Author's Note: Here's the second chapter!

Standard disclaimers apply here.

"…"-- Talking

'…'--Thoughts

Chapter 2 Definitely Not My Day

Shuuichi Minamino had awoken to the sound of seagulls squawking nearby. That has been his official alarm clock for quite sometime now since he moved into this place he now calls home. His house is situated by the beach; a pretty convenient arrangement for a guy who loves nature.

He opened his eyes to the sight of sunlight slowly filling his room. The young lad blinked for quite a while to adjust his emerald eyes to the sudden intrusion brought about by the light. He shifted to a sitting position, stretching his arms in the process. A large yawn escaped his lips signaling some remnants of drowsiness.

After minutes of just sitting there on his bed, the young man finally decided to stand up and get ready for his morning exercise. Shuuichi changed into his jogging pants, a simple shirt and a blue sweater. He rummaged his bedside drawer for a rubber band to tie his long red locks into a low ponytail. With his MP3 player now in his pocket, he put on the earphones and set out to do his daily routine.

Shuuichi Minamino. Twenty six years old. Accomplished businessman. Handsome. Charming.

Single.

'Lonely.'

In truth, he would never admit to anyone, his friends and family, what he was truly feeling. Being calm and collected most of the time, they saw him as this rock on which they can all depend on. But being that 'rock' for so long has taken its toll on him. Sometimes, it can really be tiring, emotionally and mentally. Its not that he did not want others being dependent on him, it's just that sometimes he feels that he can't quite depend on himself. He needed someone to depend on, too. But at present, that position hasn't been filled in yet.

Then one day, he announced to his family and friends that he was moving to this little place by the beach. Shuuichi said that it was for the need to be independent, but in truth, it was to get away from all of the emotional baggage. To come into terms with himself and his doubts. To find his answers through solitude.

Shuuichi started his new life in his newfound paradise. Being the successor of a multi-billion business his biological father had founded, he was allowed to work at home. He gave instructions to his secretary to send any paper work via e-mail and he only went to the office once in a while for more important matters.

He visited his family once or twice a week. It took several months before his beloved mother got used to this set-up. Even though it hurt to see his mother in pain, he really had to go away for the sake of his own sanity. His friends drop by once in a while for a little chit chat, to catch up with the latest stories about their lives.

It has been three years since he moved to his new home. Three years since he achieved the freedom he has long been dreaming of. He thought that the answers he was looking for will finally come around in his moments of seclusion. He thought everything will turn out okay. He thought he would be happy. He wished he was happy.

But he wasn't.

He knew there was something missing in his life. There was this big gap in him that refused to be filled. But he didn't know how to quell this feeling. He felt the answer staring at him in the face and yet, he couldn't quite put a name on it.

'Is it because I'm still single?'

During his time with his friends, he saw how romance blossomed between Yusuke and Keiko. The boisterous Kuwabara was able to snag the shy Yukina even with much protests and threats from Hiei. And most surprisingly, even the cold and distant Hiei also has some little thing going on with him and the aloof Mukuro. He saw the happiness that reflected in their eyes whenever they were alone together.

'Is that what I'm missing? Romance?'

He knew very well that he can have any woman he wanted. But the thing is, he doesn't want any other woman. Everyday, he see them come and go. And yet, not even one of them was able to catch his eye. He's just darn too picky.

'Maybe I'm just destined to be alone. To be lonely.'

He closed his eyes momentarily, not wanting to linger on such thoughts any longer. He took a deep breath and decided to continue the task on hand. Feeling the sea breeze against his skin seemed to lull him into relaxation. Nature truly has a calming effect on him. As he jogged further, something ahead caught his eye. A thing buried in the sand seemed to sparkle, as if calling him, as it reflected the sun's rays.

He slowed down as he came closer to the glimmering object. Once it was close enough for inspection, he bent down on one knee and picked it up. He realized what it was, a necklace with a pendant. He noted the crimson smudges on the platinum chain that held the pendant, but dismissed it.

Dirtied by sand, he was unable to make out the carvings on the stone. Shuuichi was about to take a closer look when his wrist watch alarmed, signaling the end of his exercise. He placed the necklace in his pocket, mentally noting to check it later.

With that, he stood up, brushed off the moist sand that stuck on his knee, and jogged back home.

RING

RING

RING

click

"Who is this?" a cold voice answered.

"It's me."

"How's THE job?"

"It's done. We've already taken care of her. No need to worry."

"Any witnesses?"

"None, it was a clean job."

"Good," somehow the man who called knew that his employer was smiling on the other line.

An evil smile.

Coffee.

The mere smell of it in the morning seemed to rejuvenate him. After that jog, he prepared his breakfast which consisted of French toast and his own blend of coffee. It was one of his luxuries he cannot live without. As he made himself comfortable by the table at his porch, he took out the necklace he found by the shore a while ago. Taking a bite from his toast, he fingered the gem to figure out what it was, dusting off the remaining sand in the process. In seconds, it was revealed to him what it was.

An amethyst peony carved to perfection.

In his twenty six years of existence, never had he been interested in jewelry, precious stones for that matter. But it amazed him that, even partially buried in the sand, such small thing was able to catch his eye. It seemed to glitter by itself, as if some magnificent aura was locked inside it. He looked at it closer, concentrating at its core. In a flash, he felt a tingling sensation, similar to electricity, flowed from this jewel through his fingers and spread all over his body. As a reaction he released his hold on the necklace and it lay still on the table.

'That was weird…'

He continued staring on the jewel, as if waiting for a genie to appear. His train of thoughts was once again interrupted by a beeping sound from his wrist watch.

'Great, it's time for my shower and I still haven't finished breakfast yet. Now I'm really behind schedule.'

He ate the remaining toast in his plate in one fell swoop and gulped down his coffee as if it was soda and burnt the tip of his tongue in the process. It was not such a good idea to drink coffee in that manner. He then surmised that he wouldn't be able to drink coffee for a few days.

'I have a feeling that this is not my day.'

He placed his dirty dishes in the sink for wash later. Already behind schedule, he dashed towards his bathroom for a quick shower.

She stirred. She found herself sitting on a porch with her head buried on her arms on the table. It felt like she had been asleep for many hours. She felt light-headed, almost floating. She tried to remember anything, but her mind registered blank. She looked forward, greeted by the sight of the waves crashing against the shore. The girl suddenly felt cold, she had a bad feeling in her gut but she cannot seem to place a finger on it. She stood up, her legs wobbly. It's as if she's been running for days. Finally, she was able to control her legs, willing it to walk forward.

'Where am I?'

She scanned the surroundings to look for anything familiar.

Nothing.

Then, like a strong gust of wind, it hit her. The night she was being hunted like an animal by unknown men came back in a sudden vision. The feeling of desperation seeped through her being. Yet, here she was, standing without any scratch.

Wait.

Did she escape her pursuers?

'Maybe the person who lives here saved me! I've got to thank whoever this person is!'

She ran into the household searching any some sign of life.

'Ahh..'

Shuuichi sighed as warm water touched his skin. It was such a divine feeling to have a warm shower after an hour and a half's exercise. He reached for the soap nearby and scrubbed any filth that managed to cling onto his lean body. The scent of roses filled the shower room as he applied shampoo on his hair. His mother made this special shampoo for him for his scalp's special condition, and he was very thankful indeed.

As he continued, he felt a soft breeze enter his bathroom. He forgot to close the door. It became a recurring habit of his since he had this place to himself. Plus, having no neighbors close by made it safe for him to be careless of such things. But never in his life did he imagine that he will regret ever having this habit.

She ran across the house searching for her savior, her blue hair tied in a high ponytail bobbed as she moved around. She saw a flight of stairs leading up to the second floor. She surmised that her savior must be up there somewhere. She climbed up, her purple eyes alert for any movement. As she ascended and reached a hallway, she noticed three doors, two were closed, and one was open.

'Hmm… Let's see. What can be behind door number 1?'

She entered hesitantly. She found the room to be very organized. But still, no savior. She looked around searching for any clue. Then she found another opened door, with the lights on. A feeling of excitement filled her as the aspect of finally meeting her savior came. She walked inside and saw the back of a bathing person with long red flowing locks.

'Cool! My rescuer is a girl!'

She entered fully, erasing any sign of shyness in her system. She took a deep breath ready to say her thanks.

"Hi! Thank you fo--" her eyes widened when it came into contact with the most beautiful emerald eyes in existence. But what really made her shut up was the image of something definitely not female in nature.

He was lathering his hair when he felt another cold breeze enter the bathroom. Shuuichi dropped the feeling of something he cannot explain as he continued on his task. Then suddenly, out of nowhere, a feminine voice broke his reverie and confirmed that this was definitely not his day.

"Hi! Thank you fo--"with that, he snapped his head towards the intruder, moving his body in a slight angle, revealing most parts of his anatomy. His shocked eyes mirrored the wide purple eyes of this beautiful stranger, as if realizing that she made a terrible mistake. Suddenly the girl's eyes widened further as it strayed downward his body.

With that, screams of two strangers were heard.

Strangers, for now. The threads of fate are starting to weave a destiny that is larger than life.

The screams still lingered in the air…

Good thing, they had no neighbors.

Author's Note: Well, what do you think? It's my latest fanfic and I hope that you liked it! I wish the main characters were not that out of character.

Quite confusing? Don't worry, more revelations next chapter!

Please drop in any comments. It would be very helpful!