Disclaimer: Don't own Gravitation or any of its crazy characters and I don't want to either. Too much drama for me folks.

Thank you for giving this story another chance. Since I posted its return chapter, I've been very inspired to continue this story. Hopefully you won't have to wait too long between updates. This chapter has Shuichi and Ryuichi saying goodbye. I didn't want to do it but that's what the Muses tell me must happen. And I have to do what they tell me to, otherwise very bad things happen. Very bad.

Broken Promise

Chapter 6

The rest of Shuichi's time with Ryuichi passed by in a whirlwind of happiness. They went to amusement parks, had quiet dinners together, went to a few clubs and even did a karaoke night. They spent time together just doing little things like cooking meals together or taking a walk.

Shuichi had finished his story and sent it in, indicating the pictures he wanted to use and even offering Ryuichi an edit before the final submission. This was something he never did, but as usual, Ryu always got the preferential treatment.

"No, I trust you, Shu." Ryu kissed the writer's forehead as they lay in bed, neither willing to get up and face the day yet. "Besides, if I don't like the article, I'll just go crying to Tohma."

Shuichi's eyes became big saucers of panic as he sat up and looked down at the former rock star. Ryu couldn't help laughing. "Relax, Shu! I'm kidding of course."

"That's not funny!" He shoved the laughing man playfully and was pulled back down to the bed, only to get buried. "You know better than to joke with me about Tohma. He's my own persona boogeyman."

"You are too adorable for your own good, you know that?"

The pair ultimately didn't get out of bed until after lunch, and by then, Ryu had pledged to be Shuichi's knight in shining armor against Tohma

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It was his last night with Ryuichi and even though he couldn't recall a happier time in his life, his heart was beginning to ache with the reality of the situation. He had made sure not to think about when he had to leave until the very last moment and that moment was at hand. He would be leaving tomorrow. He would be leaving behind Ryuichi and in turn, Ryuichi would be letting him go. He didn't know which hurt more, letting go or being let go.

"Do you think you'll ever come back home?"

"I don't know, Shu. I like it here. I'm happy."

Shuichi snuggled in closer trying to hide the frown on his face. I know I said this would just be for my vacation, but I was a fool. I should have known I wouldn't be able to keep that promise. Not when it comes to Ryu.

"Shu?"

"Hmmm?"

He continued to stroke the shiny black hair as he stared up at the ceiling. I'm such an idiot. I should have known I couldn't just have a fling with Shu. He's too special. But I can't tell him. It'll ruin everything. We agreed: no regrets, no attachments.

"Never mind. Get some sleep."

"I can sleep on the plane." Shuichi listened to Ryuichi's heartbeat and he was overwhelmed with a need. "Will you…..sing to me?"

"Any requests?"

"No."

Shuichi listened to the soothing voice fill the room with its presence. Even singing as softly as he was, his voice demanded attention.

Come away with me in the night
Come away with me
And I will write you a song

Come away with me on a bus
Come away where they can't tempt us
With their lies

Teasing fingers played along Shuichi's back giving the young man goose bumps. He squirmed a little and let out a small laugh. He could hear Ryuichi's smile in his voice as he continued to sing.

I want to walk with you
On a cloudy day
In fields where the yellow grass grows knee-high
So won't you try to come

Come away with me and we'll kiss
On a mountaintop
Come away with me
And I'll never stop loving you

Shuichi felt his eyes begin to burn and he tried to keep the tears back. His throat felt like it had closed up and he could feel his body start to shake with the effort to keep control.

And I want to wake up with the rain
Falling on a tin roof
While I'm safe there in your arms
So all I ask is for you
To come away with me in the night
Come away with me

Ryu could feel the change in Shuichi and he pulled back to see the young man fighting back tears.

"You didn't like the song?"

Shuichi shook his head. "No, it was beautiful."

"So what's wrong?"

"Nothing." He met the concerned blue eyes and he offered a sheepish grin. "I'm still the same emotional baka with pink hair inside. I just don't show it as much. But that song…."

Ryu smiled and pulled Shuichi back against him. "Yeah, I know what you mean. Now go to sleep, Shu."

"Goodnight, Ryu."

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Shuichi gazed down lovingly at the sleeping man next to him. Even seven years later he was still the most gorgeous man he'd ever met. Yuki was beautiful, not doubt. But his looks were marred by his personality. But Ryu was beautiful inside and out and Shuichi could stare at him all day.

"But I don't have all day, do I?"

He fought the urge to touch the singer. He didn't want Ryu to wake up yet. He was enjoying the voyeuristic moment

"I want to apologize, Ryu. I'm afraid I've broken my promise to you." Shuichi bit his bottom lip. "I'm in love with you. I know we agreed that this would be a one-time thing, a vacation from the real world. But…." Shuichi took a long shuddering breath and gave in to his impulse to run his fingers through the silky sandy brown hair. "I don't want my vacation to end."

XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX

DAY 10

Shuichi had been smiling down at him when he woke up this morning and as happy as it made him to see that face first thing in the morning, it broke his heart. He was going to have to give Shuichi back to the real world today and he just hoped he could do it. For Shuichi's sake, I have to. He'd made a promise and he wasn't going to break it.

"Alright, breakfast is served!"

He placed the plate of French toast on the table and sat down across from Shuichi who already had three pieces of bacon, half a bagel and a plate of fruit for starters.

"Yummy!"

Shuichi stabbed three pieces of French toast and put them on his plate. As he cut them and drowned them in syrup, he congratulated himself on putting up a happy front for Ryu. As he shoved a forkful in his mouth he closed his eyes at the wonderful taste.

"These are so good, Ryu. How do you do it? Mine never turn out like this."

"Trade secret I'm afraid."

"Well, the next time I want French toast you're coming over to make them for me."

They both smiled and laughed on the outside while inside Shuichi cursed himself for saying something so stupid and Ryu cursed himself for entertaining the idea of going with the young writer. But both had the same question bouncing around in their head. How am I going to say goodbye?

XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX

"…..This is the final boarding call for Flight Number 365 non-stop to Japan."

"I guess I can't stall any longer, huh?"

"Nope. Back to the real world I'm afraid. For both of us."

This last statement was mumbled as Ryuichi turned towards the gate, hands shoved into his pockets. He'd been careful not to touch Shuichi as much as possible since they'd gotten up this morning and it had been surprisingly easy. Shuichi seemed distant himself somehow, but Ryu couldn't quite figure out why he felt that way. He was smiling and joking and energetic, but there was something off about him.

"Ryu?"

He looked up to see Shuichi back where he left him, smirking at him.

"You plan on taking my seat?"

Shuichi caught up with the daydreaming man and was about to make another sarcastic comment when he saw the look in Ryu's blue eyes.

"Um, are you ok?"

Shuichi reached out and lightly brushed his fingertips over Ryu's cheek. Shu gazed in awe as Ryu's cheeks became warm and rosy and he suddenly saw the Ryuichi of years gone by. The young, uber happy rock star who was a god to him. But he had been so disillusioned back them. Ryuichi, lead singer of Nittle Grasper was not a god. But the man standing before him….the kind, happy, sexy man before him was truly a god sent to earth.

"I'm really gonna miss you, Shu."

Before Shuichi could say anything, he found himself being enveloped in Ryu's strong arms, his spicy scent tickling his nose. Shuichi decided this was his last moment so he threw his arms around Ryuichi and shut his eyes so tight that the tears couldn't escape. Then he kissed Ryu. Deeply, lovingly….putting everything he felt for the man into that one last kiss.

When he broke the kiss, he took a step back and hung his head shyly, backing up towards the gate.

"See ya, Ryu. Thanks for….everything. I'll miss you, too."

Shuichi wasn't sure how normal he sounded and he could only hope it was better than how it sounded in his mind. He stole a quick glance at Ryu before he ducked into the gate, flashing him a smile. The look was so fast he wasn't sure what he saw in Ryu's face and a little voice inside his head told him that was probably a good thing.

Ryuichi didn't know how he managed to keep a brave front as Shuichi tore himself from his arms and walked towards the gate. He felt like the air had been sucked from his lungs when Shuichi gave him one last smile before turning away from him.

"'Bye, Shu. I love you."

To be continued….

A/N: I just love the Norah Jones CD Come Away With Me. There are so few good love songs out there. I was listening to it in the car and later that night while I was updating this story I thought of the song Come Away With Me and I thought it would be a lovely piece of irony for the story. Anyway, the next chapter has Shuichi back home and he's not exactly happy about it. But somebody else sure is…..