This time I'm sorry to say it's just a short chapter. Thank you very much for all the reviews! I really appreciate them.

One comment in particular: Sokra, you mentioned opening my reviews up to anonymous reviewers. Despite what you think, it's not fear... it's complete ignorance, since this is the first story I'm posting up here. I'd love to have reviews from anyone. I'm not trying to keep anonymous reviewers from giving me their opinions, but I couldn't find an option anywhere that would allow me to do that. Could you tell me how?

Standard disclaimer still applies.

Traust Faellan

Chapter Two: Shuichi

Where are you!

You won't return my calls; you never came back to our apartment. No one's seen you, not even Mizuki. You have a chapter due, and you haven't even contacted her. It's been a week, Yuki. Where did you go?

Everyone's so freaked out. You like to disappear sometimes, without telling anyone, but you've always been back before now. We've contacted the police and filed a missing-persons report. But nothing's come up. No one's seen you. Mika even drove all the way home to check and see if you were there, for some reason. Seguchi's been out of his mind in worry.

It's my fault.

Yuki, I'm sorry.

Your expression was so terrible when you left. You didn't take your coat or anything; you didn't look back at me, even when I screamed and tried to chase you.

You misunderstood. Really! I wanted to tell you, but you never even turned around. I didn't think you cared that much. You're so laid-back about our relationship—other people would even call it "uncaring." You're never nice or gentle to me… except in bed. The rest of the time, you insult, shout, glare, and speak sarcastically to me. I never thought you even liked me, at least not like I like you.

But I think I really hurt you that night.

I never did anything. Nothing happened, seriously. I would never cheat on you. Especially with my best friend! That would just be too awkward and weird! It was just an accident that we fell on each other… and it was Hiro kissing me, not the other way around. He was drunk, and all I wanted was a shower and sleep. I promise, Yuki.

Why won't you even answer your cell phone? You must have it with you, it's always in your pocket… but you never pick up. I've called it a hundred times, but there's been nothing… and all I can think about is that maybe there was some kind of accident or something. You never just disappear after an argument. You retaliate. You yell, scream, threaten me. You get mad, you don't just run off… and that's how I know I really hurt you.

Memories of New York are in my mind, now. You went there to die, to kill yourself. I managed to draw you back… but I hurt you, and it scares me that you're not answering your phone. You didn't do anything, did you? Please, Yuki. Talk to me. Let me explain. I swear on anything—I swear on my music—that I didn't do anything. We were on the bed before I knew it, and Hiro was just drunk, and the robe fell away before I could catch it. He kissed me, that's all. I would have pushed him off in just another fraction of a second, if you hadn't come in right then.

No one knows where you went. I sit curled on the couch in our empty apartment. The TV's on, but I'm not watching it. The phone's in my hand, and I just keep dialing and redialing your number, ever half hour. I leave so many messages on your voicemail, but you never reply.

I want you back, Yuki. Your apartment's so silent without you here, because I don't feel like running around like normal. I can't sing without knowing you're safe. I'm sorry I hurt you, really. I know how terrible betrayal is to you. I know what Yuki did to you, and I know I hurt you just as much. I thought you were starting to trust me. Trust comes very hard to you, but I thought you were beginning to trust me a little. How can you think I'd ever betray you? I love you. I told you so many times, Yuki. Did you think I'd turn on you? Did you expect it? Is that why you were so slow to trust me, to show you cared?

You've been gone long enough. I know I hurt you. Please, come back so we can work things out.

I'm so, so sorry. I should have been more careful. I'm sorry.

I want you back.

I even unpacked all your clothes from your trip. You came back early to be here in time for the new single debut. I know you did. People think you don't care about me. I always thought that too, but you do. This last week, I've been searching for phone numbers and addresses, anything that might lead me to you, and I've found so many signs of caring. I thought you hated my music, but you have a copy of every one of my singles, every one of my albums, all stashed in your desk drawer, hidden under papers. You knew I'd never look in there, didn't you. You kicked me out of the apartment last time I went through one of your drawers looking for a pen, and I'm not willing to suffer that again. So you kept my CDs there, where you could easily get them out. I even found one in your suitcase. You brought my CD with you, all the way to New York. You yell and scream at me every time I talk to you, practically, but you took my music with you, even though you declare it sucks.

I found the souvenir you bought me, wrapped and addressed to me. It's just a mug, with NYC emblazoned on the side. Nothing extremely special, but you bought it for me. You never buy me souvenirs, because you hate going out shopping for anything. You don't like people looking at you, even though there are millions of books around the world with your face on them. But you bought me something, without me even asking for it. I can't even tell you how long I cried when I saw that little, simple gift sitting there for me. I hate that I hurt you so much, because you were getting better at showing something besides cynicism, and I don't want you to think I betrayed you or lied to you.

I love you. I really do, Yuki. So why don't you return my calls? I want to see you again.

I need you.

Please, Yuki.

Please.

TBC