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.

Chapter 15

Detective McClean had remained in his and Ryu's room the entire night curtailing any activities that night. I didn't mean there wasn't a lot of snuggling and kissing anyways, they just had to do it quietly. It was just as well because Hiro had been forced into their room. Mika had taken the other bed in Tatsuha's room, while Mika's friend Alex had to share a bed with Tatsuha. K slept on the couch.

Yuki's trial wasn't due to start until 9:00 am but McClean had them out of bed by 6:00. The plan was to make him look as much like the old Shuichi as possible. He would look like the innocent kid who left Japan all those months ago.

While they were working K had to run downstairs several times to accept deliveries. One was a suit for him but the most important one was an emergency visa and passport. They were due on a flight back to Japan at 3:00 pm, the trial was expected to be over long before then.

Ryuichi once again had Kuma-chan gripped under an arm, a sure sign that he was nervous. Eventhough Ryu had on a happy faceShu knew it was only for his benefit.

As soon as he was completely dressed he put the green contact lenses back in, they would come out at the courthouse. The blonde wig would go on once they were there. Before they left he pulled Ryu back into the bedroom and locked everyone else out. Kumagorou was hanging from his mouth and the deep blue eyes looked terrified.

"Ryu I'm sure everything is going to be fine. I think I have enough protection."

Kuma dropped to the floor and the other singer covered his face. "That's only part of it Shu."

"Are you scared because I'll be seeing Yuki again?"

The older man's shoulders shook and Shu could tell he was fully crying now. "I know you said that you love me and were going to stay with me. But, I know that you still love him too."

"I do love him I'm just not in-love with him anymore. I'm in-love with someone else, you. When all this is over we're moving to California. And, I have done a lot of thinking the past couple of days. I have remembered now who was always there for me, making me smile after Yuki and I would have a fight. I remember who it was that was always giving me encouragement when Yuki would drag my confidence down. I have realized a lot of things now."

Ryu managed a smile and the tears stopped. And, just to make sure Ryu knew that he meant what he said he pulled his love to him. Their lips didn't part until K dragged them both out to leave for the trial.

The nurses had him up and ready to go an hour early and his attorney was due any moment to escort him to the courthouse. Of course the ride would be in the back of a police cruiser, and to his great joy he would get to be handcuffed again.

At 8:30 he signed the discharge papers. The only problem came when they brought around the wheelchair, he was able to walk. After a brief discussion about hospital policy he ended up riding out with his guards as escorts.

Once he was in the car nerves started getting to him and a fear of having to go back to the jail. Sugiama was in the back with him. "Are you sure I'll be sent home?"

"Most of the charges have already been dropped Mr. Yuki you may go home if you want. However, be prepared for a couple of surprises. In light of your recent…injuries the judge has changed his stance regarding you Visa. You can remain here as long as you agree to do one hundred hours of community service or you can return to Japan for a period of at least six months. After the six months your Visa can be reissued."

"Not a great choice is it? Has 'He' turned back up yet?"

"We had the shelter searched again and the officers left empty handed. However, your sister Mika did turn up. She's staying at the hotel with your brother. Incidentally, Mr. Tohma Seguchi is also staying at the same hotel."

"That's just great, no wonder he ran again." Yuki sat back in his seat extremely glad that his painkillers were numbing some of his anger as well as his pain.

They arrived at the courthouse only to find the front entrance surrounded by the press. Not even pausing they drove around to the back where a barricade had been set up allowing him at least a little privacy. The last thing he wanted right now was a media circus.

He was taken to a small locked room with his attorney to await his fate.

Tohma dressed in his best suit. It wasn't the flashy sort of thing he usually wore, it was a basic black Armani and very expensive. He didn't want to draw any unwanted attention to himself. His one concession was his hat, also black but with a duck quill. He couldn't possibly go without a hat. A giggle escaped his lips as he regarded his image in the mirror. Eiri would surely like him in this suit. Of course if Eiri wanted him in a dress he'd wear that too.

He knew what he needed to do now. An angel had come to him in a dream and told him there was only one way he could ever have Eiri. His thinking had always been wrong. There was only one sure way to protect him forever.

The giggle escaped again. The sight of Mika last night had upset him for some reason, why he should be upset over seeing Eiri's sister he didn't know and it didn't really matter. He didn't remember Eiri saying she had gotten married. But she had been with a man who looked no older than a teenager. The kid had looked something like Eiri, only darker complected. It appeared they even had a baby together.

Thinking about that baby caused him to pull a crumpled picture out of his pocket. He smiled down at the image, pretty little Anna. Anna was Eiri's daughter but she would soon belong to the both of them. They had needed to leave her in Japan and she was waiting for them to get back. Maybe in a few years Eiri would be ready to have another. He really wanted a boy next time.

As he raised his eyes to the mirror, violet orbs flashed at him and black hair was peeking out from the sides of his hat. With another giggle he checked his watch, he had half an hour left. "Okay Shindou," he told the mirror, "time to go get Eiri and bring him home." There was no response from the mirror.

Yuki walked into the courtroom keeping his eyes pinned on the judge's bench; he didn't want to look around. He didn't want to make eye contact with anyone. He did give a look over to the plaintiff's bench and got a smirk from Reiji in return. The look in her eyes told me that everything wasn't over yet.

Taking his seat with a sigh of relief, his leg was screaming with pain, he once again fixed his eyes forward. Not bothering to look around he was surprised when he felt a hand on his shoulder and a soft voice whispered in his ear, "Everything is going to be fine Eiri." Usually his sister's presence made him nervous but today he was actually gladshe was here today although he would never let her know that. Instead of turning to acknowledge her presence he only gave a small nod.

The bailiff entered seconds later and announced for everyone to rise as the judge made his way into the courtroom. Standard procedure followed. He had to stand as the charges were read but most were listed as being dropped. After Reiji's portion of the charges were read and dropped she and her attorney were escorted by the bailiff to the bench for a brief conference before being escorted to seats in the back of the courtroom. That left only the guard he had punched sitting at the plaintiff's bench. This charge was simple battery.

The painkillers were making him feel sleepy again and as the judge droned on he had to fight back the urge to yawn and his eyes were fighting to close. The judge was taking the time to dismiss everyone who had been subpoenaed and apologizing to those who had flown in from Japan. Yuki felt his jaws creaking and only barely caught the yawn in time. A poke in the arm from Sugiama snapped his attention back to the judge. He had missed a good portion of what was being said.

"…will be allowed to give a statement. This court calls Shuichi Shindou."

He felt his mouth drop open and looked to Sugiama who only grinned and whispered, "Surprise!"

The doors opened to admit a blonde-haired Shuichi. There were several gasps around the room, his included. Reiji actually rose out of her seat.

Shuichi was bracketed on both sides by two men who were obviously policemen, K was following close behind. The baka's eyes never once turned to meet his as he walked up the aisle instead he continually glanced to the side. Following the direction of the glances he noted the presence of Tatsuha, Nakano, and Sakuma. Nakano and Sakuma were giving encouraging smiles but Tatsuha was looking straight ahead and frowning.

He released the breath he hadn't realized that he been holding as Shuichi took the stand. Their eyes met then but only for the briefest of glances and all of his breath left in a rush. The singer looked wonderful. There were times he had worried about Shuichi starving out in the streets but it actually looked like he had gained some weight.

As soon as he was seated Shuichi turned to the judge and requested a translator. Yuki knew the kid didn't speak much English so he wasn't surprised. However, when he started speaking Yuki realized that he had learned a lot since coming here.

From the minute Shuichi started talking he realized that the speech wasn't directed at him but at Reiji, violet eyes were locked on her the entire time. The singer was very good on the stand, of course he was accustomed to being on a stage. It was the eloquence of the speech that surprised him. The entire thing was filled with carefully veiled threats and warnings for Reiji and XMR to stay away.

Shuichi spared him one more brief glance before rising, eyes once again locking on someone in the middle of the courtroom. As he rose, his escort was once again at his side and he began walking back up the aisle. He had waited so long just to see the singer again and as he was walking away the entire situation started to feel surreal. 'That's it?' he thought with some confusion.

A low murmuring began in the back of the courtroom. Yuki heard a giggle and the hair on the back of his neck suddenly stood on end. "Imposter!" he heard a hiss, "I'm the only one…protect him…BASTARD!" The voice belonged to Seguchi.

Turning in his seat he saw Seguchi rise and caught a look at his eyes, there was no sanity there at all. The sudden sight of metal in Seguchi's hand caused every hair on is body to stand on end and a scream rose in his throat. The gun was pointing directly at his face. He saw the flashes and was nearly deafened by the report.

He, Hiro, Tatsuha, and Mika had all walked into the courtroom together. Alex had stayed at the hotel with baby Anna. Shuichi came in a separate car with the two detectives and K. He had let him go with little argument. K had pointed out that Shuichi would not be recognized by the press, Ryuichi Sakuma certainly would.

It was true, the minute he got out of the car, cameras and microphones were shoved in his face. Even Hiro was surrounded. They both stopped to give interviews on their way into the building. They were the official distraction. When everyone's attention was on them, Shu was able to walk inside unnoticed.

Ryuichi noticed that Shu wasn't the only one sneaking into the building that day. The second person was Seguchi. The mere sight of the man gave him the chills. He was certainly sure the man was Seguchi but it didn't seem like him. It was difficult to explain, even to himself, but the sight gave him the chills, especially the huge grin plastered on the blonde's face. Seguchi was almost skipping as he went into the courthouse. As he watched the blonde's back enter through the doors, he feltgooseprickles cover his body.

Roughly grabbing Hiro's arm he pulled him into the building. Tatsuha and Mika were already inside. Once inside Hiro immediately went to have a seat in the courtroom. He wandered the halls in a near frantic attempt to find K.

After circling several times he realized that he was out of luck, he could only hope that wherever they had taken Shu was secure. It probably was since he couldn't find him anywhere. He only managed to slip inside just before they closed the courtroom doors. He didn't fail to notice Seguchi sitting in a back corner of the room with that strange large grin still plastered on his face and his sense of alarm returned. He really wished he could have found K.

The minute Yuki was led into the courtroom he sank low in his seat, for some reason he didn't want the man to see him. As his nemesis walked in, he took time to carefully examine the novelist. He looked the same as always, haughty and arrogant. However, he also didn't fail to notice the man's leg was in a brace and he was walking with crutches. He looked a question at Hiro.

"He was attacked and raped in jail the other night. Mika told us last night. She had seen him at the hospital." Hiro leaned to whisper in his ear.

He only nodded in response; there really was nothing he could say. He wondered if anyone had told Shuichi. Of course he was concerned for Yuki, he knew what past experiences had done to him, but his only real concern was how this was going to affect his and Shu's relationship. There was no way he would leave Yuki now at least not until he knew that the other man was going to be all right.

When the judge started reading that all of the charges except one had been dropped, he was surprised again. His entire world seemed to be crashing down around his ears. Yuki would be going home now. He sat in numb shock listening carefully to every word the judge said, waiting for Shu's appearance to be announced.

The minute the doors opened and Shu stepped inside their eyes locked and he received a very small smile. Staring at Shu he only barely heard the gasps and entirely missed Yuki's reaction, but he assumed the author didn't know that Shu would be here.

His love only spared Yuki a couple of glances, violet eyes had been locked with his nearly throughout the entire speech. Shu's attention did little to give him comfort, his sense of disquiet and wrongness kept multiplying with every second Shu was on the stand.

The statement finally ended with nothing happening and he thought he would feel relief when Shu stepped down from the stand. He was no longer making a target of himself sitting in that wooden box. Instead the minute the other singer rose from his seat he heard an eerie giggle that made his teeth vibrate.

Turning towards the sound, Ryuichi was able to actually see Seguchi rise from his seat.

Ahhh, I am so bad to end it here.

I would really like to give out, not just cookies, but homemade Toll House fresh out of the oven. I can't believe all of the reviews. Thank you all so much:

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