Beautiful Stranger

Disclaimer:

I do not own Gravitation or any of its characters. I just love them to no end and have a very
twisted imagination. Please be aware that I am extremely poor so suing me will do you no good.
Thanks.

Warning: Lemon Yaoi / Explicit Language / Angst / Rape / Violence / AU

Pairings: Yuki x Shuichi / Ryuichi + Tatsuha / Hiro + Ayaka / K +Sakano / Tohma + Mika

FYI: /Inner thoughts/ -- [ Flashback ]

Author’s Notes:

By the gods, it’s been forever since I updated this little fic. I truly apologize for the long wait, but
it was unavoidable. RL was yet again kicking the muse’s butt to the side, interfering with the
creative juices. Life indeed suck at times. However, I do hope that this latest chapter merits your
patient waiting. I did my best to convey as much inner turmoil as I could, and I even included my
very first masturbation scene. I hope that you enjoy it to the max, along with the opening lemon
scene. Had to make up for the wait somehow. ^_~

Well, that’s it for now. Thanks to all who’ve dropped comments my way, encouraging me to
continue. I have truly appreciated each and every one of them. Please continue to review.
Feedback makes all the abuse I put my muse through worth it.

Okay, enough said. Enjoy the fic!

Thanks,

Forsaken



CHAPTER SIX
~ A RISK NOT WORTH TAKING ~

 

On his back, and completely rested for the first time in what seemed to be ages, Yuki awoke to
the sight of waves upon waves of reddish brown curls. Moving his head slightly away from the
soft tresses, he blinked rapidly, trying to dispel the remnants of sleep. When his eyes focused,
Yuki stared in bewildered fascination at the luscious form draped over his own.

Unable to stop himself, Yuki ran his hands up Shuichi’s naked form, brushing his fingers gently
over the smooth skin. He moved forward once again, and pressed his face against the unruly
locks, taking in a deep breath. He closed his eyes in pleasure, relishing the sweet scent that
surrounded him, and felt his body begin to harden. /Damn,/ he whispered silently, knowing that
he wouldn’t be able to resist the temptation that was laid out before him.

How had this happened to him? How had this slip of a boy found his way into his hardened
heart? Everything inside of him called out for Shuichi, and it scared him to think of what that
really meant. Feelings of joy and pleasure were once again drumming through him, influencing
his thoughts and actions. It was liberating yet, at the same time, almost frightening, for it left him
without inhibitions, without the need to take things slowly. He was being guided by his heart, not
his mind.

He knew what was happening, knew that his feelings for Shuichi entailed more than just glorious
sex, yet although the realization made him wary, Yuki found himself unable to act against the
change occurring inside of him. He was so tired of being alone, of acting like an insensitive
bastard without a heart, of not having the caring of another person in his life. With Shuichi, he
could feel life once again beating through him, could feel the light that had been missing from his
soul seep back into his body. How could he refuse such a gift? How could he want to go back to
the darkness that had enshrouded him for so long?

/I can’t. I can’t./ Grasping Shuichi hips, Yuki thrust upward, and pressed his manhood against
Shuichi’s warm body. His lover moaned slightly, instinctively opening his legs even wider, and
Yuki licked his lips, his need for the brunette intensifying with every passing second. Taking
advantage of Shuichi’s unconscious reaction, Yuki continued to grind their erections together,
moving faster and faster, enticing their bodies to the brink of desperati

ShuiShuichi suddenly raised his head, looking at him with sleepy violet eyes already full of lust and,
in an instant, Yuki’s lips were attacked, being devoured hungrily. Lost in the sensations those
lips alone were invoking, Yuki ran a finger along Shuichi’s entrance, and gently pushed the digit
forward. He groaned at the feel of the still lubricated passage, and nearly came right there and
then, as Shuichi released his lips and sat up, raising his hips sensuously in invitation.

Mindless and full of need, his eyes locked onto the beauty hovering over him, Yuki positioned
himself, and in one swift move impaled his lover to the hilt. Twin cries of pleasure echoed along
the walls as their bodies merged, and Yuki lost all that remained of his civility. He thrust
savagely into Shuichi, unable to stop the unrelenting pace his body was demanding of him, and
watched in dazed satisfaction, as Shuichi threw his head back and began to moan, gyrating his
lower body frantically against him. He growled then, his body and mind being consumed by the
heat now building between them, and amazingly quickened his pace.

He was ramming into Shuichi now, plunging his rock hard shaft mercilessly into his lover’s
gripping warmth, no longer able to see beyond the man crying out above him, his mind, his body,
his very soul having been conquered completely by a level of ecstacy never before experienced.
Feeling himself nearing the edge of completion, Yuki took hold of his lover’s dripping erection,
and began to pump it with fervor.

“Yuki!” Shuichi mewled, before he arched his back, and screamed.

White cream jetted into the air, dripping over Yuki’s hand as Shuichi climaxed, and Yuki felt his
member being clenched in a tight vise. Hissing, as pleasure speared through him, Yuki let go of
his lover’s still throbbing penis and grabbed Shuichi’s hips tightOverOver and over again, he
plunged into Shuichi’s body, feeling the tight ring pulsing around him in waves. Yuki could no
longer distinguish the difference between pain and pleasure. He was lost, surrounded by a feeling
he could not yet identify. His world was narrowing, fading away into the mist of pleasure now
enveloping him, and Yuki didn’t fight it. Instead, he embraced it with his very being, and felt
time come to a halt.

“Shuichi!” he gasped suddenly, his insides twisting unbearably, as something inside of him
exploded. Opening his mouth in a soundless cry, he pushed into Shuichi as much as he was able
to, surely bruising the hips within his grasp, and filled his lover’s body with his essence.

Shuichi fell over him, his body shivering, and Yuki wrapped his arms around him without
hesitation. Panting and trembling himself, Yuki hugged Shuichi to his chest, and softly placed a
kiss into his lover’s sweat dampened hair. He reached down to his right, and pulled at the sheets
hanging precariously at the edge of the bed, covering their naked bodies once more.

Sleep called out to him, and Yuki’s eyes slowly closed, allowing himself to be pulled into
nothingness, his body still joined intimately with the one he had somehow grown to love.

******

Two hours after this morning’s delightful awakening, Shuichi stood under the warm spray of
water coming from the shower head just above him. He smiled, as the night and morning’s
events once again ran through his mind, causing a now familiar and wonderful tingle to sliver
through his groin. He still couldn’t believe it. Couldn’t believe that he and Yuki had finally put to
rest the sexual frustration that had been mounting between them. /He made the first move,/
Shuichi remembered with delight. /And each time he took me, he made me feel so special and …
needed.

Bringing his hands up to rest on the wall in front of him, Shuichi leaned forward, and dipped his
head down, causing the water to pour over his head and down his back, allowing the warm liquid
to soothe him. Yuki’s image came to mind once again, and Shuichi’s eyes closed, his hands
fisting over the tiles, as confusion and weariness began to war against the elation he had been
feeling only a moment ago. /Did I do the right thing by sleeping with him?/

It was hard to say whether his blonde lover cared for him, the blonde’s demeanor was almost
always imperceptible. But after last night, Shuichi had a feeling that Yuki did indeed care for
him, even if just a little. /He has to,/ he told himself. /He was so gentle with me, making
everything feel so right./ Shuichi lifted his head up into the spray of water. /And what we
did…making love…it didn’t hurt. For the first time…it didn’t hurt. I never knew that it could feel
so good, so wonderful./

Lowering his right hand down his slick body, Shuichi lightly touched himself, enticing his half-hardened erection, as the memories of his lovemaking with Yuki flooded his body, sending
shivers of lust to spear through his belly. Thoughts of Murao came to mind, threatening to taint
the miracle Yuki had shown him, but Shuichi immediately quelled them, denying them the
opportunity to drive away his newfound joy. Wrapping his hand around his shaft, Shuichi slowly
began to pump it, moving his hand up and down languidly, as his mind latched onto the erotic
images of his glorious lover moving over him, entering him, claiming him. No longer was his
mind or body shadowed by the past. Right now, only the present mattered, and only the intense
pleasure that Yuki had shown him was his reality.

Shuichi hissed in pleasure at the recollection of the passion he had been submitted to, and felt his
penis harden even more. His hand picked up its pace, and Shuichi began to move his hips in time
with his own strokes, intensifying the pleasure now coursing through him. His injured wrist
protested the exertion, but Shuichi ignored it. Lost to the world around him, he took his other
hand away from the wall, and brought it around to slide in between the cleft of his buttocks. His
heart racing, he touched the puckered entrance found there, and began to tease it, rubbing it
lightly over and over again; the round lobes were still slick from the soap he had yet to wash
away, making the small movements all the more titillating. Moaning, he bent over slightly, just
enough to give himself better access to the over-sensitized area, and slowly began to push his
index finger through the tight ring of muscle.

He was panting now, lost in a haze of wanton desire, relishing every moment of the slender
digit’s intrusion, and Shuichi could only be thankful that Yuki had left to go to the office. He was
starting to get loud, moaning with abandon, and Shuichi knew he would get even more vocal in
another minute or two.

His orgasm was approaching him quickly, tightening that imaginary coil within his belly to the
point of exquisite pain. Completely uninhibited, he pressed another finger into his stimulated
channel and gasped when it came in contact with his sweet spot. /Oh, God... Yuki... Yuki... Shit!!/
White flashed before his eyes, the coil within him finally snapping, and Shuichi exploded with a
loud shout. Pleasure ... So much pleasure. His body was engulfed by it.

Trembling uncontrollably from the force of his orgasm, Shuichi removed his fingers from within
his entrance and placed them back on the wall, needing its support. Leaning against the cool tiles,
he released his now flaccid penis, and placed his other hand on the wall as well. His knees felt
weak, and Shuichi honestly didn’t know how they were supporting his weight. The water, now
cool, ran over his heated body, helping him to regain his control.

After a few minutes of panting and shaking, he shut off the water and, mindful of his ankle,
carefully stepped out of the shower. He shivered, as the cold air danced along his wet skin, and
quickly grabbed the burgundy towel he’d left draped over the toilet seat. Once dry, he ran the
towel through his damp hair, and walked over to the sink. When his eyes caught sight of his
reflection, Shuichi stood still, lowering the towel onto the porcelain surface below, and stared at
himself, questions once again littering his mind, reality once again shadowing his soul. /What are
you doing?/ he asked himself bitterly. /You’re letting yourself get carried away by this ... this ...
fantasy./

Shuichi turned away from his reflection, and looked down into the sink. His eyes locked onto the
shiny silver faucet, as his hands gripped the edges of the sink. /Nao is going to find you, and
when he does .../ Shuichi closed his eyes. /I can’t stay here./ He had to leave. He couldn’t put
Yuki or the others at risk by staying here any longer, no matter how badly he wanted to stay.
Even though Yuki had promised to keep him safe, Shuichi knew he could not accept his lover’s
help. Nothing, not even his own happiness, was worth endangering those around him. He had
been selfish enough as it was.

Pain radiated inside of him, clenching his heart, and Shuichi rubbed at his chest, trying to soothe
the ache away. God, he didn’t want to leave, didn’t want to give up the safe haven he’d
discovered within Yuki’s arms. At least here, he’d been treated like a person, like an actual
human being, and not like a possession to be used and mistreated. Tears spilled from his eyes,
trailing down his cheeks, as despair and hopelessness grabbed a hold of him. He sat down on top
of the toilet seat, and covered his face with his hands, his elbows resting on his knees.

He tried to hold back the sobs threatening to spill forth, but he couldn’t stop them; the hurt
radiating inside of him was too great. He began to cry, releasing a torrent of agonizing tears, his
mind full of confusion and fear. Naked, cold, and scared out of his mind, he lowered his head
onto his knees, placing his arms over his head, and just let himself bawl like a baby. He was too
tired and weary to hold the pain in any longer.

\"What did I do?\" he asked brokenly, stomping his foot against the floor in anger and frustration,
as he pulled at his hair. \"What, dammit? Someone tell me.\"

/You lived,/ his mind whispered in reply, and Shuichi sobbed even harder, the truth of those
solemn words undeniable. He should’ve died that fateful day when he’d lost his family. He
shouldn’t be here. \"I should be dead. I should be dead,\" he chanted, his voice a hoarse whisper
against his skin.

Rocking back and forth, continuing to cry, Shuichi lowered his arms and wrapped them around
his small waist, lost in his thoughts, and completely una tha that he was no longer alone.

******
 

 
\"This is what I’ve gathered so far,\" Hiro announced, as he handed a small stack of printouts to
Yuki.

Browsing through them, Yuki’s brow furrowed in concentration. \"What’s your sum up on him?\"

\"The man’s connections, legit and otherwise, are high up the corporate ladder. His company,
Murao Industries, has been steadily climbing in profits for the past eight years, marketing
computer software to the US. Behind the scenes, he’s got two large gambling operations bringing
in more even cash, and…\"

Yuki looked up from the sheets he’d been perusing at Hiro hesitation. \"What?\"

Hiro’s hard gaze locked onto his own. \"He’s got a prostitution ring using runaways and drug
addicts right in our backyard. The bastard even doubles his profits by using some of them as pick
pockets and runners.\"

The paper in Yuki’s hands crinkled, as his hands tightened around the white sheets, a nearly
consuming rage rising within him. /Pick pockets ... Prostitution? Did that bastard — Dammit!/
\"What else did you find out?\" he managed to ask with a steady voice, unwilling to let Hiro know
how much the revelation had unsettled him.

Standing in front of his desk, Hiro crossed his arms over his chest. \"From what Ayaka and I
managed to dig up, it stands to reason that he also has several cops on his payroll, too. \"

At the mention of the police, Yuki stiffened. /Shit./ Could the situation get anymore complicated?
Dealing with the police was the last thing he wanted. Too many memories threatened to sliver
past his control, reminding him of things best left forgotten, but Yuki stanched them. There was
in no way he going to risk a confrontation with his past, not now. /Leaves me with only one
option./ Yuki sighed inwardly, knowing he had no other recourse.

\"Yuki?\"

Yuki snapped back to the present, and looked at Hiro once again. \"I need names, Hiro. Can you
get them for me?\"

The redhead nodded. \"Yeah, I can get them for you. It’ll take a bit. Tracking down dirty cops
isn’t easy.\"

Yuki smirked. /So true./ \"Just do your best to get me the information as soon as possible.\" He
leaned back into his chair, placing the printouts on his desk. \"What about Winchester? Has he
been given his instructions?\"

Hiro winced at the mention of the American’s name. \"Yeah, he’s on it. Got all excited about it
too.\"

Yuki nearly smiled; the American really was one of a kind. \"Tell him to meet me at the
apartment at 1300 hours,\" he directed, using the dialect Winchester thrived on. \"I need to
introduce him to Shuichi.\"

\"Got it,\" Hiro said, his blue eyes fixed on Yuki. \"You’re going to let Shuichi know that you’re
aware of his ‘situation’.\"

It was a statement, not a question.

Elbows on the desk, Yuki folded his hands and rested his chin on top of them. \"I’m going to have
to if I want Winchester to be there to protect him.\"

Hiro sighed, his face grim. \"He’s probably going to want to run, you know.\"

Yuki sighed. \"Probably… But he won’t.\"

\"Why do you say that?\" Hiro asked, confusion evident on his face.

/Because we’re sleeping together. Because I want him like no other. Because he mine, and I’m
never letting him go./ \"I won’t let him run. He’ll be safer here with us, and I’ll make certain that
he’s in agreement to that fact.\"

\"I hope so.\"

/I hope so, too./ \"How’s the security issue?\" Yuki asked, shifting the focus of the conversation
away from Shuichi and the inevitable confrontation that was soon to pass.

\"Suguru’s got it covered. He left early this morning with Sakano to get some more equipment.\"

\"Good.\"

\"Is that all?\"

Yuki shifted his yellow-green gaze back onto the white sheets laid out before him. \"For now. Just
make sure you keep me informed at all times.\"

\"Alright,\" Hiro agreed, already heading toward the door. \"I’ll check in with you later on this
evening.\"

Yuki waited for the door to close, before he reached his hand out for the telephone. He dialed the
number with familiarity, and leaned back into his chair, a feeling of unease washing over him.

\"Commissioner’s office.\"

\"May I speak with Commissioner Seguchi please.\"

\"Certainly, sir. May I tell him who’s calling?\"

Yuki ran a hand through his blonde hair. \"Eiri Yuki.\"

\"Please hold for a moment.\"

Waiting rather impatiently, Yuki lit up a cigarette and took a deep pull, hoping that he wasn’t
about to make a huge mistake.

\"Eiri? Is that you?\" a soft almost feminine voice asked in surprise.

Yuki let out a breath of smoke, and spoke softly to the other man. \"Hello, Tohma.\"

 
******
 


Stepping away from the bathroom door, K pressed his back against the wall, and crossed his
arms, a frown marring his handsome features. /So he’s my assignment,/ he though, as he
continued to listen to the unrelenting sobs coming from within the bathroom. He ran his hand
against the holster of the gun strapped against his arm and chest, and brushed his fingers along
the cold metal of his gun, its presence somehow soothing his surprisingly unsettled nerves.

The boy’s agonizing cries had touched something inside him, something he hadn’t felt for a very
long time. An image of a small boy with blonde hair and blue eyes came to mind, and K closed
his eyes, willing away the pain the memory brought him. It had been three years since his son’s
death, but the pain of his loss could still at times rip through him, reminding him of things he was
constantly trying to forget. It had been one of the reasons why he’d left the States, and had
allowed himself to fall into a life that had led him to nothing but misery.

Trying to drown out the sounds emanating from the other side of the door, K took a deep breath,
and shifted his thought to Yuki. When Hiro had come up to him, informing him of Yuki’s need
of his services, K had jumped at the opportunity, having kept himself inactive for far too long.
But now, as he stood listening to the broken sobs of the youth he was to protect, K wasn’t sure he
hadn’t been a bit hasty in his decision. Already he was feeling protective over the boy, wanting to
rush into the bathroom and take the boy into his arms in comfort, and K wasn’t too pleased about
it. It was bad enough that Sakano and Suguru had managed to somehow find a place in his bitter
heart. He didn’t need to complicate his life any further by making room within it for another.

At the thought of his lover and young ward, K smirked, remembering the commotion the two had
caused earlier this morning. Sakano always tended to exaggerate, going hysterical over the
simplest things, and so leaving late this morning had just about sent the man into a panic attack.
K’s eyes softened, the heaviness in his chest lifting, as he remembered how he had calmed the
black-haired beauty out of his fit. Suguru had gagged, of course, at the sight of his guardians
making out, but hey, the teen had to learn about life sometime. Not that Suguru really minded.
The teen was always drooling over Tatsuha, so the reality of his and Sakano’s relationship wasn’t
something Suguru found offensive in the least. The kid was just too proper at times, and just as
anxious as Sakano. The brunette was barely eighteen and was already well on his way to having a
nervous breakdown.

K had to admit that although his life had indeed been turned upside down by Sakano and Suguru,
he didn’t regret his decision to become a part of their lives. He had been a lonely and bitter man
before he’d allowed love back into his heart, and he was grateful for the second chance at
happiness he’d been given. After his son’s death, his painful divorce, and later his incarceration,
K hot eot expected to have been granted the happiness he was now enjoying with his every
breath.

Blue eyes shifted toward the closed bathroom door. The sobbing had stopped, and only faint
sniffles could be heard now, the boy having obviously calmed the emotional storm he’d let loose.
Knowing that the young man he’d been asked to look after would soon come out into the
hallway, K stepped away from the wall, and walked silently out of the apartment.

Once in the outside corridor, K walked over to the railing and leaned against it, his piercing blue
eyes determined and hard. It was decided, he thought to himself, as he waited for Yuki to return
to the apartment. He would protect the boy from any harm at all costs.

/Everyone deserves a chance at happiness … You most of all Shuichi Shindou./

******

Rubbing his temple, Yuki exited the elevator and headed toward his apartment. /Damn
headaches./ He knew the headaches were mostly due to stress, something his physician had
warned him to avoid, but with the life Yuki led, avoiding stress was like forgetting to breathe. It
was just impossible. Yuki sighed. His conversation with his brother-in-law had only added to the
already mounting tension within him, reminding him once again of a past he wished to forget.

[ “Eiri? Is that you?”

“Hello, Tohma.”

“What a pleasant surprise,” Tohma said happily. “How have you been?”

“I’ve been well,” replied Yuki, already wishing he’d never made the phone call. “How’s Mika?”

There was a slight pause before Tohma answered. “She’s fine. We both are.”

Yuki frowned, a feeling of worry flickering through him briefly at Tohma’s almost hesitant tone.
There was something Tohma wasn’t telling him, but he wasn’t about to press the older man with
questions. His sister’s marriage was none of his concern. “I need your help on something,
Tohma.”

“You know that I’ll help you in any way th can can, Eiri.”

Yes, he knew, Yuki thought, as he snubbed out his cigarette into the black ashtray next to the
phone. Helping others was what Tohma thrived on, and whether is was for his personal gain or
really out of kindness, Yuki wasn’t sure. Either way, however, he would use Tohma’s willingness
to help him. Shuichi’s life depended on it. “I appreciate that, Tohma.”

“I’m always here for you, Eiri. You’re family after all. Now, how can I assist you?”

“Naoko Murao,” was Yuki’s only response.

“Naoko Murao,” Tohma repeated, his tone going from warm to cautious and suspicious all at
once.

Yuki’s eyes narrowed. “I’m investigating him.”

“I see.”

“And I’ve stumbled upon a few things,” Yuki informed the other man.

“I still don’t see how I can help you with this, Eiri.”

“I know about the payoffs, Tohma.”

Silence greeted him, and Yuki pressed forward. “Three precincts in your district alone have been
proven to be associated with Murao, and his ‘company’ dealings. You’ve managed to keep the
scandal under wraps, but somehow I doubt that you’ll be able to keep it that way for long.”

It was a threat, he knew, but it couldn’t be helped. He knew the instant he’d mentioned Murao’s
name that Tohma had been prepared to deny having any knowledge of the bastard, but Yuki had
been prepared. Despite Tohma’s almost delicate visage, his brother-in-law held an aura of
immeasurable strength and knowledge. Tohma was no one’s fool. Yuki sat back into his chair,
holding the phone close to his ear. But neither am I.

“What are you implying, Eiri?” Tohma asked, his voice serious.

“I’m not implying anything, Tohma. I’m merely pointing out the facts.”

“Eiri, you are no longer a part of the police force, and even if you were, I am not at liberty to
discuss this matter with you.”

Touche, Yuki thought with a smirk. The blonde knew that the police force was a touchy subject
for him. Referring to it had definitely struck home. Time to play dirty.

“Tohma, I’m asking you for a favor.” Yuki’s grip tightened over the phone, a part of him
regretting his words. He had no other options left to him, however. He needed to keep Shuichi
safe, and that was all that mattered to him. “You owe me, and you know it.”

“That’s not fair, Eiri,” Tohma said quietly.

“No, it’s not,” Yuki agreed. “But are you going to deny me?”

Tohma sighed, and Yuki knew he’d won.

“We cannot talk about this over the phone.”

Yuki grinned in triumph. “Tell me when and where, and I’ll be there.” ]

Pain hammered its way along the back of his head, and Yuki winced, snapping out of his
thoughts. /Dammit./ Taking a deep breath, Yuki pushed aside the pain, ignoring the incessant
hammering. /This is what I get for being a prick,/ he told himself, his thoughts once again
shifting to his conversation with Tohma.

It hadn’t been easy to use Tohma’s guilt against him. He knew that the older blonde still blamed
himself for the ‘incident’ that had occurred five years ago, and to be truthful to himself, so did
he, but ... /I regret it. I actually regret making him feel like shit./

It surprised him to feel that way. For a long time, all he had felt was anger and a sense of betrayal
whenever he came in contact with is brother-in-law. If it hadn’t been for his sister insisting on
keeping the lines of communication open between them, Yuki would’ve disassociated himself
completely from the man he’d once viewed as a brother, from the man who had inadvertently
helped change his life. Yuki sighed. The past couldn’t be changed. What was the sense of
dwelling on it now?

Seeing Winchester standing near his apartment door a few feet away, Yuki cleared his mind, no
longer wishing to be bombarded by ugly reminders of a time that would be tainted forever.
Determined to get his thoughts back on track, he approached the long-haired blonde with his
usual stoic expression on his face.

“Winchester.”

The American pushed himself away from the wall, keeping his arms crossed over his chest.
“Yuki.”

“I’m assuming Nakano informed you fully of what I’m expecting of you.”

Winchester nodded.

“Did you go inside?” he asked, somehow knowing that the American had indeed been within the
apartment. He wouldn’t have expected less of the man.

“Yes, I did,” replied Winchester, his English accent adding a slight lilt to his words. “The boy
was in the shower. He didn’t see me.”

Yuki nodded, and opened the door. He entered the apartment, followed by Winchester, and called
out Shuichi’s name.

A moment later, Shuichi limped out of Yuki’s bedroom barefooted, wearing the pair of loose
fitted jeans and black t-shirt that Tatsuha had brought him the night before. Upon seeing the
American, his petite lover approached them warily. “Yuki?”

Yuki reached out for Shuichi’s hand, recognizing the fear in the brunette’s voice. “It’s alright,
Shuichi. This is Claude Winchester. He works for me.”

Shuichi looked up at Winchester, his hand holding on tightly to Yuki’s. “Hello.”

To his credit, Winchester’s severe face softened. “It is a pleasure to meet you, Shuichi Shindou.”

Shuichi nodded his head, and turned to Yuki. “What’s going on?” he asked perceptively,
obviously noticing the tension in the air.

Yuki looked at Shuichi, his yellow-green eyes serious. “I’ve asked Winchester to look after you.”

Shuichi frowned in confusion. “Look out for me? What for?”

/Here we go,/ Yuki thought, worry gripping his insides. “I know about Murao, Shuichi. I know
he’s the one that’s after you.”

Shuichi’s eyes widened, terror whirling within their violet depths. “No!” he yelled suddenly,
surprising the two older men. “I told you to let it alone! Dammit, Yuki! Why didn’t you listen to
me?!”

Wild eyes spotted the open door, and the next thing Yuki knew, Shuichi had bolted out of the
apartment.

“What the fuck?” This was not happening. Shuichi couldn’t possibly be running away from him.
/He is you ass!/

Immediately running after Shuichi, Yuki was amazed to see the him already down the corridor
and near the elevator. /How the hell did he get there so fast with a sprained ankle? Shit!/ “What
the hell are you doing, Shuichi? Get back here!”

Entering the elevator, Shuichi shook his head, frantically pushing at the button on the inside
panel. “No!” he yelled, fear lacing his every word. “You’re not going to get hurt because of me!
You’re not!”

“Dammit, Shuichi!” Yuki yelled, as the elevator doors closed just as he got there. “Fuck!!!”


******

Shaking almost uncontrollably, Shuichi kept his gaze locked onto the numbers on the panel just
above the elevator doors, willing them to light up faster. “Come on, come on,” he whispered
desperately. /I have to get out of here. Open up, dammit!/

He had to get away. Now that Yuki knew about Nao, he could no longer avoid what needed to be
done. Above all else, Yuki’s safety took priority. It didn’t matter what happened to him once Nao
found him. He had to keep Yuki safe.

The elevator doors opened, and Shuichi hurried out of it. His heart jumped to his throat when he
heard Yuki’s voice from somewhere to his right. He swung his gaze over to the door where Yuki
and the large blonde were exiting from. /Shit, he took the stairs./

“Shuichi, get back here! I’m going to kick your ass when I get my hands on you! Dammit,
Shuichi! Stop!”

Agony shot through his ankle, as he forced himself to run toward the doors up ahead, but Shuichi
didn’t falter. /Sorry Yuki. I can’t take the risk./ He felt his chest tighten, the pain of what he was
about to do nearly driving him to his knees. He didn’t want to go, didn’t want to face the outside
world again. /I ... Oh, God ... I love you! I do ... And if I stay, you’ll get hurt and ... I have to go. I
have to!/

Using the cane Yuki had given him for added support, Shuichi ran as fast as he could out of the
building and out into the street, not once looking back.


TBC....