Hi dearies! I'm back again with a new chapter. Sorry for the long wait! Hope you enjoy this chapter, and please note that I'm changing the rating of this fic to M instead of the usual T… which means that you'll need to make sure that lists fics of all ratings to spot any updates for my story. Towards top right hand corner, there's this bar that says: "Rated K - T". Scroll down and select "Fiction rating:all" or "Rated M".
Sorry for the trouble. But I want play safe with the ratings. If my story gets deleted, I'll cry. (L) You can leave me your email too if you wanna save the trouble of having to do that. I'll inform you when I've updated!
Being the lazy asshole I am, I take my own sweet time writing the next chapter, dragging on and on, then I start panicking when I realize that I'm taking too long to do it, and when it's finally completed, I rush to put it up. ARGH! Hahahaha!
So if there're any questions or anything that has left you wondering, leave me a message and I'll try my best to answer you.
Well, I'm not good at writing action, so here goes nothing…
DISCLAIMER: Gravitation does not belong to me.
MOU ICHI DO
Chapter 17 – Safe in Your Arms
"YUKIIIIIIIII!"
The piercing scream echoed throughout the empty building, like a bolt of ice shooting through his heart. He froze in fear, his mind in a whirl.
No… Shuichi…!
There wasn't a moment to lose. Yuki knew that he had to find Shuichi fast, or else…
He continued racing up the stairs, trying to make out where the scream was from, anxiety tearing him apart with every step he took. He could hear his heart pounding wildly against his chest, he could feel the adrenaline mixed with fear and anger surging through his body, and he could taste blood on his lips. He would make them pay, whoever they were. And if anything were to happen to Shuichi, there was no telling what he might do.
xXx xXx
Sei laughed. "Go ahead and scream all you want. Nobody's coming to save you on time." A sadistic smirk crossed his face. He drew a knife out, sliding the cold blade across Shuichi's face slowly, teasingly. "How lovely it would be to cut up this pretty face of yours…"
The knife continued across Shuichi's cheek, down to his chin, and then to his neck.
"Or maybe it would be more fun to watch the blood gushing out of a fine slit across your throat… you used to sing, didn't you?"
Shuichi shivered in terror, squeezing his "shut" tightly shut, too afraid to look on. Tears escaped from his eyes as he carried on praying for help.
"Still waiting for help to arrive? Why don't you give it up?" Sei grinned. "How about I offer you a chance to help yourself?"
Shuichi opened his eyes, confused and a little hopeful.
"If you're good, I may considering letting you go alive…" With that, Sei withdrew the knife away from Shuichi's neck, and began attacking it with his lips instead, licking and sucking on it, slipping his hand under Shuichi's shirt at the same time.
It took a moment for Shuichi to register what Sei was planning to do.
"No! Sto-stop! Don't do this! NO!" He struggled desperately, trying to push the stronger man off him. "Please…! I-" He was forced into silence as Sei kissed him brutally.
No… Somebody help me… please…
Yu…ki… I want Yuki… Yuki… Yuki… Yuki!
Suddenly, a loud crash was heard. Before Sei could even look up, he was pulled back by an unknown force so strong that he staggered backwards and slammed into the cupboards. Groaning in pain and struggling to get back onto his feet, he noticed that one of his accomplices was lying on the ground unconscious, while the other was currently being bashed up by the intruder.
In a few seconds, his second accomplice was left kneeling on the ground, clutching his stomach in pain, coughing and choking out blood.
The said intruder then rushed to Shuichi, who was still cowering and sobbing in fear. He knelt down and began rambling worriedly. "Shuichi? Are you ok? Are you hurt?"
This voice… it's so beautiful and soothing… Shuichi tried focusing on the stranger towering over him in concern. So beautiful… blonde hair… striking golden eyes… it all seems so familiar…
"Yu…ki…?" He was stunned. What? Why is Yuki here? It can't be… I was calling for him and now he's here? How?
"Shuichi? Are you alright? Answer me!" Yuki cupped the boy's cheeks in his hands and peered down at him anxiously.
"Hmm? I…" The movement of a shadow behind Yuki distracted him. He frowned slightly before realization hit him – it was Sei with his knife. "Yuki, look out!" He screamed in horror as he watched Sei charged towards Yuki.
Yuki swiveled around and managed to avoid getting stabbed, but still suffered a cut on his left arm. He grabbed Sei's arm with his right hand, wrenched it at an odd angle, forcing Sei to drop the knife. Kicking the knife away, he then slammed his left elbow into Sei's face and kicked the guy in the stomach. Sei fell down on all fours, but Yuki was not finished with him just yet. Bringing his foot down onto Sei's back, Yuki sent the guy sprawling face flat onto the floor.
He then tugged mercilessly on Sei's hair, forcing the guy to look back up at him. "How's that for starters? Don't die on me yet… I'm gonna make you pay a million times for what you did."
"No… please… I didn't mean to hurt him…"
Yuki narrowed his eyes dangerously. "Didn't mean to hurt him? After all you did?" He delivered another kick to Sei. "Did someone send you?"
"…"
Another kick. A harsher one.
"Miyabi… Tanaka Miyabi…"
"What?" Yuki was shocked. "Why?"
"He spoiled her plans…"
"What are you talking about? Make it clear!" This time, Yuki slammed his foot down onto Sei's hand, crushing it beneath his weight, earning himself a shattering scream.
"Yuki!" Shuichi shrieked in panic. "Stop it! That's enough! Let him go!"
He was worried for Yuki. He knew the man currently standing before him was capable of doing anything – even murder. He didn't like this Yuki. He wanted the normal Yuki back.
"Yuki… please…" He made an effort to stand up, only to get hit by a bout of dizziness. He swayed unsteadily and fell forward… into Yuki's arms.
"Shuichi!"
Shuichi winced at his sore back and glanced up at those concerned shimmering orbs, shooting Yuki a small smile. "Don't worry, I'm fine… Why… why are you here? How did you find me?"
Yuki pulled Shuichi closer to him, causing Shuichi's heart skipped a beat at this. "I heard your scream…"
"Oh." There was a moment of silence before Shuichi frowned in confusion and spoke up once again. "But the building's so big…"
"That's because… I… I dunno…" Yuki bit his lip. Somehow something just drew me here… to you… He gently pushed Shuichi away, lighting up secretly when he saw how Shuichi's face dropped. "Come on, let's get out of here."
"Ahh!"
Yuki jumped at the sudden cry from Shuichi.
"What? What! Are you hurt somewhere?"
"No! Yuki's the one who is hurt!" Shuichi reached for Yuki's left arm and held it gently. "See? There's a deep cut! You're bleeding so badly! Is it painful? Are you alright!"
Yuki breathed a mental sigh of relief. "Baka! You scared the living daylights out of me. I'm fine! It's just a small cut!"
Silence.
"Shuichi?"
It was only then did Yuki realize that tears were cascading down Shuichi's porcelain face. A moment later, the boy broke down into sobs and flung his arms around Yuki's neck.
"Yuki! Please don't die! I'm sorry, I'm sorry, I'm sorry! It's all my fault you're hurt! I don't want you to die!"
Yuki's eye twitched in irritation. "BAKA! It's just a small cut! I'm not going to die. Stop cursing me! And can you stop crying!"
But Shuichi only hugged him more tightly. "I was so scared… back then, I thought it was going to happen again… I prayed hard for help… but if I knew that you would get hurt in the process of saving me, then I wouldn't have called for you. I would rather let them do anything they wanted to…"
Yuki was taken aback by those words. A familiar warmth overtook him and his heart ached. He returned the hug and ran his fingers through Shuichi's hair reassuringly, and then brought his lips down to kiss those fine locks, murmuring: "You're a hopeless idiot, you know that?"
They remained silent in each other's arms after Shuichi's sobs died down.
But this moment of tranquil bliss was not to last any longer than it already had.
"Shuichi!"
The pair of ex-lovers pulled away from each other hastily. They turned and found Akiha standing at the doorway, sweating and panting, his tired face full of concern.
"Shuichi! I'm so glad I found you at last! Are you ok?"
"I… I…" Shuichi's heart was thumping so rapidly that he was at a lost for words. He wondered if Akiha had seen anything.
Akiha started to walk in, but was overtaken by another – Haruko came running in, her body racked with sobs. Following behind her were Tsuyoshi, Jun and two other security guards who immediately rushed in to seize the three thugs. (Remember they had been patrolling when Shuichi met Kyo and Ishi)
"Shu… Shu… are you hurt?" Haruko threw her arms around Shuichi and buried her face against his chest. "I'm sorry… I shouldn't have left you and escaped alone no matter what… I'm sorry for insisting that we take a look around the building. I'm sorry, I'm sorry…"
"It's not your fault. Don't cry anymore… I'm fine. Yuki's the one who is injured. We need to get him to the hospital…" Shuichi bit his lip worriedly as he glanced at Yuki's wound.
"Eiri-san, you're injured?"
Everyone looked startled when they heard that voice.
"Seguchi? What are you doing here?"
Tohma hurried in and helped Yuki up. "Miyamoto-san informed me that you and Shindou-san were in danger, so I rushed here immediately. Let's get you treated fast…" He turned to Shuichi. "Shindou-san, you had better come with us to the hospital for a check-up too."
"Yes, that'll be good." Akiha helped Shuichi up and wrapped one arm around him protectively while Haruko held onto Shuichi's hand. "Let's go…"
xXx xXx
The doctor had notified them that Shuichi was fine. A few days of rest were all he needed to recover from his aching back and some light bruises. They were now waiting around for Yuki to come out.
"Thank god everything turned out fine." Jun muttered.
Akiha smiled. "Yeah… and Shuichi's pretty face isn't damaged."
"Is that all you're concerned about!"
"Nope. I'm glad that his body isn't damaged too. It'll be such a waste if it was… I want to be the one to do it…"
Smack.
However, Shuichi wasn't listening. He was staring at the door of the room where Yuki was in, praying anxiously that Yuki was fine. Finally, the door opened.
He rushed forward. "Are you alright? How's the wound? Will it leave a scar? What did the doctor say?"
"I told you I'm fine. The wound isn't very deep. The doctor just disinfected it and applied some medication and bandaged it."
"But it looked so deep to me… and you were bleeding so much!"
Yuki sighed. "You're exaggerating… How… about you?"
"I just need a few days of rest, that's all…" Shuichi's voice dropped to a shy whisper as he grew conscious of himself, and all that had happened. "Yuki, I… I…"
"Thank you so much for saving us, Yuki-san. We don't know how to repay you for that…" Haruko interrupted with sincere thanks and held onto Shuichi's arm tightly.
Shuichi jumped slightly at the sudden contact. He looked away briefly. "Yeah… thank you so much…"
Yuki looked away as well. "It's late. You had better go back and get some rest."
"…ok… you too…"
Thus, they parted.
xXx xXx
When he was left with Tohma, Yuki finally remembered. "Tanaka Miyabi. She's the one behind the attack."
"Yes, I know that. I've already informed the police."
"What about the media? They wouldn't write about…"
"Don't worry. I'll make sure that this is kept low, and that Shindou-san is left out of this. It'll be hell if this gets out since this is…" Tohma drifted off and made no attempt to continue his words.
Since this is related to me, eh? Yuki closed his eyes as he sat down in the cafeteria in the hospital. He was tired, confused and annoyed. "That guy mentioned something about Shuichi spoiling the bitch's plans… do you have any idea what's that about?"
Silence.
Yuki opened his eyes. "Seguchi?"
When Tohma didn't answer yet again, he knew that something was up. He jerked upright and hissed: "You know something, right? What is it? Tell me!"
"Eiri-san, calm down. I can't tell you anything…"
"Don't give me that! I want to know everything! Are you going to tell me or do I have to force it out of that bitch myself?" He felt like slaughtering Tohma right there and then.
Silence.
"Fine!" He was about to stand up and leave when Tohma stopped him.
"Eiri-san, do you still love Shindou-san?"
Yuki stiffened at that. His reply came out in a tight voice. "Why do you ask that?"
Tohma peered at Yuki closely. "Because you were willing to get hurt for him… Because you almost killed those guys who were about to hurt him…"
"…"
"Are you… are you planning on getting back together with him?" It was a tentative question that took Yuki by surprise. "Eiri-san?"
"I don't understand what you're saying. Getting back together? I don't think that's possible… and besides… I've never ever loved him once… isn't it so?" It was a quiet answer. And with that, Yuki left, heading for the door.
His cell phone started ringing.
"Hello?"
"Eiri-san? I heard that the police are after Tanaka Miyabi because she sent some killers after you. Are you alright? Is everything ok?"
Atsushi.
"I'm fine."
"Can I go over to your place now?"
"Whatever." Yuki answered disinterestedly and hung up immediately, getting into his car.
"Eiri-san, do you still love Shindou-san?"
"I've never ever loved him once… isn't that so?"
"Isn't that so?" He echoed in a gentle whisper, as if attempting to convince himself of that. Because if I had loved him, I would never have let him go… right?
xXx xXx
Meanwhile, back in the cafeteria, Tohma stirred his cup of coffee distractedly, with a sad, empty smile on him. He leaned back in his seat and watched the black Mercedes drive off into the night, whispering:
"But if that is so, Eiri-san… why do your eyes speak otherwise?"
He looked out at the black sky glittering with a few lonely stars.
"Somehow, it's painful watching both of you like this…"
xXx tbc xXx
Yesss! Done! I made the cafeteria located near the entrance of the hospital… there's a carpark right outside the entrance. If you're wondering about the cars, hmm… Tohma drove Yuki to the hospital in his car. Akiha drove Shuichi, Haruko, and Jun in the car they rented for their stay in Japan (?) Tsuyoshi drove Yuki's car for him. Something like that. I'm not sure about the car rental actually… but I guess it's more logical for them to have rented a car.
I'm too lazy to edit. Please inform me if anything is amiss...
GWL: Yup! I changed the title. Hee…
Daphne: Thanks for the suggestion! I'll do just that! I've got to decide which chapter it'll be in though. Hmm… probably not so soon. (smiles)
Ildreen Love: I just love the fact that Shu only screamed for Yuki too. He definitely trusts Yuki the most!
Annie loves it: I'm starting to add in more YukiShu parts… though in this chapter they're interrupted once again. But from here onwards, I think it will start to change… as I approach the ending, you'll definitely see more of our favorite couple!
rebellion2fate: Lol! Well, actually I don't mind their boyfriends, but Haruko's starting to get a little irritating to me. Hmm… Must to something about that… oh well… I've actually planned what's going to happened to her already. Hehe…
clari chan: I guess you had fallen off the cliff long ago. I'm so sorry! (L)
Jaslin: Sorry for taking so long!
Magik: Thanks for your concern! I'm fine now! (Since I took so long to update… argh… cries)
inuyashasdragonballs: Thanks for the ideas! Hope I didn't disappoint you. Luckily my hands are still here with me… haha!
Bram: er… next chapter? (winks)
lemur130: I agree!
wendyghost: Prince of Tennis… a shounen series. Just that there are many people out there who love to turn it yaoi. Lol!
I think I really have to do this to lighten my guilt:
To everyone: Thank you for reading! And I'm so, so, so sorry for taking so long to update! (feels so guilty after reading all the reviews again) I'm really sorry! The next chapter shouldn't take too long though... since I already have three quarters of it sitting in my laptop. It's a long chapter too… Yay! (breathes a sigh of relief)
See ya soon! And remember the change in ratings! (hops off to shower)