A/N: Hey everyone! So sorry it took many years before I've been able to update this story. It's been a trying few years and even more so this past months. Some family and business matters to attend to. It's been crazy. Anyways, I'm here now, and that's what matters. I hope this is satisfying enough for you all. I'm trying to lengthen each chapter, so just be patient with me.

On with the story.

Chapter 1: Growing years

Location: Shindou Manor, Aylesbury, Buckinghamshire, United Kingdom

It was not easy the first few months before the young master's birth. In fact, it was considered a huge miracle by the family that Hikaru was born at all. Lady Mitsuko had difficulty in carrying babies to full term. She suffered plenty of miscarriages before their doctor informed them that she could only be pregnant one last time. If they are not successful this time around, the next pregnancy might cost Mitsuko her life. Yet the couple decided to try one last try; one last try at having a child.

It was not in vain.

Upon the news of Lady Mitsuko's pregnancy, she was immediately pulled out from the day to day running of their company and was put to bed rest with the attention of the entire household staff and a full medical team with a specialist doctor in obstetrics and gynecology on standby. Lady Mitsuko was diagnosed with ectopic pregnancy. The fetus was growing in the fallopian tube rather than in the uterus, hence, her difficulty in carrying a child to term. It might seem outrageous to many, having a full medical team on hand. But can you blame them? The Shindous have the means for the best medical treatment. And they were desperate for a child; a legacy that showed the entire world their love and devotion for each other.

The birth of Hikaru was greatly celebrated by the family. Finally, the hallowed halls of their manor would now be filled with a child's laughter and cries. Finally, the emptiness that was in Lady Mitsuko's eyes would now be filled with joy.

Lady Mitsuko was on bed rest for many months after Hikaru's birth. The birthing sapped her of her strength and it took a while before they returned to her. Master Masao was always staring at the little baby with an awed expression in his eyes; as if he couldn't believe the little miracle that was his son; blonde hair, baby blue eyes, with chubby cherubic cheeks. Really, can anyone resist such a cute and adorable baby?

'Kami, he'll definitely be a looker when he grows up. I hope he will get Mitsuko's green eyes,' thought Masao.

As the years went by, the Shindou Family had been blessed. Their business expanded to other countries in Asia, Europe, North America, South America, and the Caribbean. As a result of this business boom, the matriarch and patriarch of the family were busy. Business meetings here, board meetings there, site viewing here, trouble shooting there. They were extremely busy couple. But who could blame them when they own many businesses from manufacturing goods to offering services. But despite their busy schedule, the couple always make sure that they spend a lot of their time with their only son Hikaru. As soon as Hikaru was on the age of copying everything his father did, the father and son duo could be seen doing manly stuffs together; shaving scruffy facial hair (Hikaru had none but he copied his father except for the shaving part), going to the barber, and even having the same clothing style and design.

At three years old, a tutor was hired to educate Hikaru on the basics like the alphabet and numbers. Mister Alfred Desmond, a young half British, half Japanese in his mid-twenties with messy red hair and sky blue eyes, was chosen not only because of his impeccable resume but because of his background in teaching pre-school and elementary children and he could speak and write in japanese, which meant that he had the patience to deal with a child whose attention span was that of a fly.

A few weeks after he started tutoring, Mister Desmond noticed that the young master had a fast paced learning ability. Hikaru was quick to learn his letters and numbers. He could recite them in just a matter of days from being taught unlike other children that took months to memorize their letters and numbers. And so Mister Desmond decided to try teaching Hikaru how to read and write. Months later, basic addition and subtraction were already their lesson. The tutor's astonishment of the young master's learning was obvious to many servants which amused them to no end. Mitsuko and Masao were kept informed of the educational progress of Hikaru; so much so, that they decided to let Hikaru learn at his own pace which was really fast.

At four years old, Hikaru could speak and write Japanese perfectly, spoke English and French and was also learning Italian and Spanish. He was already studying advance algebra, science, literature, history and was staring on basic chemistry. It was obvious to many that Hiakru was a prodigy. No ifs and buts. A prodigy was born in the Shindou Family.

Hikaru may be a prodigy but there are just somethings that can't be taught in class. As the years went by, Hikaru had no friends and most adults found it creepy that a young boy of his age could talk in the same manner as an adult. Loneliness was predominant in the life of Hikaru. Though his parents try to ease his loneliness, it could not be denied that even they could not find children who could and would understand their child.

It wasn't until Hikaru was six when something changed in his life. His parents decided to enroll him to school; an exclusive private school, one where the members of the haut de monde attended. Even if you were a billionaire, if you're not part of the haut de monde crowd, your child would not be accepted in Saint Charles Academy of Excellence.

Hikaru attended the school his parents enrolled him at the same time was being tutored in more advance subjects. His parents reason for making him attend said school was to try and have him make friends with children his age. Unfortunately, Hikaru was just too mature and too advance in class that his classmates were jealous of him. During recess, they called him names and were down right cruel to him. No student physically assaulted him because Hikaru was the heir of the Shindou Family. And to harm a Shindou was never done, for they were unforgiving with their revenge.

Hikaru never mentioned to his parents about his lack of friends at school, often burying himself in his schoolwork and assignment; pretending that everything was fine in his school.

It wasn't until Hikaru was eight when something changed in him. This something was taught when grandfather came for his yearly visit all the way from Japan. Shindou Heihachi was Masao's father. He lived in Japan, preferring their home country rather than staying in the United Kingdom. He visited them from time to time, always with a cheery demeanor on his face. But this year's visit, Heihachi was not alone. No. He was with an old friend whose name is Fujiwara Sai.

And this was the Day of Change for one Shindou Hikaru.

A/N. Review please, but be polite…No swear words.