Authors Note: I'm really sorry it took me forever to update, I had a small bout of writers block but I am back at last. I recently got a job but I have two days off every week so I'll try to update as much as possible.
Disclaimer: I don't own Gravitation, if I did I wouldn't be working full time at an HEB.
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Shuichi walked into Mrs. Watts' office and placed a manila folder, labeled "Play Pictures" onto her desk; murmuring a barely audible good morning. With a heavy sigh, he slumped down into a cushioned chair and turned his gaze over to Naomi who was also in the room.
"Good Morning Shuichi." Naomi greeted; taking in Shuichi's zombie like appearance.
"Yes good morning Mr. Shindou." Mrs. Watts chimed in. "Did you not sleep well last night?" She asked; cocking her head to the side.
Yeah, like it's possible to sleep well with a cold hearted bastard invading your dreams all night. Shuichi thought; his fists clenching.
"I'll take that as a no." Naomi said; her gaze fixated on Shuichi's fists. They continued to clench tighter and tighter; his knuckles eventually turning white. "Shuichi?" She asked but he did not respond. "Oi Shuichi!" She tried again this time waving her hand in his face.
"Huh? What?" Shuichi asked; looking around wildly.
"You zoned out Shuichi." Naomi informed him; taking a step back and brushing a strand of her crimson locks behind her ear.
"Well, now that we're all back on planet earth." Mrs. Watts announced with a soft chuckle. "I would like to inform the two of you, of your next assignment." She smiled brightly as her two employees gave a nod for her to continue. "For next month's issue of Sunset 21 you will both be traveling to Tokyo to work on our magazine's feature article, Japanese Fads. Now today is Saturday January twentieth so you will be leaving at six o'clock A.M on Monday January twenty second, and returning at nine o'clock P.M on Thursday February twenty second. You will have the rest of today and tomorrow to pack your things, now are there any questions? "
Shuichi paled the instant Mrs. Watts announced that they would be traveling to Japan, he didn't want to go back but if he full out refused to go he could risk losing his job. There was nothing he could do, he was going to have to be strong it was only for a few weeks after all.
'Oh God I thing I'm gonna be sick. The room seemed to be spinning in slow motion and Shuichi soon found himself falling forward onto the floor. He laid there for a few minutes; watching the room spin around him. Someone ran to his side and shook his arm gently, they were saying something as well but he could not make out their words. Eventually his eyes rolled up into the back of his head and he was surrounded by darkness.
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Naomi sighed softly and glanced up at Mrs. Watts who stood staring down at Shuichi with a shocked look on her face. "Let's move him to the couch and wait until he wakes up." Mrs. Potts nodded in agreement and went to help Naomi pick the young man up from the floor. Once he was situated into a seemingly comfortable position; the two women sat down and chatted as they waited for Shuichi to regain consciousness.
After about thirty or so minutes; Shuichi shifted slightly and slowly opened his eyes. He blinked a few times to clear his vision and then sat up slowly; turning his head to find Naomi and Mrs. Watts staring. "Umm, how long was I out?" His cheeks flushed in embarrassment, he couldn't believe that he had actually passed out. I must have looked like such an idiot. Shuichi thought; shaking his head.
"You've been unconscious for a grand total of thirty minutes." Mrs. Watts replied; standing up from her seat. "Shuichi are you unwell?" She asked in a concerned tone. "It isn't normal to pass out over nothing."
Shuichi shook his head and grinned up at his boss. "No I'm alright." He answered. "I… I'm just so excited to be going back to Japan." This answer was quite far from the truth, but he didn't want Mrs. Watts to know his real feelings toward the trip. It was an honor to be awarded with taking photos for the feature article and being negative would make him seem ungrateful.
Mrs. Watts smiled and nodded her head in understanding. "It has been three years after all. I'm sure it will be nice to see all of your friends and family again."
Shuichi smiled and gave a nod of agreement before standing up from his spot on the couch. "Well anyway I suppose Naomi and I should be leaving now so that we can get out things together for the trip."
Naomi nodded her head in agreement. "Yeah I'd like to finish packing soon so I can spend tomorrow resting up for the flight."
"Yes you are both free to go, but before you leave I have a something to give you." She walked back behind her desk and pulled out two manila folders. "Now inside those folders you will find a list of people, events, and places that I would like you to use in your article." After receiving nods from both employees; she continued. "Alright then, you are dismissed and I will be there Tuesday to see you off." With that said; Mrs. Watts sat back down at her desk and watched as her two employees made their way out the door.
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"Ah packing is such a pain in the ass." Shuichi whined; collapsing down upon the clothing littered bed behind him. "I need a break." In the past twenty minutes Shuichi had managed to break five times, this would be his sixth. Strangely enough only one item had actually been packed, he noticed this as he was about to leave the room and stopped. "I'm just avoiding it aren't I?" He asked himself as he knelt down beside the open suitcase. "Ugh I really don't want to do this, but I really don't have a choice do I." Letting out a heavy sigh; Shuichi stood up and began to gather up everything he would need for the trip.
Shuichi stared up at his ceiling and cocked his head to the side as he hummed softly to himself; he had just finished packing and was now bored out of his mind. "One more day, just one more day until I'm on a plane back to Japan." He sighed and turned his gaze to the open doorway just in time to see his puppy scamper into the room and leap up onto the bed. "I really wish I could take you with me Suki, but there's not enough time to get you approved to leave with me." Shuichi said, frowning as he rubbed the pup gently behind the ears. "I can't believe I'm actually going back."
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Shuichi gazed out the window as the plane took off into the sky; his earphones situated upon his head pumping out music by some popular British artist. Naomi was seated next to him already fast asleep; sleep would be needed for the long trip ahead of them. Unfortunately Shuichi was too nervous for sleep at the moment, he had read the event list and apparently one of those was to attend a book signing by the infamous Yuki Eiri. Fate must really love screwing with me. He thought bitterly; turning his gaze away from the window and leaning his head back against his seat.
Nervousness about going back to his old home was to be expected, but it was slowly fading as the days went by. He had accepted the fact that Yuki did not love him years ago, and though the subject was still painful Shuichi felt that he was strong enough to handle it. If Shuichi could survive this long without Yuki, then surely he could survive seeing him once again; and show absolutely no sign that he had been scarred in any way.
The hours seemed to fly by as the plane soared through the clouds; Shuichi sleeping peacefully as the plane descended to reveal the Tokyo skyline.
"Look Shuichi we're here." Naomi chirped excitedly as she nudged the young man awake. "Are you excited to be home? I bet your friends and family will be excited to see you after so long."
Shuichi said nothing as his eyes fluttered open, and turned his sleepy eyes to look out the window. Indeed they had reached Tokyo and were currently in the process of landing, it was strange but he felt as though he had been gone more than three years. England felt more like home to him now, but that is how he had wanted it. Indeed he had managed to run away and start a new life, and now he was back in the one place he had tried to erase from his life. Welcome home. Shuichi thought sarcastically as the plane came to a stop.
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Well I hope this long awaited chapter was worth the long wait, to be truthful I'm not totally pleased with it but I'm also my biggest critic. Oh and much thanks to everyone who reviewed, your support is much appreciated. Also rry asked why Shuichi's hair is brown and if he dyed it or if it faded. Well I just so happen to have an answer, Shuichi dyed his hair as a way to leave behind the life he was leaving behind. Okay well that's all I'm going to say for now so remember to Read and Review, and I'll see you all when the next chapter is posted.
-Pika Neko-
