The Dream Shifter

Chapter 89

Once again time was forgotten in the playful expression of everyone. All of the stress that they had all been holding was finally allowed to be let free washed away. They could act like children without a care or worry in the world. It was a moment in time that they could smile freely dropping their guards to enjoy the moment.

Kaede and Katsumi were taking a break away from everyone resting on the beach. In the background Ken and Jun were enjoying the water slide that spun and spiraled before entering the ocean water. Kaede looked over at Katsumi, who was keeping an eye on Yumi. "Looks like she's finally herself, Katsumi."

"Yeah…it's been a while since I've seen that smile when it's not about her brother."

"Maybe…you think?"

"…Perhaps…"

"He's not so bad…"

"…maybe…" Katsumi smiled looking on at Yuki and Yumi. Once she had gotten into the water she had not been shy or distant from anyone. She was even keeping her face from getting red as well being around Yuki. Katsumi caught a look of Yuki as he was coming up from the water with water trailing off of him providing an unusually attractive view of him. "Hey, Kaede…"

"What?"

"Yuki…was he always that muscular?"

"You noticed too? I thought he was just a nerd, but he actually looks like he works out."

Katsumi leaned forward resting her head on her hand staring out. "Maybe there's more to him than what we see in class…"

The time that they had was coming to end soon as there was an announcement by the machine's voice once more informing them of their time left. "Ten minutes remaining… Ten minutes remaining… If you wish to purchase more time please visit the front desk. Thank you!" Everyone looked around at each other feeling a little disappointed that they had already used up all of their time.

Jun looked up at Yuki grabbing his attention. "What, Jun? You want to try it out? There's only ten minutes though, Jun." Jun reached out his hand grabbing Yuki's swim trunks giving him a serious expression through his eyes. "Alright. If you want this to end." It was at that moment that the entire world melted away returning everyone back to the room with their clothes and completely dry hair and bodies. Yuki walked over to the computer with Jun looking down at him. "Just tell me what you want and I'll put it in for you." Jun tightened his hand on his school uniform making it clear enough to Yuki. "Alright…"

Yuki knelt down picking up his brother allowing him the height to reach the keyboard. Jun insisted on not letting Yuki see it or anyone else. It only seemed to take a minute and Jun was done with the computer accepting the input. Yuki stared down at his little brother trying to figure out what it was that he wanted to keep a secret from him. The entire room went dark once more for a few seconds.

Suddenly, the light exploded from the top as the sun beamed down on them revealing a seemingly generic looking neighborhood in Japan. It was not just any neighborhood though as Saki and Yuki quickly realized. "Jun why did you want to make our neighborhood?" said Yuki looking down at his brother once more.

Out from the distance there was a woman's voice that seemed to clearly carrying through the air. Jun was quick to turn and dart off towards the voice, but Yuki froze in his body. 'That voice…it sounds so familiar…'

Saki looked over at Yuki seeing the reaction on his face not knowing what was wrong with him. "Yuki?"

Another voice this time a man's voice broke through the street they were standing in. This time the words were heard by Yuki. "Hey, Jun! How's my big man doing?"

Yuki's body knew the voice, but his mind had not put it together yet. It was making his heart pound and sweat crawl over his skin. 'Is it?' The thumping grew to echo in his ears as he was unable to control his own body as it reacted.

"Yuki?" Yumi and Ayumi said confused by his reaction from seeing the two adults with Jun. They did not know what was going on along with the rest of his friends.

Saki was finally pulled away from Yuki recognizing the voices and looked up at the house seeing the man and woman as they greeted Ken running up the sidewalk to them. Her eyes widened sharply as she immediately knew who they were. She stepped back having difficulty believing what she was seeing. "It can't be!"

The woman looked out from Jun and Ken quickly catching her eye on someone in the crowd. She stepped down from the house with Jun holding at her side. She stepped towards them standing before Yuki, still paralyzed, looking down at him with such a gentle and warm smile. "There you are, Yuki!"

Yuki's eyes widen in shock knowing who it was as he slowly turning still not believing it. Even when he stared up at her face he had to reach out his hand to touch her just to know it was real. Before any words could come out of his mouth tears fell down his cheeks. "…mother…"

"…mother…" Had been all that Yuki said, but it sent shocked and confused expressions through everyone. It was Saki that had still not completely recovered from when she realized that it was Yuki's parents. All of their friends, apart from Ayumi, did not understand why it such an important moment for them, but it was slowly starting to settle in for them. Words were not needed.

Yuki could hardly manage a word trying to stop his tears. Jun got down from their mother's arms allowing her to hold Yuki. It had felt like eternity since Yuki had been able to feel her warmth. The soothing tone of her voice and calming eyes were not something he could ever forget. "How…is this possible?" In spite of it, he wanted the moment to last forever.

Jun walked back with Yuki and their mother to where Ken was with their father. From the view of their friends, they were able to watch and in that moment it felt different from any that they had seen before. They all knew Yuki to be a happy and excitable person, but there was always an intangible feeling of something underneath. It remained buried under layers until it could no longer be seen. However, that was completely different from the feeling that they were seeing. There was a genuine, near innocence, in his expression that was unlike anything they had seen before.

"…Yuki…" Yumi said slowly holding on to her friends hands.

Hiroshi stood next to Saki pulling his eyes away and caught a look that surprised him. 'She's crying…' It was strange for him to see Saki acting emotional. She acted tough and rough so often that he did not know what to think. He turned back allowing her moment alone that she wanted.

"One minute remaining… One minute remaining…" the room's voice announced to everyone. On the solemn note, the room filled with an uncomfortable sense of urgency. Tension suddenly grew from everyone knowing. Hiroshi pulled back with Kazuhiro and Tatsuya walking down the street a short distance. Katsumi followed soon taking Yumi and Kaede with her. The last to follow was Ayumi leaving Saki behind.

"…Yuki…" said Saki having trouble with her voice. Her heart was pounding fiercely making it difficult for her to keep everything in control. Even for Saki it felt like she had gone back in time. She felt as though she was a child once more looking towards Yuki for strength. The weakness that she had shed and never let her touch again began to weigh her once more.

Yuki was having difficulties finding a good-bye as the clock ticked away on his time. The dream was going to end and all he could think of was keep it going. "Father…mother…" Jun and Ken had given their words and stepped back instinctively knowing how important it was for their big brother. The distant beeping that alerted the remaining time pounded on Yuki's shoulders as he looked back between them. All he could do was wrap his arms around the both of them as the world slowly faded away. '…mother…I'm sorry…' The last particles to hold on to disappeared leaving Yuki's arms collapsing in against him.

They were all returned back to the room left with a long silence that no one was willing to break. It was not until the door to the room slid open. Ha stood in the entry glaring at everyone with the look from before. "Time to leave…" she said starting out strong, but fell short as she picked up the atmosphere. "What the hell did you guys do?!"

Jun looked over at Ken with the same look in their eyes and marched over to Ha. "Let's step outside," Ken said as he picked up Ha's left side while Jun carried her right. They walked her out under protest as the rest of their friends followed along with them.

"What do you think you're doing you, brats?!" yelled Ha carrying her voice through the rooms.

Saki and Ayumi stayed behind with Yuki who still looked out of it. Saki rested her hand on Yuki's shoulder searching for the words that would help him, but finding none. Tension between the three grew tight as the two girls were uncertain of Yuki. His head was turned down heavily cast in a dark shadow over his face. "…Yuki I…" began Saki cutting herself off disappointed with her words.

Hovering anxiety loomed until suddenly Yuki lifted his head up. "Well that was fun! Where'd everyone go?" The bright cheerful expression that Saki was so used to on Yuki's face had resurfaced. He looked around the room quickly trying to figure out where all of his friends had disappeared. When he saw the door he darted for it leaving behind Saki and Ayumi.

A flat calculating look made a momentary reveal under Ayumi's innocent persona as she watched Yuki leave the room. 'Going back that quickly… He's definitely more complicated than appearances would lead to believe… But how much does it affect him subconsciously?' Ayumi stepped forward ignoring Saki.

Saki's strained eyes turned to helpless pain. She had seen the look from Yuki so often that she was used to seen it. It should have been a happy reunion; a comforting moment that had eased her struggle. Contrary, she only felt worse than before in her heart. "…Yuki…why can't you just…"

"Saki?! Everyone's starting to leave!" Yuki said poking his head into the room.

The look and his voice only deepened the sadness tying against her. She reluctantly stepped forward knowing that he was just going to keep staring at her and she could not take it for much longer. "Alright…I'm coming…" When Saki stepped out of the room she caught Ayumi out of the corner of her eye standing next to the wall. The rest were down by the counter waiting.