I'm With You
By: Sesus Shuuichi

This is Part 5 of I'm with You and I am having a BLAST writing it. In this episode, Shuuichi has a visitor...and we find out why he's so afraid to let people close to him....

Have Fun....and PLEASE REVIEW. If your reading this and you DON'T have a sign in name, I do accept anonymous reviews. Just leave your e-mail in the review and I'll get back to you.

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Part 5: And No One Likes to be Alone....

~By the Sun....~Alexiel thought as he entered the common rooms of Sesus Shuuichi, the Cheif Diplomat of the Imperial City of Coruscant. There were tons of people here...all of them rather attractive young men who seemed to be enjoying themselves immensely. Alexiel shrugged, looking for Shuuichi amongst the horde of people there. It seemed that the boyish-looking Solar was having a party of his own up here in these rooms.

Hopefully, one didn't need an invitation to be here.

"You are not to approach this door." Alexiel suddenly heard a strong, rather masculine voice say to his left and he couldn't help but look, hearing the sterness in the tone. He was rather shocked to see an Abyssal Exalt amongst these people, a red bandana tied around his forehead...probably to hide the man's castemark. Though there were plenty of Abyssal Exalted who had recently come to Coruscant in order to escape their Deathlord Masters, it was still hard to bear looking at the corrupt Solar Symbol that they all seemed to have on their foreheads. Out of respect for their new neighbors, many covered them. This must be one of them, Alexiel realized.

The Young Dragon-blooded that was standing in front of the man obviously didn't realize that he was playing with fire. Abyssals were at least as powerful as many Solars. "But why not, Tidus?" he asked, smirking one of those condescending smiles that many nobles had and Alexiel couldn't help but hate. "Shuuichi told me I could stay as long as I like. Doesn't that mean he WANTS my company?"

Tidus, the Abyssal, didn't move. "It means that he is being polite...but these are my lord Shuuichi's private quarters. No one goes in there unless they cleared by me or my lord first. You have not been. Go and have your fun with the others. If you're lucky, my lord will eventually come out of his quarters to join you. But I doubt it."

The young Dragonblooded sneered. "Damned Anathema...."

Alexiel approached, hearing the snide comment. "I suggest you watch yourself." he stated, looking from Tidus to the young man. Tidus looked ready to kill. "There are alot of those "Damned Anathema" in this very room--me being one of them. 'Chi's one too...at least that's what I'm told by Ruriel. If you want to get in good with the guy, I don't think it's smart to go around calling he and his friends names."

The man walked away without so much as a word and Alexiel turned to Tidus, smirking. "Calm down, man....he's just a kid."

"He insulted my lord Shuuichi. That was a slight on my lord's honor...."

"Nah...he's just pissed that you didn't let him in." Alexiel stated, smiling as he pushed his cloak off of his shoulders. "I'm Alexiel Tunnei...a friend of Ruriel's. She asked me to come and get Shuuichi."

Tidus' eyes narrowed. "You know Lady Ruriel?" he asked, obviously suspicious.

"Tidus, I know the woman's shoe size...it's a 5 by the way." Alexiel answered, running a hand through his hair. "Shuuichi'll know me. Could I go in?"

Tidus' eyes were still narrow, but he knocked softly on Shuuichi's door, waiting for what seemed to be forever before a soft voice answered. "Do you need something, Tidus?"

"Yes, my lord." Tidus said, his voice taking on a gentleness that Alexiel wouldn't think the man capable of. Apparently, Shuuichi had charmed the man blind...not that it would be hard for someone of Shuuichi's Caste to do so. The Eclipse Caste was known for it. "There is a young man here that says Lady Ruriel sent him. I...believe he wishes to escort you to the Sun Festival."

Shuuichi's poked his head out the door, bright green eyes finding Alexiel and widening for a moment before he nodded. "It is alright, Tidus. I know him. He can enter here if he wishes."

By now, people were looking toward the doorway to Shuuichi's private quarters, watching Alexiel smirk as he walked in. He could hear others questioning it, obviously angry that Alexiel was to be allowed someplace that they were not. Shuuichi shut the door behind them, shutting out the noise of the party. "Give me a moment, Alexiel. I am not properly suited to entertain guests at the moment." He stated, gesturing to his robe and sleeping pants.

"Not a problem." Alexiel said, watching the boyish figure begin to back toward a changing room. "I'll wait here."

Shuuichi left the room, giving Alexiel a chance to look around the ...immaculately decorated room. It was full of deep reds and greens...with candles everywhere. It must have been even more beautiful at night, when those candles were lit. The bedposts and other furniture was made of a deep, cherry-colored wood that was trimmed by gold metal. It must have cost Shuuichi alot of money to have something like this...but then again, he was the Cheif Diplomat of Coruscant. His paycheck was more than likely rather high.

Alexiel didn't know what he felt about such extravagance. To see a noble living so well while people on the streets were starving angered him, but since not a person in Coruscant got less than two meals a day, there was no reason to be angry. Besides, from what he'd' heard about Shuuichi, the young diplomat didn't seem to be the type to look down on people. From his mannerisms around Ruriel and himself, it seemed that Shuuichi was from humble roots as well. He'd just used his gifts to not only better world, but to better himself as well. For that, Alexiel couldn't seem to begrudge him a few luxuries.

Shuuichi came out of the changing room a few moments later, having changed his clothes and freshed up. It even seemed as though he'd taken a comb to his hair, though it more than likely was like Alexiel's own--it did what it wanted to do and couldn't be subdued for very long. However, the messy-neat look worked for Shuuichi. He'd chosen clothing that didn't befit his station, and yet looked as though he were more wealthy than most of the commoners who walked the streets. He looked, now, like a rather successful merchant. Greens and reds worked for him...they made him look older. That was definitely a good thing when one dealt with politicians regularly.

Shuuichi took a seat in front of the fireplace, gesturing for Alexiel to take the other chair. "So...my sister sent you to retrieve me?" he asked, smiling a little.

Alexiel sat, finding that the material of the seats was a rather soft velvet, which he knew had to be imported from Nexus. Expensive..."Actually, it was my idea. You don't have to work today, so why not come and enjoy the fruits of your labors?" Alexiel stated, smiling as he took the glass of wine that Shuuichi offered.

Shuuichi shrugged. "I don't know...I was doing some writing and lost track of time." he said, blushing a little. "And...I didn't feel like braving the throng of people outside my door today. They can be...rather touchy."

Alexiel frowned. "What about Tidus? Don't you think he could get you out?"

"Tidus could...but I don't like asking him for things." Shuuichi answered. "After all, I am a Solar Exalted. I should be able to handle that crowd."

Alexiel smirked. "What if I did something to get you out of here? Would you go then?"

Shuuichi's eyes narrowed, but he nodded. "I really would like to leave these rooms and go to the festival...but it's just so hard to leave here without an "escort" of some sort." Shuuichi said. He suddenly smiled shyly. "And...I wouldn't mind going with you to the festival."

Alexiel stood. "Give me five minutes." he said, walking toward the door. "Then we'll leave."

With that, Alexiel went back into the common room, surprised when Shuuichi followed. Tidus was instantly at Shuuichi's side, keeping the otherwise obnoxious men from disturbing him. They all seemed to cringe away from Tidus' glares, which Alexiel found rather funny. Tidus wasn't that scary, after all.

Alexiel took the initiative and stood on one of the tables in the room, "Hey! Everyone! I have a challenge for you all."

A few of the younger Dragonblooded came to the front of the crowd and Alexiel smirked, knowing that this would be an easy thing to do. Dynasts didn't seem to believe that a "mere mortal" could out-match one of the Dragonblooded in anything.

However, they didn't know that Alexiel was a Solar...and they wouldn't find out until it was too late.

"You see, my good friend Shuuichi wants to go with me to the Sun Festival." Alexiel stated, smiling. "However, he's afraid that you all will follow him and make an all around nuisance of yourselves."

"What're you getting at, mortal?" a Fire-Aspected Dragonblooded asked, trying to stare him down. Alexiel's smile only broadened.

"Well, one of you guys is gonna pick some physical feat for me to do...if I win, you all leave 'Chi alone for the day. He goes to the Festival, you all go do...whatever it is you nobles do for fun." Alexiel began. "If I lose, Tidus doesn't kick your collective asses while I get 'Chi out of here...and you get to follow us and...make an all around nuisance of yourselves. Does that sound like a fair bet?"

The Fire-Aspect laughed, looking at Shuuichi before he nodded. "Alright, I'll play." he said, "But I want a date with the "Pretty One" as a higher incentive."

At that, Shuuichi visibly shrank behind Tidus. The man turned to him, whispering something in what sounded like Seatongue before Shuuichi calmed, smiling as he nodded. "I..agree."

Alexiel smiled. "Cool. Now, Mr. Dragonblooded, what am I to do?"

The Dragonblooded smirked. "It's Cathak Jaco," he clarified. "And...it can be anything?"

Alexiel nodded. "Anything at all."

Jaco suddenly finished off his glass of wine, smiling as he put in on the floor upside down. "I want you to stand on that glass for a full minute. You can't step off, and you can't break it. If it breaks or you lose your balance, than I win."

Alexiel mentally smirked, but decided to play this a little more. "You...want me...to stand...on THAT glass?"

Jaco smirked. "Yes. I'll understand if you want to forfeit."

Alexiel suddenly smiled. "I..just wanted to make sure you wanted me to do something so easy."

With that, Alexiel concentrated for a moment before he stepped up onto the seemingly fragile platform, feeling the essence within himself begin to support his weight as well as balance him. He found his center, keeping his eyes locked with those of Jaco for the entire minute.

"YOu..didn't say you were an Exalt." Jaco stuttered.

Alexiel smirked. "You didn't ask." he stated, jumping down off the glass. There were many cheers and a few angry hisses from the group standing around the scene, but Alexiel paid no attention. He stepped up to Shuuichi, smiling as he offered the boyish Solar his hand.

"You ready to go?"

Shuuichi smiled, taking it. "Yes...let's go."

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Awwwww.....wasn't that cute!!!! To all of those reading..I worked pretty hard on this and would REALLY appreciate some C&C!!!

Tessith!!!! Read my FIC!!!!