Ok, so this is what happens when I try to update "fast." Ok, fine, I admit it. It's been awhile, and I'm really sorry about that! (School, you know...)But, just as a warning, I might have missed some things in this chapter...So please, just don't expect too much, ok? And please don't yell at me for it, believe it or not, I actually kind of like this chapter! (Short as it may be...)

So anyways, I hope you all like it! (Yay! I made it to chapter three! But why isn't anyone else cheering? ((cries)) Ok, fine. I'll let you get on to the story then...

Disclaimer: I disclaim. Thus I have disclaimed. Hooray!

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It was only after Shuichi had made it to the parking lot that he realized he had a problem: He had no way of getting home. He had gotten a ride over with K, then rushed in so fast, they hadn't had a chance of keeping up with him. But he had only just abandoned them, walking out of the hospital with an eerily calm stride that left no hint that he was a wreck inside. He was doing something he'd never tried before. He was hiding his feelings.

Looking around, he searched for some way to get home. He wasn't in the mood to go back to find Hiro and ask for a ride, nor could he hail a taxi for fear of being recognized and making a scene. He didn't even have his sunglasses, or even a hat with him. He'd rushed out of NG too quick to even consider things like that. Eventually, he found his only option was to walk home. It was long, but he needed to clear his head anyways.

He started down the sidewalk, head bowed, letting his hair cover his famously purple eyes. His footsteps were soft on the concrete, and he manuvered easily around the other people, weaving his way around and through the diverse mass. He always liked the city, all the different types of people, all the things going on, and the chaos that seemed to drift around every corner, just waiting to be discovered. Normally, he would be soaking up every sound, smell, feeling, everything he could take in from it. But not today. Instead, his mind was filled with everything Yuki. The novelist's face, hair, his deep, sarcastic voice. Shuichi wanted Yuki here now. He wanted his lover to hold him, to tell him everything was ok, that he would never leave him, and that he was there. Just having Yuki say he was there would have been enough. At least he wouldn't feel so separated, so alone. Still, thoughts of life without Yuki, or even a week without Yuki, were too painful for the young vocalist to fathom.

He slouched a bit and pushed his hands deep into the pockets of his pants when a gust of cool wind rushed by. He didn't know how long he'd been walking, only that his feet were becoming numb and he was shivering slightly. He had been walking for so long, he realized he hadn't even been thinking about it, or where exactly he was going. Looking up, he was relieved to find himself in an area of the city he actually knew. The sidewalk stretched next to a high wall which looked out onto the ocean. He had always liked it here, just never really payed much attention to it. Now that he had a chance to, he thought it was beautiful.

The sun was getting low in the sky and faint wisps of pink could be seen floating on the edges of the horizon. Closer clouds blazed yellow, and were outlined in a firey orange which clashed against the dimming blue sky. He could see the sun, too. The great luminescent ball of light which dangled above the ocean's horizon. He was drawn to it, and paused a minute to lean against the green metal guard rail. It was cold to the touch, but he setteled into it, embracing the sensation. From where he stood, the water itself was magnificent. Every ripple and wave twirling from it's depths caught a sun ray and amplified it, setting the sea ablaze. As he observed, it sank lower, and the sky above the city grew darker, only replacing the light with artificial signs and lights advertising it's grandeur.

Another cold gust of wind blew in, salty from the sea. He shivered as it brushed against his arms, while goosebumps raised on his skin. It really was getting dark now, and cold. He needed to get home. Reluctantly, he turned away from the sun, and continued on his way.

By the time Shuichi returned to the house, he was cold, tired, hungry, and a bit irratable. Although he had meant to think about his situation with Yuki on his walk home, he had been too occupied with trying to keep from freezing. He rubbed his bare arms in a last effort to warm himself before entering the house. He made it into the building, relieved that it was heated, then moved to his apartment. He smiled to himself, happy that he had his keys with him for once, and pulled the metal object from the pocket of his pants.

Opening the door, he was on autopilot, and immediately called out to Yuki, but all that replied was silence. There weren't even any lights on in the apartment. That's strange.. It took the vocalist a minute to realize what was going on. Yuki was at the hospital.

"Oh, Yuki.. How could I forget?" He mumbled to himself. And instantly, he felt bad. I forgot about you, Yuki. Kami-sama..I'm a terrible lover.. I hope he will forgive me...

Being Shuichi, he started to naw on his fingernails, not knowing what to do. Even though he lived there, the apartment seemed oddly unfamiliar to him. It was strange without Yuki there. The novelist may be cold, but his presence and warm golden hair had always filled the apartment, at least enough to be considered a home. It was his presence and Shuichi's together that made the apartment come to life. Without him, it was just a combination of rooms.

He wandered around the apartment, arms wrapped protectively aorund himself, as if danger might jump out at him without Yuki there. He had never felt so lonely before. He wanted to cry. Mostly, he wanted Yuki.

Shuichi settled at last, climbing onto the sofa and curling himself up until he resembled a small pink ball. He reached for the TV remote and flipped on the television. He needed to get his mind off Yuki. The thought alone of Yuki at the hospital was tearing him up, but the idea of Yuki not wanting him was far worse.

He searched the programs, looking for something that might interest him, but all he found were commercials and cooking shows on all of his favorite channels. Even his favorite music channel wasn't showing anything of interest, at least, not unless he developed an intense love for ASK anytime soon, which was doubtful. With nothing to occupy his mind, his thoughts strayed back to his novelist lover. Is he even mine anymore? Yuki? What am I supposed to do?

His hopelessness was back, and with it, his sense of loss. He curled up tighter, trying to sink into the corner of the couch, as if he could stay there forever. As he was pushing his head down deep into the pillows, the television became audible, and he caught only a few stray words. "The Novel..st..Eir..ki...was brought int..the hospit..l..for..rea.s..unknow..." Yuki? Yuki is on the news? What do they know?

Shuichi sat up, wondering how much the news had gotten hold of, and hoping they didn't actually know. With his ears clear of the thick couch fabric, Shuichi could hear every word spoken by the dark haired woman on the screen. "His condition is said to be stable, however the nature of his entering the hospital still remains a mystery to the public. Yuki-sama's supposed lover, Shindou-sama, member of the up and rising new band, Bad Luck, was seen entering the building, where onlookers described him as 'worried,' and shortly after, left, being said to be much calmer and acting a bit dazed." I was dazed? Well, of course I was dazed! Yuki practically said he didn't want me in there...

Shuichi blinked. That's right. Yuki doesn't want me. He looked around. He was sitting in Yuki's apartment, on Yuki's couch, watching Yuki's television. In fact, everything was Yuki's. Everything was Yuki's, except for him. Because Yuki didn't want him anymore. He was being disposed of, just like the pancackes Shuichi had tried to make only a few days before: he was unusable, unnecessary, and quite simply, unwanted. The thought brought tears to Shuichi's eyes. He'd never really felt totally unwanted before, and this new feeling, like many he had experienced that day, hurt. It hurt deep down in his chest, in his mind, in his soul. And just like everything else, it was too much.

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Short again, I know...but I bet this one is longer than the last two! Oh, and PLEASE(I beg, yes, I do) REVIEW! Anything good, anything bad! Anything at all! Please! Review and I shall write!(Haha, "shall"...I love old english words...so fun... ;o).. )