Title: Whispers of time Part 6 Author: Harsha Raja Rating: pg-13 so far Hi!! To all my readers and to those who took the time to review, thank you so much! I really appreciate all the wonderful comments you all have left me. I'm really sorry that I've taken so long to update. I don't have much of an excuse as I've been having holidays, but I guess you could say that I've been having a bit of a writers block. Anyway I hope you guys enjoy this chapter. There isn't too much action yet, but there will be real soon so look out for the next chappie cos it's going to be hot. I might have to change the rating of the next chapter. Anyways enjoy!! And please review!!

Shuichi was in heaven; he couldn't believe the number of delicious types of food there were on the buffet table. He was puzzled that there wasn't a whole crowd of people at the table, but he definitely wasn't going to complain. He was more than willing to polish off all the food on their behalf. He was so engrossed in piling food on his plate that he failed to notice that Yuki was standing next to him with a mocking grin on his face. It was only when he heard a subtle cough that he realized that there was someone next to him. He looked up with an apologetic grin on his face, thinking that he had held up someone who wanted food, only to come face to face with Yuki Eiri. The smile froze on his face and it was replaced by a guarded look.

Yuki grinned as he took in Shuichi's wide eyed expression. It was beautiful watching the boy when he wasn't aware of it. He coughed and Shuichi looked up only to tense up and watch him with a wary look on his face. The boy in question asked Yuki, "What brings you here Yuki-san? How may I help you?" Yuki glared down at the boy and replied, "We need to talk". Shuichi gave Yuki a haughty look and in a cold voice stated that there was nothing to talk about. Shuichi turned to leave, but Yuki wasn't standing for it. The boy was going to hear him out whether he liked it or not. He grabbed Shuichi by his arm and dragged him out to the balcony.

Shuichi was stunned. One minute he had been about to indulge in food and the next, he was being accosted by Yuki Eiri. He was trapped against the wall with his arms pinned to either side of him. Yuki's eyes were boring down into his eyes with an unfathomable expression in them. "What is it, Yuki? Why did you drag me out here? I told you we have nothing to talk about." Yuki's eyes narrowed with displeasure as he replied, "on the contrary, we have a lot to talk about." Shuichi stared wordlessly up at Yuki and waited for the blonde to say something. After a long while, Yuki asked, "Why didn't you come after me in New York? I was surprised that you didn't stalk me there." Shuichi's eyes widened, "you expected me to come after you! Was it some kind of game to you? You run around everywhere and like a puppy I'm supposed to run behind you wagging my tail!" Yuki's eyes narrowed even more before he swooped down and crushed his lips against Shuichi. He ravaged the violet eyed man's petal soft lips with bruising force. To his surprise, Shuichi kept still and didn't respond to his kiss. Instead he pushed Yuki away and yelled, "Enough is enough. I am sick and tired of being everybody's bloody doormat. You all think you can walk all over me as you deem fit don't you. I asked you a question and you don't even have the decency to give me a reply. Do you think that I'm so stupid that I'll forget about all the pain you put me though just because you kissed me. Do you know how much shit I had to deal with after you left? Hiro kept pushing me to get over you. K kept yelling at me and telling me that I should stop being so selfish and think about the welfare of the band for a change. Your sister came after me and slapped me for letting you go, and of course your bastard of a brother-in-law blamed every bloody thing that went wrong in your life on me! He said that if I hadn't persisted in clinging on to you, you would have been so much happier. Not to mention, your ex-fiancée had a field day tormenting me on how I was such a spineless coward for letting you go. Her exact quote was "If I were Yuki's lover, I would have made him happier." So tell me Yuki, what is it about me that makes people think that your leaving was my fault, huh? You chose to leave and run off to New York, and I got stuck with all the blame. Everyone seemed to have the opinion that I messed up your life and it was my fault that you were an emotional wreck! I am not your fucking puppet. You don't control me, and don't think for a moment that I'm going to join your list of one night stands, because I won't! I don't want to have anything to do with you period." Shuichi wrenched himself out of Yuki's grip and turned to leave, "one more thing Yuki, I suggest you inform that son of a bitch Tohma that I am not chasing after you. I don't want him banging down my door and telling me that I am supposed to keep you happy." He quickly walked back into the banquet hall and headed for the buffet table.

Yuki was rendered completely speechless. Of all the reactions he had expected from Shuichi, it certainly hadn't been this. He had realized that the boy was bitter, but he hadn't realized the extent of it. For some reason his heart ached as he replayed Shuichi's last words in his head. Realizing that he was getting sentimental over a brat who had just told him to fuck off, he hardened his heart and felt the familiar stirrings of anger within him. He should not give in to weakness at all. He shouldn't be feeling sorry for the brat. After all, his reasons for going to New York were justified. He had needed to get away from the pink haired brat as there were too many reminders of his past with Kitazawa, but now it felt like leaving for New York had been the worst decision he had made in his life. How was he supposed to get Shuichi back in his life? He did not know if it was love he felt for the boy, but he knew that he cared deeply for him and thinking about not having him back in his life made his heart ache. He sighed as he thought about what his life with the brat would have been like had he chosen to stay in Japan. He would have Shuichi in his arms, in his bed and most importantly, he would have had Shuichi's unconditional love. He would get the strawberry blonde back in his life by hook or by crook or his name wasn't Yuki Eiri.

Shuichi quickly composed himself and placed a smile on his face. He didn't want to walk into the ballroom looking like an emotional wreck. The press would have a field day concocting reasons for his break down and he really did not want to deal with that. He felt like crying. Why the hell couldn't his life be simple? It seemed the moment he managed to attain any peace, something or someone would pop out and try to take it away from him. He felt a hand on his shoulder and turned around to see Seiki looking down at him with a concerned expression on his face. "Shu-chan, what's the matter? You look like you're going to have a nervous breakdown." Shuichi whispered, "I just had a confrontation with Yuki. Seiki, why does my past haunt me wherever I go?" "Shuichi, I'm sorry. Do you want to leave for my art exhibition now?" Shuichi nodded and shot a wan smile in Seiki's direction. "I'll just inform Seguchi-san and then we can leave." Shuichi stalked over to where Tohma was and in an extremely polite tone said, " Seguchi-san, I am leaving this party. I am not feeling very well and I would like to go home and rest. Is that ok with you?" Tohma looked a surprised, "you just got here though and you are supposed to perform. Can't you wait till your performance is over?" Shuichi replied, "I'm sorry Seguchi-san but I'm really having a horrible headache and I don't think I'll be able to sing. Please accept my apologies. Maybe Sakuma-san can sing in my place if it's okay with him?" Tohma sighed in annoyance but finally nodded his consent. "Very well Shindou-san, you may leave. I will see you at work on Monday." Shuichi nodded his thanks and turned to leave with Seiki.

Yuki watched Shuichi leave the party with the tall black haired man. It angered him that while he was struggling to get Shuichi back into his life, that guy got to hug him, hold him, talk to him and watch him smile. He had to know if that man was Shuichi's lover. Jealousy took a hold of him and he felt like smashing something. Even if that man was Shuichi's lover, he was still going to fight for the strawberry blonde. After all he wanted Shuichi back, and he always got what he wanted. He decided that it was time for him to go home. He needed to rethink his strategy in getting Shindou Shuichi back.