Um, it sure took quite a while for me to upload such a short part TT. However, I tried hard to relay the feelings of each character in this chapter properly, because this is such an important part of the story. I'm sorry if it's all drama, but I guess we're gonna be needing this for the continuation of the plot.

To those who feels like it isn't like Shin at all to be missing from his friends lives, well, I guess there's a possibility of him doing that especially if it concerns his family. I just know that even though there's a definite gap between him and his father, he still feels sad to be apart from him and cause such a great conflict in the family. Being welcomed back is quite tempting, and, in Shin's matured mind, proper enough. However, it's not like he's reallyhappy, is he? He still miss his old friends, but he doesn't know how he'll make up for all those years he worked for his family.

Rather interesting insight, eh? Well, more on the real chapter, so let's get going, then.

-Jade

Shin stared in shock as he saw Uchi and Yankumi walk out of the convenience store. Aside from the fact that he wasn't expecting he'd see them around here at this time, he was also rattled that they were together, looking obviously happy together.

"Shin…" Uchi stared at him as he stood there, unable to say anything. Yankumi looked up at him in surprise, though there was the happiness of seeing him visible in her eyes.

"Sawada! What are you doing here?" She asked, her tone impressively familiar, as if four years hadn't passed by.

"I should be asking you the same thing," said Shin, recovering his ability to speak.

"Well, my school is just around here," said Yankumi. Uchi was still looking at him, not speaking, as if he'd seen someone familiar, yet felt that he was a stranger. Shin couldn't blame him. It was, after all, four years.

"Uchi! Aren't you happy to see Sawada? Come one, say something!" Yankumi elbowed Uchi, and he gave a start.

"It's… It's nice to see you, Shin," said Uchi.

"Same here," said Shin in a painfully polite fashion.

"You guys! You've been friends since high school and yet you treat each other differently! Come on, you should be happy to see each other!" Yankumi scolded the two.

Both didn't say anything, as they were feeling awkward.

"Ah! I know! Come on, let's go somewhere," said Yankumi, grabbed both boys' arms, and dragged them from the convenience store.

"Yankumi! Where are you taking us?" Uchi said incredulously.

"I know a good ramen shop, let's talk over some food," said Yankumi brightly, and dragged them into a store just near the university belt.

The two sighed deeply as they sat in one of the tables, watching as Yankumi placed her orders. Finally, their sensei looked back at them, beaming happily.

"This year must be lucky enough for us, isn't it? We start to see old friends and reunite with them."

The two were quiet. Yankumi still wasn't about to give up.

"Sawada, why didn't you at least call us? Kuma said you're studying now, and you've finally made up with your father. You should've at least met with us once so we can celebrate with the others."

"I was busy," said Shin curtly.

For four years? You were busy enough to forget us? Uchi thought, and his fists clenched, his anger building up on the young man beside him.

"Surely not that busy enough," said Yankumi. "Uchi said you never called anyone of them for the past years."

Shin glanced at Uchi, who was staring down his lap. He sighed. "I had a lot of things to do. Surely you understand that."

Their orders arrived, and the three began eating their ramen, Yankumi trying desperately to liven up the conversation.

"Where are you studying now, Sawada?" Yankumi asked as she ate.

"Keiko University," said Shin.

"Hey, isn't that just a few blocks away from my school? We're neighbors, then?"

Shin shrugged, not wanting to encourage the conversation.

"Where do you live, then? Did you move back with your father?" asked Yankumi.

"I live at an apartment in the university belt," said Shin.

"Your father pays for your rent, I suppose?"

"No, I work for it," said Shin.

"Huh? Where do you work, then?" Yankumi asked.

"I work at my father's firm," said Shin. "I'm a manager."

"Really?" Yankumi stared up at him in pride. "That's why you were so busy! You're being a good son! Sawada, I'm so proud of you!"

Uchi could not take anymore of the charade. If that was the reason why Shin had disappeared without saying a word, he didn't think he could accept it, for the Shin he knew wouldn't trade his friends for his career and ambitions.

"You were too much of a good son, then," said Uchi, finally speaking. "For you to forget us, and make us think you don't want us anymore."

"Uchi…" Yankumi looked at him, as the young man clenched his fists, controlling his anger.

"Why didn't you just tell us that you didn't want to be our friend after all?" Uchi exploded. "For the past few years we waited for at least a call. When you told Kuma that you made up with your father, we started to think we're not good enough to be you're friend. We're all hopeless delinquents, we're not rich, and we have to work hard just to have food to stuff our mouths with. You, you're a senator's son, you're respected. Was that Shirokin stint just a show to make us think that rich children aren't all that bad?"

People were starting to stare. Yankumi looked at Uchi in shock, not expecting him to be that way in front of an old friend. Shin, however, remained calm.

"You have no right to tell me that," said Shin. "You don't know anything."

"So, that's why you stopped associating with us, isn't it? Because we don't know anything? Because we're too stupid that we can't get those perfect grades you got back in high school?" Uchi yelled.

"Uchi, please," Yankumi pleaded, trying to console him.

"Why can't you be a man and tell me the reason why you left us? Shin!" Uchi stood up and banged his fists on the table.

"I don't have to explain myself to you," said Shin. He put his chopsticks down and left his seat.

"Sawada!" Yankumi stood up and followed the young man as he walked out of the shop. She grabbed his arm, making him stop.

"What?" Shin turned around and glared at her, annoyed.

"Sawada, please, try to understand Uchi," said Yankumi. "He was just hurt because of all those years you kept away from them. I'm sure he's happy to see you, too. He's still your friend, after all."

"I don't need a friend who doesn't understand me," said Shin. "He was being selfish. Do you think by the way he acted he was happy to see me? I think it would be for the best if we don't see each other again." With that, he strode away, leaving Yankumi standing behind him.

Yankumi sighed in frustration as she watched her former student walk away. Why did it have to end like this? She turned around and walked back to the ramen shop.

Uchi was sitting at the table, still angry. She sat in front of him, looking at him in the eye.

"Uchi, I understand why you're angry, but you shouldn't have yelled at Sawada like that," said Yankumi.

"It was all his fault," said Uchi stubbornly. "He tricked us into believing he was a real friend. We didn't know he was very much like his father."

Yankumi sighed again, and spoke. "Uchi, come on, we'll eat dinner at my house." She picked up her bag and stood up, Uchi sighing and following her out.

As they walked outside, Yankumi glanced at Uchi, seeing the hurt and angry expression distinctly present on his face. She sighed again. Well, those were the better days.

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

The dark space of his apartment was enough to complete the mood Shin was in. He walked inside, and dropped on the couch, sighing and cradling his head in his hands. Why did he have to see them, of all people? Why can't the past just leave him and let him be?

He glared at his lap, trying to get rid of the feeling of sadness and anger coursing through him. However, as much as he tried, he couldn't take away the fact that his disappearance had caused a huge amount of distress among his former companions. It's too late to do anything about this, you fool, he told himself. You chose to live this way, therefore you face the consequences of your actions.

His train of thought were interrupted at the ringing of his phone. Shin got up and picked his phone from the table, and answered it.

"Hello," he muttered, not really in the mood to speak with anyone at the moment.

"Shin." It was his father. Inwardly Shin groaned. What does he want now? He didn't think he could deal with anymore problems after all that has happened today.

"Father. What can I do for you?" He said politely.

"I just want to remind you that there will be a family dinner tomorrow," said Sawada-san. "Your mother and I expect you to come. We have important things to discuss."

"Yes, I'll come by," said Shin. "Will it just be us four?"

"We will have some guests, so come prepared," said his father.

"I understand," said Shin.

"Good bye," his father hung up, and Shin put the phone down, sighing.

Of course, he still have his family to attend to. There was no escaping his responsibilities, and he knew that. He just hoped that he had enough strength to deal with it without breaking down.

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

Fortunately Uchi had calmed down after settling for dinner with the Ooedo Ikka. Yankumi, however, was still upset because their meeting with Shin hadn't been that productive. He was, after all, one of the men she treated as if family, and he was one of the Ooedo kumi, even though she didn't actually approve of it. Seeing him so distant from them made her sad. Why did he end up that way?

She walked out of her room to the balcony, hoping to get some quiet time and see the stars. To her surprise, she saw that Uchi had gotten there first. She walked over to his side, resting on the railing.

"You're still here?" she asked.

"Yeah," said her former student. "Ojii-chan asked me to stay for the night. I couldn't refuse him."

Yankumi smiled a little, knowing that Uchi won't refuse a chance to spend the night with the Ikka. She sighed and looked upward, gazing at the stars.

"Uchi..."

"Mmm?"

"Will you tell the guys?"

"Who?"

"Kuma and the others." She said.

"About what?"

"About Sawada."

Yankumi could feel him tensing up beside her, and realized he was still angry at Shin. "I don't know, maybe. I guess they need to know that anyway."

"Maybe they'll even try to win him back, don't you think?"

"I doubt that'll work," said Uchi with a snort that showed no humour. "He seems to be rooted to his father's side."

Yankumi glanced at Uchi, seeing the distraught expression on his face. He was really affected by the way Shin acted, and she couldn't blame him for feeling that way.

"Uchiyama..."

Uchi turned to look at her. Yankumi smiled and put a gentle hand on his shoulder.

"I really appreciate the fact that you care for your friends that much," she said. "You're a true person, and I like you for that. Just keep in mind that you can't just have your problems to yourself. I'm here to help you. Don't hesitate to ask."

She then turned to glance back at the house, and yawned. "I guess I should be going, then. I have an early class tomorrow. Good night." She turned and began to leave.

Uchi stood there, millions of emotions coursing through his him, making his head hurt. He managed a hesitant call.

"Y-yankumi..."

"Mm?" She turned and looked at him, her large eyes staring up at him expectantly.

So far Uchi had used all the self-control he had in himself. Unable to keep his emotions from showing anymore, he stepped forward and captured Yankumi in a tight embrace.

"U-uchi..." Yankumi eyes grew wide as he held her in his arms, his tight grip rendering her unable to move.

"Thank you," he whispered. "Thank you for being right here for me."

In her mind Yankumi didn't know whether to punch the lights out of her former student for making a sudden move, or to tighten the embrace and pull him even closer, assuring him that she'll never leave his side. She chose the latter, closing her eyes and wrapping her arms around him, leaning her head on his chest.

"Shush. I won't leave you, and you know that."

They stayed like that for quite a while, each savoring the moment, their mixed emotions battling inside their exhausted minds.

Riiiight. Okay, guys, that's it for the chapter. I'm sorry for the sudden turn of events but let me assure you that Yankumi's feelings are entirely platonic at the time. She's just doing that merely to let Uchi feel better. Uchi however, is not entirely innocent with the embrace, is he? Well, that's to add up spice to the story. Bear with me guys! We'll see this through, even if this takes us a whole bloody year!

Arigatou Gosaimasu!

--Jade