Gravitation belongs to Murakami Maki, I only wish I owned Ryuichi.
Another AU (Alternate Universe/Timeline). What if Seguchi had been there to save Yuki after the Kitazawa incident? How would the Gravi lives be different? Contains considerable Fake crossover. I find Ryo and Dee convenient when I need New York police.
Transition
Chapter 7
The plane was leaving in three hours and Shuichi had just managed to get away from the studio. He had gotten all of the costumes and equipment he was going to take packed and placed on a truck which was already heading towards the airport. Now he needed to run home and get his personal things packed. And, he was going to see Yuki. It had only been a few hours and Shu was missing him already.
Running all the way home, he was flushed and out of breath when he flew in the door. For some reason he had gotten this weird feeling that Yuki would not be there when he got back. Relief quickly turned to delight as he found Yuki waiting with lunch ready. Ignoring the lunch, he leapt into Yuki's arms, putting arms around the blonde's neck he hopped up to wrap his legs around the slim waist. It was a really good thing they were standing next to a wall or they both would have ended up on the floor.
Yuki was finally able to get his balance and Shu was delighted to feel one of Yuki's arms go around his waist and the supported his rear end. Shu continued kissing him until both were out of breath. His head was gently pulled onto Yuki's shoulder.
"What's all this for? Not that I didn't enjoy it."
"I was afraid. I mean, I just had this feeling that you weren't going to be here when I got home. I was just happy to see you. I missed you."
Yuki gave him one last hug before setting him back on the floor. "As much as I would love to carry you back to the bedroom for the rest of the afternoon, we do have a plane to catch. Now, lunch first, then you take a shower; you're sweaty. And, you still need to get packed. I promise we'll spend some time together on the plane."
"Okay Yuki." Shu gave one of his brightest smiles. He knew he really did have to hurry so he bolted down his lunch and ran for the bathroom.
As soon as the water started to get warm, Yuki was in the shower with him.
Tachi nearly wrecked his own car twice in his rush to get to the hospital. He couldn't get the picture of a horribly maimed Ma out of his head. The traffic was so slow he was afraid that Ma wouldn't make long enough for him to get there. He needed to make it in time. He needed to tell Ma that he did love him.If Ma died he wanted him to know that he was loved. Ma had told him often enough. His love was the only person who could see his pain and anger and turn it into something useful.
Finally he had the hospital in sight and screeched into the lot, taking the first space he could find. He ran all the way to the reception desk and got Ma's room number in the trauma center. Once he had the number, he took off at a run again with the receptionist yelling that he would not be allowed in. After a short search he found the room and pushed his way in before anyone could stop him.
He supposed he hadn't really believed until he came face to face with the pitiful, broken angel lying on the bed in front of him. Ma's head was bandaged and one entire side of his face was swollen and bruised. He could see the ventilation tubes running into his throat. His head was supported by a thick neck brace. Tubes and wires connected him to so many machines, Tachi couldn't tell what was connected to what.
"My god Ma!" Tachi gasped in shock, "What happened to you?"
Pulling the single chair over to the bed, Tachi took Ma's hand before sitting. Suddenly his nerve almost failed him. Ma was in such bad shape he couldn't possibly hear him, and there were so many other concerns. But, he had to do it, he had to tell him before it was too late.
"Ma," he spoke gently but loudly enough to be heard over the hissing of the ventilator and the beeping of the machines, "Its Tachi, I'm here now. I don't know if you can hear me, but I need to tell you that I love you." Once he had said the words he felt wonderfully better. "I love you Ma. Try to stay with me if you can. I want you with me."
As Tachi was talking a couple of the machines started to beep and buzz wildly. Doctors and nurses began rushing into the room. Tachi panicked, "What's going on?" he pulled a nurse to the side but she shrugged him off and ignored his question, "He's not dying is he?" Tachi shouted to anyone who might be listening, "Please tell me he's not dying." No one seemed to even notice he was there.
After the noise had settled in the room again, a doctor finally came over to talk to him.
"I don't know who you are or how you got in here, but I want you to stay. When you were next to him his vital signs perked up." Tachi knew he looked as confused as he felt because the doctor made him sit again.
"What I'm saying is that he got a little better. He was responding to you."
Tachi breathed a sigh of relief, "So he's not dying?"
"Come to my office for a few minutes, I would like to have a few words with you."
The doctor Tanaka-sama led him across the hall and into a small glass walled cubicle.
"Have a seat. I need to get some information from you and I will tell you about your friend.
Tachi scooted the chair closer to the desk and nodded to the doctor to continue.
"First I would like to know who you are."
"Aizawa Tachi. Ma is my boyfriend; I love him." It all seemed to come out in a rush.
"Do you want to hear about your friend's condition? I imagine your really don't, but I do think it important that you do know. Eventhough his vitals raised a little just now, we still do not expect for him to survive."
Tachi lowered his head into his hands and pulled his hair hard enough to hurt.
"Aizawa-san your friend has several major problems. First, he has a head injury. This injury is not that severe. We are assuming that the impact to his head was diverted when his neck snapped. That is his second problem. He has a broken neck, and even if he does live he will most likely be paralyzed from the neck down with no chance of recovery. There were too many nerves severed. He also has two fractured hips and a shattered pelvis."
Tachi was hearing what the doctor was saying but it wasn't sinking in. It just didn't make sense. All the words were flying around in his head. All he wanted was a 'yes' or 'no', would Ma live.
"Right now he is in a coma. This is a coma that we induced because of his head injury. It reduces any potential swelling on the brain and reduces the risk for brain damage. He was still conscious when the brought him in. All of the problems I have listed so far are only incidental to his internal injuries. These are the potentially fatal ones. Both of his kidneys were crushed and he is on full dialysis. His spleen was ruptured and his liver is severely bruised. We have managed to get the internal bleeding stopped. But, we do need to find a kidney donor if he is to have any chance at all."
"I'll donate mine whatever he needs."
"Aizawa-san, we will certainly test you for compatibility, but Ma-san is no where near ready for that kind of surgery yet. We must get his condition stabilized first. We are currently monitoring his brain for swelling. If there is no swelling after twenty-four hours, then we will try to bring him out of the coma. Then, if he is able to wake we will consider surgery options. I will shortly send in a nurse to test your compatibility for donation."
Sometime during the doctor's speech Tachi had started crying. He felt like he was losing Ma. He was losing something before he even had a chance to realize he had found it.
"Oh, and Aizawa-san, I would like for you to remain here as much as possible. I will have another bed brought in and a more comfortable chair. Since he responds to you, then just maybe, with you here he might stand a chance."
NG had purchased every seat in the economy class section of the airplane, but they were being treated as first class. With all of the personnel that would be required for this promotion every seat in the section was filled.
To Shuichi's dismay, he was not seated next to Yuki. He had wanted to try to trade seats, but they had arrived so late there just wasn't time before takeoff. He sat fidgeting until the plane was in the air. He glanced back at Yuki repeatedly seeing that he looked pale and strained. 'He's afraid of flying!' The thought caused him to giggle out loud. As soon as it was announced they were free to move about the cabin, Shu was out of his seat and into Yuki's lap.
"You're afraid to fly aren't you?"
"Baka," Yuki teased with a smile on his face, "Anyone with any sense would be afraid. All things are subject to gravity, even us."
"I can make you feel better." He snuggled closer into Yuki's lap, wiggling his hips.
"You already have, Shu." Yuki pulled him even tighter and pulled his head onto his shoulder.
Yuki could tell that within a few minutes Shu had fallen asleep. There were several people in the cabin giving then odd stares. 'Let them stare,' Yuki thought, as long as he had Shu close, he could care less what anyone thought. Running a hand over Shu's hair he placed a small kiss on top of the boy's head. Taking what he knew would be one of the last few moments of peace he would ever have, he laid his head against Shu's and let his own eyes close.
K watched as Shindou and Yuki snuggled together in Yuki's seat and smiled. If had any doubts about Yuki's true feelings towards the boy, they were gone now. He could tell by the look in Yuki's eyes that he was totally besotted with the boy. There was also a look of fierce protectiveness that he was very happy to see.
Once it appeared that both Shindou and Yuki were both sleeping. He started making his way to the forward section of the plane. He had arranged for the use of the crew's lounge for the little meeting he had planned. Detectives Laytner and McClean were already waiting when he arrived.
"Where is he K?" Dee demanded as soon as he entered.
"Come with me, there is something I want you to see first." K led the two men back to NG's section of the plane. Stopping at the entrance he pointed to the back wall, letting the men see Yuki quietly holding Shindou. He wanted them to know that the relationship between the two was true. K held his gaze for a few seconds not surprised when Yuki's eyes opened and amber eyes locked onto his.
Yuki sensed that he was being watched. Slowly opening his eyes his gaze immediately locked with K's. There were two other men, one standing at each of K's shoulders, who were also staring. They must be the two NYPD Detectives K had spoken about. He knew it was time, the game was about to begin. Placing one more small kiss on Shu's head, he prepared to begin.
"Shu" Yuki whispered into the boy's ear, "I have to go speak with K. You stay here. I'll be back in a little while." Yuki couldn't hear what Shu mumbled back but it seemed to be an assent.
He was able to get out of his seat with Shu in his arms. Once Yuki had him settled back into the seat, he took a second to stretch his back. He was in no real rush to go meet his fate so he took the time to lean Shu's seat back and took out the blanket and pillow, making the boy more comfortable. Shu whimpered in his sleep when Yuki pulled away.
"Shh Love, I'll be back soon, I promise." After another kiss on the lips Yuki headed to the front of the cabin.
Ryo looked amused as he watched Yuki's ministrations. Dee, however, did not look at all amused.
"It could all just be an act. I don't trust it." Dee commented.
"I don't think so Dee," Ryo gave his partner a soft look, "You weren't watching his eyes. I believe he really does love him."
K was nodding at Ryo's words, "That's why I wanted you guys to see this. I wanted you to see what I saw, to see why I trust him. But, I will leave it up to you to make up your own minds."
K did keep his eyes focusedon the assassin as he made his way up the aisle and signaled for Yuki to follow him. K almost laughed as Ryo and Dee took up positions behind him, boxing him in. He felt like he had his own personal set of bodyguards. Everyone remained quiet as they entered the lounge.
Once in the lounge they had to wait a few seconds for Yuki to catch up. Everyone was seated once he arrived. K offered Yuki a seat but he chose to stand, pacing nervously back and forth until K started talking.
"Introductions first I think; Detective Randy McClean and Detective Dee Laytner this is Uesugi Eiri, or Yuki Eiri, or Mr. Thomas." K grinned at Yuki, "Did I miss any?"
"Does it matter? But, I do wish you keep the Uesugi part out of it. I don't want my family to be involved, or to even know."
"I won't promise you anything else Yuki, I am doing all I can." K tried not to let the delight show on his face. Yuki was showing concern for someone other than Shu or himself. "Anyways, Randy here," he pointed to the auburn haired man," prefers to be called Ryo. He will be the one actually making the arrest, at your request."
"I still don't like this whole thing," Dee never could just keep his mouth shut, "I don't trust you Mister, whatever your name is, I think this is all just a fake on your part."
Ryo put a hand over Dee's mouth to silence him, "Dee, don't, not now. There are other things to discuss here. By the way Mr. Yuki, that was one hell of a shot you made at the Walker Building the other day. I don't know of anyone on the force who could have made that shot."
Yuki gave one of he coldest smiles, "What shot Detective McClean?"
"Okay," K interrupted, "I think we all need to wait." Ryo's mouth immediately snapped shut at K's words.
"We have a really big problem. Not the worst that can happen, but damn near." K looked at everyone in the room trying to gauge their reactions. So far, all the faces were blank, "I had an operative working on the source of the hit. He was trying to get the source to call it off on his own. My source was supposed to report in this morning, but I did not get a call at the scheduled time. I waited a while and decided to call him. It turns out he was hit by a drunk driver this morning. He is in a coma right now and he is not expected to live."
"So, you can't get the hit called off!" Yuki nearly screamed. "Dammit, I knew I should have taken Shu and ran back in Japan. Now we're flying into the hornet's nest. How the hell am I supposed to keep protecting him? I can for a while…," Yuki grabbed his head and moaned, "Shit, oh Shit…!" he slid nearly boneless to the floor and began crying.
Everyone started towards Yuki but Ryo ended up holding Dee back.
"Yuki stop it!" K commanded roughly grabbing a shoulder, "This isn't helping. We will think of something."
"K," Yuki choked out, "when we get to LA, I want you to take Shuichi. Get him on a different plane; I don't care where you take him, just not to New York." The tears were still falling and Yuki's voice had pleading quality. "McClean go ahead and arrest me as soon as we land, I'll tell you everything I know maybe it will be enough."
"That's the best idea I've heard all day. We should have done this in the first place." Dee was quick to agree.
"Yeah, that's a really great idea," K couldn't keep the sarcasm out of his voice, "except for one thing you all seem to have forgotten and that is Shindou. He won't go, not with me. And eventhough I am tempted, it would be kidnapping."
"Then I'm going in there now to tell him the truth. If he knows," Yuki nearly choked on the words, "how I betrayed him, then he might go. I can stand for him to be hurt and hating me if it saves his life."
"Still won't work, he loves you Yuki and Shu has a slight problem when something concerns those he loves. He takes the blame for everything onto himself. He would instantly forgive you or say there was nothing to forgive. This entire thing would be his fault for making someone angry. Then he would feel that he needed to protect you. It just won't work. We need to stick with the original plan."
"Mr. Yuki, how long do you have after you arrive in New York?" Ryo asked crouching at Yuki's side.
"As of my last update, I was given one week."
"I have to say that I strongly agree that Shindou should be told," Ryo added, "for some reason I thought he already knew. It is his life, let it be his decision. He should have some responsibility in his own protection." Ryo's glare took in everyone.
"You're right McClean," K suddenly saw the logic of the argument, "Shindou is so innocent that everyone automatically assumes that he can't take care of himself. But, he has shown remarkable ability to make good choices. Look at what he's done with his band. I don't believe there has ever been a band that has reached the top so quickly. He may seem like an idiot, but he is not."
"So, who should tell him?" Ryo asked.
"Me," Yuki spoke up, "it has to be me. I don't think he'll believe anyone else."
Shuichi awoke to find Yuki gone. Momentary panic was quickly stilled when he realized that they were on a plane and there were only so many places that he could have gone. Glancing around he caught Hiro's eyes and the red-head pointed towards the front of the cabin. Stretching a little, he went over to Hiro's seat.
"He went with K and a couple of other men. I don't know where, just that they went out the front of the cabin."
Shu thanked him before taking off. He didn't see anyone in the next section and continued to the front. In the middle of the plane he heard voices from behind the crew cabin door one was definitely Yuki's.
"Yuki?" He poked his head in through the door, "Are you in here? I woke up and you were gone…Yuki! What's the matter?" It was obvious that Yuki had been crying and was still very upset. Shu glared around at everyone in the room. "K what is going on here, who are these men?"
"Shu," Yuki said quietly, "These men were just leaving. Come and sit next to me, we need to talk."
Shu continued to glare as K and the others left the cabin. He waited until everyone was gone before going to stand next to where Yuki was sitting on the floor.
"Please sit Shu I don't think I can get up right now."
"Did they hurt you Yuki? K has tried to warn people away from me before. I just knew this was going to happen."
"No Shu, well he did try to warn me off, but he had his reasons. This is another matter. Now, please sit?"
He did finally take a seat, across from the blonde so that he could see his eyes.
"Before I begin," Yuki looked like he was going to cry again, "I need to tell you that I really do love you. I love you more that I love myself and therein lies the problem, mine and yours." Yuki leaned his head back and stared at the ceiling for a few seconds, when he made eye contact again, there were tears, "I'm not who you think I am," Yuki was trembling now and his voice shook. "In your rise to success with Bad Luck, you have made some powerful enemies. People who would stop at nothing to see you brought down. My boss, and no you wouldn't know who he is, is one of those people." Yuki had to pause to try to get his trembling under control.
"Yuki, it doesn't matter. Were you supposed to write some kind of juicy expose? The only skeleton I have in my closet is my relationships with men and most of the public already knows about that."
"I wish it were that simple. I am a journalist, but it's freelance so I don't really have a boss for that. The journalism is only a cover for my true job." Yuki was overcome with trembling again, "Oh god, this is so hard."
"Yuki, don't tell me then. I don't need to know. I love you no matter what. It is killing you to tell me, so let it go for now. Maybe you can tell me later." Shu knew he didn't want to hear what Yuki had to say, especially if he was so afraid to tell it. He wanted to be happy just a little longer.
"No, I have to tell you, and now. Shu, my real boss is in charge of an organized crime syndicate. I am a professional assassin; I kill people for a living. You are my next hit. I was contracted to win your trust, humiliate, betray, and finally kill you."
Shu felt the laugh forced out of him, "You're kidding, right?"
"Shu, look me in the eyes." When their eyes met, he could read the truth there, "I came to Japan to kill you, to put a bullet through your brain."
The shock was complete, Shu didn't say a word, he couldn't speak. He couldn't believe it. Yuki was serious. Finding his feet, he managed to stumble into the aisle. He spared one glace before pulling the door closed to see Yuki fall the rest of the way to the floor and curl into a ball. There was no sound of tears. Shu turned his back and walked out.
K had taken a position at the entrance to the economy section to wait on Shindou to come out. He didn't have long to wait. K thought he had seen every emotion possible on the kid's face, but what he saw there now scared him. Loss, bewilderment, betrayal, and deep hurt passed so quickly that it hard to gauge. There was no sparkle in those eyes now, the loss of vitality made him immeasurably sad.
Stepping in front of the unseeing Shindou, he used his body to stop him before he could get back to his seat. A quick tug pulled the unresisting Shindou into the refreshment compartment area.
"I'm not in the mood K." The glare he got was heated and angry.
"He told you? How much?"
"Enough K, he told me enough."
"Shindou, this is important. How much did he tell you?"
"He told me he wanted to kill me! Isn't that enough?"
"First Shindou, he does not want to kill you. But, you need to tell me everything he said."
"He said he was an assassin contracted to kill me."
"Is that all?"
"I walked out K. I didn't want to hear any more."
"Dammit Shindou, you need to listen. Since you wouldn't listen to Yuki, you will listen to me. Yuki, back there, is a dead man walking because of you. Do you hear me, dead! And, he knows it. He has given up everything for you. Yes, he is an assassin; yes, he was contracted to kill you; and yes, he met you and fell in love with you." K sighed and lowered his voice, "Those other men that were there when you walked in, they are New York police Detectives. Yuki has agreed to turn himself in when we get to New York. He is going to give evidence to bring down his organization. We have been working to get the hit called off. In the meantime, Yuki has agreed to protect you. Here is the bottom line for him, if he breaks the contract, his organization will kill him. By protecting you he will probably die. When he turns evidence over to the police someone will probably get to him in jail and kill him. Even if he makes it to the trial, he will undoubtedly receive the death penalty. No matter what happens now Yuki will die. Because he loves you, he has chosen your life over his, time and time again. He even begged me to kill him."
As he spoke, K watched Shu's face get paler and paler. By the time he was finished, Shindou looked like he was going to be sick. Thoughts passed over his face and it was a few moments before he said anything.
"What do I need to do?"
"It is your decision Shindou, but there is more to tell." K gave a sigh of relief that he finally had Shindou listening, "This is not over yet. The hit is still on. By my estimation, Yuki is the best person to protect you, he is damned good at what he does and he is willing to die to protect you. But right now, he is probably a broken man. I know that he has to be. He volunteered to tell you and you walked out on him."
"Just give me a minute K, I need to think."
K went back to his seat and left Shindou to himself. He knew the boy would make the right decision once he thought things over.
Jumbled thoughts filled his head, he needed time to sit and think. Did any of it really matter? He knew the reason he was mad was because he loved Yuki so much. K had made it clear that Yuki really did love him. But, could he trust him? Thinking back on everything that he had been told, he felt the anger drain out of him. Yuki was nothing but a pawn it was the source of the hit that he should be mad at, not Yuki. 'Yes,' Shu suddenly decided, he could trust him; his heart was telling him that he could trust Yuki with his life.
Making his way back to where he had left Yuki laying on the floor, he found the man in a fetal position with his arms covering his head. K was right, he looked broken. Shu didn't say anything, couldn't think of anything that would make the situation any better. He didn't think that Yuki even knew he was there. Sitting quietly on the floor, he pulled Yuki into his arms.
"I love you Yuki, I'm sorry." Once again not knowing what to say, Shu pulled Yuki's arms from around his head and kissed him deeply. Shu pulled back to find Yuki's amber eyes stating at him in wonder.
"Why did you come back?"
"Because I love you and I remembered what you said, that no matter what happened you did love me." Shu gave a small laugh, "Plus, K opened my eyes to a few facts and pounded some sense into my head."
"I knew I liked that guy." Yuki sniffled, tears coming again.
"He said you begged him to kill you, is that true?"
"Yes, I did." Yuki let his head fall, "I was in pain. It was the chicken's way out and it would not have helped the situation, not for you."
"K thinks you can protect me."
"I'm going to try Shu. But, as soon as they find out I have reneged on the contract, they are going to come after you and me in force. K is counting on me because he knows that I am good at my job. In truth, I am number one, and the people in the business do keep track of that. I am the best and have been for a while. There will be a lot of people that come after me, just to try to take me down, to get the number one spot for themselves. And Shu, not even K knows about that." Shu was very glad that Yuki did not smile or show any kind of pride in being number one. "K wants for me to protect you, and I will be able to, for a while. The catch is, you will have to disappear with me for a while. I don't want you to do it. I think there is another option. When we get to Los Angeles, I want for you and K to get on another plane. It doesn't matter where you go just don't come to New York. Please Shu if you love me, go with K."
"That's not fair Yuki. It's my decision. And you are using my feelings to force me to do what you want."
"I'm sorry. I hadn't intended to resort to emotional blackmail. It's just that no matter what happens to me, I want you to be safe."
"I'll feel safest with you. I'm sorry Yuki, I won't go. It's not just that I don't want to leave you, but if I run now, I'll be running for the rest of my life."
"K said you wouldn't go." Yuki managed the sweetest smile he had ever seen in his life.
"I just need to know who did this. I need to know who I should be mad at. Do you know?"
"Yeah, I found out. It is a rival of yours, Aizawa Tachi. His uncle is my boss."
"It figures, he always was a bastard."
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