A night after Kuma loaded up boxes of everything he owned. He looked at the old couch that he laid on occasionally. The cheap lamps to supply light. Then the dresser he just emptied. He didn't have many boxes to begin with. Less than a dozen. Even for just one person that's not much. Every single clothing item, bathroom supplies, hygiene products, and everything were all in there. The last thing two things were in closet. His suit and his baseball glove. He slipped the thick leather glove over his left hand and pounded his fist into it.

Oh Mom. One of the last few things I have to remember you. I'm sorry I can't help Dad. I'm sorry I stopped playing ball. I will make you proud.

~~~~~

It was after school as Kuma was sitting outside chewed up and looking at the wind ruffle the tree branches. Literally doing anything he can to distract him and borrow a little bit of time. Not taking it well at all. He was just a mess. Not ready for the day to smack him in the face. Unfortunately, it's never a good time to solve issues. Best to just squash it and be done with it.

The girls were all standing outside the door. All feeling sorry for the boy.

"What happened to him?" Asked Gen.

"Did something happen to Cutie?" Thought Haru.

"Well honestly a nightmare is going to happen." Sighed Mai.

"Define nightmare. He is being taken?" Gasped Aiko.

"Geez. Not that deep into it. But I'm taking him to see his father." Mai was frightened herself.

"Wait you mean..." Haru froze.

"They haven't spoken in five to six months." Corrected Mai.

"I'm scared for him. You too. This isn't good." Warned Haru.

"Yeah girl. He's a jerk." Agreed Gen.

"I'm fine. I'll calm him down. Though- heck he might need it. Let's go." Mai proposed a new offer.

"But it's your boyfriend." Cried Aiko.

"He's going to need all of us. You know that."

"True."

The girls proceeded to walk over to Kuma. He was still attempting to put his head in the clouds. Though nothing can get passed Mai. She was too bold, blunt, and headstrong for that. "Marik?"

He looked over. "Hey Mai. Girls."

"I know you aren't ready, but we should go."

"I guess..." He got up and looked at the street signs. "It'll be a few minutes you know."

"Honey we have time." Said Haru.

"Yeah. Too much maybe." He sighed.

The girls had to keep a close eye on him. This wasn't going to go anywhere positive. Being a complete and utter wreck before the house was in site. Mai didn't know how he was that bad. To Kuma starring down his father would be staring down the barrel of a military assault weapon. No one knew how this was going to go.

From Mai's point of view, she was nervous about it too. Though more composed. Her mind kept playing those dreams she had.

I told you that you'd be back.

Get your hands off me he's a bastard.

She shivered at the thoughts of Marik in handcuffs as the site of her boyfriend just turned ugly for the worse. This was one of the worst things a boy his age could go through outside of bad health. Being bullied by family and his mother's passing. Surely he was going to have everything smack him in the face in a moment's time.

The blocks were passed and on a quiet road Kuma took a breath. Walking down the street and from across the road eyeing his old house. The gutters needed to be cleaned, windows inside and out needed washing, the paint was starting to peel, and overall the house lost half its value within a few months of time. Kuma shook his head. "Shame. Mom loved this house."

Gen shook her head. "Was it like this when you left?"

"On its way. Ever since she passed it went downhill. Clearly. This is months of neglect." He took a breath. "Let's go. And girls? Please be careful. And forgive me."

"For what?" Aiko was nervous to ask.

"My behavior. Keep your distance."

Marik. Please don't do what I think you're going to do. I'll have to try and stop you. I used my powers to save you. Please don't make me do it again.

"Cover your ears." Marik warned. He pounded on the front door. Hard as he could. Five bangs and clenched his fists as he stepped back. It was showtime.

Loud quick feet were heard stomping towards the door. Anyone would if they heard that loud banging. The door opened. "What the hell are you doing here?" Said a man. He was 5'10', black hair, same exact shade of eyes as Kuma, and weighed at least 230. He came out with a very bad shadow like beard and a house robe.

"Hello to you too father." Kuma glared.

"Finally acting smart. Is that how it is? Fine. I can settle, I guess. I won't pay your rent since you'll be at it with the housework." He proceeded as if he did nothing wrong. Kuma stood there angry. Fuming as Mr. Iwakuma nonchalantly told him about coming back.

"That all you can say? I haven't seen you in months and it's clean my house?"

"You need to learn responsibility Marik."

"I paid rent. Kiss my ass responsibility."

"So a few yen a month won't hurt being your landlord then. Am I right?"

"Look. I'm asking you to sign a form and I'll be out of your sight. That is all." He reached behind as Mai handed him the slips. "Here." Then handed them over to his father.

"What's this crap? And you brought friends. Just exactly who are the girls? Which one are you porking? I didn't raise a dog so tell me. Which one broad you think is yours?"

Kuma took a breath. "Say something stupid one more time. I dare you."

Mr. Iwakuma looked at the form and laughed. Then tore it right in half. "Get out of here. Get inside kid. It's where you belong. Quit trying to play the adult. Part of growing up is settling and coming to agreement. Eventually you'll stop playing baseball to get a job. It'll happen after high school. You watch."

"And college? Matter of fact everything I'm here for?" Kuma watched the paper float to the ground.

"Yeah. Try again. You? College? That ship sailed a while ago. Let's be realistic. Where would co-sign the loan? What team would give a scholarship to a cocky, arrogant moron?"

"Keep talking I'll punch you!"

Marik. Don't do it. C'mon baby breath. Don't it. "Kuma..." Mai was stressing out. Everything was becoming clear. Her nightmare was right in front of her and possibly worse than she thought.

"You know father, for someone saying they didn't raise a dog you sure don't know how to talk in front of girls. That's one. Number two if that's the attitude you will give me. I will see you in court."

His father laughed. "How could you possibly have an attorney? You don't have a pot to piss in."

"Dr. Tanaka. My boss. See ya." He turned around and proceeded to the stairs to get off the stoop.

"Your mother would say this is selfish of you."

Kuma loudly exhaled like a dragon. He did it now. "You son of a-" Kuma wasn't able to finish his sentence and action. Mai tapped the back of his shoulder. He slipped and fell straight to his knees on the stairs. His girlfriend knew he was going to run over there and whether he was smaller or not punch him in the face as hard as his body would let him. "Ouch" He got up and something inside of him knew that it was not worth it. He wasn't worth it. Kuma stood up and took a breath. "Look father you no good prick, don't you ever talk negative about Mom. Ever! And if this is the way you are going to act now that she has passed then she was too good for you to begin with. Even I am too good for her." A tear dropped to the floor from his face. "Right now, that beautiful woman, is sad that we must do this. I almost hit you as hard as I can. But I won't do that. My skin from my hands don't need to touch something so foul. I'll see you in court."

His father shook his head. "Hit me? Right? You hit back now? Oh man that's a first. I believe it when I see it." He danced with his feet kicking side to side. "I will see you in court. Play the music. Haha. Look son when you quit being stupid, I'll cut you break and unload your bags. You say when." He walked back in and shut the door. Moving on with the day as if he never stopped by.

"My apartment." Sighed Kuma.

"We should let the two of you have some time." Purposed Gen.

The three of them gave the couple a group hug and set off. Mai held Kuma's hand as they walked across town in silence. Nothing was spoken as Kuma tried to maintain his composure. He controlled his breathing. Shaking at times. Keeping his emotions as best as he could intact. Squinting his eyes and clenching his opposite hand not holding Mai's into a fist. Rage. Bitterness. Sadness. Sorrow. Just hurt. A few minutes of walking in the tensest, tearing, dark, cringing silence one could experience. The sky was getting darker from clouds and the afternoon slowly turning into night.

As Kuma eventually got to his apartment door. He used the key to unlock it. Everything felt a little better, however his emotions were going to boil over any moment now. First thing he did was just sit on the floor against the wall. Not even the couch that was right there. Not his bed either. The floor. He covered his face with arms and started to sob in his lap. Kuma couldn't take it anymore. Clearly not ready for this but it was mandatory now. He needed this. Just to not take in all that pain that caused everything around him. His apartment, his clothes, and the whole lifestyle built.

Mai gave him a minute and opened the blinds for a moment. Before kneeling down in front of him. "I'm here. I'm sorry for him."

"Mai." He cried giving her a kiss.

"Relax. In here." She reached over around his head. Leaning forward and squeezing him into her chest. "I love you."

Kuma was startled. "What? What was that?"

She let him go. Inching her way back to his face again. "I love you."

"I love you too..."

She kissed him again. Then separated so she can lean against the wall right next to him as his head leaned onto her shoulder. This was an emotional rush as now the silence was more healing than anything else. As the gray sky started to rain and get darker the two were just getting close. No holding back. Not watching your words or actions. Just letting the mind run. As the two now we're going to need each other. No matter what sky above.