a/n: Please check out my drawing at (delete the spaces) t o k y o p o p (dot) c o m. search for this name: nurix and you will find the drawings. Please leave a comment on my drawing and a review for this chapter!

Chapter 10

The Snake's Offer

They fell and the floor and continued their make out session, not realizing that the rain, thunder and lightning already stopped. The blonde absent mindedly slid his hand in the singer's shirt, caressing the cold and smooth waist that was a little exposed. The pink haired on the other hand had his arms on the blonde's neck while his own neck was being kissed.

Eiri removed his shirt and tossed it carelessly on the floor. He pinned Shuichi's arms and kissed him on the lips then proceeded on taking off the singer's shirt as well.

They were exchanging kisses for a minute, their bodies pressed hardly on one another, not until the lights went on.

Shuichi pulled away in an instant and saw that the fluorescent lights inside Eiri's living room were glaring at them. Eiri covered his eyes with one hand and grunted in frustration. Shinori shifted a little bit and kept on making light snores.

There was complete silence and it made Shuichi uneasy. He sat up and grabbed his shirt but then, a hand prevented him from doing so.

He looked at those golden eyes that were staring at him like mad. He gulped and looked down, afraid of what Eiri might do to him.

Eiri lifted Shuichi's chin and placed a small and unexpected kiss on his lips.

"Ano, Ei – I mean, Uesugi san, please let go of my arm." Shuichi said politely and backed away a little, but Eiri was too persistent and instead of letting go, he pulled Shuichi closer.

"I haven't forgotten about that last day of our contract." Eiri whispered.

"Please, Uesugi san, I already returned your money and I don't have any intention on becoming a whore again."

"I don't care about money." Eiri replied and bit Shuichi's neck. "I want to have that last day that was taken away from me."

"Um, please Uesugi san, I really can't do that. I already have a child and you have your own family – ah – Uesugi san!"

"Do you want to wake Shinori up? Let me have my way."

"No!" Shuichi forced himself out of Eiri's grasp and stood up. "I stopped being a whore, please respect my decision!" he almost cried but he bit his lip in order to prevent it.

Eiri gritted his teeth and stood up. "Fine, it's not like I'm dying to have sex with you." He said angrily and put on his own shirt.

"We're going now." Shuichi said softly and wiped a tear that fell down. He removed the shirt that Shinori was wearing and wrapped his son with his jacket. He carried Shinori, got his other things and turned around.

"Thank you, Uesugi san, for taking care of my son." He bowed down and walked towards the door.

"Hey, are you crazy? It's freezing cold out there! There aren't any vehicles around, it's still drizzling and –

"Uesugi san, it's better to freeze out there than to be warm inside this apartment with a man who has no respect with other people's feelings." Shuichi said bluntly and walked away, closing the door softly.

Eiri stood there in shock. "What's with that guy? I'm not discriminating him or something. Geez, and I almost had him again."

"Whew, that was close." Shuichi breathed a sigh of relief once he and his son were outside the apartment. It was still drizzling, but Shuichi didn't care. He hugged his son tight and ran to a waiting shed.

He looked at the drizzles and a lot of memories flashed on his mind. That first kiss, the day he left Blue Boy, the day he had Shinori and the day he became a singer. He closed his eyes and a pair of golden tiger like eyes that wasn't his son's came in view. The next thing he knew, the memory of their kiss earlier became fresh that he could almost taste Eiri's lips again.

He bit his lip and tears started to fall.

"I'm hoping for the impossible." He whispered to himself and hugged his son close to his heart.

"Shuichi! You're late!"

"Ah, sorry, boss, my son was sick and I need to take care of him." Shuichi scratched his head.

"Fine, but make sure this won't happen again, or else, your fired!" the boss said and walked away.

Shuichi pouted before approaching Hiro who was at the comfort room.

"Yo, Hiro, do you know why boss is like that? He looks tense."

"You're really an idiot aren't you?" Hiro combed his hair and applied perfume on his neck. "He said yesterday that an important friend of his will visit today."

"Oh, so that's it? Just because a very important person will come, -

"It's not just a very important person. Boss said that, that person will invest a large amount of money, depending on the performance today."

"Ooh, I understand now." Shuichi said and changed his clothes. "Ah, by the way, can I borrow money? Shinori got sick yesterday and he doesn't have any medicine."

Hiro glared at him.

"Please!" Shuichi looked at him with his puppy eyes.

"Alright, fine." Hiro muttered and scratched his head. "How did he got sick by the way."

"I was late in fetching him, Hiro. And then," Shuichi fell silent.

"Then what?"

"I saw him."

"Saw who? Geez Shuichi, whatever are you –

"Eiri Uesugi."

Hiro's eyes widened. "No way." He whispered. "You've got to be kidding me."

"I wish I was just telling a joke Hiro, but honestly, it's really him."

"Hiro and Shuichi, hurry up, we need you here now." The boss called out.

"I'll tell you later." Shuichi said and Hiro nodded.

As Shuichi and Hiro entered the stage, the whole club was silent and the lights were dimmed. The audience clapped as the two of them came into view. Hiro started strumming his guitar while Shuichi hummed.

As Hiro was finished with the intro, he made eye contact with the audience. Shuichi started singing Glaring Dream. Hiro can't help but notice a familiar face among the crowd. The guy was blonde and was looking at them expressionless. Then it became clear to him.

I definitely saw him before. He wandered his eyes more and beside the blonde was –

"Suguru." He whispered, his voice was close to crying. "Suguru." He repeated and stopped playing his guitar.

Shuichi glanced at him and looked at where Hiro was staring. It indeed shocked him to see a long lost friend.

Why are you here? He said to himself and looked at his boss, who, in his point of view is not so impressed with how Hiro was doing. I have to make this work. Shuichi told himself and sang as loud as his voice can reach.

Hiro looked at Fujisaki with teary eyes. The kid looked back at him; his usually glowing emerald eyes were now lonely and expressionless. Even in the dim lights, Hiro and Shuichi could tell that he was pale and he got a lot thinner. He was wearing a long trench coat, black shirt and long pants.

It's not like Fujisaki. Shuichi thought while singing. He was always the one wearing short shorts back when we were still whores.

Shuichi finished the song, and despite the absence of Hiro's guitar, the audience applauded, still satisfied with the performance.

"Thanks for listening, minna!" Shuichi said cheerfully, made a nervous look at Fujisaki and dragged Hiro at the backstage.

The boss hurriedly met them at the backstage and scolded the two of them.

"That was very unprofessional, Hiro. I can't believe you stopped playing the guitar at this very important event. Hey, are you listening?"

Hiro was staring into space, not hearing anything, not feeling anything and absolutely not thinking about anything but Fujisaki. He absent mindedly walked away with his guitar while the boss was scolding him.

"Hey you worthless kid, get back here. Hey! I mean it! If you don't come back here this instant, I'll fire you!"

"Ah, boss, please forgive him, he's just a little sick, I'll talk to him, promise." Shuichi stopped his boss from throwing things at Hiro, who was walking towards the exit.

"Hiro! You're fired!" the boss shouted and pushed Shuichi on the wall. "If you want to go with him, that's fine with me. You're a bunch of worthless workers!"

Shuichi sighed. So we lost the job. He ran in front of Hiro and examined his friend.

He's definitely not seeing anything huh? SHuichi thought.

Shuichi punched him on the face.

"Hiro! Wake up you moron! We just lost our job because of you!" Shuichi shouted.

Hiro turned back to reality and stared at Shuichi.

"Shu - Shuichi."

"Ah, welcome back to earth." Shuichi said and hugged his friend. "I know it's hard to see him again. Do you want me to talk to him?"

"Suguru."

Shuichi pulled away and bit his lip. This was the first time he saw his best friend got so depressed.

Ah, what should I do? Hiro looks like possessed or something. Geez.

He went back inside the club and looked for Fujisaki among the crowd.

"He's not here?" he looked again. The blonde man who was beside Fujisaki was talking with the boss, and it so happened that he saw a shade of green go towards the direction of the bathroom.

He hurriedly went inside and, indeed, it was Fujisaki – up close.

"Fujisaki kun?" Shuichi advanced on him and the kid looked at him, a little afraid.

"It's really you, Shindou kun."

Shuichi hugged the kid. "I've missed you. And so does Hiro."

"Hi – ro?" he said lamely and pulled away.

He gripped Shuichi's arm and looked at him intently with his deep and colorless eyes. "Shindou kun, please help m-

Just then, the bathroom door opened.

"Ah, there are you are, Fujisaki. Come here now." The blonde said.

There was a moment of silence. Fujisaki didn't say a word and went towards the blonde, without glancing back at Shuichi.

Just now, I think there was something wrong. Shuichi thought as the bathroom door slammed shut, he noticed however the glare that came from the blonde.

Shuichi had to drive the motorcycle for Hiro, since the latter was still staring in space. He sighed. What does Fujisaki mean by 'please help? And who was that blonde guy. He sure doesn't look nice.'

"Hiro, we're here." Shuichi said and opened the door to Hiro's apartment.

Hiro didn't move from were he was sitting.

"Hiro! I said we're here." Shuichi waved at his friend's face and removed the helmet from the brunette. Go inside now."

Hiro went inside and closed the door, without saying a word.

"Man, he looks like a zombie." Shuichi muttered and parked the motorcycle beside the door. After that, he ran towards home.

"Got what I asked?"

"Aniki, why are you interested in this commoner?" a black haired guy placed a brown envelope on top of Eiri Uesugi's desk and sat on a nearby chair.

"Tatsuha, there are things that you shouldn't know." He opened the envelope and examined the contents.

"According to that research, he works part time at a bar, or a club, as a singer, together with a man named Hiroshi Nakano. They started working there last year. Before that, they worked at a restaurant as waiters, then at a certain mall as watchers of a stall. But even before that, they worked at a club as whor –

"Where do they live? Do they live together?" Eiri asked impatiently, avoiding the topic of clubs and whores.

"No, according to that they don't live together, but I'm still trying to find out where they live. Shindou Shuichi lives with his sister, his own son, and his sister's children. Give me another week, and I'll definitely find where they live."

"Did you find out about Shui – Shindou's wife?"

"I didn't find any." Tatsuha stated clearly.

Eiri rubbed his temples and threw the papers carelessly on the desk. "You may go now."

"Fine." Tatsuha pouted, muttered something about being a bastard, got his leather jacket and exited the room.

"Wait, Tatsuha." Eiri said before his brother could fully exit. "There are people after your life. Make sure you avoid the Seguchi siblings."

"Yeah, sure. No problem." Tatsuha waved and closed the door.

Eiri took the papers again and looked at the information in front of him. at the upper right corner, a picture of Shuichi smiled at him.

"Damnit, why are you so hard to forget?"

"Brother! Thank goodness your home!" Maiko greeted his brother in front of their small apartment. She definitely looked wasted.

"What's the matter sis?" Shuichi removed his shoes and rubbed his aching muscles.

"Shuichi! There's no time for you to relax!" she panted and grabbed Shuichi's arm. "Shinori – Shinori's fever rose!"

"What?" Shuichi panicked and went immediately to their room. He saw Shinori breathing uneasily, a wet towel on his forehead.

"Maiko, what happened? He was a little better when I left him." Shuichi was almost crying.

"I don't know brother; he suddenly passed out while I was busy cooking lunch. I – I don't know what to do so I lay him on bed. We don't have any medicine left."

"Daddy. I want to go to school." Shinori mumbled as he heard his dad's voice.

"Baby, there are no classes today ok?" Shuichi soothed his son. "Are you feeling well?"

"Daddy, I can't breathe."

Maiko and Shuichi gasped. Shinori struggled for breath, and all the while his temperature was hot.

"Maiko, hurry up, we'll bring him to the hospital."

"But brother, we don't have money."

"I'll find a way." Shuichi said, carried his son and a few cash.

"Oniichan, I want to introduce you to –

"Why is he here?"

"Um, I hired him as Yukari's tutor in English and Math. He is -

Tohma didn't say a word and turned his back.

"Ah, wait brother; this is Mr. Kirisaki, a friend of mine since high school."

Tohma looked at the blonde man from head to toe. "A commoner huh? There are lots of high class tutors out there, why did you choose him?"

The blonde man gulped and avoided Tohma's eyes. "N – nice to meet you, Seguchi san." He said in a low voice.

"Well, he needs help and he's a friend of mine." Yukino said. "So, we'll leave you now, brother, I have to introduce him to Yukari."

The two of them walked towards the hallway of the Seguchi mansion.

"He sure doesn't like me." the blonde man said.

"Of course he doesn't." Yukino said impatiently and walked towards a pink door at the end of the hallway. "I told you before didn't' I, our family hates common people."

"Then, why do you like me?"

"I wonder why." Yukino replied.

"Is that Uesugi guy here?"

"No, he isn't, I can't contact him for almost three days now. He must be busy with work." She said and opened the pink door. "Now, I'll introduce you to her. Don't get over excited, you might scare her."

The door opened and revealed Yukari playing with porcelain dolls. She stopped as she saw her mom and her 'tutor'.

"Yukari, come here. This is Mr. Souske Kirisaki, he'll teach you Math and English on weekends. Say hi." She said sternly.

Yukari stood up and looked at the man from head to toe.

Man, my daughter adapted the Seguchi trait of belittling people. Kirisaki thought while his heart thumped wildly.

"Yukari!" Yukino shouted and Yukari immediately bowed down to greet the person in front of her.

"Good day, Mr. Kirisaki, I am Yukari Uesugi."

Kirisaki bit his lip. No, if only I could tell you that that is not your surname! You should be Yukari Seguchi Kirisaki, not Uesugi!

"Shindou san?" a doctor approached a praying Shuichi.

"Ah, doctor, how is he? Is my son ok?"

"I believe he's not yet fine Shindou kun." The doctor said. "Our study shows that he has flu and needs to rest in the hospital for a week. We need to focus on him because he's body is weak."

Maiko wrapped an arm on Shuichi. "A week doctor? How much will that cost us?"

"Apparently a large amount, Shindou san. A day will cost you 7,000."

"Seven thousand!" Shuichi and Maiko chorused.

"Unbelievable." Shuichi whispered and the doctor left them.

"Where will we get the money?"

"I still have about 9,000 at home. I can't borrow from Hiro at this time."

"I can't lend you money now brother, I'll use the money for tuition fee, sorry."

"I- it's ok." Shuichi looked down and thought of a way to get money."

"Is that so Mr. Shindou? Shinori can't come to school because he's in the hospital?" Noriko said after classes.

Shuichi went to Shinori's school to inform the teachers that his son won't be going to school for about a week.

"That's right Ukai san. I'll be going now." Shuichi said and walked towards the school gate.

Just then, a figure stopped him from walking.

"You again?"

"So, Shinori kun's sick huh?"
Shuichi avoided the man but the latter was persistent as always.

"I heard he's currently in the hospital."

Shuichi didn't say a word.

"Shuichi, stop being a martyr." The man gripped Shuichi's arm.

"Uesugi san, you're hurting me."

Eiri released him. "So, how is he?"

"He's not fine, he needs to stay in the hospital. Now, if you'll excuse me, I still have to go to work."

"Work huh? But I've heard that you were fired yesterday."

Shuichi froze.

Eiri smirked.

"H – how did you – are you stalking me?" Shuichi stuttered

"No, I happen to know the owner of that club, and we had a little chat earlier. He said such unprofessional workers like you should be fired."
Shuichi could feel his own breath being taken away. This is all too much. First, Fujisaki's appearance, second, his job loss, third, Hiro's depression, fourth, their lack of wealth and finally, a stalker by the name of Eiri Uesugi.

He stared at the ground and useless thoughts entered his troubled mind.

"Ah, did I say something that made you feel down?" Eiri wrapped an arm on Shuichi's shoulders. "You need money right?" he whispered.

Shuichi didn't move.

"I can lend you money." Eiri said like a snake trying to deal with its prey.

Shuichi looked up. "You – will?"

"Of course. If you want, I'll give you money for free. There's no need for you to pay me."

"Really?" Shuichi was almost in tears. He wanted to accept the offer, now that he was down and with no money.

"It's for your son right?"

"For my son." Shuichi repeated.

"Yes, for Shinori kun." Eiri hissed and caressed Shuichi's cheek, afterwards, touching his lips with his thumb. Shuichi felt shivers on his spine. "For Shinori, Shuichi, sleep with me for one night."

Shuichi's eyes widened. So that was it? He wanted my body after all.

Eiri smirked. "Why are you so surprised? Think about it Shuichi, it's just a night, and for your son. You don't need to pay money. Pay me with your body, just like before."

Shuichi could feel his heart thump. "I told you that I don't want to bring the past back."

"Then think about the future. Your son's life depends on money. And here I am, offering you money in exchange for a night. That night which was taken away from me." Eiri removed his arm from Shuichi and walked away. "You have my calling card and you already know my address right? I'll be waiting for you, Shuichi."

Shuichi looked at Eiri's back who was walking away from him. He fell on his knees and cried. "What am I going to do?" he asked himself.

He sat beside his son's hospital bed during the 4th night of Shinori's hospitalization, thinking over everything that happened. He felt his stomach grumble. He hadn't eaten a single meal for two days in a row just to save money. He looked at his son and hummed Shinori's favorite song. His thoughts went back to Eiri's touch and tempting offer as his hands clutched the calling card which he got from his wallet.

"What will I do?" he repeated once again.

The fifth and sixth day wasn't any better. The nurse informed him that their bill already reached 47,000 and that there are still more bills to come. He already paid 20,000 which he got from his salary last month.

"Shit. How can I pay those darn bills?" he cursed inside the hospital bathroom. "Please, someone help me." he whispered to himself and fell on his knees again. A thin paper flew out from his shirt pocket and landed on his lap.

Eiri was sending an email to his brother when the phone rang. He decided not to answer it, and minutes later, he clicked his phone in order to hear the voice message.

Eiri, where the heck are you? Yukari's birthday is only a week away. Honestly, you don't want your daughter to look like a common kid don't you? Organize a birthday party now and come back home. Tohma- niisan is also looking for you regarding that business trip.

He grunted.

Damn those siblings.

"Why can't I get out of your shadow?" he asked no one in particular and scratched his head. He finished emailing his brother and prepared to turn off the laptop when he heard the doorbell.

He stood up, cursing whoever it was that disturbed his precious time. Upon opening the door, however, his mood brightened.

In front of him was Shuichi Shindou.

Yay! Another chapter finished! Hey for those reviewers out there, please tell me what you like regarding this matter:

When Shinori grows up, will I give him a lover? If so, will it be a:

a. boy

b. girl

c. no, I don't want him to have a lover

Please! I'm preparing to write the sequel to Accept Me, which by the way is semi – connected with this fic.

By the way, please check my DRAWING of Shuichi and Eiri, and Shinori on this site: (delete the spaces ok?) T O K Y O P O P (dot) com. Search for this name: nurix and you will find the drawings.

Next chapter: Fujisaki tries to escape, and some other revelations. And maybe a new character comes.