Protect Me Forever

Disclaimer: …

Sigh…last chappie didn’t get many reviews, even though it was the longest!! *pout*, that’s discouraging. But that’s still okay, I’ll finish this story. I don’t know if you’ve noticed or not, but an unfinished story greatly disturbs me. Does that reassure you at all? I have an idea for a new story stirring at the back of my head, but it’s only a sketch. I’ll upload it onto my documents before it stops brewing in my head. Of course, I wouldn’t actually post it yet until I have a plot going, not to mention multiple chapters.

DemonLadySesshomaru- I liked how you said ‘manhunt’, but I guess that much is true. Sorry, about the Rage part, I mean. I didn’t want to make an original character, just not my forte.
viper- do you mean you found it funny that it was priceless? O.o Thank you for always reviewing
Nekosune- I don’t know what yamyams are, but I know they’re my treat! Thanks for liking that scene.

Chapter eight: Fearless (just seeing if it shows)

A lump on a queen sized bed stirred, it was Shuichi. He tried to open his eyes, but found that he can’t- they were bound together by something, a glue-like substance. He raised his hand and balled it into a fist and furiously rubbed at his eyes, dried yellow eye discharge crumbling off. His eyes felt so dry, and they stung. It was like he spent his life crying his heart out. Slowly, Shuichi tried to open his eyes again. Slowly…sunlight assaulted his abused eyes, causing him to shy his violet orbs away from the light again. He blinked- once, twice, trying to get some of the moisture back to return them to their original, healthy state.

They finally felt better, and he looked out the window. Seeing that the sun was high up in the sky, it must be in the afternoon already.

The room he was in is modernly furnished, but…it was boring, especially in Shuichi’s eyes. It lacked personality. The hardwood floor is pale, with a white area rug adorning it. The bedsheets are white, but at least they had some patterns on them, but those were white as well. The couch across the room had white leather, and the low table in front of that was glass. The dresser on his left was also light in colour, the door is painted white with patterns carved in. Even the doorknob lacked colour! Shuichi sighed; it’s like waking up in a hospital. He shook his head, how had he gotten here again? Oh right, now he remembers.

Flashback:

“Who’s there?” Shuichi asked softly at the figure standing in the shadows. It couldn’t be another client- Ma told him he only had 12 today! “Ma? Is that you?” Okay, now he was getting scared. He knew Ma would never purposely try to frighten him by standing in the shadows where he couldn’t be seen, but where Shuichi knew he was though, leaving it all to his imagination.

“S-sorry Shu-chan, for scaring you I mean.” Ma’s voice traveled over to Shuichi’s ears, but something was wrong, his voice was trembling. Are those tears he sees running down his face, but why? Who made Ma cry?!

“Ma, what’s wrong? Why are you crying?” Shuichi rushed out to pull his caretaker out of the shadows, and led them over to his bed, and set them down. “…Ma? Who made you cry? I’ll get them back for you!” Despite Shuichi’s small size and stature, he would still stand up and defend his friends, no matter what could happen to him!

Ma raised his hand and stopped Shu’s rant. He sighed, “No, that’s not it. Nothing like that, actually. Just that…tomorrow is going to be the last time I see you.” Ma’s voice was strong to begin that sentence, but it ended in a whisper. How could anyone not feel anything at having to part with an angel, with Shuichi? Ma came to love Shu- in a motherly way- over the past months, now it was all coming to an end.

No words could have expressed the shock Shuichi felt at that point. Of course he wanted to leave this place, but what does Ma mean? He doesn’t mean he’s quitting, or that Ma’s suicidal and wants to die, right? “Last time? What last time, Ma? Tell me! What do you mean by last time!?”

“Shu-Shuichi, someone is buying you out of here,” Ma smiled, “you can finally be free. You can trust this person, he won’t violate you, but you’ll surely find his personality hard to deal with though.” He laughed as he thought of how Rage’s big mouth had always gotten the duo into trouble during their high school years.

The next morning was extremely stressful for him. A short, effeminate man was signing a pile of paperwork, and occasionally stealing glances at him, it was unnerving. The looks weren’t hungry or lustful, they were merely curious, but clearly businessman eyes. It made Shuichi squirm under the intensity of them. The man put down the pen and gestured for him to go over and follow him to his car. Shuichi inched forward, this was a stranger, he looked back at Ma for comfort. Then he remembered that Ma only wished for the best for him- Ma wouldn’t lead him to his execution, would he?

“Hurry up.” This man’s style could even be compared to that of his daddy’s. He was collected and calm, even though he could probably guess of Shuichi’s current emotional turmoil.

“You may call me Reiji, Shindou.”

End of flashback.

Shuichi curled up in bed into the fetal position. He was so scared! What’s going to happen to him now? He didn’t know what kind of person Reiji is, even Ma’s impression of this man could be entirely off. He could be proper on the surface, but what if, what if he’s into S&M?! (Sadism & masochism) Tears leaked from his dry eyes. He hated those sadists who thought that he was into that. It made him cry and scream as he was being abused as he remembered gentler nights, like the one with Yuki two days ago, the one where he dressed as a maid and role played.

It was a horrifying and scary feeling that replaced the warm, fuzzy one when he was thinking of Yuki. Not knowing anything about his current captors is torture, and so is not knowing how he is about to be treated.

“Shuichi-sama? You’re awake now, thank goodness! I was starting to think you would never wake up!” It was a maid. She was giggling happily, something Shuichi himself hasn’t done since parting with Hiro and Suguru.

The maid set down a tray on his night stand, delicious aromas of the food wafting in waves. “You should eat. Don’t worry about getting anything dirty, this is just a guest room. Rage would be coming later.”

With that she left. Shu didn’t have the knowledge of being able to tell whether food is poisoned just from looking. It was something that really worried him. Many of his clients liked drugging the stuff they gave him, so that he would be able to perform according to their wishes. In some ways it was good. Sometimes he could just forget that he was touched in ways that he didn’t want, and just think that his body had be touched by an old, rich, senile man or woman one less time.

Another thing he worried about was his future. Right now, his future is dim and unclear. He had no idea what was going on right now- is he ever going to see Yuki again?

Shuichi picked up the fork and poked at the chicken. The maid had never said anything to give him the reassurance that it wasn’t poisoned, so this matter is up to himself to worry about. Deciding that he’d die if he didn’t get anything into his system soon, he had to try it. He took a sip. Well it sure didn’t seem poisoned, but what food would actually ‘taste’ poisoned? If it did, then whichever manufacturer that made the drug would have to retire.

Who cares? He was lost, confused, and scared. Why did he have to care about his body so much now that probably no one he knew would come and find him. He was hungry, so he’d eat, it was pretty simple, a child’s way of thinking. Only living in the now and worrying about other problems when he actually got to it.

Why had the maid called him ‘sama’ though? Surely, whoever bought him out- this Reiji- didn’t give him any status in the household. He put down the now empty bowl and placed it back on the tray and got off the bed. He stretched his cramped arms and legs, flexing the sore muscles on the way. If this Rage isn’t going to come, he might as well do something with himself. Seeing that he was given clothes gave him some peace of mind. He could very well wander around where ever this place is. They probably aren’t going to do that much to him. “Yes,” he thought, “what are they going to do, maim him? Besides, I don’t have anything to live for anyways.”

He threw open his perfectly clean white door, the halls had more personality, even though it wasn’t modern. The furnishing is more wood and other darker colours. He took his first step out and looked around. Seeing as no one was around, not even the maid from before, his confidence rose. His sneaky, small steps quickly turned into confident strides.

He passed hallway after hallway, and room after room. He took numerous turns, and saw various sitting rooms. Surely they couldn’t use all those chairs! His legs functioned on their own- it was as if Shuichi was on autopilot. He didn’t know how he found his way to he stairs, just that he walked down them and soon found himself in a garden, an immaculately manicured garden. The grass was trimmed so it was just an inch long. On the contrary, it was three times that length and a luscious green.

Flower beds were strewn throughout the huge lawn. It was an acreage, making Shuichi wonder if the entire area was this impeccable and landscaped. His ears perked when he caught the sound of distant running water. He headed in that direction. Only to find himself in a breath-taking clearing with multiple layers of waterfalls crashing to the pond below and carried away by the stream. Shuichi watched this beautiful scenery- as if carved out by the Gods themselves- mesmerized.

He finally sits himself onto the grass beside the stream and looked at his reflection, noticing how much thinner he is than he used to be. His eyes are duller as well. He could just remember the times when…who was it? The name’s just on his tongue. That man sang. He had a surreal voice…his name…why couldn’t he remember?! Shuichi’s eyebrows furrowed in concentration. R-Rew? Rew-itchi? It was something like that, just, not exactly. R-Ryuichi! That’s it! Sakuma Ryuichi! Memories of the song he sung combined with Yuki’s lyrics flowed back to him. He smiled and splashed water over his face.

Out of nowhere, there was pressure on his back, along with a strange yelp. In slow motion, Shuichi found himself falling, falling face first into the stream. It was followed by a strange, animalistic cry. Shuichi began treading water immediately, eyes darting around to look for whatever had hit him. His feet hit the ground. So the stream in this part is so shallow that he could stand in it! Shuichi blushed when he hadn’t realized this even though the stream was so clear he could see the bottom crystal clear.

His eyes fell on his attacker- a four legged, large gray dog. He or she looked menacing to say at least, it was a pretty big dog (1). But what was that cry? And the dog seemed to be…grinning. It- for Shuichi couldn’t tell if it was a he or a she- was wagging its tail. So this thing is happy that it had caught him off guard?! Shuichi huffed in mock anger and got up to wade through the waist-deep water, the deerhound following his movements in direction. It gave a short, crisp bark and wagged its tail once more.

Shuichi put his hands on the banks and heaved himself out. He lowered his sopping wet body onto the grass and looked at the four-legged thing in suspicion as it came closer to sit beside him. The dog cocked its head to the side and regarded him curiously, the tail still wagging furiously. It seems…friendly enough…if it was a guard dog, he would’ve lost his arms already, right?

So Shuichi relaxed and lay down, eagle-spread. What was he thinking of again? Ryuichi, that’s right, the amazing J-pop singer he saw on T.V. long ago. He thought of his former client’s powerful alto voice that reverberated and mesmerized him. That song he sang that time, it was called…Shining Collection. How’d it go? Kiss shining, hitomi ni kuchi- how’d it go? He really couldn’t remember. He really wanted to sing after the time he heard Ryuichi, it’s just that he knew no other songs at that time. In his mind, he’d been coming up with small melodies and tunes to go with the lyrics that were extremely easy to write. Why? They were the feelings felt during his stay at Icha Icha Paradise.

“The cold times drift about in dreams, but are caught and held in your hands.
When I woke up from the countless wishes, you are reflected in a shimmering illusion --
the silhouette whose faint smile leads me along.”

Yuki… I love it when you smile. You look even more beautiful and even more special knowing that I’m the only one he’s doing it for.

“With a trembling finger, I gather up the dreams; without even breathing on them,
they're crumbling.
Even the certain things are too unreliable; if I believe in something,
CAN I BE WITH YOU AGAIN?
It's whitely vanishing, the silhouette of that day.”

That day, that day, Shuichi didn’t know how to feel- it was the day he met Yuki. Those eyes are the purest gold- so molten and captivating. And then, all of a sudden, they were in the bedroom, and he was kissed by lips experienced beyond their years.

His voice cracked, and he trembled. Yuki…YUKI! He couldn’t be here forever, where he’d never see Yuki again! Tears gathered at the corners of his eyes, and he fell forward onto the grass, the tears finally spilling as he sobbed openly, where no one would hear him cry.

All except the dog behind him, who he thought sensed his distress. It wasn’t long before he felt something crawl over his back and settle on top of him. Shuichi just realized how could he was when he felt the deerhound’s warmth penetrate his wet clothes.

He turned over to hold onto the hound and cried, louder than he had in months, as he knew instinctively that he’d never see his loved ones from the moment he was purchased. It also hurt to know that he was nothing but merchandise to his buyers- a product that they could care for whenever they wanted; or throw away whenever they wanted.

His cries calmed, and he hiccupped, which also eventually faded. He looked at the dog lying on his chest to his legs once more. He finally realized that she- he guessed a she- isn’t menacing at all. She’s a beautiful, proper deerhound. He smiled- nobody had cared enough to comfort him whenever he cried, except for Ma. But he never cried like he just had minutes ago, all because he knew no one would hear him, or sympathize with him. He didn’t want pity either.

But he found companionship with a dog, one that sat with him as he released his pent-up sadness over time- and didn’t condemn him for showing his weaknesses. He scratched her behind the ears.

“She’s beautiful, isn’t she?” Shuichi jumped at the unexpected voice to cut through the silence, immediately turning over, and unknowingly tossing his friend off him. His eyes landed on another boy, hair light in colour and reflecting the sun’s light.

“A-a… yeah. You brought me out?” Shuichi pawed at his face to desperately erase the tear streaks.

At Rage’s nod, he had to ask, “Why, why me?”

The other male in the area smirked, “Look, I didn’t get you out because of any attraction towards you, it was just a favor. Besides, why would I like someone like you?”

Shuichi stared at his ‘savior’, and stared at the outright rudeness just displayed. He didn’t know any comeback to that, he couldn’t piss the guy off. Said guy could get rid of him anytime, and then he wouldn’t have- wouldn’t know- where to go. But that didn’t mean he couldn’t still dislike Rage.

“Favor? What favor?”

Rage paused, and rolled his eyes. How could this idiot be someone Ma wanted him to save? “Your caretaker, Ma, requested me to get you out. I couldn’t say ‘no’. But if I knew you are so stupid- and that you looked so stupid too- I would’ve just flatly refused.”

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Ryuichi hopped through the automatic doors of Icha Icha Paradise. He was so happy he could just dance! Not that he wasn’t already. He had even brought Kuma with him today, he wanted to use his child side with him first. Afterall, it was their reunion after months of being apart. It wasn’t a good idea to start off with a serious side to make Shu nervous.

Upon walking in, he tuned in to hear a man yelling.

“What do you mean Shindou’s gone?! He was here yesterday!”

Ryuichi froze, did this man mean Shuichi? Ryuichi hadn’t been there four days ago- he was having lunch with that woman.

“Sir, calm down!” Yuki was driving away customers, thinking that service must be horrible here. “Shindou-san was bought a few days ago, and just picked up recently.”

Yuki growled, he leaned over the reception counter and pulled the woman to her feet by her collar. He roared, “ WHO?! Who bought him from me?! Fucking tell me NOW.” His eyes burned into hers through his shades.

The woman cowered under the man’s glare, but she managed. “That- that we can’t say, it’s highly confidential. We could get you another room though, with another good employee. How about-”

He was about to refuse, when “How about Tatsuha? He’s good with any client, and he’s bound to satisfy you.”

He paused, Tatsuha…been awhile, and they needed to ‘talk’. “Fine, BUT. It has to be free.”

“!”

“For wasting my time, or else next time, I’ll make sure to drive away more clients,” Yuki spat.

Yuki disappeared around the corner, and Ryuichi dropped onto the nearest couch. How? How did so much happen in just a few days? The last time see had seen Shuichi was months ago, only to have him disappear. And now, Ryuichi didn’t even know where to look. Oh wait, he could go to Tohma.

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“You knew, didn’t you!” Yuki raged at Tohma, completely ignoring the fact that he was being unreasonable, not that it mattered. Tohma always put up with what Yuki threw at him. His meeting with Tatsuha was pointless, Tatsuha didn’t know about Shuichi being sold to someone other than Tohma, and was equally bewildered.

Tohma was claiming that he didn’t know Shuichi was going- or could- be sold. If he did, he would’ve just bought his son out and not needed to hire K at all. That was what he was thinking until Tatsuha called. He had been gathering as much money as he could to get Shuichi out. He had no idea how much Akito wanted for him, so in his mind, gathering as much as he possibly could was the best plan. But then he was too late, Shuichi got sold. He had, once again, failed Eiri, failed his other two kids, and failed himself.

It’s all in the past now, K would have to restart detective work.

A knock on the study door sounded. “Seguchi-sama, there’s another wanting to see you.”

Tohma sighed, what now? And not many knew of his address. The door opened, only to reveal…

“Ryuichi? Why are you here?” Not only was it just Ryuichi, it was the stage Ryuichi. Tohma inwardly groaned, it had to be something important. It had to be about Shuichi.

Ryuichi barely spared Yuki a glance and let himself in to sit in one of the plush guest sofas. “Shuichi…do you know where?” Yes, he knew who Yuki Eiri is, afterall, who didn’t? Only he didn’t know this was another client sitting beside him. But neither did Yuki himself.

“Ryuichi-san, no, I don’t know where he is, but I am doing all I can to retrace where he could possibly be.”

“Why would Sakuma Ryuichi be looking for Shindou?” Yuki spoke up. He greatly stressed Ryuichi’s name.

Tohma breathed in, here goes, “Because he is another VIP client of Shuichi, just like you, Eiri.”

Ryuichi and Yuki both froze, and then their senses came back to each other, they remembered. ‘This was the man I met one Shuichi’s second day in his room.’ They were both thinking. “Hai, Shuichi is my friend, as well.”

Yuki snorted, “More like fuck toy.”

“Eiri, please. Right now, our Shuichi is our top priority. Every second counts.”

Yuki glared at Tohma, but kept his mouth wisely shut, he knew his in law was right.

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A shadow hovered over Ryuichi, blocking the light reaching his bandmate’s paper he was looking at. “Couldn’t sleep, Ryuichi?”

“Kanone (2), yeah, I found something interesting, only to have it taken away. I have to find it.”

His synthesizer playing band member put on his innocent mask, “Interesting? What is it, do you need help?”

“Actually, I think I do. He’s an employee from Icha Icha Paradise. And he got sold,” Ryuichi turned around and stared into golden eyes, “I’m working on tracking him down.”

“Tracking? You mean bank account? That’s easy! I mean hacking into the brothel’s computer system for the account number. But Ryuichi…who is this you’re looking for? Anyone who is able to buy someone out of that place is rich, what you’re doing’s dangerous. You realize that, right?”

Realize? Of course he knows it’s dangerous, but he can’t just wait for whatever results Tohma has from K to act upon. He is a powerful celebrity! It about time he put some of that power to use. But what surprised him was that his co-worker and friend didn’t seem fazed that he came out saying he likes young boys from a brothel. He guessed that a good thing though, Kanone is ruthless when he wants something.

Ryu whispered, but it was caught by sharp ears, “Of course, but I’d never forgive myself for not doing anything. I- I love him.”
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END OF CHAPTER EIGHT

Important!
I reread chapter 2 and saw that I typed “Shindou Shuichi sold to YUKI Eiri for two million!” That’s a mistake. It’s definitely not supposed to say Yuki. Change that with Uesugi please, readers.


Some notes: Do you notice that Ryuichi hasn’t been in Shuichi’s thoughts as much as he used to be. I made him think more of Yuki now, because Yuki has been visiting and supporting him throughout his career as a prostitute. Shuichi doesn’t think as much of Ryuichi since Ryu hasn’t visited in awhile. Shuichi also refers to his experience at the whorehouse too, and often using that as a reference to how he should behave, like the part about poisoned food.

I didn’t really read the Genzo, I just know that Rage and Riki exist in it. So my apologies that they are OOC, please correct me and tell me how Rage really acts.

I thought that I should ‘up’ some of the vocabulary. If you had found some harder words that you didn’t understand, they probably don’t matter that much since they are mostly adjectives. They are as deep as my vocabulary goes, so don’t worry about any harder words!!

(1)- I had lots of trouble picking which breed of dog to use. I wanted a cute (anything furry), large, affectionate dog that loves everyone and just doesn’t qualify to be considered a guard dog. I wanted this kind of personality so that it would love Shuichi and Shuichi could love her back. He deserves some love after all he’s been through. So the dog I picked was a Scottish Deerhound. These dogs really DO have strange cries.

(2)- if some of you don’t remember, Kanone is Nittle Grasper’s third member in place of Tohma. But Tohma and Ryuichi still know each other.

Next chapter: Shuichi’s birthday.