Room 304, Diety Hall

Author: Yukimi2 yukimi2@yahoo.com

Comment: You know, I just realized something. I've been spelling 'Diety' like that instead of the real spelling 'Deity' ^^;;;; Oh well. Enjoy =)

Episode 35: Search

Kaoru placed Toshiya on his mattress then walked down the stairs of the resort. He held the black handkerchief in one hand. He reached the front lobby. Of course, Hakuei was sitting by the window smoking, even thought the lobby was no smoking. Kaoru marched angrily toward the blonde. He threw the handkerchief on the coffee table in front of him.

"We need to talk." The purple head held a menacing glare.

Without turning away from the window, Hakuei spoke, "I knew you'd show up."

"And what is THAT supposed to mean?!"

The blonde slowly turned to face him. Kaoru grew even angrier at Hakuei's calm expression.

"This is about Toshiya, isn't it?"

"Damn right it is!! What did you---?!!"

Hakuei waved his cigar as a sign of silence. "I had to do what was best for him."

Kaoru didn't believe him. "What the FUCK are you talking about! If what you did was best for him, then he wouldn't be so hurt right now." Kaoru grabbed Hakuei by the collar. "What the fuck did you do!!!"

Hakuei calmly shrugged him off. "I told you, I did it to make Toshiya happy."

"I don't think he's very HAPPY right now!! And I don't think you know what you're talking about!" Kaoru yelled.

Hakuei took a long drag and stared out the window again. He remained silent for a moment. After Hakuei didn't reply, Kaoru spoke, "Did you hear me?!"

Hakuei ignored him and stared at the falling snow outside. "I broke up with Toshiya." He said quietly.

"WHAT!!!?!??!?!" Kaoru was shocked. "Why?!"

"I told you…"

"You think breaking up with your lover would make him happy?" 

Hakuei took another long drag. "You don't understand how much I love him. Most people think it's only sex I'm after. Well, he was great in bed, but I really felt soft on him."

"But if you really love him, then why did you DO that??"

Hakuei took a deep breath. "I'm hurting pretty bad too, you know? But I loved him so much that all I wanted was to make him happy. I knew I wasn't the one who would make him smile."

"If only you listened to him when he needed someone to talk to!"

"Point exactly. I didn't know when he was upset. He never came to me when he was upset. He wasn't comfortable talking to me. Yes, we were affectionate; but we never confided in each other because we weren't comfortable. The love was there and the sex was great. Unfortunately, we didn't have something that would make your relationship blossom and last."

"Wasn't love enough for you?"

the blonde guy put his cigar on the aluminum ashtray he took from the dining area, then took out another cigar. "You haven't been through a lot of relationships, I can tell."

"Well…"

"you can always learn to love anybody." Hakuei said. "It's simply a matter of how much both of you understand each other. That's the one thing that makes the love grow and last forever. Apparently, Toshiya and I did NOT understand each other. I could never tell when he was upset. Even if I knew he was upset, I would not know what to do to make him happy again. Anyone who could make you smile, laugh, and feel emotions you've never felt before has to be somebody very special. Every time he tells me he loves me, it breaks my heart, but I know I'm not the one. So I broke up with him. He's too special for me to cling onto selfishly. I'm sure Toshiya will heal in time and find someone who will mend his heart."

Kaoru sighed and plopped on the couch. He knew Hakuei was right. Toshiya wasn't very happy when he was with Hakuei. He remembered time after time when the bishounen would run to the dorm and cry. He didn't want that to happen again either. He couldn't get angry at Hakuei for doing what he did.

"can you take good care of him for me?"

"Huh?" Kaoru blinked.

Hakuei continued to stare at the snow as it fell and blanketed the ground with its whiteness. "Make sure he doesn't do anything stupid." He chuckled to himself. "You know how he gets." 

Kaoru smiled.

"Just make sure he stays outta trouble."

"Hai."

"If you fail to do that, I'll kick your ass, Rat Face."

Kaoru frowned. What is with that name that sticks to Hakuei's tongue like glue?

Before he could retort, Shinya burst into the room.

"Shinya?"

"Kaoru!"

"What's wrong?"

The pretty boy bit his lip. "I can't find Miyabi."

"WHAT?"

"I searched everywhere in the resort and he's nowhere to be found!"

"When was the last time you saw him?"

"UMM.. when we all went to the ski trail by the pine forrest. I remember he was with us at the starting point. After that, I thought you were with him."

"No, he was with me." Hakuei spoke up.

The two turned and stared. "Where was the last time you saw him?" Shinya inquired. 

"In the trail somewhere. I kept going, but he turned around so I thought he went back here."

Shinya shook his head. "He's not here." He sat and thought for a moment, then looked up. "Don't' tell me you went off the trail!"

"Well…i…"

"Shit! You must've gotten lucky and got back to the path, but it's easy to get lost in those woods."

"FUCK!" Hakuei cursed at himself.

Shinya quickly grabbed his jacket and hat. "You guys stay here just in case he comes back. My dad and I are going to go search for him. Megumi will stay here with you. Tell everyone what's going on and stay put."

Hakuei stood up. "I'll go with you."

"No. it's getting dark and it's too much of a risk. We don't want anyone else lost."

"IT's my fault he got lost. Besides, I remember the area I last saw him."

"No." Shinya glared.

Hakuei glared back, but Shinya narrowed his eyes into such intense slits, it felt like eyebeams were shooting out of them.

"Fine!" Hakuei sat on the couch.

"Be careful, Shinya." Kaoru said as the auburn head walked into the kitchen toinform his family of the current predicament.

*****

Flake after flake fell in slow, but monotone rhythm. It was a beautiful sight to see, the snow building up and floating around with such grace.

Miyabi watched the beautiful scene as he sat against a bare tree in the pine forrest. He didn't enjoy it though. In fact, he was scared shitless to appreciate the beauty. After a few hours of wandering, he decided to settle against the tree. He placed his bright colored skis on the other sidein hopes that someone would easily find him, that is, if anyone was searching for him. He shook his head from the thoughts. He can't panick. If he panicks, he'll use up more enrgy than necessary.

Miyabe relaxed his body and breathed deeply in a slow rhythm. That was how monks from China kept their body heat to survive winter; at least, that was what he learned from taking History class. 

Miyabi suddenly felt something on his leg. He gasped and saw a squirrel. It quickly scurried away. The young man felt his heart beat in his chest uncontrollably.

~Calm down…calm down…calm down…~

it was difficult for him to do because his mind wandered to the many possibilities. What if there were more dangerous animals around? Like Bears? What if he never got resuced? Did they all forget about him?

Suddenly, Miyabi felt this heart stop. He realized something. Was Hakuei lost in the woods too? Is he alright? Is he OK? The younger man stood up and looked around. He couldn't just sit there and mope. What if Hakuei needed his help? Of course he did. That blonde bastard always got into trouble. 

The young man picked up his ski's and put them on. He broke as many branches as he could from the dead tree and stuffed them in his pockets. He laid one out to mark his trail and kept going into the woods. At least the branches would help him get back to that tree.

*****

the Diety Hall residents all clustered in the lobby waiting for Miyabi, except for Kaoru and Toshiya. Kaoru decided to stay with Toshiya in his room and wait there.

As the time passed by, the residents fell asleep on the couches one by one. Kyo and Hiro fell asleep first, of course, followed by the other poker players, except for Koji, who conversed with Megumi about business, finance, and the stockmarket. Mrs. Terachi stayed in the kitchen, then brought out tea for everyone who was still awake. She reassured everyone Puppy went with them and would surely find Miyabi.

"Puppy's a search dog?" Koji asked.

Mrs. Terachi and Megumi nodded. "I know he's a runt of a dog, but he's real smart. He'll surely find your friend."

"It's hard to believe. I feel like that tiny thing would be buried under that snow." Die commented.

"Don't underestimate him." Megumi laughed.

"Megumi, could you help me put these cups away?" Mrs. Terachi asked.

"Hai."

"Arigatou gozai masu for thetea." Koji and De said.

Mrs. Terachi and Megumi quickly placed the cups in the sink and rinsed them in the kitchen.

"SO," Mrs. Terachi started. "Which one is Shinya's man?"

"Auntie!" Megumi frowned, but smiled afterward. "Well, if you must know, he's a very nice young man…"

'And?" Mrs. Terachi pushed. "Which one is he?"

Megumi sighed. She knew her aunt and uncle would never leave her without an answer. She leaned in and whispered to Mrs. Terachi's ear. "That red-head out in the lobby."

Mrs. Terachi's eyes widened. "You mean, the one with the really nice body?"

"Auntie!" Megumi giggled.

"Dear, don't tell me that you don't think so too." Mrs. Terachi opened the door a crack and glanced at the residents in the lobby. "Tsk. Tsk. Too bad he smokes."

"True, but he's been very helpful to us the past few days."

"And I've never met such a gentleman before." Mrs. Terachi nodded. "I can't wait to tell your uncle about this."

Megumi frowned. "Auntie, he'll only let Die-kun see Shinya outside a 3 feet radius."

"Oh, your uncle's just a bit protective of Shinya. I'm sure he'll get along with the young man."

Mrs. Terachi and Megumi re-entered the lobby. Die was stretching his arms and Koji was trying a few magic tricks with his cards, but was doing so unsuccessfully. Megumi plopped down beside him. "Need help?"

"I guess."

"I used to do trick cards when I was in high school, used to be the master of cards actually."

"Really?" Koj grinned. "I bet you fifty bucks you can't beat me in poker."

Megumi gave a smug smile. "I accept the challenge. Tomorrow. Right here. With the other poker players."

"Deal."

Mrs. Terachi rolled her eyes. "Megumi chan, you should stop gambling like that." She turned to Die. "You should've seen her when she was in high school. Always coming home with pockets full of cash."

"Then it should be an interesting match." Die said. "Koji's our master gambler."

"Hmmm…do you gamble?" Mrs. Terachi asked.

"Me? Oh, no. not often. I just don't like to do anything risky."

"Really? You don't like to do anything risky, but you're smoking your life away right here."

Die looked at the cigar on his hand, then quickly stubbed it on the ashtray. "Gomen…" he said sheepishly. He knew Shinya's family didn't approve of smoking very much.

Mrs. Terachi couldn't help but be amused at Die's embarrassed expression. "It's OK, young man. Just as long as you don't do that around my little Shinya."

Die widened his eyes and stared at the lady. "You… you…."
"Hai. I know." She smiled.

Die blushed. She had the same shy sweet smile Shinya has.

"I was wondering when you or Shinya were going to inform us."

"Well…i…." Die stammered. "I wasn't sure…and…. I ….well…"

"Don't worry. I understand. No explanations needed." Mrs. Terachi laughed softly. "I'm just very happy to hear that my only child is with such a nice gentleman."

Die flushed. "thank you very much."

Mrs. Terachi sighed and looked at the sleeping students. Everyone was sprawled all over the place, even Megumi and Koji fell asleep too. Hiro, Kyo, and Levin were all on top of each other on the other couch, not caring. Then Die noticed Hakuei smoking in the corner by the window. He didn't look too happy.

"I think your friend over there needs someone to talk to." Mrs. Terachi said.

Die agreed. "Excuse me." He stood up.

Mrs. Terachi nodded.

Hakuei continued to stare out the same window for the past four hours. He finally tore off his gaze to stub out his cigar and take out his pack for another. He shook the box, waiting for a fresh stick to comeout, but found none. He peered into the pack. Empty.

"Fuck." He cursed as he threw the box aside.

Suddenly, a cigar appeared in front of him. He looked up and saw Die smiling down at him.

"Need a stick?" Die asked.

Hakuei took the offer. "Thanks man." He took out a lighter and lit it.

Die sat on the seat beside the blonde guy. "You've been quiet for some time now. Actually, you've been quiet the entire trip. Got a lot on your mind?"

"Man, I hate you." Hakuei joked. "Remember when we used to room together? You always knew what was on my mind."

"That was back then. I havent' seen you so upset in a long time."

"How do you know I'm upset?"

"I can just tell. It's kind of amusing, actually. When Kaoru gets upset, he panics; but when you get upset, you become really calm." {is it just me, or doesn't Die like to watch his friends upset?? ~yk2}

"Heh. It's just how I am."

"What's the situation this time?"

"A lot of stuff." Hakuei waved his cigar around. "Things you knew were meant to happen, but you just didn't---couldn't---let go, but you had to."

Die smiled sympathetically. "I understand. I'm sure Toshiya will understand in time."

"It just hasn't been the best few days, y'kno? First, I had to dump him, and now we're sitting here twiddling our thumbs while some mutt searches for my only childhood friend. No offense to the dog."

"It's alright. That dog doesn't like me either. ^^;" Die said. "But don't worry. You should know by now that Miyabi's not stupid. He won't wander off too far."

Hakuei took a long drag, then blew swirls of smoke and watched them disappear into thin air. "He never does. He never liked taking risks. He was always a woosie and never had the guts to stray away from the norms, except when people he cares about were concerened."

"Really? That's good."

Hakuei stared out the window again. "He's a very good person, y'kno? He followed the rules all the time, and tries to do well in his studies, but when a friend is concerned, he'll drop everything and even break the rules just to be there for them."

"interesting. Most city people are tough."

"What he does with his friends shows that he's tougher than any of the kids in the block. Nobody would ever do things the way he did. You don't have to be a rough guy to be tough. Miyabi earned the respect of everyone in the neighborhood by helping people who needed help. Now THAT is tough."

"Sounds like you have a lot of respect for him too. I just don't understand why you avoid him." Die said.

"Well, the problem with Miyabi is that he's a worse nagger than my own mother. I just don't like to be told what to do."

"Me either, but I'll admit, Hakuei. You're quite a stubborn guy. Maybe you need to be nagged for anyone to listen to you."

Hakuei shrugged. "I guess, but geezus! He doesn't have to be there all the time to nag me. I wanna do my own thing! That's why I left high school early. I wanted my independence. I wanted to get out and find myself in the real world."

"I understand." Die nodded. "But a person cannot go through life and find himself by pushing others away. You also have to learn to deal with people and learn to accept others before you can fully understand who you are. Miyabi's a good person; you said it yourself. But he's not just a good person to you, is he? He's also your childhood friend and your only best friend. You cannot simply shrug him off or ignore his existence because no matter what, he'll always be there. 

I'm not saying you have to be in close terms with him. I'm just saying that you should at least acknowledge his presence rather than get away from him. {hehe. Like Die's wonderful words of wisdom? ^_^ Yk2}" Die looked at the blonde. "We were all wondering why you didn't introduce him to us when he first got to campus. It must've been a very hard start for him."

"Fuck!" Hakuei threw his cigar on the ashtray. "Gimme another one."

Die frowned. "You're wasting my pack."

"I'll pay you back when we get to the university."

Die gave in and handed Hakuei another cigarette. The blonde lighted it and started smoking again. After a moment of silence, Hakuei spoke quietly, "That's not the reason I'm upset…"

Die blinked. "huh?"

Hakuei shook his head. "Miyabi's mom is gonna kick my ass."

"Why is that?"

"After I heard Miyabi received a theatre scholarship, I knew he would attend the university ASAP. His mother called me and made me promise to take good care fo him. She said she didn't want her baby to get into trouble, even though he never did. Of course, I couldn't refuse. So I thought that I'd just make sure he was alive. I didn't want to bother with such trifle matters." He tapped the cigar on the ashtray. "Now that he's out there in the woods, it's making me think twice about how much I really 'took care' of him."

"So you're afraid Miyabi's mom will beat you." 

"No. it's not that." Hakuei took a deep breath. "I dunno how to explain how I feel. It's probably guilt. Guilt because it had to take a situation like this to realize how precious friendship is. Especially how I've taken this one for granted. I mean, no matter how stupid I got, or how much trouble I caused, he was always there. He was either nagging or………just there…….." Hakuei shook his head. "…sometimes, I wonder what life would be like if he wasn't just there…"

Die had to smile. His friend was actually showing regret. That was something 'mr.-I-am-a-bad-ass' never did. The red head placed the pack on Hakuei's lap.

"I think you're gonna need these more than me." Die said as he got up.

Hakuei blinked. "Thanks man."

*****

Another hour passed and Die and Mrs. Terachi fell asleep. Hakuei remained awake, unable to sleep from all the nicotine he infested in his lungs. He stubbed his cigar and took out the last stick from the box. He flicked his lighter and realized it wouldn't work. Being the potty mouth that he is, he cursed to himself and threw the lighter on the ashtray. After the ashtray fell to the floor from impact, the front doors opened with a big woosh.

Shinya came in with Puppy on a leash. Mr. Terachi soon came afterward, with Miyabi on his back.

Hakuei breathed a sigh of relief, then went there to help Mr. Terachi.

"Shinya, get some heavy blankets." Mr. Terachi said as he placed Miyabi on a nearby couch.

Hakuei stared at the unconsciuos Miyabi and touched his hand. His skin was icy cold. "Is he going to be alright?" he asked.

"Well, we need to keep him warm so his fever won't go any higher." Mr. Terachi q uickly ran into the kitchen to get some hot tea. 

The blonde observed the younger man on the couch. Snowflakes covered his silky black hair and his cold skins seemed as pale as the snow outside. He looked like a Snow Princess engaged in a deep slumber. Hakuei started brushing the flakes off his head. The younger one stireed and Hakuei froze.

"M-miyabi?" he whispered.

Miyabi cracked his eyelids open slightly. The blonde guy couldn't help but stare at the unfathomable dark orbs that stared at him. His eyes looked dreadfully blank, like he was staring at a dead man.

"Miyabi?" Hakuei asked again, uncertain that he'll receive a response.

Miyabi parted hhis lips slowly then spoke with a raspy voice. "Ha…kuei?" Hakuei felt so relieved, then he began lecturing.

"Why did you follow me to the pine forest?" Hakuei said. "You shouldn't have done that! You should've gone back to the trail! You should have---!"

"…You're really here…" Miyabi said absently.

Hakuei blinked. "Of course I'm here."

Miyabi's eyes filled with tears as his mouth curved into a tiny, tired smile. "Yokkatta…I thought… I thought you were lost… Baka Hakuei-chan… you always get in trouble. I was so worried. I looked everywhere for you, but… I couldn't find you… I thought maybe…maybe…" A tear gradually fell on his cheek. "…maybe you got eaten by bears… or…maybe you got buried in the snow…"

Hakuei was speechless. He was enver good at being sweet or handling the sweet stuff, but it was really touching to hear that someone worried about him to such extent. 

"You always do that." Hakuei said softly. "You're always helping people no matter how badly they treat you. With the way I've treated you, I wasn't worth the trouble. Why do you still put your life in the line like that?"

"…because… you're Hakuei…"

"But you can't always risk your life like that!" Hakuei protested. "What about us? Do you think we would be happy to have you dead out there? Of course not!"

Miyabi felt his eyelids grow heavy. His eyes fluttered open and closed. He was feeling really sick right now. "…what about me?" he uttered softly. "…do you think I'd be happy to have YOU dead out there…?" he smiled sweetly. "..of course not…" he closed his yes and furrowed his eyebrows. Damn. His head hurt a lot.

Hakuei felt the young man's forehead. He was burning up badly. "Are you cold?" he asked, though it was a dumb question.

Miyabi nodded. There was so much pain. His head felt like a hammer was smashing through his skull repeatedly. He took long deep breaths to alleviate the painful feeling. He wasn't like Toshiya; he'd bear through the pain without the utterence of a whine or pout.

Hakuei noticed the pained expression. "Don't worry. Shinya's coming with blankets and his dad's making tea."

Miyabi nodded. Hakuei never noticed before, but he was trembling. 

Hakuei bit his lip worriedly. "Maybe what you need is a hot bath."

"…that would be nice.." Miyabi murmured.

Suddenly, Mr. Terachi came back with a warm cup of green tea. Hakuei helped Miyabi sit up as the young man tried his best to hold the cup in his trembling hands. Some of the tea sloshed out the edge onto the couch.

"Gomendasai." Miyabi apologized.

"It's alright." Mr. Terachi said. "Just hold it in you r hands and drink. Hopefully that will make you feel warmer."

"Areigatou gozai masu." Miyabi said. "…I'm so sorry for the trouble."

"IT's no trouble at all." Mr. Terachi laughed. "I know the pine woods from the back fo my head."

"Here's some blankets." Shinya burst in with a pile of heavy comforters.

"Thank you." Miyabi said. "I ought to thank your dog too."

Shinya wrapped the blankets around him. "Oh, I already gave Puppy his treat. Tsk. What is with these sleeping people?" He grabbed. A magazine and rolled it up. He smacked Die on the head. "Hey! Miyabi's back!"

Die groaned and pouted at him. "Why are you being so abusive today? First, you take my pack, and now you hit me on the head."

"Taking cigars is NOT abuse." Ge gasped when he noticed the empty pack of cigars on the floor. "You finished that pack of cigars in one night???! That's unhealthy!"

"No. no. Hakuei smoked it all!'

"Don't try to put the blame on anyone. I KNOW that was YOUR pack!"

With the commotion Die and Shinya were causing, the other sleeping forms began to wake up, except for Hiro and Kyo.

"Wah! Miyabi-san's here!" Levin yelled.

"Gyah! Miyabi, are you OK?"

"Miyabi! What happened?"

Miyabi stared at the concerned faces around him. He felt so happy at that moment; he felt so loved. Why should he seek for love? It was always there in front of him with his friends. "…thanks for your concern. I'm OK… just a bit of fever…"

"Do you have a hot bath?" Hakuei asked.

"Yes, we do." Mrs. Terachi said. "Megumi. Set the hot bath ready."

"Hai."

"That's a good suggestion. A nice hot bath would relieve the fever."

Miyabi nodded, but he felt so weak. He could barely sit up, let alone keep his eyelids open. Soon, he leaned over to Hakuei's shoulder and fell asleep from exhaustion and the fever.

CONTD @ ~ Episode 36: Lemon?

to be continued~