Your Angel

by Hikaru

Part 1

Sakuragi was lying down on air, watching the glass ball. His lips curved into a smile and his hand patted the glass ball affectionately. "You grow so fast...." he said to himself.

"You’re getting attached to him, aren’t you?" a voice said from behind him.

Sakuragi turned to find Youhei writing something down in his notebook. "Hello old friend.....I finally see you." Sakuragi said, bringing himself back onto the ground.

"Hello, Sakuragi," Youhei replied, smiling, "How’s Rukawa?"

"He’s fine....except that.." Sakuragi paused.

"Family problems, eh?" Youhei asked, walking towards the glass ball.

"Yeah, his parents tend to pressure him a lot. I pity him." Sakuragi said, then turned to Youhei, "Hey, when do I get to go and meet him again? The last time I saw him, he was just 7 years old."

"Soon. Just be patient." Youhei said, "I’ve got to go now, take care."

Sakuragi watched as Youhei left the room. He was alone again. He sat down on the floor, taking the glass ball with him. Sighing, he looked into the object and smiled fondly at the image of Rukawa. "Don’t worry, Rukawa...I’m here to help you."

~*~

"Rukawa, I told you to look after your little brother!!" Rukawa’s mother shouted up the stairs.

Rukawa sighed and placed his pencil down. He stood up and walked slowly out his study room. He heard his younger brother wailing downstairs. Rukawa walked down the stairs and saw his mother staring angrily at him. He ignored his mother and scooped his younger brother into his hands. He grabbed his jacket and his younger brother’s jacket and shoes as he made way to the front door.

"Rukawa Kaede you come back here. I am not done speaking with you." His mother called out to him furiously.

"There’s nothing to talk about." Rukawa said coolly and walked out the door.

His mother watched as the front door close with a bang. Her expression softened. She grabbed hold of the sofa and steadied herself against it.

"Rukawa, Rukawa....what am I supposed to do with you..." Rukawa’s mother said softly, shaking her head.

Outside...

Rukawa puts his younger brother on the ground. He kneeled down and stared into his brother’s eyes. "Hiroki, we’re going to go for a walk but, you’ve got to stop crying, all right?" Rukawa asked, speaking softly.

Hiroki nodded, rubbing his red eyes. Rukawa gave his brother a half-smile then hugged him. Hiroki returned the embrace affectionately. Letting go, Rukawa stood up and took Hiroki’s little hand in his. "How about we go to the park, eh?" Rukawa asked.

Hiroki nodded, a big smile on his face. Rukawa turned ahead and they both walked towards the park.

~*~

Sakuragi watched as Ruukawa push his brother on a swing. He sighed and slumped next to the glass ball. "I wish my brother would treat me that way…" Sakuragi whispered to himself.

Outside the room…

Youhei stared at Sakuragi’s sad eyes and turned away from the door, clutching the notebook close to his chest. He looked to the ceiling and closed his eyes. "Hanamichi…." Youhei whispered softly.

~*~

That night, at the Rukawa residence…

Rukawa and his family was having dinner. Hiroki was telling his mother about how much fun he had at the park. Rukawa’s mother turned to Rukawa with a disapproving gaze. Rukawa, who had sensed his mother staring at him, looked up from his plate.

"Yes?" He asked, meeting his mother’s eyes.

"Do you know how dangerous it is to take your brother out to a far place like that? And the park! For goodness sakes! There could’ve been theives there, or kidnappers, lurking around in every bush…"

"Ma, the park is the most safest place in town." Rukawa interupted smoothly.

"Don’t you dare talk back to me, young man." His mother said, her voice stern.

"I’m just telling the truth." Rukawa said, turning back to his food.

"Rukawa Kaede, look at me when Im speaking." His mother said again.

Rukawa sighed but obediently looked back at his mother. His mother took in a breath and then exhaled loudly.

"Rukawa, what I’m trying to say is, tell me where you’ll be going whnyou go out with your brother. He’s only five and if anything happens to him…" her voice trailed off.

"But nothing happened." Rukawa answered.

"I’m saying ‘if’ it happens. If you go out alone that’s one thing..if you go out with Hiroki.."

"What you’re trying to say is that you don’t care if anything happens to me," Rukawa said, getting up from his seat, taking his plate, "You never care."

"Rukawa Kaede don’t talk to your mother that way." His father said, taking part in the conversation.

Rukawa quietly left the dining room. Leaving the plate at the kitchen, he walked past the dining room without even looking at his parents, and walked straight up to his room.

After dinner…

A knock was heard at Rukawa’s bedroom door.

"Who is it?" Rukawa asked, his eyes not leaving the history paper in front of him. The door opened and Hiroki walked in.

" ‘Nii-san?" Hiroki called out, his voice soft.

Rukawa turned around and stared at Hiroki. He nodded and turned back around. Hiroki shut the door and walked to his brother’s table.

"What is it, Hiroki?" Rukawa asked, his head bent low.

" ‘Nii-san, do you hate me?" Hiroki asked, quivering.

Rukawa turned to Hiroki again looking a bit shocked. "What makes you think that?" Rukawa asked.

"Ma’s always getting mad at you because of me….and you’re always getting mad." Hiroki said.

Rukawa stayed quiet for awhile before taking Hiroki into his arms and hugging him tightly. "Of course I don’t hate you.." Rukawa said, letting Hiroki sit on his lap, "I can never hate you."

Hiroki let his brother embrace him again, snuggling into Rukawa’s arms. They stayed that way for quite some time.

"Thanks, ‘nii-san." Hiroki said, smiling at Rukawa before leaving the room.

Rukawa watched as the door closed. He got up from his seat and locked his door. Rukawa walked to his closet and pulled out a small suitcase. He spent the next half hour putting everything he needed into it. Grabbing his wallet from the top drawer, Rukawa took his suitcase, headed for the window and threw the bag out. Rukawa closed his eyes and mentally apologized to Hiroki as he climbed out the window himself.

~*~

The door opened.

"What do you want now, Youhei?" Sakuragi said, his eyes not leaving the glass ball.

"You’re going down to earth. You know the reason." Youhei explained.

"And you want me to stop him?" Sakuragi said, looking at Youhei.

"Nah..that would be impossible right now," Youhei said, writing something in his notebook then looking at Sakuragi, "You’re going to runaway with him."

"What?!" Sakuragi exclaimed, getting up from his place.

"I’ll explain it to you while I help you get ready. Come on, we haven’t got much time." Youhei said.

~*~

Rukawa sat alone in the old train station. His eyelids felt heavy and he was just about to doze off when someone came to sit beside him. Rukawa stared at the new guy. He was tall, wearing a thick jacket, jeans that were torned at the knees, and a hat.
The guy took a look at Rukawa’s suitcase. "Running away?" he asked.

"What’s it to you?" Rukawa replied sharply.

The guy laughed and showed Rukawa his backpack. "I’m running away too." he answered, smiling.

Rukawa looked at Sakuragi’s hand curiously. A friend? Or foe? Deciding that Sakuragi didn’t seem to have any bad intentions, Rukawa said simply, "Rukawa Kaede."

The guy smiled and held out his hand in a friendly manner. "Sakuragi Hanamichi."

Rukawa just nodded and turned away from Sakuragi. Sakuragi smiled and withdrew his hand. The train arrived and they both boarded it quietly.

~*~

Youhei watched as Sakuragi got on the train with Rukawa.

"Good luck, Hanamichi…." Youhei whispered to the image in front of him.

 

 

End Part 1

Hikaru’z notez:- Finished part one…finally!! Thanks for reading and I hope you enjoyed it!!

| Part 2 | Back to Archive Index | Mail Hikaru |