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When in doubt, do what I do - blame Lyssie-chan. I wrote this because she drew that cute pic of six-seven year old Hideo =^-^=
Today was supposed to be a special day.
So why did everything turn out so horribly?
They promised.. they all said they would come, they promised...they promised..
So why.. why aren't they here..?
I guess they just hate me..
I'm crying again... I was so happy to think that they actually did care, that I actually had friends, they all smiled and accepted my invitations... this just isn't fair!
Why..why didn't they come to my birthday...?
Minako sighed, looking in on her son who had buried his head in his arms, refusing to look up, just staring at the smooth surface of the dining room table.
The table where ten places had been set, five on each side, one place each for every other little boy who had promised to come to his sixth birthday party. Each place, complete with treat bag, which remained barren.
Minako shook her head sadly when he had gotten up to stare out the front window again. Seeing no one approaching, he returned to the table, burying his head in his arms again.
"Poor little guy.."
She turned her head to face her husband, nodly sadly. "I don't understand why they would do this.. I was told Iori was getting along just fine at school..."
"As far as not being bullied or teased goes..." her husband returned, pulling her into his arms, trying to comfort her with his gentle breath in her ear.
"Poor Iori.." Minako sniffed, battling off the tears which threatened to spill from her eyes. "Nobody deserves this..."
"Ah.. nobody deserves anything bad that happens to them usually, my dear, however it happens anyways..." he returned.
Minako chuckled bitterly, nodding. "I hate you when you're right, Kobushi."
"I'd say it to him....it's just I'm not sure how to comfort him.. but I tell you one thing, if I ever lay my hands on the parents of this little brats he calls friends there's going to be trouble, police ethic or not."
Minako giggled. "I thought mothers were supposed to be overprotective of their children?"
"A father can have his day.." Kobushi grinned, pulling her closer to him, stealing a quick kiss.
"But what should we do..." She lamented again, her gaze returning to Iori.
The little boy had his head on his arms, staring blankly at the table he was sitting at.
They were late.
He sighed sadly, closing his eyes.
That's all. They're just late.
There were treat bags in front of each of the plates, and on each plate was a spotted party hat, each one being a different colour. After all, he and his guests had to have the very best birthday party.
Who am I kidding, they're not coming.. they're tricked me into thinking that we were actually friends! They must hate me..
His parents had promised to give him his birthday gift once all the other kids had given him theirs. Obviously that wait was no longer necessary.
He closed his eyes, a few tears slipping down his cheeks. 'I don't really want to cry anymore... I just want to have a happy birthday..'
'It's still my birthday, I can still do something...' However, ideas as what to do instead of having his really cool birthday party..
How about you go to the park?
Iori blinked, opening his eyes and looking up, found his gaze to fall upon a blue-haired woman.
Who, he knew, his parents could not see, because she was not really supposed to be there.
However, after futile attempts of trying to make her go away, or any other invisible visitor usually failed, he had given up and was learning to deal with the visits.
After all, it was usually the blue-haired woman or the brown-haired man, both of whom were always very kind to him.
"Doushite..?" he whispered his reply, being careful to make sure his parents did not hear him.
It's a lovely day out..
"Ah.." Iori replied again, getting up from the table and walking over to the front window, making it look like he was watching for the guests again. "So you're right.."
And maybe you'll meet a special person...
"Nani..?" He whispered, turning to face her.
However, the blue-haired woman merely kissed his forehead before she vanished again. Go, you'll have fun.
Nodding, he turned to his parents. "Ne, tou-san, kaa-san?"
The parents, having been snuggling and trying to figure out a way to cheer Iori up, jumped when they were adressed by him so suddenly. "H-hai?"
"Can we go to the park..?"
"Of course, obocchan.." Minako blinked, pulling away from Kobushi. "I'll go get our jackets.."
Kobushi kneeled down by his son, which almost felt like looking into a miniature mirror. "You perked up all of a sudden... why do you want to the park?"
Iori smiled. "Because it's a nice day out."
'Because Obasan said I should.'
After having retrieved their jackets and locking the house up tight, the Hida family had happily set off for the park, with their little boy in the lead and them trailing behind him, feeling very confused.
However, when they saw Iori occasionally giggle or smile, then start talking to someone who was not their, they assumed that, in his loneliness, he had created a friend to cheer himself up.
Nothing wrong with that, he was only six after all.
Which, little did they realize, was exactly what he was giggling over - his obasan was making fun of how his parents were just not able to see the obvious.
After a long and confusing walk, they had reached the entrance to the park.
Having no idea of the fated meeting meant to transpire there.
Walking in and looking around for a few minutes, Iori's eyes instantly lighted up and he ran off suddenly, much to the dismay of his parents.
"Iori! Come back here! Iori!!"
Once again, the blind eyes of the parent towards that thin line between reality and fantasy was what ailed them, what prevented them from understanding their son's behaviour.
For little did they know, he was chasing an angel feather.
The little blurr of light had gone by so fast, and before he had had the chance to realize what it was, it had floated away from him.
Giving no thought to his parents, he had taken after it.
So now here he was, chasing after a little blurr of white light in the shape of a feather.
Where had it come from, anyhow?
Any scientist would of passed it off as an illusion of light, a doctor a trick of the mind, and any religious person perhaps as a sign.
However to little Hida Iori, who had been given a gift that no one could see, he knew the light to be nothing less than an angel feather.
Now here he was, chasing it, beckoning him just like a child.
Can't catch me!
Sure I can!
After passing a few bushes and narrowly avoiding running into some trees, he had no idea that the feather was leading him towards something.
Someone.
However, little boys were normally concerned with having fun, not with finding significant others. Rather, they were primarily concerned with having fun and friends.
After all, friends and fun have a tendency to go hand in hand.
However another person was the farthest thing from Iori's mind as he ran after the feather, wondering where it was going, wondering if it would lead him to heaven.
The feather disappeared then, and Iori realized that he had arrived at a clearing.
"Shoot!"
The sound of something clattering against the sidewalk was heard.
"Oh rats not again!"
Iori turned his head towards the source of the voice.
There, on nearby pavement, was another little boy with grey hair, leaning over a skateboard, glaring at it through misty yellow eyes.
Little did Iori realize it, however he had been right - the mysterious angel feather had lead him to heaven.
"Stupid thing.. why..why won't it work.." the little boy sniffed, a few tears slipping down his cheeks. He wiped at them suddenly, gritting his teeth and kicking the skateboard. "Stupid..stupid thing.. and that's why I shouldn't cry over it. Otou-san.. Otou-san wouldn't want to see me cry over a stupid skateboard!"
Iori blinked, merely watching the boy cry for a minute, deciding not to make his presence known just yet.
'Weird..never seen grey hair and yellow eyes before..'
Sniffling for a few more minutes, the grey-haired little boy finally turned the skateboard rightside up, carefully placing his one foot on it, and the other on the ground. He started to accelerate himself with the foot that was touching the ground, picked up speed, and now all he had to do was place both feet on the board.
Which was easier said than done.
He went flying again, he into the grass and his board into the pavement.
Sniffling, picking himself up again, he retrieved his board and flipped it over right-side up. "When at first you don't succeed...try, try again..that's what Otou-san always said.."
So he tried, again, to use the skateboard properly.
And he went flying, again, after his attempt.
So he got up, again, and tried, again.
And went flying, again.
All while Iori just watched, fascinated by the other boy and his attempts to operate his skateboard properly.
Until yellow eyes finally looked up and met emerald green. "Hey.. what are you looking at?"
Iori blinked, staring at the boy, not responding.
"Hey, did you here me? What are you staring at..?" the grey haired boy asked again, sniffling, his bright yellow eyes sobered by misty tears.
Calmly nodding his head slightly, Iori walked forward, retrieving the skateboard and placing it right side up - and then extending a hand towards the other boy. "Ne, daijobu."
The little boy blinked, staring up at the green-eyed weirdo. "Nani..?"
"You just have to keep trying, you'll get the hang of it, don't worry." Iori smiled a little.
'Otou-san said the same thing..'The grey haired boy blinked, grasping the offered hand with his own and getting up, dusting himself off. "You think so?"
"Sure! Why not?"
"Hmm..." he eyed the skateboard skeptically, shaking his head. "I've been praciticing for months and I haven't got it.."
"Then maybe I can help! I can hold you up while you learn to balance yourself."
"Really? Wow, thanks! Hey.. who are you anyways?"
"Oh!" Iori smiled and offered his hand again. "I'm Hida Iori!"
The grey haired boy looked the other up and down for a minute, not sure what to make of the stranger who had been spying on him and now was offering to help. Nevertheless, he took the hand into his own, shaking it. "I'm Mishima Hideo.."
"Nice to meet you!" Iori replied brightly, still smiling, his green eyes seeming to sparkle with joy.
'Over me?' Hideo wondered, his eyebrow still raised at the other.
"Ne, let's get started then!"
He just came up out of nowhere, watched me and now he's trying to help me learn how to ride..
It was a little weird how he was just staring at me.. but oh well, I guess I could use the help..
Mishima Hideo was still trying to get used to the feel of not only having both feet steady on the skateboard.. but also to the feel of too small hands on his hips, holding him up.
Iori's plan had been that Hideo get up on the skateboard and learn his balance, he would hold him steady and catch him if he falled.
The only thing was, Hideo suddenly felt like throwing himself off the skateboard again - purposefully - just to see if Iori would actually catch him.
Now why he thought like that he was unsure..
However the feeling of being held up by the other boy certainly was comforting, even if the other boy was a stranger..
Now all he had to do was learn how to skateboard since he had the help of the other.
Which was easier said than done.
Because now he had to fight the urge to prolong the help as much as possible so that the other boy would stay with him.
Hideo had no honest clue as to why he would want Iori's company so bad, some part of him thinking that he was lonelier than he realized, and another thinking how cute the other little boy was..
Strange thoughts for a seven year old, however at such a young age it is easy to become confused and go astray from the regular path of a human child.
Then again, such straying was always encouraged, in the sense of "be yourself", right up until your someone that is not approved of.
"Che!!" Hideo cried as he his footing suddenly and fell of the skateboard..
Only to land into Iori's arms, who struggled for a minute, until he too fell back onto the grass.
"Ne, I told you I'd catch you!" Iori said brightly, smiling, his arms still around Hideo.
"Hai hai..." Hideo sighed, shaking his head, ready to quit again.
"Ne, daijobu..?" Iori asked, concern showing in his emerald green eyes.
"It's just.." Hideo sniffed again, glaring at the skateboard. "The harder I try, the harder I fall on my butt..." a few tears slipped down his young cheeks. "And I just hate it!"
"Ne..ne..." Iori said softly, reaching a hand up to gently rub away Hideo's tears. "Ne...you'll get the hang of it, it's alright, don't cry.."
Hideo blushed when he felt the touch, however he did not pull away from it. "You really believe that, don't you?"
"Hai, I do." Iori smiled. "Ne I bet if you try again you'll pull it off!" Having said that, Iori got up and walked over to where the skateboard up, picking it up and then handing it to Hideo. "So why not?"
"I guess I can try again.. will you hold me up again..?"
"I don't think you need me anymore.."
"N-nani?" Hideo blinked, sounding surprised. "What are you talking about? I was never able to get both my feet on the board until you came along and helped me!"
"I think you can do it on your own now.."
"A..alright.." Hideo replied, turning his nervous gaze over to the skateboard. "I guess I could try again.." Frustrated and shaking with nervousness, and burning with a desire to just go home, Hideo carefully stepped on the skateboard.
With one foot mounted and the other on the ground, he slowly began to accelerate himself on the skateboard, going faster and faster until he eventually lifted his foot off the ground..
And started to glide around on the skateboard as though he were riding thin air.
"Hey, I'm doing it!"
Iori smiled at him.
Arigato, Iori-kun.
"Dou itashimate.." Iori whispered, his eyes never leaving the happy Hideo.
"WOOHOO!!!! Look at me, I'm skateboarding!"
He giggled at his enthusiasm.
"I wonder what otou-san would think...?"
The world of you, like I always have.
"He would probably think the world of you, Hideo-kun!" Iori called, giggling at the broad grin on his face and the starry expression in his eyes.
After a few minutes of revelling in his accomplishment, Hideo nearly fell off the skateboard when he heard a famiallar voice call him.
"Hideo! Obocchan! Time to go!"
"CHEE!" Hideo cried again, barely being able to stop himself from flying into a tree. "Aww man... that's okaa-san.."
"Iori! OBOCCHAN! Where are you? It's time for dinner, obocchan!"
"Mine too..." Iori sighed, shaking his head. "That's no fair, I was having so much fun too.."
"Hontou..?" Hideo blinked, staring at the other boy. 'He's been helping me out and everything, how much fun could he of had? I know I had fun but still..'
"Hai." Iori smiled again, his expression seeming to contradict his serious green eyes. "I did, it was really nice meeting you, Hideo-kun."
"Oh....domo.." Hideo found himself blushing again, this time not minding showing his red cheeks to Iori. "It was nice meeting you too Iori-cha - kun!" He clasped his hands over his mouth. 'Why the heck was I about to call him Iori-chan? He's another boy! And we just met!'
Iori only giggled again in response.
"Obocchan!"
Iori sighed, shaking his head. "I guess I won't see you again..." 'Maybe I didn't celebrate my birthday.. but I did get to meet Hideo...'
"....." Hideo's expression sobered, his eyes trailing along the ground. 'Ne.. guess he's right...or maybe..' "Ne, let's make a promise!"
"A promise..?"
"Hai!" Hideo stuck out his hand. "Let's promise to meet eachother again in the park!"
"Sou ka.." Iori replied, reaching his hand to seal the promise with a handshake-
"Obocchan!! If you don't come out this instant-"
"HAI!" Hideo shouted, shaking his head. "I really have to go..." he sighed sadly, then brightened when he got an idea. Stepping closer to the other boy, he kissed his cheek sweetly and whispered: "There, it's sealed with a kiss instead!"
Iori blushed and merely watched, dumbfounded, as Hideo ran away towards his mother, angrily shouting "Hai! HAI! I'm coming Okaa-san!!!"
Aww...aren't they cute.. One angel said, smiling at the two boys, his glasses failing to hide the gentleness in his eyes.
Ne, they're destined to be together, you realize that, don't you? his companion replied, hugging herself comfortingly. Just hope they can survive their destiny...
Hai, hai..ne, Nadeshiko-san, you need to lighten up about the whole destiny thing! The glasses-wearing man chided his blue-haired companion.
Just as you need to take the destiny thing more seriously, Fujitaka-san. Quit cooing over the cute little boys, we have work to do..
Hai hai, old grouch..
Oi! Nadeshiko punched Fujitaka lightly in the arm, smirking. Take that!
Ow ow..please don't kill me again, Nadeshiko! Fujitaka laughed.
When Iori returned to his parents later that day, they were once again dumbfounded by his bright smile and sparkling green eyes, happily returning home with them.
With one thought in his mind: 'I can't wait to see him again..'
And this promise kept Hida Iori happy, and the promise would be fulfilled one day..
Even if its memory was destroyed by a sudden sorrow.
"Otou-san!"
Hideo barely avoided running into some kid on his way into the park, and while he kept going, he turned his head around to at first to curse at the kid who had nearly knocked him off of his skateboard.
Only to lock eyes with the cutest little angel he had ever seen.
Hideo's cheeks turned a light shade of pink as he continued to stare at the other boy, up until the point the other cried out in alarm. "Hey, look out!"
Hideo, haven forgotten that he was still on a moving skateboard, had also forgotten the possibility of running into something hard. Namely, a tree.
"ACCK!!" Hideo cried out, running face first into a tree. He was knocked off his skateboard and fell back on the pavement.
Iori, feeling concerned, ran over to the skateboard and it's owner, kneeling next to him. "Oi, you ok?" Iori kneeled over him, shaking one shoulder gently.
"Aaaahh...." the other boy was making swirly eyes, his face red from the mark made by the impact with the tree.
Iori reached behind his head to feel for a bump, or anything requiring serious attention. 'He feels fine...' Iori took a moment to stroke the soft grey hair of the other. 'He'll be alright. But I should get him off the pavement..'
Reaching two hands under the arms of the other, he dragged him off the pavement and onto to the cool grass.....