The Tragedy- Who We Are Inside---Part 1
who we are inside
Christmas~
The shadow's of night started from the east, creeping over the city like a velvet blanket, entrapping the light in darkness. Leaning against what looked to be a door was a figure caught in a shade of white, a trench coat obviously, with a single emerald eye breaking the darkness. He tilted his head up to catch a single snowflake falling from the sky above. Subaru frowned as the snowflake melted into water on his palm. Had so much time truly passed? He wondered to himself if anyone else had noticed his disappearance. Almost six months now, and he had yet to speak to the others. The others like him, he once thought. But as time started to drift he realized he wasn't really anything like anyone else anymore. He wasn't really.. alive.
He closed his eyes and shivered softly in the winter's grasp, the wind penetrating his thin clothing. So much had probably happened. He wondered to himself if he was a coward for staying away from it all. Shaking his head, he shivered and leaned his head up to the sky, glancing at the golden glow of the moon. It was full. Stranger still, it was also Christmas night. He peered a little, wondering how often the moon rose to it's fullest on the night of Christmas Eve.
"Subaru?" a familiar voice whispered from the street. Subaru cocked his head over to face the street, amused by the sudden voice. "Kamui," he replied in an ever-so-slightly cynical tone. Since Seishirou's death, he had been all too eager to treat the boy with cruelty. It seemed unlike him, but he wanted to make Kamui suffer. He couldn't help it. He was in pain, and wanted the other to share it. They had a lot in common.
Sensing the defiance in Subaru's tone, Kamui turned his head down. He always knew when Subaru was hurting, they were friends afterall, and friends can usually tell this sort of thing. Subaru glared down at his boots. He knew he would soon become Kamui's enemy, and their friendship would end. He wasn't sure if Kamui could take anymore betrayal. Hell, he couldn't, afterall.
Subaru looked up at the younger man and cocked his head to the side, trying to decipher the blank expression on Kamui's face. He couldn't. He never was good at reading facial expressions, let alone Kamui's blank expression that seemed to scream out for someone to drive a fist into that twisted frown. Why must Kamui always frown? The thought pissed him off, so he turned his eyes away.
"Subaru... are you mad at me?" Kamui choked out, feeling very insignificant under Subaru's glare. Subaru blinked a few times then turned to face Kamui. Surprised at the look of sadness, he jerked his head quickly in response. "I don't think you should talk to me anymore, Kamui," he muttered, pulling himself from the wall. Kamui nearly choked on his own tongue, but didn't attempt to stop Subaru as he started away. How could he? Subaru was a lot older, and probably knew more about what he was talking about anyway. Despite this, Kamui still had the urge to ask why. But he didn't. He couldn't, the firmness in Subaru's voice was overtaking and left him thoughtless. Instead, he turned and started off the other direction.
Subaru, however, walked down the alley and to the building's more northern side, where he stopped to light a cigarette. How the hell could he be so cold, especially on Christmas? He glared at the snow beneath his booted feet. He couldn't help it, he knew he and Kamui were enemies. They were enemies the day he took that box from the Dragon of Earth's Kamui. He wanted to turn around and apologize, still. But he knew he couldn't---it was for the best.
After a few moments of silent agony and anger, Subaru started off again, head bowed as he twisted about the many sidewinding streets in a steady path, walking as if subconsciously. He knew where he was going better then he knew anything else. The place held a special place in his heart. A place no one or thing could fill. An emptiness better left that way. He was heading toward Ueno Park. The place of her death, and the place he met Seishirou. Two events that would undoubtably forever change him, be it for better or worse.
It wasn't a long walk, so naturally Subaru wasn't tired when he reached the largest tree in the park. He knew, of course, why it was the largest, so of course he was amused at all the on-lookers who were fascinated by it's ethereal beauty. At one time he would have wanted to warn them that one day they may be the source of the sakura's beautiful pink tint. No more, though. Now he simply stood and glared at them. He really was shaping up to be quite grumpy, but he couldn't help it. He had two personality choices---be grumpy, or be depressed. The latter made him wish for death, and he knew Hokuto would never forgive him if he fell that low. So grumpy it was.
After the crowd of awe-inspired onlookers headed off, Subaru slipped through the Sakura's limbs to it's trunk, looking up at it, almost in tears. He bit his lips in an attempt to hold back his tears but to no avail. He missed Seishirou, no doubt about that, but on Christmas the loneliness he felt was the most painful of all his feelings, and the most dominating. Perhaps that was why he had been so cold to Kamui. Again, another topic he wasn't sure he was ready to face. Everytime he thought about Kamui, he saw himself, even down to the death of Hokuto and Seishirou's betrayal. Of course, Fuuma was still alive, so Kamui still had something to live for. The thought angered him. He wanted Kamui to be alone, too. At least then he'd feel like he had someone to confide in.
Subaru blinked as a single, pink blossom fell from the highest branch in the tree to his shoulder. He turned his eyes to it, a bit confused by the sight of it. Why was it blossoming in the winter? He shrugged it off. This was, afterall, the Sakura Barrow. He shouldn't put anything past it. For some reason, he felt like he could hear it speaking to him. He blinked, and remembered what Fuuma had told him, "If you use it, you'll inherit all the powers of the Sakurazukamori.." He blinked again. So the tree could talk? But he hadn't used Seishirou's eye, yet anyway.
"You're still Seishirou's successor, Subaru," a familiar tone purred from near by. Subaru's eyes wandered to Fuuma's form, leaning against another tree near by. How ironic that both of them would visit him in one night. "Don't you have someone else's Christmas to be ruining?" Subaru responded in a rather rude tone. Fuuma smiled, "I'm ruining your Christmas? One would think it was already ruined, Subaru." Subaru looked away as if struck by lightning. He hated it when someone proved him wrong, especially now when nothing more about him seemed like it could be wrong. He was overly skinny, deathly pale, and was in need of serious counceling. Whats more, he knew all of this, and didn't even care. He didn't, he realized, care about much anymore. Afterall, everyone important to him was dead now. Dead because of him, he thought sadly. He had a strange habit of blaming himself for things, but this was something he knew he probably could have changed. If only time was able to be altered!
"Isn't it ironic?" Fuuma whispered, interupting Subaru's stream of thoughts. "Huh?" Subaru blinked, having been lost in his own thoughts for too long. Fuuma smiled. "Isn't it ironic, that the leader of the Sumeragi Clan, deadliest enemies with the Sakurazukamori, would eventually himself be the Sakurazukamori?" Fuuma's voice was rather amused, much to Subaru's discomfort. He hadn't thought about that. He was both now, and he couldn't change it. He suddenly felt like his stomach had been ripped out and thrown to dry in an african desert. Fuuma smiled at Subaru's look of sudden grief, and though he knew he didn't need to ask, he did, "What? Are you going to end the Sakurazukamori assassin organization with you? Or are you going to end the Sumeragi Clan? Tick-tock goes the clock, the choice is yours alone."
Subaru looked up and glared, obviously frustrated with Fuuma's mockery. He suddenly wanted to go apologize to Kamui, and hope he could make amends. But he didn't, and he didn't know why. He blinked a few times, having noticed Fuuma had walked off. Again, he blinked, not sure how to respond. After he saw that Fuuma walked off, he turned to the tree in thought again. "You're still Seishirou's successor.." his mind reminded him in a quick memory of Fuuma's words. "Isn't it ironic?" He felt his eyes start to narrow. Even though he didn't like it, Fuuma had been right. He had to chose what to do, be the Sumeragi Clan leader, or the Sakurazukamori, and the choice was not only an unfair one, but a hard one as well. He sighed. Why did his life have to start going into fuck-up mode on Christmas?
Almost instinctively he looked to his wrist, as he had recently started wearing a watch. The face of the watch read 2:13, and Subaru blinked. It was Christmas day. He looked up at the stars, barely visable between the sakura's outstreached limbs. The burning stars twinkled brightly and Subaru smiled somewhat. The stars always made him smile, for some reason. He couldn't help it, perhaps it was because when he was younger someone once told him when you die you go to the stars, and a lot of people he cared about were now dead. He lowered his head again, and walked off through the snow toward his apartment.
The alarm went off at 12:05pm. Subaru grunted in displeasure and glared at it. He definitely had to reset that damn thing sometime soon. Or turn it off completely. Sighing, he sat up and looked around his empty apartment. "Merry Christmas, Subaru," he whispered aloud to himself, as if to assure himself that it was Christmas. He hadn't realized how long he had slept, but it was nearly ten hours. He blinked a few times, then rubbed at his eyes. Yawning, he stood up and walked across the hard wood floor to the window. Tokyo was, as always, busy. Even on Christmas. He shivered, having only just realized he had forgotten to turn the heat on. Instinctively, he grabbed a blanket off his bed and wrapped it around his shoulders, then stalked off to the kitchen.
After a few minutes of staring randomly at the coffee pot, he sighed. How he wished he'd set the auto-turn on function. He fumbled around the cabnets for a few minutes before dumping hot chocolate powder into a cup, and water into a kettle, then he snaped on the stove. Then he headed back into the other room, throwing his blanket down and put on a warmer shirt, and turned on the heat. "It's so cold.." he muttered, glaring at the window. A few seconds later the kettle made a squealing noise, and Subaru slipped off into the kitchen quickly. He took the kettle off the stove and poured some water into the hot chocolate mix, and turned off the stove. Then he sat down the kettle, and stirred his hot chocolate. "What a lovely Christmas breakfast.." he thought to himself, sipping the hot chocolate slowly.
A knock at the door surprised Subaru, who walked to answer it still holding his hot chocolate. He blinked a few times, surprised to see Kamui and Yuzuriha who were both holding two large boxes. "From the others. The girls got you that," Kamui cocked his head to Yuzuriha to make his point, "and Seiichirou, Sorata and I got you this." Subaru blinked and moved, letting the two of them in without a word, but the look on his face seemed to say more then he could anyway. He was surprised. Kamui set his box on the floor while Yuzuriha put the one she was holding on Subaru's bed. "Er.. would you like some hot chocolate?" Subaru offered, trying to make conversation though desperately failing. Yuzuriha bounced up and smiled, "I'll get it! You look sick anyway," and with that, she hurried off to the kitchen.
"Subaru, are you alright?" Kamui inquired, blinking at Subaru's lost expression. Subaru turned to him, not really sure what to say, as he wasn't expecting to have company much less get anything for Christmas. He shook his head. "I feel bad, I didn't get you guys anything.." he started and Kamui laughed. "That's alright! We wanted to get you something. We were worried about you.. after.." Kamui paused, watching Subaru as if curious to see if he'd stop him, but instead he decided to end his sentance there. Subaru smiled slightly. "I'm alright now... and I'm not mad at you," he replied faintly. Kamui smiled a little, "I thought you might have been... you seemed upset," he offered, hoping to get an explanation but Subaru shook his head in reply. Then he smiled, and turned to Kamui. "Say, what are you all doing tonight?" he asked with genuine curiousity.
Just then, Yuzuriha had burst back in, carrying two cups of hot chocolate-----one for herself, and one for Kamui. Handing it to him, she smiled and replied, "Well, we're not really sure. We were thinking of all just staying inside, and watching Christmas movies." Kamui nodded in agreement with her. Subaru smiled, "Well.. may I come?" he asked, somewhat unsure. Kamui and Yuzuriha both nodded eagerly. "Of course you can! We'd love for you to come, Mr. Anti-Social!" Yuzuriha teased, smiling. Subaru smiled a little, "I'll bring food, too. Sorry Yuzuriha, no ice-cream," he grinned at her obviously fake pouting. Kamui stood up and shook his head, "We need to go, Yuzuriha. Sorata will be angry if we're not back for lunch. See ya, Subaru!" Subaru nodded, watching Kamui drag a squealing Yuzuriha out, who replied with, "Make sure to open your gifts, Subaru!"
Subaru smiled at the two as Kamui continued to drag Yuzuriha away, then he closed the door. "They got me gifts," he said aloud, again surprised. For a few moments he eyed the two large packages, wrapped in glimmering wrapping paper, wondering what they could be. Then he sat down and grabbed the red one, remembering this to be the one Kamui brought. He slowly tore the wrapping paper off, and blinked at the box. It was plain, and white. He blinked a few more times then opened it. After a few seconds, he burst out laughing.
Inside the box was a large, white trench coat. Subaru smiled at it, trying to calm his irresponsable giggles. He pulled the coat out and examined it, then blinked. It was obviously expensive, judging by the thickness, and the thought of the others buying him gifts made him frown. He didn't have anything for them, and it made him feel bad. But he intended to buy all their favorate foods---he was, afterall, from a very rich estate. His eyes wandered to the green package, and he snatched it from his side, and unwrapped it. Another box. He blinked a few times, genuinely curious as to what Karen, Arashi, and Yuzuriha had found for him.
After fumbling with the tape for a few minutes, which he confirmed was more then likely Karen's idea of a practical joke (it spelled out Subaru & Seishirou) he opened it. Inside was a photograph in a pewter frame in the shape of seven dragons. The photograph was one taken awhile back, but the day still lingered in Subaru's mind. He could still remember the way Sorata had to drag him and Kamui to their spots. The picture was of all the Dragons of Heaven, and the looks on their faces were ranging from terrified to pissed off. He smiled a little and put the picture on his table. Some of his fondest memories were spent with them. A shame it couldn't last forever, but then, nothing is forever.
Subaru smiled a little and stood up, grabbing his boots and slipping them on quickly. If he was going to order all the food he had better do it now. He tied the laces quickly and snatched his new trench coat off the bed. At least he could make use of it, after all, it was snowing outside. Then in a quick motion he slipped out the door and let it bounce shut, then locked it from the outside. He always forgot to lock the door, and usually he didn't mind that. But he didn't want anyone taking his new picture, and the frame had to be expensive. He glared down for a minute. He'd have to find something good to give to each of them, food would not suite after the effort they put into his gifts. It made him smile to think they cared so much, though. He hugged his coat around him for a minute then walked out of the apartment building.
Luckily the streets and resturants weren't that packed, so Subaru made it in and out of each place rather quickly. He looked at his watch, which read 2:21 across the face. He had aproximately one hour and thirty minutes to buy gifts for everyone, then he had to get to the Diet Building, so he'd be there before the food arrived. He wanted to get at least some of it, and if he didn't arrive early he'd be left with only crumbs. He was also trying to feed Sorata's hyper self, after all.
Subaru walked down the snow-covered street slowly, head bowed in thought, twirling the straw of his hot cocoa (which he purchased at his last stop) in thought. "Enjoying it while it lasts?" a voice replied from near by. Subaru felt his face shift into a scowl as he turned to Fuuma, who was sitting on a bench near by. "Are you stalking me?" Subaru hissed accusingly, sipping some of his cocoa again. Fuuma smiled, "How cheerful of you on Christmas. You act like it's my fault that the one you love is dead!" Fuuma purred in response, smiling at Subaru's obvious annoyance. He always liked getting Kamui riled up, and Subaru and Kamui had a lot in common. Glaring, Subaru walked past him without another word. "So adorable, especially when angry.. just like Kamui," Fuuma smiled a little while Subaru continued walking, playing 'ignore it, and it will go away'.
After shopping for a while, Subaru looked at his watch. It was already 4:37 and he had just finished. Looking shocked, he ran down the street carrying several large bags from random stores. Luckily he had had the packages wrapped when he bought them, or else he'd be in a whole lot of trouble right now. He was running so fast that he didn't even notice Fuuma as he passed him the second time, while Fuuma looked like a hurricane had run him over.
The Diet Building wasn't that far from Subaru's location so he made it at around 5. Luckily enough, too, because the food he ordered was being delivered to arrivate at 5:15. He sighed, panting a bit from loss of breath, and blinked at the twelve eyes all peering at him. He looked a little confused. "What?" he asked curiously, but no one replied for a few minutes. Then Sorata, feeling bold, replied, "I don't think any of us have seen you move that fast, Subaru, and that's saying something since you usually move pretty fast." The others all nodded in agreement, while Subaru arched an eyebrow, "Well.. I was in a hurry," he replied softly, handing each person a gift and sighed. "Thanks, too.." he started but Yuzuriha cut him off. "Nope, no thanking us, Subaru! I told you, we WANTED to get you something." She had made sure to emphasize the wanted part, and Subaru smiled a little. "Don't open those until I leave," he replied. Yuzuriha looked like she was about to protest, but Subaru shook his head and grinned.
A knock on the door stopped the bickering amongst the people, and it took both Sorata and Seiichirou to carry in all the things Subaru ordered. Karen blinked a couple times then turned to Subaru, "Made of money, huh?" she whispered. Kamui couldn't surpress his startled glance, while Yuzuriha also whispered, "You weren't lying when you said you'd order the food.." Subaru plopped down and grabbed something off Seiichirou's hands. "Yea, well.. I'm the master of a wealthy estate, remember?" he reminded them, shoving a round object into his mouth. Kamui snatched one and took a small bite out of it, feeling very, very small. "You look like you haven't eaten for weeks!" he whispered, eyeing Subaru, who swallowed then smiled. "So do you," he replied softly.
The group spent a few hours talking amongst one another, and eating, each with their own Christmas stories to tell, and all seemed all too happy to hear, while Subaru and Kamui seemed more introverted with their stories, and had to be pushed into telling by someone else, begging and pleading. After awhile, Subaru looked to his watch and frowned, "I need to get going, I have a job tomorrow. It's been fun, though.. Merry Christmas," he whispered, and hurried about before anyone could protest to him leaving. Kamui blinked a few times. "Bye.." he whispered, almost sadly. He hadn't had a very good Christmas in awhile, and Subaru being happy made it more joyous. He knew how hard it had to be for Subaru to be happy anymore, so he smiled gratefully at the crumbs on the floor infront of him.
Christmas~
The shadow's of night started from the east, creeping over the city like a velvet blanket, entrapping the light in darkness. Leaning against what looked to be a door was a figure caught in a shade of white, a trench coat obviously, with a single emerald eye breaking the darkness. He tilted his head up to catch a single snowflake falling from the sky above. Subaru frowned as the snowflake melted into water on his palm. Had so much time truly passed? He wondered to himself if anyone else had noticed his disappearance. Almost six months now, and he had yet to speak to the others. The others like him, he once thought. But as time started to drift he realized he wasn't really anything like anyone else anymore. He wasn't really.. alive.
He closed his eyes and shivered softly in the winter's grasp, the wind penetrating his thin clothing. So much had probably happened. He wondered to himself if he was a coward for staying away from it all. Shaking his head, he shivered and leaned his head up to the sky, glancing at the golden glow of the moon. It was full. Stranger still, it was also Christmas night. He peered a little, wondering how often the moon rose to it's fullest on the night of Christmas Eve.
"Subaru?" a familiar voice whispered from the street. Subaru cocked his head over to face the street, amused by the sudden voice. "Kamui," he replied in an ever-so-slightly cynical tone. Since Seishirou's death, he had been all too eager to treat the boy with cruelty. It seemed unlike him, but he wanted to make Kamui suffer. He couldn't help it. He was in pain, and wanted the other to share it. They had a lot in common.
Sensing the defiance in Subaru's tone, Kamui turned his head down. He always knew when Subaru was hurting, they were friends afterall, and friends can usually tell this sort of thing. Subaru glared down at his boots. He knew he would soon become Kamui's enemy, and their friendship would end. He wasn't sure if Kamui could take anymore betrayal. Hell, he couldn't, afterall.
Subaru looked up at the younger man and cocked his head to the side, trying to decipher the blank expression on Kamui's face. He couldn't. He never was good at reading facial expressions, let alone Kamui's blank expression that seemed to scream out for someone to drive a fist into that twisted frown. Why must Kamui always frown? The thought pissed him off, so he turned his eyes away.
"Subaru... are you mad at me?" Kamui choked out, feeling very insignificant under Subaru's glare. Subaru blinked a few times then turned to face Kamui. Surprised at the look of sadness, he jerked his head quickly in response. "I don't think you should talk to me anymore, Kamui," he muttered, pulling himself from the wall. Kamui nearly choked on his own tongue, but didn't attempt to stop Subaru as he started away. How could he? Subaru was a lot older, and probably knew more about what he was talking about anyway. Despite this, Kamui still had the urge to ask why. But he didn't. He couldn't, the firmness in Subaru's voice was overtaking and left him thoughtless. Instead, he turned and started off the other direction.
Subaru, however, walked down the alley and to the building's more northern side, where he stopped to light a cigarette. How the hell could he be so cold, especially on Christmas? He glared at the snow beneath his booted feet. He couldn't help it, he knew he and Kamui were enemies. They were enemies the day he took that box from the Dragon of Earth's Kamui. He wanted to turn around and apologize, still. But he knew he couldn't---it was for the best.
After a few moments of silent agony and anger, Subaru started off again, head bowed as he twisted about the many sidewinding streets in a steady path, walking as if subconsciously. He knew where he was going better then he knew anything else. The place held a special place in his heart. A place no one or thing could fill. An emptiness better left that way. He was heading toward Ueno Park. The place of her death, and the place he met Seishirou. Two events that would undoubtably forever change him, be it for better or worse.
It wasn't a long walk, so naturally Subaru wasn't tired when he reached the largest tree in the park. He knew, of course, why it was the largest, so of course he was amused at all the on-lookers who were fascinated by it's ethereal beauty. At one time he would have wanted to warn them that one day they may be the source of the sakura's beautiful pink tint. No more, though. Now he simply stood and glared at them. He really was shaping up to be quite grumpy, but he couldn't help it. He had two personality choices---be grumpy, or be depressed. The latter made him wish for death, and he knew Hokuto would never forgive him if he fell that low. So grumpy it was.
After the crowd of awe-inspired onlookers headed off, Subaru slipped through the Sakura's limbs to it's trunk, looking up at it, almost in tears. He bit his lips in an attempt to hold back his tears but to no avail. He missed Seishirou, no doubt about that, but on Christmas the loneliness he felt was the most painful of all his feelings, and the most dominating. Perhaps that was why he had been so cold to Kamui. Again, another topic he wasn't sure he was ready to face. Everytime he thought about Kamui, he saw himself, even down to the death of Hokuto and Seishirou's betrayal. Of course, Fuuma was still alive, so Kamui still had something to live for. The thought angered him. He wanted Kamui to be alone, too. At least then he'd feel like he had someone to confide in.
Subaru blinked as a single, pink blossom fell from the highest branch in the tree to his shoulder. He turned his eyes to it, a bit confused by the sight of it. Why was it blossoming in the winter? He shrugged it off. This was, afterall, the Sakura Barrow. He shouldn't put anything past it. For some reason, he felt like he could hear it speaking to him. He blinked, and remembered what Fuuma had told him, "If you use it, you'll inherit all the powers of the Sakurazukamori.." He blinked again. So the tree could talk? But he hadn't used Seishirou's eye, yet anyway.
"You're still Seishirou's successor, Subaru," a familiar tone purred from near by. Subaru's eyes wandered to Fuuma's form, leaning against another tree near by. How ironic that both of them would visit him in one night. "Don't you have someone else's Christmas to be ruining?" Subaru responded in a rather rude tone. Fuuma smiled, "I'm ruining your Christmas? One would think it was already ruined, Subaru." Subaru looked away as if struck by lightning. He hated it when someone proved him wrong, especially now when nothing more about him seemed like it could be wrong. He was overly skinny, deathly pale, and was in need of serious counceling. Whats more, he knew all of this, and didn't even care. He didn't, he realized, care about much anymore. Afterall, everyone important to him was dead now. Dead because of him, he thought sadly. He had a strange habit of blaming himself for things, but this was something he knew he probably could have changed. If only time was able to be altered!
"Isn't it ironic?" Fuuma whispered, interupting Subaru's stream of thoughts. "Huh?" Subaru blinked, having been lost in his own thoughts for too long. Fuuma smiled. "Isn't it ironic, that the leader of the Sumeragi Clan, deadliest enemies with the Sakurazukamori, would eventually himself be the Sakurazukamori?" Fuuma's voice was rather amused, much to Subaru's discomfort. He hadn't thought about that. He was both now, and he couldn't change it. He suddenly felt like his stomach had been ripped out and thrown to dry in an african desert. Fuuma smiled at Subaru's look of sudden grief, and though he knew he didn't need to ask, he did, "What? Are you going to end the Sakurazukamori assassin organization with you? Or are you going to end the Sumeragi Clan? Tick-tock goes the clock, the choice is yours alone."
Subaru looked up and glared, obviously frustrated with Fuuma's mockery. He suddenly wanted to go apologize to Kamui, and hope he could make amends. But he didn't, and he didn't know why. He blinked a few times, having noticed Fuuma had walked off. Again, he blinked, not sure how to respond. After he saw that Fuuma walked off, he turned to the tree in thought again. "You're still Seishirou's successor.." his mind reminded him in a quick memory of Fuuma's words. "Isn't it ironic?" He felt his eyes start to narrow. Even though he didn't like it, Fuuma had been right. He had to chose what to do, be the Sumeragi Clan leader, or the Sakurazukamori, and the choice was not only an unfair one, but a hard one as well. He sighed. Why did his life have to start going into fuck-up mode on Christmas?
Almost instinctively he looked to his wrist, as he had recently started wearing a watch. The face of the watch read 2:13, and Subaru blinked. It was Christmas day. He looked up at the stars, barely visable between the sakura's outstreached limbs. The burning stars twinkled brightly and Subaru smiled somewhat. The stars always made him smile, for some reason. He couldn't help it, perhaps it was because when he was younger someone once told him when you die you go to the stars, and a lot of people he cared about were now dead. He lowered his head again, and walked off through the snow toward his apartment.
The alarm went off at 12:05pm. Subaru grunted in displeasure and glared at it. He definitely had to reset that damn thing sometime soon. Or turn it off completely. Sighing, he sat up and looked around his empty apartment. "Merry Christmas, Subaru," he whispered aloud to himself, as if to assure himself that it was Christmas. He hadn't realized how long he had slept, but it was nearly ten hours. He blinked a few times, then rubbed at his eyes. Yawning, he stood up and walked across the hard wood floor to the window. Tokyo was, as always, busy. Even on Christmas. He shivered, having only just realized he had forgotten to turn the heat on. Instinctively, he grabbed a blanket off his bed and wrapped it around his shoulders, then stalked off to the kitchen.
After a few minutes of staring randomly at the coffee pot, he sighed. How he wished he'd set the auto-turn on function. He fumbled around the cabnets for a few minutes before dumping hot chocolate powder into a cup, and water into a kettle, then he snaped on the stove. Then he headed back into the other room, throwing his blanket down and put on a warmer shirt, and turned on the heat. "It's so cold.." he muttered, glaring at the window. A few seconds later the kettle made a squealing noise, and Subaru slipped off into the kitchen quickly. He took the kettle off the stove and poured some water into the hot chocolate mix, and turned off the stove. Then he sat down the kettle, and stirred his hot chocolate. "What a lovely Christmas breakfast.." he thought to himself, sipping the hot chocolate slowly.
A knock at the door surprised Subaru, who walked to answer it still holding his hot chocolate. He blinked a few times, surprised to see Kamui and Yuzuriha who were both holding two large boxes. "From the others. The girls got you that," Kamui cocked his head to Yuzuriha to make his point, "and Seiichirou, Sorata and I got you this." Subaru blinked and moved, letting the two of them in without a word, but the look on his face seemed to say more then he could anyway. He was surprised. Kamui set his box on the floor while Yuzuriha put the one she was holding on Subaru's bed. "Er.. would you like some hot chocolate?" Subaru offered, trying to make conversation though desperately failing. Yuzuriha bounced up and smiled, "I'll get it! You look sick anyway," and with that, she hurried off to the kitchen.
"Subaru, are you alright?" Kamui inquired, blinking at Subaru's lost expression. Subaru turned to him, not really sure what to say, as he wasn't expecting to have company much less get anything for Christmas. He shook his head. "I feel bad, I didn't get you guys anything.." he started and Kamui laughed. "That's alright! We wanted to get you something. We were worried about you.. after.." Kamui paused, watching Subaru as if curious to see if he'd stop him, but instead he decided to end his sentance there. Subaru smiled slightly. "I'm alright now... and I'm not mad at you," he replied faintly. Kamui smiled a little, "I thought you might have been... you seemed upset," he offered, hoping to get an explanation but Subaru shook his head in reply. Then he smiled, and turned to Kamui. "Say, what are you all doing tonight?" he asked with genuine curiousity.
Just then, Yuzuriha had burst back in, carrying two cups of hot chocolate-----one for herself, and one for Kamui. Handing it to him, she smiled and replied, "Well, we're not really sure. We were thinking of all just staying inside, and watching Christmas movies." Kamui nodded in agreement with her. Subaru smiled, "Well.. may I come?" he asked, somewhat unsure. Kamui and Yuzuriha both nodded eagerly. "Of course you can! We'd love for you to come, Mr. Anti-Social!" Yuzuriha teased, smiling. Subaru smiled a little, "I'll bring food, too. Sorry Yuzuriha, no ice-cream," he grinned at her obviously fake pouting. Kamui stood up and shook his head, "We need to go, Yuzuriha. Sorata will be angry if we're not back for lunch. See ya, Subaru!" Subaru nodded, watching Kamui drag a squealing Yuzuriha out, who replied with, "Make sure to open your gifts, Subaru!"
Subaru smiled at the two as Kamui continued to drag Yuzuriha away, then he closed the door. "They got me gifts," he said aloud, again surprised. For a few moments he eyed the two large packages, wrapped in glimmering wrapping paper, wondering what they could be. Then he sat down and grabbed the red one, remembering this to be the one Kamui brought. He slowly tore the wrapping paper off, and blinked at the box. It was plain, and white. He blinked a few more times then opened it. After a few seconds, he burst out laughing.
Inside the box was a large, white trench coat. Subaru smiled at it, trying to calm his irresponsable giggles. He pulled the coat out and examined it, then blinked. It was obviously expensive, judging by the thickness, and the thought of the others buying him gifts made him frown. He didn't have anything for them, and it made him feel bad. But he intended to buy all their favorate foods---he was, afterall, from a very rich estate. His eyes wandered to the green package, and he snatched it from his side, and unwrapped it. Another box. He blinked a few times, genuinely curious as to what Karen, Arashi, and Yuzuriha had found for him.
After fumbling with the tape for a few minutes, which he confirmed was more then likely Karen's idea of a practical joke (it spelled out Subaru & Seishirou) he opened it. Inside was a photograph in a pewter frame in the shape of seven dragons. The photograph was one taken awhile back, but the day still lingered in Subaru's mind. He could still remember the way Sorata had to drag him and Kamui to their spots. The picture was of all the Dragons of Heaven, and the looks on their faces were ranging from terrified to pissed off. He smiled a little and put the picture on his table. Some of his fondest memories were spent with them. A shame it couldn't last forever, but then, nothing is forever.
Subaru smiled a little and stood up, grabbing his boots and slipping them on quickly. If he was going to order all the food he had better do it now. He tied the laces quickly and snatched his new trench coat off the bed. At least he could make use of it, after all, it was snowing outside. Then in a quick motion he slipped out the door and let it bounce shut, then locked it from the outside. He always forgot to lock the door, and usually he didn't mind that. But he didn't want anyone taking his new picture, and the frame had to be expensive. He glared down for a minute. He'd have to find something good to give to each of them, food would not suite after the effort they put into his gifts. It made him smile to think they cared so much, though. He hugged his coat around him for a minute then walked out of the apartment building.
Luckily the streets and resturants weren't that packed, so Subaru made it in and out of each place rather quickly. He looked at his watch, which read 2:21 across the face. He had aproximately one hour and thirty minutes to buy gifts for everyone, then he had to get to the Diet Building, so he'd be there before the food arrived. He wanted to get at least some of it, and if he didn't arrive early he'd be left with only crumbs. He was also trying to feed Sorata's hyper self, after all.
Subaru walked down the snow-covered street slowly, head bowed in thought, twirling the straw of his hot cocoa (which he purchased at his last stop) in thought. "Enjoying it while it lasts?" a voice replied from near by. Subaru felt his face shift into a scowl as he turned to Fuuma, who was sitting on a bench near by. "Are you stalking me?" Subaru hissed accusingly, sipping some of his cocoa again. Fuuma smiled, "How cheerful of you on Christmas. You act like it's my fault that the one you love is dead!" Fuuma purred in response, smiling at Subaru's obvious annoyance. He always liked getting Kamui riled up, and Subaru and Kamui had a lot in common. Glaring, Subaru walked past him without another word. "So adorable, especially when angry.. just like Kamui," Fuuma smiled a little while Subaru continued walking, playing 'ignore it, and it will go away'.
After shopping for a while, Subaru looked at his watch. It was already 4:37 and he had just finished. Looking shocked, he ran down the street carrying several large bags from random stores. Luckily he had had the packages wrapped when he bought them, or else he'd be in a whole lot of trouble right now. He was running so fast that he didn't even notice Fuuma as he passed him the second time, while Fuuma looked like a hurricane had run him over.
The Diet Building wasn't that far from Subaru's location so he made it at around 5. Luckily enough, too, because the food he ordered was being delivered to arrivate at 5:15. He sighed, panting a bit from loss of breath, and blinked at the twelve eyes all peering at him. He looked a little confused. "What?" he asked curiously, but no one replied for a few minutes. Then Sorata, feeling bold, replied, "I don't think any of us have seen you move that fast, Subaru, and that's saying something since you usually move pretty fast." The others all nodded in agreement, while Subaru arched an eyebrow, "Well.. I was in a hurry," he replied softly, handing each person a gift and sighed. "Thanks, too.." he started but Yuzuriha cut him off. "Nope, no thanking us, Subaru! I told you, we WANTED to get you something." She had made sure to emphasize the wanted part, and Subaru smiled a little. "Don't open those until I leave," he replied. Yuzuriha looked like she was about to protest, but Subaru shook his head and grinned.
A knock on the door stopped the bickering amongst the people, and it took both Sorata and Seiichirou to carry in all the things Subaru ordered. Karen blinked a couple times then turned to Subaru, "Made of money, huh?" she whispered. Kamui couldn't surpress his startled glance, while Yuzuriha also whispered, "You weren't lying when you said you'd order the food.." Subaru plopped down and grabbed something off Seiichirou's hands. "Yea, well.. I'm the master of a wealthy estate, remember?" he reminded them, shoving a round object into his mouth. Kamui snatched one and took a small bite out of it, feeling very, very small. "You look like you haven't eaten for weeks!" he whispered, eyeing Subaru, who swallowed then smiled. "So do you," he replied softly.
The group spent a few hours talking amongst one another, and eating, each with their own Christmas stories to tell, and all seemed all too happy to hear, while Subaru and Kamui seemed more introverted with their stories, and had to be pushed into telling by someone else, begging and pleading. After awhile, Subaru looked to his watch and frowned, "I need to get going, I have a job tomorrow. It's been fun, though.. Merry Christmas," he whispered, and hurried about before anyone could protest to him leaving. Kamui blinked a few times. "Bye.." he whispered, almost sadly. He hadn't had a very good Christmas in awhile, and Subaru being happy made it more joyous. He knew how hard it had to be for Subaru to be happy anymore, so he smiled gratefully at the crumbs on the floor infront of him.