Disclaimer: I, of course, do not own Gravitation, Murakami Maki has that honor.

AU My take on what might have happened if Shuichi had not managed to get there in time to save Reiji from Yuki. Manga Vol. 9 Alternate Timeline.

Plans Hatching

Chapter 2

Saturday morning had dawned bright and clear. After the seemingly endless rain of the past few days, the sunlight was a shocking change. Some of the sunlight even managed to penetrate the bars covering of the small cell that currently housed Eiri Yuki. The light played across the golden strands of hair, causing a glow seldom seen in the normally dank, gray jail cell. Yuki did not notice the sunlight any more that he noticed the looks he was getting from the other inmates and even some of the guards. Looks that ranged from sly glances to open stares.

Yuki had fallen onto his bunk deep in thought after his meeting with Sugiama. In just a few moments hisfeelings of despair changed to thoughtfulness and, then from thoughtfulness to calculation. This was the first time since his arrest that he had actually allowed himself to think about the future. And, the problem was that he could not think of any future without Shuichi, at least not any sort of future he would want to live in.

He knew that he would have to return to Japan. It didn't matter that he was being forced to return. His first priority after getting out would be to speak with Seguchi. He had to think of some way to gethim to call his dogs off of Shuichi. He knew that there were other men looking for the baka, the detective he had hired had reported running into them several times. And, he knew that if Seguchi's men managed to find Shuichi first,he would not survive the encounter.

Yuki knew that he would also have XMR to deal with. That kidnapping bitch Reiji may have dropped the formal charges but, Yuki knew that she was far from done with him.While it was true that he had allowed Reiji to believe that she was being dropped from a twenty story building, in actuality there was a fire exit landing only one floor below. Yuki's intent had always been just to scare her, never to actually injure her. But, the bitch had managed to mess this up too by landing wrong. Her wrong landing has resulted in two fractured legs and a dislocated shoulder. One of her legs has fractured so badly that there was a bone protruding through her thigh. It turned out to be a race to get her to the hospital before she bled to death. Oh, yes, Yuki knew that Reiji would be seeking revenge.

Yuki's first plan was to get to Seguchi, and then he would disappear himself. He had no intention of staying away from the United States. If Shuichi could disappear into the streets of New York City, then so could he.

Yuki began laying plans for what he was going to do when he got back to Japan. He was so deep in thought that he missed both breakfast and lunch. His thoughts were only interrupted when a guard came in.

"Hey, buddy, you going to stay in there all day. Come on out for a while, it's exercise hour and you look like you could use some." The guard actually looked at him with sympathy.

Yuki realized that his muscles had become cramped from sitting all morning and that walk would do him some good. He followed the guards and the other inmates out to the exercise yard. Still lost in thought, he did not notice the continued looks he was still receiving from some of the inmates and the guards alike.

Even thought the day had dawned bight and sunny in downtown Tokyo, clouds had quickly moved in and it seemed that the rain that had been pounding New York only a day before had been magically transported to Tokyo and was now punishing the city with a vengeance. Tokyo was currently experiencing on of the worst rain storms that had been seen here in years. The rain had been falling at a rate of four centimeters per hour for the past two hours. Every low lying area was flooded. In the countryside and outlying areas all had landslide warnings. Most citizens of Tokyo were holed up in their homes and offices wondering when the deluge would end. At least, that's where anyone with any sort of common sense would be.

Mika Seguchi wondered again if what she was doing was actually the smartest thing in the world. After having the fight with Tohma, she has spent the rest of the morning running from one medical clinic to another searching for a physician who would sign for her to board an airplane and fly half-way around the world to New York City this late in her pregnancy. She had already visited nearly every physician in town and was soundly given a refusal by every one of them. There was only one clinic left in town for her to check and she was determined that she would get a "Yes" from this one, no matter what it took.

This last clinic was not located in a good area of town, but the clinic did have a good reputation in both Medical and Social Services. Mika made a dash for the door, but even with an umbrella she was soaked to the skin by the time she got inside.

"Hey, Lady!" Mika was intercepted by a nurse as soon as she entered. "Are you in labor? You should go to a hospital, not come here!" The nurse looked scared that Mika might actually be in having the baby.

"No, no." Mika found herself trying to calm the nurse. "Is the physician in? If he is here, I need to speak with him. This is not precisely a medical matter."

This statement had piqued the nurse's attention and she fairly ran to get the doctor. Within minutes the nurse reappeared with the doctor in tow. Mika was surprised that the physician looked like a westerner and not Japanese. He was also young and good looking.

"How can I help you…?" The doctor asked kindly. And, with just those few words, Mika knew that the doctor was American.

"I'm Mika Seguchi. And you are Dr….?"

"Williams, Dr. Alex Williams. Now, what can I do for you Seguchi-san?"

Mika looked around the waiting room and seemed to come to some kind of decision.

"Doctor, could we please go to your office to discuss this matter. I require privacy. And, besides, if I am not able to sit down soon, I really will need to go to a hospital."

Dr. Williams quirked an eyebrow at his nurse before leading Mika back to his office. Williams saw his nurse grin at him before she stated that she would hold all calls for a while.

Mika practically collapsed in the chair when she reached the doctor's office.

"Now, Seguchi-san, would you like to begin telling me what you felt was so secret that my nurse could not hear?"

Mika waved the question away with a toss of her hand. She was still trying to catch her breath. After a few moments she was able to begin. "Doctor, I need to get to the United States before Monday morning. I don't care what it takes, I will get there."

Dr. Williams was both amazed and fascinated at the conviction and fire in the young woman's voice and eyes. "Seguchi-san…" Dr. Williams began, but he was quickly interrupted.

"Seguchi-san, how I hate that name please call me Mika."

"All right, Mika, I need for you to tell me just what makes you think that I'll allow you to fly when everyone else has already told you no? I am assuming that I am your last shot?"

Mika was amazed at the doctor's correct perceptions. But, theman continued before she could get another word out.

"I am also going to assume that you are going to make me some sort of proposition, a deal if you will. You have something that would make it worth my while."

"Well, well, Dr. Williams," Mika replied with a satisfied look, "You are perceptive aren't you? And, you are right on the money."

"That's good, because I really don't like to play games. And, since we are not going to be playing, I think that I should tell you right now, there is no way I will sign for you to fly this late in your pregnancy. But, I do want to know why you are so determined to go. Maybe in this, I can be of some help."

Dr. Williams already had several ideas in mind about what this young woman's problem could be. In just one glance he would tell that the woman was wealthy. Her manner and her speech suggested power and prestige also. This limited the types of problems she could be facing. But, it didn't rule out spousal abuse or other family problems. Spousal abuse was a common problem in this area of Tokyo, most families barely lived above the poverty level, and poverty was a common cause. Dr. Williams already had several solutions in mind that would not involve travel to the United States.

"Well Mika, are you going to tell me?" Dr. Williams prompted.

"Oh, all right, Doctor, I will tell you. But, since we are telling truths here, I need for you to hear me out. My husband is Tohma Seguchi. He is the founder and shacho of NG Records. He is also one of the synth players for the band, Nittle Grasper. He is a very rich and powerful man. He can make things happen for people. If he likes you, he can put you on top of the world. But, if he thinks you are an enemy, he can bury you. And, since we are truth telling here, lately I have become afraid of him. Recently, instead of a wife, I have become just another game piece to him." Mika sighed and looked away.

"Mika, I know of several places that I can send you, Safe Houses, where you can get away from your husband until after the baby is born. All of these houses are much closer than New York."

Mika's eyes blazed into life and she growled out, "No, doctor. I do not really believe that you fully understand yet. Yes, I do need to get away from my husband, but that is not the only reason I need to get to New York. The story is long and complicated and I do not really have the time to explain. My life and my baby's life are not the only ones at stake here. So, look, if you won't sign I need to be going. If I have to I will hire a charter that will take me no matter my condition. They only problem would be how easily those can be traced."

Mika started to rise but Dr. Williams put out a hand to stop her. "Mika," Dr. Williams continued in a soothing voice, "Aren't you leaving a little too soon. You stated that you were going to make me an offer. Are you going to give up without even trying that tactic?"

"What good would that do? You have already stated that you wouldn't sign."

"There is another way. So, go ahead and make you offer."

"All right," Mika almost shrieked, "I am pledging to fund your little clinic for the next year. Take it or leave it. With the baby coming, that is all that I can afford."

"Not good enough," Dr. Williams stated with a smug smile.

"What would be good enough? I suppose I could go for two years but really no more than that. Just what would it take for you to allow me to go?"

"Oh, the one year's funding would do for a start. But, you must realize that as far along as your pregnancy is, just a physician's signature will not get you on board a plane. Now, before we do anything else, you need to tell me when you are due." Dr. Williams chuckled at the look of defeat on the woman's face.

"Oh, Hell, what does it matter anyway. OK, doctor, I am due on Monday."

Dr. Williams whistled. "So, I assume you are now planning on having the baby in the States?"

"I had not really thought that far ahead yet. But, I suppose that I would have to."

"Do you have a doctor ready there?"

"No, I do not." Mika admitted.

"Well then," Dr. Williams smiled, "there is only thing we can do. And, there is only one way you will ever be able to get to the States. I must accompany you because the only way you will ever be allowed on a plane is if you have a physician with you. And, this it the other part of the deal, I will get one year's funding for the clinic and an all expenses paid trip back to the United States."

Mika was shocked by the announcement. "Thank you, Dr. Williams, thank you so much."

But, he once again stopped her with a hand. "There is one more thing we need to do before I will fully agree to go. I must do a quick examination to make sure that flying at this time will not be a danger to yourself and the baby."

Mika had not been prepared for this but she should have expected it. "OK, call in the nurse. I will get ready."

"Oh, I don't think we need to go to all of that trouble." Dr. Williams saw the look of horror on Mika's face and laughed again. "It's not that kind of examination. I just need to make sure the baby has not started to drop yet, we can't have you going into labor on the plane." he began feeling her swollen abdomen. "OK, all done. It looks like you have at least a few days yet. So, when do you want to leave?"

"I need to leave as soon as possible."

"At this point in time, I think you should call me Alex. And, I need at least a couple of hours to arrange for someone to cover the clinic while I'm gone."

"Sorry to seen to be in such a rush, I also need a couple of hours to get ready. Meet me at the airport in three hours time. We'll arrange for the first flight from there."

"I look forward to it, Mika."

After the young woman left his office, Alex Williams began to laugh. He thought he had finally found what he had traveled half-way around the world to find.

Shuichi could not believe that he had slept so late. He really had meant to be up early this morning. He thought that he had finally managed to save up enough money to get his own place. He had planned to go apartment hunting during the morning. He supposed that he could wait for another week. He still had a month he could spend in the shelter, and the extra week would allow him to save up a little more money. In order for him to be able to remain in the shelter he, and every other resident, was expected to do their share of work around the house. Every one was expected to earn their keep. Today was Shuichi's, or Ryu's as he was known here, day to assist with the kitchen work. Shuichi hated the kitchen days.

"Hey Ryu, didja have a hard night last night? I tried to get you up for breakfast duties, but you wouldn't move." Another of the shelter's residents, Michael Rain, yelled at him.

Michael knew that Ryu did not speak much English and seemed to like yelling things at him, just to see the confused looks on his face. Ryu would give him back a "V" sign to let him know that, yeah ha-ha, he didn't understand, but it was OK, he got the joke also. Ryu flashed his "V" sign and Michael laughed. The truth was that everyone staying in the shelter seemed to like Ryu. Everyone understood that he was hiding some kind of secret. But, then everyone staying there had something in their past that they were trying to forget or cover up.

Michael himself was a recovering drug addict. The shelter was full of recovering addicts and reformed criminals. The shelter residents were carefully monitored to make sure that none of the people there began to slip back to their old ways. Everyone there knew that Ryu was different. He was not there by court order and he did not seem the type to allow himself to become homeless.He was always kind and helpful and, he never caused trouble and never made a scene. He always completed his work without complaint. But, he seemed scared all the time and jumped at shadows. He always seemed to be a bundle of nervous energy which was tightly contained but not really successfully hidden. And, everyone at the shelter, at least once, had heard him crying in the night. A shelter could be a very lonely place, surrounded by so many other lonely souls.

Michael looked back at Ryu just in time to see him cut himself with the knife he was using to peel a potato. Michael quickly went over and took the knife away from him. Ryu could be a real hazard to himself if you gave him any sort of sharp object. He shoved Ryu over toward the dishes and got a grateful grin in return.

Shuichi wondered at Michael's continued kindness to him. He was not used to people being nice to him without expecting something in return. It made for a good change. Any other time, he would have been proud to call Michael a friend.

Withhim and Michael working together the kitchen duties were soon completed. Shuichi was now free for the afternoon. He already had plans to go shopping this afternoon. He was hoping to be able to find a keyboard of his own. It was not that he didn't like working at Rage Beat, it was just that he was getting nervous staying in one place for so long. If he had his own keyboard, he might be able to find other employment. He would also be able to get some practice in outside of the club.

Shuichi decided to skip his own lunch and raced to his locker to get his hat and sunglasses. He was stopped by Michael before he could get out of the door.

"Hey, Ryu, wait. I'll go with you." Michael hurried to get ready to go and, he could tell that Ryu was impatient to go. He was practically bouncing up and down with eagerness by the time Michael got there.

However, the shopping that day was not a success. Even though they had spent several hours looking at keyboards, there was nothing suitable that Shuichi could afford. By the time they had arrived back to the shelter, it was time to prepare the evening meal. Luckily, supper consisted of tinned soup and sandwiches.

Shuichi completed his work, grabbed a sandwich, and ran for the showers. He needed to get ready to go to work. Saturday was always the biggest night at the club, and also the easiest. Saturday was a karaoke night and this meant that he would not have to play all evening. And, if the singing draw was really good, he would get to go home early. He still wanted to get some practice beforehand and it was scheduled to begin at 6:00 pm. Shuichi wanted to get there early enough to look over tonight's play program. He could maybe tweak the score a little bit to make the songs a bit more jazzed.

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