AN) I'm a horrible person it's taken me way to long to update and I'm really sorry I have no excuse. Please don't be too angry with me. I'm going to get the next chapter out as soon as I can, I know what I want to write it's just a matter of getting it down. I've already filled four pages of a note book though so it should be done soon.
Shuichi looked at Yuki, "You hate parties why did you agree to go?"
"You looked like you wanted to go." Eiri stated simply as he headed back downstairs to get his wallet and keys. "Nab the directions off the fridge so we don't have to come back." He added from the basement.
Shuichi retrieved the paper and then stood at the top of the stairs waiting he didn't understand why Yuki had now agreed to two things he hated; he signed Maiko's book and agreed to a party. When Shuichi finally came back from his mental wanderings Yuki was standing next to him eyeing him meticulously. Shuichi being the bright person he is automatically started frantically looking himself over from head to toe for any stains his clothing might contain. When he couldn't find anything he let his eyes meet Yuki's again. He watched as the novelist shook his head and went to the front door.
"I just can't picture you in dress clothes." Eiri muttered as Shuichi walked out in front of him.
After wandering around the town for a good hour Shuichi finally remembered were the mall was. Eiri hated malls they were full of people, mostly teenage girls, and they were always designed so that he could never find his car once he managed to get out. He also hadn't brought any sort of disguise because he hadn't realized they would be going anywhere, that meant both Shuichi and himself where fair game. Shuichi had assured him that there was a tuxedo rental place somewhere in the mall but once again he had no clue which of the three levels it was on. So here he was following the pink haired maniac around from shop to shop as he searched for the clothing store. Eiri was lucky enough that the store was on the first level but getting Shuichi calm enough to try on clothes was another. Eiri already knew exactly what he would need and had it retrieve the singer on the other hand had no clue. He was quite ready to kill the teen by the time they finally left. Shuichi, after trying on everything in the store, decided on a plain black dress suit with a white shirt and silvery almost blue tie. Eiri checked his watch as he waited for Shuichi to pay for his outfit. They were cutting it close he wasn't sure they'd make it on time especially if they got lost, which was highly likely with Shuichi around. He was just glad they had been allowed to change at the store though he felt like an idiot walking through the mall dressed to the nines.
Eiri slammed the brakes on the car as they got to the party causing Shuichi to slam his forehead into the window. The boy had literally been bouncing around the inside of the car singing random bits of songs and talking so fast that Eiri hadn't understood a word of it. Eiri stepped out of the car and tossed his keys to the valet, Shuichi stumbled out rubbing his head and whining at Yuki. Shuichi made a mad dash for the door and Eiri just barely caught him and stopped him before he burst into the party.
"You don't just run in there and start screaming for your parent's geez no wonder they never took you to these kinds of things." Eiri said turning him around so he could look at him. "See look at your tie it's come completely undone." Eiri retied it for the teen and then straightened the rest of the boy's disheveled clothes. "Now we can walk through the door like civilized people."
Eiri couldn't believe Shuichi's reaction to the party he was literally stunned. He was pretty sure it was the quietest he'd ever heard the boy when he was awake. Shuichi simply stood looking around amazed; he then turned a huge smile up to Yuki. Eiri grabbed his arm and forced him to walk further into the room they were blocking the door.
"Wow Yuki-san it's amazing!" Shuichi excitedly whispered to his guardian. Yuki simply grunted and looked around board. Eiri hated parties but he didn't want to ruin the night for Shuichi so he would at least try to be civil. They had been wandering around for a good half hour when Shuichi's mother finally tracked them down.
"Oh I'm so glad that you were able to make it Yuki-sama. We told all our friends you would be here they are looking forward to meeting you." Eiri was amazed that the woman could so easily pretend her son didn't exist, she hadn't even glanced at Shuichi. The singer fell in line behind Yuki and followed to his mother's destination. A rather large group of about ten business men and women were waiting for Yuki along with Shuichi's father. Eiri cringed on the inside he really didn't want to stand around for three hours being asked questions and giving his opinion on politics at the time, which he frankly didn't give a damn about. He let out a sigh as he stopped and felt a small body crash into him from behind. Turning slightly he realized that Shuichi had been right on his heels and now stood blushing because he'd already managed to klutz out. Eiri went through introductions by the whole group promptly forgetting everyone's name. Most of them were American so the conversation was being held in English; the thought didn't even occur to Eiri that Shuichi wouldn't understand a word they said.
So he stood there pretending to be interested and occasionally giving an "I agree" or "I'm not so sure" to keep them happy. They had been talking about absolutely nothing for a whole hour when someone finally brought up the fact that Shuichi had been standing there the whole time. Eiri looked to the boy he had completely forgotten about him assuming that he'd gone off to enjoy the party. Instead he had stood diligently at Eiri's side the whole time never saying a word.
"Well who are you?" one of the women from the party asked.
"Oh that's um, my son he doesn't speak any English." Mrs. Shindou said glaring at Shuichi.
"I thought they taught English in the schools here?" A man pointed out.
"They do but just because his hair is bright doesn't mean it's had any positive effects on that slow brain of his." Mr. Shindou said laughing and causing several in the crowd to laugh as well.
"I'm not stupid." Shuichi said quietly. "My English not so good" He paused seeming to search for the words, "but I learn, Yuki-san teach me." Shuichi stared at his shoes the whole time. The air was so thick Eiri could have cut it with a knife, several of the people who had laughed at the boy left and the others just looked in amazement.
"Sorry Yuki-san I embarrassed you didn't I?" Shuichi mumbled in Japanese turning to leave he would go wait in the car till the party was over. Before he could go though he felt someone grab him and he was pulled into a tight hug. "I'm so proud of you." Eiri whispered in the boy's ear. Shuichi blinked several times as Yuki pulled away and held him at arms length by the shoulders, he found himself face to face with his guardian. No one had ever said they were proud of him before.
"Shuichi why didn't you tell me you were so far ahead of your studies? Have you understood all of this?" Eiri said referring to the earlier conversation. Shuichi simply stared at him.
"Not all of it but most the time I knew what you were talking about sometimes it just takes a while to process the words." Shuichi smiled sadly he felt like he'd let Yuki down.
"You really are amazing first your singing and now you can speak English. Granted it does need a little work but as soon as we get home we'll try even harder." Eiri smiled a true smile as he let Shuichi go. He turned to the crowd putting an arm around the boy's shoulder.
"Shuichi here has been working very hard to learn English on top of becoming a famous musician; I want you all to know I'm very happy with him." Eiri said looking straight at Shuichi's parents.
"That means you're from that band Bad Luck my daughter loves your music." One of the wealthier looking women said. "If you wouldn't mind I would like to introduce you to her." Shuichi stood for a second figuring out the words finally he nodded.
"Yes, um that would be nice." He replied hesitantly. The woman quickly took him by the hand and they disappeared into the crowd. Eiri continued to stand around, Shuichi's parents had been completely thrown off and now seemed to be brooding. Eiri occasionally sought the singer out with his eyes, the last time he had spotted him he had been surrounded by a group of teens and young adults he really seemed to be enjoying himself. After checking his watch for the fifth time Eiri confirmed that is was indeed going on midnight and he hadn't seen Shuichi for some time.
Shuichi had been talking for so long that he hadn't even realized how thirsty and hungry he'd managed to make himself. He excused himself from the crowd and made his way over to the refreshments. The night seemed to be going well he hadn't messed up that badly and Yuki had even said he was impressed with him. There had been something nagging at him almost since they had entered the party. He felt that there was someone watching him but every time he tried to find the person there was no one there. He had downed five glasses of the fruity drink and was on his six when he felt someone slam into him from the back. His drink spilt on his shirt, he began to turn around to demand an apology from the person and stood terrified he'd come face to face with the last person he ever wanted to see in his life.
"Aw Shuichi you seemed to have spilt your drink let me help you." The black haired teen said leaning close to Shuichi and reaching behind him to grab a napkin. Shuichi stood trembling as the other boy pulled away and then reached forward to clean off his shirt. Despite his fear Shuichi instinctively slapped the others hand away, only to have both of his hands grabbed.
"You didn't think you'd get away that easily did you? You're still as weak as the last time we were together." The teen leaned close to Shuichi's ear and whispered in it. "You do still remember the last time we were alone the way you screamed?"
"Get away from me Aizawa!" he yelled. Shuichi used all his strength to push the other off of him; he stumbled and brought some of the glasses from the table down with him. When he looked up Aizawa was gone and a group of people had begun surrounding him.
Yuki had heard the voice and then the crash, he sprinted toward the direction it had come from and where others were headed. When he pushed through the guests the sight that met him shook him to his core. Shuichi sat covered in glass and blood, he had his face hidden in his hands and was sobbing silently his whole body was quivering. Eiri made his way to the singer and crouched down in front of him he couldn't kneel due to all the glass.
"Shuichi." He said afraid to touch the boy in this state he received no response. "Shuichi!" He practically shouted this time he needed the boy to snap out of this. The pink haired singer pulled his hands down enough to look at Yuki over his finger tips causing the blood to smear his face. His eyes were blank with terror, he was looking straight at Eiri but his gaze went through him.
"Come on Shuichi time to leave." Eiri whispered reaching out and pulling the singer to his chest. Shuichi began to sob violently then began clutching Yuki for dear life. Eiri picked the boy up, Shuichi wrapped his legs around his waist and buried his face in Yuki's shoulder. The only things Eiri noticed as he left the party hall were the sound of the glass cracking beneath his feet and the feel of the singers tears soaking his jacket. Eiri had never felt more relieved as he stepped out and felt the cool night air, it was bound to help Shuichi calm down as well. As he stood waiting for his car to be brought around Shuichi finally began to struggle to get out of his embrace.
"No let go I'm filthy you shouldn't touch me." Shuichi cried out in a way that didn't sound like he meant his clothes.
"Shh, I'm not letting go until you tell me what happened in there." Eiri stated keeping a firm hold around the boy's waist.
"He, he snuck up on me and started saying things." Shuichi's eyes had gone wide in fear again just talking about it and he immediately clamed up. Eiri maneuvered the singer into his car and sped back toward his parent's house. Shuichi sat eyes half lidded and arms wrapped around himself as if to protect against something.
Reviews for 9 (Damn I got a lot of review squeal!)
Annie loves it: Sorry to make you cry and for the late update I hope you will get to finish reading it.
Messenger of Pretenders: Thanks I like a nice Eiri too.
DeMoN4EvA: Thank you for the review. Sorry about run on sentences my English teacher gave me that all the time so I'll try to make sure to stop eventually.
GoTrinba: I'm happy you like Eiri he was mistreated so I figure he'd be really sensitive if someone else was being mistreated too.
Physh: I know his parents suck I hate them too and they will be punished!
Cutelilpuppieyes: There will be a lemon eventually assuming I'm not to chicken to write it. blush
Tis022: It'll end well I don't think I could bring myself to do a sad ending, I love to read em just not write em.
Flame-chan: What Yuki's never mean! Ok sometimes… most the time… all the time… Well in my story he's gonna be mostly nice. Ha. Thanks for the review.
DancingMistrss: Glad you like please keep reading!
Draechaeli: I hope the party scene was up to your standards. Thanks for reviewing.
Shinki: 2 cakes I'm gonna have to start running to stay fit and then I wont be able to sit and write and I'll never finish! Or I could just eat the cake and not care, I think that's what I'll do. Cake. Thanks for the review I'm glad you still like the story.
Vampiress-06: Yes they must be together forever! I'm happy you liked the last chapter it was one of the easier ones to write.
Cabecer26: Wow I'm really honored to be on your fav's list I'm happy you like the story so much when there are so many others that are way better. cough, Cutting Through it All, cough I love that story. And I will have victory my goal is to finish this by the end of the summer!
Ffyuna: Thanks for reviewing and letting me know you're reading.
Kagome28: I don't think I'll kill them but they will get divine retribution Tohma can be a really bastard, hint hint.
Kitty in the Box: Thanks for always reviewing, I hate his parents too I don't understand parents who feel their kids owe them something like Shu's.
xXYukiXx: Yeah I like Yuki like this I kinda wish more people would write fics where he's nice to Shu, I know he's a bastard and all but he can be nice.
Angel of darkness 507: Fluffiness will ensue eventually but I have to make things bad before they can be good.
Tiki-chan: My ego is currently strutting around out side yelling in peoples cars because of your review, I should probably go get it and tie it to a chair till it calms down. I'm glad you like my writing sometimes I think I get to boring when I read other peoples stuff but I'm trying really hard So thank you very much.
LoveLandKiss: Here's the update even though it wasn't soon, sorry!
Dragonfly33: I really couldn't be happier when people tell me this is one of their fav stories it makes me really happy and warm all over sigh Thanks I'm glad you like the story.
Ryu Meijin: Glad you like so read away!
Eiri: Thanks I hope you keep reading.
Rebelyell59: That's ok I usually don't review every chapter either it's good to know you're reading though thanks.