Yuuka-chan: LOL. In answer to your questions, it's both-Shuichi only allows kissing and only because it's Yuki. And no, I didn't leave out any scenes of them doing anything more than just kissing because they aren't. Shuichi doesn't want to go further and Yuki won't force him to. Eventually, I'm pretty sure they'll do something more than that (It IS Gravitation, after all) but it would be a long, long time before Shuichi's ready. Hmm… did I leave out anything? Well, thanks for reviewing!
XmarjorieX: The last chapter isn't any shorter, it only seems that way because I didn't do any review replying and also because of the spacing. .:Sweatdrop:.
Animeleah: Haha! I guess this means I've earned a regular stalker? O.o Nuooooo! .:Runs away from Bobo the Clown:.
Kittey Rin: …a puddle of slime…? Cool! Which story is that? Glad you didn't find anything to criticize. Thanks!

There was someone who asked how Yuki knew Shuichi was at his old house some time ago. Remember that Shuichi and Yuki were originally almost neighbors? Yeah. Yuki was driving home and he passed by Shuichi's former house on the way. He saw Shuichi there, house on fire, and well, you know what happened next. I hope that you're not confused anymore!

I've gotten lots of replies to the 'missing people' question and it's only now that I realize there's so many left out characters! Man, I'm so dense. Hmm…the most popular character to add in seems to be K. Lets see…if I were to fit him in this story, he would be…Yuki's father? LOL. They both have golden hair and a tendency to scare people witless after all…Nah, probably not. You guys would probably kill me!

What's going to happen from now on, you ask? What are Ryouji and Miaka going to do? Weeeeeell, read on to find out! .:grins evilly:. Thanks so much for commenting on the story!

Disclaimer: Aya has no rights to Gravitation.

Scene 12-Wounds always hurt. Sometimes, they scar

Shuichi stared at the bulletin board in horror, oblivious to the growing crowd of students gathering around to have a look. He was completely deaf and blind to the gleefully speculative whispers and the furtive glances not so discreetly darting in his direction. Shuichi's mind was racing madly as he tried to calm down and think rationally, "I have to behave normally or they'll find out it's true. Who could have done this? Who could have even known?"

Shuichi started pushing his way past the throng of students, avoiding all eye contact, and hurried away before they asked him questions he certainly didn't know how to answer. Once he got far enough, he broke into a run, a sheen of cold sweat coating him entire body. "Yuki. I have to find Yuki."

Miaka smirked in cruel satisfaction as she watched him scurry away, trying his best to look inconspicuous so as to avoid drawing attention. "I warned you, didn't I? Too bad for you; it's too late to start running now." Her eyes fell on the bulletin board, where many students had gathered and more were still gathering. Many, many more. Her smirk grew deeper as she admired her handiwork posted up on the board. "With 'this', even the school administration will take action. Hopefully, they'll make him move out of Yuki-sensei's house. Of course, I'll be happiest if they just expel him altogether."

'This' referred to a blown up photograph of Yuki and Shuichi leaving for school. Together. 'This' also referred to the detailed article that had cost Miaka an all-nighter. Hey, it was worth it. After all, it was a very detailed article. An article on their relationship as 'housemates.' What Miaka liked best of all though, was the headlines screaming out in large, bold fonts, drawing passersby's eyes to it. -

'Teacher and Student- An Illicit Affair?'

XXX

"Yuki-sensei. Is it true?"

"Why are you living with him, sensei?"

"Does this mean…you like guys, sensei?

Yuki ignored the clamors of his students as he hurried towards his car. Looking around for a certain someone, he inwardly cursed, "Damn it! Where the hell is Shuichi?"

Yuki was not precisely in a good mood. Who would be? The moment he had arrived at class 3-C, the students had immediately started their ruckus, asking him if he lived with Shuichi. He had obviously denied it and sweetly asked a female student where they had heard that 'ridiculous and totally wrong' rumor. Blushing and stammering, ("Oh course I didn't believe it, Yuki-sensei!") she had blabbered out that one of Shuichi's classmate, a girl, had told them. Now, although there were at least twenty of 3-A's students that were female, Yuki had inkling as to who the culprit was. He promised himself to at least avoid slapping her unconscious. Permanently anyway.

Too bad he hadn't realized just how far spread the word had flown until school let out. It was then the students had started their full-scale racket, cramming into the staff room and basically demanding Yuki to clarify the situation. It was sort of worth it, in a way, to see the usually prim and proper faculty members flustered at all the vocal harassment. Well, he wasn't really worried about the higher ups themselves getting involved. He just hoped some of his more obsessed (and aggressive) fans had not taken it to mind to go after Shuichi for 'stealing' him away from them or something like that.

He slowed down considerably as he reached his car, an irritated frown etched on his face; he so didn't needthis now. The parking lot was deserted save for a lone person leaning against Yuki's car, apparently waiting for him. Much to Yuki's despair, it was not Shuichi. It was Miaka.

Stopping right in front of her, Yuki snarled, "What are you trying to achieve by doing this?"

The girl just smirked knowingly, though the words that spilled out of her mouth were coated with a sickening amount of sugar, "What do you mean, Yuki-sensei?"

"You know damn well what I mean! Stop playing games. I warned you to leave Shuichi alone. How crazy you are for attention if you've stooped so low as to pull this kind of stunt. Featherbrained idiocy must be your first name if you didn't realize the attention you'll get from me like this is not very…healthy."

Yuki paused his rant to breathe, "So far, I've been lenient on you but this time, you've tested my patience to the limit. I suggest you do something about your stinking attitude before I do it for you."

It was at this point she started stammering, eyes shimmering with unshed tears, "How could you be so mean? I'm only helping you get rid of that nuisance who's clouded your mind! I love you!"

Yuki intercepted rudely, "Why, thank you very much but I hate you. Get lost. I don't even want to talk to such a disgusting, selfish and warped person. Are you even human?"

As Yuki got into the car, Miaka desperately clung onto the door with both hands, preventing him from slamming it shut. It was finally getting through her brain that Yuki was serious. In a last ditch effort to make him stay, she frantically tried to make him understand just how deep her feelings for him ran, "Don't say that! You're my life, Yuki-sensei! If only he wasn't around…Yes, if only that slut wasn't around, you would be mine. All mine! Why can't you see how much I love you?"

Practically screaming now, Miaka threw herself at Yuki, "I even burned his house down for you! You should be proud of me! You should have felt touched I would do anything for you! So, how could you choose him over me? I DID IT ALL FOR YOU!"

Yuki was too stunned to push her of his lap; shock rendered him speechless. His left hand, clutching the handbrake, tightened so hard, the knuckles turned white. Dusk was falling and it was getting dark, though not dark enough that Yuki couldn't see Miaka's eyes glittering with insanity. His lips were dry. He managed to force coherent words out in a cracked whisper, "You…You burned Shuichi's house down…?"

XXX

At the boy's toilet, Shuichi cautiously nudged the door open and took a peek outside. Noting the empty, silent hallways, he stepped out and send a silent prayer to whichever merciful god was watching, "Phew…I finally managed to loose them. Who knew girls could be scary? Especially girls in love…" Shuichi shuddered a little, "At least the teachers didn't say anything… They definitely knows what's going on…I wonder why they're ignoring it…probably in love with him too."

Snickering to himself, Shuichi glanced at his watch and cursed when he saw the time. How did time fly by so fast? He quickly hurried down the darkening hallways, hoping Yuki would still be waiting for him.

He reached the front entrance and jogged a little down the steps, eyes searching for Yuki's car. He was so focused on scanning the parking lot that he never saw the man coming from behind. Only when he heard a rustling sound and saw the growing shadow falling on the ground, did he turn around. By then, it was too late.

The assailant twisted Shuichi's arm behind his back, causing him to yelp in pain. A hot, sour breath whispered in his ear, "Long time no see, Shuichi. Did you miss me?"

Shuichi froze in overwhelming terror as the voice that haunted his worse nightmares met his ears. His heart was beating quick and hard, like a terrified little bird that was about to be devoured, and knew it. Shuichi whispered hoarsely, "What…what do you want?"

Ryouji grinned to himself in dark delight at Shuichi's fear filled voice. Looks like he wasn't going to need to do much 'convincing' to extract cooperation after all. He kept his grip on Shuichi tight; even if he was too scared to resist, Ryouji wasn't about to take any chances, "Why little Shuichi, that's a very good question. I need a teensy bit of…help from you," he leaned closer before continuing, "you see, Shuichi-kun, I've been in a fix ever since your mother died in that fire. The house didn't have insurance and I lost everything. I'm sure you're aware of her ocean-deep debts, right?"

Pausing for effect, Ryouji played with a blade, touching the cold steel against Shuichi's neck. Shuichi was shaking badly now. Satisfied with his reaction, he continued, "Since your fool of a mother decided to end her own miserable life, her debtors, for some reason, are coming after me. Me. You being her son and all, I think it's only fair for me to share this 'parting present' she so kindly left behind, with you."

Shuichi was too petrified to fully comprehend what the man was saying, but one thing rang clearly in his head. Licking his lips nervously, Shuichi carefully phrased his sentence. "That makes it sound like…like Mother killed herself. Did she burn the house down together with her?"

Ryouji only chuckled in sadistic amusement, "Shuichi, Shuichi, you could die any moment now and you choose to ask about that useless woman? Like mother, like son."

Obviously deciding he could afford it, he choose to indulge Shuichi anyway, "Well, believe it or not, I don't know. I don't believe she did it though; she doesn't have enough courage to do it. Your mother was like a mindless puppet, so weak and easy to control. All I ever had to do was to whisper a few suggestions, comfort her with sweet, empty flattery and she would willingly do anything for me," he snorted derisively, "What a stupid woman."

Rage was now eating away Shuichi's fear and he found his voice. He shouted angrily, "Don't speak about my mother like that, you filthy piece of scum!"

Ryouji narrowed his eyes to snake-like slits. Was the boy actually defying him? That won't do, not for the purpose he had in mind for Shuichi. Snarling, he pressed the blade against Shuichi's neck till a trickle of blood seeped out, "Looks like a few months of freedom has made you cocky, boy! Well, guess what? Holidays are over! Time to get back to work."

Shuichi ceased struggling at that, a sense of foreboding draping heavily over him, "What…is that supposed to mean?"

Ryouji only laughed, "Did you know? Young boys like you are becoming more in demand. Your mother was at least good for one thing-giving you her beautiful looks. You would be surprised at how much some customers are willing to pay for a pretty boy like you. Remember your days of 'entertaining'? Well, since you're so experienced with men, it's going to save me a lot of hassle. I wonder how much money you can fetch."

Shuichi felt his insides turn icy cold as the implications sank in. His mind was screaming hysterically. Steeling himself for the answer, he whispered, "You…you're going to…sell me?"

Chilling laugher was the only answer he received. Shuichi couldn't bear to hear anymore. Desperately, he resumed struggling, more wildly than ever. His flailing arms managed to connect with Ryouji's nose. Grunting in pain and surprise in surprise, Ryouji loosened his hold on him. Shuichi immediately took advantage of that and sprinted in the direction of Yuki's car, adrenaline giving him speed.

Shuichi ran as fast as he could, wishing with all his might Yuki was there. As he neared the car, he could the car door was open, two persons were inside it. He couldn't make out whom the second person was and he didn't care. All that mattered was the telltale head of blonde hair the first person possessed. His heart soaring with relief, he started shouting, "Yuki-…!"

"…You burned Shuichi's house down?"

"What...?" Shuichi froze mid-yell, coming to a sudden stop directly in front of the car.

XXX

As the sound of Shuichi's panic-filled shout, Yuki tore his eyes off Miaka and focused instead on the disheveled looking boy, panting madly. "Crap! How much did he hear?" Yuki pushed the still blabbering Miaka off him, ignoring her yelp of pain as she landed heavily on the concrete ground and hurried towards Shuichi. He could tell at a glance that something was terribly wrong with him.

"Shuichi, what happened? Why are you so late?"

Shuichi shook his shock away at Yuki's voice and concentrated on his currently more serious problem. Hysterically, he started gabbling at full speed, "Yuki! Ryouji's here and he says he didn't kill Mother and he has lots of debts and he wants to sell me!"

At that last statement, Yuki's face turned white with fury. His voice went dangerously quiet. "He wants to what?"

Just then, Ryouji came strolling into view, having apparently completely recovered from the little injury Shuichi had managed to inflict. Sneering at Yuki, he mockingly drawled, "Well, well, if it isn't Shuichi's boyfriend-oops, I mean teacher. I do apologize for my mistake."

Moving totally on instinct, Yuki stepped in front of Shuichi, shielding him from view. He coolly replied, "Apology accepted. After all, I'm a very compassionate man; I understand that lunatics sometimes don't have the very best manners."

Ryouji snarled, "Why, you shitty asshole!"

Flipping his blade out again, he lunged at Yuki, throwing all his weight. Yuki easily evaded him and was behind Ryouji's back before he even knew what happened. They grappled for the blade; Yuki easily overpowered the other man and grabbed it from his hand. Yuki had won and Ryouji was, at least, smart enough to know this. Pinned to the ground, he stopped trying to free himself and settled for glaring at Yuki instead, breathing heavily.

Miaka got up and stared at the duo, eyes wide as saucers and mouth hung open.

Realizing she was the person Yuki had been speaking to, Shuichi started shaking Miaka, yelling furiously, "Is it true? You burned my house down? Damn it! I never did anything to you! WHY?"

"Why, you ask me? I warned you, didn't I? I told you to stay away from Yuki-sensei. You refused to listen so I burned your house down to teach you a lesson. You deserved it! Be thankful it was only your house!"

Shuichi stared at Miaka in soul-searing anguish as she laughed manically. His mother had died for such a petty reason? It was so pathetic; he would laugh if he weren't so close to tears.

His soft, pain-filled voice got Miaka's attention, "You did all those things? The threat letter, the pranks," another thought occurred him, "the one to blame for the bulletin board was you too, wasn't it?" Not waiting for the answer he already knew, Shuichi continued in a monotonous tone, "You even burned my house down. All those don't really bother me anymore."

Shuichi fixed his haunted eyes on hers, not blinking even once, "What I can't forgive, and never can, is that you killed my mother."

Miaka was horrified, "Your…mother? I…killed…? You're lying…aren't you? No one was there…right?"

Shuichi just remained silent, shaking his head sadly.

The atmosphere was so silent, the chirping of insects coming out for the night could be heard. Overhead, the moon was semi-visible now; the sun, weary after a day's hard work of beaming light rays having retreated for sleep. All eyes were riveted on Miaka as she continued denying the consequences of her rash action; her mumbled protests were betrayed by her trembling voice.

"Hah. What the hell is going on? All because of an immature dimwit's jealousy, I'm six feet deep in shit?"

Ryouji's outraged exclamation jolted Miaka out of her attempts at self-delusion and brought her attention to him. She looked at him, this time really looking. As she took in his face, incredulous recognition flooded her eyes.

She exhaled shakily, voice full of doubt and disbelief, "Fa…ther…?"

End Scene 12.

BUAHAHAHAHA! Ryouji is Miaka's father? Miaka burned Shuichi's house down?
Just in case some of you are confused, Miaka thought all she had burnt down was Shuichi's empty house. That's why she didn't know it's her fault Shuichi's mother is dead. What will happen next, I wonder? Heh heh heh.