Ch. 3

A/N: I didn't expect to get so many followers *is touched* lol. i love you guys and. PLEASE REVIEW. they inspire me ^^

those who DID review~

rui: Thank you ^^ of course i shall continue! :D

Skysword: lol glad you noticed. i was hoping someone would catch that :) Doumeki. well. i'll have him do interesting things soon. :D

sunshineandmoonlight: hehe ^^ indeed :D. Too bad Japan got 11th on the medal count :/

~x*x*x*~

Kazahaya had been traversing the man's mind in search of a way to rid him of his "darkness". It'd been a mission, and Kazahaya was more than willing to do it. He didn't know how long he'd been looking for any sort of kindness in the man. It could have been days, weeks even. Watanuki was sure to be worried by now, Kazahaya sighed. Rikuo…memories of them had been plaguing him ever since he'd "left" the hospital bed and told the nurse his message to Rikuo. The only reason why he'd said it in the first place was because of the "darkness" in Barlow's heart had swept him away with such force that he didn't think he'd be able to find his way back.

Rikuo…

"Kazahaya! Come on, we're leaving this town already!" Rikuo had called out to him.

Kazahaya had smiled. The next town they were going to be was small, but it had many supplies that other places didn't carry. The best part about the town was that no one seemed to know what treasures they had.

"Rikuo, how long are we gonna be pirates?"

"Until we find somewhere to settle down."

Kazahaya smiled at that. Even now Rikuo was still searching for Tsukiko. It made him jealous some times to see the love of his life fawning over a woman. But, it was the same for Rikuo, right? He had Kei after all.

Lately though, ever since he'd found that strange scale on the beach, he'd been seeing visions of the future. None were ever "happy" either, and most of them involved him somehow dying. He hadn't discovered what the cause of his death was, but once he did he knew that he'd do whatever it took to keep from dying. He couldn't leave Rikuo all alone. Not after they'd become official.

That night, aboard the ship, Kazahaya dreamt and he knew now his cause of death. He cried silently into his arms. It was because he'd chosen to stay with Rikuo. Because of his selfishness, he would eventually hurt Rikuo. So he made up his mind. He would leave Rikuo before he could hurt him. The next town, he promised himself, he would definitely leave.

They docked at the small town of Starlit. Kazahaya breathed in the air: so clean and pure, with just a dash of ocean. He loved that air. The crew disembarked and followed the captain to the supply house and the market. Once in a while they might go to a clothing shop, but other than that…they never really did anything. It'd be nice, Kazahaya thought, if we went to a bar just once.

This time was different. The supply house was closed and the market was all sold out of the ingredients they needed. The ship was going under some repairs and upgrades, so they couldn't sleep there. It was decided. They'd be sleeping in an inn.

After asking around, they found a suitable place called The Marksman. Apparently, it also doubled as a tavern. Kazahaya was delighted to see that there was a very friendly atmosphere and a happy buzz going around the patrons. They were all laughing and talking with smiles on their face. Most of the tavern was wood: the floors, the legs of all the barstools, half of the walls (paneling), and the ceiling. The other half of the walls had wallpaper. It was a beautiful scarlet color with gold thrown in. Almost like tie-dye. The chairs were metal with red plastic seat coverings, while the barstools had gold plastic.

Kazahaya found the place to be very homey and heart-warming. The crew had seated themselves at a large circular wooden table, but there wasn't room for Kazahaya and a couple others so they sat at the bar.

"Hello, fellows, what can I get for you?" A kind looking man with dark red hair and brown eyes asked.

"What's local?" Kazahaya asked.

The man smiled and set out a drink before Kazahaya. It was white in color and warm to the touch. It was served in a shallow, round wooden cup. Kazahaya took a sip.

"This is amazing! What is it?"

"Saké," the bartender smiled, "Glad you like it. What's your name?"

At that moment Kazahaya realized that this man was his age. "Kazahaya Kudo."

The man smiled genuinely, a closed-eye one. "Hiro. But you may call me Watanuki, if you like."

Kazahaya beamed. "Hey, how old are you?"

"Eighteen," The man replied, "you?"

"The same age!" He announced excitedly.

Watanuki smiled again. But, then Kazahaya noticed he was looking at something behind him. Kazahaya turned. He spotted Rikuo glaring. Kazahaya almost laughed. It was so funny to see him being jealous over nothing.

"He's been glaring at me for a while now," Watanuki admitted. "You know him?"

Kazahaya blushed bright red. "Y-yeah. Promise not to weird out?"

Watanuki laughed, "Sure."

"He's my…m-my b-b-boyfriend." Kazahaya covered his face with his hands, turning an even brighter red.

Watanuki laughed again, "I thought so. You better go talk to him, he looks mad."

Kazahaya nodded and got up from the stool. Rikuo did the same and met him half way.

"What do you think you're doing?" Rikuo hissed.

"Making a friend," Kazahaya responded innocently.

"Looked more like flirting to me," Rikuo snarled.

Kazahaya patted his lover's arm, chuckling.

"Nothing to worry about, Rikuo. You'll always be the only guy for me."

It was Rikuo's turn to blush now. He slid his arms around Kazahaya's waist, holding him close. "Barkeep! Where are the rooms?"

Watanuki laughed and threw a key at Rikuo, who caught it, one arm still hugging Kazahaya.

Rikuo then threw Kazahaya over his shoulder and ascended the stairs. He was going to make love to Kazahaya tonight for being so damn cute. (1)

Kazahaya woke to dawn streaming in through the curtains. The bed was a mess: sheets were curled around legs and half on the floor, feathers littered everywhere, there were also some other things on the sheets he needed to clean later, but for right now he was in a dazed paradise. He couldn't remember ever feeling so satisfied or content with the world. Rikuo's arm was lying over Kazahaya's stomach and his back was being warmed by Rikuo's muscular chest. He smiled. The minute he remembered what he had to do, however, instantly killed his mood. He gently removed Rikuo's arm and got up from the bed.

He almost walked out the door when he saw his stark nakedness. Well, that was a problem. Kazahaya found the shower, cleaned up, and got dressed. He walked over to Rikuo and planted a soft kiss on his love's cheek.

"Goodbye," he whispered, smiling sadly.

Kazahaya snapped himself out of the memory. It'd do him no good now to regret things. It was too late for that. So he walked on further, looking for that tiny white light that was proof of the man's goodness. If there was any, that is.

As time passed he again began reminiscing. Like the day he'd found Tsukiko and Kei in that drugstore and had anonymously sent a tip that there was information about her here. Before he left Rikuo, he remembered writing a note saying that he was taking (not stealing) a boat to find a place to settle-down. He'd also written that Rikuo shouldn't worry and that he might come back to Starlit again. The note had been difficult to write as he couldn't stand lying to Rikuo, but…it had to be done.

Just then a small wink of light flickered and then disappeared just as quickly as it had come. But Kazahaya had seen it and was now chasing after it.

The light grew bigger as Kazahaya got closer, but when he heard a shattering sound, he froze.

He muttered something and the circle broke.

Kazahaya knew something had happened. Kind of hard not to, when a tendril of white smoke was wrapped around your leg and pulling you so fast that you were flying.

Kazahaya gritted his teeth and wondered what he was going to smash into. He certainly didn't expect a blinding light or a blurry face hovering over him.

He blinked. His surroundings were unfamiliar, but familiar. As he slowly came to his senses he realized just where he was. The hospital. In Starlit. Kazahaya's temper flared. He had a nagging suspicion now, of what it was that dragged him back, and it made him angry.

The blurry face came into focus and Kazahaya's eyes widened in surprise.

"Rikuo…?"

"Kazahaya!" Rikuo glomped onto the younger boy and held onto him for dear life.

Kazahaya's breath caught in his throat. "Rikuo…"

"YOU IDIOT! How could you leave me like that?! I thought—" Rikuo's voice broke, "I thought you were dead…! I almost died without you! Don't EVER do that again, you understand me?!"

Kazahaya merely nodded, tears coming to his eyes. Then, he remembered.

He sat up at an amazing speed, ripped out whatever cords were attached (OWWW 2), pushed Rikuo aside, and opened up a drawer to his side. He threw off the hospital garment and got dressed. Afterwards, he rushed out of the hospital with Rikuo in tow. (3)

Kazahaya and Rikuo were sitting on the edge of a bed. The same bed, they had last made love in. Kazahaya was tense with anxiety. He knew it would come any minute now.

"Kazahaya."

He winced. There it was.

"I'm sorry," he mumbled.

"Explain, please," Rikuo begged wanting to understand.

"I…I had a vision the night before we came into port."

"And…?"

Kazahaya bit his lip.

"And…I left because…I—I didn't want…I just…"

"Kazahaya!" Rikuo yelled out, impatient.

"I just didn't want to see you get hurt, alright! Happy?" Kazahaya yelled right back.

Rikuo stared at Kazahaya with shock and confusion.

"H-hurt? How would you—? You hurt me by leaving, Kazahaya!"

Kazahaya began to cry. "N-no," he sniffled, "you don't understand…!"

"No, I don't! So help me understand, damnit!"

"If I had chosen to stay with you," Kazahaya sobbed, "I-I would have been k-killed…and I…I didn't want you to go through that pain…" Tears streamed down his face.

Rikuo sat dumbfounded and speechless. Kazahaya put his hands on his face and shook silently, still crying.

~x*x*x*~

Hiro sighed. He'd seen the couple head up the stairs over an hour ago. He'd heard yelling, too. Things weren't looking good.

He looked up. There that bastard was. Again. Staring like some creepy stalker. What the hell was up with him?

Hiro glared. "If you have something to say, say it."

Doumeki frowned. "Just questioning my hearing."

"Huh?" Hiro looked at him questioningly.

"I could have sworn I heard you say your name was 'Watanabe'."

"You heard right…?" Hiro furrowed his eyebrows.

"Kudo called you 'Watanuki', didn't he?"

Hiro paled. Shit. "No, no. You definitely misheard. He called me 'Watanabe'. I'm sure of it."

Doumeki's frown deepened. He had great eyes, but he couldn't recall his ears ever being hard of hearing. Was the bartender lying…?

"Hmm…"

Hiro was irked. He hated that simple, irritating word: "hmm". Such a frustrating one syllable word.

~x*x*x*~

A/N: Happy end of Olympics everybody! WOOT WOOT! USA WON GOLD! :D

idk when i'll be updating next and skool starts in a coupla weeks, so if it takes a while I apologize. Again please please please review. like i said: they make me happy :)

HOPE YOU ENJOYED! C: