" Ryo couldn't say a word, he froze, and blushed a light hue of pink. "It was an accident." He mumbled, looking down again.

"Hey…I haven't seen you around here before…" The older boy suddenly took an interest in the smaller teen. "What's your name." He asked with a sickly sweetness to his deep voice.

"R…Ryo. I was just looking for the bathroom, but I'm new here, and I didn't know where it was…"

"Well, Ryo, you're in luck…" The teen smiled, putting his thumb and finger under Ryo's chin to lift his face back up. "I was just going there myself. You can come with me. By the way, my name is Rose."

"Nice to meet you, Rose." Ryo nodded, a little scared of how this Rose fellow was looking at him. He felt like the teen was looking at him as if he was naked. This very thought made him blush a darker red.

'Cute little bastard…' Rose grinned maliciously.

"I think I've heard your name before…Are you eighteen?" Ryo tried to make conversation as he followed Rose along the corridor.

"No, nineteen. What about you?"

"Seventeen." Ryo smiled nervously. He hadn't seen any signs for the toilet yet, but the older boy seemed to know where he was going.

"Oh. Underage." Rose replied smiling, suddenly grabbing one of Ryo's wrists.

"Excuse me?" Ryo frowned in confusion. What was Rose smiling about?

"Oh, nothing. We're almost there…"

"Good, I'm desperate!" Ryo grinned, then groaned, feeling like his bladder was about to explode.

"So am I…" Rose chuckled darkly. "So am I…Ah! Here we are." He opened a white door that reminded Ryo of his own room door.

"In here?" Ryo asked as Rose ushered him inside. "This doesn't look like a bathroom to me."

The light switch was flicked on, and Ryo heard the sound of a lock behind him.

"Hey, Rose, what's going on?" He demanded, spinning around to see the older teen staring at him seductively.

"I told you I was desperate. I'm sure I can relieve myself in a very different way…"

"What are you doing? Please…please let me go…" Ryo walked to the door that Rose was blocking.

"No fucking way. Your mine now. No one can hear you scream in here. Go to the bed." Rose ordered, a creepy smile on his face.

"I'm leaving!" Ryo shouted, trying to shove past Rose. But the older teen was a lot bigger and stronger than he was.

"Go to the bed NOW." Rose shouted back. He wasn't angry, but his voice had power and it frightened Ryo.

'Dee, where the hell are you now?' The sandy teen wondered, hoping that Dee would somehow realise he hadn't found the bathroom and come to his rescue like a knight in shining armour. If grey sweat pants and a baggy t-shirt could be considered armour anyway.

"Come on Ryo. I won't hurt you I promise. I like you." Rose took hold of Ryo's arm and led him to the bed. All the time the shorter teen pulled and struggled, but to no avail.

"Stop it Rose, you weirdo! Let me go, damn you!" Ryo squirmed even more as Rose pushed him to the bed and pinned him down by his wrists.

"So innocent…" Rose whispered into Ryo's ear before running his tongue up Ryo's pale left cheek.

"Not again…" Ryo muttered. "Please not again. Help me. Please, someone help me. Mom…Dee…"

As Rose studied Ryo's face, he brushed his long fingers over the pale cheeks in front of him, and realised how cold the other teen was. Tears left little wet trails like that of a snail when it leaves the garden behind it. They shone silver and for a second, Rose just stared at this face. Ryo was so beautiful. He looked like an angel. A broken, damaged angel.

'I'm crying for me. Mom, I'm crying for me…'

TBC…

XOXOXOXOXOXO

Erm…I guess I'm going to be in trouble for ending it there, but I liked how this chapter went. It came from the top of my head. I had originally planned this to be a lot different. And I mean a lot. But that happens all the time. That's why I usually write a chapter all in one go! Plans are only plans after all!!! On another note I really can't believe it's only two days until Christmas!

If you haven't read my profile already I wish all of you a Happy Christmas and Best Wishes for the New Year!

I'll 'see' you all again sometime next year!!! So until then I hope you are enjoying my story so far and I look forward to updating this when I have the time.

Byezies,

Minako Angel xxx

P.S. As a little taster for the next chapter (for those like me who sometimes can't wait for the next update patiently!) more about Dee's past is revealed, and Drake and J.J might get closer. But what of Ryo? Oh, I can't tell you that…Sorry!