Kitsune: Hi people. It's me, KitChan but I changed my names for reasons even unknown to me. Anyway, Im sorry for not updating my other stories. The usual computer I use broke down, so I typed up stuff again, now I broke again and I'm stuck using my crappy labtop so yeah.

Disclaimer: I don't own Gravitation or Eiri or Shuichi. (If I did...well, let's just say it'd be crap)

Chapter 1: Enter the Unknown

The 22 year old soldier Eiri looked around the small town of Tokyo. He had been stationed here a few days earlier by his commanding officer, and to tell the truth, he was dreading it. He knew he was originally from Japan, but because he looked so American, the family friend, as well as his sister Mika's boyfriend, Tohma, took Eiri to the States with him to find a new life, away from all the prejudice. So here he was, six years later. He had enlisted in the army a year after high school and this is where it had landed him. Back in a country that hated him because of his looks, now hated him for being a soldier from the U.S.

He sighed and walked down the street, earning stares and some glares from others. Eiri would have loved to tell all of them off, but how would that make the other soldiers look? Frankly he didn't give a damn, but he needed to remain calm or else the Japanese wouldn't trust America at all and demand that the soldiers be shipped off. And what good would that do?

He kept his head down, nodding at people who acknowledged him, positive or not. Only a little while longer, he thought, then I can go home. He smiled a little at this thought, until something caught his eye. A woman in a kimono was shoved to the ground, spilling all of her groceries that she was carrying. The two men who pushed her went unnoticed by everyone but Eiri, as they kicked and shoved the woman back and forth, then started pulling her hair. Eiri went over and caught the woman by the shoulders and glared at the men. "Move along." He growled, "Before I have you both arrested." When the two men only gawked at him, he raised his voice. "MOVE IT!" They both squeaked and scurried off.

Eiri looked at the woman in his arms closer. She was shaking a little bit, and her hair was a mess. Eiri blinked. What kind of woman dyed her hair pink? He shook her a little. "Are you alright?"

She looked up so Eiri could see the color of her eyes. Amethyst. "H-Hai. Thank y-you very much sir." Her voice was soft and quiet. Eiri had no choice but to smile warmly. "You're welcome miss." She blushed. She had no idea American soldiers were so kind, and handsome as well! She turned away from him and went to pick up her groceries. Eiri kneeled down and helped her. When everything was back in the bag, he smiled again at her. "Could I walk you home?" She blinked at this sudden offer, then blushed again. "S-Sure. I-I'd like that very much." When she stood, Eiri could see that she was very slim, as well as very flat-chested Her long hair was pulled back in a bun and looked very daring, but she was shy, Eiri smiled and linked his arm with hers. She looked at him. "May I ask your name?" "My name is Eiri Uesugi." "I'm Shuichi Shindou."

--

They walked down the quiet streets, earning whispers from passerbies. They arrived at a small traditional home. Shuichi looked back at Eiri. "Would you like to come in Eiri?" Eiri looked around the street, then at Shuichi. "Sure." He followed Shuichi into the home, taking off his shoes at the door. The house was nothing out of the ordinary. Tables held pictures of family members and friends. Then a voice from the other room floated in the air. "Shuichi, is that you?" Shuichi walked to the room and smiled at an older woman sitting at a table. "Hello mother. Oh, I hope you don't mind, I brought someone home." Shuichi scooted Eiri into the room. "This is Mr. Eiri Uesugi. He helped me this afternoon." Shuichi's mother smiled and nodded. "Hello Mr. Uesugi. My name is Isa Shindou." Eiri smiled. "Nice to meet you."

Eiri sat down and the three of them talked for a while, about the war, politics, and Eiri's family. After a while, Isa turned to Shuichi. "Shu-Chan, why don't you go make Eiri some tea?" Shuichi smiled and nodded. She got up and went to the kitchen, beaming. Isa chuckled, then looked at Eiri. "You're very special to her, that's for sure." Eiri blinked. "How d'you know that?" Isa smiled. "She hasn't smiled like that for quite some time. Since she was young, actually." Eiri sighed. "Why so long?" Isa tucked a stray strand of hair behind her ear. "Eiri, please understand that my daughter is very different. Very special. And no one here, as you well know, accepts people who are different than they are." Eiri nodded and looked to the doorway of the kitchen. "She is special. And this may be a little fast, but I think I'm in love with her." Isa nodded. "I can see that she loves you as well." She reached out and held one of Eiri's hands. "But please promise me one thing Eiri." Eiri nodded. "Anything."

Isa nodded. "When you realize why she's special, keep her close to you. Love her with all that you are. Because when someone loves you, the pain of being different is lessened." Eiri nodded in all seriousness now. "I promise."

After a few cups of tea, Eiri announced that he should leave for the night and Shuichi insisted on walking him home. Eiri agreed and said his good-bye to Isa. She smiled at him. "Don't forget our promise Eiri." Eiri shook his head. "Never." She hugged him and watched the two walk down the street.

Eiri loved everything being in a walking distance. It made not having a car that much easier. When they arrived at the place he was staying, he turned to Shuichi and kissed her lips. He was surprised at how soft they were. When he pulled away, he saw Shuichi blush. "Mr. Uesugi?" Eiri smiled. "Please call me Eiri." Shuichi blinked, then smiled. "Eiri. I liked that very much." Eiri kissed her again. "I did too."

--

Eiri was surprised about how fast three months had come and gone. He had patrolled the city during the day and spent time with Shuichi at night. He had come to love her more and more, and when the day that he was being sent back to American came, he went to Shuichi's house and kissed her. "Come back to America with me." Shuichi's eyes widened. "America?" Eiri nodded. "We can live happily there. I can teach you English and we'll find you a job and we can get married and have a family there." Shuichi's eyes widened even more at that. Eiri stopped. "You….you don't want to come with me?" Shuichi shook her head. "No! No no no, that's not it, I want to go with you, I really do! Being with you for the rest of my life would be….wonderful." Eiri smiled and kissed her again.

Shuichi broke the kiss. "But will I be accepted there?" Eiri nodded. "Of course you-" he stopped. It was true, Americans were racist to the Japanese now more than ever. But having Shuichi there with him at home….would be the most wonderful thing in the world. Eiri held one of Shuichi's hands. "I will protect you. From everything. Because I love you." He kissed her, then looked into her eyes. "I promise." Shuichi stared at Eiri for a moment before smiling. "Alright." Eiri smiled and kissed her again.

--

A week later, they were both at the airport. Isa was there to see them off. She hugged Shuichi tight. "Be careful, and be happy." She said. Shuichi smiled and kissed her cheek. "Ashiteru mother, I'll miss you." Isa smiled and stroked Shuichi's hair. "I'll miss you too. Ashiteru." Shuichi kissed her cheek again before letting her hug Eiri. "Don't forget." She whispered. Eiri nodded. "I won't." he felt something slip into his hand. He looked at the paper and found Isa's phone number. "If anything happens, I want you to call me." She nodded at him. Eiri nodded. "Of course."

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Kitsune: Crappy? Yes? No? Review and lemme know!