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Unlocking My Love	By : JadeHeart Category: Gravitation > Yaoi - Male/Male > Yuki/Shuichi Views: 7676 -:- 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
- 22
- 23
- 24
Title: Unlocking My Love
Author: JadeHeart
Fandom: Gravitation
Warnings: some bad language
Disclaimer: I do not own the characters in this, apart from Jim Harris and Annette; they belong to the creator of �Gravitation�.

Chapter 23
�So how's it feel to be back here?� Hiro asked, watching Shuichi stare out the window of their car as they headed from the airport.

�Strange,� was Shuichi's muted answer.

Hiro didn't press the issue, just glanced at Suguru who sat opposite them, noting he too was closely watching Shuichi. Hiro had wondered how Shu would feel about coming back here. He didn't really know that much about what Shu had gone through when he was here but he guessed it probably held some important memories for his friend. He just hoped there were no memories here that would disturb Shuichi so much that he wouldn't be able to go through with the concert.

Shuichi then leant forward abruptly and rapped on the partition behind Suguru. It slid open and K looked in at them.

�What's up, kiddo?� K queried with a wide smile.

�Hey, any chance that we could make a side trip before getting to the hotel?� Shuichi asked.

K raised one eyebrow, the only sign of surprise and then shrugged. �Let me check with the boss first,� he said, reaching inside his coat. The members of Bad Luck shrank away automatically but the only thing he produced was a hand-held two-way radio. He spoke quietly into it for a moment, nodded and then turned back to Shuichi.

�Tohma said it's fine if it's not too distant and you don't stay too long,� he said, laying out the conditions.

Shuichi nodded acceptance. �That's fine. Where I want to go isn't that much out of our way.� He gave the address which K repeated to their driver and soon they headed deeper into the suburbs before finally pulling up outside an apartment block.

Shuichi was the first to get out, pausing to look up at the building for a moment.

�You okay, Shu?� Hiro queried softly.

Shuichi looked down at him then smiled. �Yeah,� he said, stepping aside so Hiro could exit, closely followed by Suguru.

�So why are we here?� Suguru asked, craning his head back to look up at the top of the building before them.

�I want to see some old friends,� Shuichi answered, walking forward.

�Do you want us to wait here?� Hiro asked, not moving, thinking Shuichi might be more at ease meeting people from his past life without their confusing presence.

�Nah, it's okay,� Shuichi answered. He tossed a smile over his shoulder at his friends. �I want you to meet them; they're my old band.� He frowned at K for a moment. �But can you try to restrain yourself and not pull out your guns? They would probably find that a bit freaky.�

K suppressed a smirk. �I'll do my best,� he said with a straight face,.

Shuichi just snorted as though not believing it but turned to continue up the steps. He put his hand on the door and turned the handle.

�Don't you need a code to get in?� Suguru queried, noting the mechanism.

Shuichi grinned at him, jiggling the handle and then giving the door a hard bump with his shoulder under which the door suddenly swung open. �That's the way to get in if you forget the code,� he said, pushing it wider and entering. �It was always a dodgy lock and sometimes would get stuck and not open when you used the code so we all had to figure out how to get past it or be stuck out on the pavement.�

He thumbed the elevator button and tipped his head back to watch it descend. Hiro saw the almost nostalgic smile as the elevator let out a loud screech, startling the rest of them and making them jump. Only Shuichi didn't react. Obviously he had remembered and expected it.

When it arrived the four of them only just managed to squeeze into the small space provided.

�Cosy, isn't it?� Suguru muttered, trying to avoid K's elbow digging into his kidney. However to move away from K forced him closer to Hiro facing him and he felt a little uncomfortable, face flushing, as their pelvises nudged closer.

Shuichi grinned at him from the other side. �You should try getting in here with musical instruments as well,� he said. �I had an almost very unpleasant encounter with the neck of a guitar one time. Now that could have caused some serious damage.�

Hiro chuckled, �Or the best time of your life,� he put in.

Shuichi punched him lightly which his friend return and K stepped in before it could get out of hand completely in such confined space. �Steady on, boys. I know we're all friends here but in this situation something's liable to 'come up' and I don't want little Suguru here to get 'christened' unexpectedly.�

Suguru blushed hard as Shuichi crowed with laughter, and he could feel Hiro's deep chuckle in the broad chest before him as his hair ruffled with Hiro's breath. He may not swing that way but he couldn't deny that being in such close confines with a sexy guy like Hiro did kind of make his pulse race. He pushed that thought aside, trying to imagine pink elephants in tutus, or anything to take his mind from that path.

Luckily he was saved from further embarrassment as the elevator jerked abruptly to a stop, lurching to one side which threw them all against each other, Shuichi plastered against the doors which suddenly opened, spilling them all into the corridor. Shuichi adroitly side-stepped, having the advantage over the others with his background knowledge, and watched the rest of them fall in a pile on the floor, Suguru sandwiched between the taller Hiro and K.

�Come on you lot,� Shuichi instructed, turning away. �No time for an orgy.�

Suguru hurriedly wriggled out from between the other two, his face hot and body feeling uncomfortable. That was little too close for his liking. He swiftly caught up with Shuichi, taking a deep breath to slow his racing heart.

They had almost reached the end of the corridor when Shuichi stopped in front of one of the doors. He reached up and rapped loudly on the wood panel. There was no immediate response so Shuichi knocked again, louder this time. Still no answer.

�Perhaps they're not home?� Suguru commented. �We can always come back later.�

Shuichi was frowning, chewing on his bottom lip before lifting his hand and knocking again, only this time it had a different rhythm. Suddenly the door was flung open and hands stretched out to grab Shuichi, pulling him forward. K reached out in alarm, one hand grasping for his gun in its holster, perhaps fearing that his charge was being kidnapped but a loud cry of �Shu!� from further in the apartment made him pause. Obviously these people knew Shuichi well.

They stood back as Shuichi was engulfed in a hug by a young man with long blond hair pulled back into a pony tail who towered over Shuichi's smaller frame. Another person was wrapped around him also, only a little taller than Shu, short jet black hair leaning against Shuichi's orange-streaked strands, completing the three way embrace.

Suddenly they all parted, although the taller man didn't let go of Shuichi's shoulders, staring down at him. �Geez, man! What are you doing here?!� he said. �Last we heard from you was that you took off to Japan to sing and stuff and nothing since except a couple of texts. What the hell kind of �staying in contact� do you call that?!�

�Yeah,� the other young man said, yanking on Shuichi's long hair, a frown on his oriental features. �You told us you would let us know what was going on but we couldn't make heads or tails of most of the stuff you said.�

�Ow!� Shuichi uttered, wincing at the pulling and reaching up to extract his hair from the grip. �Look, I told you that I was in a band again,� he explained in heavily accented and slightly broken English.

�Yeah, but you didn't tell us what one!�

�Didn't I?� Shuichi stared back at them with wide, surprised eyes.

The taller man rolled his eyes heavenward and shook his head. �Shu, you are as dense as ever. I thought getting your memories back would have made you smarter.�

�No,� Suguru then said in carefully pronounced English. �It just meant that Shuichi returned to normal. That already included the stupidity.�

�And who asked you for your opinion?� Shuichi growled in Japanese, glaring at Suguru who just shrugged.

�So who are these dudes?� the tall man said, looking them all up and down, eyes settling on Hiro. He tipped his head to one side and said, �Guitar?� to which Hiro grinned and nodded.

�How do you always do that?� Shuichi complained, looking at his old band member. �You always could pick the guitar players. Do you guys have a secret sign or something so you recognise each other?�

His friend shrugged with a smile, �Nah, nothing like that. You just know somehow.� Hiro nodded agreement, smiling back.

�So are you going to introduce them or do we have to somehow guess?� the Asian youth asked.

�Yeah, yeah,� Shuichi huffed, turning around fully to face the Japanese contingent whilst his previous American group draped arms over his shoulders. �Hiro, guitarist; Suguru, keyboardist; and K, uhm,,, manager...sort of,� he said, pointing at each in turn. �These two are Troy, guitarist,� indicating the tall man to his left, �and Kim Kyung-Bin, drummer,� pointing to the Asian youth. �I used to be on keyboards.�

�And sing,� Troy put in, ruffling Shuichi's hair.

�Cut it out,� Shuichi swatted the hand away. �Anyway, what's the big idea in not answering the door, huh?�

Troy rubbed the back of his neck, looking a little sheepish. �Well, we're kind of late in the rent this month,� he said. �So we're dodging the landlord at the moment.�

�That's how we knew it had to be you 'cause you are the only other person who knew our signal,� Kim added.

�Thought so,� Shuichi said, grinning. �How much do you need?�

Troy looked shocked as Shuichi reached into his pocket. �Hey, we're not after handouts!� he said hurriedly. �We've both got pays coming to us soon which will cover it. We just had a few other things come up this month that cleaned out the savings. We'll clear it in another week and be fine after.�

Hiro was relieved to hear this as for a moment he had been concerned that these 'old' friends of Shu's might only be after his money now he was famous. However it didn't seem to be the case.

�Come on in quickly before the landlord finds out we're home after all,� Kim said glancing down the corridor and hustled them inside.

�Take a seat any where you like,� Troy said, waving around the room. Hiro glanced over the choice of furniture which consisted of an old two-seater sofa which K and Suguru claimed. Shuichi promptly sat on the floor, back resting against one end, obviously a familiar position for him. Hiro decided to mirror Shuichi's position, which left Kim to climb onto the small square kitchen table opposite and sit there cross-legged, whilst Troy perched on the edge so they all faced each other.

�So what brings you here?� Kim asked, resting an elbow on one knee, chin on hand and directing the question to Shuichi.

�What, can't I just drop in and see my friends?� Shuichi said with a grin.

�Hell of a wide detour from Japan for a coffee,� Kim replied dryly.

Shuichi chuckled. �Yeah, it is kind of,� he agreed. �I'm over here for work.�

�The band?� Troy put in, looking at both Hiro and Suguru also.

�Yeah,� Shuichi confirmed. �We're holding some concerts here soon and I wanted to ask if you would like to come and see.�

�Sure,� Troy said enthusiastically. �Just tell us where and when and we'll be there.�

�You still haven't told us the name of your band,� Kim reminded Shuichi.

�Oh, yeah. It's 'Bad Luck'.�

Kim and Troy stared at him. �You're kidding me!� Troy said in a strained voice.

�Uhm, no,� Shuichi responded, not understanding his friend's shock.

�That's really you lot?� Kim said, sounding a little disbelieving.

�Uh, huh,� Shuichi nodded. �Have you heard of us?�

�Hell, yeah!� was Troy and Kim's reply in unison.

�Your music's been playing in some of the underground clubs around here for months now,� Kim put in.

�I heard someone say that it began in Canada somewhere and filtered down to here. You've got quite a following in a number of the places.� Troy explained.

�And there's been a heap of advertising over the past week about you heading here for some big concerts.�

�Ah,� Shuichi said, realising that Tohma had obviously been involved in arranging the advertising. However, he doubted NG's president had anything to do with their songs playing in the clubs. He guessed that the downloads he'd left back in Quebec at the club had continued to be played. It felt a little strange to realise that so many more people had been listening to their music and they hadn't even known about it.

�So you mean you're really going to give us tickets to see you live?� Troy said excitedly.

Shuichi nodded. �It's the least I could do when you both took care of me before,� he said with a smile.

�Hey, you helped us out as well. You were the best lead singer we had.� He grimaced a little. �We had a hell of a time finding a replacement at first.�

�So you're still playing?�

�Yep,� Troy said with a proud smile. �Though we've changed a little after you left. We've got another guy on guitar, a bass player and a real sexy singer!�

�And she sings pretty good too, just to show that it's not all just about looks,� Kim added with a frown at Troy. �He and Susie are dating now,� he explained. �That's why he's so ga-ga over her.�

�Well, that's great!� Shuichi said happily. �When's your next gig? I want to see!�

�We've got something lined up in two weeks if you're still going to be around and are free?� Kim said.

�Let me know,� Shuichi said, �and I'll really try and make it.�

�Ahem,� K suddenly cleared his throat loudly interrupting them. He smiled. �I hate to cut this short but I've got to get these boys to the hotel before our boss sends out a search party.�

�Oh, right,� Shuichi said reluctantly, remembering he had promised he wouldn't remain away long. They all stood and headed for the door, pausing as Kim carefully checked the corridor in case their persistent landlord had appeared seeking the elusive rent, then stepping into the corridor at Kim's all clear.

�I'll be in touch with the tickets,� Shuichi promised his friends.

�You'd better not forget,� Troy threatened.

�I'll make sure he remembers,� K assured them. �It was nice to have met you both.�

�Yeah, likewise,� Troy replied.

Handshakes were given all round and then Bad Luck trooped back to the patiently waiting car and headed for the hotel. Tohma was in the foyer, obviously waiting for them but he didn't say anything, just smiling and handing out their keys with the admonishment to get a good night's sleep as tomorrow would be a busy day.

Shuichi flopped down face first onto the large king size bed. He gathered a pillow under his arms, resting his chin on the soft form, legs absently kicking against the mattress. It was nice to see Troy and Kim again. He hadn't known how he would feel seeing them in person after getting his memories back. He had wondered if he would feel differently about them, or he would seem like a stranger to them but it had been like nothing had changed.

He felt that weird sensation again of being two people crammed into one body. It had been a long time since he had thought about being 'Shu Chan'. He had been just Shuichi Shindou for a while now and his previous persona had slipped away. 'Shu Chan' had no place in Japan so it wasn't surprising. But now that he was back in America he felt like 'Shu Chan' was trying to resurface, reclaim his place. It unnerved him. Would he submit and return to being 'Shu Chan' and that life? Is that what he wanted? Would he be able to stop it?

He rolled over onto his back and stretched out, arms and legs reaching for the corners with no chance of actually reaching. He always felt a little lost in beds this size. With his small stature you could fit four of him in this bed and still be fairly comfortable, or all three members of Bad Luck at least. He'd often shared a crowded futon with Hiro whilst they were growing up.

He gnawed at his bottom lip, still looking up at the blank ceiling above, noting the tiny hairline cracks crazing across the plaster. No, he didn't want to be 'Shu Chan'. He was Shuichi Shindou and he liked being Shuichi Shindou. 'Shu Chan' had been a necessary part of his life at that time but he didn't want to return to being that person. 'Shu Chan' wasn't the singer of Bad Luck which was his entire life. 'Shu Chan' didn't have a great, supportive family. 'Shu Chan' didn't have friends like Hiro and Suguru, or K and Sakano.

Shuichi stretched again, still not able to touch the sides though relishing in the comfort provided. Eiri would like this bed, he thought, bouncing a little and feeling the spring in the mattress. He continued to absently bounce there.

That was something else that 'Shu Chan' didn't have � Eiri Yuki. 'Shu Chan' would never meet Yuki, never talk to him, never see him... never kiss him, a soft whisper said in his mind and he felt his face flush.

He dropped an arm over his eyes in embarrassment, hiding his view of the room. Damn it, why couldn't he forget the man! 'Shu Chan' wouldn't have this problem! His life was completely Yuki free!

But even as he thought that Shuichi felt a pang inside. He had accepted that he didn't want to be 'Shu Chan', so therefore he had to accept everything that Shuichi Shindou was and had. And that included whatever his relationship with Yuki was, in all its frustrations and confusion.

He turned onto his side, drawing his knees up a little. Yuki was here somewhere so tomorrow he would find out where.

oOo-

�So things are going well?� Tohma said into the phone cradled between his shoulder and chin as he fastened the cuff of his shirt.

Yuki's voice came through the phone clearly. �So far.�He didn't expand any further and Tohma just smiled to himself.

�That's good then,� he replied, turning to the other cuff. He was waiting for the one question that he knew that Yuki was dying to ask which so far in the conversation hadn't been. The pause lengthened and he refused to fill it, letting it draw out. Finally he was rewarded with Yuki clearing his throat loudly before speaking.

�So... how is...the preparations going?�

Tohma was amused. How like Yuki to refuse to say outright what he really wanted to know. Tohma was tempted to torment him a little longer but decided he didn't have time. He had a promotional party to get to and he couldn't afford to be late.

�It's going fine,� he said, shrugging into his jacket. �Shuichi has been working hard in putting together the compilation for the show. He's thrown himself into his work rather enthusiastically.� He waited to see if Eiri would respond to this but there was nothing. Tohma sighed softly. Eiri was being rather boring tonight; not biting as he usually would. Perhaps this separation from Shuichi was taking its toll? �Shall I tell him where you are?�

�Ah...� Eiri hesitated and Tohma wondered if he would chicken out again. It would be the third time since his arrival in America that his conversations with Eiri had resulted in a stalemate on this question. He also knew that Eiri hadn't directly contacted Shuichi yet which was irritating his lead singer no end. Surprisingly though Eiri's response was, �I...suppose you can. Tell him I'll see him when I get back.�

�Of course,� Tohma agreed. �I'll be happy to pass the message on.�

He could already imagine the explosion of anger that he would get from Shuichi with this second-hand message. It had been dramatic enough when Shuichi had approached him the day after their arrival to ask where Eiri could be located (not asking if Tohma knew, but accepting that of course Tohma did). Upon hearing that Eiri had left the day prior to begin a week of book signings outside of New York Shuichi's tantrum had been something to behold. Tohma thought it might just have been his best to date.

So Shuichi had not been happy at all that firstly Eiri had left before he arrived; secondly, that he had left without speaking to him or leaving him a message; and thirdly that Tohma wouldn't tell him anything further about where exactly Eiri was or when he would be back. Although Eiri had requested that Shuichi not be informed, it was also a precaution that Tohma was happy to take to ensure that his lead singer did not suddenly get the mad idea into his head to take off after Eiri. Tohma didn't need the headache of trying to track down his wayward singer at this crucial point.

However, now that Eiri had given permission to let Shuichi know of his whereabouts Tohma would need to keep a close eye on him although he thought the danger point had passed. Shuichi was fully committed to the concerts now and was unlikely to jeopardise things � at least not completely. Still Tohma was interested to see just what Shuichi's response might be. Ah well, at least Eiri was actually giving him a message at all.

�I've got to go,� Eiri said abruptly as though suddenly embarrassed at his capitulation.

�I also,� Tohma replied. �Call me when you are returning and I'll let you know where to find us.�

�Right,� and Eiri hung up.

Tohma snapped the phone shut, staring at it for a moment.

�So what excuses does he have this time?�

Tohma turned to face the speaker, sprawled untidily in one of the plush armchairs in his room. �Actually none,� he said calmly, slipping the phone into his pocket. �He was rather�tame tonight.�

Tatsuha let out a bark of laughter. �You mean bro didn�t bite once?� he grinned at his brother-in-law. �You must be losing your touch, Tohma.�

Tohma just shrugged with a calm smile, refusing to be goaded by the youngster. Tatsuha had a long way to go to be able to best him. Not that it stopped the young man from trying. He turned and checked his appearance in the full length mirror. Yes, that should do, he thought, turning to each side. He could see Tatsuha behind him in the mirror, now staring out the balcony door at the darkness beyond, a pensive look on his face.

Tohma watched him for a time longer, pondering. Tatsuha had done very little out of the ordinary since his arrival in New York. He had gone out and done some sight seeing around the city, accompanied at all times as Tohma didn�t want to lose him. Mika would never forgive him if that happened. He had come to the concert venue a number of times but that was it. He wasn�t even hanging out with the members of Bad Luck which seemed strange considering he had always got along with them, especially Shuichi, a fellow Nittle Grasper fan. In fact, he had been unusually subdued since his arrival which was almost alien behaviour for Tatsuha.

Tohma turned from the mirror and walked over to the coffee table, reaching down to pick up his hat. �Are you sure you don�t wish to change your mind?� he asked almost nonchalantly.

He settled the hat carefully on his head, taking care to not appear to be watching Tatsuha. He saw the young man start a little, a quick worried frown crease his brow before he schooled his expression into his more easy-going manner.

�Naw,� he drawled, grinning. �It�s just going to be the usual boring stuff; everyone fawning all over you, saying how great Nittle Grasper are and everything.�

�You don�t think we are?� Tohma raised an eyebrow at him, smiling.

Tatsuha waved the comment aside. �The difference is I know you are great!� he declared. His smile grew broader. �And I�m one up on any of them since you�re actually related to me now!�

�Show off,� Tohma commented with humour. �Still, you would be able to spend some time with Shuichi and the others. And don�t you want to say hello to Noriko and Ryuichi since they�ve just arrived?�

Tatsuha turned his head aside quickly but not fast enough for Tohma not to see the flush that touched his cheeks. �It�s not really a big deal,� he said hurriedly. �I�ll have plenty of opportunities to see them at other times.�

�Hmm,� Tohma murmured. He was very puzzled by Tatsuha�s behaviour. He had expected the youth to be more than eager to meet his idol, Ryuichi Sakuma, again yet instead he almost seemed to be trying to avoid him. Which was totally unlike his usual pushy self. Tohma made a mental note to himself to ponder this further afterwards.

�Well, have a good night then,� was all he did say, heading for the door.

�You too,� was Tatsuha�s response.

Opening the door, he found Sakano already waiting on the other side attentively.

�Is everything ready?� he absently asked as he strode past his aide and down the corridor.

�All is as you requested,� Sakano replied, opening the door for Tohma to walk through unimpeded. �K just called to say that all the members of Bad Luck are also present and accounted for.�

�Good,� Tohma nodded approvingly. This night should go well for them and his plans were coming together nicely where the concert was concerned. He even felt that perhaps there was beginning to be a little progress with Eiri and Shuichi also, although that still remained to be seen once Eiri returned to New York and they were at least both in the same city!

The car pulled up smoothly outside the skyscraper and Sakano swiftly exited to open the back door for Tohma who paused for a moment to appraise the surroundings before putting on his most professional and bright smile for the flashing cameras.

He walked calmly along the red carpet rolled over the pavement, an audacious, yet striking, touch that he appreciated. He paused a few times at the shouted requests of the paparazzi, smiling and posing for moment before moving on, Sakano remaining silently behind him. He turned at the glass front doors, flanked on either side by large burly security guards clad ominously in black, to give a last wave to the gathered crowd and then swept through as the doors swung open to admit him.

�Quite a performance,� a voice said as he entered.

He smiled, not altering his stride, which took him directly towards Noriko so he could draw her in to a warm hug.

�I always try to give the public what they want,� he replied, releasing her.

�Humph!� she snorted in amusement, flicking her hair back from her shoulder. She kept it shorter than she used to, only just reaching past her shoulders when down. Tohma found he rather liked it like that. It added a maturity and appearance of confidence to her face than what had been her usual pigtails. �You always did know how to play a crowd!�

�That's what he does best,� and Tohma turned to face a smiling Ryuichi. They clasped each other tightly, holding the cinch for a long time.

�Okay, okay, that's enough, boys,� Noriko said, reaching forward to break them up. �You've still got an audience remember?�, nodding towards the glass frontage where flashes where flaring madly as the crowd jostled to take the best photo of the first reunion of the members of Nittle Grasper in New York. Not to mention the sought after photos of Tohma Seguchi and Ryuichi Sakuma in compromising positions which always added fuel to the rumours of just what their relationship had been or still was.

Ryuichi waved broadly to the crowd on the other side of the glass, draping his arm around Tohma's shoulders and pulling him closely to his side, his hand hanging loosely to rest on Tohma�s chest, long fingers running through the fur trimming in what could only be called a suggestive manner.

Noriko just rolled her eyes at this display and then Ryuichi let out a loud laugh before releasing Tohma and turning to face her, grinning.

�So do I do as well as Tohma?� he wanted to know, his smile broad and dark eyes twinkling with mischief.

Noriko couldn�t help smiling back at him. �You do okay,� she said, reaching out and giving his ear a tug. �Now come on, you two,� she turned and headed for the elevators lined against the side wall. �We can�t keep the guests waiting too long.�

Tohma and Ryuichi followed, the elevator doors swishing open as they arrived and they all entered together.

�So how are things going?� Tohma asked his two friends. It had been some time since he had seen either of them in person.

�We�re a star!� Ryuichi stated loudly, chuckling. �Me and Kumagoro!�

�And where is Kumagoro tonight?� Tohma questioned, actually curious. He didn�t think that Ryuichi would have come to such event without the stuffed toy. Perhaps it was a good sign if he had.

Ryuichi�s hand snaked inside his long black leather coat and a splash of pink appeared, stark against the dark colour. The rabbit-like face stared up at Tohma while Ryuichi continued to grin. �He�s right here!� he said proudly. His voice dropped to a stage whisper. �All the lights outside scared Kumagoro a little so we hid him. He didn�t even come out when the camera men asked for him.� He was obviously pleased with this deception.

�Is Kumagoro going to stay hidden all night?� Tohma asked mildly. He wasn�t particularly bothered if the toy wasn�t. He was quite used to Kumagoro�s presence and he didn�t care if any of their guests might think it a little�odd. If it made Ryuichi happy that was all that mattered.

�Perhaps�perhaps,� Ryuichi said in a sing-song voice, making Kumagoro�s arms wave at Tohma. �But Kumagoro really wants to say hello to Shuichi.�

�Then by all means he must do so,� Tohma replied, noting they were drawing closer to their level. He smiled at Ryiuichi. �I�m sure Shuichi is looking forward to it also.�

Noriko sniffed. �Just keep Kuma under control,� she warned, giving Ryuichi a sharp look. �This is a very important event, not just for us, but for Bad Luck. It would really hurt Shuichi if this got messed up.�

Ryuichi pouted, looking upset, and hugged Kumagoro tightly to his chest. �Kumagoro wouldn�t do anything bad!� he defended his toy. He squeezed it tighter, his bottom lip trembling. �Kuma wouldn�t do anything to hurt Shuichi. We want to see Shuichi shine even brighter!�

�There, there,� Noriko said in a calm voice, patting his arm soothingly. She smiled at him and reached up to gently wipe away the traces of moisture building at the corner of his eyes and then lightly patted Kumagoro�s head. �I know you care about Shuichi, Ryu. I just don�t want you getting too excited about everything. There are a lot of people here who may not understand so I�m just worried about you.�

�Noriko�s worried about me?� Ryuichi said, tilting his head to one side as he looked at her. He smiled brightly and abruptly threw his arms around her, hugging her hard. �I�m fine,� he whispered in a low voice into her hair. �I promise you I am fine and I�ll be careful.�

Ryuichi released her just as quickly, spinning away and pirouetting, swinging Kumagoro around in circles. �See!� he crowed, laughing. �Kumagoro wants to dance as well! He wants to see Shuichi shine tonight!�

The elevator pinged and Tohma extended his arm towards Noriko to lead her out, Ryuichi following closely behind. They could hear the hum of the crowd as they walked down the corridor, able to already see the milling people through the open doorway of the function room in the distance.

�So,� Tohma said, halting his stride. �Are we ready for this?�

On his right Noriko shook back her hair before lifting her chin and giving Tohma a quick look. �What do you think?� she said with a wink and a crooked smile.

Ryuichi stepped up to flank him on the left, leather coat curling around his legs as he moved, pink Kumagoro no-where to be seen once more. He inhaled loudly, letting it out in a low laugh as he met Tohma�s eyes. �Let�s do it,� he said with a feral grin.

Tohma�s smile also held a sharp edge as he felt the familiar rush of adrenalin surging through his body. He shook his shoulders, reaching up to straighten his hat.

�It�s show time,� he said softly, stepping forward in unison with Ryuichi and Noriko.

-oOo-

Shuichi sat up and threw a third pillow across the dark room in frustration as sleep continued to elude him. It wasn't a problem losing the pillow, there was a multitude of pillows and cushions on his large bed so it could afford to lose a few. Besides he needed some way to vent. Another pillow sailed through the air.

Tomorrow Yuki returned to New York. Tomorrow he would finally get to see him after all this time with barely any contact, and days before Tohma even would tell him where Yuki was! Tomorrow he would finally be able to find out why the man had run away from him without a word.

Shuichi punched the pillow nearest him violently. Tomorrow he would snot the bastard for leaving like that, he growled internally.

He flopped down on his back on the bed again with a loud sigh. He didn't really know how he would react when he saw Yuki. As it drew closer to the day of Yuki�s arrival his dreams had taken a new turn. Instead of strangling Yuki he was doing far different things with him � things that made him moan and sweat and wake up with very different problems and a clean up required as well.

Rolling over he buried his face in the pillow, both fists punching the others on either side of his head, trying to erase those vivid thoughts. How could he be missing that when they had barely kissed since his return to Japan? But somewhere in his mind he obviously was and his body certainly seemed to crave it if his imagination was anything to go by. Still, Shuichi was resolved not to just go with these feelings, not unless he was absolutely certain that it was something that Yuki also wanted and was committed to. Shuichi didn't want to continue a relationship where he never knew if his partner was going to just up and disappear on him. Again!

Shuichi rolled back over and tried to get comfortable, sighing again, knowing that sleep was still far away for him. Damn that man!

-oOo-

The last notes of the song faded away and Shuichi jumped down from the stage, gratefully accepting the towel that Annette held out for him and wiping away the sweat from his brow.

�That looked really good,� Annette said, smiling at him and extending it also to include Hiro and Suguru who joined them.

�I'm still not doing any back flips,� Suguru stated firmly, sitting on the edge of the stage, legs dangling. He nodded thanks as he took the proffered towel from Annette, neatly wiping his face down before folding it and setting it beside him.

�I think we can leave that to Shuichi now,� Hiro said with a smile, rubbing his towel around the back of his neck. His long hair was tied up into a pony tail out of the way whilst they had practiced.

Their choreographer had been getting fired up more than usual and had been wanting to include more acrobatic moves into their stage show. Suguru and Hiro were far more cautious about such things; Suguru who had more sense than to put himself at risk doing something so unfamiliar, and Hiro whose tall, lanky frame wasn't quite as flexible as required to pull such stunts off. Shuichi, however, was all for it although even he had some restrictions due to his old injuries. It had taken a quiet word from Tohma to dampen the choreographer's eagerness although it hadn't managed to curb it completely.

Annette leant back against the stage next to where Suguru sat. �Well, I think you all looked great,� she declared in support. �You were looking pretty slick up there.�

�If we didn't we would hardly be doing our fans justice,� Suguru stated.

Annette smiled at him. �Come on,� she quietly chided him with a smile, nudging his leg. �You know you like doing it too.�

Suguru half shrugged, not denying it.

�So how long a break do we have?� Hiro asked, stretching his long arms up.

�Half an hour,� Suguru replied.

Shuichi yawned widely. �I need sleep!� he moaned.

�So what kept you up all night?� Hiro asked with a leer. �Jerking off?�

Shuichi glared at him, hoping his face wasn't changing colour as that was exactly what he had been doing - at least in his dreams, along with other things. It was too embarrassing to tell even his best friend and he certainly couldn't say it in front of his ex-girlfriend!

�I bet he was thinking about Yuki so much he couldn't sleep,� Annette then said with a grin.

This time his face did flush as Hiro laughed and even Suguru quietly chuckled. He hadn't expected Annette to be so perceptive or so forthright.

�Yeah, I think you've got it right,� Hiro said, still grinning.

�Speaking of,� Suguru began, his eyes fixed over the tops of their heads towards the back of the stadium. �The one and same just walked in.�

�WHAT??!�

Shuichi spun around so swiftly he almost gave himself whiplash, eyes searching through the shadows, finally settling on the single tall figure at the back, silhouetted in an open doorway.

For a moment it looked like the person was about to turn away but at Shuichi's loud, �YUKI!�, it hesitated and then began to move towards them.

As Yuki drew near, Shuichi could make out those familiar features and suddenly his heart started pounding, harder and harder. He swallowed against a suddenly dry throat, palms growing sweaty as the man finally halted a few steps in front of them.

This tableau held in complete silence then Shuichi cleared his throat noisily and managed to utter a raspy, �Hi�.

�Huh,� was Yuki's response, hardly what Shuichi had been hoping for. He felt his anger begin to boil. Had he been the only one thinking about them, wanting more? Had he been making a fool of himself all this time?

�Hey, Yuki,� Hiro said easily. �Where have you been?�

�Around,� Yuki replied as he pulled out his cigarettes to light one.

�Are you done now?� Hiro continued. �I heard that you were promoting your books or something.�

�The rest of my work will be here in New York,� Yuki mumbled, eyes flicking back to Shuichi.

�So that means you'll be able to see the concert. That was good timing,� Suguru put in.

�Yeah,� was Yuki's reply.

�Say something, Shuichi,� Annette said in a stage whisper, reaching out and poking him. She grinned at Yuki. �Don't mind him; he's just overwhelmed by the sight of your beauty.�

�Oh, shut up,� Shuichi said quickly without malice, turning to face her. �It's not like that!�

She smirked at him. �Oh, no? When you're standing there completely dumbstruck? Shouldn't you at least give him a kiss hello? Isn't that what you've been wanting to do all this time?�

�Hey!� Shuichi said hurriedly reaching out and covering her mouth. �You don't have to say another word!�

Annette's eyes laughed at him over his hand making him flush again. He now turned back to face Yuki.

�So,� he began then faltered to a stop not knowing where to begin.

�Geez,� Suguru interrupted into the silence �If we stay here waiting for these two to have a conversation we're all going to grow old and die.� He slid down from the stage. �I'm going to go and get something to drink before our break's over.�

He turned to Annette, holding out his hand. �Would you care to join us?� he asked. He glanced at Yuki and Shuichi with a look of exasperation. �You could stay here and watch these two idiots but I wouldn't advise it. We've been doing it for years and it's really not that interesting.�

Annette laughed and placed her hand in his. �I think I'll take your advice and leave them alone.�

�Wise decision,� Suguru agreed, gallantly leading her away.

�I think it's a good idea, too,� Hiro said. He glanced at his watch and spoke to Shuichi. �Don't forget we've only got half an hour break so don't go disappearing or doing something stupid. We've still got a lot to do.�

�I know,� Shuichi assured him, only taking his eyes from Yuki for a second.

Hiro just shook his head and hurried to catch up with Suguru and Annette, leaving Shuichi and Yuki alone.

-oOo-

Yuki looked at Shuichi, eyes drinking in those features thirstily, unable to speak. He had agonised all morning if he should come or not. He wanted to � desperately so � but at the same time the thought of facing Shuichi was daunting also. He didn't know if he would be able to control himself if he saw him in person. His nights were filled enough with thoughts of Shuichi; of what he wanted to do to him, wanting to feel him, touch him, devour him in all ways. Those thoughts made his heart race, blood pound through his veins, setting his body on fire so it was almost unbearable.

He had almost turned away again as he watched the small group of figures near the stage, recognising Shuichi easily even at this distance but it had been Shuichi's voice that had stopped him. How could he leave after hearing that?

His feelings churned within him. The banter with Hiro and Suguru was not uncommon and he let it wash over him, not even deigning to comment. But the way in which Shuichi interacted with that girl, Annette, made his heart clench. They seemed so natural around each other, so easy going and comfortable. So completely different from he and Shuichi. His stomach stabbed at him reminding him he hadn't taken his medicine that morning in his distraction. Damn it, why was Shuichi still with her? Why couldn't he be like that with him?!

�So how have you been?� Yuki finally spoke, the silence becoming awkward.

�Good,� Shuichi replied. �You?�

�Fine.�

They looked at each other again in silence. Speak, damn it, Yuki snarled at himself. If you don't he's going to leave!

�Uhm,� Yuki puffed on his cigarette a few times then continued. �I've heard about the concert. You're getting a lot of promotion. It should be a big event.�

�That was Tohma's plan,� Shuichi agreed. �Although our music has been in some of the clubs here already.�

�How did you find that out?�

�My old band told me,� Shuichi suddenly looked animated again and Yuki felt another pang. There was that previous life intruding again. Was Shuichi regretting returning to who he had been? Did he wish he could have remained here as the new person he had created? A life which Yuki had no place in?

�So you've seen them?� was all he could come up with to say.

�Yeah. I'm going to go see them play before we leave.� He looked sideways for a moment and said, �Do.. you want to come with me? To see them play?�

Yuki felt his heart flutter, this time in happiness. Shuichi still wanted to see him. He felt his breathing become easier, tension releasing. He removed the cigarette from his lips and released the last of the smoke in his lungs slowly.

�I would like that,� he said slowly, meeting Shuichi's eyes and holding them.

Shuichi matched his gaze then smiled at him, a small chuckle falling from his lips. �Welcome back, Yuki,� he said.

�Thanks,� Yuki replied, a smile tugging at the corner of his lips.

-oOo-

Yuki looked around the room in disbelief.

Since his return to New York he had had a full schedule each day which carried him from morning to night. Today had been attending his book signing event in the morning, followed by a magazine interview with photo shoot in the afternoon, before going to watch Bad Luck rehearse as their concert date drew closer. Even he was amazed at how quickly Tohma had been able to pull this event together. The publicity for it was everywhere, promoting not only Bad Luck and Nittle Grasper, but that idiot Ryuichi's new film. Then on top of that was the promotion of the various charities that would benefit from it.

His days may have been fuller than he would have liked but he wasn't about to give up spending time with Shuichi so his answer was to try and be around Shuichi where ever possible. Sometimes Tohma firmly stated his presence would be more disruptive than beneficial and he would be banished from Shuichi�s side. He would seethe at this restriction but there was little he could do. He wasn�t about to go against Tohma, not without being fully prepared to take him head on, nor did he want to do anything which might jeopardize things for Shuichi. His aim was not for Shuichi to be pissed off by him. So between these time constraints and other obstacles he looked forward to those moments where he could snatch time with Shuichi, hoping Shuichi did also.

So far, at least Shuichi hadn't given any indication that he didn't want Yuki to continue to come by. In fact he had even proposed that Yuki join him for dinner tonight as once the concerts began his evenings would be fully occupied, reducing their time together even more. Yuki had accepted with no hesitation and time and place quickly set, the easiest being at Shuichi�s hotel. Yuki had hoped that it might be in the privacy of Shuichi�s room, but instead Shuichi had named the dining room. Yuki winced a little at the thought of being under scrutiny from other hotel guests but he said nothing. Shuichi had had to rush off then for a magazine shoot, leaving Yuki to head back to his apartment, already pondering what he should wear for tonight.

Now he stood staring around his room, gazing at the carnage, and wondered what he had done to deserve this. His papers were strewn across the floor, some ripped into jagged pieces and scattered like confetti around the desk by the window he'd been using. Pens and pencils had also been swept from the desktop to litter the ground. Although he could see that his laptop was pushed over to one side it had appeared to have suffered no real permanent damage though precariously balancing on the edge, the power cord stretched taut all that prevented it from falling. He rescued it, turning it on and breathed a sigh of relief as the screen lit up normally.

He placed it back in a more secure place, turning to purvey the rest of the mess. Cushions had been thrown around the floor, obviously having been aimed at the walls as some of the pictures were crooked from being buffeted by the assault. Broken glass glittered in places where used drinking glasses had been left out.

Slowly he turned around and walked to the bedroom where the same scene greeted him. Clothes were scattered across the floor, having been pulled from drawers and torn from clothes hangers in the wardrobe. He went towards the adjoining door and tried it, rattling the door knob but the door remained locked. Perhaps Mizuki�s quarters had escaped the destruction. He looked over the wreckage again and pondered for a moment.

He had no idea how this could have happened. Tohma�s apartment was in a secure building; tenants had electronic keys, both for the front door, the lift, and the apartment itself, not to mention the underground carpark. There were also security guards stationed on the ground floor and who patrolled the garage so it seemed extremely unlikely for a normal vandal to get in here. It should have been as safe as anywhere. Still the evidence before his eyes disproved this.

Damn it, he thought, bringing a hand up to pinch the bridge of his nose. He really didn�t need this shit right now. When he dropped his hand the mess was still there before him. He knew he had to do something about this. As much as he would like to have just ignored it he knew he couldn�t but the thought of having to deal with a bunch of strangers just annoyed him more.

Making a decision he pulled out his wallet and sifted through the wad of papers and cards crammed inside. He flicked through them, letting those he discarded fall to the floor, apart from a few he replaced back in the wallet. Finally he paused at one scrap, peering at the scrawled number written there, the creases from the folds cutting across it. He pulled out his phone and dialled, tapping his foot impatiently as it rang.

The door bell rang and Yuki immediately went to answer it, cigarette dangling from his lips. He had been standing in one corner of the room, glaring at the mess as he had waited. This was his third cigarette as it was. He opened the door and looked at the two people standing on the other side.

�Smoking�s bad for you, you know,� Dee said with a grin.

�Huh,� Yuki replied, stepping back and allowing first Ryo and then Dee to enter.

�It�s good to see you again,� Ryo said, holding his hand out with a smile.

Yuki shook it, repeating the gesture with Dee.

�You could have just called in the local beat guys,� Dee said, glancing around the room.

�Didn�t want to,� Yuki answered which was entirely true although he was already wondering why he had asked these two. He didn�t have a problem with Ryo but something about Dee always seemed to annoy him. He had forgotten about that.

Ryo began to carefully walk around. �Have you touched anything?� he asked.

�Just the laptop,� Yuki answered.

�Anything missing?� Dee asked, squatting down and using a pen to lift a few papers to look beneath.

�Not that I could tell so far,� Yuki answered, looking around and then he paused.

Suddenly he spun around and slammed through the bedroom door, flinging open the closet door so far it jerked hard against the hinges. Ryo and Dee had followed him. He pulled out his valise and wrenched it open, looking inside. He began to swear in a quiet, low voice that was filled with venom.

�I guess that�s a �yes�?� Dee said then in an even voice.

Yuki looked up to see him leaning casually against the door frame although his expression was serious. Yuki stood and tried to calm down. �Yeah,� he replied. He could feel his stomach begin to churn in a familiar sensation. Gods damn ulcer!

�What�s missing?� Ryo asked professionally.

�My manuscript. And a journal,� Yuki replied with some reluctance. He couldn�t tell them that the journal was the one he kept solely to write down everything to do with Shuichi, all the things he thought about the young man, all the things he felt, all the things he wanted to say but never did. That was the last thing he wanted to lose and it was the very last thing he wanted to fall into someone else�s hands.

�Is that the only things?�

�Looks like it. They didn�t even take my passport.� He held up the document to show that it had been in the valise with the other now missing items.

�Hmm,� Ryo mused as he looked into the wardrobe.

�So the perp was after that manuscript specifically maybe?� Dee asked. He looked at the vandalism around them. �All the rest of this could have just been camouflage for what they really wanted.�

�Could be,� Ryo agreed. �I imagine your manuscript would be worth quite a bit in the wrong hands?� He looked at Yuki who nodded. That was true enough. He was a well-known author so for the raw manuscript of his next book to be distributed before publishing could make someone a great deal of money.

Ryo pulled his cell phone out and dialled. �I�ll call in the boys and we�ll see if they can pull any prints off for us.� He went back into the other room and Yuki could hear him speaking

�Has this place got a security room?� Dee asked.

�Don�t know,� Yuki said. �Probably. This place is like Fort Knox.�

�Obviously not quite,� Dee said with a crooked smile. �Otherwise your intruder wouldn�t have got in.� He stood up and brushed his hands on his trousers. �Try not to touch anything else,� he said. �I�m going to go talk to Security and see what information they�ve got.�

Dee walked out with Yuki following. He saw Dee give a signal to catch Ryo�s attention who was still speaking on the phone. He made a couple of gestures to which Ryo nodded and then Dee left. Yuki felt a pang of envy. These two men could communicate so easily, not even having to speak. He and Shuichi could barely manage to communicate directly with each other in any capacity � and it sometimes seemed that they had even more problems when they did talk.

Ryo hung up and turned to Yuki. �Do you want to go somewhere for a coffee whilst we work here?� he asked. �We could be a while.�

�How long?� Yuki asked, thinking of his dinner date with Shuichi tonight. He had wanted to shower and dress his best for that as this was the first date they would have together since their arrival in New York. Most of the meals they had eaten together were accompanied with other people and generally hastily grabbed somewhere on the street nearby or ordered in for them.

�A few hours are all we�ll probably need,� Ryo assured him.

�That�s fine,� Yuki said, picking up his keys and jacket. He paused at the door. �Do you need my number?� he asked.

Ryo smiled at him. �I�ve still got it,� he said, waggling his phone. �We�ll call once we�re finished,� he promised.

�Right,� and Yuki turned to leave. There was a caf� just down the street that he could wait at. �Oh, those rooms belong to someone else,� he said, pointing to the adjoining door. �I don�t think they got in there since it�s still locked.�

�Do you have a key?�

Yuki shook his head. �Security will have though.�

�We�ll check, just in case,� Ryo said.

�Okay. I�ll call Mizuki and let her know what�s going on.�

�We�ll talk to you later then.�

-oOo-

Ryo and Dee were true to their word and called him after a couple of hours to say he could return. He found his place pretty much the way he had left it and frowned. Couldn't they have even tried to clean things up?

He tossed his jacket onto the couch angrily. Damned if he was going to do this, he thought as he stalked towards the bathroom. He stepped into the shower and hurriedly washed. Time was ticking away and he didn't want to be late. As he stepped out of the shower and made his way to his bedroom, towel wrapped around his waist he heard a sound in the living room. It didn't sound like Mizuki who always called out when she returned. He froze for a moment to listen. Had the burglars returned?

He walked on bare feet quietly to the door and carefully looked around the corner to see Tohma standing there with three other people surrounding him as he spoke.

�Ah, Eiri,� Tohma said, seeing him there. �Don't mind this. They'll start in this room and get it straightened out first. The bedroom will be done whilst you are away.� He looked at the cracked mirrors and other damage seen on furniture, pointing it out to one of the men at his side who held a notebook which he scribbled in hurriedly after every comment Tohma made. The second man in the group was on the phone, and Eiri caught fragments of the quiet conversation with mention of glaziers, before a second call began discussing upholstery.

Yuki just turned around and went back to his room to dress. It was only to be expected that Tohma would know about the damage, no doubt the security people in the building alerted him as soon as the police began to question them. He scanned his clothes, brow furrowed as he considered what would be the best combination for tonight. He had no doubt that under Tohma's eagle eye the apartment would look as though nothing untoward had occurred in any way by the time he returned.

After finally settling on his attire he dressed, brushed his still damp hair, flicking it out of his eyes, before splashing a little cologne on. It was one that Shuichi had given him, in fact the last present he had given him before he left on that fateful trip so Yuki had never worn it for him. It was a fragrance that Shuichi had told him he had liked and thought it suited Yuki. Yuki hoped that perhaps the scent would remind Shuichi of that time and bring them closer together.

When he returned to the living room there were even more people present, some measuring items, one carrying a damaged chair from the room, others in overalls and gloves cleaning up. Tohma oversaw it all. However he smiled upon Yuki's entrance.

�You have a pleasant evening and don't worry about a thing here. I've already put Mizuki up in another hotel with her son and moved her belongings there also. I think it is best if she were out of the way at this point. I would be happier if you also moved.�

Yuki frowned at him so Tohma just held up his hands as though surrendering. �I thought that might be how you would see it. However, until this matter is resolved I have arranged for the locks to be changed again, with extra security personnel located on this actual floor. I would appreciate it if you didn't make their lives too difficult.�

Yuki didn't like the thought of strangers hovering so close by but he understood that this was Tohma's way of compromising. He couldn't really argue as this was Tohma's apartment he was using after all.

�Fine,� he grudgingly said. �Did the police give any idea of who did this or why?�

Tohma shook his head. �Nothing so far that I know of. I asked Ryo and Dee to keep me informed.�

Of course he did, Yuki thought.

Tohma continued, �Such a situation as this should not have been able to occur so I will be personally looking into it.�

Oh, oh, that meant trouble for someone. Yuki wondered who was going to bear the brunt of Tohma's wrath for this fiasco. He almost felt pity for the unknown victim.

�Anyway, you don't have to worry about anything,� Tohma said, briskly. �Enjoy your date and we'll speak later on about this matter.�

�Humph,� Yuki muttered, heading for the door. He was met in the lobby by a smartly dressed chauffeur who bowed politely.

�Mr Yuki, please come this way, sir. Mr Seguchi has instructed that I am to be completely at your disposal for the duration of your stay here in New York. Please feel free to contact me at any time, day or night.�

Yuki didn't bother arguing. Tohma was not taking any chances. It was at least easier this way than taking a cab.

-oOo-

Shuichi nervously sat at the table in the reserved section of the hotel restaurant. A solid partition had been slid across creating a small separate room from the rest. He could hear the distant clatter and murmur of voices of the other diners but only faintly. He had this whole area to himself, a special request that the hotel had been only too happy to accommodate. He knew how much Yuki hated being stared at when they were out. That�s the funny thing about being recognized. When it was for work or you were expecting it, it didn�t really bother you. Both he and Yuki were used to playing for the cameras and crowds. But when it was unexpected, or you just wanted to be yourself and not the larger-than-life image that the public knew, being hassled grated on your nerves. So he had wanted this section of privacy just as much as he knew Yuki would.

He tugged at his jacket, feeling a little uncomfortable in it. He had become used to being back in the more flamboyant and revealing clothing of Bad Luck so dressing more conventionally felt strange. However he had thought it would be more suitable for tonight's dinner.

He played with the stem of the empty wine glass before him, staring at the single rose in the crystal vase set in the middle of the round table. The low candles on either side flickered, making the crystal cast myriad tiny swirling rainbows across the table, walls and even the ceiling above.

He glanced at his watch, although he had done so only a few moments ago. Would Yuki be here soon? Now he scrunched at the corner of the pristine, folded napkin before him. He realised what he was doing and hurriedly folded his hands in his lap, feeling irritated with himself. He shouldn't be nervous about seeing Yuki as they had been spending time together over the last few days. Admittedly this was the first time you could say they had been on a �formal� date.

He took a deep breath and then slowly released it, trying to be calm. If anything he should still be angry with Yuki for pulling his disappearing act. He had intended to take Yuki to task over that immediately upon seeing him but he hadn't managed to even ask why he'd done that. He still wanted to know, and it was still a worry hovering in the back of his mind but every time he decided he would at the sight of Yuki he just couldn't bring himself to raise the issue. He was so afraid that in doing so he would ruin what little time they had together as it is. But he did still want to know.

A sound caught his attention and he looked up to see the partition sliding apart, just enough to allow a single person to enter. Yuki's tall figure strode into the room, his golden hair almost glittering in the soft light making Shuichi's breath catch in the back of his throat.

�Sorry I'm late,� Yuki said gruffly as he reached the table. He sat as the ma�tre de who had unobtrusively followed pulled his chair out and then smoothly slid it into place, before fading into the background again, leaving them alone.

�You're not late,� Shuichi said. �I'm just early. It's not like I had as far to come as you.�

Shuichi watched as Yuki took the wine list which seemed to magically appear at his side, proffered by the maitre de. He noted the two tiny creases between Yuki's eyes which he remembered usually meant that Yuki was worried about something. He didn't recall seeing them there this afternoon when Yuki had stopped by.

�What's up?� he asked, wondering if Yuki would actually tell him.

�Huh?� Yuki looked up from his perusal of the wines to gaze at Shuichi.

Shuichi tapped between his own eyes and said, �You're worried about something.�

�Oh,� Yuki looked at him for a moment longer then returned his gaze back to the list in his hand. He turned to the silently hovering ma�tre de and ordered, Shuichi recognising the name of wine that he had had once before some time ago with Yuki that he had said he had rather liked. He didn't think that Yuki would have remembered. The wine list was whisked from Yuki's outstretched hand and they were alone again.

Yuki's long fingers played with the napkin before him then he finally answered. �My place got broken into,� he said in a bit of a rush.

�What?!� Shuichi was shocked as he knew that Yuki was staying at Tohma's place here in New York. If anywhere was safe from such things he would have thought that would be. �You're okay?� he immediately asked, running his eyes over what parts of Yuki he could see. He didn't spot any damage.

�Of course I am,� Yuki said in a disparaging voice, glaring at Shuichi. �I said my place was burgled, not that I was mugged!�

�Well, you might have been there when it happened,� Shuichi defended his show of concern, frowning back.

�Well, I wasn't,� Yuki stated. The wine arrived at that time and their glasses were filled after Yuki tasted and gave his approval.

�So was anything taken?� Shuichi asked, trying to break the building silence.

�A couple of things,� Yuki replied. �My manuscript for one.�

�You've got a copy, right?� Shuichi questioned as he took a sip of the wine.

�Yeah, but it would still be bad news if it was leaked early.�

�Yeah, I guess it would be,� Shuichi agreed although personally he would love to get his hands on Yuki's story before anyone else. �So what else?�

�Uhm...nothing important,� Yuki muttered, immediately picking up his glass and taking a large swallow. Shuichi raised one eyebrow but didn't press the issue although his curiousity was roused. Obviously Yuki didn't want to talk about it although Shuichi couldn't help but wonder what it might have been.

�So what are you going to do about it?� he asked instead.

�The police are investigating,� Yuki replied, taking the menu offered to him. �And Tohma's looking into it.�

�Ah,� Shuichi felt himself relax a little as he took his menu. If Tohma was already aware of the problem he was sure it would soon be resolved. A mere burglar was no match for Tohma Seguchi.

�Anyway, let's forget about it tonight, okay?� Yuki said abruptly, putting down the menu and holding out his wine glass. He looked directly at Shuichi. �A toast,� he said in a quiet, intense voice.

Shuichi raised his glass also, mirroring Yuki. �To what?�

�To us,� Yuki said, tilting his glass slightly so it clinked against Shuichi's.

Shuichi felt his whole body grow warm and his eyes prick with sudden tears. �To us,� he managed to reply.

The moment held, glasses meeting like lovers kissing over the candle light sealing a promise, the red rose below mirrored in the stems.
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Unlocking My Love