Thursday, May 20, 1999 10:46:33 PM

Xzoner

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Notes: Heyo! This is the continuation of Creature Of The Night. *bows* I hope you enjoy it as much, if not more, than the first part, because this is where the story comes in. I named this "Unfurled Wings" because the scene of angels' wings unfolding is beautiful. Then, Wings can also be the devil's, ne! ^^ I remembered the quote from below, as I typed it, and Hyde is from Laruku, so… ^^; But this is not only about Hyde! Also, it is NOT ABOUT RELIGION. THE GOD DOES NOT HAVE A RELIGION. Get that into your thick head before you continue ^^. Not even as Christianity. YOU, of all ppl, should know, since I made it clear crudely with the COTN.

Well, there was this dream that I had before. I dreamt that I had wings, white ones, (but now it seems black to me, but I'm sure it was white ^^;) and I could fly. I could fly really fast, and I was so powerful. The place was so beautiful, and there was a gorgeous tree. (Yoshiki!! ^^ --> you need to know the meaning to get the joke) Anyway, there have been times, when I wake up, I wish to have those wings and fly again. Sometimes, I even pray to God that I have wings (again?). And, knowing I killed my heart, I hardly feel sad, but I just feel so sad for not having wings. I feel so sad because I miss the flying feeling. Uh, that has NOTHING to do with the fic ^^; Gomen nasai!

Warning: None as yet, but make sure you read Creature Of The Night, or it may get confusing, and it is not my fault. Oh, and Keanu Reeves' inside… ^^; a list of the characters are at the bottom. Scroll down if you must, but it might ruin your pleasant surprise.
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Gravity is on the increase as time goes by
My body returns to the earth
There is a sky up in the air
My body is in your sky and your life is in my cosmos
We never came close to each other
But here we exist as it is…

~ Ken, Larc~En~Ciel.

***

Hyde felt himself falling. He could not remember where and when he was, and why. He did not try to remember. He felt as if there was something that was awaiting him at the end of the fall.

He closed his eyes.

***

~`;~ Fifteen years (plus plus) later, in Heaven…

The glass rod dropped from its place as Tetsu whirled to catch it. Takanori flew towards it at the same time, unaware of the First Angel's effort.

CRASH. Bam. Tinkle tinkle. Ouch.

"Ahhhhhhh!!!!" Takanori screamed, looking at the broken mess around him. "Tetsu-sama! Sumimasen!!!!!!"

"What the…" Tetsu started, his eyes seeing twin Takanoris'. "Say, since when have you a twin?"

Takanori gasped, as he dragged Tetsu from under the fallen shelf. There was broken glass everywhere, but none of them were hurt, miraculously.

"Are you okay, Tetsu-sama?" He asked worriedly, shaking the First Angel by his shoulders.

"I'm fine," Tetsu said slowly, his head finally clearing up. "I hope the glass rods are repairable…"

Takanori grinned awkwardly, blushing at his mistake. He stood by the side, watching as Tetsu performed the spell.

"Shards, if you remember your original shape, please return to your beautiful self." Tetsu commanded, and a bright fiery sword, shining in a translucent mirage, began to sparkle. As soon as the warm light touched the glass pieces, they flew together and pieced themselves into the rods that they once were, without a single crack or line. Tetsu smiled happily, as he picked them up, satisfied. "There you go!"

Takanori's grin lost its awkwardness as he clapped, and Kiyoshi, who was watching from a side, hopped towards Tetsu. "Teeeeee~tsu, sir! Can I try that?"

Tetsu nodded. "Make the shelf go back up."

Kiyoshi tied his best to focus on the shelf, as a light glowed in his hands and he directed it towards the shelf. "Shelf, if you remember your beautiful position, please get up now!"

"No, Kiyoshi!!!" Takanori exclaimed, covering his eyes with his hands. "You wove the wrong spell!"

CRACK!

Kiyoshi gulped, looking at the pieces of barely distinguishable wood, and then looked at Tetsu. "Su… Sumimasen!"

Tetsu smiled gently. "It's okay. I'll fix it… But you really need to learn your spells properly, or you might just go back to being Third Angel!"

Kiyoshi smiled, and danced away.

"That dude never listens!" Yoshiki laughed good-naturedly as he stepped into the room. "No wonder it took him fourteen years and seven months to become a second angel."

Kiyoshi looked at Yoshiki, pretending to be angry. "Yoshiki! How can you say that!"

"But, it's true…" Takanori stated. "And he was promoted five years earlier than you!"

Yoshiki laughed at Kiyoshi, who was red as a cherry. "I know I shouldn't laugh, but you'll never get to being a proper Second Angel until you can do your spells properly, and differentiate one from another!"

Kiyoshi sighed. "I know, but it is just so hard… Oh, evil nature of spells…"

Everyone laughed.

"By the way, Tetsu, how was your visit to Hyde recently?" Kiyoshi probed, trying to divert their attention.

"What are you talking about? Please let me have a visit to Hyde recently!" Tetsu exclaimed. "It's been, like, a month since I last saw him on Earth, and I haven't had time since… And the month seems so much like a year!"

Yoshiki sighed. "I'm glad that I'm still in charge of the tree, since it leaves more time for me to talk to Hide!"

"But isn't that guy busy?" Takanori inquired, setting the glass rods onto the shelf which Tetsu had repaired with ease.

"He's busy, but he does take time for me…" Yoshiki sighed, blushing a little. "I'm so glad that communication is allowed for us…"

"Yeah, and unlike Gackt, that guy keeps having so many meetings with Heaven…" Kiyoshi said thoughtfully. "Even though he hasn't succeeded in making total peace among Heaven and Hell, but the relationships have improved, and Night-chasers just cease to exist!"

"Yes, he's a really good ruler," Tetsu spoke up.

:.But not a good one in bed!.: Yoshiki thought playfully, preparing a spell to make the paintbrush paint the wall by itself.

***

"Atchoo!" Hide sneezed, waking Saki and Arihito up.

"Are you okay, Hide-sama?" Saki asked, pressing his body close to Hide's.

"Demons don't have flu, Saki, so someone must be thinking about me!" Hide joked, kissing him on the nose.

"Who'd think about you except us?" Arihito wondered, taking the opportunity to press close to Hide too.

"Beats me…" Hide sighed, remembering a certain blonde.

***

BRRRRRRIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiIIIIIIIIIIIIIIINNNNNNNNNNNGGGGGGGGGG!!!!!

The slim petite figure buried his head under the pillow, trying to get back into his dream.

Iiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiing!!!

Hyde screamed in frustration, flung the clock across the room, and went back into blissful sleep immediately.

"Ohayo Hyde-san!" Keanu nudged him from a side. "Wake up, or you're going to be plenty late!"

Hyde emitted a groan, and propped himself up with his elbows. "It's still early, isn't it, Keany-chan?"

Keanu sighed as he dragged Hyde out of the bed, his jacket dropping on the floor. "It's already seven!"

"Five more minutes?" He pleaded, unwillingly standing on his feet.

Keanu sighed again, letting go of Hyde, and shook his head. "Come on!"

Grinning like a Cheshire cat, the smaller boy crawled back under the covers, going back into that beautiful dream. Just as he was about to dream of that angel again, he felt someone tickle him.

"Yaaaahahahahahahaha!" Hyde laughed hysterically, falling out of bed. Now he was a bit more than annoyed. "Fuck you, KEANY!"

Keanu laughed lightheartedly, after buttoning his jacket. "The only way to wake you up! Works like magic!"

Hyde pouted, but soon forgot his anger as he saw the clock, and grabbed the brush from the table. "Egad! We're late!"

"So you noticed," Keanu muttered. "Bright kid."

Hyde showed him his middle finger and rushed towards the closet to get his clothes while the toothpaste frothed in his mouth. After brushing his teeth, he dashed towards the bathroom to have a quick rinse, and dressed as fast as he could, before rushing about to locate his books.

"Told you to pack yesterday," The big-mouthed American said, chewing on his bread. "Ya want some?"

"No thanks. Oh my god!"

"What?"

"Uhh…… When is History?"

"The second period after lunch break. Soushite?" He tossed the bread wrapper at the dustbin, and missed.

"I forgot about the report which we had to do!" Hyde cried, slapping his forehead. "Can you lend it to me?"

"Anything, but make sure you change something so that Miss Bulldog doesn't know." He picked up the wrapper, and aimed again. "Can I go off first?"

"Keany-chan!" Hyde exclaimed, tugging at his jacket. "Wait a moment!"

The latter sighed, and sat down on the study table. "Are you a kid or what?"

"Keany-chaaaaaannn!" Hyde pleaded, looking under a certain big pile in his drawer for his wallet.

"Not like you'll get lost or anything," Keanu muttered, and looked at Hyde as he was bent down. The Japanese' butt was right up in the air, and Keanu could not resist but leapt from the table and stepped forward to pinch it.

"Baka!!! Keanu no baka!!" Hyde shouted, clutching his ass as if a crab had bitten it. "What are you up to?!"

"Nothing basically," Keanu whistled innocently, walking away. "Just to remind you to HURRY UP!"

"Baka baka baka baka baka baka…" Hyde muttered to himself, digging deeper into the miniature Mt Everest which was made of clothes, belts, accessories, and basically junk. "I wonder why do you have to come and stay with me?!"

"Because my parents paid you to?" Keanu supplied.

"Thank you," Hyde shouted sarcastically, finally finding his wallet. "I wonder why I had agreed to it!"

"I dunno the exact reasons, but my parents had wanted someone local to take care of me, and you thought you were smart enough to do so when it is I who end up taking care of you?"

"Right! Smart aleck!" Hyde pouted, sticking his tongue out at him. "Are we ready to go now?"

"And I thought I should be asking you about it!" Keanu laughed. "Sure thing, you cute Asian boy, you!"

"Hn!" Hyde dragged Keanu over to the door, and opened the door with some unease, before dragging him all the way to school.

***

"What a beautiful day!" Keanu exclaimed, as he stepped into the classroom.

"Ohayo Keanu-san!" Someone yelled from a corner of the classroom.

"Hi!" Various echoes sounded.

"Keeeeanu-san, do you know how to work out this problem?" The junior asked him.

"Oh, this is easy…"

Hyde came strolling in without enthusiasm.

"Hi, Hyde-san!"

"Hey, dude!"

Hyde managed a small tired smile, and plopped down onto his seat. "Gomen minna, I'm tired… Uh, do you know who carried out the idea of kamikaze?"

"Nee, Hyde-san, you didn't do you homework!" Keanu accused from a side, cutting in, tossing the worked out problem back at the younger boy.

Hyde blushed and took out his half-written work. "I was so tired!"

"I told you to do your work with me so that you won't forget anything, but you wanted to watch the baseball tournament!"

"Haha, sounds like Hyde!"

"Hn." Hyde blushed further, and slumped back into his seat.

"Anou, I'll write down all the facts in point form for you," Aki, a beautiful boy with large eyes and long hair, who seemed a wee bit scary at times, offered suddenly. It kind of surprised Hyde, because he was rather quiet. :.Quiet, but not antisocial….:

"Dooooooumo!" Hyde exclaimed, and flashed Keanu a 'V' sign. Keanu shrugged, and ran towards the next class. Hyde always wondered what was so interesting, but Keanu was most probably just interested in the soccer players there anyway. He closed his eyes, and prepared to fall back asleep, remembering a certain fiery angel who always came in his dream. Everything was so beautiful, he sighed, the dreams seeming so much more real than reality itself, and so much more beautiful. He felt a painful yearning to just go into those dreams and live in it, but no matter how he wished, it was impossible.

Someone poked him on the back. "Ohayo~ Hyde~!"

"Yeow!!!" Hyde screamed in shock and surprise, as he turned to look up at the grinning figure. "How many times, Ken, did I tell you NOT to poke me in my spine?"

"Sumimasen," The boy replied. "How's life?"

"Fine, I suppose. Have you done your homework?"

"Which one?"

"The history write-up," Hyde stated.

"Nandayo, didn't do your homework again, Hyde?" Ken teased, his midnight-brown eyes sparking with a strangely beautiful light. His smile was gorgeous, Hyde thought, to an extent that it would calm almost anyone, and to the extent that teachers thought he was innocent. :.And he sure isn't!.:

"Natch!"

"I did, but my homework was eaten up by my dog," Ken joked. "Unlike you."

"Yeah, right!" Hyde yawned, his hand automatically moving to cover up his mouth. "Anyway, thank God for Aki."

"He volunteered himself again? Who knows, maybe he has the hots for you." The whiskered teen suggested mischievously, reaching for his pencil.

"Shut up, it isn't possible." Hyde closed his eyes, as if it was a nature of law and order.

"Why not?"

"Because he's a guy!"

"Of course, we're in a boy school." Ken laughed flippantly, taking a history book out, and flipped to a certain page, before copying the entire paragraph.

"I always thought you were so good and sweet," Hyde mocked, and Ken cordially ignored him. Then, as if on cue, Keanu came bursting with joy into the classroom and plopped down beside Hyde.

"Ohayo, Ken-san!"

"Morning…" Ken was still buried in his work. "Anou, was yesterday's baseball game good? I missed it!"

"Oro?" Hyde exclaimed, surprised. "You missed it? How could you? Ken-chan missing a baseball match! Big news! But too bad, your team lost."

"What?!" Ken dropped his pen, and picked it up again. "How?"

"Sanetou scored two touch-downs for Shinto right after Toshiya went to the penalty box."

"Cool! I never liked that guy," Aki suddenly cut in, shocking everyone.

"Uh, me too…" Hyde smiled weakly, as Aki handed him the notes. "Wow, you sure did them fast… Uh, thank you."

"No problem at all," Aki smiled at him. It was rather rare, considering the fact that Aki seldom smiled in class at all. "…Haaaiiiido-san."

"Eh heh," Ken chuckled as he continued jotting down the paragraph. "It really, truly seems so, Haaaaido-san~"

Hyde rolled his eyes and started writing his work, hoping to finish it before the teacher came in. "Treat me to sushi, Ken-chan, if I write faster than you do!"

***

Tetsu skipped towards the tree happily. Yoshiki was back supervising the angels for him while he took time off to recuperate from the messes which Kiyoshi kept creating. It was growing beautifully, Tetsu thought, fingering one if its twigs gently. The flowers were getting pink, he noticed. It had been white all along… Tetsu smiled gently, and sat there enjoying the beautiful feeling which the tree generated. It was incomprehensible.

Finally, his thoughts wandered to Hyde, and he prayed to God to let him see Hyde soon. He was wondering how Hyde was doing, especially with the American boy who had just moved into his house. That teenager has always lived by himself, and he needed the money which Keanu's parents sent to them. :.He's turning on sixteen soon, Lord, please let me go down on that day….:

No direct response. Tetsu sighed, wondering if anyone heard him at all. He was prone to be missed, especially in meetings. Some things made him wonder, such as why he was even a First Angel… The angel who represented the entire Fire's Madrigal. The group was growing steadily, not that it was a bad thing. He had two hundred men under him in the Second hierarchy of angels, and four hundred in the Third. Of all the angels closest to him, it was Takanori and Yoshiki, the two who had helped him get together with Hyde. He knew about Yoshiki and Hide, too, and he supposed that it was why Yoshiki had supported Hyde and him… He knew the pains and obstruction of loving someone from the opposite world.

The wind was blowing, and the tree was shedding its leaves and flowers. Tetsu shut his eyes, and placed his hand onto the branch of the tree itself, feeling something strange seep up through his skin. It was pleasant, but strange… So strange that if he had not accepted it, it would have been seen as just weird.

Tetsu's brows furrowed uneasily.

***

"Ken-chan! Ken-chan! Wait up!" Hyde yelled, walking in fast steps behind the former, trying to catch up while juggling with his huge pile of books.

"Where'd you get that many books?" Ken exclaimed, looking at his own small bag. "Mrs Yano going on strike?"

"Very funny. I'm helping her to carry these to class 4D so that she could breathe easier," Hyde explained, suddenly remembering why he wanted to go home with Ken. "You owe me sushi!"

"I did?" Ken asked, surprised, gesturing for Hyde to pass him some books.

"Thanks," Hyde muttered, as he tried to balance the big pile properly. "Remember? The History assignment? You promised me!"

"Oh, that," Ken recalled. "I can't imagine you wrote that in ten minutes and got a 'B'."

Hyde laughed softly. "I'm just nothing but a natural genius in language, Ken-chan. With the notes, all I had to do was put them into sentences, and Aki-chan's kind of straight about language. I owe him a meal! He's always helping me!"

"Oh, how about rounding up the gang for sushi later? I know of a good place… But, I'm only paying for you!" Ken told him, and walked into a classroom. "Hope Keanu-san's free."

"Sure, no art classes for him today, I think…" Hyde put down the books and stretched himself, wondering if the weight made him any shorter than he already was. "Let's go and check on him?"

"Ah! Tomohiko!" Ken spotted a senior walking along the corridor.

"Yo!"

"Wanna come along for sushi with us later? We're meeting at Saku's at three!"

"Yeah! Uh, I gotta rush, wait for me if I'm a little late!"

"Sure!"

***

For so long he had been an angel, and he still hadn't understood the tree's purpose. Takanori had said that he would tell him someday soon, but that someday was never soon enough. He could only silently admire the tree and the warm feeling that it generated. Tetsu had gone down to Earth to look after Hyde again, or rather, meet Hyde again. Hyde was so important to Tetsu, Yoshiki thought, he was sure that Tetsu had never spent a moment not thinking about him. He himself was curious to find out how Hyde was, if he was still the cute yet annoying demon he once were.

And he could understand why Tetsu was like that, because he felt almost the same-- with Hide. And never once with someone else. It was what they called love, not a universal love, but a personal sort of thing. Yoshiki had never understood the universal one anyway.

Suddenly, he felt a tinge of unease and fear. It seemed to radiate from the tree, flooding his entire soul and beyond. He closed his eyes, cold sweat dripping down his brow.

"Nani…?" Takanori had felt it too.

:.Oh, so it isn't just me,.: Yoshiki thought fervently. "Takanori, what's happened?"

"I… I don't know…" Takanori gasped, the fear overwhelming him. "What's wrong? Can we tell Tetsu?"

"He's back on Earth…" Yoshiki hesitated. "Should we report to God instead?"

"No, it might just turn out to be a small matter. Can you attempt to go to Earth to find him…? I'll stay and see if there's anything else."

"Okay," Yoshiki nodded, knowing full well that it was job even though he really did not want to disturb Tetsu when he was on earth.

***

The sushi was great. Hyde slumped back in his chair, patting his flat yet full stomach. "Thanks, Ken-chan!"

Ken growled. "You eat too much."

"Nonsense! I want some more sake. Kazuyuki, please get me some?"

"You shouldn't drink too much, you're underage!"

"Which is why you're here, stupid!" Hyde winked playfully, pinching the elder's cheeks. Smilingly, Kazuyuki brushed him away, and waved the waiter over. Hyde turned to Keanu, who was teasing Tomohiko about girls, and joined in with it. All of them were unaware of a certain angel watching them, especially Hyde.

That certain fire angel hovered cross-legged in the air, watching Hyde's cute antics. He sighed, wishing that he could just talk to him. :.It has been quite a long time,.: Tetsu reflected slowly, watching his every move, every smile. :.Long for even me..:

"Tetsu-sama!" Yoshiki suddenly appeared, causing Tetsu to fall down onto Hyde. "Something seems to be wrong!"

"Nani?" Tetsu asked, blushing furiously as Hyde turned around, annoyed, to see who knocked his head. "Gomen nasai, Hyde!"

Of course, Hyde did not hear him. "Ken-chan! Is it you?"

"What are you talking about?"

"Uh, Tetsu…" Yoshiki brought the former back to business, knowing full well that Hyde was going to take up most of Tetsu's attention if he stayed in there any longer. "Tetsu! Tetsu!"

"Oh I'm very sorry…! Uh, why are you here?" Tetsu asked Yoshiki, his face blank and cheeks flushed.

"The tree, Tetsu-sama…" Yoshiki breathed, "There's something strange about it…"

"What's wrong?" Tetsu asked, hoping that it was not what happened again. It happened during the second world war, and ever since God had strengthened it, the tree had not had any strange happenings… "It was fine this morning."

"It radiates fear…" Yoshiki whispered, not knowing if it was the right expression. Somehow the fear seemed more than just a fear. It was dark and unlike Heaven, or anything that he had seen. It was almost as if it had illustrated destruction and "end" so deliberately and intricately that he could feel it deeper than in his soul. Something darker and deeper than mere danger. Maybe it was what he felt that created fear.

"Fear…" Tetsu closed his eyes for a brief moment, his brows furrowed. He was feeling mixed up at the moment. A feeling of doubt swept across him amongst it, as he wondered if the tree could take it no more… :.But the humans could never afford to bear it themselves!.: "Yoshiki, I'll see what's wrong."

"Thank you," Yoshiki smiled gently, touching the other angel's shoulder.

Tetsu smiled, and took one last look at Hyde affectionately, who was having a sake competition with Ken. "My duty."

***

A certain figure stood in the sunset, watching the people and cars pass by. His short hair was messy, yet it was smooth and beautiful. It hung in short waves, framing his beautiful and pale face. His large eyes contemplated every single movement and second, taking in every detail. Dressed in slacks and a jacket which seemed a size too large for him, he seemed shorter than he actually was. He was looking for something, perhaps a 'feeling' that he lost and could only find in dreams.

He wondered what it was, but he did not care. He wanted to be alone anyway, always… He noticed the gates of a high school nearby, and walked towards it, as if something had been there, something which he could have always been looking for.

"Gackt!" A frenzied voice called out. Upon hearing that, the youth glanced back at that direction, and attempted to run. In a second, someone else grabbed him, and a hand swooped down to hit him again and again.

"You furyou…!"

"I'm no furyou!"

"Kazuya!" His mother cried out, "Stop it! We've finally found him…!"

"He's such a failure!" The man shook his head, in resignation, his anger receding slowly. "We should have been tighter on our control on him, Mikiko… Gackt, let's go back."

Gackt shook his head, his large eyes darting back and forth between his parents. He no longer wanted to be locked in that… That hell again. He did not want to be punished for everything that he had no control over. He was simply not interested in studying. His parents made him learn music, and it was the only thing he enjoyed. Still, he did not like the idea of him doing everything because they wanted them to, he wanted to do his own things because he wanted himself to.

He hated living like a butterfly in a bottle.

"Why, you…!" His father raised his hand again.

"Kazuya! People are staring!"

Without a word, Gackt attempted to slip away again, but his father caught his hand, and twisted it. As Gackt winced in pain, his father had managed a lock on him, and was soon dragging him home.

"Leave me alone… Why don't you?!"

***

Tetsu stepped into the white light, feeling it bathe over him.

:.:::Fire's position: Japan…:::.:

:.:::Angels, your missions are to live as an individual as a normal human to find out what it is actually like to live as an individual down there.:::.:

:.Chorus of angels' voices. "Yes, Lord.".:

He saw the beautiful, shining stars. :.They're not twinkling.: he thought, as he floated there for a few minutes, studying everything around him. The moon was down below, and the earth was just a huge blue ball below.

:::Are you ready, Tetsu?:::

Tetsu closed his eyes, and whispered, "Yes…"

Suddenly, he felt as if he was struck by electricity, and began to fall. He knew he was falling, it seemed rightly so. The earth was getting bigger and bigger. His thoughts raced by, fading fast, and he lost his grasp on them as he tried to hold on to himself.

:.Rebirth…? Is this rebirth?.:

***

"Heh, Keeeeen-chaaan!" Hyde slurred, as Keanu dragged him away. "You lost!"

"It's late, Hyde-san!" Keanu explained hastily, trying to drag his roommate away from the bottles of leftover sake.

"No fair!" Ken shouted, as he was dragged away by Tomohiko.

"Come on, we have homework to do!" Keanu was still trying to drag Hyde away.

"Homework? Who cares about homework?" Hyde laughed sleepily, now leaning against the tall American.

"Baseball! That's it! You're going to miss that baseball competition! You'd better hurry!"

"Uh oh!" Hyde gasped. "Keany-chan! What's the shortest route back home?" Hyde tried to stand up, but his knees wobbled, and he grabbed hold onto Keanu's shoulder. "Anou, I can't stand properly… Keany-chan! Do something! I can't see straight either… Duh… Hey, you never told me you have a twin!"

"Arrgh… I'll bring you home…" Keanu sighed resignedly, lifting the tiny boy up. "Do you want to take a bus?"

"Oro?" Hyde smiled happily, "I have my own personal cab…! Home by eight, you… zzz…"

Keanu sighed again. "Bye, minna! See you at school tomorrow!"

"Bye!" Everyone chorused in unison.

***

Gackt walked into the sushi restaurant, tired and hungry. A bunch of delinquents were seated nearby, some of them drunk and the others were trying taking turns to draw on the drunkards' faces. He wondered if the owner cared, but obviously it was not so.

:.Good..:

"Uh, excuse me, may I have a cup of ocha?"

"Sure, is there anything else you'd like to have?"

Gackt shook his head, turning to glance at the delinquents behind him. He wondered how life would be if he was a real furyou. His tea came, and he sat there sipping it, paying attention to the boys behind him.

"I'll say! I'll go check on Hyde-chan now…" A unshaved figure stood up, only to fall down again. "Ouch!"

"Hahaha!" Laughter chorused in the tiny space. "Ken! You can't drink!"

"I… Can……" He tripped and fell again, knocking his head against Gackt's seat. "Ow!"

"Hahahahaha!" They laughed harder. "Even Hyde can drink more than you!"

:….Hyde…?.: Gackt wondered. :.Was he the gaijin who was carrying the drunkard out, or was he the drunkard who kept murmuring something about baseball?.:

"Hn! I’ll win that shortie any day!"

:.The drunkard..: Gackt decided, sipping slowly at his tea, remembering the tiny figure snuggled up against the gaijin. Gackt's emptiness felt the same as usual. :.I wonder what kind of person he is…?.:

:……..:

***

Keanu stopped abruptly. He seemed to see someone lying in the dark in a side alley. Stepping into the alley, he saw that there was no one in sight but that man, who seemed to be in his twenties. The red shirt and slacks which he was wearing seemed to show off his flaming autumn hair. Suddenly, the man twitched, and opened his eyes in the dimness of the light. Glad that the man was awake, he asked, "Are you okay?"

The man nodded, and noticed the small youth in Keanu's arms. "Hyde…"

"You're Hyde-san's friend?"

Unsure, he nodded slowly. "Ee."

"Cool, oh, I'm Keanu. Uh, it just happens that the character here is drunk…" Keanu gestured to the boy in his arms, "Are you supposed to watch baseball with him? Oh, what's your name?"

"I…" The man faltered, as if he was trying to remember something, his gaze turning to meet the floor. "Tetsu, I think…"

"Come on, then." Keanu winked cheerfully, noticing the man's discomfort. "I don't think Hyde'll mind anyway!"

"Arigatou!" Tetsu quickly bowed, relieved as he was deprived of the convenience of lying.

"No problem," Keanu smiled good-naturedly. "Just make sure you don't mess up the house. Hey, what are you doing?"

"Doing…?"

"Eeto… You know, work?"

"Oh," Tetsu said slowly, his nervousness fading away with his reluctance. Something still blocked his past memory. "I… Gomen nasai, I can't remember…"

"Oh…" Keanu nodded to himself, wondering if he was lying. :.He doesn’t look like he's lying….: "Really…?"

Tetsu nodded sadly.

"Oh~ Amnesia? I'm sorry… ……………Darn, I won't be able to finish my homework tonight because of this drunkard…" Keanu laughed lightheartedly. "I've never heard Hyde talk about you before."

"…… Maybe because he doesn't remember me…?" Tetsu mumbled sadly. :.I can't remember my life either….: All he knew was that he had something important in mind. The only people whom he remembered was Hyde and himself. He wondered how he had lost his memory, but he could not remember it either.

"Oh, I'm sure he does," Keanu grinned, stopping at the doorstep of their house. "Uh, Tetsu, do you think you can help me to look for the keys in my left pocket?"

"Sure," Tetsu replied, and bent down to stick his hand into his pocket. His heartbeats began to skip as his face got really close to Hyde's back. He could smell the faint smell of… Hyde… He smiled, glad that Hyde was near, and within reach. Somewhere in his heart he remembered his love for him, and there he knew that Hyde was not near before.

:.Thank you, Lord….:

"Anou… Can you please hurry up?"

"Gomen nasai!" Tetsu exclaimed, and his fingers quickly closed in on the target, remembering that he was supposed to locate the keys. Blushing even harder, he stepped forward to turn the key, glad that the youth was unable to see his blushing face for the moment.

"'S okay," Keanu managed to mutter once they got in and dumped Hyde onto the couch. "Sleepy head! He'll be bothering Aki for the homework tomorrow, that baka."

Tetsu smiled softly, looking ardently at the figure lying on the couch, sleeping soundly.

"Oh, switch on the television if you want, it won't bother me," Keanu smiled warmly. "Hyde-san always watches baseball while I try to do my homework."

Tetsu nodded, taking hold of the remote control. :.Keanu is such a good youth… I'm so glad for Hyde..:

"YEAAAAAHHHHHHH!" A huge sound came bursting out from the mini machine, shocking Tetsu and his ears. Keanu did not seem to mind.

"Keanu-san…?"

"It's okay, Tetsu-san!" Keanu laughed. "THIS is how loud Hyde has it every night."

Tetsu nodded, and returned to watching the television.

"Uh, Tetsu-san…… You may have a seat…"

"Oh! Thank you!" Tetsu dropped onto a zabuton, tiredly.

"Welcome," Keanu smiled awkwardly. He had never seen such a polite person in his whole life!

***

Hyde opened his eyes slowly, sleep leaving him as light entered his eyes. He felt as if he was awaking to a dream, one of those which he loved and yearned for, even though he could not exactly remember what they were when he was awaken. And it brought him such pain…

:.Maybe, my wish has come true….:

The first thing he saw was red hair. He could remember those red hair distinctly. Fire-like hair. He was not sure whether he was awake, after all. He felt kind of hazy, as usual, and a sensation to vomit was huge, but he was able to overcome the aftermath of alcohol.

"Who are you…?" He breathed weakly.

The red-haired man turned back, and Hyde could see beautiful humane eyes staring back into his. He blushed immediately, mesmerized by the depth in him.

"Hyde, you're awake." He said quietly, among the cheering noises coming from the television. "Are you okay?"

Hyde nodded, almost speechless, "Who are you?"

"Boku wa Tetsu…" Hyde could hear a tinge of sadness in his voice. He felt as if he could see through the person's shell, right into his heart. He could have said that he'd seen the pain, yet he would never be sure if it truly existed.

"Tetsu." Hyde repeated, attempting to sit up. Suddenly, he noticed the television program which was on show. "You like baseball?"

"What's baseball…?" Tetsu asked, his wide eyes filled with the innocence of knowing and remembering nothing.

"Eh? You don't know what's baseball?" Hyde exclaimed, sitting upright immediately, in spite of his headache. "You…?!"

"I could hear you from my table," Keanu poked his head in through the slightly opened slide door. "Hyde-san, Tetsu-san's senile."

"Uh, I think he means that I have amnesia!" Tetsu hurriedly said, while Hyde glared at Keanu. If looks could kill, World War Three would have started long long ago. "I… I'm sorry, really."

"What for?" Keanu asked.

"I… I caused Hyde to be angry at you…" Tetsu mumbled weakly.

Hyde and Keanu exchanged glances at each other, and laughed.

"Tetsu, it's nothing, really…" Keanu giggled, holding his sides, "The klutz's always angry at me!"

"I swear, the sun will rise from the WEST when we go by one day without quarrelling!"

Tetsu sat immobile for a while, before bursting into laughter, too.

***

"Wow! Baseball is such a great sport!" Tetsu exclaimed, his hands clasped together. "Shinto! Go!"

"Banzai!! Sanetou! Go for it!" Hyde cheered, waving his fist in the air.

Keanu sat together with them, somewhat unhappily, somewhat quietly. Somehow, it was as if Tetsu's appearance had drawn him further from Hyde, and well-- He did not like that. "Nee, Hyde-san, you just got yourself another sports buddy?"

Hyde nodded without paying attention. Keanu sighed to himself unenthusiastically. Sure, he liked Tetsu and all, but he himself was feeling kind of left out, and it was a horrible feeling. He had always been used to be the one whom people crowded around.

With a frustrated look on his face, much as he tried to conceal it, he got up from his zabuton, and left without a word.

:.No one noticed…..:

***

"At least Tetsu-sama's with Hyde," Yoshiki said, his eyes closed, enjoying the presence of his beloved close by his side. "But I'm still kinda worried…"

Hide murmured his agreement, and drew Yoshiki's naked form closer to himself. He was rather sleepy, considering the long day which he had with Saki and Arihito, and proper work. And yet, it felt so good, so soothing.

Yoshiki pinched him playfully, making him grunt in pain, but it did not stop him from falling asleep. "Nandayo!"

Resignedly, he snuggled against Hide, letting his mind wander. He was still worried about Tetsu, the tree, and everything. He had wanted to share it with Hide, but he knew that Hide was tired. Suddenly, he began to wonder if Hide loved him at all. Could Hide only want him now for sex and nothing else, or did he even consider him a bother? Hide might have been tired, but he should have listened to him. :.It's what companions are for, right…?.:

That thought nagged at him among all, as he drifted into a dreamless peaceful sleep.

***

Gackt was unsure when he approached them. Now, he was even more unsure.

:."Sendagi.".: He could still remember his own discomfort when he was presented with the name. It seemed that he was the only one who had a proper family which understood, so Gackt went along with him. He did not trust Sendagi, and he sensed that Sendagi did not trust him.

Gackt snuggled into the sheets, glad to be in a warm bed anytime he wanted to, without being ushered to it. Sendagi was still awake in his own room, reading some manga. Gackt was sleepy, but he could not sleep no matter how hard he tried. He was bunking with Koji, Sendagi's brother, and it was a kind of distraction, considering that Koji had his classical music up on high, and Gackt's mind swayed along with the beauty of the music.

Of course, Sendagi had his own reasons for dumping Gackt at his brother's place. Sendagi himself was bunking with his brother, Hiro, and a dog. Three was more than crowded in the small room. :. But I see Koji's room is just as crowded,.: He thought ironically, looking at the huge piles of junk lying around. They were all sorts of weird things, ranging from compact discs to Barbie dolls' heads. Gackt had a silent laugh at the blood which were painted on the heads. He wondered who did that, Koji did not seem like the type. Maybe it was Hiro or Sendagi. Koji had complained to Gackt about his brothers. They supposedly created the huge mess in his room.

"Gackt, are you still awake?" Koji dropped his book and crawled onto the futon. Sure, the youth was strange, but he enjoyed someone's company. In fact, he enjoyed company of all sorts. "Bark twice if you are."

Gackt grunted sleepily. "Very funny, Koji. Can I have some sleep?"

"Sure, sure…" Koji muttered. Okay, so maybe he enjoyed all sorts of company but this would take some getting used to. Sendagi had said that Gackt was going to stay for quite some time. Their parents had welcomed him without question; no one thought one more made too many. "I'll turn down the music if you want."

"Thank you," Gackt muttered, closing his eyes.

Silence.

"Hey, want some supper? Can you stay up to watch the late night show with me? Please?" Koji suggested with enthusiasm.

:.Darn, that guy has too much energy or what?.: Gackt thought, but murmured his approval anyway. He figured that he was going to get more sleep out of watching television than try to sleep in the same room with Koji. Still, he was glad that Koji was friendly and more accustomed to him than Sendagi. :.Still, it'll be easier to sleep around strangers than this guy!.:

"Cool! I'll prepare the cold dish!" Koji jumped out of bed, and dated towards the door. "Hey, Hiro, wanna stay up?"

He was met with a disgruntled Sendagi who slammed the door in his face. Pouting, he barged in, and dragged Hiro out. Hiro had agreed to it, being a late sleeper. The dog --its name was Taka-- happily followed Hiro. Ever since Gackt had went into the house, he had noticed that Taka followed Hiro everywhere. Finally, just as he was drifting off to sleep, he felt someone poking and licking him.

"Nani…?" He murmured, opening his sleepy eyes to tune in to the surroundings. To his shock, he saw Hiro. With a yelp, he jumped out of bed and edged away from him, until he saw Taka. "TAKA!"

"Supper is ready," Hiro informed him expressionlessly, motioning for Taka to go out. The dog scampered after him noisily.

:.Whew, and for a moment, I was scared of Hiro….: Gackt blushed redder than a tomato as he stepped into the living room. Their parents were nowhere about, he supposed they were asleep somewhere in the attic. He wondered if they were disturbing them, but Koji could have watched television every night anyway.

It was no wonder that Koji had a room of his own.

He plopped down onto the couch beside Koji, who was passing the tea to Hiro. They seemed like good brothers to Gackt. The show was crap, and Gackt practically fell asleep into his supper while watching it. Hiro and Koji were talking about something else. It was as if the show was just an excuse for them to sit together in the living room late at night.

"I… I'm going to sleep, guys, night!" Gackt muttered, and attempted to drag his tired self up from the couch.

"Here, I'll take the cups, and you take the plates," Hiro told Koji.

All of a sudden, Gackt noticed Hiro's long hair. Maybe it was just because he was sleepy, and dreamy. He noticed how it flowed as Hiro moved about. Almost as if in a trance, he reached forward, his mind blank as space. When he realized what he was doing, he quickly stopped himself before he fell out of the couch.

With a sigh and a heave, and red cheeks, he got up and walked slowly towards Koji's room.

***

Tetsu stood blankly in front of the school. He had become 'Hyde's concerned uncle' who wanted to see how Hyde did in school. Of course, he was no relative of Hyde's, but Keanu had helped Hyde do all the talking, and so he was allowed in class. Tetsu glanced over at Hyde nervously, who in turn took no notice of his uneasiness. Keanu simply looked as if he wondered why he did everything that he did. Tetsu followed Hyde to the concourse, and followed way the students had sung the national anthem. Keanu watched everything that Tetsu did with little enthusiasm.

"Ken-chan," Hyde had dragged the group over to canteen during break to introduce them to his 'uncle' properly, as they had been late trying to borrow some 'uncle-like' clothes from a neighbor for Tetsu. "Tomohiko-chan! Come on, we haven't all day! Where's Sendagi-chan? Suzuki-chan?"

Sendagi dragged himself along. Everyone wondered why Hyde was so excited about an 'uncle'. It did not seem like the usual Hyde. Hyde would never be happy about someone watching him.

"This is Tetsu-chan!" Hyde pulled Tetsu forward and winked at Keanu. "Actually, he's not a square uncle."

"Hi, everyone," Tetsu said with a shy smile. "Nice to meet you."

"Nice to meet you too," Ken was the first to reply. He was kind of shocked; he had not expected Tetsu to be so… Polite to the bunch of furyou.

Tetsu smiled, and nodded at Ken, making Ken squirm in discomfort. :.He seems so much like… An angel…?.:

"Are you really NOT Hyde's uncle?" Sendagi asked in contempt. He had automatically disliked him.

"Hai," Tetsu nodded again.

"He's my fellow sports buddy," Hyde told the gang cheerfully.

"Darned, I don't think it’s a good idea to skip school later…" Ken muttered to Keanu. Keanu simply looked away without much response. "Hey, you really don't like Tetsu, do you? Keanu-chan~"

Keanu did not reply.

No one except Sendagi had disliked Tetsu, yet everyone was uncomfortable around him. Maybe it was because he seemed like too good a person, or he was just too polite.

***
_____________________________________________________________________________________________

Author's notes: You must read this, or you'll be mistaken

Yes, Hyde's group is a bunch of furyou. I know they don't seem that much here, especially after Tetsu comes along, but you don't know what they do behind scenes ... ^_~ Hyde and Keanu and Ken themselves aren't that bad as the rest, and Sendagi is just an asshole-act-a-like, but basically, these are all good boys. They do skip school and all, but yeah... But the group they hang around is not that "good". (why else would they drink?--> I myself like to drink... ^ ^;; But I'm not furyou.) and some of the others (who didn't appear here) do criminal things, like shoplifting, but I won't mention it here. Hyde et company don't mind, but they don't do it either.

And here's a disclaimer: I have never been to Japan, I'm not a furyou, and I'm sorry if I made anyone have bad impression of Japan. Basically it's a lot like everywhere: Majority aren't delinquents, but some are. And it just happens that the group here is.
_____________________________________________________________________________________________

***

"Pssst! Keanu!"

"Nani?!" Keanu replied, irritated. Hyde had switched seats with him in order to sit with his 'uncle'.

"You really don't like Tetsu, do you?"

"Oi, shut up." Keanu gritted his teeth. "It's basically none of your business."

"So, you are jealous of Tetsu, after all," Ken laughed. "Admit it, you don't like Tetsu because he steals Hyde away!"

Keanu sighed, and lowered his head to stare at the textbook. "I like Tetsu… I really do, but I just hate the way Tetsu steals Hyde's attention, no matter what he does… Sure, he's cute to watch, but Hyde watches him too much. I really don't like it when my best friend goes away for someone else."

Ken nodded sympathetically. "And everyone watches him too… Hey, want to ditch the class and have some coffee?"

Keanu shook his head. "I don't feel like dodging authorities today. Maybe another day."

"Keanu…" Ken sighed, and watched as Hyde passed Tetsu a note. :.Somehow, I think this is not all….:

***

Hide woke up. Yoshiki was nowhere around. The bed sheet where Yoshiki lay was relatively warm, so Yoshiki must have left recently. Much to his discomfort, he noticed that the pillow was wet. :.Yoshiki… Crying…?.:

Startled, he sat up, and wove a spell to look for Yoshiki, but Yoshiki must have went back to Heaven. He hoped that it was no big deal; he had three meetings on the same day, and he would have no time --or energy-- to find Yoshiki and ask him what happened. With a sigh, he tried to get up, but his hand closed in on someone's head. With a yelp, he quickly withdrew his hand. "Arihito!"

"Ohayo Hide-sama!" The blue-haired demon chorused happily.

"What are you doing here? I thought you're supposed to be off playing with Saki!"

"Oh. Saki got so jealous of Yoshiki that he stormed off last evening and won't return until after tomorrow. Oh, by the way, Hide-sama, I understand why you preferred Yoshiki to us. He's indeed good in bed," Arihito grinned, jumping off to the other side of the bed like a frog.

"ARIHITO!" Hide fumed. "So you were watching us?"

"Un."

"If you do that again, I tell you…" Hide gritted his teeth at the assertive devil who simply acted as if he had just watched a comedy. "Wait, you said Saki won't be back until tomorrow?"

"Yeah!" Arihito grinned playfully, crawling back to kiss Hide on the neck. "He says that he feels abandoned."

"Just when I need him… Arihito, stop playing!" Hide sat down to think for a while. He was getting stressed up. "I can't possibly attend the big meetings without the supposedly important devil… And he has to be there because he actually has brains to speak properly! Arihito, if you bite me once more, I'll throw you out of the window!"

"Wa!!" Arihito dodged Hide's hand as he attempted to swat him off like a fly.

"I doubt I can find a good replacement in such a short notice either… Arihito has his own work and there isn't anyone else available for the job… Damn Saki! He's probably in Ningenkai making a fool of himself again! Arihito, can you find him before the meeting with my ministers today? And bring him back no matter what!"

"You know he won't come back until tomorrow," Arihito stated.

:.True, when that guy throws a tantrum he throws it good….: "At least, help me to find him while I perform my everyday ritual, okay?"

"Hai!"

Hide was so caught up with not being able to do ten things simultaneously that he totally forgot about Yoshiki.

Which was all for the worse, as Yoshiki was contemplating it back in Heaven.

*** (I know not all people from Hell don't speak Japanese, but those appearing here happen to be from Japan when they were alive, ok?)

Gackt was bored. He was trying to fall asleep, but his mind was on everything but sleep itself no matter how hard he tried. Resigning, he decided to watch Koji instead. It turned out that Hiro had attended school one year later than Koji, so they were in the same class. Koji was a popular guy in the class who was enthusiastic about basically everything, and Hiro was about the opposite. Hiro seldom spoke to people unless they spoke to him, and it seemed as if few people spoke to Hiro at all.

He gave up on watching Koji. Koji was actually listening in class. Everything was so easy to understand, Gackt thought, that he wondered why anyone listened in class in the first place. He was a natural high-flier in studies. In fact, he did so good that if he scored a B in a hard test where everyone failed, he would still be grounded. :.Unfair…… Everything is so unfair… If only, I have a family like Koji… If, Koji and Hiro was my brother…? And their parents are mine… If only….:

Finally, he decided that it was too depressing to think about his family. He always felt so when he was even faintly reminded of his parents. There was nothing he could stand about them, and there was nothing they could stand about him. He was glad to be rid of them for once. And maybe forever, if he could find a place to stay for that long.

His eyes turned to Hiro. Hiro was beautiful, Gackt noted. Hiro had a dark feel which was not bad. Not bad at all, as in not a devilish dark feel. Hiro had large eyes and dark red lips which seemed so alluring at times. Gackt had been watching him for almost the whole lesson, he was so bored. He watched as Hiro stood up and walked towards the blackboard to answer a question. :.And, he has a nice butt..:

He finally managed to close his eyes, and fell asleep in class, while the teacher droned on and on.

***

"Aki-chan!" Hyde called the quiet youth who was just walking away from the locker. Aki was abnormally quiet that day, but Hyde was so enthusiastic about Tetsu that he forgot about Aki until the end of the day when Tetsu was somewhere else in the washroom. "Yo, Aki-chan~"

"Yeah?" The taller boy nodded, looking down at his own locker.

"Wanna have lunch with me today? My treat! I really have to thank you for helping me so much!"

"Lunch? With you?" Aki asked, looking up, almost as if it was incredibly unbelievable.

"Un! Doushite?"

"Oh... Kaimu... Tashika!" Aki said happily, standing up straight, almost like a young girl who just got asked to prom night by her secret crush. His heart began to beat madly, with joy. "Arigato gozaimasu, Hyde-san!"

"Kochirakoso," Hyde replied, winking boyishly. "You're the one who's always saved me from that bulldog by helping me with last minute work."

"Hyde-san." The redhead called from aside. "Are you ready?"

"Tetsu-chan! Oh, Tetsu, Aki-chan's joining us for lunch!" Hyde dragged Tetsu over to introduce him. "He's the one who's been helping me do my homework."

"Nice to meet you," Tetsu said politely.

Aki nodded with a awkward smile. He was jealous of Tetsu. Like everyone else, so he had noticed. Everyone in the school was crazy about a pretty face so long as they did not get serious. And Hyde was one of those who had captured the hearts of many, especially since he cut his hair to chin-length. With his ruby-like lips, and large innocent eyes, he seemed so much like a girl that everyone in the school wished he was one.

'Everyone' included Aki. :.But I'm serious about him, unlike them! And Tetsu… Why is he so close to Hyde-san?.:

***

Takanori had taken a very new liking to the job. The new swings that the other angels had bought in had made his job a very fun one, ever since they were attached to the tree itself. He was swinging high and low, and high again. The air brushed his face like a wind, drawing his hair back from his face. It was almost as if he was soaring, but it was very much different.

Yoshiki, however, was not enjoying the swings that much. He was sitting on the swing, immobile, watching the happy angel swing back and forth.

"My turn next!" Kiyoshi yelled as he flew behind Takanori, and gave him a hard push.

"WOOOOOOOOOAAAA!" Takanori exclaimed, as he practically swung a three-hundred-and-sixty-degrees round. "KIYOSHI!"

With a devilish laugh, Kiyoshi flew away before Takanori swung back and hit him. "Hey, Yoshiki, need me to push you?"

"Eh? No thanks, Kiyoshi… Not after the way you shoved Taka!"

"Heh heh!" Kiyoshi laughed, and tugged at the swing's ropes. "Can I sit? The section over at my place is too crowded!"

"Sure," Yoshiki got up and walked away.

"Where are you going, Yoshiki?!"

With a small smile, Yoshiki turned and told Kiyoshi, "I'm going for a walk. Meanwhile, help me to do my job, okay?"

"Yes, sir!" Kiyoshi replied playfully, and started swinging.

The small smile vanished once he turned his back. Instead, a sad expression replaced it. :.Hide….:

His thoughts had not exactly soared for the whole day. If thoughts were physical, it would have hit the bottom and shoveled its way into the ground. He was, indeed, thinking about Hide all day long. There were times when he was insecure when he was alive, yet he had pulled through it. Now, he only wondered if he could do the same. Somehow, existence always seemed like it was driving towards the end when suffering was there.

:.I should have gotten used to suffering… Then why do I still feel it so much? Is it because I've been too happy the past few years? Is it because I've forgotten what is suffering like?.: He could barely remember the pain he had when he had thought he was going to part with a loved one. Now, he only found that he could not let go once he held on. Somehow, he wanted to leave Hide, and have some peace. Yet, a part of him wanted to stay with him. It was simple, yet too complicated. It was strange how feelings worked.

***

Hyde had wanted to go together with the group, but everyone had their business to attend to. Ken and Tomohiko had detention, Sendagi had to meet up with his brothers, and Keanu just wasn't free. When these few people were all not appearing, the rest simply were going to be busy. That was the way it worked, one way or the other. Besides, Tetsu was there. No one was going to be around someone whom they were uncomfortable with without those unofficial 'leaders'.

"This is so mundane!" Hyde sighed, as he sat down. "I thought we were going to meet Gackt! Stupid Sendagi! Stupid, stupid, stupid! Why didn't he bring him along instead?"

"Maybe he has his reasons," Tetsu attempted to comfort Hyde, who, in turn, shrugged.

"I don't think he's the type to drag someone who is younger than he is around," Aki observed.

"True," Hyde muttered. Then, suddenly, brightening up, he asked, "Hey, what do you want for lunch?"

"Huh? ……Anything," Aki blushed slightly, at Hyde's beautiful smiling face. "What do you want?"

"Tetsu-chan?"

"Um, how about some ice cream? Keanu-san told me that you used to eat a tub of strawberry ice cream for dinner," Tetsu said enthusiastically.

"What?! Keany-chan told you that?!" Hyde gasped, almost tearing his hair out in anger, and turned to a side, murmuring to himself. "What a weasel face! Fuck you, Keanu Reeves…"

"Huh? Hyde-san, what does 'weasel-face' and 'fuck' mean?" Tetsu asked, leaning over Hyde, much to Hyde's shock and Aki's surprise.

"Uh, nothing. I was trying to show my appreciation towards Keany-chan, for, uh… You know, helping with my decision making."

"Oh!" Tetsu replied cheerfully. "So it is customary to address someone by the full name while thanking!"

"Uh, yeah…"

"Tetsu-san, which country are you from?" Aki asked, determined to learn more about this know-too-little 'foe'.

"Tetsu-chan has amnesia. He can't remember many things," Hyde told Aki, who nodded in response.

"I suppose this describes why… Uh… He is so innocent…" Aki sighed. :.Maybe, this is the innocence that I don't have….:

"I suppose," Hyde laughed. "Who else doesn't know the 'f' word?"

"What 'f' word?" Asked a confused Tetsu.

"Uh, nothing," Hyde said hastily.

"Oh, remember? The word which we use to thank people."

"You mean 'fuck'?" Tetsu asked, eager to learn. "So, is it like, 'fuck you' is 'thank you'?"

"Ii! You've got it!" Aki winked at Hyde, while Hyde snickered.

"So, are we each having a tub of ice cream?" Tetsu asked absentmindedly. "I like ice cream."

"Okay, we'll each have a tub for lunch, is that okay, Aki-chan?"

"Sure." Aki looked away, wanting to hide away from the sadness which was eating at him. :.He doesn't care about my opinion….:

"Wanna come over to my house and eat? Hey, Aki-chan, you've gotta see my collector's baseball cards!"

***

"See you later," Gackt nodded at Sendagi, and left. He still had not gotten used to the irritating big-brother. Sendagi hardly tolerated anyone, except for maybe Hiro. It was obvious that Sendagi could not stand him or Koji.

"Not if I see you first," Sendagi replied with a sneer. "I'll miss you."

Gackt rolled his eyes and walked away. Hiro sighed, wondering why Sendagi was always treating Gackt like a baby. "Oniisan, aren't we going to bring Gackt to meet Hyde later?"

"Hyde doesn't need to know him anyway," Sendagi replied without thought. "We have too many strangers, like Tetsu, for example."

"Tetsu?" Koji probed.

"No one likes him except for Hyde. I think Hyde's going to lose us if he sticks to that nerd."

"You shouldn't do that," Koji commented.

"Why not?" Sendagi snapped. "I don't like him. Keanu doesn't like him. He's too polite, and such a goody-two-shoes. Hyde wouldn't normally like such a person too. I wonder if Tetsu cast black magic on him or something."

"You shouldn't blindly accuse people," Koji defended his stand. "Besides, Hyde wanted to meet Gackt, right? And you made him do the chores that *you* were supposed to do!"

"Big deal, he's living at our house, remember?"

"Koji's right, oniisan. It's like tyranny."

"Who cares?" Sendagi's volume went louder. "Hiro, you're just becoming another goody-two-shoes!"

Hiro glanced at Sendagi, then shrugged helplessly at Koji. "Maybe, we'll just lay off for a while… We haven't seen Hyde-san for a long time, too."

Koji nodded unwillingly. Sendagi always seemed to have a preference for Hiro. Whether it was because Hiro usually kept his mouth shut, or he simply was much too perfect, he did not know. Hiro was almost the bridge between the two brothers, whether he liked it or not. Whenever either of them had problems, Hiro was the one to listen to all their beefs. "I suppose. I still don't think oniisan's right."

"Lay off it, okay? We're brothers, Koji," Hiro nudged the younger boy. "Let's not fight."

Koji slapped Hiro's hand away. He liked his brother, he really did, but sometimes, like this, he felt that Hiro was too wimpy for his own good.

***

"Yoshiki… Yoshiki…?" Takanori's voice crept slowly into his mind, like a pebble creating ripples in a still pond. At least, it felt so. Yoshiki realized that he had fallen asleep. Slowly, he sat up, and smiled at Takanori.

"Yes?"

"Whew… I thought… I thought…… Never mind! Yoshiki! The tree!"

"Tree? What's wrong again?" Yoshiki straightened with a jolt. "Has it… Has it felt that way again…?"

Takanori shut his eyes uncomfortably, nodding. "Yes, and it's stronger. It doesn't seem to go away… I'm worried."

"Have you reported it to God?"

"Ee, but the answer that I got was that the solution will be decided once Tetsu-sama and the other First Angels come back from Ningenkai…" Takanori replied, obviously baffled as well. "Tetsu-sama's on an important task…"

"Eh? What is the tree for? What has it got to do with Ningenkai…?" Yoshiki asked, now more than curious. If curiousity killed the cat, it would have mangled the angel. "Huh? Takanori…?"

Takanori shook his head reluctantly. He wanted to tell Yoshiki what the tree was for, but there were reasons for him NOT to tell. Even though one of which was orders, it was not the top reason. "I'm sorry. Maybe, someday soon…"

"It's someday… Again… When is this someday gonna be?" Yoshiki grumbled. "I will sooner die of this… This feeling… Why can't I know, since I'm one of its guardian angels too?"

"I'm sorry."

"……" Yoshiki shut his mouth and gave Takanori one last look, before bowing before him, to the surprise of the latter, "So am I… You must have your reasons…"

***

Aki went off right after Sendagi reached Hyde's house with the two of his brothers. He did not really like to be around strangers, especially those whom Hyde knew. Maybe he was just afraid of being neglected, he didn't know, but he didn't care to know.

He took a long silent look over his shoulder. Sendagi was irritating-- as usual. He still had not gotten a liking for Tetsu-- especially right after seeing his purity. Perhaps it reminded him of himself.

He walked across the streets, shivering in the wind. It was getting colder. Maybe they would have a white Christmas after all, he thought feverishly. Christmas would be two weeks round the corner. :.Maybe I can get Hyde-san something nice for Christmas… I wonder what he would like…?.:

Inhaling yet another fresh breath, he continued walking along the not-so-crowded street. He passed by his own house. He was not going to go home so soon yet. It was too nice a day to waste at home. Either that or he needed some time and space to think. :.This is Sendagi's place,.: He thought as he passed by a house a block from his. He never liked the guy.

Without even looking, being too absorbed in his own thoughts and all, he bumped into someone. It snapped him back into reality, as he focused to see a beautiful youth picking up fruits.

"So… Sorry!" Aki gasped, bending down to help to pick up the fruits.

"It's okay," The youth replied, and Aki helped to place the fruits into his bag. It was then that he really saw how beautiful the youth was. Those deep blue eyes were depthless and unnerving, in a contrast to his soft brown hair which flowed in the direction of the wind.

"Are you new around here? I haven't seen you before," Aki asked. Something about the youth reminded him of Hyde. Maybe it was the melancholy in his eyes, maybe it was his soft yet dark beauty, either, neither, or both, he was not sure. "I'm Aki, what's your name?"

"I'm Gackt," The youth replied, bowing politely in response to Aki's friendliness.

"Whoa. Nice name," Aki smiled gently at Gackt, who in turn smiled back politely. "Hey, you look like you need some help there. Here, let me carry this bag. Anou, where are you living?"

Gackt wanted to reply 'Nowhere', but stopped as soon as a thought popped into his head. He pointed to a house nearby. "At a friend's place."

Aki squinted, wondering if he saw the wrong house. Of course, he hadn't. "But Sendagi lives there!"

"I'm staying with Sendagi's… Brother." Gackt added the last word hastily to his sentence. After all, Koji did treat him more nicely in an hour than Sendagi ever did ten days added up.

"Oh…" Aki nodded. "I live just next block. Care to stop by for some cocoa?"

"If that isn't too much trouble…"

"Sure isn't!"

***

"Oh…" Hyde was somewhat disappointed. He had a good feeling about meeting Gackt, yet they never seemed to meet. "Why don't you bring him to school tomorrow?"

"Since he's the same age as Koji, he's going to school with him," Sendagi told Hyde, ignoring Koji's annoyed stare. "Besides, I don't like to have someone younger tagging around me."

"Oh…" Hyde could almost feel his heart fall down to the ground, so heavily, as if it was a stone submerging in water. "Deha…"

"But I'll bring him to meet you after school if you want," Koji cut in, extracting an angry look from his brother. "But I can't guarantee that Gackt won't have something on again."

"Arigatou!" Hyde cheered happily. "I really would like to see him… How is he like, Koji?"

"He has beautiful large blue eyes, for starters…" Koji paused to think for a moment. Somehow, now that he was with Hyde, he felt as if Hyde and Gackt were meant to meet. Hyde reminded him of Gackt.

"Wow! I like blue eyes. He's a gaijin?"

"Not exactly," Koji hesitated for a while. "He seems Japanese to me."

"Oh!"

"Oh, Hyde, care to come over for karaoke?" Sendagi cut in. "We're having a pre-holiday celebration."

"Oh, cool!" Hyde exclaimed. "Count me in! Uh… Can Tetsu come? Who else is coming?"

"Sure…" Sendagi was not too happy about the thought of 'Hyde's uncle' coming over to *his* party. "The rest of us, Hiro, Koji…"

"Hey, why don't you bring Gackt over to the party, Sendagi?" Hyde suggested brightly. "It's on the day before the holidays right? He should be free enough."

"Sure…"

"Oh, Hiro-chan, will you pose for the mini magazine I'm putting together?"

"Magazine?" Hiro raised his eyebrow, surprised and curious.

"A holiday magazine, you know, just for fun. A friend of mine, Tetsu-chan, and me, are going to make it, and sell some copies to friends. It'll have the prettiest boys and girls in town!"

"Then you should be on the cover page!" Koji laughed. "No one can outdo you!"

Hyde blushed. "It's what Aki said."

"Oh, Aki!" Sendagi cut in. "That jerk is a fag."

"Sendagi-chan!" Hyde exclaimed angrily. "You shouldn't believe in rumors."

"It's not a rumor. Just look at him!" Sendagi snickered. "He's pretty. And he doesn't speak to anyone in class except you, Hyde…"

"But… But… What are you trying to imply?" Hyde sputtered.

"It's not nice to say such things, oniisan…" Hiro muttered.

"Yeah, it's mostly just bias, or jokes. You shouldn't take them too seriously."

"It may be jokes for others, but for Aki, it *is* true!" Sendagi insisted.

"Let's not fight over this," Hyde whispered calmly. Now the seed was planted, he was apt to think about it for some time. "Let's talk about something else."

"Gladly," Koji muttered.

"What's taking Tetsu so long…?" Hiro wondered. "He's just going over to the shop next street."

"What can possibly happen to him?" Sendagi asked.

"I don't know… But, there's something about him…" Hyde blushed slightly. "Which tells me that he's prone to trouble that none of us will ever come across."

"You worry too much," Koji laughed. "He'll be fine. No one can possibly bear to hurt him!"

Hyde looked down and glanced away, a small smile forming on his lips. "I hope so…"

*** (Remember: Sendagi is a good boy at heart... -_- Annoying, but good)

"Affirmative… I just received orders from the highest…" Kiyoshi burst out happily. "We're going to be Tetsu's guardian angels while he's down on Earth!"

"Really?" Yoshiki asked again, happily. He was glad that he finally had a chance to help.

"You just asked me that, Yoshiki." Kiyoshi informed him mildly. "Affirmative, yes, truly, positive!"

"Banzai!" Yoshiki exclaimed. "I mean, that's REALLY great!"

"Yeah, Tetsu's always been looking after us, it's now our turn to look after him," Takanori smiled happily. "I'd love to see how he does as a human!"

"Do you think… He'll be with Hyde?" Yoshiki asked suddenly. "I mean, Japan's not that small."

Kiyoshi nodded. "Yes, I think… He should be. Otherwise, why would he be in Japan? I'm sure God had lain a restful hand on Tetsu."

:::It's a better idea to start work now than talk about your seniors!::: The 'voice' boomed in their heads, shocking them.

"Hai! We're going! We're going!" Kiyoshi yelled, dragging Yoshiki and Takanori away from the tree. "We'll leave the tree under your care, then. Psst… I suppose I was right, then…"

The portal closed. :::Tsk! Tsk! Those angels!:::

***

"Thanks for accompanying me back, Aki!" Gackt said with a smile and a bow, and turned the knob of the door. He was locked outside, he realized awhile after Aki had waved him goodbye. Not knowing what to do, he called Aki again, and the latter started walking back.

"What, Gackt?"

"I can't get in."

"Hey, since Sendagi and his brothers are at Hyde's house, why don't we go over to ask for the keys?" Aki suggested brightly.

"Okay." Gackt nodded without hesitating. He had wanted to meet Hyde a long time ago. He kept hearing about him, but he never did see him once. :.Maybe, he is the one I've always been looking for….: "You're a friend of Hyde's?"

"Eh?" Aki murmured, surprised. "More or less… We're going to make a holiday magazine… Oh yeah! Do you think you can help in it?"

"Sure… What do you want me to do?"

"Let us take pictures of you and use it… I think. There may be more, but I'm not too sure. The idea just started… Since there's the 'Visual and hard rock' magazine, we shall have a 'visual and local' magazine."

"Whose idea is that?" Gackt asked. He liked the idea of it immediately. "Do we have to do makeup like those Indies bands?"

"If you want, if you want!" Aki rambled. "It's partly my idea. I was saying something about Visual shock, and how it seems to be dying out… You know… And Hyde wondered how Tetsu would look like in drags. We decided to try it out once, but it seems like common fact that Hyde's the prettiest one in dresses…" he sighed dreamily.

Gackt glanced at Aki, and said nothing. There was something about the way how Aki said it that made him shiver. He never liked gays. It was the cliché amongst them, and the way they acted… It disgusted him, much more drove him insane. But Aki did not seem like the 'normal' kind of 'girl'… Now, he started to wonder if Hyde was one of those too. The thought was scary, it would make him lose all his hope if it was true. There had to be something for him to live by, something other than just living itself. It was not for freedom; he had none of those yet, it was not for Koji or Hiro and much less Sendagi, and definitely not his parents.

There had to be something. Something special.

He believed that he was sent onto Earth for a reason. He did not know what, but he believed so.

Maybe it was all fat hope…

***

Tetsu thought that he had run into someone familiar. A companion, perhaps… "Takanori…?"

"Eh?" The shorter kid turned around, his petite figure heightened by the tall platforms sneakers which he wore. The baggy cargo pants hung sloppily around his thin waist, his sort-of-tight shirt clung to his body, making him seem smaller. The large backpack which sat on his small back did not help either.

Tetsu blinked again. He thought that the boy was someone else, but this kid's features were much sharper than Takanori's, the way it flashed in his mind. :.Whoever he was… I don't get it… I wish I can remember everything….: Hastily, he apologized, "I'm sorry!"

"It's okay," The short kid turned away, picking up a can from the shelf.

Tetsu went to the cashier, embarrassed at his mistake, and annoyed at himself for not remembering anything. Something was nagging at his heart, that something important was buried in the forgotten past. And that past included his companions. And Hyde. He did not want to forget anyone, it hurt him to do so. He wondered if he had hurt anyone by forgetting them. :.Like Takanori…?.:

He stepped out of the convenience shop, wondering if he had forgotten anything that Hyde had wanted him to get. :.Three bottles of sake, five packets of marble Pocky, three chocolate almond crush Pocky, three men's Pocky… yup… I didn't forget the change, and the gums are out of stock….:

"Hey!"

Tetsu whirled, to find the kid whom he had seen just now standing behind him. "Yes, is there anything you want?

The kid stopped short, and looked down. Tetsu could sense his reluctance and uncertainty, as he seemed to study the cracks on the floor. Without even thinking, Tetsu walked towards the child, and hurled the heavy backpack off him. He slung it across one shoulder, and asked, with a warm smile, the care showing in his eyes. "It's okay. I'm not a stranger."

Surprised, the teenager stared at Tetsu with his mouth gaping open, not unlike a goldfish. Realising how silly he looked, he shut his mouth, trying to peel his gaze off those beautiful warm eyes. Without even thinking, he asked, "Are you an angel?"

It was Tetsu's turn to be surprised. He thought for a while, and shrugged sadly. "I don't know… I've gotten amnesia…"

"Oh," The kid muttered, lowering his gaze once again, now with less uncertainty, but still lacking courage. "You seem like one… What… What's your name?"

"Tetsu, yours?"

"Levin. I'm Levin…"

"Where do you want to go?" Tetsu asked, pointing to the backpack which was sitting on his back. "I'll accompany you."

Levin looked back into Tetsu's eyes, almost as if hoping to find assurance in there. "I don't have a place to go… I was going to ask you, if I could set up my tent at your place…"

Tetsu was even more surprised. He had never met someone who had not had a home while he was on earth, so he did not know how to react for a moment.

Finally, Levin tugged at the straps of his backpack, looking crestfallen. "I'm sorry to bother you… I… I'll go somewhere else…"

"No, wait…" Tetsu called, grabbing Levin's shoulder. "But… The house isn't mine… I don't think they will mind, but I'll have to ask…"

Levin's hand fell from the straps, and the short fella looked up to meet Tetsu's gaze, gratefully. "Thank you."

***(I'm a big Pockotaku myself! ^ ^)

Yoshiki giggled at Tetsu's mistake, and Kiyoshi pulled Takanori towards the little kid. "Uncanny! Even your heights are about the same…"

"Oi," Takanori rolled his eyes, slightly annoyed, and slightly fascinated by the funny replication of him. It was, indeed, uncanny.

Without a word, they followed Tetsu out, while Takanori grudgingly glanced at the kid again.

***

It turned out that Levin had came all the way from the north to look for his real parents. His 'mother' had died, and he was left with no one to take care of. Since the last six months or so, he had been about hitchhiking his way to look for his real parents.

"Don't you know who they are?" Tetsu asked. This was going to be hard.

Levin shook his head. "But, I have a photo of them. And I know that they are living here. I will find them…"

Tetsu nodded slightly.

"I'm sorry to trouble you, but I have no choice." Levin muttered softly.

"Levin, it's okay. Everyone on this earth troubles everyone. Even if you try not to, you'll still do. Even if you die, you will have to have your corpse buried. There is no such thing as being alone. It's just how you see it. I'll help you as much as I can, I promise."

Levin smiled again, and stretched his hand out for Tetsu's bag of snacks. "I'll help with that."

"Thanks… Omigod! Hyde will be waiting!" Tetsu exclaimed, realizing that he had forgotten all about going home while talking to Levin.

***

"Hi, guys!" Keanu popped in. Everyone looked up in surprise.

"Tetsu--" Hyde exclaimed, then, realizing that it was not Tetsu, plopped back into his cushion. "Hi, Keany-chan…"

"What's with the old redhead today?" Keanu asked, dropping beside him. "Oh, hi, Sendagi-san, Koji-san, Hiro-san."

"We sent him to buy something next street, but it's been forty minutes…" Koji told the American. "We're thinking of looking for him."

"You know he can't be lost," Keanu laughed. "He's probably met some old friend and started talking with them. Or any of the gang. It's not impossible."

"True…"

"But, maybe I'd better look for him," Hyde stood up hastily. "What if he's lying by the road with a broken leg? Or worse… Unconscious as when you first found him?"

Keanu thought for awhile. After all, he had, indeed, found Tetsu lying in an alley. But he would rather believe that it was just insecurity on Hyde's part, rather than caution. He had found himself loathing Tetsu more than he should have, even though he still saw him as a part of the group. "But I don't think that anything can happen to him."

"I'll look for him myself…" Hyde disappeared as the door slammed shut behind him, illuminating the uncomfortable silence.

Finally, Koji stood up, and bolted after him. Hiro followed, ignoring Sendagi. Keanu shrugged at Sendagi, who grinned uncomfortably.

"I'm not stopping you if you're running after any of them," Keanu informed Sendagi.

"I'm not…" Sendagi growled nastily. "I just want everything back to what it used to be."

Keanu sighed, a place in his heart twisted in apparent agony.

:.I just want Hyde back to what he used to be..:

***

The group of angels followed Tetsu as he walked across the road with Levin. Just as they were walking around a corner, someone came rushing into Tetsu and Levin, and they landed in a huge tangled mess of limbs.

"Hey, I've never had this feeling before! Wow! They actually passed through us!" Kiyoshi exclaimed in fascination.

"When you reach a certain level in magic, you can choose," Yoshiki informed him. Takanori nodded, poking Koji.

"Quit poking me," Koji complained.

"I'm not!" Hiro replied, struggling to his feet.

"See?" Takanori told Kiyoshi triumphantly.

"Oof…" Tetsu tried to get up, but there were two figures lying on him. As he focused, he realized that one of them was Koji, and the other was Hyde. "Hyde! What are you doing here?"

"I'm sorry!" Koji exclaimed, getting up immediately.

Hyde only sat there stunned, as if the nightmare which he had been anticipating had not come true. Finally, a tear dropped, and he sprung to hug Tetsu with all his might. There was no need for words. His feeling was all that mattered, the feeling which could never be conveyed in words. Tetsu understood completely, and he gathered Hyde in his arms warmly, apologetically, and hugged back with all his might. They sat there for a moment, unmoving, until Hyde let go of Tetsu, slowly, as if he was a precious gem.

"I'm sorry for letting you worry," Tetsu said, his voice adding to the warmth of the silence. Taking Hyde's hand, he squeezed it gently. "I'm fine, Hyde. I'm here."

Hyde nodded, smiling. For a while he had been worried, so overcome with anxiety. Now, everything was so beautiful. As if it should have been, as if it was there before they even met. He wondered if it was something that was arranged before he was even born. The strange feeling, which he had never felt all his life, the feeling that was only in his dreams, the same feeling he felt when he first saw Tetsu, only stronger. The word 'love' was the closest it could get. But stronger. Such a simple word, yet such meaning. Still, it failed short of the depth, and underestimated the beauty.

"Let's go home," Koji said, half embarrassed, half charmed by the bond between them. He glanced at Hiro, who was right behind him, and nodded to his pretty brother, who nodded in turn. Levin looked at them, then back at Tetsu and Hyde. He was blushing. In all his thirteen and a half years, he had never seen two men embracing in such a way before, and he did not even pause to reject it. It was as beautiful as anything he had ever seen. The true, transparent beauty of it all, burning like fire, and without denial. He had never thought such a thing truly existed.

Now, Yoshiki was happy. He was happy for Tetsu. Happy that he and his beloved could spend such a time on Earth, even if it was short. He was pained, too. He had seen such a beautiful thing, the beauty of two people in love. All he knew was pain, as he thought of Hide. He wished that Hide could be by his side right then, for him to study closely and truly… He wished that Hide would listen to him properly and with care, without distraction. That was all. The two of them, with nothing in between… He snapped back into reality when Takanori nudged him and Kiyoshi, who also wore a pained expression. He had never thought about Kiyoshi's love, but he was sure it was Ruri, the one whom he had seen sixteen years ago. In fact, Kiyoshi was so non-serious that he never thought for a moment that he could ever be.

With a smile that was understanding and caring, once again, words were not needed. Yoshiki and Kiyoshi smiled back at Takanori, perking up from their depths, and followed him. Work was still work, and they had caring companions.

*** ("The essence of magic is need"-- "The book of Magic")

Hyde dropped Tetsu's hand as they stepped into the house. Something told him that he should have treated Tetsu as just a friend and nothing else, but… He knew, how Tetsu felt. He had seen it in his angelic eyes, he knew the difference between universal love and selfish love. The eyes, the wide expanses of grayish black depths… He closed his eyes, not wanting anyone to see the tears looming in them. Tetsu had unlocked the door by then, and both of them stumbled in, together with Koji, Hiro and Levin behind them. In the living room, Keanu was sitting alone, watching TV silently.

"I'm home," Hyde informed him softly. There was something about the figure of the back which was facing him that created the distraught in him.

"Hi, Keanu-san." Tetsu locked the door, and the rest muttered their greetings tiredly. Levin alone hung around Tetsu timidly, as Hyde plopped down beside Keanu. Hiro and Koji began to crowd around the bag of snacks which Tetsu had brought back home.

"Keany-chan…?" Asked the bishounen, concerned. "What's wrong? Are you okay?"

Keanu kept his eyes on the screen, hoping that none of the jealousy reflected in his eyes. "No, nothing's wrong. Oh. Gackt just came by, with Aki, Hyde… He forgot his house keys, so Sendagi brought him home."

"Oh…" Hyde was disappointed. "Why didn't Sendagi ask him to stay? He knew I wanted to see him."

"What…?" Yoshiki exclaimed, turning to face Takanori. "Hyde never met Gackt…"

Takanori nodded slightly, sadly. "And to think that Gackt came to Earth only because of Hyde… There should be a day when they meet!"

"I think they will, someday. Aren't they coming close enough?" Kiyoshi asked, patting the short angel on his head. Takanori only smiled at Kiyoshi's encouragement. Yoshiki nodded.

"Maybe he had something on," Keanu shrugged. "Koji, Hiro, are you going?"

"Iie," Koji replied. "Not until we finish the Pocky around here."

Keanu grunted, while Hyde scampered over to grab a packet of marble Pocky. "I want strawberry!"

"Oh, no! I forgot!" Tetsu exclaimed, blushing at his mistake, digging into the bag. "I'll be back soon…"

"It's okay, Tetsu…" Hyde laughed. "Jeez, you would forget yourself if you have the chance!"

Tetsu laughed with a silly look on his face, then turned to Levin. "Do you want any?"

Levin shook his head, tugging at Tetsu's sleeve, and pointed to Keanu. Realization hit Tetsu, as he remembered that he was supposed to help Levin ask about his home.

Softly, he called, "Hyde…"

"Yes, sire?" Hyde turned around hundred and eighty degrees on the floor, as if he was a hand of a clock. His hair fell back towards the floor in a messy and careless fashion, his casual smile charming to every eye.

Tetsu's heartbeats skipped faster as he found himself unable to look anywhere else but at Hyde, and pointed to Levin, stammering, "Ca… Can… He, he… He stay here…? I mean…"

Hyde glanced at Levin, finally realizing his existence. "Oh! I'm sorry! I didn't notice you… Yeah, sure… But… Are you running away from home or something…? We're living on the money which Keany's parents are sending us… So…" Uncertainly, he glanced towards Keanu, who was still glued to the television. "Why are you leaving home?"

Tetsu looked at Levin, figuring that it would be better for Levin to tell his own story. Levin sat down beside Hyde, who'd gotten up and sat straight while Levin told Hyde about his parents, and, everything. "I won't be much trouble! If you don't have space then I'll pitch my tent outside!"

"It's no problem…" Hyde laughed. "We have more than enough space… Uh… Just that we keep messing it up… If you don't mind."

Levin smiled gratefully at Hyde for being so generous and such a great sport.

"I'll break the news to Keany later. Oh, I'm Hyde. What's your name?"

"I'm Levin." Levin beamed, his child-like simplicity showing through.

"I like the kid," Kiyoshi told the rest of the angels, who promptly ignored him.

"I never liked TV," Yoshiki said, glancing around. Takanori was taking some American graphic novel off a shelf, and flipped through it.

Kiyoshi shrugged to himself, as he followed Keanu upstairs. He was greeted with a Hyde who rushed after Keanu.

***

"What?" Keanu exclaimed, dropping his cup of milk, spilling it everywhere. Immediately he ducked to pick up the broken pieces of the cup. Carelessly, his hand jerked and he found cuts in his hand, the pain shooting up to register in his brain. "Oh, shit…"

"Please, Keany-chan, he's just staying till he finds his mother!" Hyde pleaded, not anticipating such a reaction. "He's just a kid, and he needs a place to stay…"

Keanu drew a deep breath, a bloodied hand cupping his own forehead. One Tetsu was enough. Sure, Tetsu was a great help, and he was kind, but he was getting all of Hyde's attention. If there was one more, he, Keanu Reeves, might as well be invisible. He drew in a sharp and painful breath, one which reminded himself that he was still alive and breathing. He stole a glance at Hyde's pleading eyes, and could not turn away. It was the reason that he did not look at Hyde all day. He did not want to even think about him.

"I'm sorry..." Hyde whispered, leaning over Keanu. "Please?"Without warning, the American sprung up, and his muscular arms wrapped possessively around Hyde. Shocked, Hyde went stiff. There was no strength for him to move, not at all, not when the heat of Keanu's body seeped through their clothes, and the protectiveness of those arms surrounded him.

His heart hurt more than he wanted it to, almost making the wound on his hand seem like a ghost. He did not even think rationally, as he tilted Hyde's chin, and kissed him with all his might, with all his emotions put into it. He liked Hyde a lot. More than just a normal friend, more than anyone could have thought. The Japanese had wormed his way into his heart without warning. Keanu could not remember when he had started liking him, but it seemed so long; it could have been when they first met. He wanted someone to call his own. Maybe, he had been too lonely. :.I always said that there was no one for me… For once, I thought I found that someone….:

Hyde could not push him away. He had no strength left in his whole body, even as Keanu's fingers wrapped around his neck, caressing his soft skin, coloring his neck with blood. He was unable to twitch the slightest bit, much less gather the resolve to push him away. The kiss was sensual, and he himself was getting aroused, much as he wanted Keanu to stop. A part of him was hoping that Keanu would go on, the part that was curious, and liked the depth of the kiss. He let out a moan, of both refusal and pleasure, but it was as useful as a second sun appearing in Timbuktu.

Keanu's hands moved away from Hyde's neck slowly, and down to the sides of his body, feeling every bump and crevasse in his ribs through his clothes, extracting a further moan from him. With resolve, Hyde discarded every notion to stop him, while Keanu's lips trailed away to his neck, kissing down to the low line of his shirt. Both their breaths were deep, their heartbeats fast.

:.You're all I want, Hyde….:

***

Kiyoshi watched with half interest, to say the least, and half denial. "Hyde belongs to Tetsu!" He muttered accusingly at Keanu, but watched on anyway. Some angel he was. "Don't give in to him, Hyde!"

A knock on the door jerked Kiyoshi from his silent encouragement as he turned to see that the door was opening. Keanu and Hyde did not notice the presence of an apparent 'danger'. The slightly ajar door let in little light, but Kiyoshi could see who was behind it. "Tetsu! God! You have a great timing! Hyde!"

Tetsu stopped opening the door with a small gasp, and his hands clutched to his chest. A dull pain thudded in his heart, as he realized what they were doing, but he could not bring himself to look away. And he would never dream of confronting them. Suddenly, he wondered if the Hyde that afternoon was just an illusion. It was that illusion, that mirage of a Hyde who could feel for him, which bonded him to everything around him ever since he had lost his memory.

:.At least… Hyde has a belonging….: He thought with a sad smile, wanting to be happy for Hyde, but just couldn't.

*** (Friday, June 11, 1999: *me laughs and flushes the hateful Megumi girl down the toilet bowl* "you may continue.")

Tetsu's face was in his mind again. It would have been easy to simply replace Keanu with Tetsu in his mind, but there was more to that. Guilt. Gathering up what might which he could never have found, he broke away from Keanu, making both of them lose his balance. Keanu stayed on his feet, but Hyde knocked his head against a cupboard, and it knocked the wind out of him. Breathing hard and deep, almost as if gasping for breath, he shook his head at Keanu. Not sadly, not sternly, not angrily. Not nothing. But he was sorry.

Keanu nodded, silently acknowledging his refusal, without acceptance. There was only pain, and nothing else. He did not want the ruin the friendship between them, yet the feeling was so strong that he could not resist it either. Suddenly he felt like kicking himself; he wondered if their friendship was shattered, like his heart. "I'm sorry."

Hyde shook his head, again, his head bowed. There was nothing for him to say, but Keanu shouldn't be sorry. Finally, he braced himself, and picked up pieces of the cup which had broken into pieces. "I'll clean it up."

Keanu nodded, and turned away. "It's alright for Levin to stay," He whispered huskily, and stood there, watching Hyde's small back as he squatted down. The pain was there again, and it would never stop. It would be maddening to try to live with it. "......Hyde."

Hyde nodded up at him, as a piece of the china dug into his fingers, making him bleed. Until he noticed the blood, he did not feel the pain. "I hope we're still friends, Keanu… I… I really can't treat you more than a friend…"

Keanu nodded. Painfully, he whispered, "But I still love you."

Hyde drew in another sharp breath, and finally picked up the last of the china. He edged towards the door, and to his shock, he found that it was slightly ajar. There was someone behind that door. "Te…Tetsu! What are you doing here?"

"I…" Tetsu had no excuse for himself whatsoever, and did not attempt to make up one. "Sorry. I was going to come in… I… I knocked!"

Hyde smiled gently. "It's okay."

"Oh, you're bleeding! What happened?" Tetsu exclaimed anxiously, in a fuss, as he saw Hyde's hands, and his bloody neck and shirt, forgetting both the pain and the relief which he had felt just second ago.

"Don't worry about these, all I cut was my hand," Hyde said, almost cheerfully, glad to see Tetsu again, and definitely happy to revel in the purity of his warm kindness. He did not forget his guilt, but Tetsu's appearance lessened it.

"Wait a moment, Hyde!" In a flurry he rushed downstairs for a towel, knocking over Koji in haste, while Hyde made his way to the nearest trash can downstairs.

"What's with the fruitcake?" Asked Koji, as Hiro picked him up. Levin had gotten used to the brothers by then, and they were eating Pocky while watching television.

:.Together… Almost like a family,.: Thought Hyde laughingly, as Tetsu made him wash his fingers and wiped them clean for him. And to Levin, they, namely, Tetsu and he, seemed like any other happy couple.

***

Keanu sat in a corner of his futon, burying his face in a pillow. Just like a girl. Confused, hurt, embarrassment mingled into a upsurge of depressive colors in front of his eyes. Tears were raining their share, wetting the pillow which his face was in. He tried to forget as much as he could, but it only served to hurt more. He could only remember Hyde's devilish confident smile. The way which Hyde had always wanted to be happy, but no matter how he tried, he could never truly be.

Keanu had imagined himself, making Hyde forget whatever was bugging him… He had always wanted to see those lips locked in a true smile. And until Tetsu appeared, he never seen it.

When he did, it only hurt him more.

***

Hide squirmed uncomfortably against Saki, who only winded up irritating him. "Stop it! I'm trying to find Yoshiki!"

Saki pouted, and Arihito laughed at Saki, dragging the demon closer. With a jolt, both of them fell down onto the sheets, and Arihito drowned Saki's grudge with his kisses.

With a small smile, Hide wondered what he was doing around them. But even he soon lost his smile when, no matter how he searched, Yoshiki could not be found in Heaven. :.He is in Ningenkai….:

"What's wrong, Hide-sama?" Arihito asked, crawling on top of Saki, who growled in playful protest.

"It's Yoshiki again… If I go to Ningenkai now, I won't be able to come back before the rituals again…"

"I'll take over, don't you worry!" Arihito laughed. "We'll just ignore the fact that three is a trinity. Two will do a great deal until you come back."

Hide sighed. "But you know that two just won't be the same. If I could I'd have two long ago!"

"Aha! I know!" Saki threw Arihito off. "We could get Hideyoshi to join in! Besides, the word 'hide' is in it, not?"

"Iie," Hide sighed. "There's still a difference, I'm the master of Hell…"

"He'll do as a stand-in!" Arihito told him, weaving a portal and shoved Hide through it, despite his protests. "We don't want a depressed and love-sick Master around here!"

"Yeah, who's the master here?" Hide slapped Arihito's hand away, but smiled gratefully and gently, as he stepped through the portal. "Deha… Arigatou."

"Workaholic!" Arihito laughed, punching Saki in the shoulder. "He gives himself enough stress to last for the next two generations of his kind!"

***
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I know this is not the time, but it's Author's notes anyway… besides, I'm the author, I write what I want, right? Right.

Saturday, June 12, 1999

The reason I didn't put Yukiya here in this fic? No, it's not because he's "not cute enough"! (he SURE is!) He's one of those that I like as a musician… It's hard to explain knowing the kind of person I am, but he's still my idol, I like him no less than Blue or Hyde, but there's something about the way I feel about him… *sigh* And oh, why is it that most of my fave laruku music is "melody: Tetsu"? Except Forbidden Lover… :/ But take Pieces and "A Na Ta" for example! T-T Lovely… *wants to pinch Te-san's cheeks* yes, it's all pop, I admit! But who cares? It's nice… Really nice… Especially Pieces… Kanshou!!

Oh. And no, I haven't figured out a use for the two "devil assistants" there! It's all just my hobby… :p Why don’t you think one up for me and I'll use it! Oh! I did get the idea.. Three forms a trinity, and everyone knows that when someone has sex, uh, lots of energy is generated… Yep! So, something like a power station! Ha ha! Also, minds are locked together with the body, in a sense, so concentration is higher… Hope you get the idea!
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***

Kiyoshi waved his arms desperately at Keanu, wishing he could see him, and listen to him. The pain which he bore was obvious. He wanted to touch those heaving shoulders and tell him that everything was alright, at least Hyde did not treat him like a mental patient, right? Also, he should be glad enough to salvage their friendship… Kiyoshi thought for awhile. He was sorry for Keanu, despite how much he would prefer Hyde to be with Tetsu.

Gloomily, he flew towards Keanu, and reached out to take hold of his shoulders, in a comforting manner. Surprised, Keanu looked up, and around, but could see no one. "Nani…?"

Kiyoshi smiled, not that anyone alive could see it, and drew him closer, in an embrace. "Cheer up, Keanu, you'll find you someone someday. Even if you don't, you must learn to live with the pain… Or forsake it… Like I did…"

Keanu stirred, feeling someone's warm arms around him, someone's ghostly embrace against him. It almost felt like an angel, but it was so real. Taking in a deep breath, he contemplated how much he liked Hyde. A lot. If he let it go, the pain would be gone as well… But he could not possibly let it go. Indeed, it brought him so much incomprehensible pain. But, love was so beautiful it could have been well worth it. "I'll live with it. No matter what, I'll bear with the pain… I'll be strong."

The voice was not his own. Not much that he identified as his, but it was an inner voice spoken aloud, convincing even him. Yes… He will learn to be strong… He will forget the embarrassment and pain which it brought about, and start to truly love a person… He will learn.

"Thank you…" He whispered, not sure to whom.

Kiyoshi smiled, and loosened his grip. He was happy that he could help.

***

Hide found himself staring straight at a familiar figure.

"Hide…?" The blonde's eyes turned large, as he stared down at the devil. "What are you doing here?"

"Yoshiki!" Hide exclaimed happily. "So Arihito has learnt his spells well… Uh… I mean! Yoshiki!"

"Eh?" Yoshiki raised an eyebrow, as Takanori came towards them.

"Hi, Hide!" Echoed the little angel cheerfully. He was in a good mood; nothing could ruin it as yet. And he was glad enough for Yoshiki.

Hide grinned, waved at Takanori, and squeezed Yoshiki in the waist as if he was a girl. "I missed you!"

Yoshiki smiled, the truth dawning upon him. Without a word, he wrapped his arms around Hide's neck, his tears flowing shamelessly, happily. "Hide…!"

Hide did not say a word this time. Nothing could describe his feelings as he hugged Yoshiki gently. There they stood, for a moment, until Yoshiki broke free.

"I need to talk to you, Hide…" Yoshiki told him, lowering his eyes a bit, the pains and doubts of the past few days coming back to him. Takanori heard that, and flew away to the kitchen to read his comics.

"I'm all ears, Yoshiki."

Yoshiki smiled awkwardly and brushed his hair from his face. "Hide, I really love you."

"And I love me too!" Hide replied with a mischievous grin.

Yoshiki sighed and brushed Hide gently on the nose with one finger. "Cut that out, Hide, I'm serious."

Hide nodded. "I really am serious too. I love me! Demo, dearou..."

"Un?" Yoshiki raised his eyebrow again.

"I love you more than me!" Hide exclaimed, holding Yoshiki's hand and pulled it from his nose. "And anything else."

"Hide, demo..." :.Uh oh. Here's the trouble,.: Hide thought, knowing Yoshiki. "I hope you can put aside more time for me, Hide. I really want to do things with you, other things."

Yoshiki glanced up at him, with a truthful and different look in his eyes.

"I've changed, Hide. I want to do other things… Even though you're tired… And I… I want you to listen when I talk."

Hide's eyes widened in surprise. So it was that simple after all! A smile drew across his lips as he kissed Yoshiki happily, on the cheek, and held his hand tighter. :.He's just like a girl….: "Sure!"

"You'd better mean what you say, buster!" Yoshiki pinched him playfully. "But right now, I'm on duty looking after Tetsu…"

"It's okay, Yoshiki!" Hide knew exactly what God was doing when he sent the angels down to Earth. For each of them, he had his own purpose. "Let's go and speed along the highway!"

"How do we do that?" Yoshiki asked, shocked. "We can't possibly drive!"

Hide only winked and dragged him over to a highway. As fast as a flash of lightning, he landed in the back seat of a topless car where the wild drivers sped carelessly and they sat there for an hour or so, before getting tired of it. Then, without a word, he dragged him over to a movie theater, and watched the midnight movie. By the time they had finished, it was late, and Yoshiki was tired. He had been staying awake for the whole day.

"Don't you want to fly back?" Hide asked him, as Yoshiki leaned on him sleepily.

"No," Yoshiki replied stubbornly. "I'm tired. Hide…"

"Yes?"

"Aren't you going back?"

"I am, Yoshiki, which is why I'm sending you back to Tetsu."

Yoshiki nodded, disappointed. Suddenly, Hide had an idea. He dragged Yoshiki towards the nearest railway station, and they waited for some time before the train came. "Look! A proper train ride without hentai-ojiisan around!"

Yoshiki laughed, remembering the amount of times which he had been molested on the train long ago when he just started out in the music inudstry, when he was alive. Suddenly, he remembered his old friends. "Toshi, Heath, Taiji, and Pata…"

"Huh?" Hide asked, looking at Yoshiki. "What are you talking about?"

"Remember our… Ex band members?" He sighed sadly. Ex. Much as he hated the word, it was true. Besides, it had been a long time. "I wonder how they're doing?"

Hide thought for awhile. "Let's go and visit them sometime later. I really need to sleep."

"So do I," Yoshiki glanced at Hide, and snuggled up to him, feeling his warmth, glad that they were there, even for only a moment. "But it had better be soon."

Hide nodded, his eyelids getting heavier and heavier, till they closed by themselves, and his mind wandered off to a dreamless sleep.

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Sunday, June 13, 1999 1:39:29 PM

Author's notes: No, I still haven't forgotten the tree! Unfurled Wings is now pretty much over, you can go back to your homes now until I present "Coupled With". This idiotic-without-much-plot thingy is taking up too much words and space! Urgh! Can't I present my ideas properly for once with a proper plot for reading pleasure? So far, it's all mushy stuff… I know it isn't half-bad (How else did mangaka Masakazu Katsura-san get pass with Video Girl Ai? Not much of plot in even there, if you ask me, but its nice and mushy… *sigh* --> I know. Even I am a big sucker for such stuff.)

And, I must say, I'm sorry for my lousy Japanese. You can laugh all you want, it's just a Chinese-man's attempt in Japanese (^ ^) But what I hate is when people in HMV or Towers spell BANDs' names wrongly… "Laprta" instead of "Laputa", then HMV… Urgh…. I can't stand that kind of mistake. I mean it's SINGAPORE, their alphabet can't be that bad! (since most bands are grouped by their names in romanized format… Ah well.

~Xz0ner version'99.6a

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