Daydreamer: This chapter is pretty much based around Yoh and Ren's conversation, and Yoh's flashback.

Chapter Four

Ren sat out in the hotel's balcony, his melting gold eyes fixated on the scattered stars. Faust was already asleep in his bed. The concert was once again a success, the same result as always. But he didn't feel the usual sweet taste of satisfaction. He couldn't when he felt the way he did. That wasn't how he should've felt, not when they were performing. Being the perfectionist that he is, he could only feel bitter for something he couldn't do anything about, leaving him awake like a restless zombie.

"Couldn't sleep either?" Ren looked up to the side at the balcony of the room next to his. Yoh waved at him with his usual lazy smile though he didn't get one in return. Not that he expected any.

"Can I go over?"

"Go ahead." Ren answered with a shrug. Yoh disappeared into his room and so did Ren to open the door. To prevent any knocking that would wake Faust, he predicted how long it'll take the bruenette. He opened the door right when Yoh had his hand up, ready to knock. His warm smile still spread across his face, he went in and the two went out again. They leaned against the railing and overlooked the lighted city, the cool breeze wisping through their hair. If this was just a few years ago, without Faust being there, they'd get to the bed. But those days were gone for good, they both knew, and probably both were content with it. A lot of things were gone for good, but Yoh would wonder if everyone, even himself, were content with it all. But today, something else bothered him.

"You sounded different today." The guitarist spoke up, breaking the still silence. Seeming unaffected, Ren kept his eyes out on the city, letting Yoh explain.

"At practice, you didn't sound like your usual self. Even worse when we performed." Ren slightly turned his head to Yoh at the word
worse, his eyes showing a hint of threat. One thing he hated was when someone read him, or at least tried. And to insult him, his voice, not accepted even by Yoh.

"Yeah? The crowd didn't seem to feel the same."

"That's true. Maybe it was just me." Yoh turned around and leaned back on the railing. Ren stayed leaning forward, making them face opposite ways. They stared at the night sky with blank expressions, both minds traveling and they could guess where and of what. Sometimes a question would surface inside Yoh, but he never asked. Today was different.

"Why'd you let him go?"

"...What?"

"That day. Why didn't you stop him?"

"Why did I have to?"
"Did you even try?"

"No one told him to go, the idiot made his own choice." Yoh sighed and looked down, his sad eyes watching the ground. That was true. But he knew that Ren knew what he meant.

"You know, we talked once, me and Horohoro."

"..."

"It was around the time our first tour ended. We talked about you. He told me about this one time you guys argued. You got so angry, told him you had sex with me too. Told him you didn't need him. Remember that?" Yoh narrowed his eyes as he could clearly remember having the conversation with Horohoro. It's hard to believe even for him that he remembers, especially when he didn't even witness the arguement itself. He didn't look at Ren, somehow knowing he won't be getting any answer from the Chinese.

"But you know what else he told me? He said you later apologized, and that he didn't understand or know why." He glanced at Ren from the corner of his eye, thinking he heard the Chinese mumble something like the moron (Horohoro) talks too much.

"So what're you trying to say? That I should've apologized?" Yoh sighed and his expression softened.

"No, that's not it. But I told him that you were just angry, and that you apologized because you didn't want him to leave."

"You what?" Ren jolted from the railing and glared at Yoh. But the bruenette has never even wavered at those threats and he looked back with stern eyes. And I told him you love him. He thought, but kept that to himself. Of course at that time neither he or Horohoro could believe that because they didn't know. It's what Yoh believed slightly, and Horohoro thought the same about Yoh and Ren. Ren, oblivious to such thoughts going through Yoh, said nothing and shifted his eyes away from the guitarist.

"Why didn't you stop him, Ren?"

"If you wanted him to stay so much, why didn't you stop him!"

"I tried! But..."

"But you couldn't. What makes you think I could've?" Faust shifted in his bed and the two turned to him. He didn't wake. Yoh, seeing no point to this, went inside and headed for the door. Ren didn't bother to follow and stood still at his spot on the balcony. Yoh took one last look just to see the back of him and returned to his room. He sat at the edge of his bed and his shoulders slumped.

Yoh ran up the steep hill, sweat beginning to surface and roll down his head. Once he reached the top he paused and drew in deep breathes into his lungs. Looking down, the bus stop wasn't far. And he could see he wasn't too late when he saw a figure sitting on a bench. He ran again, this time faster since it's downhill.

"Horohoro!" He called out and the bluenette turned. His eyes widened at the unexpected follower. He stood up as Yoh stopped in front of him, catching his breath before speaking.

"Yoh, what're you..."

"Don't go, Horohoro."

"Look, I really appreciate it but...I can't stay."

"Why? Is it about Ren?" Horohoro's expression faltered and Yoh frowned. He knew the answer, the question wasn't even needed.

"I'm sorry...I know you guys don't get along but..."

"You know it's more than that."

"I know but you know how he can be. He's not good at showing himself. But I swear, you mean a lot to him. If you go, he'll be more lonely than he is now."

"Yoh...I don't want to go, but it's getting harder to stay. The more I stay, the lonelier I get. And...he can show himself around you...You mean a lot to him." They both looked behind Horohoro and saw the bus coming. Horohoro took his things and turned his back to Yoh,stepping up to the bus door opening.

"He won't be lonely, he has you." The Ainu slightly turned his head, showing his lips in a smile. But Yoh could see the eyes behind the sunglasses. The tear filled eyes.

Yoh closed his chestnut eyes, regret and guilt eating him up inside. He peered at Manta who was peacefully asleep, snuggling deeper into the covers as he murmured Yoh's name. The guitarist smiled sadly and gently brushed some of the manager's hair out of his eyes. He pulled his hand away and frowned. He couldn't stop Horohoro but he knew that Ren possibly could have. Maybe that's what Horohoro wanted. Now they're both alone. He rubbed his eyes before a tear could fall out.

It's hard to say that I was wrong...
It's hard to say I miss you...
Since you've been gone
It's not the same...

TSUZUKU

Daydreamer: Next chapter is pretty much a flash back again, but still pretty important.