Raining
Sequel to: Street of Dreams
I Want Us To Be A Family Series
Written by: chochowilliams
Disclaimer: I do not own Gravitation or the characters from it. I do not make any money from the writing of this story.
Summary: There was one woman at the press conference that refused to leave well enough alone. Two years later, she's back and causing trouble. She's determined to prove that Aizawa isn't the biological father of little Takanori. What if she's right?
Warning: AU, Angst, Drama, Romance, Hurt/Comfort, Family, Fantasy, M-Preg, Language, M/M, Hentai, OCs, OOC, Hermaphrodites (referred to as "Neutrals"), Christian Extremist POV, Bashing
Pairings: Shuichi/Eiri, Ryuichi/Tatsuha, one-sided Eiri/Ayaka, Mentioned: Shuichi/Taki & Shuichi/OMC
Inserts: None
A/N: Enjoy!
oOo
Chapter 6: Strength Within the Comforting Circle of Your Arms
Sakuma-Uesugi Residence - Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo, Japan
"You'd better tell him, Sakuma, before I do."
How long ago had Eiri left? Ryuichi wasn't sure, but the man's parting shot still resounded in his head. It dogged his every step like an unwanted specter. It was nearly, word for word, the exact same thing Tatsuha has been telling him for years.
Knowing what he had to do did not make it any easier to do.
Ryuichi let his head fall forward. His forehead banged sharply against the closed sliding glass door that led out onto the balcony overlooking the city.
Shuichi deserved to know the truth and Ryuichi had to be the one to tell him. If Shuichi were to find out from some other source, it would only cause an already tense situation to become even more so. But he did not want Shuichi to hate him. There was no question that if-no, when the sorted details came out, Shuichi would not look too kindly upon him. Maybe if he were to tell Shuichi that, at the time, he'd thought it for the best? Ryuichi abandoned that explanation as quickly as it was formed. Good intentions or not, nobody appreciated being told, "It's for your own good". It was not exactly a compliment.
From across the room, Tatsuha watched Ryuichi silently. A rush of sadness overcame him. He had no idea what the older singer was going through or what he was feeling. Honestly, Tatsuha was glad he didn't and hoped he never did. Though he knew there was absolutely nothing he could do or say in this particular situation that would help, he still wished there was something he could do. His heart ached as he watched the turmoil in Ryuichi's eyes, the avalanche of emotions cascading down his face, and still, there was nothing he could do.
oOo
En Route - Chiyoda-Ku, Tokyo, Japan
It was almost too quiet, Eiri decided as he wove expertly through traffic, but he was not about to start complaining. Even the smallest reprieve was most welcome. It gave him the opportunity to think over what he'd just been told: Ryuichi Sakuma was Shuichi Shindou's biological father. If he hadn't seen the proof with his own eyes, he would have accused Sakuma of having a brother complex. Even he could not have written something as-as…well, as fucked up as this. It was like a storyline from one of Mika's annoying soap operas.
"You'd better tell him, Sakuma, before I do."
What he'd told Ryuichi had not been a lie. He would tell Shuichi the truth if Ryuichi didn't man up, though he would rather Shuichi learn the truth from Ryuichi and not him. Shuichi would not appreciate hearing something like this from him.
Finding out you'd been living a lie was like being sucker punched by some guy on the street you did not know and would never see again. It was not a pleasant feeling. You wanted to hide from the rest of the world, to just curl up in some corner and die. You didn't want to believe it, though you couldn't not believe it, because somehow you knew what you'd just learned was the truth. Things suddenly made sense. Those missing pieces you never seemed to be able to find no matter how hard you searched suddenly appeared before you.
Eiri was forced to slow down as the traffic light turned red.
Almost three years ago, he'd been right where Shuichi was on the verge of treading. It was a very dangerous precipice nobody should scale, alone or otherwise. Would Shuichi accept his hand if he were to hold it out to him or slap it away?
oOo
Uesugi-Shindou Residence - Koishikawa Park Tower - Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo, Japan
Mai stood in the opulent foyer of her son's building. A plain white envelope was clutched to her chest. Printed in her signature block writing on the front of the envelope was Shuichi's name. Maybe she should have disguised her handwriting. As soon as Shuichi picked up the envelope, he would know it was from her, even without there being a return address.
Was this cowardly?
Giving the envelope one final glance, she stepped forward and slipped it into the mailbox she hoped belonged to her son. After it vanished from view, there was a brief moment of regret.
Too late now, she decided.
With a sigh, she made her way out of the cool interior of the building into the sweltering summer heat. Immediately she began to perspire.
She paused momentarily to gather her bearings before heading towards the train.
oOo
NG Productions Executive Offices - Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo, Japan
"Alright. Thank you Mr. Iba. I appreciate you taking the time to oversee this yourself."
"It was my pleasure Mr. Seguchi."
"Good day."
Hanging up the phone with a heavy sigh, Tohma quickly checked the clock on the far wall. He was cutting it pretty close. He had to be at Energy, one of his newest venues, to check out this new band that was quickly making a name for themselves. Apparently, they were supposed to sound as if someone had thrown m.o.v.e, Koda Kumi and BOA into a blender and sprinkled a little Abingdon Boys School on top. Interesting. If he liked what he heard, NG might just have a new acquisition.
He had just enough time to swing home to freshen up before heading out to the club. If he would have known he would be cutting it this close, he would have brought a change of clothes with him to the office, but at least everything was set for tomorrow.
Tomorrow afternoon, a representative from the DNA Diagnostic Center-or DDC-would arrive to take a buccal sample, which-he had been assured was going to be a painless procedure-from both of the alleged fathers as well as from little Takanori. As one of the alleged fathers was deceased, Masato Aizawa-Taki Aizawa's father-had arranged for a DNA sample from the morgue that had performed his son's autopsy. In case that fell through, he would be bringing some of his son's belongings.
Oharu Aizawa still had not come to terms with the knowledge that her grandson might not be her deceased son's child. Who could blame her? Tohma wasn't sure if she would show or if it would only be her husband.
Then there was Rique Kizou.
Not only had the man willingly agreed to take part in the DNA test to determine the paternity of little Takanori Uesugi, but Kizou had also willingly agreed to shuffle his schedule around so that he could come in person to Tokyo to partake in the test. For some reason Tohma was surprised by this. That was not to say he wasn't glad Kizou had decided not to fight or deny Shuichi's claim that little Takanori was the man's son, but he was amazed that Kizou had agreed without putting up a fight. Weren't men in Kizou's position supposed to buy their accusers silence? Or hold a press conference so that he could deny the claims in front of all Asia? Kizou had done the exact opposite. It was almost as if he wanted Shuichi's claims to be true.
Strange.
Tohma pushed his chair back. Using his arms as leverage, he half rose out of the chair, but paused when his earlier conversation with his wife flitted back through his head.
"I don't trust her Tohma," Mika said pointblank.
"Mika. Dear. Don't you think you're overreacting?"
"No I do not," she answered without any preamble.
"Mika," Tohma sighed.
"Tohma."
Leaning back in his office chair, he pinched the bridge of his nose and sighed. "So…what? You think she's in league with Nami Mataguchi?"
"Yes."
Surprised by his wife's serious reply, Tohma dropped his hand.
Was it possible? Was Ms. Ayaka Usami something they should be worried about? It seemed ridiculous, ludicrous even. The Ayaka he knew was shy and quiet, demure almost to the point of prudish. She was definitely the type of woman you would be proud to take home to Mother. To think she was this insidious mastermind behind a plot to break up Eiri and Shuichi was not something even the most talented writer could imagine.
But…
If he were to consider Nami Mataguchi and her seemingly odd quest and now Ayaka's obsession, it did make some semblance of sense. He just wished it didn't.
Dropping back down into the chair with a heavy sigh, he picked up the phone and dialed home. Guess he would have to be a little late to the club. As expected, his wife answered after the first ring. She must have been waiting by the phone. Knew him well she did. "Give me her number," he said without waiting for Mika to say anything.
Surprised, but pleased, Mika rattled off the Usami's phone number. "And…thanks, Tohma."
Don't thank me yet, he thought as he reminded her that he would be home late.
oOo
Tohma sat staring at the number he'd copied down. He really hoped this turned out to be nothing, though something told him that was not going to be the case.
It didn't take long for the line to be answered.
"Hello? Usami residence," answered a quiet female voice.
"Hello. I'm looking for Ayaka." Tohma reclined back in his chair. He swiveled it around to face out the wall of windows.
"This is she," the girl, Ayaka, answered.
"Ayaka. This is Tohma Seguchi."
"Ah! Mr. Seguchi! Hello! I was just speaking with Ms. Mika-"
"Let's cut the small talk," Tohma interrupted her. Not too long ago he had been having a really good day.
"…Uh, sir?"
She sounded confused. It only added to his rising irritation. She had better hope she had nothing to do with the turmoil Nami Mataguchi was causing. Nobody messed with his family and got away with it. "I want you to stay away from Eiri and Shuichi. You hear me?" The words were threatening, but his tone was light, as if he were just shooting the breeze with an old friend.
Even over the phone, he could tell when the atmosphere changed. His grip on the phone tightened in reaction.
"I'm sorry Mr. Seguchi, but I cannot do that." Like him, her tone was also light and carefree. Just two friends catching up. But her words were not.
Tohma frowned. "Aya-"
"Eiri is my betrothed." This time she was the one to cut him off. She paused, as if waiting for him to say something, but when he remained silent, she continued. "I will tell you what I told Ms. Mika. I will do whatever it takes to make Eiri mine."
With that hanging between them, the call was terminated.
Tohma stared down at the receiver. This did not bode well.
Swiveling his chair back around, he dialed a number he'd hoped he would never have to dial again.
"Yeah," a gruff male voice answered in American accent English.
"K this is Seguchi. I have another job for you."
oOo
En-Route - Tokyo to Kyoto
Mai Shindou leaned her head against the cool wall of the speeding train. She felt like a coward for retreating when like she had. Her only saving grace, if it could be called that, was the letter she'd left. Hopefully Shuichi would get it. Even if she had to wait until she was on her deathbed, she would do whatever it took to get Shuichi to forgive her for her indiscretions.
Just as another train sped by going in the opposite direction, she pushed away from the wall and carefully picked her way across the aisle. She sat down gratefully. As bummed as she was for not being able to speak with Shuichi, she could not wait to get home.
oOo
En-Route - Kyoto to Tokyo
Humming softly, Shuichi sat with his head tipped back and his eyes closed. A smile played with his lips as he rubbed soothing circles on his belly.
It still amazed him how easy it had been to convince Kizou to partake in the paternity test, but he wasn't about to complain.
Lifting his head, Shuichi watched as the scenery flew passed in a blur of color. He couldn't wait to get home. It has been one hell of a long day.
oOo
Somewhere in the United States
It has been exactly two years, nine months, three weeks, three days and thirteen hours since he last spoke with Mr. Tohma Seguchi. Not that he was counting. And it certainly wasn't as if he'd enjoyed the last job he'd done for the man and had been waiting eagerly for the chance to work for him again. It was just a fact.
"What exactly do you have in mind?" K's voice rumbled in an otherwise silent room. Currently, he was temporarily residing in a rather drab hotel room half the size of a shoebox on the top floor of a dingy rundown hotel in an equally, if not more so, dingy part of town that saw it's heyday back at the turn of the last century.
With the crash of the stock market in 1929, known hence forth as Black Tuesday, the life was sucked right out of this once vibrant neighborhood. It was a shame too. Underneath the squalor and the stench of hopelessness that seemed to linger like a black cloud upon the residents, glimpses of the past could still be seen: from the movie theater constructed in 1926 to what had at one point been City Hall.
Billed as "The Showplace of the City", the old Conciernce Theater was said to be patterned after the Italian Renaissance with painstakingly handpainted murals (1).
An Art Deco masterpiece, the colossal edifice once called City Hall, for less than a decade, had an architectural style that was said to be modern without "being modernistic" (2).
Both had been since left to rot and decay.
He was known simply by his code name, K, to both allies and enemies alike. Of course, there was the occasional curiosity seeker who somehow was able to stumble upon his true identity, but you know what they say, "Curiosity killed the cat." Knowing what he knew of Tohma Seguchi (once just the producer and one of the keyboardists of Nittle Grasper and now the closest thing to a mafia boss without actually being a mafia boss), he would not put it passed the man to know every last detail about his life, including what size underwear he wears or the name his wife and son knew him by: Claude Winchester.
Instead of holding his cellphone, thus potentially turning himself into a target should his location be compromised, K was speaking to Tohma using a hands-free Bluetooth headset. The new BlueAnt Q1 was voice controlled, which left his hands free to grab his derringer that rested at the small of his back, his shotgun currently under the bed-but within arm's reach-or his trusted magnum in its shoulder holster.
The derringer was actually a Cobra Enterprises Derringer Pistol that he'd bought from one of his contacts who just happened to live right around the corner. He was a man with the type of work ethic and motto that suited K's type of profession: Don't ask. Don't tell. With a chrome finish, .22 long rifle caliber, alloy frame, pearl grips, fixed sights, its 2 round capacity and 2.4-inch barrel, the derringer could easily fit within a woman's purse without it feeling as if she had a brick in there. His wife swore by it, which was one of the reasons why he'd decided to purchase one for himself. One of the unfortunate cons of an otherwise sweet weapon was its muzzle flash and the fact that it was very loud when fired, but it produced no recoil. It definitely was not the ideal weapon of choice, at least not in his line of work. It was merely a backup tool just in case. One never knew.
The semi-auto shotgun was the 10505 Benelli Vinci ComforTech Plus Semi-Auto Shotgun. It is reported to be "the fastest-shooting, softest-kicking, most reliable lightweight 12-gauge shotgun in the world" (3). This 12-gauge shotgun with its 26-inch barrel length, 3-inch chamber, 3 +1 capacity and its black synthetic stock was simple, efficient and lightweight at only 6.8 pounds. It had soft recoil thanks to the new inertia recoil system. Overall, his new shotgun was quite impressive.
But if he had to choose, his weapon of choice would definitely have to be his Magnum Research BFR .30/30 Winchester Revolver.
As stealth, efficiency and swiftness was of the utmost importance, the derringer, shotgun and the magnum would not do. Instead, he chose Remington's M-24 Sniper Weapon System, which was said to be "the finest long-range system available today" (4). Designed originally for use by the United States Military, the Remington was now used by various agencies and organizations worldwide-from SWAT teams all across the States to the international military and government agencies-for its accuracy was unsurpassed.
"For now," came Tohma's voice in his ear, "just a little surveillance."
Crossing to the room's only window, K pulled down the slats of the aluminum mini blinds that were yellowed with age-and who knew what else-and gazed out into the night. The lights were on in the room across the street. Excitement flowed through him. Was this it? A quick check through his binoculars had his anticipation dying a quick death.
"Damn," he grumbled. It was only the husband. Where the hell was that little bitch? If she had gotten wind of the hit and split town, he was not going to be a happy camper.
"How soon can you be here?"
"Not sure," K answered truthfully. What should have been a straightforward job was quickly turning problematic. There was no telling when he would be free to take on another assignment. "How soon does this need to be completed?"
"Yesterday."
K hummed in thought. He lowered the binoculars and stepped away from the window. The blinds returned to their past warped state. There was nothing he despised more than having to turn down a job, especially one in which he would be so well compensated, unless it was stepping away from a job. Once he took on a job, there was no turning back. Not even for a husband who had changed his mind at the last minute. From past experience, he knew that if Tohma Seguchi was calling him then the man meant business. Tohma's requests were not to be taken lightly. "If it's just surveillance-"
"For now."
K nodded. "-then…" There was someone who came to mind who might be able to help until he was free to personally oversee the assignment. "Let me make a call."
"Do you trust him?"
"I trust no one," K stated candidly, "but she has proven herself. I've worked with her once before."
There was a pause. "Alright," Tohma finally said. "Make your call, but K…"
"Yes sir," K said. Nothing more needed to be said.
oOo
Somewhere in Japan
It wasn't anything fancy. It was just another family restaurant where the food wasn't horrible, but neither was it something to write home about either. The portions were large enough to feed three people. The prices were just as oversized. The tables were so crowded together that you could not pick up your napkin without elbowing some poor soul in the eye. It was so loud you could not even hear yourself think. It reminded Shiho of grade school. It was not a pleasant thought, but as her latest beau was yum-o, just this once she would overlook this lapse in judgment, but next time-if there was one-he might not be so lucky.
"Really?" Her eyes were wide in combined fascination, wonder and horror.
"Oh, yeah," Ken nodded. His dark eyes were twinkling in merriment. A grin was plastered on his face. He had all the appearances of a man who was delighted that someone else found his story just as enthralling as he did.
Shiho giggled behind her hands.
"And he was like-"
Buzzing emanated from her purse.
She pulled her purse towards her and reached inside. Bypassing her iPhone wrapped in a pink Gogo case with its handpainted white and black butterfly design; she instead fingered the lining of the center partition. A slit appeared. Reaching inside, she pulled out a slim prepaid phone. "Sorry. Gotta take this," she apologized sweetly. "Excuse me," she said. Without waiting for a reply, she shouldered her purse, slid out of the booth and made her way through the packed restaurant. "Yeah," she answered curtly as she stepped outside. Leaving the suffocating atmosphere and her boring, though too cute for his own good, date behind her was a welcomed relief.
"It's me," said the English speaking male voice.
"Hey! It's been, what, like forever."
There was a snort. "More like two years, nine months, three-"
Shiho rolled her eyes. Her loud sigh drowned out the rest of his sentence.
"I have an assignment for you. Interested?"
A sly grin crossed her face. "Always," Shiho purred in English. There wasn't a trace of an accent as she spoke.
"Good." His tone was suddenly serious. "This isn't going to be like your last assignment. This is just surveillance."
Shiho pouted. "Well that's no fun."
"Well, you never know. Depending on how things go…" The rest was left hanging, but the meaning was clearly conveyed.
The sly grin slow crawled back onto Shiho's face. "I might get to play bumper cars again?"
There was a low chuckle in her ear. "Maybe."
Shiho could not wait.
"He just came out of nowhere," she sobbed wide eyed in what Tatsuha could clearly see was shock. She began panting, her chest rising and falling rapidly. "Oh God! It was as if he just fell out of the sky! I…I just…I didn't have time to stop…!"
Oh how she could remember that day so clearly even now. It'd been her first assignment and she'd passed with flying colors. Maybe she should have become an actress. It was too bad she had to ruin a perfectly good car though, but with the money she'd earned, she'd just bought a new one.
"I'll email you the details when I get them."
Shiho Daidoji wondered what role she should play this time. Last time she worked with K, she'd been the panicky brunette. Guess she would have to wait and see.
oOo
Uesugi-Shindou Residence - Koishikawa Park Tower - Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo, Japan
Had it only been twelve hours since he last saw his husband and precious baby boy? It seemed more like a hundred years…Okay so maybe that was a bit of an exaggeration, but not much. Shuichi had left about six this morning, not long after sunrise, to catch the bullet train to Kyoto and now here it was just after six in the evening. It would be an understatement to say that he was dead tired. All he wanted was to curl up in bed with his husband and sleep.
Unfortunately, before he could surrender to the blissful lull of sleep, he had to get something to eat. He was absolutely famished. Other than a breakfast burrito this morning and an egg salad sandwich this afternoon from the vending machines at the train station, he hadn't eaten anything. Better not to mention this to Eiri.
As Eiri would demand to know, he'd have to tell him about how his trip to Kyoto had turned out. It still surprised him how relatively easy it'd been to get Kizou to comply with his request, but it wasn't as if he were about to start complaining. Even Tohma had been taken aback at the simplicity of the outcome.
At noon tomorrow, all the parties would gather at NG Productions and three days after that was when the truth would be known: whether or not Taki Aizawa was little Takanori's biological father or if it was Kizou. Part of him hoped it was Kizou. Buddha bless his corrupt, evil little soul, but even in death, Taki gave him the creeps. Hopefully in his next life Taki would be a better person.
As much as he disliked Taki, even if death, it would be better for everyone if Taki was indeed little Takanori's father. For if Kizou was indeed little Takanori's father, everything was going to change and, possibly, not for the better. Kizou was not just a Yakuza, but the leader of the dreaded and infamous Black Dragons. They'd tried to keep it silent that Shuichi had once been part of the Black Dragons, but once it got out that Kizou was being scouted as a possible father, all hell was going to break loose. There was no way of telling how news that he'd been involved with the Yakuza would affect Bad Luck. And what about Eiri? How would this affect his book sales? And what about little Takanori?
Yawning, Shuichi scrubbed his hands over his face.
The only certainty he was sure about at the moment was that he wanted the truth to come out. He could care less one way or another, but Eiri was right. Little Takanori was going to want to know one day. Of course, there was always the possibility that his son might not want to know. It could turn out that little Takanori was one of those people who would be satisfied with the life he currently leads instead of the truth. Maybe he'll see Eiri as his father, just as the rest of them did, and not care about anything else. But it would be good to know the truth just in case.
Sounding unnaturally loud in the tight, almost claustrophobic confines of the car, a ping resounded, announcing the elevator had arrived at its intended destination.
Pushing away from the back wall, he stepped out of the elevator and into the eerily silent hallway. For once, he was not about to start complaining about the quiet. It was exactly what he needed after being stuck in a train for the better part of the day. His eardrums were still ringing.
Pulling his keys out of his bag, he quickly unlocked the door to the condominium he shared with his husband and son.
That was something else he had to do this weekend: move. Wonderful.
Had he signed his lease renewal? He couldn't remember. At the present moment, he could care less. That was something he could worry about later.
The low murmuring of the television greeted him when he pushed open the door. Nostalgia washed over him. It brought a smile to his face.
Thank God, he was home.
Stepping into the foyer, he shut the door behind him, making sure to lock it. "Hello," he called loudly as he tossed his keys onto the sideboard. Lifting the strap of his messenger bag over his head, he set his bag down on the floor. "I'm home!"
He chuckled at the immediate stampeding of tiny feet. "Mama," yelled the accompanying voice.
"Hey you," he greeted as his two year old son flew into his arms.
Imitating a koala, Little Takanori wrapped his tiny body around him.
"Were you good for Daddy?"
"Yeah."
"'Bout time," grumbled a male voice.
Shuichi lifted his head. Standing with an unlit cigarette dangling from his lips before him was Eiri. "I'm home."
Eiri smiled. It softened the harsh lines on his face. "Welcome home…Baka," he added.
oOo
Ryugan Temple - Usami Residence - Kyoto, Japan
A peaceful lull had fallen over the Usami household. The only interruptions came from the low murmurings in the living room where her parents were relaxing in front of the television and the clinking of the dishes as she cleaned up after another mundane meal.
"Ayaka, dear, you do know that your betrothal to my brother was called off?"
As Mika Seguchi's callous words echoed back through her mind, her grip on the sponge in one hand and a dinner plate in the other tightened. Her fingers squeaked as they rubbed down the slick slippery surface of the plate. A plume of soapy water shot from the sponge.
"He never intended to marry you."
Liar! Why would someone spout such hateful lies?
Did Mika not love her bother? Did she not want to see him happy? Wasn't that the goal of all older siblings? Weren't they supposed to watch out for their younger brothers and sisters and make sure they did not falter and stop them from making the same mistakes they made? How could she possible sleep at night knowing that she'd taken such a misstep when she gave her precious younger brother her blessings? How could Eiri possibly be happy when he was forced into marrying some whore that had gotten pregnant after they'd slept together just once? How could someone find happiness from an obligation?
"My brother has moved on and so should you."
That was such total and utter bullshit. When you're shackled, it was impossible to move beyond a certain point. You're confined to a narrow space with no room to breathe. How can a person be happy that way? Being tethered to a leash and being forced to watch as the world passed you by…How is that moving on? It wasn't. No. Eiri was stuck in a rut. He had not moved on. What a sad, miserable existence Eiri now led.
"I want you to stay away from Eiri and Shuichi. You hear me?"
Usually people trip over themselves in their haste to do the bidding of one Tohma Seguchi, for that man's bark was nothing compared to his bite. All he had to do was smile that infamous smile of his and he had you wetting yourself. Nobody disobeyed the great and powerful Tohma Seguchi, nobody except her that was. She had no intention of complying with his suggested order. What she stated to both him and his wife was the absolute truth: Eiri belonged to her and no matter what it took or how long it took, she would see to it that there wasn't a soul that did not know that.
Nothing was going to stop her, nothing and nobody.
II
TCN Studios - Setagaya, Tokyo, Japan - That Night
To admit he was dead tired would be a gross understatement.
With one hand on the antique brass doorknob and the other on the light switch, Chishin swept his gaze over his office one final time to make sure he hadn't forgotten anything. The windows were closed. The shades drawn. His computer was off. Somehow, the mountain high piles of paperwork that had littered the desk that morning had been sorted through and dealt with. What remained had been organized into two smaller piles. He figured he would be caught up by lunchtime on Monday.
Silently, he cursed his childhood friend for causing him to become so negligent this passed week, which had resulted in the backup of work.
Overall, everything appeared to be in order.
Just as he was about to turn away, out of the corner of his eye, he caught sight of the phone sitting silently on the far corner of the desk. As he turned to look at it full on, his hands fell loosely to his sides.
Nami hadn't returned his phone call. Several more attempts had been just as futile, but he wasn't worried. She was editor-and-chief of an entire magazine after all. A thought briefly wove its way into his mind. Should he give her one last call? He shook the thought aside. Monday. He'd try again on Monday. Maybe by then his old friend would have come up with a reasonable excuse for her behavior.
As a journalist, he could understand her fascination and obvious obsession. Once a story wormed its way under your skin, it remained there like a parasite. There was no way she would back down until she had seen this story through to the finish. Once upon a time, he'd been the same way. In fact, he still was, but he was able to control the urges. After all, he had a television station to run. No longer was he a freelance twenty-something year old without responsibilities who could afford to go running around Japan in search of the next juicy story. It was clear Nami had not yet grown out of that phase. Quite possibly, this quality could help turn her into a much-respected journalist, if she could kick the habit of allowing her prejudices to cloud her judgment.
No matter what people may believe, nobody can know somebody completely. It was impossible. However, seeing as he has been friends with Nami since they were children, he'd like to believe that he knew her reasonably well.
It was because he has known her for so long that it was not difficult to come to the conclusion that her bias towards neutrals was the catalyst behind her apparent fixation behind outing the truth of little Takanori Uesugi's parentage. When her fixation turned into obsession, that's when he'd been forced to rethink things.
Could there possibly be more to her preoccupation with this story than she was letting on?
"He was still a minor! The famous Eiri Yuki was fucking a minor who he ended up impregnating."
There had to be. Her anger and inability to see reason seemed to go overboard. It was all a bit much.
It wasn't as if Shuichi Shindou and Eiri Yuki's story was a rare case. In fact, there were numerously similar cases and yet this couple had her undivided attention and not to mention her ire. They had been singled out. Why? The only difference this time was that both parties involved were well-known-Eiri Yuki for being a well respected, best-selling author and Shuichi Shindou for being the lead singer of Bad Luck as well as being Ryuichi Sakuma's little brother. Of course, sometimes that made all the difference, which was hypocritical, but in this case, Shindou and Eiri Yuki's celebrity status was not the driving force behind Nami's relentless antagonizing. Neither was her dislike for neutrals. No, it was something else.
It wasn't only when Isoroku's search turned up evidence that Nami was in frequent contact with one Ayaka Usami, who turned out to be Eiri Yuki's ex-betrothed, that he felt his assumptions were justified.
Not too long ago, Shuichi Shindou was spotted at a local pharmacy buying a pregnancy test. Paparazzi immediately jumped to the conclusion that Shuichi Shindou was pregnant. The assumption made sense, especially when it was announced soon after that he and Eiri Yuki had split up. It was Nami who started circulating speculations that this may be history repeating itself. Had Shuichi been unfaithful? Had a one-night stand caused Shuichi to become pregnant? Was this why Eiri Yuki had dumped him?
That those claims turned out to have not a shred of truth to them had not stopped Nami. Nothing stopped her. She had even gone so far as to start a rumor that there was more to Shuichi Shindou and Ryuichi Sakuma's relationship than was known. Could mere siblings look so much alike?
It was clear. Nami Mataguchi was doing the bidding of someone who was out for blood, Shuichi Shindou's blood. There was no other explanation. Well, none that considered everything.
Blindly, he groped the wall besides him for the light switch. Flicking it, the office seeped into darkness. He stepped out into the quiet hush of the hallway and shut the door behind him. After locking the door, he jiggled the handle to make sure the door was secured. It was. Adjusting the strap of his messenger bag, he turned and started towards the elevator.
He hoped Nami knew what she was doing. If she wanted to get involved with some psychotic witch then that was her choice. If she wanted to throw her career out the window, again, that was her choice, but he would be damned if he sat back and watched as she ruined a bunch of innocent lives just so she could sell more copies of her magazine. Their friendship was not going to help her in any way.
oOo
The Trinity Offices - Setagaya, Tokyo, Japan
She'd been well aware of what would arise because of the actions she had been forced to undertake when she'd agreed to help Ayaka, but this had not been something she'd foreseen.
When she'd been approached two years ago, almost three now, shortly after the press conference-at which Eiri Yuki and Shuichi Shindou announced one shocking revelation after another-by Ayaka Usami, she'd quickly latched onto the younger woman's desire to uncover the truth. She herself had been just as disgusted by the whole affair, of course for a completely different reason.
Ayaka was a scorned lover. At least, in her mind she was. Nami, well, to put it simply, she wanted to out scoop her competitors.
Her reporters instincts have been fine tuned by years of investigative journalism that stemmed from her stints on her high school and college newspapers as well as her short time with Asahi Shimbun, a national newspaper with prints in both Japanese and English, after graduation and they were telling her that there was more to this sordid tale than was being let on.
Oh, yes. This whole "the ex-boyfriend who died in a sudden and tragic car accident is the father" routine just did not sit well with her. Really, who were they trying to kid? Their relationship had been purely platonic? What a load of crap. Eiri Yuki did not have a platonic bone in his body. Trying to ignore the holes in their story was like trying to pretend you were not having a severe case of heartburn.
Now there was a second mysterious pregnancy. It was like history repeating itself, the déjà vu was that strong.
All she wanted was the truth. Unfortunately, it seemed as if Ayaka wanted more than that. She wanted Eiri.
Ayaka's crazy assed scheme was just as insane as she was. That girl just did not know when to admit defeat.
Nami spun her soft, brown leather desk chair around and stared out the window into the night, which seemed to have fallen without her notice.
Finally, after dodging her attacks for nearly three years, Shindou had agreed to have a DNA paternity test done. Tohma Seguchi had called her early this morning with the news. By Monday at the earliest, all of Japan would know the truth surrounding the paternal heritage of one Takanori Uesugi.
It started her wondering.
"This might not turn out the way you want," Nami could remember telling Ayaka. In fact, she had a feeling it wouldn't. Ayaka, though, continues to refuse to see reason.
"Nonsense. Once the truth comes out, Eiri will be completely devastated and I will be there to comfort him in his time of need."
Contrary to popular belief, ostriches do not bury their heads in sand, but that was exactly what Ayaka was doing. Instead of facing the predator head on, she would rather pretend that she was not in danger. That type of behavior was very dangerous. Contrary to what others believed about her, Nami did not become so obsessed with a story that she would put herself or others in harm's way. There was no way she would stretch her neck out on the chopping block.
Ayaka had better learn to beware of sharp, shiny objects-and fast-because you never knew when you were going to be stabbed in the back, or by whom.
oOo
Usami Residence - Ryugan Temple - Kyoto, Japan
Sleep continued to elude her. Thoughts of her pending marriage to her childhood love refused to release her from their sweet grip.
The day she had been dreaming of since she was a little girl was fast approaching. She would be lying if she said that she wasn't being tormented by her nerves. There was a herald of butterflies dancing the waltz in her stomach, several in fact. It was enough to make her nauseous. As nervous as she was, though, she was also excited. How could she not be? Before long, she would be known as Ayaka Uesugi. The knowledge that she would soon be blessed with her beloved's name made her giddy.
With a content sigh, Ayaka rolled over.
A silver framed photograph on the bottom shelf of her headboard caught her attention. It twinkled in the beam of moonlight that filtered in through a narrow gap in her tiny bedroom's only window, now at her back. She smiled at the handsome face grinning back at her. Wiggling a hand out from under the thin sheet, she stretched her arm over her head and grabbed the frame. It was oddly cold. Settling onto her back, she kissing the tips of her index and middle fingers of her free hand and pressed them against the cool glass.
"Good night my love," she whispered.
Soon, it won't be a photograph, but the real deal she would be able to kiss good night.
With a smile on her face, Ayaka hugged the photograph to her chest and turned back onto her side, finally falling into a light slumber.
oOo
The shadows beneath Ayaka's bedroom window stirred. A tall brunette, her long hair pulled back into a ponytail, and clad not all in black (for that would draw unnecessary attention), but in dark street clothes (dark enough to be able to melt within the shadows so as not to be seen, but light enough so that if she were noticed, nobody would think her choice of attire too much like those from a spy movie) stepped forward. The shadows reluctantly fell back. Tipping her head back, her dark hazel eyes twinkling in the moonlight, she gazed up at the darkened window where her target lay. A grin slowly curled its way onto her face.
"Let the fun begin," she whispered.
III
En Route - Black Dragon Compound - Kita-ku, Kyoto, Japan
Something had gone wrong with the last shipment. While neither of the parties involved had solid concrete proof to back up their claims one way or another, both were just as adamantly sure that the other was at fault. Blame was being tossed around like a beanbag during a game of hot potato. His associates were blaming him for the shipment's failure to arrive in Hong Kong. Unless the ship had run aground, hit stormy weather, was capsized by a freak tsunami wave, or was highjacked by a group of Somali pirates, the shipment should have arrived in Hong Kong a week ago. Seeing as he hadn't received word of any of the aforementioned happening, it was safe to assume that the shipment had indeed arrived in Hong Kong. When the palettes were loaded into the container and then the container lifted onto the boat, he had actually been at the shopping yard. It seems as if someone was trying to pull a fast one. He would not put it passed Hong Kong to claim to have never received the shipment when in fact they had received it just so they did not have to pay him for their generous purchase and could then pocket whatever profit they made by re-selling the shipment.
Apparently, he was in business with a bunch of baboons. Good thing he made sure everything was documented in triple.
This debacle was what he should be thinking about as it could possibly cost him millions, if not more, but instead his mind kept drifting back to a pregnant pink-haired eighteen year old and the child they possibly had created together. The knowledge that by this time come Monday, he could quite possibly be a father had him giddy as a schoolgirl and as high as a kite. It was an exhilarating feeling, albeit a bit strange, but exciting nonetheless.
For as far back as he could remember there has always been this longing, this yearning to have a family of his own. Call it the ticking of his biological clock. Like the cuckoo-less cuckoo clock that used to hang in the living room of his grandmother's house, his clock ticked loudly. The noise was incessant and brash and continued to grow louder with each tick. The sound was nearly deafening.
Long has he been resigned to his fate. Eventually, the clock will come to a stop. It would not be by his own hand. No. The batteries would drain. The internal mechanism would rust. For whatever reasons devices, machines, and such fail, there comes a time when everything stops. His biological clock was no exception. When that times approaches-and it would-it would be too late.
He really should not be allowing his hopes to soar so far. He wouldn't be able to reach them. The possibility was, after all, slim. Very. But…
Kizou reached into the inner pocket of his black Gucci suit jacket and pulled out a photograph of a child who was the spitting image of his late younger brother grinned madly back at him. He could not stop the smile that lit his face, but just as quickly, it vanished, repelled by the grim thoughts flashing through his mind.
It could very well turn out that Shuichi and little Takanori, if the child turned out to indeed be his, will be a liability. The knowledge that having a family could be used to bring him down had always been in the forefront of his mind, but it had not put a damper on the longing. Liability or not, if little Takanori turned out to be his son, he would move Heaven and Hell to make sure both he and Shuichi were safe.
oOo
Shindou Household - Kyoto, Japan
It was growing late, but even though both were growing weary, their yawns increasing in appearance and their eyelids growing heavier, neither Mai nor her husband made an effort to move from their current positions on the sofa in front of the television. The crime drama, which happened to be a favorite to both, might as well be instead some infomercial for all the attention that was being paid to it. Instead, each was lost in thought.
Mai Shindou lay curled at her husband's side. The hefty weight of his arm was felt around her shoulders. An equally hefty weight of morose had settled over her when she returned home, adding to the already overwhelming depression eating away at her.
"Ma! You'll never guess!" An excited Maiko had met her at the door earlier that evening.
Her heart sank at the shocking revelation.
Apparently, while she had been traipsing around Tokyo in search of a son that she had begun to believe did not want to be found, in actuality, it turned out Shuichi had been here in Kyoto the whole time.
Chestnut eyes burned with the threat of tears.
Fate was a cruel mistress.
In all honesty, it had taken everything she had, every ounce of courage, all of her nerve and a not so firm resolve that had been on the verge of bursting during the whole journey, to actually go through with the decision to sit down with her son face to face in order to try to mend the rift between them. And to discover that not only had her son not been home, but had in fact, been here in Kyoto was more than a little disappointing. It was disheartening. If it were anyone else or if she and Shuichi did not have the history they did, she could just chalk it up to a case of bad luck, but unfortunately, it was because of the tension between them that she had to wonder about the strange coincidence. Had he somehow known? Had he been trying to avoid her?
There was always another possibility. As slim as it was, Shuichi could have always been in Kyoto in order to try to make amends with her, the same as she had been doing. She was not at all positive that was the case, but she had to hold onto the hope it gave her. The alternative was not something she cared to dwell on.
"He said he was in town on business," was what Maiko told her.
Was that really why he was in town? Business?
While his wife wallowed is misery, Morihiro's chest swelled with pride. He was proud that Shuichi had been able to hold his head up through all the turmoil and upheaval. As he swam through the tumultuous waters of his existence, time and again, the desire to give up, to sink into the cold, iciness surrounding him had to have been nearly crushing. The urge nearly suffocating. Yet, Shuichi had pushed on until he'd reached the shore and the comforting warmth of Eiri Yuki. That man was a godsend, the best that could ever have happened to Shuichi.
While he would regret until his dying breath the way he had treated Shuichi, regret that he allowed his jealousy and anger and bitterness to consume him, he would never regret that smile he had seen when he'd caught sight of his children speaking. His son was happy and that was all that mattered.
oOo
Shindou-Uesugi Residence - Koishikawa Park Tower - Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo, Japan
It was late; how late, neither was certain and neither was in any particular hurry to find out. For neither had any particular interest in the time. They had one thing on their minds and the only commonality it had to time was this: "How long till I have another orgasm?"
It seemed to be a contest. How many times can I make my partner climax? So far, Eiri was in the lead. It was nearly two to one. Not that that was any surprise. Eiri had always had more control. That was not to say that Shuichi had less or even no control over his bodily functions-which in a way, was a pretty accurate assessment-but only in regards with Eiri, his husband of nearly two years and father of his children.
Nobody but Shuichi knew about the one weakness Eiri had and he used it to his advantage whenever possible, even though he knew doing so was a suicidal move. For reasons unknown, Eiri's ear was so sensitive that it was considered high treason to tread anywhere near it.
Shuichi's weakness, on the other hand, was well known. There was no hiding it. And like Shuichi, Eiri took advantage of his lover's weakness whenever possible. All Eiri had to do was whisper seductively, lick the outer shell of his ear and glide those oh so skilled hands down his body. They did not even have to touch him intimately. It did not take much to make Shuichi Shindou climax. A mere look from Eiri and for one heart stopping moment, Shuichi was in Nirvana. While Eiri took pride in not only how little he actually had to do to plunge his lithe baka over the summit, but also how it was only him that could propel him up the steep incline.
Shuichi was half embarrassed that he had so little control around Eiri, but on the other hand, like Eiri, he also felt a swell of pride that it was only Eiri that could make him feel this way. It was only him. Only him. His one and only.
The balcony doors had been left open and the vertical blinds were pulled back to allow the cool breeze entrance. The two lovers shivered in reaction as the air hit their fever induced skin. Moonlight glided into the otherwise twilight strewn room to dance upon sweat glistened skin.
Panting heavily, Shuichi's loosened tongue filled the master bedroom with incomprehensible noises and utterances. He gripped the bedspread beneath him with fisted hands as wave after wave of pleasure coursed through him, over him, within him. It was almost too much to bear. Almost. As if in the throes of some nightmare, he tossed his head about. In a way, it was a nightmare. For it was pure evil what Eiri could do to him with those slender digits that pounded away at the computer all day and that muscle at the floor of the mouth.
Yet another orgasm swept through him. The force of it bowed his back and curled his toes. Already fatigued muscles trembled. It colored his vision and ripped a strangled cry from his lips.
Eiri raised his head, a self-satisfied smirk on his face, and glanced up his lover's sweat and come covered body with lust-filled eyes. When his gaze landed on Shuichi's belly, swollen with child, his ravenous gaze softened and a surge of pride rose within him.
The feeling of being watched stole over him. Lifting his gaze, he caught violet orbs watching him intently. They exchanged a smile. While no words were uttered, a million and one things were said.
Sitting up, and ignoring his protesting muscles still trembling with fatigue, Shuichi drew Eiri up into his arms. Their lips met briefly in a chaste kiss that sent tingles throughout both. Pulling out of the kiss, smirking at the light growl that trickled out of Eiri, Shuichi maneuvered so that he was sitting in Eiri's lap with his legs hooked around Eiri's waist. He twined his arms around Eiri's neck and threaded his fingers in the luscious blond locks.
With the lightest of touches, Eiri caressed Shuichi's collarbone. It sent delicious shudders through Shuichi, who shivered in delight. Shuichi gave a breathy sigh that went right to Eiri's already throbbing penis. Eiri gave a twist and a slight upward thrust of his hips. In response to the rigid cock rubbing at his anus, Shuichi tossed his head back and gave a throaty moan.
Panting heavily, half-lidded violet eyes glazed over with lust locked onto hazel eyes golden like the sun.
Eiri trailed his hands down Shuichi's chest, ghosting over the pert nipples and down his sides. Giggling, Shuichi squirmed at the ticklish sensation. Grabbing Shuichi's hips, Eiri lifted him up to his knees. Grabbing a firm hold of Shuichi's buttocks, Eiri guided the pregnant singer over his erection.
The pain was immediate. Shuichi hissed, tensing around the large invader piercing him. He screwed his eyes shut. A stray tear leaked out. Eiri brushed it away. His hands found Eiri's shoulders, his nails leaving half moon gouges on his back. Waiting patiently, Eiri whispered words of comfort in his husband's ear and ran his hands up and down Shuichi's back.
Eventually, the pain lessened and a dance older than time began.
oOo
Sakuma-Uesugi Residence - Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo, Japan
Tatsuha wasn't sure what had woken him. He stared up at the ceiling that was hidden among the shadows of the night, listening intently. Except for the buzz created by the static silence of the late hour, all seemed to be quiet. There was no inclination of what could have stirred him from a dead sleep. Shrugging the mysteriousness of it off, a yawn seized him as exhaustion slipped back over him. Heavy lids drifted closed over obsidian eyes.
Settling onto his side, he scooted closer towards the middle of the bed and pulled the crocheted blanket up over his shoulders. It had been a wedding gift from Ryuichi's mother. Summer though it may be, the nights were not warm enough to warrant pulling the fan out of the closet, let alone turning on the air conditioner, though it was not cool enough to bury beneath layers of blankets either.
As sleep descended quickly, he reached a hand out underneath the blanket and groped the bed blindly for the warm body he intended to cuddle against. When his hand met with the edge of the mattress without once encountering another warm body, his eyes snapped open. Empty. There was a surge of momentary panic that just as quickly melted away. Exhaustion took its place. Flipping onto his back, Tatsuha draped an arm over his brow and heaved a sigh.
It was not very difficult to figure out where his wayward husband was. Even though it was the middle of the night, there was only one place Ryuichi Sakuma would be.
oOo
Once again, Ryuichi could not sleep. Thoughts of his son continued to plague him.
If he did not confess the truth to his son, Eiri threatened to do so himself. That was not something he could allow to happen. It was going to be hard enough as it is for Shuichi to learn that his whole life had been one big lie without having to hear it from someone other than the horse's mouth. But it was not as easy as everyone apparently seemed to believe it was. He could not very well just walk up to Shuichi and say, "Hey, guess what? Everybody's been lying to you your entire life. I'm really your father and not your brother. You see it all started when I noticed this cute older guy backstage after one of our concerts in New York." Yeah. That would go over real well. Instead of being a deadbeat older brother, he would become a deadbeat father. What an improvement. If their roles were reversed, he was not sure he would not want to know. Ignorance is bliss after all.
After the truth was revealed, there was no question or doubt in his mind that his son would not forgive him, would probably even sever all ties-cCompletely. Shuichi would walk out that door and out of his life without so much as a backward glance. There was no way he would be able to blame Shuichi if that turned out to be the case. Tatsuha, as well as Eiri, had not taken the news too well and…well; he could not very well claim it has nothing to do with either because the truth was it did. It just did not affect them in the same way as it did Shuichi.
As slim as it was, there was the possibility that Shuichi would not head for the hills screaming bloody murder. Shuichi could very well take the news surprisingly well. As nice as that sounded, it was also unrealistic, terribly so, but it gave him hope and that was what he needed to be able to face his son.
It was not as if he was expecting Shuichi to start calling him "dad". That was not likely to happen any time soon, or ever. It would be enough if Shuichi were to just accept him in his life, in whatever capacity Shuichi felt most comfortable.
The only positive aspect he could see amidst the cloudy road ahead was the hope that his son might be able to forgive him one day.
Brown eyes blurred behind a veil of tears.
A squeal brought his attention back to the television. The image on the screen caused him to blush in embarrassment.
Was that really him? How young he looked! It was hard to believe that he had ever been that young once upon a time. It seemed like another lifetime ago. And what was up with hair? Talk about embarrassing. It was so impossibly short, well compared to the shoulder length layered locks he currently sported. Short hair for men was always stylish and trendy, but it just made him look like a freak, especially those sideburns. Could they be any longer? And the top of his head looked like a bushy mop. Who had been their stylist back then? Honestly, what had he been thinking?
The fourteen year old him on the television was standing in a long sterile looking hallway that was as bright as the surface of the sun plastered to a long waist high window like one of those plushies with suction cups on its paws. Ryuichi recognized the area instantly as the Maternity Ward in the hospital in which Shuichi was born.
With impossibly huge dark brown eyes glistening with unshed tears, the fourteen year old turned to face the unsteady camera. He was beaming, despite the tears. His mouthed started moving, forming words, but Ryuichi could not hear them. There was no sound. But he knew exactly what was being said.
"My son."
The ecstatic boy on the flat screen turned back to the window he had just been plastered against and started pointing. On the other side was the Newborn Nursery.
The image was a blur of color and movement as the camera panned around. It was enough to make one seasick. Finally, the camera steadied-as much as was possible-on the room beyond the window where dozens of babies lay swaddled in clear beds.
The cameraman's reflection appeared in the window. It showed a young boy not much older than the fourteen-year-old Ryuichi who, on the edge of the screen, was still acting as if he had won the lottery. The second teen with his blond hair and bright green eyes, was instantly recognizable as Tohma Seguchi. Ryuichi chuckled. The man had not changed a bit.
Half of the babies were sleeping while the remaining were either asleep or just staring randomly at nothing. It still amazed him to see nearly half of the babies in the nursery wrapped in pink blankets indicating they were girls. Over thirty percent of the remaining were boys swaddled in blue while the rest, less than twenty percent, of the babies were wrapped in yellow blankets, including one baby in particular that the camera focused on. Directly in the center of all those screaming babies.
His laughter chocked to a halt.
Shuichi.
A lump formed in his throat.
At this point, he hadn't known the reality of what he had just readily agreed to. It was enough to make him want to crawl through the television to smack the boy he had been and scream at him.
"What were you thinking?"
But he did not have to ask because he already knew. It was for the best.
"Are you sure?" asked a tiny voice.
If he wanted to be honest with himself, then no, he wasn't sure. He never had been. He'd just had to convince himself that this was all for the best otherwise he would not have been able to live with himself.
The images came to an abrupt end. Instead, static filled the screen and filtered out into the silence of the living room.
The lump in Ryuichi's throat grew. He would not cry. He would not cry. He would not-
The first traitorous tear slid down his cheek. He brushed it aside only to have two more take its place. Unable to stop them, Ryuichi dropped his face into his hands and sobbed quietly while his guilt and sorrow swelled within him.
A sudden blast of sound shattered the tranquil silence of the night.
Ryuichi's snapped up in surprise. He scrubbed at his tear-stained face and stared at the television screen in confusion. What was going on? What was this? He hadn't realized there was anything after the footage Tohma had taken. Actually, there shouldn't be. He was fairly certain that the tape Tohma had used in his camcorder had been a new one fresh out of its wrapper. But if that was the case, then what was this?
Sliding to the edge of the couch, Ryuichi squinted at the screen as an overwhelming sense of déjà vu washed over him. The room looked vaguely familiar, but he could not place where he had seen it before or when.
It all fell into place when a familiar figure stepped into view. "Yuki," he gasped in shock.
oOo
The Next Day - Shindou-Uesugi Residence - Koishikawa Park Tower - Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo, Japan
Today was the day. Shuichi could not remember a day when he was more nervous. With his arms crossed over his chest, he paced restlessly in the foyer. His messenger bag bounced lightly against his hip as he spun away from the front door of the condominium and strolled through the front entrance to the dining table, spun and walked back towards the front door. Back and forth. Over and over again. Soon, he would wear a tread in the floor. Wouldn't Eiri like that?
Drawing his bottom lip between his teeth, his brow creased in thought.
Even though Shuichi had given in to the demands made on him, truth be told, his opinion on the matter had not changed. He did not believe having a DNA paternity test was necessary. As soon as Eiri had decided to take responsibility for a child that was not his, Shuichi had known. There was no doubt in Shuichi's mind that Eiri was-now and forever-little Takanori's father. That would never change, even if he and Eiri were to have a falling out. But whether Shuichi wanted to proceed with this or not was not an issue because this was something he had to do for his son and also for the man who had fathered little Takanori.
Shuichi paused his ceaseless meanderings.
He could not help but wonder if his son would thank him for this one day.
Unbeknownst, he had halted before their family photograph. He tipped his head back and saw it hanging on the wall above the credenza. It brought a smile to his face. Soon they would have to get another one. He dropped his arms and encircled his belly. The butterflies settled down as he became lost in the memories of the picture.
"Papa go bye-bye?"
At the sound of his son's voice, Shuichi turned around and watched as, hand in hand, little Takanori and Eiri stepped around the corner.
"Yeah," Eiri was saying in that light voice all parents got when speaking with children. Though, Eiri denied it if anyone were to point it out. "That's right."
Shuichi's smile morphed into a grin.
Eiri raised his head and spotted him standing there. "Ready?"
The nervousness returned. "As I'll ever be," Shuichi admitted.
…To Be Continued…
(1) Based on the Riviera Theater in North Tonawanda, NY where I live. For more information, go to:
(2) Based on Buffalo City Hall located in Buffalo, NY
(3) To see this gun, go to: and search for the "10505 Benelli Vinci ComforTech Plus Semi-Auto Shotgun".
(4) To see this gun, go to: wiki/M24_Sniper_Weapon_System