Disclaimer: This fic is written simply for my own amusement. I do not own Spiral or its characters.

A/N: In my own, personal opinion, there's a serious lack of Hizumi fanfics out there, and even less that contain an AyumuxHizumi pairing. So I'm taking it upon myself to add to whatever AyuxHizu fics they might have, and I hope you enjoy it. If you don't…well then, that's your problem, isn't it?

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Since when…..have I become singled out from amongst the others? Since when…did people start treating me like my older brother? Since when…did I become such an outcast?

"Hizumi. Hizumi…? Hizumi Mizutsuro, pay attention!" A sharp smack to the boy's head was enough to snap him back into reality.

"Ow. You don't have to hit me, Onee-san." The mint-haired boy frowned as he rubbed at his head. Those golden orbs stared at the frustrated woman in front of him. "What do you want?"

Kirie Tsuchiya let out a sigh. "Honestly, Hizumi. Can't you pay attention for just a little while? I really don't like to be ignored!"

"Funny…you should be used to it by now…" Hizumi mumbled beneath his breath, in hopes that the Watcher wouldn't hear him.

"What was that?" Kirie glared at the boy as she put out her cigarette.

"Nothing!" Mizutsuro smirked, earning another slap to the side of his head. "You know, I could have you charged with child abuse." The boy moved out of the way as the ashtray flew towards him, missing and hitting the wall behind him.

"You're obviously lacking in the manner department." Kirie growled as she fought the urge to lunge at the boy. Unlike you, your brother had some manners. And he never once had the nerve to argue with me."

"I'm not my brother." Hizumi adopted a pout to earn pity from the woman, but all he got was a quiet scoff.

"You should know better, Hizumi…you're his clone, and we both know it. So who do you think you're trying to pull one over on, hm?" Kiyotaka piped up as stood in the kitchen, making dinner.

The mint-haired boy suppressed a growl. "…Sh-shut up. Ok?" Quickly, he made his way to the front door and walked out. 'He doesn't have to remind me…damnit…stupid Kiyotaka….'

Kirie frowned and turned her head to stare at the handsome brunette. "Should I go after him?"

Kiyotaka shook his head lightly and chuckled. "He'll be fine. He just needs some time to clear his head, that's all." In truth, he didn't blame Hizumi for getting upset with him. He knew that the subject was one Hizumi would rather not talk about, but he also had to accept the truth, no matter how unpleasant it seemed. "He's just a boy. Give him a while…let him blow off some steam. Besides…" the brunette smiled. "I made his favorite for dinner tonight…he'll come back eventually."

Kirie sauntered over to the man and folded her arms across his chest. "You're only saying that because you don't want me to nurture the kid."

Kiyotaka held back a laugh. "No offense to you, Kirie, but if you "nurture" Hizumi any more than you have already, he'd end up dead. Maybe you should try being a bit more…sisterly." He suggested.

"I'm not his sister. I only look out for his ungrateful butt! And it's called tough love, thank you very much!" The Watcher argued.

"I'm afraid tough love isn't what Hizumi needs right now….try to understand…" Kiyotaka put a hand on the woman's shoulder to calm her down. "…He needs something…deeper. You know what that is, don't you?"

Kirie looked away, unable to make eye contact with the brunette any longer. "I know…I just…it can end in pain. Hizumi doesn't need any more of that right now, and…" she hesitated.

"Shhh….he won't let that happen. I know it." Kiyotaka whispered as he turned the stove off and wrapped his arms around the woman. "I know it…."

A/N: Damnit. I know it's not the best for an opening chapter, but bear with me, it'll get better soon. I'm not going to make any promises, because I know that my writing skills suffer greatly and are far inferior to lots of other, well-written fanfics out there, but I'll try my best. And if you liked this, review. If not, well…don't.