READ THE AUTHOR'S NOTE AT THE END! Sorry that the note it kind of long, but I need to say it.

Chapter Fifteen: A Picture

Yuki watched, fascinated, as Hatsuharu showed him tricks with a string. Haru had just finished making a broom stick. He had done something he called the Cat's Cradle and the Teacup before that. The child had heard about all the bad things that the man who had kidnapped Kyo, Seth, had done. Ayame had tried to keep it from him, but he heard it anyway. He certainly didn't like Kyo, he never would, but he still didn't want the child dead. Besides, it Kyo died then Kazuma would be sad, and he didn't want Kazuma to be sad. Kazuma had been a father figure to him ever since he had started Taw Kwon Doe.

Ayame smiled at the look on Yuki's face. He would have to remember to invite the teen over more often. It made sense that Yuki would be attached to the cow now that he was little; they had been best friends for years. He hoped Haru would Yuki out of his shell and realize that it was okay to talk. The child improved, but still hadn't said any real words yet. He was like a baby who knew only how to gurgle. He was laughing outwardly, which would be a major accomplishment even if he was talking. Teenage Yuki barely laughed in front of people, especially Kyo. He had been considering asking Yuki about it even though he knew it wouldn't do any good.

Ayame was pulled of his musings, frowning. That was not a good sound. That was definitely not a good sound. The man poured another cup of tea and carried to into the other room. Yuki was still coughing when Ayame entered while Haru looked concerned. Yuki took the tea from his brother and managed to take only a tiny sip before having another coughing fit. Ayame placed his hand on the child's, feeling the rise and fall of his chest. His breathing was a little labored, but no more so than normal when you were trying to hack up a lung. Ayame coaxed him into taking a sip while coughing, which helped. His coughing stopped only a few later. Yuki's eyes were watering from coughing so hard, leaning against his brother and laying his head on the other's arm. Ayame scoped the child up, holding the small body against his chest. He knew that coughing that hard had scared the child along with no being able to breath properly.

Yuki wrapped his arms around Nii-san's neck, seeking comfort. Yuki took several deep breaths, breathing slowly. There was a rampaging fire in his throat. The child pulled back, reaching for the cup of tea. He quickly finished the tea before handing Ayame the empty cup in a demand for more. Ayame smiled, complying to the six-year-old's command. He was more than to happy to get more tea knowing that his sweet, precious little brother was truly relying on him even for the smallest things.

"You wanna see another trick?" Yuki looked over at Haru, nodding vigorously, sore throat forgotten as the teen went through an especially difficult sting trick. Ayame brought in more tea, which Yuki promptly gulped down. The man playfully shook his head as he went back into the kitchen for a second time.

Both Yuki and Haru jumped as Shigure began yelling for Ayame. "Aaya! Aaya! Guess what? Guess, guess, guess!" Ayame jumped up, his usually flamboyant personality showing through. Shigure need no more prompting. "Isuzu and her friends are coming over!"

Ayame's smiled faded slightly. "Why are we excited that she's coming over, and since when has she been close enough to someone to call them a friend?" Shigure stopped jumping up and down, frowning.

"I don't know, but Isuzu never comes over. We'll have compaaany!" Ayame simply stood there, blinking at his best friend.

dot dot dot

"Well, okay, I'm going to write." Shigure skipped off, unfazed be his friend's un-enthusiasm.

Yuki was staring at Haru, brow creased, concern shining in his eyes. The minute Rins;s name had been mentioned his best friend's face had become clouded. Hatsuharu was now sitting with his head lowered, the string limp in his fingers. He and Rin and obviously never gotten back together. He couldn't be much help to him now since he had even less of a clue about girls than he did when he was a teenager, and there was the whole being little thing. The child's face lit up, a light bulb coming on over his head. He could use being little to his advantage. It might not make Haru feel better, but at least he would know Yuki was concerned about him.

The white and black haired boy's heat had tightened at the mention of Rin's name. I'm obviously not over you, and I don't know if I ever will be. I'll have to leave before she comes. There's no need to let everyone else know about our love life, or lack thereof. Though it would be good to see her again. It s been a while, and the only way we can get back together if we see each other. That's probably why I haven't seen her. She doesn't want to get back together.

The teen was abruptly brought out of his thoughts as something heavy and very solid fell into his lap. Haru blinked as his best friend got settles in his lap, wrapping his arms around the young man's waist.

"Sorry, Yuki. I worried you, didn't I?" Yuki looked up and nodded. "I'll be fine. Rin and I haven't made up yet, but I'll be find. Thanks for noticing though. Just don't worry to much about it, okay?" Yuki nodded again. "Thanks for the hug; it helped. I'm gonna leave before Rin comes, sorry. I'll come by tomorrow if you want." Yuki's fact lit up again, nodding vigorously. "I might come back later today, but if I don't I'll see you tomorrow. Yuki's smile became even bigger and he hugged Haru tightly good-bye, the six-year-old part of his mind taking over.

Kyo and Kazuma entered the room just in time to say good-bye to Haru. Yuki focused his attention on the other child. He looked tired, dark circles under his eyes. Yuki boldly looked back as Kyo felt the other's gaze on glared. He knew Kyo wasn't going to do anything to him. Nii-san and Kazuma wouldn't let him. Besides, he could take Kyo. His asthma might get in the way, but was confident he could beat him in a fight. Kyo probably wouldn't even fight back today. He was clinging to Kazuma, holding tightly the man's hand. Yuki didn't blame him; he would've been doing the same thing.

Yuki sat back down at the table, biting his lip. Maybe he should ask Kyo if he wanted to color. Well, not really ask since he still couldn't talk, but he could offer them to the other child. He felt like he was getting along better with him, some nagging feeling in the back of his mind. He should try to be friendly, or at least nice. Kyo looked like he needed people to be nice him right now. Kazuma and Ayame would be happy if they started being nice to each other and getting along. Yuki knew his taw kwon doe sensei had always wanted them to get along even though the laws of nature denied it.

Kyo looked like he needed a friend. Yuki changed his mind when he looked up and saw the cat glaring furiously at him. Maybe he didn't need a friend after all. If he need one, he certainly didn't want Yuki. There was no way they could get along. Kyo hated him. Yuki left those thoughts alone and began coloring.

Yuki colored contently, thinking only of the pages in his book and his crayons. After about fifteen minutes he looked up and saw Kyo looking at his book. Maybe he does want to color, Yuki decided. He was about to get up and offer the crayons and book to the five-year-old when Kyo noticed the rat looking at him and glared. Yuki held his gaze, slightly indignant. I was going to be nice, brat.

Ayame came bounding into the room into the room, plopping down beside his younger brother. Yuki looked up grinning, happy to see Nii-san. Nii-san's immaturity worked to the child's advantage when playing. The man was more than willing to act like a small child. Making his brother smile was simply an added bonus.

Yuki looked down at his colored picture, biting his lip again. Ayame chuckled softly, passing a finger over the child's to stop him. Yuki looked at him sheepishly, half a smile playing across his face.

Should he show Nii-san his picture? Would he like it?

He wouldn't like it; he would probably hate it. He would tear it up and throw it away. No, he decided, he wouldn't do that, but would he like it?

Yuki sighed inwardly at himself. Just forget about your doubts and how it to him.

Yuki gathered the large book in his arms and tugged lightly on Nii-san's sleeve. Ayame looked up from his sewing to gaze at his younger brother. He was thankful that Yuki hadn't tugged to hard. He would've had to start sewing all over again, which was something that he desperately wanted to avoid. This was a very expensive and intricate dress that was very expensive.

Yuki ducked his head, all his doubts returning, keeping the book against his chest.

Ayame couldn't help but smiling. He was so ADORABLE! He was obviously self-conscious about something, what he didn't know. He noticed the coloring book in his arms, finally clicking in his head. "Did you color a picture?" Yuki raised his head slightly, nodding. "Did you want to show me one of the pictures you colors?" Yuki raised his head fully, a waterfall of hope and joy inside him. He nodded again, more confidant, and handed the book to his brother.

Ayame smiled at the picture of the colored animals. "It's beautiful, Yuki! Did you spend a lot of time on it?" Yuki was smiling now and nodding. "It's one of the most beautiful things I've ever seen. Do you want to put it on the wall in the kitchen?" Yuki's face was a ray of sunshine, shining down from the heavens to warm everyone under its rays.

Yuki ran ahead to wait on hid older, slower brother. Ayame got a piece of tape and taped Yuki's picture in the middle of the wall. Both admired the picture for a minute. It was a very simple picture; a bear, dog, and a clown dancing. You could tell a small child had done it, but Ayame didn't care. To him it was beautiful, and that was all that mattered.

Author's Note: Sorry for the short chapter, but I wanted to post something. I didn't have any chemistry homework so you can thank my teacher for this update and unwillingness to pay attention in all my classes. It's taken me a while to write this because the only time that I do write is in class when I think I won't get in trouble for it. I'm going to try to update every three weeks, it will probably be short like this. I'm going to be moving sometime next year, maybe Labor Day weekend, so I don't know how long the next chapter will be, but I know what I'm going to do. THANKS SO MUCH FOR ALL THE REVIEWS! THEY INSPIRE ME TO WRITE, SO IF YOU WANT ME TO WRITE, REVIEW!

NEXT CHAPTERS- Yuki has a bit of his own trauma, and will he talk?

REVIEW PLEASE!