Wow, EXACTLY 5 reviews. Ha-ha, I might have to up the stakes.

So, you did your part, I'll do mine.

Also, feel free to check out my other gravitation fan-fics. I have some good ones going on.

I do not own Gravitation

Chapter 10: Fate

Time past by slowly, a minute turned into a second, the day turned into an hour. All that dwelled on Eiri's mind was his lover's fate. The EMT's had to massage his heart by hand, Yuki couldn't watch. The bullet was still in him so the deliberator was out of the question. Blood coming out of the side of his mouth and nose, his eyes peeled open and lifeless. After some time, he returned. He went in for surgery not expecting to come out alive, he came back to Eiri however. Yuki was told to say goodbye, he wouldn't make the night. The boy was breathing as the dawn sky glistened over his beautiful face. Constantly, Shuichi defied the odds. Yuki was brought in, questioned and interrogated. The man he almost killed being detained for questioning. It took five days for his love to open his eyes, to look at the man who sat by his bed side, only eating when a nurse forced him too or sleeping when he fell asleep on the arm of the medical bed. He didn't shower since then, the only cleaning he got was when he washed his hands of the blood of the man who tried to shatter Eiri's life by removing the thing he held precious - Shuichi's life.

Shuichi woke to the sound of his lover's gentle breathing. His head wasn't so far from him, lifting his hand he ran it down the stubble on Yuki's face and smiled. His lover was there the whole time for him.

Yuki woke with a start from Shuichi's touch and looked at his lover, tears forming at his eyes. He didn't care how vulnerable he looked, he didn't care about some persona, he was scared and now, now that he was awake. Shuichi was back to him, they failed again to take him from him. They held each other and kissed each other, telling each other sweet words of devotion. During the time Shuichi was in critical condition, or before he woke up, only one person was allowed in there. Unanimously they agreed for Yuki to join his fiancé.

Yuki had called the nurse to let her know he had woken from his slumber, a smile on Eiri's face for his prayers coming true.

Later that day, two people could visit at a time, and seeing as to how Yuki's relationship with Shuichi was famous, they agreed to let him stay over night with the boy when he wished regardless of policy.

Hiro was just as happy to see his friend shinning full of life. Hiro was as much of a mess as Yuki had been those passed couple days. Finally being allowed in Hiro went to Shuichi's side. The others were in the waiting room, happy and relieved that their friend had not left them.

Yuki looked up at Hiro as he made his way into the white room, his friend hooked up to devices. Thankfully they were able to remove the tube from his mouth on the second day, his body able to function on it's own. As soon as Hiro had joined the couple, a man came in behind, holding a clip board and looking over the contents.

He looked up and introduced himself, he was the attending physician for Shuichi.

"Hello, We were surprised as well when Mr. Shindou pulled through, now he will be staying here for a week to say the least. Thankfully, it missed vital organs. One of which by a fraction of a centimeter. He had severe blood lose, lack of oxygen to the brain and with the combination, the organs were failing left and right. We believe he'll make a full recovering and up on his feet in no time. I do have to ask though to keep it as two visitors at a time until he is released from here however. I will be back Mr. Shindou for some tests later this evening." With that he bowed and Eiri felt weight release itself from his shoulders.

Hiro looked at the blonde, noted how much of a mess he was and sat down opposite of him.

"Yuki-san, why don't you go home, get a shower and something to eat. Go to sleep and then, if you want, come back here?"

"No, I don't want to leave him again, I'm…"

"Afraid?"

Yuki hung his head, a silent yes. Shuichi looked to his lover and agreed with his friend. "Hun. I am fine right now. You heard, in a week I'll be free. Hiro can watch me. Please, I ask you to please take care of yourself. I love you."

"I just got you back! I don't want to chance that you'll…"

"And how is staying here, hurting yourself by the way, going to do for you? Seeing you do this to yourself hurts me too you know. Please love, go home for a little."

Yuki knew his fears were surfacing, it didn't make much logical sense to himself, he just decided to listen to his lover. Standing up he went to the door and turned to face them.

"Shuichi, please don't leave me, be here when I come back…and Hiro. You're the only one I trust with him. The bastard who is behind this is still not caught, please protect him." with that he left

Hiro looked at Shuichi and ruffled his hair. "Congratulations, you have him wrapped around your finger. He is petrified of losing you. Now do you remember when you were so afraid he didn't love you? Does this prove finally that he does?"

Shuichi giggled and looked at Hiro "Yeah. If it wasn't for him, I don't know what would happen. After I killed that guy…I changed, Yuki somehow knew what I was going through. He helped me so much. He was there when the nightmares were plaguing me."

"He somehow knew?"

Shuichi sighed and looked at his hands then back to his friend. "I never told anyone this so you have to promise not to say a word." Hiro nodded and Shuichi continued "When Eiri was sixteen he was in New York. He had a tutor named Yuki Kitazawa and Eiri had a crush on the man. He loved him. Then one day, he got paid to let some thugs have their way with him. They didn't get far because….Eiri shot them all. He went through what I did, that's why he goes to the physiatrist, because it still gets to him. That is also why it took him so long to tell me he loved me. He was haunted by the ghost of his old crush and was socially cauterized. Poor Eiri."

"So he understands your issue because he also took a life then? I thought something was up, he didn't seem fully like the novelist type."

Shuichi looked at Hiro and spoke " That's why he needs control, and he is cold. He is always afraid. I never seen him show it so blatantly before." He was referring to the earlier spectacle.

"How long have you known?"

"about four and a half years now."

"wow, I never knew you could keep a secret that long!"

Shuichi nudged the guitarist at that statement.

"I'm sorry for being so selfish Hiro."

Hiro moved forward and held the boy for a period of time. "Don't worry, I like you for you. Being selfish isn't a bad thing at times."

"Hiro?" He tightened his grip on his friend.

"yes?"

"I keep having the feeling that I didn't kill Taki."

"But he was dead Shu." Was he in denial?

"No, I know I took a life but…I don't think it was the man who raped me. Taki is still out there."

"Then who did you kill?"

"I don't know…"

A/N - ok, 6 reviews for a LONG chapter. Yes I upped the stake one chapter. After all I am writing it for you guys (and fulfill my imagination). Next time : Yuki alone and asleep vulnerable. Main culprit still out there. Hmm, things start making sense next chapter.