A/N: Okay. Everyone is lost in a sea of confusion, so here's the jist of it… Ahem. Usagi is going on a trip to wherever for a book deal and what not. Misaki is feeling miserable, and the story is going back and forth on their lives right before Usagi left and while he is gone. Between the "…" is usually a flashback of some kind. So, every time you see three periods, just assume that we're going back in time, before Usami left for his trip. The periods, sometimes, also indicate the different point's of view. I'll start labeling them, because I'm sad to see all my readers confused. Anymore questions, feel free to ask me :)

In Act Three, Usami is still on his tour. He's with his editor-in-chief and editor, going back to japan to finish the business. The little periods were a flashback of about two weeks before Usagi left for his trip. Then, the flashback ends and goes to Misaki's point of view, where he had made prior plans with his brother—who already has a child in the manga—and is fulfilling said plans.


Act Four.

Bustling around the kitchen, pots clanged and chopsticks clunked as Misaki prepared his lonely dinner. Keeping busy. Moving quickly, but the slight tinge in his shoulder hindered his arm almost useless.

"Baka-Usagi." Misaki mumbled, remembering the glass teapot that busted against the floor. He placed his plate on the table, listening to the emptiness of the house. He looked over at the timer on the stove, just a few more minutes until he could dine.

…(Misaki's flashback, from a couple days before Usagi-san left)

"I can't help it, I'm all out of Misaki," Usami groaned from behind his college student. Soon his arms were entangled with Misaki's. It was almost two in the morning and Misaki had stealthily made his way to the kitchen for a glass of water.

"Were you waiting outside my room or something, Old Man?" Misaki fought back, the cup of water dropping out of his hand, creating a puddle on the tiled floor.

Usami nibbled on Misaki's ear, making his lover's face flush up and his squirming less ferocious. "I've got to be up for school in the morning!" Misaki exclaimed, tugging away.

"It's been almost six hours…" Usami chuckled, turning the brunette around. Misaki's arms flung around, knocking an old-fashioned teapot to hit the floor, shattering echoed in the room.

Pulling free, Misaki went to the glass on the floor. "Look what you've donnneee—" the syllable extended into a few seconds as Misaki's body met the ground with a thunk. He yelped as his back scraped across the floor, but he soon forget about it. Usami was on top of him, his lips moving closer.

. . . (end flashback, back to Misaki )

Feeling his navel pull farther into his stomach, Misaki sat down. His head was being to ache and his heart was feeling heavier and heavier. "Usagi-san hasn't even called me…" Misaki mumbled with fake irritation.

Bizzzz.

As the timer went off, Misaki struggled to get out of the kitchen chair. His hands fluttered around the large kitchen, turning knobs, pushing buttons, and pulling out plates. He knew he had made too much food, once he had everything laid out on the table. He was used to making for two, with the leftovers being demolished soon after.

Once more, he took his seat at the table; staring at the great amounts of food, he laughed. "Can't believe I wasn't thinking about not cooking this much.." His voice trailed off as his head was swiveling around memories of past lunches and dinners. It had been a long time since they have not dined together.

With a deep sigh, Misaki rocked his brain for something else to think about. Before he reached for his curry, the doorbell buzzed with excitement. Trudging to the door, he let the person in. Before long, the door opened, revealing a Takihiro looking worn out. Mahiro at his side, smiling brighter than ever.

"Hey, Nii-chan!" Misaki bellowed in surprise.

Takahiro dropped the bag, more than likely filled with toys and snacks, against the wall, and he dragged himself im. "I was going to call, but I knew you didn't have plans today. Manami went to see her parents today, to tell them good news. Mahiro was becoming very uneasy at home, so we went to the park," Takahiro proceeded to the living room, Misaki following his closely. "Now, I'm just drained," Takahiro laughed awkwardly as his son grabbed his hand.

"What great timing, Nii-chan!" Misaki's green eyes lit up, "I just made dinner, you're more than welcome to stay and have some. I've made too much anyways."

Mahiro found his way beside Misaki, and his big eyes stared up at him. "No Unagi?" Mahiro chirped up—referring to Usami.

"No," Misaki faked a smile, "just me. Usagi-san is on an adventure." He smiled as he lifted the toddler into his arms. "Probably fighting dragons…" Misaki laughed at the thought. He saw Aikawa-san dressed in a suit of armor, battling a grey-blue dragon with Usami's hair and glasses. "We must finish the trip, Akihiko!" She swung her sword around, trying to pierce the fire-breathing menace, but there was no hope for her.

"Or maybe he's turning into a dragon…" Misaki chuckled as his family sat down to dinner.

Conversation was light, talking about Mahiro's day at the park, Misaki's school, and the subject soon slipped into Usami.

"He called just the other day! He said his trip was going splendid…well in so few words." Takahiro took a bite of rice.

The pulling in his stomach came back. "That's good. Glad to know he's safe." Misaki nodded, watching his nephew.

"Indeed. He was telling me about the great food they had in India and China," Takahiro continued with his stories, but Misaki didn't catch much of them. His eyes glanced over at the phone. Six days, and not a single message from Usagi-san. I bet there are beautiful woman in China… Probably homo's too… Misaki looked back at his brother, nodding.

"That's great…Takahiro… Usagi…" Misaki trailed off.

"Yeah?"

"He…I…" Misaki stuttered.

Takahiro raised an eyebrow. "Do you not want to live here anymore, Misaki? If it's too much of a bother for Usagi, then we can have you live with us. No problem."

"It's not that," Misaki's mouth rushed out before he knew what he was saying. Now wasn't the best time. "Usagi-san sounds like he's having a blast."

In the back of his mind, he knew Usami was somewhere, not having any fun; in fact, the pit of his grew weary with distress. Somewhere over the seas, Usami was… "But that's ridiculous," Misaki brushed the thought away. Dinner went on, and soon Mahiro was passed out on the couch.

Takahiro helped clean the table, and looked over at his brother. "Delicious meal, Misaki. Maybe next time Manami can enjoy your cooking, as well." They said their farewells, and Misaki walked his brother down the stairs. As he watched his brother leave with Mahiro asleep in his arms, Misaki's smile faded. Upstairs, he couldn't hear the buzzing of the phone.

His shoulder ached, his head was pounding, and his heart was breaking. Why hadn't the man called him? He stumbled back up the stairs.


A/N: Any questions? I'm trying to make this come along with less confusion. how am I doing? Hah. Well, I hope you enjoyed. The action starts next chapter :)