Adult-FanFiction.org : Anime

Come What May	By : Despina Category: Gravitation > General Views: 7059 -:- Recommendations : 0 -:- Currently Reading : 0
Disclaimer: I do not own Gravitation, nor any of the characters from it. I do not make any money from the writing of this story.

Chapter List
- 11
- 12
- 13
Disclaimer: I do not own Gravitation nor do I make any money from using the characters. I am a part owner of Kyosuke, though.

NC-17

If you have time, please review. Thank you!!

Notes: As always - this chapter would not be worth posting without Kri*Kri and AshCat's help.

Don�t worry, I�m still writing � I�m sorry it comes so slowly these days. Real life is a bitch.

Come What May

Chapter 12
Cat People (Putting Out Fire with Gasoline)

See these eyes so green
I can stare for a thousand years
Colder than the moon
It's been so long
And I've been putting out fire
With gasoline

Feel my blood enraged
It's just the fear of losing you
Don't you know my name
Well, you been so long

See these eyes so red
Red like jungle burning bright
Those who feel me near
Pull the blinds and change their minds
It's been so long

Still this pulsing night
A plague I call a heartbeat
Just be still with me
You wouldn't believe what I've been through
You've been so long
Well it's been so long
And I've been putting out fire
with gasoline

***********************************************

The door opened and Miyamoto Daisuke and I stared at one another.

�Yuki-san,� he said, very evenly without a trace of his usual gushing. �What a pleasant surprise. Please, come in.�

I stepped inside. I did not relish making small talk with this idiot. �I�m here to see Maiko. Is she here?�

�Not at the moment. I believe your boyfriend has kidnapped her,� he informed me flatly, without a trace of humor in his voice.

�Kidnapped?� I asked. �Why would Shuichi kidnap his own sister?�

He answered me, his voice tight with anger, �I suspect Maiko has been filling your boyfriend�s head with exaggerations about me.�

�Really?� I said carefully, feeling an odd sense of foreboding. �I have never known Maiko to exaggerate. What do you think she is telling Shuichi?�

�Ah, well,� he smiled. �I believe you would understand. You are also in a relationship with a member of the Shindou family. You know how obstinate they can be.�

Obstinate? �Shuichi can be an idiot, yes, but Maiko is not. Maybe you should enlighten me.�

�But there have been times he has defied you and made you angry, correct?�

Defied me? I felt the hackles rise on the back of my neck. �Where is Maiko?�

�I don�t know,� he said with an exasperated sigh. �That�s exactly my point, Yuki-san. She Should Be Here. You know what I�m talking about, right?�

My fists clenched tightly and I swallowed down my anger as I stared at him. Very quietly, I asked, �Did you hurt her?�

�Of course not,� he answered as he shook his head. �She fell down.�

There was something in the way he said the words that caused me to repeat them as a question, �She fell down?�

�Yes,� he nodded with a slight smile. �It was an accident.�

�An accident?� I repeated.

�Yes. It was freakishly similar to the accident your boyfriend had at that party a few years ago.� He smiled a conspiratorial smile at me. �You know, when he accidentally fell down a flight of stairs during a fight the two of you were having.�

The fight to end all fights. I remembered the fight all too well; Shuichi screaming at me about something my dear brother had actually done, and then he threw a punch at me. My response had been to hit him back, only my blow had caused him to stumble into the stairwell and then he had fallen down a flight of stairs. I felt sick with the memory.

My teeth were grinding together as I hissed at him, �That was an accident you, sick fuck.�

He smiled again and nodded in agreement. �Of course it was.�

�Are you telling me Maiko has had a similar accident?� I asked lowly.

�Weirdly similar. She hurt her arm and hit her head,� he sighed. �Poor girl was in quite a lot of pain. Yet, in spite of her discomfort, yesterday she went to the store to get food for dinner. She hasn�t come back. Your boyfriend, I expect, spirited her away from her proper place.�

�What makes you think Shuichi has anything to do with it?� I could feel the rage building inside me.

�She was trying to talk to him on the phone, you know, to tell stories about me.� He shrugged. �So I had to take her phone away.�

My vision ran scarlet and blood pounded in my ears with my disgust and my fury. The voice of my youth screamed with agony, his cries for vengeance rang inside my head.

When I came to my senses again, Miyamoto Daisuke lay on the floor, curled into himself and wailing like a punk-ass bitch for me to stop. I pulled away from him long enough for my head to clear. His face was a bloody mess, but I felt no pity. In fact, the anger continued to seethe in me.

What a pathetic excuse for a human being.

Grabbing him by his hair, I yanked his head up and said, �If you ever go near Maiko or any member of the Shindou family again, I will kill you. And I promise you, I will not disguise it as an accident, you weasely little fuck. In fact, now that I think about it, you should leave Tokyo.�

�You mean mo�move?� he struggled to get out between his sobs.

�Yes.� I dropped his head and stood up.

�But� I can�t!� He whined as he curled into fetal position again.

�It�s your choice,� I said as I kicked him in the ribs several times.

�Okay!� he screamed from his bloody mouth. �I�ll move! Just stop, please!�

I watched him with detached interest as I lit a cigarette, getting it only slightly bloody in the process. He was like every other person who preyed on innocent, trusting people. They did their best to pretend to be sweet and kind in front of the relatives and friends, fooling everyone. But eventually, as with all bullies, he could no longer hide what he really was. I had seen the same thing with my friend Sakura and her abusive boyfriend.

And of course, I couldn�t forget how Kitazawa Yuki had done the same thing to me.

�It seems you�ve been faking your fear of Shuichi for months.� I said evenly as I took a drag, �But don�t kid yourself, Miyamoto, you�re lucky I got to you before Shuichi did. Take my suggestion and leave Tokyo before he gets his hands on you.�

I had no doubt Shuichi would kill him. I was a little surprised I hadn�t. This loser needed to get out of Tokyo before one of us did something we would spend the rest of our lives paying for.

Turning to leave I added, �Remember what I said about the Shindou family.�

As I sat in my car and my head began to clear, I dialed a number on my phone I never thought I would.

�Ho, ho, Yuki-san!� His smarmy, happy voice crowed at me through the phone. �I knew it! You can�t stop thinking about me can you?�

�Shut up, Inoue.�

�Ah, the same surly guy as always. You are so predicable.� He paused before he said, �So what can I do for you? Did you find your boy yet?�

�No,� I took a long drag. �I have a favor to ask you.�

�Oh my, a favor?� his voice dripped with innuendo. �And how do you intend on paying me back?�

�You cannot have Shuichi for a night,� I said tiredly.

�Hmm, now how did you know what I was going to ask for?� he asked with a laugh.

�Look, Inoue, could we keep this short?� I sighed. I wanted to hang up but I knew if I did, I would bring him immense joy. He loved nothing more than getting under my skin.

�Of course, Yuki-san. The world turns only for you.�

He was such a smug bastard.

�I have something to tell you, something I believe will motivate you into action without payment of any kind.�

�Really?� he laughed again. �You always find a way to intrigue me, my dear Yuki-san. Let�s hear it.�

I then told him the story of the crazy Miyamoto and Maiko.

A few moments of silence passed before he said very solemnly, �I understand. I�ll take it from here. Find your boy. When you do, could you let us know? We are worried about him, too, you know.�

�Yeah, I will,� I answered and hung up.

I meant it. After all, it was better I call Inoue than Shuichi.

Now, I needed to find Shuichi. It was selfish of me, but I was somewhat relieved to realize he had disappeared for a reason other than his anger with me. At least that was what I hoped.

I called his phone and received only voicemail. Wherever he was, I was sure Maiko would be with him. I left him a message explaining I had seen Miyamoto and I knew what had happened. I asked him to call me.

I also told him I was worried about him. It�s possible there was just a hint of groveling in my voice.

Later, as I lay on Shuichi�s couch the cat snuggled in next to me, I tried to relax. I was exhausted, but I couldn�t sleep. Since I had returned to the apartment, my hand had begun to swell and protest any kind of use. Now that the adrenalin was gone from my system, I realized I was actually hurt. My hand throbbed with pain, but not as much as my heart.

I wanted Shuichi. I wanted him to be with me, to take care of me. I wanted him to hold me and tell me everything would be all right.

Closing my eyes, I tried to will myself to sleep. But, between the pain in my hand and my own anxiety, slumber remained elusive. Instead of sleep, I fell into considering my sister�s frank, albeit somewhat harsh words.

Had I not gone to New York, Shuichi would have never done most of the things he did, including sleeping with the fanboys. Sleeping with Nakano. Seducing Tohma.

Even the incident with Inoue lay firmly at my feet.

Mika was correct; I had absolutely no say in how Shuichi behaved during those eighteen months. Not after I had abandoned him.

Had I expected him to wait for me like a good little boy?

I had.

Even so, my mind continued to whirl with the thought of Shuichi trying to seduce Tohma. How had he ever reached that level of desperation?

How stupid. The answer was simple: I had driven him to it.

And at this moment, what was I thinking? Wasn�t I once again considering leaving? Wasn�t I thinking about how much better off Shuichi would be without me fucking up his life?

Yeah. Right.

Melodramatic martyrdom. That�s what Mika had called my time in New York, my tendency to run away from emotional situations, to insulate myself from pain.

Maybe it was time to admit she nailed that observation.

Melodramatic martyrdom. How embarrassing.

�Eiri?�

A cool hand touched my brow and my eyes snapped open with surprise. I could still feel the unshed tears, the result of my emotional reflection. I hastily rubbed them away as I blinked to clear my vision. Shuichi was kneeling next to me on the floor; his hand brushed gently at my hair as he stared into my eyes.

Maybe I was still dreaming.

�Have you been waiting long?�

�No,� I answered hoarsely.

His eyes drifted down to my injured hand I cradled on my chest. Speaking softly he asked, �What did you do to your hand?�

No, I wasn�t dreaming. I answered his question with a question, �Didn�t you get my message?�

He shook his head. �No. I�ve been busy.� His eyes shifted back to my hand.

�Oh. I think I broke it on that idiot Miyamoto�s face.�

I heard a gasp and I sat up, looking passed Shuichi�s tired, surprised face into Maiko�s terrified eyes. Well, one eye, anyway. The other was purple and swollen shut. I felt the rage at Miyamoto surge in me once again. Maiko was� Maiko was almost my sister, damn it. How dare that bastard lay one finger on her!

�He won�t be coming here,� I informed her quietly, careful to keep the anger out of my voice.

She averted her eyes in obvious embarrassment. Why are victims always embarrassed?

�I�ll get you some ice,� Shuichi said as he went to the kitchen.

�Maiko,� I called softly to her, �we can stay here tonight. All three of us. No one else is getting in.�

Placing her head in her hands, she started to cry. I stood up and wrapped her in my arms; I had learned long ago with my friend Sakura that words were useless in this situation, so I simply let her cry.

When Shuichi returned with the ice, she moved from me to him.

Once she had cried herself out, the three of us walked through the house together, opening closets and looking under furniture until she was satisfied we were the only people there. Afterwards, she disappeared into the spare bedroom, probably to cry some more.

I took comfort in the knowledge that Maiko was a Shindou. I knew once her tears stopped falling, she would be strong again, maybe even stronger.

Shuichi called NG�s doctor to have him come to the house the next morning to check on both Maiko and my hand. As he gave me some aspirin for the pain and fresh ice for my hand, he asked, �How did you know about Miyamoto?�

�I didn�t,� I sighed. �I was trying to find you and went to speak with Maiko. The stupid bastard gave himself away. I sort of lost it with him.�

�Good,� Shuichi said with satisfaction. �He was lucky it was you and not me.�

�That�s what I told him, but he�s such an idiot, he probably didn�t get it,� I told him as my eyes slid shut against my will.

�I hoped you kicked him.�

�Multiple times,� I answered. If I had seen Maiko�s black eye before I had seen him� Suddenly I was glad I had delivered the beating. �I�m sure I broke some ribs.�

�Better than he deserves,� Shuichi hissed.

�I agree.�

�Come on, Eiri,� he said as he tugged on my uninjured hand. �Let�s go to bed. I�m really tired.�

�Me, too,� I replied groggily as I followed him down the hall. �I�m glad you are here, Shuichi.�

He stopped, turned, and stared at me, �You said my name. Are you really glad I�m here?�

�Yes,� I answered as I squeezed his hand.

He kissed my uninjured hand and led me to the bedroom. Once we stopped in front of the bed, he began to strip off my clothes.

�What are you doing,� I complained.

�I know you very well, Eiri,� he explained as he tugged at my shirt. �By the looks of you, if we don�t get you out of these clothes in a hurry, you�ll sleep all night in them. Your window of consciousness is very short right now.�

�Huh,� I answered but complied as best I could as he removed the remainder of my garments.

He stared at my swollen hand again. �Are you sure you can wait until morning for treatment? It looks as if you may have really broken it.�

�I can wait,� I said sleepily. �But it does hurt.�

�Get into bed before you fall over,� he said as he pushed me gently onto the bed. Moments later, I felt him slide in next to me.

�I�m sorry,� I muttered as I pulled him close and fought to remain conscious

�What do you have to be sorry for?� he asked tiredly.

�For failing you,� I explained with my eyes closed

�I told you before, Eiri,� he answered softly. �I think we had to break before we healed. Although, I�m not certain about the healing part anymore.�

I made a dismissive noise before grumbling, �Not that stupid broken leg analogy again. It�s idiotic.�

His voice contained a hint of uncertainty as he said, �You can make fun of it all you want, but I know that you know I�m right.�

I did know. His assessment of our bad relationship being like a never-healed broken leg was irritatingly appropriate. Of course, I wasn�t going to admit he was right. He�d be insufferable if I did. But there was more� my befuddled mind struggled to identify what was wrong with his words.

�Are you all right?� I asked as I began to lose my struggle to remain awake.

�I�ve been better, but I�m all right. I�m glad you�re here. I thought I�d never see you again.�

His words hurt me. Even through my fading consciousness, my heart broke at the sound of his declaration. �You will stay, won�t you?�

�Of course,� I heard him say.

I smiled dreamily with those words. And there, in our bed, basking in Shuichi�s warmth and strength, I knew I was home once again. I surrendered to my exhaustion and drifted quickly away into a comforting and dreamless sleep.

The next morning I woke up early, the pain in my hand was horrible and I couldn�t ignore it anymore. The cat cuddled against me, leeching heat from me, but Shuichi was already out of bed.

I found some clean clothes and, after a few silly, inept tries, I managed partially to dress myself. I finally got the zipper on my pants to cooperate, but I couldn�t fasten any buttons.

Fuck it. Maiko had caught Shuichi and me in compromising situations on more than one occasion. She had an uncanny ability to walk in on us just as things were getting good, so she had seen more of us than was morally correct. I didn�t think I could shock her if I wanted to.

I liked Maiko. She was a good kid and a spectacular sister. Miyamoto was lucky I hadn�t killed him.

�Eiri?� I heard Shuichi call to me tentatively before he opened the door to the bedroom. He smiled when he saw my struggles with my clothing. �Are you having trouble?�

�What the fuck does it look like?� I snarled in response.

Laughing he moved across the room and said, �Be careful, you are at my mercy.�

�Just button up my clothes,� I growled impatiently.

He stopped just out of arm�s reach, folded his arms, tipped his head to the side and waited.

I sighed heavily. �Please.�

He closed the distance and, instead of buttoning my shirt, took the opportunity to slide his hands underneath it and over my sides, onto my back so he could hold me tightly. His hands were like fire on my skin, they felt� wonderful. He stretched up onto his toes and kissed me. The kiss was gentle, yet intense and my right arm wound around him and pulled him tight against me. The longing to have him was overwhelming, overshadowing the pain in my hand.

When I finally broke the kiss, I nuzzled his neck and asked, �How�s Maiko?�

�I think she�s a little better this morning,� he answered, the relief in his voice was evident.

�Well, don�t rush her. It might take her awhile.�

He pushed away from me, his eyes dark with anger. �Yeah, I think I have more than my share of experience to know what she�s going through, Eiri.�

I winced with the harshness of his words and the tone in which he delivered them.

So did he.

He rubbed a hand over his face. �I�m sorry. That wasn�t fair, I shouldn�t have said that.�

I reached out with my right hand and awkwardly stroked his hair. �You have nothing to be sorry for.�

Leaning into my touch and sighing, he said, �It doesn�t do any good to blame each other for past mistakes, does it? And I have other concerns at the moment.�

His words surprised me, as did the instant calm he radiated. Perhaps he was beginning to deal with his anger at me or, maybe he had exhausted his patience and didn�t care enough to concern himself with our ups and downs anymore. Either or, my sarcastic, self-protective streak still found a way out as I said, �You sound like our therapist.�

He chuckled this time and the sound was melodious and comforting. �I should remind you, Eiri, you are partially helpless right now. I could throw you down and have my way with you.�

That might not be so bad, I thought as I kissed him again. He opened his mouth slightly and my tongue darted into his mouth. With the taste of him, my passion unfolded inside me, fueling my desire for him. I steered him as best I could toward the bed and he did not protest. At the last moment, I turned so I fell first and took him with me, being sure to hold my useless hand away from any collision.

We fell onto the bed and he did his best not to crush any of my vulnerable, important parts. Once we had stopped bouncing, he straddled my hips and sat up. Pealing off his shirt, he said, �I suppose we had better hurry.�

I moaned quietly as he lay down and rubbed against me. All the anger, pain, and jealousy melted away as he tenderly took charge, his deft fingers touching and teasing as he slipped off my pants and shirt. Once we were both naked, he leaned over me again and, just before our lips met, he whispered, �I love you, Eiri. No matter what happens, I want you to know that.�

My eyes stung and I had to swallow the lump in my throat as I surrendered to his kiss and his touch. It didn�t sound as if he was done with our relationship. And then I thought about his words, No matter what happens, I want you to know that.

Maybe he was trying to tell me goodbye.

I needed to tell him I loved him also, but the words would not come today. Instead, I tried to tell him everything with my body. I arched into his touch, but my injured hand frustratingly limited my movements.

Finally, I did the only thing I was capable of and I whispered his name, �Shuichi.�

�Ne, Eiri,� he exhaled as he propped himself up on his elbow and ran his fingers through my hair, his eyes nearly burgundy with desire. �Don�t say my name like that; you�ll make me come too quickly.�

�What are you talking about?� I panted, closing my eyes at his touch, wanting more, my lust and need evident by the quickly forming sheen of sweat on my skin.

His hands traveled my body, stroking and ghosting touches over my heated skin. �When you say my name, low and breathy with need, it�s so erotic. It�s as if you are singing to me, seducing me with only the syllables of my name. It drives me crazy.�

I caught my breath as his words sunk in. Almost smiling, I lowered my voice and said softly, �Shuichi.�

He groaned in response and fumbled for the bottle of lubricant on the bedside table.

�Don�t spill it,� I teased.

�I believe you are the one who spills the lube,� he answered as he opened the bottle.

Oh, yeah. I was the one who did that.

Cool lube and a hot hand combined, touching and coating my throbbing erection. This time I hissed as my body arched to meet his fingers, �Shuichi��

�Hang on, Eiri,� he answered as he swung a leg over my hips and positioned himself over me. He held my cock and slipped the tip inside.

�Fuck,� I breathed as his body squeezed me, sucking me in. He was unbelievably tight and, as far as I knew, he hadn�t prepared himself. It took a moment for the stars to clear before I was able to ask, �Are you hurting?�

He shook his head as he pushed me all the way in, concentration and pleasure etched on his face. �No, far from it.� After a minute or two, he stared to move on top of me. �Come on Eiri, I can�t leave Maiko for long. Hurry.�

�I don�t like hurrying,� I complained and moaned as he undulated on top of me. �You know that.�

�Yes, I do know that. I guess I�ll have to do my best to convince you,� he panted as he began working me in and out of his snug hole in earnest.

He was so hot and sexy. In spite of the euphoric feeling I was experiencing, I kept my eyes open, watching him as he raised and lowered himself on me, twisting and pulsating his every movement, all to make me shiver with ecstasy.

He�s good at making me shiver with ecstasy. No, he�s fucking fantastic at it. Was this what he learned while I was away? No. I gasped as he drove my cock in extra-deep.

I gazed into his violet, lust clouded eyes and everything became clear to me. His eyes, his body, his voice were all focused on me, all given to me. He knew and used every erogenous zone on my body, every known weakness, causing me to respond to him as no one else could. I knew down to my very soul that Shuichi hadn�t done this with anyone else, hadn�t learned anyone else�s body the way he had mine. And he hadn�t given himself, hadn�t cared enough to let anyone else past his defenses. Maybe Inoue had gotten close, but now I was certain that my smarmy rival in love had never witnessed this breathtaking sight.

The sight of Shuichi in love.

I sighed in response to his knowledgeable caresses. With all his charms centered on bringing me off quickly, I found I was helpless against him and I felt my oncoming orgasm building. I tried to slow his movements, but with only one hand, I was totally ineffectual. He would easily get his way.

�Shuichi,� I whispered as my body thrust upwards to meet his. I reached out with my right hand and clumsily stroked his wet cock.

�Eiri,� He hissed at me, �I�m already coming� come with me��

He squeezed me so tight it almost hurt as his warm cum showered us both.

"Shuichi!" Maiko shouted as she opened the door.

Maiko stopped in her tracks as she realized what was happening in the room, her mouth open, surprise evident on her face as she let out a loud, �Oh!�

Shuichi tried frantically to dismount, but his actions pushed me beyond the point where I could stop. I wrapped both arms around his back, unable to grab him but holding him enough to stop his withdrawal. My body bowed into him and I clenched my teeth, groaning with my release.

I�m sure I gave Maiko quite a show.

"Eiri," I heard the amusement in Shuichi's voice as he said, "I can't believe you just did that. You have no control."

"No control?" I panted my outrage at him. "More like your sister's impeccable timing."

"Sorry to interrupt � again," Maiko said as she laughed, "but someone is at the door."

"And you, Maiko," Shuichi complained as he slid off my hypersensitive cock, inciting a moan from me. He moved to the edge of the bed and got out, standing up he turned and pulled the sheet up and over me. I could see the evidence of our lovemaking as it slid down the inside of his thigh and my cock twitched to life again. There was something so hot and nasty about the sight of my cum leaking out of him, it made me want round two.

Shuichi smiled as he read my renewed hunger and he touched my face gently before continuing his rant at his sister. "You know better than to barge in here. I know you want to get a look at Eiri, but come on!"

At some point during my orgasm, she had turned her back to us but was still laughing. It was a good sound. "I told you, someone is at the door and I got scared."

"You don't sound scared to me," he accused as he grabbed the closest robe. I wondered about all that cum and how long it would take before it was visible beneath the hemline of the robe. My desire for him grew.

Maiko�s joyful laughter increased, "I was scared, but I don't know what happened - I charged in here, frightened out of my mind and seeing you two going at it... I guess it made me realize everything was going to be all right."

"Well, what happened to you is not all right, Maiko," Shuichi said softly as he moved beside her. "But it will get easier for you to deal with as time goes on."

We all heard the impatient knock at the door and Maiko jumped. Keeping the sheet wrapped around me, I slid off the bed. "That's not an angry knock."

"No. I'm sure it's the NG doctor," Shuichi explained calmly as he moved to leave the room. There it was, the creamy-white fluid dripping down that perfect leg, just below the robe. "I better let him in."

"Can I stay in here?" Maiko asked quietly.

I shrugged, indicating my indifference as I watched my lover walk out of the room. We waited a minute before I heard Shuichi call to tell us the doctor had arrived.

"You go. I'm taking a shower," I told her. �Can you tell Shuichi I�ll need his help in the shower?�

�Sure,� she said with a smile. �I�m certain washing your hair would be really difficult with only one hand.�

�Yeah,� I answered. �Very difficult.� But of course, washing my hair wasn�t what I had in mind.

Shuichi did join me in the shower and, much to my delight; he was as turned on as I was. I was also pleased to find out that, if he bent over and braced himself against the tiled shower walls, I could easily fuck him senseless with only one useful hand.
As it turned out, both Maiko and I had to go to the hospital and get x-rays. Her arm suffered from some torn ligaments and a bad sprain. My hand, of course, was broken.

Stupid Miyamoto. It figured his head would be as hard as a brick. I would be out of commission for at least six weeks, possibly more. Well, the good news was I couldn�t sign autographs so I couldn�t go on the horrible book tour. I couldn�t wait to tell Mizuki.

Sometimes, it�s the little things that make life worth living.

When we finally got back to the house, Shuichi fussed over both of us. He gave me my pain medicine and set me up on the couch with a blanket, my smokes, the remote control, an astray, and a cup of tea.

Maiko sat at the kitchen bar, her arm now in a sling as she watched her brother prepare dinner for us. It had been a long day and we were all hungry.

Surprisingly, I didn�t like being isolated from them, so I made my way to the kitchen bar. The two were quietly discussing what to do about Maiko�s belongings and where she would live.

�You know,� I said as I set my cup down and reached for a cigarette, �we should probably tell Tohma what has happened.�

Shuichi made a face as he took my lighter from my useless right hand and lit my cigarette for me. �I suppose, but I�m not looking forward to talking to him. I wasn�t very nice to him during our last conversation.�

I almost smiled as I said, �You were probably nicer to him than I was.�

He did smile as he asked, �What did you say?�

�Well, it�s not so much what I said� it�s more what I did,� I answered as I took a slow drag of my smoke and relished the memory of being sick on Tohma�s Persian carpet. �He deserved it.�

At the same time Shuichi said, �Eh, he deserved it.�

�You can�t mean Seguchi-san?� Maiko�s eyes moved from Shuichi to me before she added, �But he�s so nice!�

Shuichi started to laugh and I smirked.

�What?� she asked.

�Oh Maiko,� he said through his laughter. �You are still so na�ve.�

�What?!� she demanded.

�You should be cautious of Seguchi, Maiko,� I answered quietly. �He can be treacherous.�

�You got that right!� Shuichi said as he continued to laugh.

�How can you say that? He has gone out of his way to help both of you over and over again.�

�In his meddlesome way, I suppose that�s true,� I answered as I took another drag. �But believe me, Maiko, Seguchi Tohma is not all he seems to be.�

�Eiri�s right. Tohma can be ruthless and manipulative,� Shuichi added. �Really Maiko, you don�t think he got to be where he is by being nice, do you?�

�You two,� she gave an exasperated sigh. �You are so suspicious and jaded!�

Shuichi and I looked at each other and smiled.

�Yeah,� we both agreed with her at the same time.

After a moment, Shuichi said, �Crap, we�re out of shoyu, I have to go to the store. Maiko, do you want to go with me?�

She looked at me, �Is it okay if I stay here?�

�Of course,� I nodded as I took one more drag. �But you might have to light my cigarettes.�

Shuichi darted into the bedroom as she laughed again, a soothing sound, so different from her tears.

�I�m glad I�m here, Eiri. You two help me realize how lost I was,� she sighed.

�Huh,� I grumbled. �Ironic.�

�I agree,� my lover said as he reappeared in his baseball cap and shades. He leaned over and gave me a quick kiss before asking, �Need anything?�

I raised an eyebrow.

�From the store,� he quickly amended.

�Cigarettes? Beer?�

Nodding he turned to Maiko, �You?�

�A non-damaged boyfriend?�

He shook his head, �Nope. You aren�t ready yet. Besides,� he continued as he glanced at me, �I�m not sure there is such a thing. I�ll be back as quick as I can.�

Maiko and I watched him leave. I crushed out my smoke, made my way back to the couch, and turned on the television. I mentally kicked myself for forgetting to tell Shuichi to pick up a movie.

�Can I sit next to you?� she asked me quietly.

I nodded and made room.

�He�s much happier now,� she said after a few minutes.

�You think so?� I asked, suddenly very interested.

�Yeah,� she smiled at me. �He was so� dead when you were gone. Even when Kyosuke was taking care of him, he was only half a person.�

�He�s a fool. I�m nothing,� I answered astonishing myself with my candid openness.

�Nothing?� She asked quietly. �Why would you say that?�

I shrugged.

�You love him, right?� Maiko�s piercing stare cut me to my core.

Looking away, I grumbled, �Who doesn�t? His idiocy is infectious.�

�But he�s important to you, right?� she persisted.

�I have trouble talking about stuff like this,� I answered gruffly. After a moment, I added, �But, yes, he�s important.�

�You don�t have to say it, Eiri, he already knows. But he does get scared sometimes.�

Nodding I said, �I know.�

�Just love him, okay?� She leaned against me, her eyes sliding shut and weariness taking a hold of her. �I know words are hard for you sometimes, so compensate with what he knows. Take it from me; a little love goes a long, long way.�

Sighing, I muttered softly, �I�ll try.�

�Good,� she yawned. �I think I�ll take a nap. Do you mind?�

�No,� I shook my head, but held up my cigarettes. She smiled as she fired the lighter for me and then made her way to her room.

As I sucked down my cigarette, I considered her words. Just love him. I did love him, what did she mean?

More importantly, what was going on inside his head? He had been weird since showing up with Maiko in tow. Well, not exactly weird, he had been calm and somewhat distant. His actions were attentive and loving enough with me and Maiko both. Yet, it seemed as if he was holding a part of himself back from me, in reserve almost. Was he afraid?

It didn�t feel as if he was afraid, it felt more as if he had made a decision.

Maybe I was the one who should be afraid.

Yeah.

At the moment, we were experiencing something of a cease-fire, but I knew that was only because of Maiko. More angry words were coming our way; we had to discuss what we had just gone through. We needed to discuss what we went through. That discussion would happen, of that I had no doubt, either here or with the therapist.

He had made a decision. His words were soft and calm for the most part, his actions were unhurried and deliberate, and he was exuding a neutral and centered vibe. He wasn�t rejecting me, but he also wasn�t embracing me either. It was as if he was in limbo.

As if he were waiting for the right moment to tell me at what conclusion he had arrived.

Strangely enough, I wanted to know now. Usually, waiting for possible bad news was simple for me, denial the easier, more comfortable path. Maybe we could talk as soon as he got back.

I realized as I sat there, worrying and nursing my throbbing hand, that there was an additional bonus to not being able to go on the book tour. Shuichi would be gone on tour in another week or so. Now I could go to London with him and be with him for part of his tour.

That is, if he wanted me.

My phone blared to life. I wandered to the counter and picked it up.

Ugh.

I sighed and answered, �What?�

�Don�t you �what� me, you bastard!�

�Why are you using Inoue�s phone?" I asked, wanting another cigarette.

�Fuck you. Did you find Shu?� Shuichi�s best friend shouted at me.

Oops.

�Yeah.�

�I knew it! Why didn�t you call us?�

�I forgot,� I answered.

There was some commotion on that end of the conversation and then I heard the smarmy, happy voice. �Sorry about that, Yuki-san. Hiroshi is a smidgen agitated with you.� Away from the phone, I heard Fujisaki�s calming voice speaking soothingly to the guitarist.

Briefly, I wondered what had happened to the serene, stoic Nakano. I knew the guy hated me, but this was beyond the hate. Did Inoue have something to do with unraveling his lover�s emotions? Probably. Inoue seemed to bring out all kinds of emotions in people.

For example, Inoue brought out anger in me. �What do you want?�

�Why to check on Shu, of course. To check on all of you,� he said quietly.

�Maiko�s here, if that is what you are asking. She�s a little worse for wear, but she�s all right for the most part. Shuichi�s out at the moment.�

�Look, Yuki-san, I�ve already told Hiroshi, do you think Shu will be okay with that? Or should I talk to him about it?�

Hmm, I hated to admit it, but he could be a noble bastard when he set his mind to it. �No, I think he�d be okay with it. Maiko and Nakano are close.�

He exhaled, �Yeah. So, how are the two of you?�

�We are fine, Inoue. Anything else?�

�Well, you might be hearing something about Miyamoto soon. Try and be surprised, okay?�

�Right.�

�You know,� he began again in that light-hearted, I�m-out-to-irritate-you voice. �You really should have called us. We were very worried.�

�Sorry,� I said, insincerely.

�No you aren�t,� he laughed. �By the way, I wanted to tell you what one of my band members said about you and me. He said he thought I was secretly in love with you. What do you think about that?�

I heard the key in the door and I hung up.

Shuichi came through the door loaded down with items. I made my way to him and relieved him of a bag.

�Thanks, Eiri,� he looked around.

�She�s taking a nap,� I answered his question as the two of us started to put the newly purchased items away.

�Good. She needed it. I don�t think she�s been sleeping well,� he answered quietly.

�Not surprising,� I answered. �You haven�t been, either.�

He shrugged as he folded up a bag. �Who was on the phone?�

�Your friend.�

�Kyo? He called you?�

�Yeah. He and your band mates have been worried about you,� I explained. �Since they can�t get a hold of you, they called me.�

�Oh,� he moved to begin preparing dinner again.

Now was the time, I didn�t want to wait any longer, I needed to find out what was on his mind. �Hey��

His hand paused as it reached for the knife and he looked up and into my eyes.

I grasped his hand. �Let�s talk.�

His eyes widen with surprise over my abrupt words. �What?�

�We need to talk,� I said as I pulled him towards the living room.

�Eiri� but what about dinner?�

�It�ll wait,� I answered as I sat on the couch and pulled him down next to me, still holding his hand. �This is more important.�

�Okay,� he said his eyes still wide. �What did you want to say?�

Wait � he wanted me to do the talking? �I thought you had something you want to say.�

�I do. But since you started this little talk,� he crossed his arms and leaned into the couch. �I think that means you go first.�

I had completely misread his need to communicate with me. In actuality, his aloof detachment had apparently come from his need to hear what was on my mind. He was waiting to hear my feelings on our relationship in order to make his decision.

I opened my mouth to tell him that I had nothing to say, but then my eyes met his. He was staring at me with a fierce, challenging look. I had a sudden, sinking feeling that our relationship was riding on the next words I spoke.

Snapping my mouth shut, I considered my options carefully.

It appeared the time for groveling had come.

TBC

Lyrics for Cat People (Putting Out Fire with Gasoline) by the always lovely David Bowie.
- 11
- 12
- 13
You need to be logged in to leave a review for this story.You need to be logged in to leave a review for this story.
Report Story

Come What May