Chapter 6:

Shima unlocked the door to his small apartment. He walked to the open kitchen on the far side of his living room. He stopped midway, before suddenly jigging with delight. He and Wan were partners…this was so cool! He looked around for a minute before deciding to clean up. Wan was going to be over in two hours time after he sorted out some stuff at home. He finished in an hour; it wasn't like there was much to clean anyway…there was a bedroom, a bathroom and the living room with an open kitchen. The only good thing about the place was that the bedroom was pretty big.

He showered quickly, before wondering what to wear. Snap out of it! You're acting like a girl…you're supposed to be a cold uncaring bastard. Ugh…Shima look at yourself! He pulled out a nice white T-shirt and pair of black shorts. That would do…it would look weird if Shima was dressed up in his own house. The door bell rang not long after and Shima had to stop himself from rushing over and glomping Wan. He took a deep breath, schooled his face into his usual expressionless-ness and opened the door. Wan grinned at him, he was wearing a simple black t-shirt and navy blue sweats. Shima was glad he had chosen to look normal. He invited Wan in with a jerk of his head and walked to the kitchen.

------------------------------------------------------

Wan looked around…it was so small. But then it was clean and he liked the pale yellow paint, which made the room sunnier. "Nice place you got here." He grinned at Shima. The other kid only grunted. Wan frowned slightly, why did Shima always act like he had a stick shoved up his ass?

"Do you want anything to eat?" Shima asked looking a little annoyed. Wan wondered what the problem was. He nodded. "Yeah ok, anythings fine." Shima pulled two packs of pocky chocolate and strawberry and a glass of Mugicha (a kind of wheat tea…it's really yummy!). He beckoned Wan to the counter, where there were two barstools and set the food there. Then he got himself a can of beer from the fridge.

Wan sipped his tea realizing that Shima was drinking beer. "Hey! You didn't even ask what I wanted! How come I don't get a beer?" Shima just took another swig, taking his time to reply.

"You said anything would do and well, you're underage." Shima wanted to smile as Wan gave him an annoyed look. "Um…Shima we're the same age!"

Shima nodded. "That's true, but this is my pad…I get to drink anything I like. You're a guest so I'm not going to break the law and you drunk." As much as I would like to.

Wan sighed; this guy was just plain weird. He took a few sticks of pocky and ate them deep in thought. Then he turned to Shima. "So which author shall we do? I think we should pick one that lived in Tokyo…that way we can go places and see the graves and stuff…or if he's alive we can interview him!"

Shima nodded. "What about Yuki Eiri? It shouldn't be too hard…you live with him." Wan shuddered. "Um…Shima, you aren't thinking right, all the girls will want to write about him! And I would really not write about Eiri, if you don't mind. Though if we did a Tokyo author, we could glean some information from Eiri…I know! Let's do that guy…Saicho Keisuke; you know he was that young writer. He died in that car crash last year…but he wrote about Tokyo. A lot of things he wrote about can be filmed, so we can do a visual as well. She did say we had to make it really creative ne?"

Shima thought about it for a while. "I guess we could do that…ok then. Lets make a plan of action today and then we'll get the research information tomorrow."

"Yeah that'll be good. We'll leave the visual for the last. I think that guy was awesome. I mean he did so much in life! Imagine coming up on your own, with no one to support you since you were four? And all those gangs who chased him and stuff…it'll be fun. We can even see if we can meet some of those guys." Wan knew he was practically babbling, but it seemed like the project would turn out really well.

"So lets get started shall we? Um…would you mind going over to one of the cyber café's? I don't have internet here, it's too expensive…though I do have some of Saicho's books and some articles about him." Shima looked at Wan a little embarrassed. But Wan seemed to think it was no big deal.

"Ok, that's no problem. Let's stay here for today though…we can look at those books and articles and well, we can get to know each other. I mean, we are working on a project you know, it's stupid if we still act like strangers and all." Wan smiled that nice trademark smile of his, to his surprise Shima actually smiled back…half smile but it counted.

-----------------------------------------------------------------

Meanwhile Eiri was sitting at his desk tapping away on the computer. Wan had said he'd be going over to do a project with a friend…the same kid who worked at the restaurant and ice-cream parlor. Eiri didn't like it much…he didn't know why, but there was a nagging feeling that something wasn't right.

He shrugged it off and decided that he couldn't concentrate and anyway Shuichi would be back home soon. He suddenly felt an urge to do something fun for the stupid brat…let's see the strawberry pocky was well stocked…so was the strawberry jelly and the strawberry ice cream and everything else that was strawberry. He looked under the TV and found Shuichi's favorite Yaoi movie…nah…not too much sex today, just something cuddly. He found My Best Friend's Wedding…yeah this would be good…he loved the way Shuichi got all teary eyed when Julia Roberts lost to Cameron Diaz.

"Tadaima Eiri!" Eiri looked up and smiled at his lover, which made Shuichi stop on the threshold and look at Eiri warily. "Um…Eiri? Why are you smiling at me?"

Eiri looked a little hurt. "Why shouldn't I? I've been waiting all day to see you…I was lonely. Wan's gone of to some friends place for a project. And I want to use that time to spend quality time with my little brat!"

Shuichi looked shocked. "Eiri! No I'm still a little sore from last night! You were really rough last night. I'm not having sex today! And I'm thirty eight years old…not you 'little brat'."

Eiri sighed. "Baka! Is sex all you can think of? Here I was wondering if we could watch My Best Friend's Wedding and eat some of your strawberry stuff and cuddle! Fine then I have a lot of work anyway!"

Shuichi suddenly pounced on the blonde. "I'm sorry Eiri! let's do what you wanted ok? I love you! You're the best! Although it's Wan that's made you so nice and cool! I should thank him!"

"Hn. Well let's get started already." Eiri picked his lover up and they lay on the couch side by side. Shuichi had a nice content smile on his face. He loved how peaceful this was. Eiri was happy and he didn't mind showing…yeah the blonde had changed a lot. He smiled wider when a pock stick made its way to his lips, he loved Eiri feeding him!

He kissed Eiri's hand softly and they went back to watching the movie with a tissue box for Shuichi lying conveniently close. Nothing could wreck this happiness! Shuichi thought as he felt his eyes tearing up even before the end of the movie.

-----------------------------------------------------------

Wan smiled as Shima drove through to the graveyard. They'd been spending so much time together…he liked being close to Shima. They had a lot to talk about from cars and bikes to shampoos and pocky. He looked down feeling his cell phone buzz again…it was Hikari. Wan ignored it feeling a little guilty. He hadn't called in the whole week he'd spent gathering information and spending time at Shima's house. When he was with Shima he tended to forget about other stuff.

They looked at the grave solemnly…Saicho had died at the age of twenty nine. Shima started filming as Wan spoke about the graveyard and Saicho's death. He hated cameras but somehow Shima's presence made him calmer. They finished and Shima dropped him halfway home. He said he had to work that night and couldn't spend anymore time on leave.

Wan masked his disappointment. He walked home deep in thought…he loved Hikari…not Shima. He couldn't love Shima for god's sake the guy was a prick even though he was acting all nice all of a sudden. And he was a criminal…he liked Shima as a friend. A very close friend yes that was it. Wan made up his mind to go visit Hikari.

Mika ushered him into Hikari's room. The blonde girl looked up and smiled when she saw him. "Hey sweetie, why did you go AWOL? I've been calling you after school all week you know; the only time we spend together is at school…I missed you."

Wan smiled apologetically. "I've been busy with that project! Shima and I came up with a really good idea and we decided to meet up at his house this week. I'm sorry babe; I can make it up to right now."

She smiled and walked closer. "Mmmm….I wonder how. I'm very angry you know?" she purred. He bent down and kissed her passionately. Before she knew what was happening she was on the bed, with Wan raining kisses on her neck. She frowned slightly. This doesn't feel right. But she kissed him anyway.

After a while she pulled away and grinned at him. "Well, Wan that wasn't very convincing! So I'm going to punish you!" she glomped him and began tickling him mercilessly. It reminded Wan of Shima tickling him one night last week because he'd poured water on the dark haired boy.

He started to laugh and squirmed under Hikari trying to get away. "Stop…please stop! I said stop it Shima!" the words were out of his mouth before he could stop them. Hikari's eyes widened for a mere second before she stopped and stepped away grinning amusedly.

"God Wan! Do I look like Shima to you?" she tried to keep her face normal and amused. Wan was staring at her with horror.

"I'm sorry Hikari…it's just that Shima tickled me last time when I poured water on him that's all. I've just been spending too much time with him is all? So aren't you going to continue punishing or are we done?" his girlfriend smiled ruefully.

"No. well I have homework to do and I've to go to Ralph's house to work on the project. So you'll have to go, but meet me tomorrow ok?" she smiled and left Wan at the door before walking up to her room.

The moment she entered the smile left her face. She leaned on the closed door and shut her eyes. Wan didn't love her…he really did love Shima! She didn't want to lose Wan…Wan was the only person she'd opened up to! She needed to talk to someone, holding this in hurt a lot! She shook her head a little. She was a Seguchi. So she had to be strong and never ever let any weakness show! But she did want to talk and she knew exactly who she was going to.

-------------------------------------------------

Wan sat at the library with Shima. They'd stayed back after school to be able to use the library in peace. He looked up to see Shima stretching. The boy looked really tired with light bags under his eyes from lack of sleep.

"Um…Shima, you look tired. Let's wrap this up for now ok? You can got home get some rest and then go to work all right?" he smiled as the dark haired boy nodded. "Oh damn, lets go back to class and get my book. I left it there!"

He and Shima hurried back to class. Wan was telling him something about what Shuichi had done when he opened the door to the classroom…and turned white. Hikari was sitting up on the teacher's desk in the front of the classroom, kissing Ralph…more like Ralph was swallowing her. Wan's eyes widened more as he saw Ralph's hands were on her thighs under her skirt. He blinked as if trying to see if he was hallucinating and leaned against the door frame. Shima was staring wide eyed too before he turned to look at Wan.

The green eyes narrowed dangerously. "What. The. Fuck. Is. Going. On." The snogging couple sprang apart. Hikari turned to look fearfully into Wan's eyes. But Ralph was glaring at his best friend.

It was Hikari who tried to break the awkward silence first. "W…Wan…I…it's not what it looks like. Ralph was just…I was telling him that…"

"What do you mean it wasn't what it looks like? I saw you and Ralph kissing each other just now…what else could it mean! I knew it, you bitch! I knew you'd do something like this. Why I ever dated you when every single instinct of mine was telling me that you would betray me I don't know. I should have known that the most popular girl in school would also be a slut!" Wan couldn't help yelling, he was really feeling hurt right now.

Hikari stared at him tears welling up in her eyes…she bit her lips and held her head up high. "I can't talk to you when you're like this. I'll call you when you're calmer." She walked out dignifiedly even if some of the tears escaped.

Ralph was looking murderous now. Wan pointed at him. "And you…I thought you were my best…"

"Shut up. Just shut the fuck up you prick!" Ralph interrupted Wan his eyes blazing. "You have no right to speak to her like that. you don't even love her! You're talking about her betraying you? What the fuck do you think you did huh? Let's see, where were you this last week when Hikari was frantically trying to reach you? She loves you, you idiot! And you're just playing around. I love her! I let you have her because I could see how much she loved you and I thought you returned the feeling. And yesterday…she told all about what happened yesterday…did you know how upset she was? She came to talk to me because she couldn't tell anyone else about it! She couldn't tell anyone else who she suspected you loved! I thought you were a decent guy Wan…but you're not. You're just some jerk wad now! And let me tell you I, kissed her! She only let me because I surprised her."

Wan was staring up at Ralph shocked. "Ralph I…" but the red head shook his head violently. "I don't want to talk to you Wan! Just leave me alone, I need to go comfort Hikari! And you know something, face your feelings you prick!" Ralph pushed Wan out of he way and walked out not caring that his best friend was lying on the floor.

Wan stared after his friend regret and pain etched onto his face. He turned around to see Shima's outstretched hand in front of him. The grey eyes looked at him comfortingly and he was helped of the floor. Neither said anything as they drove to Shima's house.

--------------------------------------------------------------------

Wan sat on the couch staring into space. He'd tried to reach Ralph and Hikari but they weren't picking up their phone's. And when he'd called Hikari's landline, Mika had picked up the phone and told him Hikari didn't want to speak to anyone. She asked him what was wrong, but he lied about everything being fine before putting the phone down.

Shima came in setting a tray down in front of him. It was lasagna and garlic bread. A glass of wine accompanied it. Wan looked at Shima questioningly. "You look like you need it." was all the dark haired boy said.

Wan nodded and sipped the wine. He ate in silence for a while. And then… "Ralph was right. You know. I really did play around didn't I? I didn't love Hikari in that way, but I went out with her anyway. I suck!" Suddenly two arm's encircled him and held him close.

"You know Wan; I'm not going to say who's right and whose wrong here. You were wrong to do that, but Hikari was wrong to kiss Ralph or let him kiss her in the first place. She should have talked to you about it and well, you should have told her before. But right now I think you need to eat and then if you're intending to stay over…call your parents ok?"

Wan nodded, he smiled up at Shima…they're faces were so close. He leaned forward and kissed the dark haired boy softly. Shima kissed back for a few seconds but pulled away. "Wan, if you do this now it's no different from what Hikari did ok? She was feeling lost too. Call you parents. I'll take the couch."
------------------------------------------------------------------------

Shuichi put the phone down. He knew something had gone wrong between Wan and Hikari. Mika had called earlier to see if Wan had come home and told him the Hikari wasn't coming out of her room. He informed Eiri who frowned looking concerned. He nuzzled up to Eiri. This whole thing was his fault. He knew he had to have talked to Wan before, but he'd gotten too caught up in his own life. He sighed, he wished he could make things right.

Anyway, it wasn't like anything else could go wrong. At least he'd have time to fix things soon…

----------------------------------------------------------------------

A/N:

Taka: Oh my! I wrote so much! I like it; maybe the chapters will be this long from now on. Anyway we should warn Shuichi not to be too hasty…ne Arashi? Arashi? Wake up you man whore!

Arashi: Whore? Is it a hot guy? Where? where?

Taka: Keep your gayness in control for a while will you? Plus any hot guys here belong to me! I will not share them with you, stupid boy!

Arashi: Bitch! You're just jealous that I'm gay and I'm not yours!

Taka: pay no attention to lazy ass with a big ego over there. I hope you like it! And by the way Arashi hasn't moved a finger…so he sucks at being of any help in this! review please! Otherwise I'll kill poor Shuichi Yuki and Arashi!