A/N: Yeah, this story is back. :)

NOTE!: "dialogs", 'thoughts', past


Thousandth Paper Crane

Rated: T

Summary: They met when they were kids then got separated by a tragedy. Reunited by fate. Only to be separated again, now by eternity. Playing against life and death, can they win? Now everything lies on the one thousandth paper crane and Fuji's last wish.


Chapter 04

"Let's have a bet!"

"What bet?"

The wind blew strongly followed by a loud horn and unsettling screech of tires against the rough road. "Bet of who will die."


"Life once agreed that red and blue are fine, but never blue and gold;

Just like the story of the past that once Time told;

Only one will be saved once Fate is unrolled;

Let them meet this time and Death, once again, will be called."


Shiraishi was obviously confused when he heard Kurosaki's words. They did not make sense to him but still tried to understand beyond them. It was rare to see him serious, and everytime he saw him like this, something unlikeable happens. The words never left his mind to the point that he unconsciously wrote them on a piece of tissue while waiting for his friends at the café.

'Blue eyes.' As if they were keywords, a piece of Shiraishi's locked memories was opened. He ran at his full speed away from the café. Kurosaki's words echoed through his head as he comprehended the meaning behind them. 'Echizen's eyes were gold.' Though the words still didn't make sense, his instinct was already yelling at him that something was off. And the last sentence was clear, let them meet and Death will be called. They shouldn't meet.

Yukimura picked the tissue paper that was under Shiraishi's chair. His eyes widened after reading what was written on it and quickly ran out of the café, following Shiraishi's steps. He quietly cursed Kurosaki for giving Shiraishi a clue.

The others were surprised with Shiraishi's and Yukimura's sudden actions. Oishi looked at the ones who were left. "What happened?"

"I was surprised-nya!" Eiji exclaimed.

Atobe's eyebrows met, he never likes it when he knows nothing. Even Tezuka's eyes widened a little and raised a brow afterwards. Sanada was the only who was not surprised, he calmly sipped at the cup of his coffee and looked outside after setting the cup down.

"Shiraishi!" Yukimura called as he searched for the other boy. He was relieved when he immediately found him on the road side but tensed when he saw the horror in his friend's eyes that were looking intently on the road. Yukimura swallowed the uncomfortable lump on his throat and slowly faced the road. Oh, how he wished his instincts were wrong!

'No good still, huh.' Yukimura clenched his fists tightly and gritted his teeth. He could not look away.


The thirteen-year old Fuji Syusuke could not sleep. He went to bed early that night but three hours have passed and he was still awake. He frowned, "He is taking too long!"

And then the phone rang.

As fast as the lightning, he was already out of bed and was at the phone stand. "Ryo-chan?!"

"Hn. You're still up?"

Syusuke's smile widened. Ryoma was an hour late in calling, Syusuke took note of that and planned to make the other pay for making him wait once they meet again.

It had been six months since this daily call routine started. The Echizen family moving back to America several months ago was a surprise to the two boys. Nonetheless, they managed to keep in touch through calls and letters. They would talk about what happened to them that day, about Eiji and Yukimura, and other nonsense and whatnot.

"By the way, I might call earlier tomorrow. Around three in the afternoon there," said Ryoma before saying his good night.

"I'll be waiting." Then there was a silence. "Ryo-chan, if ever you're late again…"

"Tch. I got it."

"Good night, Ryo-chan."

"Aa… Good night Syusuke."

"Love you, Ryo-chan!"

"Aa…"

"L-O-V-E Y-O-U, RYO-CHAN." The genius repeated with a menacing voice. He would hear what he wanted to hear.

Syusuke could hear the gulp at the other end of the phone, then a sigh. "Love you too."

Then there was a chuckle before the beep tone.

~~~ O ~~~ O ~~~

The next day…

"Are you sure you don't want to come, Syusuke?" Yumiko asked for the last time. She stopped at the door of the car.

Syusuke just smiled. "Yes, Nee-san (Elder sister)."

Yumiko gave him a worried look before hopping in on the passenger seat beside Yuuta.

"Have fun!" Syusuke waved at his siblings and parents before the driver accelerated the car. The boy went back inside the house with a contented smile. How could he go when he's waiting for someone's call?

He looked at the antique clock in the living room, two more hours before three pm. "I'll sleep until then and wake up before three."

.

.

.

He should not have fallen asleep.

~~~ O ~~~ O ~~~

The hand struck three and the clock chimed but no one noticed it as all the workers ran out of the burning mansion, saving themselves as their top priorities. Some cried, some frozen, but all of them were engulfed in fear and worry. They stood outside, waiting for the arrival of ambulance and firefighters.

"Where's the young master?" one of the workers asked when he finally noticed their master's absence.

Everyone's eyes widened further. No one could answer him.

Just in time, the phone rang. It continued to ring but its sound was drowned in fire.

.

.

.

It was never answered.


Ryoma slowly opened his eyes. The unanswered tone of the phone still ringing in his head. He was not surprised anymore. It was a usual dream for him, a dream that continues to torture him and to remind him that it was his fault that Syusuke died. He did not hate it, rather, he was grateful of the dream because it continued to be a reminder for him. Reminder of his sin. Reminder that he was the one who killed his beloved.

"Ryoma," Atobe called.

Ryoma blinked and looked at Atobe.

"Are you alright, Echizen-kun?" Yukimura asked.

Ryoma sat up. "Aa…" He nodded.

"Nothing hurts, Ochibi?" Kikumaru followed.

Ryoma simply shook his head. Trying to remember what happened and why these people gathered around him. Then it all clicked. Just when a vehicle was about to run through someone, he ran and save the supposed-to-be victim. His eyes immediately located a certain brunet. His eyes widened as Fuji approached him. 'Syusuke' he wanted to say but couldn't find his voice. He wanted to reach his hands out to him but couldn't move. He was too shock that he wondered if he were just dreaming again because if he were, he wouldn't want to wake up. He would want to stay asleep and stay with the person he used to love, to stay with the person he thought he lost, with the person he thought was supposed to be dead.

"Thank goodness you're finally awake." Fuji sighed in relief as he stood beside the bed of Ryoma. He smiled genuinely as he faced the younger boy. "Thank you for saving me! I'm Fuji Syusuke…" Fuji trailed off when he saw a silent tear dropped from Ryoma's left eye. He was surprised. Everyone was surprised.

"Ryoma/Echizen/Ochibi!" Atobe, Yukimura, and Eiji simultaneously called.

"Are you alright?" Atobe added.

But Ryoma could not hear the others. It became a world of just him and Syusuke. "Syusuke…" his voice was hoarse and almost inaudible. 'Syusuke, Syusuke, Syusuke.' But the name was repeatedly called inside his head, loud and clear.

Fuji was confused. He was confused as to why was Echizen showing him a painful and longing expression. Why did Echizen cry when he heard his name? Did he do something? Did he remind him of something? He was not sure of what to do, of what to say. "Yes?"

"Syusuke. You are Syusuke, right?"

Fuji looked at his friends, seeking some answers or even just a clue as to why Echizen was reacting this way. But everyone was quiet. Both Tezuka and Sanada were serious and observant, Atobe and Shiraishi were equally confused, Oishi was worried. Eiji was fiddling with his fingers as he kept on moving his eyes from him and Ryoma to Yukimura as if waiting for Yukimura's actions. Then he met Yukimura's eyes but he could not read anything, they were too deep and Fuji wanted to know what he was thinking to have those eyes.

Noticing that Fuji was staring at him, Yukimura cleared his throat. Everyone turned their heads on him except Ryoma. "I think Echizen needs more rest." He smiled pleasantly at them. Those deep thinking eyes were no more. "It would be wise to leave him alone for now."

"But…" Atobe started and pondered for awhile. He looked at Fuji and then at Ryoma. Maybe either Eiji or Yukimura, if not Ryoma, would answer his questions this time. "I got it."

Fuji turned on his heels and was about to leave when a hand grasped his wrist. He looked down at the connection and to the owner of the hand. Echizen's were pleading as he shook his head.

"Please…" he said, "Don't leave me again."

Atobe's eyebrows furrowed. Pain flashed across his eyes. The pain, sadness, gentleness, softness that Echizen was showing was new to him. Never once did the brat showed those to him but Fuji, who he supposedly just met have immediately seen this. Why? Who was Fuji to him?

"Ryoma!" His voice higher than usual. He was having a hard time controlling his emotions. He wanted to bombard the younger boy with lots of questions. But no, he could not do that now, could he? He just got into an accident. He heaved a sigh and put a hand over Echizen's hand that was holding Fuji's wrist. With the calmest and gentlest voice he could muster, he said, "He won't leave, Ryoma. We will just be outside."

Finally, Ryoma's eyes left Fuji and looked at Atobe. "Kei."

"Listen to me and get some rest, 'kay?"

"But Syusuke, he—"

"Don't worry, he won't go anywhere. We'll be waiting outside." Why must he reassure his loved one about another guy's presence? Atobe clenched his jaw and quickly relaxed, then glanced at Yukimura. "Looks like someone wants to talk to you one-on-one." Atobe kissed the top of Ryoma's head before leaving.

"Echizen." Yukimura sat at the chair beside the bed as soon as the door was shut, leaving the two of them behind.

"Yukimura-san."

"We need to talk about Syuu-chan and about the Fuji Syusuke you just met."


As soon as they were outside the room, Atobe cornered Fuji into a wall and slammed his hand on the side of Fuji's head. "FUJI, YOU—!" 'Who exactly are you? Who are you to Ryoma? What is your relationship with Ryoma? What happened between you and Ryoma?!' Too many questions that words seemed to be not enough to express them.

"W-wait, wait Atobe-san!" Eiji exclaimed.

"Calm down, Atobe," Tezuka ordered. Atobe complied and retreated.

"I thought Fuji doesn't know him?!" Atobe faced Eiji.

"And I really don't," Fuji answered.

"Then what happened earlier?!"

"Atobe, your voice," Tezuka reminded.

"But Tezuka—"

Tezuka gave him a stern look which softened afterwards. "Why don't we wait for an explanation? I'm sure Yukimura or Kikumaru have some answers."

Then they all expectantly looked at Eiji. He continued to fiddle with his fingers as he slowly retreated to Oishi's back.

"Eiji."

The cat jumped a little at Fuji's voice. He never liked it when his best friend's voice turns cold. Oishi looked at him tenderly. "Why don't you tell us?"

Eiji gave a worried look first then nodded. "Fujiko-chan doesn't really know Ochibi-chan."

"Then why is Echizen?" Shiraishi asked.

"That was because…" Eiji hesitated.


"Echizen," Yukimura started. "You should know already that Syuu-chan had already died. You, yourself was at the burial."

"But Yukimura-san, he was just here awhile ago."

"He is not the real Fuji Syusuke that you know."

Echizen dropped his eyes to his hands that were lying on his laps as he waited for the latter to continue.

"The one you just met was originally called Kaede. He was taken out from the orphanage by the Fuji family six years ago. Surprising, right? Same eyes, same nose, same lips, same hair…an exact replica of the Fuji Syusuke we know. If Syuu-chan did not die and grew up properly, I'm sure he would look just like him."

"But Yukimura-san, it is not possible for two people to have the same face except…"

"…if they are twins?"

Echizen's head snapped up to face Yukimura. "You don't mean?"

"Well, no. The thing you just said impossible just happened and they are not even related in any way."

"He's not Syusuke then why is he using his name?"

"It was Yumiko-san who found him when the Fuji family moved to Tokyo six years ago. When she brought Kaede home, Yuka-san who never recovered mentally because of his elder son's death, thought him as the real Fuji Syusuke. She came back to being alive again. Because of this, Kaede was asked by Souta-san to take Syuu-chan's place for the sake of Yuka-san. It became 'Syusuke came back to life and it was Kaede who died.' Just like that, things went back to how their lives used to be, peaceful and happy."

'Wrong.' Echizen thought as he stayed silent. No one could ever replace his Syusuke so it was wrong to have someone to take his place. It was wrong to ask someone to act as another person and let his real identity die. But he could not blame Fuji Souta for what he did. It was for Yuka's sake and he could understand that. Plus he doesn't have a right to say anything when in the first place, it was his fault that Fuji Syusuke died.

"Echizen, are you still blaming yourself?" Yukimura examined the younger's face then shook his head when he confirmed it. "It was not your fault."

"He would still be alive if he just went outside with his family instead of staying because he was waiting for my call."

Yukimura put his hand on top of Echizen's. "Stop it. Forgive yourself. Syuu-chan would not want to see you like this."

He already knew that. Many had already told him that. But Echizen never answered them.


"That was because…" Eiji hesitated. Unsure of what to answer. Kaede being a fake Fuji Syusuke and a replacement was confidential. Actually, outside the Fuji family, only he and Yukimura knew the truth. Oh right, there was another. Shiraishi Kuranosuke. The person who was with Kaede inside the orphanage and was taken in by the Shiraishis the same time Kaede was taken by the Fujis. What should he say?

"…Fuji can't remember Echizen."

"Inui." Fuji acknowledged the new company that arrived. "Did Nee-san send you?"

Inui nodded. "She felt something was wrong and you were not answering your phone so she asked me to see you." He looked around. "Looks like she was right again when I heard from Kurosaki-san that you were on the hospital."

"It was Ochibi," said Eiji.

"So I heard."

"Inui, you also know Echizen?" Atobe inquired.

"Yes. He's a frequent visitor of Fuji when we were young."

"Speaking of. Inui-san, about what we were talking about," Shiraishi reminded. He was intrigued by the younger's reaction upon seeing Syusuke. He was curious about the relationship that the real Fuji Syusuke and Echizen Ryoma shared.

"Ah, right." There was a glint on his eyeglasses before he continued. "Due to a fire eight years ago, Fuji was hospitalized for two years. When he woke up, he lost his memories, he couldn't remember anything about his past, including Echizen Ryoma."

"Is that true, Fuji?" Tezuka asked.

Fuji was amazed how smooth Inui's lie was that he was taken a little off guard by Tezuka's question. "…yeah."

"So, what exactly was Fuji's and Ryoma's relationship before the fire?" said Atobe.

Inui thought for awhile. What was supposed to be his answer? Childhood friends? Playmates? Best friends? Or…

"Lovers." It was Yukimura. Right on time, he left the room and joined the group. "Syuu-chan and Echizen used to be lovers."

The others eyes fell on Fuji in surprise.

"Eh?" Fuji's eyes opened. He himself was surprised because if his computation serves him right, Echizen would only be ten eight years ago. He was amazed, once again, by the person he replaced. "Seriously?"


to be continued...