A.N. I wanted to thank everyone for their great reviews of my initial chapter. I always get so motivated with positive feedback! I hope you continue to enjoy this story.

Eyelashes fluttered silently, slowly opening to reveal tired amethyst eyes. The first light of dawn filtered in through the unadorned window, casting a silver glow throughout the room. No sounds could be heard from outside, a quiet indication of another sleepy Saturday morning.

Groaning, Shuichi stretched his arms high above his head, stretching his worn muscles. Throwing the warm covers aside, he cursed his internal clock and proceeded towards his small bathroom. A year ago, Saturdays signaled a day of rest and relaxation. Now, however, it was simply another day of monotonous work in order to gain a meager salary.

Turning on the hot shower water, he stripped from his tank top and sweat pants, throwing them carelessly in the corner. Stepping into the warm water, he allowed his mind to clear away the senseless dreams brought during the night. His body still felt worn out from falling asleep in the park, but he knew that he could not take the day off. He needed the money and he did not want to borrow from his friend...again.

Rinsing the strawberry-scented shampoo from his hair, he turned the water off and stepped out of the shower. Toweling himself dry, he walked back into his bedroom. Glancing at the clock, he realized that he was running late. He quickly dressed in a pair of black slacks and a white button-down shirt, which was his designated uniform. He slipped into his black work-shoes and grabbed his leather jacket. Making an extra trip around his apartment, he gathered up his keys, cellphone and wallet before running out the front door, locking it behind him.

XXX

Shuichi stopped just outside the glass door, panting in a desperate attempt to catch his breath. He looked at his watch and was instantly proud that he was on time for work. Pushing through the front door, he quickly caught sight of his boss, Yukata, standing behind the counter. The tall, dark-haired woman glanced at the clock above the cappuccino machine and gave him a smile. "On time for once, Shindo-kun?"

The smile did not leave his face as he rounded the corner of the counter. Although she often mocked his appearance and his punctuality - or lack of - he knew it was all in good humor. Yukata was an incredibly good-natured woman who also happened to be a big fan of his band. Although she often poked fun at him, he was grateful for the job she gave him. When he had first started at the coffee shop, he was just out of high school an inexperienced as a waiter. She must have seen the desperation in his eyes, and hired him that very day.

He grinned sheepishly as he retrieved his white apron from underneath the counter and wrapped it around his waist. "Yeah, I even amazed myself this time," he joked.

Yukata laughed and patted him playfully on the back. "Whatever kid. Why don't you go see table five right now."

Shuichi nodded and pulled out the small pad from the pocket of his apron. Walking over to the designated table, he did not pay attention to the tinkling of bells, signaling a new customer. As he turned away from his customers after scribbling down their order, he felt a pair of hands settle on his hips. Spinning around, he backed away from the offender.

Seeing who stood before him, he glared heatedly. "Keep your hands to yourself, Aizawa."

"Aww, Shindo-kun, I thought that you liked guys," Aizawa Taki cooed, a mocking glint in his dark brown eyes.

Shuichi took another step back and crossed his arms over his chest, not dignifying the comment with a response. Taki's two friends, a tall man with long blonde hair and a shorter brunette, stood on either side of him. The brunette, Ken, snickered while the blonde tugged on Taki's arm. "Come on, man. Just leave the kid alone."

Taki swatted the hand away. "It's okay, Ma-kun. The little fairy's just jealous, that's all. He's bitter because he's nothing more than a talentless hack." Smirking at the shorter boy, he continued. "We can't help it if we have enough talent to be scouted, unlike you." Shuichi didn't respond, and Taki approached him. Lifting his hand, he ran his fingertips over the smooth skin of Shuichi's cheek. Leaning in, Taki whispered in his ear. "Of course, I can be...persuaded to recommending you to Seguchi-san." He traced his fingers along Shuichi's jaw and down his slender neck. "I'm sure we could come up with an arrangement."

Shuichi growled and slapped the hand away, taking another step back. "Fuck off. I don't need your help. I will always be better than you."

Taki's smirk turned into a scowl. He took a step forward, only to be stopped by Ma-kun. Sharing a quick glance with his friend, he agreed that he didn't want to start trouble here. Locking eyes with Shuichi, he snarled. "You're going to regret that, bitch." With a determined tug, Ma-kun finally pulled his friend away and the three walked out of the door.

Shuichi let out a sigh of relief and slumped into the closest chair. Laying his head on the table, he willed his body to relax. Something about that guy always seemed to send chills down his spine. After a few moments, he finally collected himself and adjusted his head so that his chin was propped on the hard surface. He stared out the window, contemplating Taki's words. I have talent, I know it.

"Shindo! Quit slacking off and get back to work!"

XXX

The rest of the day was thankfully uneventful and Shuichi managed to get off just as it was starting to get dark outside. Although the long work-days took their toll, he needed the extra hours to make enough money to pay his living expenses. Remembering that he had no food at home, he made a quick trip to the grocery store before heading home.

Quickly putting the food away, he ran into the bathroom. After taking a relaxing, hot shower, he tried to put together his outfit. After almost an hour, he was finally dressed and ready. After giving himself the once-over in his mirror, he heard the sound of his doorbell. Glancing at the clock, he saw that it was almost nine o'clock and time for Hiro to pick him up. Deciding to wait outside, he grabbed his leather jacket and headed out the door.

The night was chilly, but not cold. Shuichi leaned back against the rough brick wall of his building. Taking a deep breath and relaxing, he let his mind wander. Flashes of Aizawa Taki floated in his mind, and he couldn't suppress the growl vibrating in his throat. Shuichi was not one to dislike people, but he absolutely loathed that man. He was cocky, self-centered and had a knack for getting under the boy's skin. His thinly-veiled advances never failed to unnerve him. Also, in the back of his mind, he was jealous of the man. He had one thing that Shuichi wished for - a contract. He and his friends were signed to the most prestigious record label in Japan, even though Shuichi believed that Taki's ability could not even compare to his own. He scoffed at himself. Now who'd the cocky one?

The deep, reverberating sound of an engine brought him out of his reverie. Looking up, he saw a familiar black motorcycle making its way towards him. Pushing away from the wall, he waited by the curb. Pulling up beside the smaller boy, Hiro momentarily removed his helmet and offered his friend a smile. "Ready to go, Shu?" Shuichi smiled and nodded before accepting the spare helmet Hiro handed him.

XXX

Shuichi slumped gracelessly into the booth across from Hiro. "Man, I'm beat."

Hiro smiled at his friend and took a sip of his coke before pushing a drink towards his friend. "Come on buddy, I'm the designated driver, so it's your responsibility drink for the both of us."

Shuichi, already having had three drinks and considering his low-tolerance for alcohol, lifted his head and stared dumbly at the glass in front of him. After a moment's thought, he grabbed the glass and gulped the contents. Setting the empty glass down, he laid his head on the table and groaned. Hiro laughed and reached over to ruffle his pink, sweat-soaked mop. "It's after midnight and you're already drunk. I think you've danced yourself out. We should head home."

Shuichi lifted his head and nodded. "I'm gonna stop in the restroom first. Meet you out front?"

"Yeah, hurry up though." Hiro stood and walked towards the exit.

Shuichi stood on shaky legs and began making his way towards the back of the club, past the bar. Even though the club was huge, it was extremely crowded tonight. Usually he didn't mind being around a lot of people, but it was another matter altogether when he was drinking. The pounding music and gyrating bodies only served to disorient him.

It took several moments to find the restrooms but they were, thankfully, empty. When he was done, he walked towards the sink and washed his hands. He turned around to walk out...

"How many times do I have to say it to get it through your thick skull?! I am not going!" Eiri's fist pounded sharply on the granite counter-top. He glared daggers at the man in front of him, who looked like a younger, darker version of himself. "Go find someone else, Tatsuha."

Tatsuha crossed his arms over his chest and pouted. "Awww, come on, Eiri. You never go out with me anymore."

"Why would I want to be seen in public with an idiot like you," he snarled.

The pouting continued. "Aniki, it's not like we have to hang out once we get there, I just don't want to go alone." His eyes pleaded with his older brother. Suddenly, his face broke with a knowing smile. "Anyway, your complection looks off. If nothing else, you can pick up some hot blonde to feed off of tonight."

Damn him, Eiri thought. His brother seemed to know him all too well. He couldn't deny the fact that he was very hungry, having not been able to feed off of Tohma as much as he needed the night before. If he had, his brother-in-law may have been forced to stay the night, being in no condition to drive home. He shuddered at the thought of that man sleeping in his house. Looking towards his dark-haired counterpart, he sighed. "Fine, but if I want to leave, I don't care if you are ready or not. You can get your own ride home."

Tatsuha literally jumped for joy, showing all of the maturity of his seventeen years. "Hurry up and go get ready then. I wanna get there soon!"

Eiri rolled his eyes and proceeded towards his bedroom. This is going to be a long night.

XXX

He watched as the amber liquid swirled lazily in his glass. He was already starting to get a headache from the loud pounding of the overhead speakers. He disliked the heavy music they played in the club and it was adding to his aggravated mood. They have only been here an hour, but Eiri was more than ready to leave. He had been propositioned by many scantily-dressed women, but their blood smelled foul and their bodies were laced with too much perfume.

He glanced towards the dance floor and quickly caught sight of Tatsuha, who was dancing a little too close to a young brunette. Eiri scoffed. Even though he was a monk, Tatsuha had some unconventional ways of showing it. After watching the boy dance for a few minutes, he decided that he wasn't going to stick around any longer. Just grab somebody and leave, he told himself. Being desperate enough to settle for (almost) anything, his eyes quickly scanned the crowd, looking for the most appealing pick. Out of the corner of his eye, he caught a brief flash of pink. Turning his head quickly, he saw the back of a figure enter the restroom. Pink hair...not many people have that color.

Standing quickly, he made his way to the room in the far back of the club. Quietly, he opened the door and entered. There, standing in front of the sink, was the same young boy who seemed to haunt him. The boy's scent lingered in his nostrils, sparking an uncontrollable desire. He inhaled deeply and savored the unique mixture of sweat, musk and the boy's own personal fragrance. He could feel his canines lengthen in his mouth of their own accord.

He took action when the boy turned off the faucet and made a move to turn around. When their eyes met, Eiri quickly hypnotized him, stopping him in his tracks. Reaching behind himself, he locked the bathroom door. No interruptions, he thought.

He let his eyes wander over the boy's slender body. His legs were encased in black leather, hugging close to his body and low on his hips. He wore a silky black sleeveless shirt with a zip up the front. His leather jacket ended above his hips, allowing a small patch of skin to show where the shirt had ridden up. Eiri could not suppress his growl when his eye landed on the black leather dog collar around his neck. The boy's hair was damp with sweat and clung to his face and neck. His cheeks were delicately flushed and his eyes shimmered in the dim fluorescent light.

He closed the gab between them and reached his hand out to brush a lock of hair from the boy's eye. He buried his face in the pink tresses and inhaled deeply, trying to capture that scent for as long as he could. He ran his fingertips down the boy's arm, savoring the feel of his soft, smooth skin. Pulling his face away, his eyes lingered on those full, almost pouty pink lips. What the hell, he thought before leaning down and pressing their lips together. Even though the boy was unable to respond, Eiri felt an incredible desire course through him.

I want this boy.

Breaking the contact, he trailed his lips across his chin and down his neck, resting at the juncture of his shoulder. Giving in to his hunger, he buried his teeth, swallowing the thick essence that poured out. His mind hazed over with the intoxicating liquid and he wrapped his arms around the boy's waist, pulling him closer. He squeezed the boys hips with his fingers, massaging the smooth skin. He wanted to get closer to this boy, claim him. He wanted to know what this boy felt like conscious, panting...

He snapped back to reality when he felt a presence draw near. He did not want to be caught in this position. Reluctantly, he retracted his fangs and licked the wound, healing it immediately. He pulled away and used his shirt sleeve to dry away the traces of blood he missed. He looked into those empty, yet shining, eyes and kissed the boy once again before pulling away. He turned around and unlocked the door, walking through and leaving it shut behind him. He mentally removed the trance after he was several feet away.

I want him, he could not help thinking. He suddenly felt dread, knowing what danger the boy would be in. His sire is very possessive over him and would not tolerate it if Eiri chose another lover. Even though he felt this, he could not deny the insatiable urge to reveal himself to the boy. I don't even know his name.

Deciding that he had a lot to think about, he walked out of the club and walked across the street, where his black Mercedes was parked. He licked his lips, still able to taste the boy. He could still feel the soft, delicate lips against his and it made him want more. His heart sank.

I can't get involved with him. He would never allow it.

"Hey kid, are you alright?"

"Huh?" was is ever-intelligent response. Shuichi blinked several times, bringing the figure in front of him into focus. A dark-haired man stood in front of him, waving his hand in front of his face.

When the man saw Shuichi respond, he offered a relieved smile and sighed. "I was worried for a minute. You were kinda spaced out there."

"Huh?" He was confused. Did he blank-out again? Quickly gaining his - however drunk- composure, he nodded sheepishly. "I'm fine. I gotta go. Thanks," he said in one breath.

Without waiting for a response, Shuichi walked out of the bathroom and towards the exit. He was extremely tired and his arms and legs felt like lead. His head began spinning as he walked through the crowd and black spots danced in front of his eyes. That's weird, he thought. Maybe I'm just wearing myself out with all of this work.

Finding the large double-doors, Shuichi walked outside. The crisp, cold air helped to clear his muddled mind as he breathed deeply, willing the dizziness away. Looking around, he spotted Hiro a few feet away, leaning against his motorcycle. As he approached, he noticed the worried look on his friend's face. "I was getting worried about you. What took you so long?"

So long? I was only in there a minute. He shook his head and gave Hiro a weak smile. "Nothing. Can we go home now?"

Hiro nodded, still frowning, and climbed on his bike. Shuichi slipped on his helmet and climbed on the back. Wrapping his arms tightly around his friend's larger frame, they drove to Shuichi's apartment.

The drive was only fifteen minutes and they quickly made their way inside, eager to get warm. Once inside, Shuichi quickly fell onto the couch in a jumbled heap. Sighing happily, he stretched the length of the couch, enjoying the feel of the soft cushions beneath him. His head was still reeling, and he could feel himself slipping away. The shower will wait until morning.

Hiro walked out of the kitchen with a beer in his hand. Seeing his friend collapsed on the couch, he frowned as he noticed how pale the boy was. Setting the can on the coffee table, he shifted the small body so that he sat on the couch with Shuichi's head on his lap. He ran his fingers through the silky pink hair absentmindedly. "Hey, Shu. Are you feeling alright. You look kind of out of it."

Shuichi grunted. "Tired."

Hiro wasn't satisfied with that response. The two had known each other since grade school, and he could safely say that Shuichi had never looked so worn out. "How's work going? Maybe you should take a break or something."

Shuichi shook his head weakly. "It's fine. I just need some sleep." Remembering what happened earlier at work, he scoffed. "Stupid Aizawa, thinks he's so much better..."

Hiro stiffened at hearing that name. "Taki was there today?" A nod. "What did he do?"

The smaller boy was quickly falling asleep, and Hiro could barely make out what he was saying. "Nothing...left before...cocky bastard..." His breath evened out and Hiro knew that the boy had fallen asleep.

He growled to himself. Thoughts of Aizawa Taki always left a bitter taste in his mouth. He did not like the way the droopy-eyed bastard looked at Shuichi, his eyes always malicious and hungry. Usually, Hiro was there to make sure the guy didn't touch his friend, but with what Shuichi just told him, he knew where he worked now. Hiro knew that there was only so much he could do to protect his friend, and it made him angry.

Trying to quell his anger, Hiro's gaze fell to his friend's sleeping face. He gently brushed a few locks of hair from his eyes and let his fingers linger. He had admitted to himself a long time ago that he had more than 'friendly' feelings towards Shuichi. Hell, he loved the boy. Everything about him attracted the brunette, especially his infectious smile and optimistic attitude. He has and would always willingly give up everything to make the boy happy. That is the exact reason why he had never expressed his feelings. He would never be able to live with himself if he ever made the boy sad or cry.

Sure, Hiro was with Ayaka right now. She had been an avid fan of their band for at least the past six months and attended every one of their performances. She was a pretty girl with long brown hair and expressive eyes who always smiled brightly at him. Mostly due to Shuichi's teasing and encouragement, he had finally asked her out two months ago. She was a nice enough girl, and Hiro could possibly see himself with her for a long time, but his heart would always belong to Shuichi, even if the boy would never know it.

Feeling his heart clench, Hiro forced himself away from his current train of thought. He settled himself more comfortably in the couch, Shuichi snuggled against his lap. His back would hurt like hell in the morning, but he wouldn't think of moving for the world.

Eiri sat quietly in his car outside of the noisy club. His mind was buzzing, feeling as though he had just gotten a fix. He watched the door closely, scanning over the crowd that walked in and out of the large double-doors. He was only looking for one person.

After a few minutes, he finally spotted the flash of pink he was looking for. The boy stumbled out of the building in a dazed state. He watched as the small figure approached a tall, brunette male and, after a short conversation, climbed onto a motorcycle behind him. Turning on his ignition, Eiri pulled out of his parking space and followed behind the bike. He kept his eye on the two, and he felt a pang of some kind of emotion as noticed how tightly the boy clung to the larger male. For some reason, he felt like draining the life out of the guy for being so close to his boy.

I am NOT jealous.

He gripped the steering wheel and concentrated on the task at hand. He would find out where the boy lived if it was the last thing he did.

After a short drive, he saw as the motorcycle parked outside of a tall dilapidated brick building. He drove past the two and parked his car further up the street. He quickly made his way to follow them, maintaining some distance as not to alert the two. After they walked into the building, he followed. His eyes hardly left the slim figure which clung to the jacket of the taller man. He saw how pale the boy was and felt a pang of guilt. He was planning on getting one last taste of the boy before the night was out, but it seemed out of the question now. He would not risk killing the boy under any circumstance.

He watched as the two entered the elevator to go upstairs. Entering the stairwell, he walked up quickly - faster than an ordinary human could. He kept his ears alert. Because the stairwell was directly next to the elevator shaft, he could hear the sounds coming from the machine. He listened intently for a few floors before he heard the audible 'ping' of the opening doors. Stopping by the door, he opened it a crack to peer through. Sure enough, he saw two familiar figures walking away from him down the hall. They stopped outside a random door and the taller of the two pulled out a key and unlocked the door before disappearing inside.

Eiri smirked as he waited. He decided to wait until the other male left before entering and seeing the boy before he left. He did not want to feed off of him any more tonight, but that didn't mean he didn't want to taste those lips again. Putting two people in a trance at once was too risky.

After almost a half an hour past, Eiri became agitated. An unnerving thought struck him. Were they roommates? Lovers? He could feel the anger rising inside of him. He stepped through the door and walked down the hall towards the apartment. He took note of the door number before retreated towards the elevator. Reaching the ground floor, he made his way towards his car.

At least I know where he lives now. I will find out about their 'relationship' later.

He entered his house at a little after one in the morning. Although it was still early and he was still hungry, he did not want to find more food for the night. Even though he tried telling himself it was because he was too tired, he knew he was lying to himself. He just did not want anything to replace the heavenly taste that lingered in his mouth. As much as he tried, he could not think of anything that tasted better than that boy's blood. He smirked. Or his lips.

He left the house dark as he walked into his study and sat down on his leather office chair. He turned on the laptop in front of him and watched the blinking lights. His mind began to wander once again and he couldn't help but scold himself. There was no way he could keep the boy. Once his sire returned, he would reclaim what he feels is his and would destroy anything that Eiri cherished. That was just the way Yuki was.

When he was sixteen, Tohma had taken Eiri to New York in order to study. Kitazawa Yuki had been his tutor and Eiri found himself head-over-heals for the older man. He was a naive teenager and felt that Yuki was everything he could ever hope for. The two soon became lovers, despite Tohma's admanant protests. When Eiri and Tohma were called back to Japan four years later, Yuki joined them. It was on Eiri's twentieth birthday when Yuki showed his true colors. It was on that night Eiri died. Yuki claimed him and made him...something else. He could remember the experience vividly, as much as his mind screamed at the memories. Before dawn on that night, Yuki had left him alone. Eiri soon found that it took a lot of energy for a vampire to turn a human and Yuki had most likely gone away to rest.

Tohma had found Eiri that morning, curled up on the floor, his face and neck splattered with blood. It did not take long for Tohma to realize what had transpired and immediately decided to find a way to kill Yuki. Eiri was horrified at that thought. Even though he was betrayed, he could not help but to love the older man. These desires were multiplied by the now-instinctual desire to protect his sire. After much argument, Tohma conceded, vowing to use all of his power to protect his young brother-in-law.

That had been three years ago. Eiri was a quick learner and became independent within a few months. Although Yuki would not think twice about killing, Eiri refused to drain a human life. It wasn't long before he realized that the love he had for his former tutor was nothing more than a childhood infatuation. He came to terms with that too late, however. Yuki would never let him go.

The dull beeping of his computer brought Eiri back to reality. Clicking his mouse over the screen, he brought up a blank word document. Allowing the stories in his mind to take form, he found himself drowning in his words well into the morning.

TBC...

A.N. Well, there you have it. I will have the next chapter out soon. C&C appreciated, so please review!

By the way, I do know that the legal drinking age in Japan is 20 and Shuichi is only 18, but I needed it for this story. I didn't want to make Shuichi any older than I had. I figure that this is an AU anyway, so it doesn't matter :P