Hey there all

Hey there all. Nothing much to report except work sucks and I can't wait for my day off. Almost at the end. Just a few more chapters to go before I wrap up this story. But don't fret I still have plenty more for you. Also thanks for all your positive reviews from the last chapter. I was very happy.

Anyway enjoy

Chapter 16

'Uncle Hide' Monica screamed as she ran into waiting arms. The man picked her up and gave her a hug. 'Hi Munchkin, did you miss me'

'Yep. Look what daddy- Shuichi got for me' she showed him the pink ribbon on her jacket.

'Hide what are you doing here' Akito asked walking up to them. The young man put Monica down on the ground and stood up.

'What can't I come by and say hello to my brother-in-law' Shuichi almost gaped. Brother-in-law. This man? In all the time he had known Akito he had never met anyone Akito was related to. It almost seemed like he avoided them. Shuichi noticed Akito flinch slightly under the scrutiny of Hide's words.

'Anyway I was in town and thought I'd stop by and see how my niece was doing' he looked down and patted Monica on the head. He looked up and noticed Shuichi standing behind Akito.

'I remember you. That time with the rice' Hide stepped forward to get a better look. Akito looked at both of them confused.

'You two have met' Akito questioned. He turned to Shuichi who nodded 'I met him when I was getting some rice at the supermarket'

'it was only briefly. I didn't even catch his name'

'This is Shuichi Shindou' Akito announced causing Hide to smile

'I knew it from the first time I saw you. Your eyes were a dead giveaway' he smiled again then walked up to Akito and put a hand on his shoulder 'We should get together sometime and have a talk. Like old times' he turned to Shuichi 'it was nice to meet you Shuichi Shindou' Shuichi nodded and Hide walked away.

'Who was that' Shuichi asked.

'That was Aya's brother' Akito said, rather sadly.

Brother? Now it all made sense. It must be painful for Akito seeing the brother of his dead wife.

'Are you ok'?

'Huh yeah I'm all right Anyway come on I'm starved' Akito went to walk up the stairs but Shuichi stopped him.

'You're not all right. I saw it. The way you looked when you saw him. Is it because he reminds you of Aya' Shuichi looked at the ground 'whenever I have a problem you always know and try to help me so why won't you let me help you'

'This is new' Akito thought. What was up with Shuichi? Akito turned around and faced Shuichi 'really I am all right. It's just that seeing him shocked me thats all. After…' Akito paused to collect himself 'after Aya died he was the only one who comforted me'

'Sorry' Shuichi felt guilty now for bring up the painful subject. It just hurt that Akito knew all about his past but he didn't know anything about Akito's.

'That's alright now come on I'm starving' Akito smiled and went into the house leaving Shuichi outside with his thoughts. Hide, Aya's brother and Akito's brother-in-law. If that is so why do I feel this strange feeling.

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Tazuka Sagumi sat in his office looking out at the cloud covered sky, not really listening to his secretary who hadn't noticed as she kept talking 'as you can see are numbers have rose and it seems the new song as already been placed at number two' Hitomi said over her notes.

'And it would seem…'she started again but was stopped suddenly when Tazuka but a hand up to silence her.

'That is enough. We all know that it is due to Shuichi Shindou's song. The fact of the matter is how will the others take it' he said more to himself then his secretary.

'Sir' she said confused.

'No its nothing. When the final reports are done you can come and get me' he said dismissing her. She took the hint and left the room. he continued to gaze outside. When Akito had asked him if he could consider hiring Shuichi Shindou, he had heard all about his mental breakdown and how Bad Luck was disbanded considering they were on of the best bands in Japan and the fact that Shuichi refused to talk. He pinched the bridge of his nose and turned around. It would do no good on dwelling on things like that and besides he was positive they haven't seen the last of Shuichi Shindou.

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Shuichi hopped on his bike with Monica on the back. He had been asked to take her to school as Akito had to stop by his office.

'Have a good day a school' Akito said as he kissed Monica on the head.

'I will' Akito nodded and turned to Shuichi. He stood there not knowing what to do. He was about to say goodbye when Shuichi cupped Akito's face and brought it down for a quick kiss. Akito was shocked ay first but leaned in for more. When they separated Akito couldn't help but blush. He hadn't been kissed ever since that time when Shuichi found out it was him who told Tazuka Sagumi about him.

Shuichi winked and drove away leaving a slightly flustered Akito behind. 'Shuichi is sure acting weird today' Akito thought as he watched them go

Shuichi didn't know why he did it but with Akito standing there with those nervous green eyes looking at him he just couldn't resist and seeing a flustered Akito was a sight to see.

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'Can you believe this. Japan Inc sales have risen to an all time high. And its only been a day' Tohma said to the group in front of him.

'How do you know it was Shuichi who wrote it. it could have been anyone' Hiro said, though he knew there was no mistake who wrote those lyrics. He had been at home when he just happened to change the channel and the song was on. When he listened to words and the emotions behind them he could actually feel what the writer was feeling and there was only one person Hiro knew who could do that.

'There is no mistake about it. Japan Inc's director called me a little while ago and asked if I could sign Shuichi over to them' Tohma said leaning back on his chair.

'What. How could they do that' Hiro asked truly shocked. He had never considered that some other music company would try and hire Shuichi considering the fact that Shuichi didn't talk.

'Shuichi is not a part of NG anymore. When his contract was cancelled he was free to choose another label' Fujisaki said sitting in a corner. He too had been a bit shocked when he first heard the song.

'He must have had a good reason' the other person in the room said, playing with the pink ears of his stuffed rabbit.

'Why do you say that Ryuichi'

'Look at Kumagorou. I tied this bow on his ear, isn't it cute' Ryuichi laughed and held Kumagorou up to show everyone.

'He does have a point. Look at what has happened lately'

'What does Yuki have to say about this' Hiro asked, the author suddenly coming to mind.

'I haven't spoken to Eiri yet. I was hoping to resolve this situation as quickly as possible without bring Eiri into this' Tohma said standing up.

'Well Kamagorou and I have to go. we have someone we have to meet' Ryuichi smiled and stood up with Kamagorou in his arms and walked out, leaving the others behind.

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Shuichi drove down the street heading towards his first delivery. He had dropped Monica off at school and head off to work. He had got his first job and headed out straight away. he smiled a little and look up at the bright blue sky as if content with the world. And for the first time in what seemed like ages, Shuichi felt at peace with himself.

He arrived at his destination and walked up to the door. He stepped into a tiny looking shop that sold many different kinds of trinkets and ordainments. His violet eyes travelled over the many shelves stacked with different looking figurines until he spotted something that attracted his eye.

It was a statue of a black dragon curled around a large crystal ball. Shuichi reached out and picked it up. The black plaster felt rough and abrasive under his touch but the crystal felt cool and smooth, his finger gliding over the shiny surface.

'Hello there' some said behind him. Shuichi turned around and found the owner standing there with a pleasant smile on his face.

'You have a good eye there my boy. That is a special piece, one of its kind' the owner said smiling. Shuichi nodded and placed the statue back on the self and took out the package and handed it to the man.

'Oh I see it has arrived' the man placed the package on the counter and signed the delivery form Shuichi held out for him. Shuichi filed it away and nodded his thanks. He took one last glance at the statue before he walked out the door, those friendly eyes of the owner following him. a gentle smiling forming on the owner's face.

Shuichi got on his bike and started the engine. His mind wondering back to the statue. It looked like all the other statues around it but this one seemed different. He had thought Akito might like it as a small gift. But he hesitated.

Shuichi shook his head and headed off back to the shop.

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Akito hummed as he walked down the sidewalk of the busy street. Passing men and women going about their business. He had dropped into work for a little bit to grab some important documents that he had to fill out so he could return to work. His colleagues had been happy to see him up and well; in turn it made him feel equally happy.

Akito was about to cross the road to get to the other side when he heard someone call out his name

'Akito' He turned around and saw Hide walking towards him.

'Hide what are you doing here' Akito asked when Hide finally got to him.

'Just looking around. This place is huge' Hide said looking around.

'Yes it is' Akito took a look around as well.

'I was just about to go and have some tea. Would you like to join me' Hide asked with sincerity in his voice. Akito was a bit torn about what do to. It was only tea after all and it seemed Hide only wanted to talk.

'Sure I would love that'

They had found a small café and sat down to a cup of delicious green tea. Discussing things like work and how Hide's practice was going. Hide put down his cup and brought his intense green eyes up to Akito.

'I came to visit you, you know. In the hospital'

'Huh' Akito said looking over the edge of his cup. What was Hide saying?

'I came by as much as I could. I was so worried about you when i heard about the accident'

'I appreciate that you did' Akito put down his cup and brought his eyes down to the table as if avoiding that intense green gaze.

'How is everything going at home' Akito looked up in surprise.

'At home'

'Yes'

'Uh great. Monica is really settling in now and with Shuichi there I know I want be….' Akito trailed off, afraid of what he might say.

'Alone' Hide finished for him making Akito wince at the truth of it all.

'Since that day when Aya died you have always felt alone, haven't you. No one to hold you and comfort you and Monica' Hide said trying to catch Akito's down cast eyes.

'yes it hurts to be alone with no one there but now I have someone. Someone I love and Monica loves too' Akito admitted, more to himself then to Hide.

Hide nodded and didn't say another word about it. he picked up his tea again and took another sip, occasionally glancing over to Akito. Wondering what was going on behind those large green eyes.

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Shuichi parked in front of the shop and got of his bike. He was feeling pleasantly happy somehow that if he could he would have whistled. He opened the door and was shocked to see, instead of Shin lying around the chairs; Ryuichi Sakuma was sitting there with Kamgurou sitting in his lap. Ryuichi must have heard him come in because he looked up and smiled with child- like glee.

'Shuichi you're here'

To be continued.

Well how was that. I must admit that I had a hard time with this one. Trying to fit time in to write this was bad enough but trying to get the inspiration out was hard so I hope you like it and remember to review.