La Li Ho ! It's me again ! After What seemed to be forever, I finally finished the first part of Chapter 7! YAY!!!
I'm sorry for taking so long every time, but I think I'll never learn that lesson… Anyway, me hopes you enjoy the story just a little… Feel free to drop a review! ^.^
Disclaimer: Gravitation does NOT belong to me, as doesn't FF X; They belong to Maki Murakami (I love you!) and uhm… Square Soft… Sony? Whoever owns it!
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Amor Fati
Chapter Seven: Caged in fever
„OK! Everybody get ready, we are going to practice the second "*Ah* spot"![1] At first the soprano and the alto!"
K. nodded towards Suguru, who was sitting at the piano. The teen took a quick breath and then started a nice melody on the keys. After a while the girls started to raise their voices and soon the room was filled with beautiful chant. They practiced a few moments when suddenly K. pointed towards where Shuichi was sitting.
"And now the tenors; join them!"
The five boys (inclusive Shuichi) began to sing along with the girls and were coming closer to the higher notes. They sang about two minutes, when Shuichi suddenly began to cough.
And not only he coughed simply, no, he almost fell from his chair coughing like he was being strangled.
Immediately the singing stopped. Suguru said there rather annoyed while the rest of the choir looked curiously at the pink haired.
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Hiro and K. both stood up and walked over to the now on the ground kneeling boy.
While the teacher pointed his gun to Shuichi and asked him *nicely* why he was coughing, Hiro preferred to rush to the boy's side. Worried about his friend he took his head into his hands, feeling his forehead.
As soon as he realized what was wrong with his friend he turned to throw an angry glare towards his teacher.
"Sensei! Put that gun away! Shuichi's ill! He's a high fever, he's almost glowing! We need to take him to the hospital room!"
Hearing the shout from his student, the 30-year-old moved towards the couple, going onto his knees so he had better access in checking the pink haired youth.
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"Lets see..." he stated and felt the boy's forehead, pushing away magenta strands of hair as he did so.
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When he felt a cool hand touch his skin, Shuichi's eyes snapped open in an instant. He looked up to meet the with slight worry filled eyes of his teacher. Not knowing what to do, he gasped, backing away from the hand.
"Oh, it's nothing! Everything is fine, don't worry! I guess I'll better go home because I don't think my voice lets me sing today-"
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However, the boy trailed off when he found himself wrapped in the arms of a certain scary blond haired man, who had his magnum already put back into its place. As he began to straggle in order to get himself free, poor Shuichi was given an everything-destroying-death-glare, and so he just gulped hard. While he was carried out of the room, a deep pink graced his face, making it the same color like his hair.
Finally finding some comfort in his unusual position, he leaned into the strong arms wrapped around him, being aware of a sly dizziness slowly making its way through his head.
Though he had to admit that being carried was a very nice way of moving, Shuichi was still unsure of what to do. Regularly he wasn't carried, so he didn't know the feeling of being carried. His father never had had a reason to do so, his brother hadn't in any case, and his mother -when she was still alive, that was- hadn't been strong enough to carry her grown son. She may have been able until he was five or six years old, but he didn't remember it anymore.
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"And you guys: Go on practicing until I'm back." K. stated when he and Shuichi finally made it through the door, and –to his satisfaction- not missing the displeased, not to say JEALOUS look on his pretty Suguru's face. Grinning inwardly, he took the by now slightly panting boy in his arms, wondering if his green haired sweetheart would be as light as he was. When he finally reached the hospital room he forced himself to push these really interesting thoughts away, and called out for Mizuki-san [2] the nurse.
Growling when the only response he got was from one of the Uesugi-boy's he lowered Shuichi onto the nearest bed, covering him with the thin blanked. He winked at the teen and turned to face him.
"Take care of him, will ya? I'm going to find that stupid woman!"
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With that he rushed out of the room, leaving his two students alone.
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When his teacher was out of the room, the boy slowly walked up towards the bed of the other. He leaned over in order to get better access in looking at the boy and watched with interest large violet eyes opening slightly, so as if their weight was a ton's ones.
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"Eiri-kun?"
A tense silence filled the room after the pink haired boy had asked him this "question". His voice hoarse from coughing and singing all the time he continued to speak.
"Eiri-kun... your hair... is black? Why?"
Tatsuha chuckled. So the boy mistook him for his brother. He couldn't blame him since they looked really like twins, he was the dark and 'Yuki' the light one.
He had a hard time when he considered whether he played a little trick on that cute boy or not, but seeing the pink haired's not so nice state, he decided not to fool him.
"I'm not 'Eiri-kun', I'm Uesugi Tatsuha. I'm Yuki's younger brother. Nice to meet you, ...?"
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The older boy gave the raven haired a tiny smile before he began coughing once again.
"My name is Shindou Shuichi, and I'm the younger brother of- *coughs* -the person Eiri-kun gives extra tuition."
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Now that was interesting. Tatsuha shifted on his chair and leaned a little farther to stare right into a pair of lavender eyes. Every time his stupid brother went to Shindou's house, complaining about the unfairness of all this and how he didn't want to go there, he got to see this boy? And he had not already ravished him?
His brother had to be very stupid to not to jump him at an instead. He, surely, had.
But then again his brother was nothing like him at all. Their personalities were totally differed.
When he would immediately do anything to make the boy like him, he doubted his brother did even notice him.
That was probably because he wasn't in men, or boys for that matter. But then again Uesugi Eiri wasn't into anyone. Tatsuha had never seen his dear brother fall for someone (maybe except himself). The blonde was still a cold hearted bastard after all.
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"Shuichi-kun, right? I can call you Shuichi-kun, ne?"
The pink haired gave him a small nod, making the younger boy smile. Gently the black haired touched his forehead.
"You have a fever. What the hell have you done to get such a high temperature? Did you go swimming in the freezing water and then slept in your wet clothes under a tree all night, or what?!"
Tatsuha frowned when he heard a small giggle come from the other boy. Trying to look firm he watched Shuichi seriously and made a concerned face when his laughing caused him another bad cough.
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"You shouldn't move so much, see what I mean? I hope K.-sensei returns quickly, you don't make the impress to me that you're able to stand all this any longer. I think it's the best if you would just lay back and relax... try to get some sleep. You look totally exhausted."
Shuichi let the other boy press him down to the mattress, covering him with the sheets. He didn't care about his cough, nor did he care about his fever.
He just wanted Tidus to be here right now, or his father. He wanted someone to embrace him, hold him. He was scared.
He was scared and didn't even know what of. He just had a bad feeling in the pit of his stomach, as if he knew there was something about to come; something that wasn't good at all.
When he opened his mouth, wanting to tell Tatsuha to go and get his brother, everything went black for Shuichi.
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"Uesugi? I got her. How's the boy?"
Tatsuha looked up, finding K. and Mizuki rush into the room. He shortly glanced back to the pink haired and then turned to face the two adults.
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"He passed out, I think."
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~*~*~*O*~*~*~
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"Shindou, Tidus?"
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Tidus looked up from his English-Test-paper curiously. What had he done now? He hoped it wasn't about the window he had broken accidentally when he had trained for his next big game against the team of the neighbored school.
His teacher looked rather nervous at the gun pointed towards him. Seemed he hadn't got to know Crawd K. Winchester that much.
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"Shindou-kun, if you're in here, put your hands in the air and follow me! Don't delay!"
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/What is so important, it can't wait a second?/, he thought. By now he was almost sure it couldn't be the window, otherwise K. wouldn't call him out of class while he wrote an important Test paper.
He stood quickly and walked over towards his blond teacher. "What happened-"
"Come!" came the order as his wrist was grabbed and he was dragged through the hallways. Tidus frowned when he realized they were heading towards the hospital-station.
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Before he could make any more questions they reached their destiny. The door was hastily pushed open and the two entered. Blue eyes widened at the sight before him. Mizuki, the nurse, sat on the bed and administered some kind of medicine to a person laying on the bed, a dark haired boy standing beside them, carrying a worried express.
He swallowed. The person on the bed was his brother. His face was bright red and sweaty, his breathing came in pants. It looked like he was unconscious.
He was about to rush to his side, when Mizuki suddenly turned, an unreadable express gracing her face. She seemed delighted about Tidus' presence. She put her stethoscope down and wiped her forehead.
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"So you found him, K.-san? Shindou-kun," she turned to Tidus, "Your brother has a bad fever and he is permanently coughing. When he couldn't bear it any more, he passed out. But don't worry, it's nothing life-threatening," she laughed quietly, "He's been put a jinx on, a small curse. Maybe he touched some magic plants, they often cause illnesses.
If you bring him to a healer or a magician he'll be OK by tomorrow."
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Tidus sighed. He could bring him to Mr. Braska, Yuna's father, or even to Yuna herself, but that wouldn't work. For some unknown reason his little brother didn't like magical powers. More likely, he was terrified of them. He must have made a bad experience with magic, since he never had himself healed with it. He didn't even accept potions and his father worried himself to death when the boy was ill.
He sat down on the bed beside him and reached up, testing the boy's fever. When he looked questioningly at Mizuki, the woman hurried to give him a reply.
"It's about 40° C. Pretty high, if you ask me. You should take him to a healer as soon as you can, otherwise it will be rather uncomfortable for him."
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The only response he gave her was a registering "Hm". She exhaled noisily when the boy took his brother into his arms and carried him across the room. K. followed him, offering to drive the two of them home, when she suddenly stopped them.
"Stop! You *will* take him to a healer, won't you?!"
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Tidus looked at her with an express you could call a poker face. "That's none of your business. Thanks for your help, Mizuki-san."
She made a sound of protest, but froze when she found herself starring into the barrel of K.'s magnum.
"I take care of the two. Don't worry!" he said, wearing one of his sweetest smiles.
Who was Mizuki to deny such a *nice* proposition? She didn't want her head to be blow off. No, not really. So she raised her well manicured hands in a soothing manner and smiled pitifully, scared as hell.
Pleased with her reaction, K. nodded and guided the two brother through the school building, to his car.
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A pair of amethyst eyes slowly opened, heavy lids moving upwards. Shuichi tried to make out where he was, but failed miserably. He could hear some strange sounds in the back of his head and guessed that ought to be voices. Whom they belonged to he couldn't tell, though. They were just there.
He remembered some strange kind of dream, there had been heat. He had seen flames, wandered through fire. Strange dream.
A slight tingle could been felt on his head and he turned, curious where it came from. He looked up and blinked, until he was finally able to see his brother's face, smiling down at him.
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"Tidu-"
"Sh... It's OK. Go back to sleep. I'm taking you home."
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The sound of a yawn filled the car, and the eyes closed again. Slowly the pink haired boy lost himself in the thick darkness that hung in his dreams. He thought he felt a gentle breeze around his nose as he little by little slipped into his own world.
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It was his world, were his dreams he went into. A land created by his own hopes and fears.
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Wasn't it?
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~*~*~*O*~*~*~
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Everything is black. It's dark and cold. What? Where the hell am I? Why is it so dark? I can't even see my own hands! I am supposed to lie in my bed and sleep! I'm ill! Wait. I am ill. I have a fever. Ah... now I'm getting it:
I'm dreaming!
Ha, I'm such a smart boy, aren't I? Of course I am, nobody dares to disagree with me. Then again, there is nobody to disagree with me. I am all alone in my dream. Shit! I hate being alone! It's my dream, so would please anybody be so kind and show up?
I don't wanna dream that I'm alone!
I really have bad luck. When I dream, I dream that I'm alone; in the dark. It really sucks! Why can't I dream about Eiri-kun, or Hiro, or Tidus? I would even like better to dream about K.-sensei! As long as I'm not alone, it doesn't matter about whom I dream.
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"Shuichi!"
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Uh-oh... did I hear my name being called out? I turn my head right, turn it left. There is nobody. Only me and the dark.
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"Shuichi!"
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Fuck! There it is again! I don't know that voice. It sounds totally new for me! A deep, male voice with a slight pansy undertone is calling my name.
Creepy.
But who am I to call someone "pansy"? Hehe, look who's speaking! Hey, at least I'm not acting any weird and girlish!
OK, I'm sorry, cut that out. I am acting weird and girlish. And I thought you know what I mean...
However, I am not acting like a little clumsy, gay fag, now am I? I hope I'm not.
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"Shui~chi!"
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"Oh, shut up, you creepy gay voice; I'm trying to think here! I don't wanna a bloody voice scaring the shit outta me; it's really annoying!"
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"You're calling *me* annoying?!"
Uh-oh. Shit. I think this isn't a dream; this is more likely a nightmare. I can hear footsteps coming closer to me. Heh, damn me and my big mouth!
A shadow of a figure is appearing in front of my eyes now, and I wish I would just wake up. It's a man, but I can't see his face. What I can make out, is that he's long hair and a very strange hairstyle.
That or he has got horns on top of his head. When he's close enough to touch me I begin to panic.
I want to wake up! Right now!
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"That is really impolite, little Shuichi."
I don't even know how the hell he knows my name, but I don't care at this very moment. He's touching my left cheek and slowly leans into me. I can feel his hot breath upon my face. I want to wake up! Now! Please, if there is any god; make me wake up!
"Please... wanna wake up..."
I guess some of my thoughts are spoken out loudly, but I don't care. I just want to wake up!
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"But this isn't a dream, my sweet little Shuichi. This is real."
I can almost see that bastard smile! Damn him!
A cold feeling runs up my spine and I begin to shudder. Am I so frightened that I can't even move?! How pathetic!
Suddenly my eyes widen and everything is freezing around me. Am I really feeling a raw tongue licking at my lips?!
Totally shocked I open my mouth to gasp;
Big mistake!
Now that bloody tongue is daring to push forwards, right into my mouth!
Aaawww! Stupid me! Stupid, stupid, stupid me!! I should've expected this! After all I had made great experiences with Eiri-kun!
*If you don't want to be kissed then don't open your mouth; no matter why!*
That had been my first lesson. (Though it never happens that I don't want to be kissed by Eiri.)
And now? Now I am stuck in the dark with some crazy psycho that knows my name, being forcefully kissed by said monster, and not able to wake up!
And on top of that he *is* telling me that this is real!
Wake up Shuichi! Wake up, damn it!
I can hear his wicked laughter when he finally pulls back from me. Suddenly I feel hot. Inside and outside of me everything is burning. It hurts. Sweat is running down my face, little droplets tickling me on their way down.
I begin to feel dizzy. When I fall to my knees everything is spinning around, like a merry-go-round and I feel as if I'm on fire, hot flames slowly eating me up, burning through my skin.
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"Ow..."
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A pair of large, amethyst eyes opened slowly, their sight was in a blur. It seemed the boy had problems to focus them, but when he finally succeeded he came face to face with his brother Tidus, leaning over him and having a worried look onto his features.
After a while of staring at the blonde, Shuichi found his voice back.
"Tidus...?" he asked quietly, almost afraid that his brother was only an illusion, vanishing when he touched it and leaving him alone in the dark.
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"Shuichi! You're awake!"
For Tidus it came too suddenly that his younger brother threw his arms around his neck, pressed against him and let out a loud, almost pained cry.
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"TIDUS!!!"
Shuichi clenched his eyes shut, not wanting to let his tears show, embracing his brother with all his strength, his knuckles nearly going white. Shaky hands were placed on Tidus' back and finally the pink haired managed to stutter something.
"He was there... He's here... Please, make him go away!"
The older boy knitted his eyebrows. He hadn't the even slightest clue what his brother was speaking about. Trying to make his thoughts out, he slowly pulled away a bit.
"What do you mean? Who is 'He'?" he asked confused, brushing a few strands of Shuichi's hair away. Something was definitively not right. When he touched his brother he could feel him visibly tense. What happened to him? It never happened that Shuichi would act this strange when his brother touched him.
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"I don't know! Just 'He'! Please, make him go away!"
The young Blitz Ball player sighed and patted the youth's back to calm him down. Closing his eyes as well he wondered what Shuichi had dreamed to get so upset over it. It must have been a nightmare, since he is so agitated refer to it.
"Ssshhh... It was just a dream...it's all over now..."
Shuichi raised his head, his cheeks wet from scared tears. When he found his brother smile down at him, he smiled back; despite to the fact that is was more a pathetic excuse for a smile. At his hair being ruffled by his brother, Shuichi began to feel more comfortable with the whole situation, and a small giggle escaped his lips.
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"Care for a tea, my poor little ill chicken [3]?"
Giving him a small nod, Shuichi relaxed back into the pillows when his brother stood, the fear from earlier nearly gone. Tidus walked to the door, saying that he would be back in about 10 minutes, when he suddenly turned in order to say something.
"Try not to fall asleep 'til I'm back and; don't fight with Yuki-kun!" he said, before exiting the room.
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A little confused by his brother's acting the ill boy turned his head in the other direction of the room, attempting to make out what was meant with the last words. He almost jumped out of bed when he noticed a very handsome face watching him, as always decorated with bored express.
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The owner of said face raised a light eyebrow when the pink haired boy shrieked out, crying his name.
"Eiri-kun!!! What-what are you... What are you doing here?!"
Frowning, the elder began to wonder if the boy hadn't hit his head, he should know why he was here, and not question him!
"I'm helping your brother with school, if you forgot." He replied dryly, not any kind of emotion showing in his face.
That answer confused the younger a little bit, and he tilted his head to the side raising one eyebrow while frowning with the other, what looked so indescribable cute, it would make your teeth ache.
"I know that! I mean: what are you doing here? This is my room, if you haven't noticed."
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Looking as if he was ready to hit his head against the next best wall, Eiri let out a moan of annoyance, slapping his forehead. He ignored the confused looking youth completely for the next few moments.
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"You are such a baka! You want to know why I'm here? You are ill – Someone has to take care of you – that someone happens to be your brother – whom I have to give extra tuition – so he watches over you while I help him to prepare for the next English Test Paper – Ring any bells?"
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"Uh... Ooohhh! Now that sounds credible! It seems to make sense." The youth replied, coughing.
"'Credible'? Do you think I would lie to you?"
Eiri frowned, his features showing some kind of upset. For he didn't trust many people, he took it still as an insult when people didn't trust him. Shifting slightly in his chair he gave the pink haired boy another annoyed look.
The seventeen-year-old had one principle: Never let the others know if they hurt you.
Because if one knew how he could hurt you, he will surely do it again. And that was not a thing Eiri was going to let happen to him.
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Meanwhile, a certain pink haired sat on his bed rather nervous for he didn't know what to say. He couldn't stand the tense silence between him and the elder much longer; he wanted it desperately to end. Not being the type of quiet and unmoving he began to move, unaware of his cheeks getting a crimson red too fast when his fever seemed to increase. He only noticed himself growing warmer with each second and when he finally couldn't bear the heat anymore he began to slide forwards, pulling the covers back as far as he could. He almost kicked them out of the bed when he felt a pale hand on his ankle, preventing him from doing so.
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"What do you think you're doing?" Eiri asked as nice as he would ask the same question when he would catch the boy steeling his briefcase.
He slightly narrowed his eyes. It was not good for an ill person to sit around only with thin pajamas on.
"It's hot! I'm sweating like an old sports-shirt if you haven't noticed! Do you think it even feels the slightest of a little bit good? Well then, Mr. I-know-it-all-better, I'm afraid that I must correct you, it-"
Shuichi lost his already too little patience at the blonde's question, nearly shouting the answer back into that handsome face of his, when he suddenly cut himself of. He quickly sat back and leaned into the mattress, pressing his right hand against his forehead.
It took him a few seconds until he laid back down, a small groan passing his lips.
"Oww... Guess that was too much..."
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Eiri sighed and closed his eyes in defeat. He wondered how one boy could be such an idiot. But then again Shuichi was an idiot most of the time, so it wasn't surprising when he did as well when he was ill.
Though he didn't like showing any affection towards others he found himself pulling the covers back up over the kid. The corners of his mouth twitched into a little smirk when he noticed the confused look on Shuichi's face.
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"You know what you are? You are a complete baka, baka. You mustn't jump around and yell all the time when you're ill. You should quietly lie in your bed and behave."
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Shuichi's violet eyes went so impossible wide it seemed they're beating two CDs in size and he sat up again, this time more careful, supporting his weight on his elbows.
"Eiri-kun, you're worried about me!" he declared happily. "I knew you loved me!!!"
He smiled when he got a stone-like frown, knowing about how embarrassed he had to be. Sometimes Eiri could be really cute, though Shuichi didn't gave about to tell him. He knew when something was bad for his health.
Was that a small blush on the elder's face?
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"And what are you dreaming at night? There's no way I could ever love an annoying brat like you!"
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That got him. Sighing sadly, Shuichi lay back into his pillows. His eyes began to burn anyway, so he thought it would be the best if he just closed them. When he opened his mouth one more time to say something a loud yawn prevented him from doing so.
"Sorry..." he said once he was able to speak again.
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Eiri looked down at him. The kid was curled up into a little ball, laying on his left side and apparently trying to get back to sleep. He was hugging a little plush-bunny and it seemed he wasn't really comfortable in this situation.
The 17-year-old took a deep breath before he made the probably stupidest decision for that day.
He leaned over the sick kid and brushed a few pink strands out of his fever-flushed face.
"Hey; what's the matter? Is it necessary that I call you am ambulance, or what!?"
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Slowly, violet eyes opened, and Shuichi looked up at him, only to let his gaze drop down to the blanked.
The blonde wondered slightly if he looked too concerned, but dismissed the thought as soon as he heard a shy voice.
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"Nothing; I..." Shuichi gulped visibly, "I'm just... I'm scared."
Eiri stopped in his tracks and stared at the other in rather bewilderment. Light eyebrows came down to a pair of golden eyes, creating a perfect frown.
"What? Scared? And about what?"
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For now, a small sob was the only response he got, so Eiri took a seat on the bed, just beside Shuichi. He studied him with slight confusion and wondered what could possibly scare him in his own room. There was the memory of the pink haired waking up and talking about some 'He' and about making 'Him' go away.
He assumed it must have been a dream, so he didn't thought about it further.
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"I don't know. I'm just... I'm just scared, OK?"
He rolled his eyes, not really annoyed, but he didn't know what else to do. An insensitive comment was about to pass his lips, but he was stopped as he felt a warm hand slightly grasping his own.
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"Would you mind... can you... uhm... Hold me, please? Just this once?"
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Wide, watery eyes looked up at him pleadingly and Eiri found himself out of words. Never in his entire life had he taken someone into his arms, nor had anyone wanted him to embrace them. His throat suddenly went very dry and he tried to say something.
Anything.
But he couldn't. He hadn't the slightest clue what he should do.
Should he hold the boy? He really seemed to need someone right now, but still...
He would loose his cool, uncaring appearance if he did.
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Before Eiri could decide whether he would be nice or not, he was interrupted by the sound of footsteps that came from the corridor.
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In less then five seconds the door was pushed open and Tidus entered, carrying a tray with a mug and other stuff.
He smiled at an in bed lying Shuichi, and a firmly on a chair across the room sitting Eiri. So the two hadn't tried to strangle each other as he had feared.
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The Blitz Ball player made his way through the room and when he past the desk he put down the tray. Another smile appeared on his lips as he turned to Eiri and thanked him for keeping an eye on his brother. The blonde shrugged, mumbling something about not bothering to and how it wasn't as bad as trying to help him with algebra.
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"And? How about a little tea?"
Shuichi looked at his brother sitting beside him on the bed and holding out his orange "Hello-Kitty" mug. He smiled and sad up.
"Thank you, Tidus!"
In his joy at having finally something warm for his stomach the youth took a deep sip and...
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"*cough* HOT!!! *cough-cough*"
...burned himself in the progress.
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When Tidus immediately jumped to get cold water and something to clean up with, Eiri could only roll his eyes.
"How can one person be so stupid?" he questioned the boy before him. His eyes pierced into violet ones and he was surprised when they didn't hold any tears, but looked at him with annoyance.
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"Thank you very, very much! I exactly needed *that* at this very moment!"
It was then, when Tidus chose to return, and Shuichi sighed in relief.
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~*~*~*O*~*~*~
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"I love you."
"Really?"
"No."
"Oh."
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Mika sat back in her chair and watched her boyfriend. Laughing. His cheeks were a slight shade of red and he kept his gaze locked on his plate. Pizza had to be the most exciting thing in the world for him, since he stared at it amazed, she would say.
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"Hey! That was just a joke Hiro-kun! You know, I really like you a lot."
The long haired boy looked up from his dinner, a smirk decorating his masculine features.
"I know." He stated simply. "I just wanted you to say it."
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The girl's face fell. That, she really hadn't expected. He had tricked her! Men could really be stupid at times!
"You idiot! Now I won't say anything alike again! Never! How mean must one be to trick an innocent-"
"Mika."
"-naive girl?! That was so ruthless of you!"
"Mika."
"Don't you have any respect of women?"
"Mika!"
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The girl looked at Hiro surprised. What reason could he possibly have to interrupt he 'speech'? She hoped for his sake it was a good reason, otherwise she would leave him alone with the bill and go back home. Mika could be really get peeved about being fooled.
Hiro leaned over the table and gave his girlfriend a small kiss.
"I like you, too. Really, a lot."
She grinned at him. "That's good for you."
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After a short, but peaceful silence they finished their dinner. Hiro called a waiter and paid, then went to get their robes. A smile slipped on his lips when he and his girlfriend finally exited the restaurant. A fresh breeze blew around their noses and they started to walk off into the night.
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Once the first few steps were done, Mika stopped.
"Hiroo~" She wailed. "It's cold!"
Hm! What was he supposed to do know? He had something in his mind, but... Was that really what she wanted? Well, he feared he had to find out.
Carefully the tall boy wrapped an arm around her shoulders, warming them instantly. It felt really nice. Mika felt comforting warmth spread in her belly and she felt like thousands of little butterflies were dancing in it. Really nice.
With a happy smile she leaned onto his shoulder.
"You walk me home?" A small puppy-like gaze in her eyes and she knew Hiro couldn't resist.
"Anytime." He stated simply.
Mika smiled dreamily. That boy was too kind for his own good. She really had to admit that. But then again, wasn't that something she liked about him?
Yes, she thought. She liked that kindness.
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"Thank you."
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~*~*~*O*~*~*~
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Suguru sighed as he let himself slip down into the warm water. Bathing in winter was really one of the best things in life! The past day had been very stressful. He had had to write a test in almost every period! Some days only sucked. And then, choir practice was a disaster, too. The got interrupted by no one else than that stupid, big-mouthed and annoying pink haired idiot! He had had to stop the song they were practicing for two months now and they still didn't get any further!
Damn that kid. He and his stupid cough.
K.-san even had carried him out and to the hospital station! He had CARRIED him!!! HIM!!!
The green haired boy stopped in his very tracks. Ha hadn't thought just that, now, had he? He wasn't being jealous of K.-sensei, was he?
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"OH, NOOO!!!"
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Splashing sounds could be heard as the youth dumped himself into the hot water. He had to clean his mind and not think such... incredible stupid... thoughts!
After some pondering he left the bathroom, but not without cleaning up. When the boy hated something, it was disorder. He had a little habit of keeping everything nice and clean around him.
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With only a soft white towel around his slim hips the boy made it into the living room, and noticed in slight surprise the television being on. He wondered why it was on when he half an hour ago had made sure it was off? Was his cousin responsible for that? The green haired shook his head to no one in particular. Ever since he had been living with him, the blonde had never left something undone. When he wasn't in the living room, there was no TV on. Not even the radio.
People might thing it was hypocritical and abnormal, but it was something he liked about the man very much.
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Then again, Suguru liked everything about that man. He looked up at his older cousin in great awe. No wonder: His cousin was no one else than Seguchi Tohma.
When he had been twelve, his parents had left him in the care of his older cousin, so they could work in a different country. At first he had been sad about it and cried every night, but he had realized his cousin was very gentle and loving, he soon had accepted his fate. Life could be worse!
He could be stuck in a little flat with K.! Oh no, here he was again, thinking about his teacher in ways he didn't want to. Was he cursed or something? He had to distract himself!
The youth was about to plop on the couch and simply watch the TV for a little time, when a sudden movement behind him caught his eye. He felt a pair of eyes literally burning into his young, exposed skin. And strange as it was, that gaze felt damn familiar. Too damn familiar!
He had felt it before, but when? Suguru dug in the very secret parts of his mind when he tried to find out who those eyes could belong to.
No, it couldn't be!
Slowly, carefully to not get a heart attack at the sigh waiting for him, he turned around with great hope to not to see what he feared he'd see.
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"Su-chan! What a nice surprise seeing you here! I didn't thought to get to meet you when I showed up!" The blond man greeted him with a toothy smile.
"SENSEI!!! What the hell are *you* doing here?!"
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~*~*~*O*~*~*~
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"Yuki-kun?"
The blond boy took a glance up from his algebra book and his eyes locked with Tidus'. He questioningly arched one light eyebrow.
"Could it be that it is your stomach, growling for about fifteen minutes?"
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A sudden, though very light, blush appeared on Eiri's face. How embarrassing! He had been caught at giving way into his human urges! A whole world shattered for the soon-to-be-18-year-old, what –of course, what did anyone expect?- couldn't be seen on the outside of his genius brain. He gave his companion a cool, causal smile before he came up with an answer.
"I think so. Maybe I should eat something then?" he said, absently running a hand through his blond hair.
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It was then, Tidus made a to Eiri implausible suggestion.
"Maybe I can fetch you something?" he dared to ask, as if Eiri was a child who couldn't even hold a knife in the right way! A sting of hurt pride materialized in his head and so he did what he always would do: He made a big deal of showing how rebellious he could be and stubbornly refused.
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"No, thanks very much, Shindou-kun but I think I am capable enough of making a few sandwiches of my own. You don't mind, do you?" the last part was added quickly after he got the realization that his words were a bit too rude even for his circumstances.
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When Tidus only shrugged, Eiri said his "goodbyes" and made his way downwards the stairs with only one final destination: THE KITCHEN!
At the moment he entered the first step he could already hear quite loud music coming from inside said room. Brilliant agent Eiri's conclusion: The pink haired brat had to be healthy again, if he could jump around and stand hearing that noisy (and shitty!) stuff.
The right corner of his thin lined mouth rose up into a very tiny smile when he imagined how that sweet, little copy of a boy dancing singing through the kitchen, only in his strawberry-printed boxers and probably that *sexy* white-pink striped socks of his.
Tidus –in his naive illusion of Eiri barely knowing Shuichi (and NOT getting turned on when seeing him)- had once shown him a photo on which Shuichi was caught dancing in said "outfit" through the living room after taking a long, cool shower.
When he reached the end of the staircase the kitchen door was already in sight and he could understand the words, coming in a duet by the singer himself and Shuichi's surprisingly nice voice from the other side of the door.
// umarekawari no anata yo hitori hohoemanaide hitomi o irodoru
nozonda sekai ga totsuzen hai ni natte mo kiseki wa mada megurikuru
todokanu hikari no yukue azayaka ni mau omoi o egakou
michibiku kotoba ga koborete shimawanu you ni utsuru toki o osorenaide//
It wasn't that bad, he admitted it. But it was definitely too loud! He went through the hallway and was only a few meters away from his goal, when he realized something was terribly wrong.
Very terribly wrong! You know, when you want to go into the kitchen, there shouldn't be that dangerous growling-sound, sure as hell NOT coming from your stomach!
Eiri turned his gaze slightly sideways only to come up porcelain-doll-like face to very-hairy-hideous face with a dark blue, wolf-like creature... correction: beastly monster that was standing in a very aggressive position, its eyes glowing life threatening.
The boy gulped down an awfully big dumpling in his throat as he felt the cold sweat on his forehead. He carefully considered his choices. He could turn around and ran for his life. – Bad choice. First: He hated giving up. Second: That monster would certainly chase after him and tear him apart as soon as it got him, which would be very soon.
He could call for help. – As bad as choice one (if not worse): More than running away, he hated calling for help. No way he'd ever do that. And then, if it would chase after him if he moved, it would surely jump him if he made any sound.
Consequently the poor boy had only one chance: Waiting patiently and stay mute and still as a stone, and hope for someone to pass soon and tame that fiend. That would be really difficult, though. Tidus was upstairs and pondering about a better tactic to defy his enemy number one Blitz Ball team – he was going to be in his own little world for at least hours (or until dinner, whatever came first); Shindou Jekkt was at work until noon, and Shuichi –that little secret lover of his- had the music so loud, Eiri would be surprised if he wasn't deaf afterwards.
So, he eventually became conscious of his tragically fate: He, Uesugi Eiri a.k.a. Yuki was going to die.
May Kami-sama be with him.
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TBC...
Finished!!! Wheee! Finally! Was about time, don't you think? I don't know, I'm really odd these times. When I want myself to writ on something, I simply can't and then I get some off-track crackpot idea and I can write and write and write @.@
Sadly, it's getting a bit difficult to write the AF chappies... Nya, damn those writer's blocks! They're worse than cliffhanger! (There is a difference between those two, isn't there?)
But the chapter is muuuuch longer than the last one! (three times actually!) And now I am cruel enough to leave it like that! He he. Sadistic me. Don't worry, though it's not the whole chapter 7. Let me write the rest and I load it up! (Warning: don't know when it will be out! Haven't even begun yet -.-Y)
[1] I didn't know how to describe it better... the sopranos, altos, and tenors have a part where they're singing "Ah...ah...ah…" (and so on[in different parts though]), but their notes change [deep E - high C – break - deep D, for example]
[2] I didn't have a nurse (Mika is a student; Noriko is NOT part at the school) so I used her, since she is rather known by you guys and Eiri doesn't need an editor (not yet XP)
[3] Well...I don't know if you can say that in English, but in Germany an 'Ill Chicken' is a name for an ill person. I think it is cute to say that, and since Shuichi IS cute, I made Tidus say it. Sorry if he's OOC, I have a little problem with the OC-ness of the FF-X charas! ^_^Y Gomen!
Review Responses:
I love you all, you know? Thanks very much for your support, it did help! My grandma's staying a few days and I finally finished the main part of damned ch. 7! Yeah!
Sho-ro Tenshi: Finally updated! Be proud of me, I surely am! (or not….)
Black Dios: Thanks for teaching me! Some of these things are just so confusing! *Lol* and *Lmao* (Whatever that means) and *rlof* (rolls laughing on floor?) or was it *rlotf*??? Ow! My head hurts! That's all too confusing for me!
Inori-Sakura: No, it wasn't old age. Cancer, actually. Shitty illness, I tell ya! Don't ever get it, 'k? Promise? Good! I already wail when I get the flu... Hate illnesses! Thanks again for your support and...Oh! Are you satisfied anyway? I made this chapter sooooo long! Just or you and Shuichi-plushie! See you next time I get my writer's block infected brain to come up with another chapter! ^_^
I'm sorry for taking so long every time, but I think I'll never learn that lesson… Anyway, me hopes you enjoy the story just a little… Feel free to drop a review! ^.^
Disclaimer: Gravitation does NOT belong to me, as doesn't FF X; They belong to Maki Murakami (I love you!) and uhm… Square Soft… Sony? Whoever owns it!
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Amor Fati
Chapter Seven: Caged in fever
„OK! Everybody get ready, we are going to practice the second "*Ah* spot"![1] At first the soprano and the alto!"
K. nodded towards Suguru, who was sitting at the piano. The teen took a quick breath and then started a nice melody on the keys. After a while the girls started to raise their voices and soon the room was filled with beautiful chant. They practiced a few moments when suddenly K. pointed towards where Shuichi was sitting.
"And now the tenors; join them!"
The five boys (inclusive Shuichi) began to sing along with the girls and were coming closer to the higher notes. They sang about two minutes, when Shuichi suddenly began to cough.
And not only he coughed simply, no, he almost fell from his chair coughing like he was being strangled.
Immediately the singing stopped. Suguru said there rather annoyed while the rest of the choir looked curiously at the pink haired.
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Hiro and K. both stood up and walked over to the now on the ground kneeling boy.
While the teacher pointed his gun to Shuichi and asked him *nicely* why he was coughing, Hiro preferred to rush to the boy's side. Worried about his friend he took his head into his hands, feeling his forehead.
As soon as he realized what was wrong with his friend he turned to throw an angry glare towards his teacher.
"Sensei! Put that gun away! Shuichi's ill! He's a high fever, he's almost glowing! We need to take him to the hospital room!"
Hearing the shout from his student, the 30-year-old moved towards the couple, going onto his knees so he had better access in checking the pink haired youth.
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"Lets see..." he stated and felt the boy's forehead, pushing away magenta strands of hair as he did so.
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When he felt a cool hand touch his skin, Shuichi's eyes snapped open in an instant. He looked up to meet the with slight worry filled eyes of his teacher. Not knowing what to do, he gasped, backing away from the hand.
"Oh, it's nothing! Everything is fine, don't worry! I guess I'll better go home because I don't think my voice lets me sing today-"
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However, the boy trailed off when he found himself wrapped in the arms of a certain scary blond haired man, who had his magnum already put back into its place. As he began to straggle in order to get himself free, poor Shuichi was given an everything-destroying-death-glare, and so he just gulped hard. While he was carried out of the room, a deep pink graced his face, making it the same color like his hair.
Finally finding some comfort in his unusual position, he leaned into the strong arms wrapped around him, being aware of a sly dizziness slowly making its way through his head.
Though he had to admit that being carried was a very nice way of moving, Shuichi was still unsure of what to do. Regularly he wasn't carried, so he didn't know the feeling of being carried. His father never had had a reason to do so, his brother hadn't in any case, and his mother -when she was still alive, that was- hadn't been strong enough to carry her grown son. She may have been able until he was five or six years old, but he didn't remember it anymore.
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"And you guys: Go on practicing until I'm back." K. stated when he and Shuichi finally made it through the door, and –to his satisfaction- not missing the displeased, not to say JEALOUS look on his pretty Suguru's face. Grinning inwardly, he took the by now slightly panting boy in his arms, wondering if his green haired sweetheart would be as light as he was. When he finally reached the hospital room he forced himself to push these really interesting thoughts away, and called out for Mizuki-san [2] the nurse.
Growling when the only response he got was from one of the Uesugi-boy's he lowered Shuichi onto the nearest bed, covering him with the thin blanked. He winked at the teen and turned to face him.
"Take care of him, will ya? I'm going to find that stupid woman!"
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With that he rushed out of the room, leaving his two students alone.
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When his teacher was out of the room, the boy slowly walked up towards the bed of the other. He leaned over in order to get better access in looking at the boy and watched with interest large violet eyes opening slightly, so as if their weight was a ton's ones.
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"Eiri-kun?"
A tense silence filled the room after the pink haired boy had asked him this "question". His voice hoarse from coughing and singing all the time he continued to speak.
"Eiri-kun... your hair... is black? Why?"
Tatsuha chuckled. So the boy mistook him for his brother. He couldn't blame him since they looked really like twins, he was the dark and 'Yuki' the light one.
He had a hard time when he considered whether he played a little trick on that cute boy or not, but seeing the pink haired's not so nice state, he decided not to fool him.
"I'm not 'Eiri-kun', I'm Uesugi Tatsuha. I'm Yuki's younger brother. Nice to meet you, ...?"
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The older boy gave the raven haired a tiny smile before he began coughing once again.
"My name is Shindou Shuichi, and I'm the younger brother of- *coughs* -the person Eiri-kun gives extra tuition."
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Now that was interesting. Tatsuha shifted on his chair and leaned a little farther to stare right into a pair of lavender eyes. Every time his stupid brother went to Shindou's house, complaining about the unfairness of all this and how he didn't want to go there, he got to see this boy? And he had not already ravished him?
His brother had to be very stupid to not to jump him at an instead. He, surely, had.
But then again his brother was nothing like him at all. Their personalities were totally differed.
When he would immediately do anything to make the boy like him, he doubted his brother did even notice him.
That was probably because he wasn't in men, or boys for that matter. But then again Uesugi Eiri wasn't into anyone. Tatsuha had never seen his dear brother fall for someone (maybe except himself). The blonde was still a cold hearted bastard after all.
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"Shuichi-kun, right? I can call you Shuichi-kun, ne?"
The pink haired gave him a small nod, making the younger boy smile. Gently the black haired touched his forehead.
"You have a fever. What the hell have you done to get such a high temperature? Did you go swimming in the freezing water and then slept in your wet clothes under a tree all night, or what?!"
Tatsuha frowned when he heard a small giggle come from the other boy. Trying to look firm he watched Shuichi seriously and made a concerned face when his laughing caused him another bad cough.
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"You shouldn't move so much, see what I mean? I hope K.-sensei returns quickly, you don't make the impress to me that you're able to stand all this any longer. I think it's the best if you would just lay back and relax... try to get some sleep. You look totally exhausted."
Shuichi let the other boy press him down to the mattress, covering him with the sheets. He didn't care about his cough, nor did he care about his fever.
He just wanted Tidus to be here right now, or his father. He wanted someone to embrace him, hold him. He was scared.
He was scared and didn't even know what of. He just had a bad feeling in the pit of his stomach, as if he knew there was something about to come; something that wasn't good at all.
When he opened his mouth, wanting to tell Tatsuha to go and get his brother, everything went black for Shuichi.
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"Uesugi? I got her. How's the boy?"
Tatsuha looked up, finding K. and Mizuki rush into the room. He shortly glanced back to the pink haired and then turned to face the two adults.
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"He passed out, I think."
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~*~*~*O*~*~*~
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"Shindou, Tidus?"
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Tidus looked up from his English-Test-paper curiously. What had he done now? He hoped it wasn't about the window he had broken accidentally when he had trained for his next big game against the team of the neighbored school.
His teacher looked rather nervous at the gun pointed towards him. Seemed he hadn't got to know Crawd K. Winchester that much.
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"Shindou-kun, if you're in here, put your hands in the air and follow me! Don't delay!"
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/What is so important, it can't wait a second?/, he thought. By now he was almost sure it couldn't be the window, otherwise K. wouldn't call him out of class while he wrote an important Test paper.
He stood quickly and walked over towards his blond teacher. "What happened-"
"Come!" came the order as his wrist was grabbed and he was dragged through the hallways. Tidus frowned when he realized they were heading towards the hospital-station.
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Before he could make any more questions they reached their destiny. The door was hastily pushed open and the two entered. Blue eyes widened at the sight before him. Mizuki, the nurse, sat on the bed and administered some kind of medicine to a person laying on the bed, a dark haired boy standing beside them, carrying a worried express.
He swallowed. The person on the bed was his brother. His face was bright red and sweaty, his breathing came in pants. It looked like he was unconscious.
He was about to rush to his side, when Mizuki suddenly turned, an unreadable express gracing her face. She seemed delighted about Tidus' presence. She put her stethoscope down and wiped her forehead.
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"So you found him, K.-san? Shindou-kun," she turned to Tidus, "Your brother has a bad fever and he is permanently coughing. When he couldn't bear it any more, he passed out. But don't worry, it's nothing life-threatening," she laughed quietly, "He's been put a jinx on, a small curse. Maybe he touched some magic plants, they often cause illnesses.
If you bring him to a healer or a magician he'll be OK by tomorrow."
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Tidus sighed. He could bring him to Mr. Braska, Yuna's father, or even to Yuna herself, but that wouldn't work. For some unknown reason his little brother didn't like magical powers. More likely, he was terrified of them. He must have made a bad experience with magic, since he never had himself healed with it. He didn't even accept potions and his father worried himself to death when the boy was ill.
He sat down on the bed beside him and reached up, testing the boy's fever. When he looked questioningly at Mizuki, the woman hurried to give him a reply.
"It's about 40° C. Pretty high, if you ask me. You should take him to a healer as soon as you can, otherwise it will be rather uncomfortable for him."
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The only response he gave her was a registering "Hm". She exhaled noisily when the boy took his brother into his arms and carried him across the room. K. followed him, offering to drive the two of them home, when she suddenly stopped them.
"Stop! You *will* take him to a healer, won't you?!"
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Tidus looked at her with an express you could call a poker face. "That's none of your business. Thanks for your help, Mizuki-san."
She made a sound of protest, but froze when she found herself starring into the barrel of K.'s magnum.
"I take care of the two. Don't worry!" he said, wearing one of his sweetest smiles.
Who was Mizuki to deny such a *nice* proposition? She didn't want her head to be blow off. No, not really. So she raised her well manicured hands in a soothing manner and smiled pitifully, scared as hell.
Pleased with her reaction, K. nodded and guided the two brother through the school building, to his car.
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A pair of amethyst eyes slowly opened, heavy lids moving upwards. Shuichi tried to make out where he was, but failed miserably. He could hear some strange sounds in the back of his head and guessed that ought to be voices. Whom they belonged to he couldn't tell, though. They were just there.
He remembered some strange kind of dream, there had been heat. He had seen flames, wandered through fire. Strange dream.
A slight tingle could been felt on his head and he turned, curious where it came from. He looked up and blinked, until he was finally able to see his brother's face, smiling down at him.
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"Tidu-"
"Sh... It's OK. Go back to sleep. I'm taking you home."
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The sound of a yawn filled the car, and the eyes closed again. Slowly the pink haired boy lost himself in the thick darkness that hung in his dreams. He thought he felt a gentle breeze around his nose as he little by little slipped into his own world.
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It was his world, were his dreams he went into. A land created by his own hopes and fears.
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Wasn't it?
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~*~*~*O*~*~*~
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Everything is black. It's dark and cold. What? Where the hell am I? Why is it so dark? I can't even see my own hands! I am supposed to lie in my bed and sleep! I'm ill! Wait. I am ill. I have a fever. Ah... now I'm getting it:
I'm dreaming!
Ha, I'm such a smart boy, aren't I? Of course I am, nobody dares to disagree with me. Then again, there is nobody to disagree with me. I am all alone in my dream. Shit! I hate being alone! It's my dream, so would please anybody be so kind and show up?
I don't wanna dream that I'm alone!
I really have bad luck. When I dream, I dream that I'm alone; in the dark. It really sucks! Why can't I dream about Eiri-kun, or Hiro, or Tidus? I would even like better to dream about K.-sensei! As long as I'm not alone, it doesn't matter about whom I dream.
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"Shuichi!"
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Uh-oh... did I hear my name being called out? I turn my head right, turn it left. There is nobody. Only me and the dark.
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"Shuichi!"
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Fuck! There it is again! I don't know that voice. It sounds totally new for me! A deep, male voice with a slight pansy undertone is calling my name.
Creepy.
But who am I to call someone "pansy"? Hehe, look who's speaking! Hey, at least I'm not acting any weird and girlish!
OK, I'm sorry, cut that out. I am acting weird and girlish. And I thought you know what I mean...
However, I am not acting like a little clumsy, gay fag, now am I? I hope I'm not.
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"Shui~chi!"
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"Oh, shut up, you creepy gay voice; I'm trying to think here! I don't wanna a bloody voice scaring the shit outta me; it's really annoying!"
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"You're calling *me* annoying?!"
Uh-oh. Shit. I think this isn't a dream; this is more likely a nightmare. I can hear footsteps coming closer to me. Heh, damn me and my big mouth!
A shadow of a figure is appearing in front of my eyes now, and I wish I would just wake up. It's a man, but I can't see his face. What I can make out, is that he's long hair and a very strange hairstyle.
That or he has got horns on top of his head. When he's close enough to touch me I begin to panic.
I want to wake up! Right now!
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"That is really impolite, little Shuichi."
I don't even know how the hell he knows my name, but I don't care at this very moment. He's touching my left cheek and slowly leans into me. I can feel his hot breath upon my face. I want to wake up! Now! Please, if there is any god; make me wake up!
"Please... wanna wake up..."
I guess some of my thoughts are spoken out loudly, but I don't care. I just want to wake up!
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"But this isn't a dream, my sweet little Shuichi. This is real."
I can almost see that bastard smile! Damn him!
A cold feeling runs up my spine and I begin to shudder. Am I so frightened that I can't even move?! How pathetic!
Suddenly my eyes widen and everything is freezing around me. Am I really feeling a raw tongue licking at my lips?!
Totally shocked I open my mouth to gasp;
Big mistake!
Now that bloody tongue is daring to push forwards, right into my mouth!
Aaawww! Stupid me! Stupid, stupid, stupid me!! I should've expected this! After all I had made great experiences with Eiri-kun!
*If you don't want to be kissed then don't open your mouth; no matter why!*
That had been my first lesson. (Though it never happens that I don't want to be kissed by Eiri.)
And now? Now I am stuck in the dark with some crazy psycho that knows my name, being forcefully kissed by said monster, and not able to wake up!
And on top of that he *is* telling me that this is real!
Wake up Shuichi! Wake up, damn it!
I can hear his wicked laughter when he finally pulls back from me. Suddenly I feel hot. Inside and outside of me everything is burning. It hurts. Sweat is running down my face, little droplets tickling me on their way down.
I begin to feel dizzy. When I fall to my knees everything is spinning around, like a merry-go-round and I feel as if I'm on fire, hot flames slowly eating me up, burning through my skin.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
"Ow..."
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A pair of large, amethyst eyes opened slowly, their sight was in a blur. It seemed the boy had problems to focus them, but when he finally succeeded he came face to face with his brother Tidus, leaning over him and having a worried look onto his features.
After a while of staring at the blonde, Shuichi found his voice back.
"Tidus...?" he asked quietly, almost afraid that his brother was only an illusion, vanishing when he touched it and leaving him alone in the dark.
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"Shuichi! You're awake!"
For Tidus it came too suddenly that his younger brother threw his arms around his neck, pressed against him and let out a loud, almost pained cry.
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"TIDUS!!!"
Shuichi clenched his eyes shut, not wanting to let his tears show, embracing his brother with all his strength, his knuckles nearly going white. Shaky hands were placed on Tidus' back and finally the pink haired managed to stutter something.
"He was there... He's here... Please, make him go away!"
The older boy knitted his eyebrows. He hadn't the even slightest clue what his brother was speaking about. Trying to make his thoughts out, he slowly pulled away a bit.
"What do you mean? Who is 'He'?" he asked confused, brushing a few strands of Shuichi's hair away. Something was definitively not right. When he touched his brother he could feel him visibly tense. What happened to him? It never happened that Shuichi would act this strange when his brother touched him.
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"I don't know! Just 'He'! Please, make him go away!"
The young Blitz Ball player sighed and patted the youth's back to calm him down. Closing his eyes as well he wondered what Shuichi had dreamed to get so upset over it. It must have been a nightmare, since he is so agitated refer to it.
"Ssshhh... It was just a dream...it's all over now..."
Shuichi raised his head, his cheeks wet from scared tears. When he found his brother smile down at him, he smiled back; despite to the fact that is was more a pathetic excuse for a smile. At his hair being ruffled by his brother, Shuichi began to feel more comfortable with the whole situation, and a small giggle escaped his lips.
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"Care for a tea, my poor little ill chicken [3]?"
Giving him a small nod, Shuichi relaxed back into the pillows when his brother stood, the fear from earlier nearly gone. Tidus walked to the door, saying that he would be back in about 10 minutes, when he suddenly turned in order to say something.
"Try not to fall asleep 'til I'm back and; don't fight with Yuki-kun!" he said, before exiting the room.
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A little confused by his brother's acting the ill boy turned his head in the other direction of the room, attempting to make out what was meant with the last words. He almost jumped out of bed when he noticed a very handsome face watching him, as always decorated with bored express.
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The owner of said face raised a light eyebrow when the pink haired boy shrieked out, crying his name.
"Eiri-kun!!! What-what are you... What are you doing here?!"
Frowning, the elder began to wonder if the boy hadn't hit his head, he should know why he was here, and not question him!
"I'm helping your brother with school, if you forgot." He replied dryly, not any kind of emotion showing in his face.
That answer confused the younger a little bit, and he tilted his head to the side raising one eyebrow while frowning with the other, what looked so indescribable cute, it would make your teeth ache.
"I know that! I mean: what are you doing here? This is my room, if you haven't noticed."
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Looking as if he was ready to hit his head against the next best wall, Eiri let out a moan of annoyance, slapping his forehead. He ignored the confused looking youth completely for the next few moments.
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"You are such a baka! You want to know why I'm here? You are ill – Someone has to take care of you – that someone happens to be your brother – whom I have to give extra tuition – so he watches over you while I help him to prepare for the next English Test Paper – Ring any bells?"
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"Uh... Ooohhh! Now that sounds credible! It seems to make sense." The youth replied, coughing.
"'Credible'? Do you think I would lie to you?"
Eiri frowned, his features showing some kind of upset. For he didn't trust many people, he took it still as an insult when people didn't trust him. Shifting slightly in his chair he gave the pink haired boy another annoyed look.
The seventeen-year-old had one principle: Never let the others know if they hurt you.
Because if one knew how he could hurt you, he will surely do it again. And that was not a thing Eiri was going to let happen to him.
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Meanwhile, a certain pink haired sat on his bed rather nervous for he didn't know what to say. He couldn't stand the tense silence between him and the elder much longer; he wanted it desperately to end. Not being the type of quiet and unmoving he began to move, unaware of his cheeks getting a crimson red too fast when his fever seemed to increase. He only noticed himself growing warmer with each second and when he finally couldn't bear the heat anymore he began to slide forwards, pulling the covers back as far as he could. He almost kicked them out of the bed when he felt a pale hand on his ankle, preventing him from doing so.
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"What do you think you're doing?" Eiri asked as nice as he would ask the same question when he would catch the boy steeling his briefcase.
He slightly narrowed his eyes. It was not good for an ill person to sit around only with thin pajamas on.
"It's hot! I'm sweating like an old sports-shirt if you haven't noticed! Do you think it even feels the slightest of a little bit good? Well then, Mr. I-know-it-all-better, I'm afraid that I must correct you, it-"
Shuichi lost his already too little patience at the blonde's question, nearly shouting the answer back into that handsome face of his, when he suddenly cut himself of. He quickly sat back and leaned into the mattress, pressing his right hand against his forehead.
It took him a few seconds until he laid back down, a small groan passing his lips.
"Oww... Guess that was too much..."
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Eiri sighed and closed his eyes in defeat. He wondered how one boy could be such an idiot. But then again Shuichi was an idiot most of the time, so it wasn't surprising when he did as well when he was ill.
Though he didn't like showing any affection towards others he found himself pulling the covers back up over the kid. The corners of his mouth twitched into a little smirk when he noticed the confused look on Shuichi's face.
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"You know what you are? You are a complete baka, baka. You mustn't jump around and yell all the time when you're ill. You should quietly lie in your bed and behave."
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Shuichi's violet eyes went so impossible wide it seemed they're beating two CDs in size and he sat up again, this time more careful, supporting his weight on his elbows.
"Eiri-kun, you're worried about me!" he declared happily. "I knew you loved me!!!"
He smiled when he got a stone-like frown, knowing about how embarrassed he had to be. Sometimes Eiri could be really cute, though Shuichi didn't gave about to tell him. He knew when something was bad for his health.
Was that a small blush on the elder's face?
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"And what are you dreaming at night? There's no way I could ever love an annoying brat like you!"
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That got him. Sighing sadly, Shuichi lay back into his pillows. His eyes began to burn anyway, so he thought it would be the best if he just closed them. When he opened his mouth one more time to say something a loud yawn prevented him from doing so.
"Sorry..." he said once he was able to speak again.
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Eiri looked down at him. The kid was curled up into a little ball, laying on his left side and apparently trying to get back to sleep. He was hugging a little plush-bunny and it seemed he wasn't really comfortable in this situation.
The 17-year-old took a deep breath before he made the probably stupidest decision for that day.
He leaned over the sick kid and brushed a few pink strands out of his fever-flushed face.
"Hey; what's the matter? Is it necessary that I call you am ambulance, or what!?"
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Slowly, violet eyes opened, and Shuichi looked up at him, only to let his gaze drop down to the blanked.
The blonde wondered slightly if he looked too concerned, but dismissed the thought as soon as he heard a shy voice.
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"Nothing; I..." Shuichi gulped visibly, "I'm just... I'm scared."
Eiri stopped in his tracks and stared at the other in rather bewilderment. Light eyebrows came down to a pair of golden eyes, creating a perfect frown.
"What? Scared? And about what?"
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For now, a small sob was the only response he got, so Eiri took a seat on the bed, just beside Shuichi. He studied him with slight confusion and wondered what could possibly scare him in his own room. There was the memory of the pink haired waking up and talking about some 'He' and about making 'Him' go away.
He assumed it must have been a dream, so he didn't thought about it further.
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"I don't know. I'm just... I'm just scared, OK?"
He rolled his eyes, not really annoyed, but he didn't know what else to do. An insensitive comment was about to pass his lips, but he was stopped as he felt a warm hand slightly grasping his own.
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"Would you mind... can you... uhm... Hold me, please? Just this once?"
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Wide, watery eyes looked up at him pleadingly and Eiri found himself out of words. Never in his entire life had he taken someone into his arms, nor had anyone wanted him to embrace them. His throat suddenly went very dry and he tried to say something.
Anything.
But he couldn't. He hadn't the slightest clue what he should do.
Should he hold the boy? He really seemed to need someone right now, but still...
He would loose his cool, uncaring appearance if he did.
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Before Eiri could decide whether he would be nice or not, he was interrupted by the sound of footsteps that came from the corridor.
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In less then five seconds the door was pushed open and Tidus entered, carrying a tray with a mug and other stuff.
He smiled at an in bed lying Shuichi, and a firmly on a chair across the room sitting Eiri. So the two hadn't tried to strangle each other as he had feared.
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The Blitz Ball player made his way through the room and when he past the desk he put down the tray. Another smile appeared on his lips as he turned to Eiri and thanked him for keeping an eye on his brother. The blonde shrugged, mumbling something about not bothering to and how it wasn't as bad as trying to help him with algebra.
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"And? How about a little tea?"
Shuichi looked at his brother sitting beside him on the bed and holding out his orange "Hello-Kitty" mug. He smiled and sad up.
"Thank you, Tidus!"
In his joy at having finally something warm for his stomach the youth took a deep sip and...
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"*cough* HOT!!! *cough-cough*"
...burned himself in the progress.
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When Tidus immediately jumped to get cold water and something to clean up with, Eiri could only roll his eyes.
"How can one person be so stupid?" he questioned the boy before him. His eyes pierced into violet ones and he was surprised when they didn't hold any tears, but looked at him with annoyance.
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"Thank you very, very much! I exactly needed *that* at this very moment!"
It was then, when Tidus chose to return, and Shuichi sighed in relief.
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~*~*~*O*~*~*~
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"I love you."
"Really?"
"No."
"Oh."
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Mika sat back in her chair and watched her boyfriend. Laughing. His cheeks were a slight shade of red and he kept his gaze locked on his plate. Pizza had to be the most exciting thing in the world for him, since he stared at it amazed, she would say.
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"Hey! That was just a joke Hiro-kun! You know, I really like you a lot."
The long haired boy looked up from his dinner, a smirk decorating his masculine features.
"I know." He stated simply. "I just wanted you to say it."
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The girl's face fell. That, she really hadn't expected. He had tricked her! Men could really be stupid at times!
"You idiot! Now I won't say anything alike again! Never! How mean must one be to trick an innocent-"
"Mika."
"-naive girl?! That was so ruthless of you!"
"Mika."
"Don't you have any respect of women?"
"Mika!"
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The girl looked at Hiro surprised. What reason could he possibly have to interrupt he 'speech'? She hoped for his sake it was a good reason, otherwise she would leave him alone with the bill and go back home. Mika could be really get peeved about being fooled.
Hiro leaned over the table and gave his girlfriend a small kiss.
"I like you, too. Really, a lot."
She grinned at him. "That's good for you."
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After a short, but peaceful silence they finished their dinner. Hiro called a waiter and paid, then went to get their robes. A smile slipped on his lips when he and his girlfriend finally exited the restaurant. A fresh breeze blew around their noses and they started to walk off into the night.
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Once the first few steps were done, Mika stopped.
"Hiroo~" She wailed. "It's cold!"
Hm! What was he supposed to do know? He had something in his mind, but... Was that really what she wanted? Well, he feared he had to find out.
Carefully the tall boy wrapped an arm around her shoulders, warming them instantly. It felt really nice. Mika felt comforting warmth spread in her belly and she felt like thousands of little butterflies were dancing in it. Really nice.
With a happy smile she leaned onto his shoulder.
"You walk me home?" A small puppy-like gaze in her eyes and she knew Hiro couldn't resist.
"Anytime." He stated simply.
Mika smiled dreamily. That boy was too kind for his own good. She really had to admit that. But then again, wasn't that something she liked about him?
Yes, she thought. She liked that kindness.
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"Thank you."
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~*~*~*O*~*~*~
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Suguru sighed as he let himself slip down into the warm water. Bathing in winter was really one of the best things in life! The past day had been very stressful. He had had to write a test in almost every period! Some days only sucked. And then, choir practice was a disaster, too. The got interrupted by no one else than that stupid, big-mouthed and annoying pink haired idiot! He had had to stop the song they were practicing for two months now and they still didn't get any further!
Damn that kid. He and his stupid cough.
K.-san even had carried him out and to the hospital station! He had CARRIED him!!! HIM!!!
The green haired boy stopped in his very tracks. Ha hadn't thought just that, now, had he? He wasn't being jealous of K.-sensei, was he?
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"OH, NOOO!!!"
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Splashing sounds could be heard as the youth dumped himself into the hot water. He had to clean his mind and not think such... incredible stupid... thoughts!
After some pondering he left the bathroom, but not without cleaning up. When the boy hated something, it was disorder. He had a little habit of keeping everything nice and clean around him.
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With only a soft white towel around his slim hips the boy made it into the living room, and noticed in slight surprise the television being on. He wondered why it was on when he half an hour ago had made sure it was off? Was his cousin responsible for that? The green haired shook his head to no one in particular. Ever since he had been living with him, the blonde had never left something undone. When he wasn't in the living room, there was no TV on. Not even the radio.
People might thing it was hypocritical and abnormal, but it was something he liked about the man very much.
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Then again, Suguru liked everything about that man. He looked up at his older cousin in great awe. No wonder: His cousin was no one else than Seguchi Tohma.
When he had been twelve, his parents had left him in the care of his older cousin, so they could work in a different country. At first he had been sad about it and cried every night, but he had realized his cousin was very gentle and loving, he soon had accepted his fate. Life could be worse!
He could be stuck in a little flat with K.! Oh no, here he was again, thinking about his teacher in ways he didn't want to. Was he cursed or something? He had to distract himself!
The youth was about to plop on the couch and simply watch the TV for a little time, when a sudden movement behind him caught his eye. He felt a pair of eyes literally burning into his young, exposed skin. And strange as it was, that gaze felt damn familiar. Too damn familiar!
He had felt it before, but when? Suguru dug in the very secret parts of his mind when he tried to find out who those eyes could belong to.
No, it couldn't be!
Slowly, carefully to not get a heart attack at the sigh waiting for him, he turned around with great hope to not to see what he feared he'd see.
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"Su-chan! What a nice surprise seeing you here! I didn't thought to get to meet you when I showed up!" The blond man greeted him with a toothy smile.
"SENSEI!!! What the hell are *you* doing here?!"
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~*~*~*O*~*~*~
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"Yuki-kun?"
The blond boy took a glance up from his algebra book and his eyes locked with Tidus'. He questioningly arched one light eyebrow.
"Could it be that it is your stomach, growling for about fifteen minutes?"
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A sudden, though very light, blush appeared on Eiri's face. How embarrassing! He had been caught at giving way into his human urges! A whole world shattered for the soon-to-be-18-year-old, what –of course, what did anyone expect?- couldn't be seen on the outside of his genius brain. He gave his companion a cool, causal smile before he came up with an answer.
"I think so. Maybe I should eat something then?" he said, absently running a hand through his blond hair.
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It was then, Tidus made a to Eiri implausible suggestion.
"Maybe I can fetch you something?" he dared to ask, as if Eiri was a child who couldn't even hold a knife in the right way! A sting of hurt pride materialized in his head and so he did what he always would do: He made a big deal of showing how rebellious he could be and stubbornly refused.
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"No, thanks very much, Shindou-kun but I think I am capable enough of making a few sandwiches of my own. You don't mind, do you?" the last part was added quickly after he got the realization that his words were a bit too rude even for his circumstances.
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When Tidus only shrugged, Eiri said his "goodbyes" and made his way downwards the stairs with only one final destination: THE KITCHEN!
At the moment he entered the first step he could already hear quite loud music coming from inside said room. Brilliant agent Eiri's conclusion: The pink haired brat had to be healthy again, if he could jump around and stand hearing that noisy (and shitty!) stuff.
The right corner of his thin lined mouth rose up into a very tiny smile when he imagined how that sweet, little copy of a boy dancing singing through the kitchen, only in his strawberry-printed boxers and probably that *sexy* white-pink striped socks of his.
Tidus –in his naive illusion of Eiri barely knowing Shuichi (and NOT getting turned on when seeing him)- had once shown him a photo on which Shuichi was caught dancing in said "outfit" through the living room after taking a long, cool shower.
When he reached the end of the staircase the kitchen door was already in sight and he could understand the words, coming in a duet by the singer himself and Shuichi's surprisingly nice voice from the other side of the door.
// umarekawari no anata yo hitori hohoemanaide hitomi o irodoru
nozonda sekai ga totsuzen hai ni natte mo kiseki wa mada megurikuru
todokanu hikari no yukue azayaka ni mau omoi o egakou
michibiku kotoba ga koborete shimawanu you ni utsuru toki o osorenaide//
It wasn't that bad, he admitted it. But it was definitely too loud! He went through the hallway and was only a few meters away from his goal, when he realized something was terribly wrong.
Very terribly wrong! You know, when you want to go into the kitchen, there shouldn't be that dangerous growling-sound, sure as hell NOT coming from your stomach!
Eiri turned his gaze slightly sideways only to come up porcelain-doll-like face to very-hairy-hideous face with a dark blue, wolf-like creature... correction: beastly monster that was standing in a very aggressive position, its eyes glowing life threatening.
The boy gulped down an awfully big dumpling in his throat as he felt the cold sweat on his forehead. He carefully considered his choices. He could turn around and ran for his life. – Bad choice. First: He hated giving up. Second: That monster would certainly chase after him and tear him apart as soon as it got him, which would be very soon.
He could call for help. – As bad as choice one (if not worse): More than running away, he hated calling for help. No way he'd ever do that. And then, if it would chase after him if he moved, it would surely jump him if he made any sound.
Consequently the poor boy had only one chance: Waiting patiently and stay mute and still as a stone, and hope for someone to pass soon and tame that fiend. That would be really difficult, though. Tidus was upstairs and pondering about a better tactic to defy his enemy number one Blitz Ball team – he was going to be in his own little world for at least hours (or until dinner, whatever came first); Shindou Jekkt was at work until noon, and Shuichi –that little secret lover of his- had the music so loud, Eiri would be surprised if he wasn't deaf afterwards.
So, he eventually became conscious of his tragically fate: He, Uesugi Eiri a.k.a. Yuki was going to die.
May Kami-sama be with him.
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TBC...
Finished!!! Wheee! Finally! Was about time, don't you think? I don't know, I'm really odd these times. When I want myself to writ on something, I simply can't and then I get some off-track crackpot idea and I can write and write and write @.@
Sadly, it's getting a bit difficult to write the AF chappies... Nya, damn those writer's blocks! They're worse than cliffhanger! (There is a difference between those two, isn't there?)
But the chapter is muuuuch longer than the last one! (three times actually!) And now I am cruel enough to leave it like that! He he. Sadistic me. Don't worry, though it's not the whole chapter 7. Let me write the rest and I load it up! (Warning: don't know when it will be out! Haven't even begun yet -.-Y)
[1] I didn't know how to describe it better... the sopranos, altos, and tenors have a part where they're singing "Ah...ah...ah…" (and so on[in different parts though]), but their notes change [deep E - high C – break - deep D, for example]
[2] I didn't have a nurse (Mika is a student; Noriko is NOT part at the school) so I used her, since she is rather known by you guys and Eiri doesn't need an editor (not yet XP)
[3] Well...I don't know if you can say that in English, but in Germany an 'Ill Chicken' is a name for an ill person. I think it is cute to say that, and since Shuichi IS cute, I made Tidus say it. Sorry if he's OOC, I have a little problem with the OC-ness of the FF-X charas! ^_^Y Gomen!
Review Responses:
I love you all, you know? Thanks very much for your support, it did help! My grandma's staying a few days and I finally finished the main part of damned ch. 7! Yeah!
Sho-ro Tenshi: Finally updated! Be proud of me, I surely am! (or not….)
Black Dios: Thanks for teaching me! Some of these things are just so confusing! *Lol* and *Lmao* (Whatever that means) and *rlof* (rolls laughing on floor?) or was it *rlotf*??? Ow! My head hurts! That's all too confusing for me!
Inori-Sakura: No, it wasn't old age. Cancer, actually. Shitty illness, I tell ya! Don't ever get it, 'k? Promise? Good! I already wail when I get the flu... Hate illnesses! Thanks again for your support and...Oh! Are you satisfied anyway? I made this chapter sooooo long! Just or you and Shuichi-plushie! See you next time I get my writer's block infected brain to come up with another chapter! ^_^