Notes: Sick in bed. Room smells like cough syrup and assorted juices. Still trying to finish this chapter (No sickness can stop me from doing my fanfiction!). Written in just an hour. This has a bit of violence (which is actually the reason I rated this as T) and well, a little… sad I think. Yes, this is it. The clash of the threat and the ally.

This chap is for CamelliaMichaelis, sprinymiya, sess18, Kiranoto-Issh0-ni-183, Mozhde rain and the anonymous anon and ellie (She exists in my imagination, dear. Don't worry, your [Misu's] Shingyouji is safe)..

To all you reviewers, thank you so much. I know this is such a simple word to convey my appreciation of your time to leave a review on my work, but I want to let you know that it is heartfelt. (Oh my God! I'm going to cry.)

SUMMARY: With Gii's absence, trouble finds Takumi. What is this threat planning to do? And what exactly does Yuki have in mind against the threat?

It's perfect. Everything is set according to his plan. All that's left is to execute it. It's only a matter of time before he gets what he coveted the most. Oh yes. He knows he will succeed. First of all, no one would ever suspect him. Thanks to all the loud and obnoxious 'Gii fans', who are most likely to be suspected of doing something harsh, he's got his scapegoat. Second, his background is clean, coming from a family of respected businessmen. He's elite. Nobody would dare go against him. Third, he's a polished actor. All his hard work to get here will finally pay off. Now all he needs is the right timing. Take it as your farewell kiss now, Hayama. He snorted. Hidden in the bushes, he watched as Saki Giichi hugged and kissed Hayama Takumi before leaving. Tomorrow, you will forever be gone from his life.

Impressive. But very predictable. Yuki observes the hidden guy from where she was standing; on the rooftop. She knows he will strike soon. So she had to prepare as well. The idea is to unmask him and show his true insane self and to break his formidable support: his father's protection. To do so, she has to ruin his father's reputation in the business world. So this has to work well. It has to. For my friends' happiness and for my freedom, I will do anything.

oOo

SUNDAY, 2:30 P.M

Takumi laid his violin down after a few minutes of playing. He can't seem to play well. He sighed. Of course he is excited and happy because tomorrow his boyfriend will be back. But he feels so down he wants to cry.

"Yuki-chan, have you been in love?"

"I am."

"Eh? Really?"

A nod and an uncomfortable flick of hair.

"Ummm- Yuki-chan, is it something you can't talk about? I'm sorry. I didn't mean to intrude in your personal affairs."

"No, it's okay Takumi-kun. Talk about intruding… I'm the one intruding in your personal affairs. And did I not tell you you're my best friend? Best friends share secrets, right?"

"Uh- I guess so."

"Well then, you let me in on your love life with Gii, I'll let you in on mine." A smile.

"Ah! No it's okay Yuki-chan. You don't need to tell me ab—"

"I've been in love since I was twelve years old."

"Eh?"

Bitter laugh. "Back then, I didn't know I was in love. I thought it was just a petty infatuation. But as years go by, I only felt it growing stronger. I find myself always thinking about him. I fantasize we're together. I dream of him. I thought I was going crazy. His name's Tachimura Seichi."

"So you've been together for how long already? Is he the real reason you won't marry Gii and your other arranged marriages?"

"Hmmm… I guess you can say that. Yes, he's the reason I don't want to marry Gii. But we're not together. We don't have any love relationship."

A gasp. "Huh?"

"I didn't say he loves me too."

Sharp intake of breath, shocked expression.

"He cares for me, I know. He always looks after my welfare. He's the only one who greets me on my birthday since he's the only one who remembers it. Or the only one who actually bothered to remember. He knows how to comfort me, always knew the words that I needed to hear. He's just… always there for me, when I need him."

"He seems to be a good guy."

"Yes, he is. He really is a good person. Even though I want to hate him, I can't. Because there's nothing to hate. I can't hate him just because he doesn't love me the way I love him, right?"

"You're right. But Yuki-chan, how can you say he doesn't love you too?"

"Before I went here, I told him about my arranged engagement to Gii. He was happy for me. He said this time my fiancé is someone I like so I don't have to worry anymore. I got hurt with his reaction that I blurted out it's him I love." A shake of head, tears welling up.

"And, did he-?"

Nod. "Yes, he rejected me. All he said was 'I'm sorry'"

He blinked. He blinked again. There's something warm rolling down his cheeks. Oh, he's crying. That was his conversation with Yuki-chan yesterday. It's been etching on him since then and is now the reason he feels so depressed. He's hurt for Yuki-chan. No, he does not pity her. Alright, maybe a little. How can someone so lovable be deprived of love? From her parents to relatives to the man she loves, all she wanted was their love in return.

He always thought he was unlucky; having parents with no love and affection for him at all. But all that thoughts changed when he met Gii. Now he considers himself one of the lucky ones who had found their happiness. Remembering his beloved boyfriend (he still blushes when he thinks of him like that), he can't help but smile. "Gii…" he softly mumbled, "I miss you." I wish you're here now. With you around, maybe we can think of some way to help Yuki-chan. Shifting to his side, he gathered his violin and put it inside the case. Tracing the outline of the instrument, he carefully closed the case with a click. Just as he was about to carry it, he felt a sharp pain at the back of his head, causing him to drop the violin case and fall on his knees, before crumpling on the floor unconscious.

oOo

It has been so easy. He knew all along Takumi is always careless and clueless. It's Gii who has always been so guarded. Now his plan is in motion. Through his deceptive nature, he had managed to keep track Takumi's schedule inside and outside of school without anyone suspecting. He knew all about his early morning snuck-out from Gii's room every time he spends the night with the blonde. He knew he always waste time in the greenhouse with his violin every afternoon. He knew they always find time to be with each other in the library. As for Gii, he knew he's so protective of his lover. He knew if Gii is around, he won't stop looking for Takumi when the latter will suddenly disappear. That's why not having Gii around is the perfect time to execute his long-awaited goal. By the time the blonde returns in the morrow, Takumi will be long gone.

As he expected, the black-haired boy is totally oblivious to his surroundings when he went inside the greenhouse. He was so deep in his thoughts that he did not hear the approaching figure behind him. Without any bit of hesitation, he swung the baseball bat he had on his hands and struck the unaware Takumi. He smiled victoriously when the lad fell unconscious. But it's only the start. The blow is not that fatal, he made sure of it. It will be a few minutes now before his regains consciousness so without wasting any time, he tied Takumi's hands and carried him on his back. Using the old rusty backside door of the greenhouse, the one facing the wild forest near the school, he trudged on a barely visible pathway of grasses. This is the shortcut he stumbled upon when trying to find a way to observe Takumi in the greenhouse before. After a short walk, he walked inside an old abandoned shelter. The door is partly off from its hinges, the small space clouded with dust and cobwebs, the iron bar windows rusty and creeping vines almost blocking any light from outside. The place is empty, save for some broken-down wooden chairs and some metal scrap littered everywhere. Dropping the unconscious lad on the dust-covered floor, he quickly tied the end of the string he used to tie his hands to a post. Now he will wait. It will be so easy to kill him while he is unconscious. But he wants to see him in agony when it happens. He wants to see him suffer, his face showing pain instead of happiness. His pain will be my happiness.

He really did not waste any time, huh. Yuki hid behind a pile of metal scrap lying outside the abandoned shelter. The redhead carefully slid her small hands in the partly broken door, aiming for a better view of the man's face. Quietly zooming in with her mobile, she took a couple of shots of the man tying Takumi on a post. Then, checking around, she almost crawled towards a low window. Slowly prying the vines off the iron bars, careful not to make the action attract the man's attention, she again took shots of the man standing over the tied figure of Takumi. I guess this is enough. Finding a spot where she can hide near the door, she sent the pictures she took to Gii's and Akaike's phones with a message as to their exact location. Now that the evidence is in their hands, all they have to do is to catch him red-handed. To produce witnesses. She will wait. She knows the guys are on their way now. Please hurry guys. I promised Gii I won't let him hurt Takumi. I will make sure to keep that promise. Just as she shifted to sit a little more comfortably in her hiding spot, she heard a low groan from inside.

oOo

"Ugh…" Takumi groaned. Have I fallen asleep? Why is my head so heavy? Uh, it hurts! My head hurts. As he reached out to touch his head, he can't move his hands. That's when he bolted upright to discover his hands were tied. What is this? Why am I tied? Where am I? Suddenly he remembered what happened back in the greenhouse. The pain at the back of his head. It was something. Or someone. Something flickered in his mind. Takabayashi-kun? Eh? No it can't be. Takabayashi-kun has long given up on me and Gii. He just remembered the exact thing the other guy's minions did to him last year. So it's the freshmen this time. He groaned again, this time in exasperation. Why can't they just let me be?

"I see you're awake. It's about time." He was startled by the voice. Looking up, he saw a man standing a few feet away from him, wearing a malicious smile on his lips. He was quite good-looking, his blonde hair neatly combed without any hint of disarray. He kept his gaze on his face, trying to remember where he saw this guy. He was not among the freshmen who are always crowding around Gii. "Who are you? Why are you doing this?" He should not panic; he should not let his fear overcome him.

The man smirked. "You do not know me. And I don't plan on telling you who I am. You just have to know one thing. Gii is mine. And you are on my way, you have to go."

"What do you mean I'm on your way? I always tell you guys that Gii and I are just friends! We're just friends." So much for overzealous fans. Oh God! Please make him believe me.

"Hah! You really think I will believe your lie? I know you're not just friends. You're lovers!"

"No, we're not! We were just roommates before, but it doesn't mean we're lovers."

"Shut up!" The man is now obviously furious. Takumi never felt so scared in his life. Here he was, tied up, helpless, and arguing with his captor about his relationship. The man drew something from his coat and Takumi's heart froze in fear when he saw what he is holding. It's a long, pointed, stainless and very sharp knife. Clutching it hard with both hands, the man slowly walked towards him. Oh God he's going to kill me! Gii… Takumi closed his eyes, pushing back the fear inside and envisioning Gii's happy face. He may die, but he will die happy. "You liar! You only want Gii for yourself, you-you worthless trash! You don't deserve him at all! He's not yours, he's mine!" With a shout, the man dashed forward, arms stretched upwards, the knife in position ready for the kill.

In sync with the man's shout, another shout ensued, this one with a feminine shrill. "No! Stop it!" Before the man can reach Takumi, a pair of small hands grabbed his outstretched arms and tried to wrestle the sharp object out of his grasp. Takumi opened his eyes when he heard the shout and saw Yuki struggling with the man. "Yuki-chan! No, don't! You might get hurt!" He tried desperately to loosen the tie in his hands. His wrists hurt, trying to wriggle out of the string but he doesn't mind. Yuki should never get hurt for his sake, for she has nothing to do with it. A loud gasp of pain made him turn his head up sharply. He paled when he saw droplets of blood on the floor. Following the source, he saw a gash on Yuki's left arm. It's not deep but the cut tore a portion of skin, thus drawing blood out. "Stop it! Don't hurt her! Please!" Without thinking, he pleaded for them to stop.

"Snap out of it, Yoshinaga!" Even wincing with pain due to her cut, Yuki shouted at the man. Outraged, the man she called Yoshinaga freed one of his arms she was grappling with and threw a sharp slap on her face, throwing her off-balanced, and eventually down on her knees. Takumi's eyes grew wide. "Yuki-chan!"

But the redhead did not look at him. Her eyes focused on the very angry man, who was panting with rage at them. "You will not get Gii by doing this. I don't know what made you think he will turn to you when Takumi is gone, but that is not gonna happen. It's time you end this craziness. Now." Wait, what does she mean? Does Yuki-chan know this man personally? "Yuki-chan, what are you saying?" The confused brunette asked.

"I'm sorry Takumi-kun. But now is not the best time to explain all this to you. You will know everything, eventually." Yuki stood up, clutching her arm, obviously weak and dizzy from the blood loss and the slap, but is trying hard to stand firmly between Yoshinaga and Takumi. She directed her gaze and looked Yoshinaga in the eye. "I am this School Director's daughter, Yamamoto Miyuki. I will not tolerate this behavior of yours. If you hurt Takumi-kun, you will be punished with more than just expulsion. By this time, the police are on the way here. I have evidence of what you did. You can't escape from this. So I beg you, stop now before you do something even graver."

When he heard all of it, Yoshinaga growled uncharacteristically, his eyes glared with a deathly spark, blinded by rage and denial that his plan had crumbled. With renewed determination, he moved forward, knife on hand. Yuki instantly blocked his way but was pushed away before she can even reach his hands to tackle the deadly weapon out of his grip, yelping in pain when her arm touched the rough floor. Not taking his eyes off his prey, he strode over Takumi, swinging his hands to bury the knife in the scared and tied boy. Cowering in fear and total helplessness, Takumi closed his eyes and awaited the pain of death.

"Ugh!" A gasp. Thud! Clang!

"No!"

So this is it. This is my end. Is this my soul, leaving from my body now? It really feels nothing at all, just like they say. Wait, what is this? My wrists are pulsing in pain. Is this supposed to happen? Oh it's dark. No, my eyes are closed. Opening them, Takumi screamed on the scene in front of him.

"Yuki-chan!No no no! Yuki-chan!" The redhead lay limp on the floor near Takumi, choking in her breath, hands clutching her abdomen, red stains on her dress spreading, pooling on the floor.

"Yuki!" A shout from the door. Takumi barely recognized Akaike, Misu and Shingyouji running inside the shelter. He never noticed he was freed from the post and a pair of arms helping him up to his feet. He did not see Misu restraining Yoshinaga, who was shouting protests and struggling from Misu's hold. He can't hear anything, he can't see anything. His clouded gaze never left the blood-splattered figure of Yuki, who is now being tended by Akaike, administering first-aid treatment to her wounds. "Yuki-chan…"

He never felt the familiar touch he knows so well and the voice he knows so well that is calling him, until he was taken out of his stupor by a powerful shake. "Takumi!" Blinking wildly, he turned up to look at the owner of the arms shaking him. "Huh? Gii? Gii! Yuki-chan, she- she's- Yuki-chan is, she- she is- Oh my God, Gii! Yuki-chan!" He sobbed uncontrollably, burying his face in his lover's chest. He felt Gii's warm hands wrapping around him and caressing his back, trying to calm him down.

"Hush now, love, Yuki will be alright. The ambulance is on the way. We have to be strong for her. She needs our strength. You understand, Takumi?" Gii soothingly caressed the still-shaking boy. All he could do was nod as he can't find his voice to speak. But remembering the man responsible for everything, he faced his boyfriend. "Who is he, Gii?"

The blonde sighed. "Yoshinaga Akamaru-san, one of my father's and Yuki's father's partner's son. They own the big construction company Tamayoshi Int'l which was founded by their grand grandparents. I used to see him during company events and parties since we were kids but I never thought he harbored feelings for me all this time." He tsked, shaking his head. "I never even noticed him here. If I remember correctly, he used to have black hair and have big glasses. Maybe that's why I did not recognize him now. He really changed a lot."

"Gii…" It was Yuki, she finally managed the strength to speak. "Yuki!" "Yuki-chan!" The couple both exclaimed at the same time, crouching over her with worried faces, Takumi starting to cry again.

"Is…. Ta-kumi…. alrig-ht?" she coughed, breath hitching with every pained inhale she makes. "Yes, Yuki-chan, he's alright. Please hang on, okay? The medics will be here any minute now. You will be fine." Gii assured her.

"That's- good…(cough).…(cough)… I'm so-(cough)- glad." She then averted her gaze on Takumi. "…thank you… Takumi-(cough)-kun… you made…. me…. (gasp)… feel loved… (cough cough cough)… even just….. for a while…(gasp)…(cough). Now… finally (sharp gasp)… I can… (cough)… be… free."

She closed her eyes.

"Yuki-chan!"

A/N: How is it that this story almost got a thousand views but only a few reviews? I stumbled upon the story stats (stupid me, I didn't know about it before) JUST NOW and was really shocked, to say the least. No offense meant, but I really thought the only ones reading my fic are those leaving the reviews. So I dedicate chapters to them. Heck, I'm so naïve. So, there was only one who wanted to see a glimpse of Yuki-chan's love life and interest, then? Really, I want to finish this story. But I don't know if the ending will be acceptable to you, dear readers, since you don't tell me how you feel about the story so far *sad face*