------------------------------
The day of the funeral was dark. Clouds covered the sky in an endless sheet of dark grey and black, making tangable that feeling of grief and pain that hovered over the hearts of those attending such a sad event. As if the heavens above were trying to consol the deceased's loved ones, rain started; the tears of the Angels. Thick, heavy drops that soaked into everything; it seemed as if the downpour would never stop.
Inside of the dark, lonely building, a young man stood by the window, his gaze cast out on the rain-soaked yard. He was a sad sight, with soft blonde hair that was soaked completely through, hanging around his shoulders and the black cloth that covered his slender form. Maybe it was the grief he felt that made him so pale, his dark eyes almost void of expression. But there was evidence of tears where red rimmed his eyelids. The loss, unfortunately, had yet to sink in fully.
Small fingers clenched tightly as they rested against the cold wood of the window sill, as if in an attempt to hold back anymore of the tears that threatened to fall. They had been temporarily banished, held in unshed, but they couldn't stay that way forever. However, in an act of defiance, a single droplet slid down his cheek.
With a shakey sigh, the boy moved to wipe it away, but paused as a glint caught his eye. What little bit of light that shed from the cold, dark world outside reflected off of the golden surface of a ring on his left ring finger. A simple band meant to show the bonding of two individuals, or that soon to come. He couldn't help but stare at it for a long moment before another tear raced from his eyes.
That ring was his engagement ring. Yoshi had given it to him one week ago, promising that they would always be together. They were supposed to be married in a month's time but Yoshi had bought a house, anyway. Neither cared what anyone thought of their relationship, or what anyone said. They didn't care if their families approved. They just wanted to be together.
Then, just two days ago, Hanasaki Yoshitsune had been killed. Away on a trip for business for his father's company, he had been shot. No one knew who the shooter was, or why Yoshi had been the target. He had died on the way to the hospital. His family had been called and told of it, and his brother had been sure to call Kota as soon as they heard the news. Unfortunately, Kota never got to see his fiance until the funeral that day.
The boy stared quietly at the ring for some time before his vision finally blurred, tears obstructing his view and streaming down his cheeks unchecked. Strength left him and he collapsed to his knees, sobs racking his small form as the grief finally took him full force. His whole body ached from despair and unspent emotions. It even hurt to breathe.
No one had actually been able to sleep very well for those two days after the news of Yoshi's death. But Kota had refused to attempt, forcing himself to stay awake in hopes that it was all just a mistake or mistunderstanding, and that Yoshi would show up at any time. But it never happened and the funeral confirmed that the person he cared for most was, indeed, gone from this world.
"Why did you have to leave?" Kota whispered as the tears slowly dwindled. Carefully, he turned to sit with his back against the wall beneath the window, his body trembling in response. Seeking comfort, he let his arms wrap around his shoulders, but it didn't seem to help. "Why did it have to be you?"
"Kota?" The boy's attention snapped up at the sound of the voice. Green eyes brightened at the sight before him, but then died once again as he realized his mistake. No, the man standing before him wasn't Yoshi; it was Yoshi's twin brother, Sasuke. The two had looked so much alike, it had always been hard to tell them apart. Tall and handsome, with beautiful black hair that cascaded down their shoulders and almost to the waist.
But they had their differences. Yoshi had always had a professional air and loved sports. It could be seen in his carefully toned muscles and dark skin. But Sasuke had always been rather rebellious, wearing tattered jeans and several peircings.
"Kota?" Sasuke repeated the name softly, kneeling before the younger male with concern in his eyes. "I'm sorry... about Yoshi. Is there anything I can do to help?" It had been hard on Sasuke as well, to lose his twin brother. They had been extremely close, despite their differences. But he didn't show his grief as everyone else did, and tried to help those around him that cared just as much about Yoshi had he had.
With a heavy sigh, Kota wiped at his face with the back of his sleeve. With a shake of his head, he let his gaze drop to the floor. "No, thank you... I'll... I'll be ok." His voice was weak but audible, and unlike times before, he couldn't force himself to smile through his pain.
"All right..." Sasuke carefully pushed himself to his feet once more. He remained there a moment, just watching, before he left the room. Kota listened to the fading footsteps until the silence fell once again. And then he was alone. Alone to suffer through the depth of his grief, and the empty feelings that seemed to take the place of the one thing he had cared about most.
Just seeing Sasuke had taken it's toll on the boy, though. It reminded him so much of Yoshi. Unable to avoid it any longer, he broke down in tears once more, left in that dark little room until he finally wore himself out. The darkness swallowed him up and he fell into a restless sleep filled with the shadows of death that haunt the mourning.
~TBC~
