AUTHOR'S NOTE: It's amazing what being bored in English class can do! We were looking at this poem, and WHAM! I got an idea for a Ronin fanfic. Well, I'm sure you know the drill, I don't own RW/YST, they're copyrighted by their respective owners, and I'm just using them to further people's enjoyment of the show by writing some crappy stories about them. And, I also have to say, that I didn't write the poem in this story; it's Robert Frost's. I could NEVER write anything like that. Well, ENJOY!

Nothing Gold Can Stay

By: StEAliAnA

Nature's first green is gold
Her hardest hue to hold

Kento sat on his bed looking desolately at the rest of the empty room. All of Cye's belongings had been removed yesterday. There wasn't any indication that there had been another occupant. In fact, there was nothing to lead you to believe that there had ever been a Cye Mouri - except for the picture on Kento's bureau of them at the beach last summer. Kento turned his gaze to the picture sadly. That was just last summer. This is all unreal; he was sitting right there more than a week ago.

Her early leaf's a flower
But only so an hour

Kento remembered vividly how alive Cye had been, just two months ago.

"No, no, no, Kento! You have to ride the wave, not barrel through it!" Cye's laughter rang out over the crashing waves.

"Well, it's not my fault if they keep getting in my way!" Kento had argued sourly, hiding his smile in an attempt to act upset. Cye laughed again.

"You'll never be a surfer!" Cye shook his head, then looked at his watch. "Well, it's getting late, I'll give you more lessons next summer."

Kento's eyes closed for a moment, pushing back tears.

Then leaf subsides to leaf
So Eden sank to grief

Kento picked up the picture and looked at his best friend's smiling face. You never did finish teaching me, Cye. He smiled half-heartedly. I guess I'll never know your secret to riding the waves. Kento's eyes closed again. He no longer saw the beach, but instead, Mia's kitchen.

Cye had been laughing and eating along with the rest of them. Just when Ryo finished a really funny story, Cye's laughter caught in his throat, almost in a gasp. His face turned deathly pale. At first, Kento thought he was choking.

"Cye, you alright over there?!" Kento asked anxiously, beginning to worry. Cye's eyes rolled to the back of his head and he toppled over in his chair in reply.

"Holy Shit!" Kento swore, something Cye had forbidden him to do. "Cye! CYE!" Kento called out his name, in a feeble attempt to bring him back to consciousness. Rowen's chair fell over as he grabbed the phone and dialed 911. Kento howled.

"Sage! You've got to help him! You've got to heal him quick!" Ryo was now on the floor next to Cye, feeling his pulse.

"It's no use, Kento." Ryo's eyes were distant. Sage nodded his head slowly.

"I can heal wounds, but I can't prevent cardiac arrest." His eyes were glazed over, as if to protect him from the sight of his fallen friend.

"Damn it, Cye!" Kento cried out, shaking his friend's shoulders. "We didn't survive the fight against Talpa just to have you die like this!" Cye's body remained cold and still.

"Why won't you answer me? Come back, Cye! Please! Damn you!" Kento's anger was beginning to lose control. But still Cye did not answer. He remained motionless even after the paramedics took him away.

His eyes were never to open again.

Kento's own eyes opened the picture still in his hand. Cye, you were the best friend I ever had. Why'd you have to leave me? Why did you're life have to end so soon? Why couldn't Death have chosen me instead? You know I would gladly take your place if I could. If only I could...

Kento's thoughts no longer held any anger. He was past that. Now he just felt emptiness, which neither anger, tears, nor food could fill. Nevertheless, he let the tears stream down his face, slightly easing the pain and emptiness he felt.

Wait for me, Cye. Kento pleaded in his thoughts. We'll meet again soon. And when we do, you can teach me how to surf.

So dawn goes into day
Nothing gold can stay.

Just wait for me.

*Sniff* Oh geez, I'm making myself cry. Well, if you have any questions, comments, or complaints, feel free to contact me at [email protected]. I looooove feedback! ^_^ I hope you enjoyed!