The day went by pretty decently. Sky went with him everywhere, showing him a bit of everything, telling him about the festivals and other important things about their Uni, as well as Thailand itself. Rain, who had grown up without friends, treasured the moments spent with his three new friends. Couple of times, if he caught a speculative look in Sky's eyes, and a pleading one in Pai's, he put it down to his absolute new-comer status. But it was the slightly simmering fire in Phayu's eyes that put him on high alert. He had never seen quite that look on someone. There was some kind of power locked inside him too, maybe that was why Rain was so pulled in his direction.

As soon as they went to the canteen for lunch, before anyone could say anything, Phayu gripped his hand. "Rain and I will eat out. I promised him," he said, and dragged Rain away. Rain stared back at Pai and Sky, who probably looked as startled as he was feeling. He had no idea when they both had made such a plan, but he couldn't very well say no. Phayu took their helmets out of the locker an gave Rain his. "Let's go," he said. "Phayu, are you going to tell me what just happened?" Rain asked. "No," Phayu said, putting on his helmet and gesturing to Rain to do the same. Rain kept the helmet on the back of the bike and folded his arms on his chest. "I am not moving from here unless you tell me what's wrong," he said, a stubborn pout on his face. Phayu took off his helmet, untied his hair and pushed it back. Just then Sky and Pai came up.

"Rain?" Sky asked tentatively. "Phayu? Are you telling me or not?" Rain asked again, sparing a glance towards Sky, but keeping his entire focus on Phayu. Pai and Sky both knew about Phayu's temper and they were both braced for his scathing words. "Nothing Rain. I just wanted to treat you to a pasta," Phayu said, softly, as Pai and Sky stared flabbergasted at him. The look on his face was one they had never seen. Who was this Phayu? "Then, the next time, we will do it nicely. We will inform our friends we are going, and you shall not drag me away like a sack of potatoes when your whim strikes," Rain said firmly. Phayu nodded meekly. Both Pai and Sky pursed their lips. Their devil-may-care, temperamental, and crazy friend had been tamed in a span of 24 hours by a fragile looking chit of a boy, without even raising a finger.

"Don't blame him Rain. It's not his fault," Sky said, stepping up, guilt etched on his face. "Everyone is responsible for their own behaviour Sky," Rain said, stroking Sky's hand. "But this time, it is really not his fault. I am the one who riled him up," Sky said, looking sadly at Rain. "Why? What happened?" Rain asked. "I saw him with you yesterday, and today morning. And I felt bugged that I had lost my friend. I was annoyed, so I decided to keep him away from you. That's why I kept dragging you away," Sky said, looking contrite. "I felt you were not good enough for him, so I wanted to test you," he added, looking more and more downcast with each passing word. "Well I agree with you. If you had not been this vigilant, I would considered you a bad friend. We must always think about the ones we have, right Phayu?" Rain asked him. "Right?" he asked again, a small smile playing on his lips, his eyes sparkling. Phayu nodded reluctantly. "C'mon guys, let's go have lunch. I am starving! And Phayu promised me pasta. Since he did, he is paying for everyone," Rain said, now full out laughing, making the others laugh as well.

Soon, the four became inseparable. Rain was literally the opposite of his name, his sunny nature and sassy wit became an integral part of their team. Even Sky couldn't stand out against all that cuteness and he and Rain literally became twins, often leaving Pai and Phayu out when they went off on secret missions. Both boys discovered the common love for manga, anime and food, and that was that. Phayu and Pai would become cross-eyed over all the discussions floating around their heads, and often gave up, going off to sleep while the other two were intensely focusing on whatever it was for the day. Pai adored Rain for his softness and pliant nature. Both Sky and Phayu were not very tactile people, but Rain would allow Pai to hug him, drag him around like a doll and even give him piggy back rides. While they were all the same age, Rain was the youngest, so he was babied by Pai all the time, especially when it came to food. He was their main provider of junk food, and would do so, despite the glares he got from Phayu all the time.

As for Rain and Phayu, they became the golden couple. The aura of happiness and beauty that radiated from the two of them when they were together was so strong that Pai often complained of feeling blinded. They were stunning people separately, but together, they were extraordinary. And what they felt for each other was so visible, that it was almost voyeuristic to witness. It surprised a lot of people that someone like Phayu, so stoic, so strict, so aloof, cold most of time, just simply melted when he was anywhere near Rain. They could be in separate corners of the room, but the connection between them was a living, breathing entity that would cause butterflies in the stomach of anyone who was watching. They always lived in their own little bubble, but they seemed to include everyone. And no one was surprised by that. The kindness and the gentleness of Rain's soul attracted everyone and he soon was one of the most popular kids in the Uni.

After a really long, tiring day at the Uni, Rain entered his home. He greeted his grandparents as per usual. However, for the first time in the six months that he had been living with them, his grandmother stopped him from going up to his room. "Can we talk lu?" she asked, clutching his hand. "Of course Yayi," he said, immediately solicitous of her. No matter what happened, his love for them was never a pretence, never a lie. He sat down next to her. "Rain, when you were born, whatever the circumstances, you were always loved. We wanted nothing more than to keep you here, keep you safe. But probably destiny had bigger plans for you. But there is something you must understand na lu. You are everything good in this world. You are not what they want to be and I am sure you know what I mean," Yayi said, leaving Rain agape. How did Yayi know? "Yayi?" he whispered, the question clear in his tone.

"Rain, the storm that they are waiting for? It is already here, close, very close. You only have to just reach out. Your Yayi and I will do what we can for you, but in the end, it must be only your choice. Only you can lead away from the path of destruction that is set out for you," Pu said. He pulled up the sleeve of Rain's shirt to reveal the bracelet that stayed there, like a brand on his skin and his Yayi added another. "Lu, this is for you. We have tried to put everything good in this world into this. It may not be able to negate the energies from the other, but we promise you that those powers will never be able to control you. You will find the right balance of your energies soon," Yayi said. Rain looked down at the symbols that were etched on the bracelet. It was a tiny raincloud, a small tornado, and wind enclosed in a pulsing blue stone, the likes of which had never seen before. His Yayi and Pu put their hands on his head and muttered something. He had no idea what it was, but all at once something soothing flowed though him, bringing him peace that he had not expected.

He went back upto his room, twisting the new bracelet round and round. It calmed him, grounded him, but for how long? Inside, he opened his closet again and shifted his clothes aside. The pleasure of the day and the peace inside him drained out leaving a shell. He removed his shirt, running his hands on his skin, the indents and the ridges screaming out at him, reminding him of what he had gone through. Did his grandmother really mean what she said? That he could be more than what was made out to be? But this was not the time to dwell on it. He sat down cross-legged in front of the wardrobe, touching each of the statues placed there, then lifted his hand and weaved patterns in the air, chanting the age-old call that had been drilled into him since he had been 4. Slowly and steadily, power clung to the room, and tears leaked from Rain's eyes as the tattoo on his back burned!

"You do realise right? 8 people now. It's not natural," Sky said, as they all sat around the canteen table, discussing the latest murder. 8 persons had been found, exsanguinated, their bodies marked with ritualistic carvings. Rain felt pain inside. Every single time a body had been found, he had woken up with blood on his hands and clothes that were muddied. He had scrubbed the dirt out, and had cried while doing it, afraid of what he had become. He was a monster and he had no choice. "Well, 2 bodies a month on an average. They have finally deemed it a serial killer," Pai said, shaking his head in disgust at the law and order system. "No one wants to leave the comfort of their home. We are most worried about you Rain. You are the only one living so far away. Why don't you and your grandparents move closer to town until this maniac is caught?" Phayu asked, visibly worried about his boyfriend.

"They will not move. And I can't force them. That's where their home is, and the least I can do is stay with them," Rain said, smiling softly. His entire body ached, and he wished for nothing more than just going to sleep, but too afraid to close his eyes. "I will go get coffee. Do you guys want some?" he asked, unable to sit still. "Sure, I will come with you," Sky said. "No Sky, it's fine. I will be back soon," Rain said, standing up quickly and moving away. "Are you guys going on your 'date' today? You have been seeing each other for two months already. Don't you want to ask him to be your boyfriend?" Pai asked curiously. "I am making him dinner at my home today. He looks tired, going out would be weird," Phayu said, looking worried about Rain.

"There is something wrong with him. He looks too tired, completely listless. Not the Rain we know and love," Sky said musingly. "You are right. Ai'Yu, once you guys become official, let's all go for a nice picnic, take advantage of the nice weather," Pai said. "I think that's a good idea. We will all feel fresher. Plus, we are all almost to the end of the semester. It will be a good way to just chill out a bit," Sky said, nodding vigorously. "Here you go guys, coffee," Rain said, keeping it on the table. They all talked for a while, and then Phayu whisked Rain away. "Where are we going?" Rain asked as he hugged Phayu from behind. "You will see," Phayu replied, and then whisked him away towards the city. Phayu drew up in front of a beautiful house, a literal architectural splendour. Rain was spellbound. "Is this your home?" he whispered in awe. "Yup! I wanted to do something special for you. Come on in love," Phayu said, and Rain blushed slightly.

Even though they were not an official couple yet, from the very first day, there had been a tremendous pull between them. Slowly, small soft touches, sweet drugging kisses and cheesy names of endearment slipped past their guards. Phayu was someone Rain trusted implicitly and Rain was someone Phayu loved unconditionally. Rain never had someone quite like Phayu in his life, and he loved that, despite the end he was destined for, there would always be these memories that he would keep locked in his heart. Phayu led him to a large open kitchen and helped him up on a stool. "Now, you shall sit here while I prepare something for my Prince," he said, rubbing his scrunched nose against Rain's making him giggle.

Phayu kept up a steady chatter of words and pulled Rain into them. Rain was grateful for the absence of silence. He wanted this, needed this. He could feel the sensation of Phayu's lips on his body, and his clothes seemed tighter for a minute. "Phayu," he whispered and Phayu immediately turned around. Whatever he saw on Rain's face made his eyes blow wide, and he turned off the stove and lifted Rain off the stool and placed him on the counter, their lips lining up. He dived into the kiss, knotting his fists in Rain's hair and slightly tugging it back. Rain opened his mouth at once, to give Phayu complete access, and both of them moaned at the sensations.