Inspired by Demi Lovato's Gift of a Friend. Trust me and listen to it while reading.

Dedicated to Kookie Monsterr and Fallen Jewels, who were sweet enough to write me fan fictions for my birthday. Thank you!

#10:
Gift

Only one so naïve wouldn't realize that every gift came with strings.

Misaki let his bored gaze sweep the entirety of the yacht's deck, rocking a glass of wine in his hand. Everywhere he looked, smiling yet unfamiliar faces greeted him, wishing him all the best in the world; and every time he would smile back and say his thanks, at the back of his mind wondering if these people even knew who he was and why there were here to begin with.

It was his birthday, so why the hell didn't he know half of the guests in his own party?

He took a full swig of his wine, smirking as he noted how fine it was. Hardly the sort to waste on people I don't even know, he thought cynically, until he caught himself and shook his head.

Dammit, he didn't even like how he was thinking now.

Frustrated, the twenty-one-year-old Misaki smiled one last time to the guests (whose names he couldn't remember; it was all such a big blur, really) around him before muttering a quiet apology and saying that he needed a few moments with himself. With quick, stubborn strides, he made his way to the stairs that led to the third level, heaving a sigh of relief as soon as he reached the deck.

Finally, some privacy.

He walked to the railing, feeling the cold blast of evening breeze against his skin. He hunched over, still holding his wine, his gaze fixed on the lights in the faraway distance. The gentle splash of water against the yacht was like a lullaby, and Misaki found himself closing his eyes, face turned to the shimmering stars on the sky.

"It's your birthday and you're still alone"

Misaki opened his eyes, whipping his head in the direction of the voice. There was a moment of stunned silence before he managed to blink, his eyebrows drawn down in a mixture of surprise and delight. "Narumi?"

"The one and only," Narumi quipped, a small smirk playing on the corners of his lips. "Happy birthday, Misaki."

Misaki pulled away from the railing, watching Narumi approach. "I thought you couldn't come."

"I ditched cram school."

"I told you not to! You've a major exam tonight!"

"You also told me to come," Narumi shot back, smugness written all over his features. He took his place beside his friend, leaning against the railing so that the two of them were staring down at the reflection of the moonlight in the dark ocean.

"Still!" Narumi was under a scholarship program, and the last thing Misaki wanted was for his friend to lose it because of him.

"Come on, Misaki," Narumi said with a grin. "I perfected three exams in a row, remember? Missing the fourth won't affect my grades that much."

Misaki arched an eyebrow at this remark. "You don't have to sound so arrogant saying that."

Narumi merely shrugged. "Enough about me. What are you doing here by yourself?"

Misaki was suddenly quiet, feeling uncomfortable with the sudden shift of the topic. "I... wanted some air," he answered lamely.

Narumi's eyebrow shot up. "And there was no air downstairs?"

"Shut up, Narumi," Misaki hissed, turning away from his best friend.

"I was just asking a question," Narumi said, a quiet laughter escaping his lips.

Misaki let out a frustrated sigh. "All right, so I don't know half the people down there. Does that answer your question?"

Narumi looked amused by this response. "Uh-huh."

"Don't uh-huh me."

"Don't sound so upset, Misaki. Have you seen your stacks of gifts yet?" Narumi asked.

"Some gifts," Misaki grumbled. "Those gifts always come with strings, Narumi."

"Oh?"

"Most of the guests are my parents' business associates," Misaki said, watching his wine swirl in his glass. "It's nothing new. I don't know them, and they don't know me."

When Narumi spoke, he sounded thoughtful, if not a bit cynical. "Every gift comes with strings, Misaki."

"Does yours, too?" Misaki asked curiously.

Narumi grinned guiltily. "About the gift…"

Misaki shook his head, although not upset in the slightest. "You didn't bring me one, did you?" he asked, smirking if only to keep himself from smiling.

"Sorry. I was sort of in a rush to come here…"

"You and your excuses," he teased, but waved his hand dismissively. "Never mind, Narumi; it doesn't really matter. Just answer the question."

Narumi's eyes lit up with amusement. "Well what do you think?"

Misaki stared into those playful violets, and knew without a doubt that if there was any gift that came without strings, it would be the gift that Narumi long gave him. "Ah, heck. I know that yours doesn't."

"Then you are answered." Narumi smiled. "Happy birthday, Misaki. I'm really sorry about your gift."

"What's important is that you came," Misaki said, feeling his own heartfelt smile fall on his face. "Thank you for being here, Narumi."

With this, Misaki shifted his gaze to the evening sky above them, muttering his silent thanks to the stars who granted him the best gift – Narumi, the best friend he could have ever asked for.

gift.

Hilaire
09.25.10