Hey~! How's it going? Are you all enjoying season two? I know I am! Well, no more talking, let's get this started.

All the rights belong to, Tadatoshi Fujimaki.

Chapter Seven, Five Years Ago.

A small boy sat by himself, he watched the other kids play with each other, they looked happy. The small boy wrapped his arms around his knees and pulled them closer to his body.

'It's alright, I don't need friends anyway.' He said. 'Why would I want to run around and play? And how is running around even fun? Besides, father says they're all beneath me, anyway.'

'Hey, there's a boy over there! Let's go play with him!' One of the boys said to another one.

'Ew, no. Don't you know who that is? That's Akashi Seijuro. He thinks he's better then us 'cause his dad has lots of money.' The other boy told him.

'Really? Well, I don't like him then. He's dumb!' The small, gullible boy answered.

'I have an idea. Let's teach him a lesson. We'll show him who's better.' The bigger boy told the smaller one.

'Um... Okay! Yeah, let's teach him!' The smaller boy agreed.

Akashi looked up at the two approaching boys. 'They don't look like they want to play...' He mumbled to himself.

'Hey! Whatcha you doin' over there? Don't you want to play?' The bigger boy asked, walking towards Akashi.

Akashi watched them cautiously. 'I would prefer not to. But thank you.' He said as politely as he could muster.

'Ah, why not? Too good to play with us poor kids? Is that the reason, rich boy?'

Akashi felt his cheeks flare. 'No. I just don't really want to play right now.'

'Come on, we can go over there and play,' he pointed towards a bridge. 'I'll call over some more of my friends and we'll all play together.' He said, a fake, friendly smile on his face.

Akashi knew instantly that the boy was threatening him and he knew he would have to go with the other boy, or he'd just be dragged over there anyways.

The red-haired boy stood up sighing. 'Fine, But I must be on my way soon, please don't keep me too long.'

The two boys looked at each other for a minute. 'I must be on my way soon,' The smaller one mimicked, falling into a fit of giggles.

'Please don't keep me too long.' The bigger one said, also falling into a fit of laughter.

Akashi's face darkened. He was often teased about the way he talked. 'Perhaps we can get going, or would you two prefer to roll about in the dirt all day?' Akashi asked, getting annoyed.

The two boys giggles got even worse as they continued to make absurd impressions of Akashi.

'Alright then,' Akashi turned to leave. 'I see no reason to stay then, only pigs roll in the dirt. And I am most certainly not a pig.'

'Hey! Did you just call us pigs?!' The bigger boy asked, just realizing the he was insulted.

'I did not technically call you anything, I was just suggesting that I wasn't a pig. If that put you under the impression that I was calling you a pig , well, you would know better than I do if you are or not...' Akashi knew that he shouldn't be provoking these boys, but he couldn't help it, they made fun of him. In Akashi's mind, that means they were proposing a challenge.

Both boys faces got red with anger. 'Are you saying that I called us pigs? Are you saying I'm stupid?' The older one asked.

'Well, I was implying that you referred to yourself as a pig. But I did not at any point call you stupid, once again, you saved me the trouble.' Akashi said, staring blankly at the bullies in front of him.

'That's it.' The bigger one turned and called out to the field. 'Hey guys, this kid wants to play!' The smaller boy cackled as if he was just promised a treat.

Akashi had a bad feeling, and that feeling got worse as four, much bigger boys came over. And they all looked very excited.

'What's up, Haizaki?' One of the new gorillas said to the bigger boy who'd already been picking on Akashi.

Akashi stopped for a minute. 'Your name is Haizaki?' He asked.

'Yeah, you got a problem with my name?' He said, trying to sound threatening He turned towards the boys. 'I already told you, this kid wants to play.' He said, glaring at the boy who asked.

The new boys all started cracking their knuckles, or least tried to, most of them only pretended.

Akashi sighed, why did this happen so often? 'Listen, I don't want to fight, and I can tell you right now that you don't either.' He tried to reason.

'Fight? Us? Never. We just want to be friends.' The one named Haizaki said, talking in a baby voice. He nodded at two of the other boys, and they grabbed Akashi's arms.

'Let's take him to the bridge.' He said, nodding towards the bridge.

Akashi struggled against the hands holding him, but it was futile, they were much bigger than him.

They carried him all the way to under the bridge, before they finally put him down.

'Alright, you have me here. What now? I'm warning you, trying to hurt me is not a good idea.' Akashi warned them.

'Why? You gonna call your daddy on us?' Haizaki taunted.

'No,' Akashi said, his face starting to burn again. 'I just don't think it's a good idea for you to hurt-' He was cut off as a fist collided with his face.

'You know what? I'm tired of listening to you talk! Just shut up!' He yelled, kicking Akashi in the stomach.

Akashi fell to the ground with a hard thump, he tried to stand, but a foot kicked him back to the ground. The foot then smashed right into the side of his face.

'Come on, aren't cha gonna get up?' One of the boys said, an ugly laugh following his words.

Akashi couldn't see who was talking, because there were too many stars in his vision. But, he did feel the hands heft him to his feet, as one of the boys started to kick him in stomach again, 'What's wrong rich boy? To scared to fight back? Don't want to break your nails.' He said, puncturing every word with a kick to the stomach.

Coughing up blood, Akashi went slightly limp.

'Ah, look, he ain't moving. Maybe the poor baby needs a nap.' Haizaki said, smiling smugly as the other boys laughed.

Akashi looked up, his eyes flashing dangerously. 'Let. Me. Go.' He said through clenched teeth. 'I'm only giving you one chance.'

'Oh no, he's only giving us one chance. What do we do?' The leader said in a mocking voice.

Akashi listened as they laughed again. Anger finally washed over him, forgetting what he was doing, he elbowed the one holding him right in the stomach, making him let go. He turned and kicked him in the head for good measure. He then turned to face the group of surprised boys. Before they broke out of their daze, Akashi sprinted forward and kneed the one who he knew to be in charge right in the groin.

The group of boys all watched as Haizaki fell, they stood dumbfounded as the red-haired boy made his escape up the hill.

'Don't just stand there! Catch him!' Haizaki gasped from the ground.

Akashi ran as fast as he could, sprinting up the hill, he just barely moved out of the way as someone on a bicycle sped by.

'Sorry,' The person yelled, looking over his shoulder. Seeing the injured boy, he hit the brakes on his bike as fast as he could, and jumped off before the bike even stopped moving. 'Are you okay? Your face is all bloody. Is there anything I can do to help?' The person asked, concern showing all over his face.

Akashi stared at the person, taking in that he was a young boy, probably not much older than Akashi himself. 'I'm fine.' He pointed at the boy's bike. 'Can that fit two?'

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'Can't you go faster?' Akashi asked the boy.

'I'm going as fast as I can. This bike isn't supposed to carry two people!' He said, gasping slightly.

'Alright, You have a point. Just... hurry.' Akashi told him, glancing over his shoulder.

'Why? What are we running from? Is it the person who did that to you?' He asked, his feet pedaling as fast as they could. He weaved through corners and over lawns, not slowing down at all.

'Yes, Or rather, the people.' Akashi said, looking over his shoulder again. He sighed in relief. 'I don't see them, I think you lost them...'

'People!? Did they gang up on you?' The stranger asked, slowing the bike down to a complete stop.

'Well, yes, but don't worry. It's not that bad, I'll be alright.' Akashi told him, climbing off the back of the bike. He winced, his stomach hurt more than he realizied.

'Alright? You don't look alright to me, no sir, you look horrible!' He told Akashi emphasizing the "horrible" part.

'Thank you, I'm glad you told me, I might not have figured it out by myself.' Slight sarcasm dripped off Akashi's words.

'You're welcome. Now, sit down. I'm going to clean your face.' When Akashi started to protest, the boy put his hand on Akashi's mouth. 'Do you really think you can walk around like that? Someone might try to call nine-one-one. And what would your parents say?'

Akashi pulled the hand off his mouth. 'First of all, I don't have parents, I have a father. And secondly, He probably wouldn't even notice. Thirdly, you're probably right, I wouldn't want anyone to call nine-one-one, it's not that bad. So if you really want, you can clean my face.' He said, checking off his three fingers as he spoke

'Oh, are you sure he wouldn't notice?' The boy said, pulling out some sort of cleaning wipes. He noticed Akashi's quizzical stare and smiled. 'I bring them everywhere, just in case I fall off my bike and scrape my knee or something. That way I can clean all the dirt out before it gets stuck.' He smiled happily. 'I also bring these,' He pulled out a box of bandages, 'but I don't think they can help you...' He looked Akashi up and down.

'I see... well, at least you're prepared. But... I can't help wondering... does that mean you fall off you're bike often?' Akashi asked the older boy.

'Not as much I use to.' He replied.

'Oh...' Akashi trailed off, flinching slightly as the disinfecting wipe stung his face.

'Okay, now it's your turn, you have to answer my question! Okay?' He said, gently wiping at Akashi's swollen cheek.

'Alright... Yes, I'm sure my father wouldn't notice, he doesn't care much for me. The only time he looks at me is when he's presenting me to his business partners, so he can brag about how I'm the heir to his family.' Akashi explained to him.

'Oh... well, that doesn't seem very fun...' He said, pulling the wipe away from Akashi's face. 'There, all better. You can barely tell...'

Akashi shrugged, 'We aren't the friendliest family in the world, but it could be worse. At least he doesn't hit me or something. Oh, and thank you...' Akashi said trailing off, he looked at the boy who just cleaned his face and realized that he hadn't even asked his name.

As if reading his mind the kid smiled. 'Nijimura Shuzo.' He stuck out his hand.

Akashi grasped the boy's outstretched hand. 'My name is Akashi Seijuro.'

'You know what, you talk kinda funny,' He told the younger boy.

Akashi's face fell, he knew this was going to happen, now this kid is going to make fun of him too.

'But I think it's cool.' He said as Akashi's eyes lit back up. 'I mean, it just means you're smarter than most kids.' He told him, his eyes twinkling with honesty.

'Really? Do you really believe that?' Akashi asked, hope brimming in his eyes.

'Mm-hm, and anyone who tells you different is wrong.'

'Thank you, Shuzo, No one has ever said something that nice to me before.' A big smile appeared on Akashi's face.

Shuzo smiled, 'Well, they should, you're really cool, Akashi-kun.'

Akashi's smile got bigger as he wiped a tear out of his eye. 'Thank you.'

'Hey,' Shuzo said, sticking out his hand again, 'You don't need to cry, I think you and me should be friends.'

Akashi's eyes widened in surprise, he gazed down at Shuzo's outstretched hand and grabbed it with his own. 'Really?'

Shuzo nodded. 'Friends.'

'Friends.'

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By the end of the week Akashi and Shuzo had become fast friends, two weeks past and they were inseparable. By the end of the month, Akashi slept at Shuzo's house every chance he got. They figured out that they go to the same school, so they would just walk down together. Shuzo's mother knew that Akashi had family issues so she let him stay whenever he wanted, as long as the boys promised to be in bed by nine, and did their homework. On the weekends they'd stay up all night talking about everything and nothing. It was the first time Akashi had ever been truly happy.

'Shuzo!' Akashi yelled, walking into the Nijimura house.

'Seijuro?' Akashi heard a thumping coming down the stairs. 'Hi, how did the meeting go?' Shuzo asked, flying down the stairs and into the room.

'Oh, you know, it went as well as any other boring meeting my father drags me to. But, The food was pretty good this time. Here, I brought you some.' He stretched out his full hands.

'Oh, cool!' Shuzo led the way into the dining room. 'So, what do you want to do today?'

Akashi laid out all the food on the table. 'What do you mean today? It's already night time.' He said, punching Shuzo lightly in the arm.

Shuzo nibbled on some of the food happily. 'Well, let's go do something tonight then!'

Akashi smiled, 'Are you sure that's a good idea? Would your mother like that?' Akashi liked Shuzo's mother a lot, unlike his father, she knew how to be a good parent.

'Well, my mom said as long as we don't go too far... and she's not home, so as long as we get home before her, it shouldn't be a problem' He smiled a mischievous smile that sent shivers down Akashi's back.

Akashi knew that Shuzo was a very nice, very polite boy. But he was also really smart, and really liked to explore. Just last week, he convinced Akashi to spend the day following a "suspicious van" that led them all the way to the end of town. It took them hours to get back home. But Akashi didn't mind, he just liked to spend time with his friend. But that smile always sent shivers down his spine, Shuzo usually listened to his mother, but it was times like these where he disregarded everything so he could have fun.

The truth was, he only acted like that when Akashi couldn't spend all day with him. Akashi realized that sometime ago, but he didn't do anything about it. It made him happy that Shuzo liked him so much. No one else ever liked him that much.

'So, what do you say, Seijuro? Wanna go explore?' Shuzo asked, his eyes twinkling.

'I don't see why not... but where do you want to go?' Akashi asked cautiously.

Shuzo smiled. 'How about the beach?'

Akashi thought for a minute, he knew it wasn't a good idea to swim at night, it was also much too cold. But, if Shuzo said is was alright...

Shuzo noticed the look on Akashi's face. 'We won't go swimming, I just want to look, I hear it's really pretty this time of night.' He grabbed Akashi's hand, 'if you don't want to though...' He said, trailing off.

Akashi shook his head. 'No, of course not. I do want to go. I do!'

'Yay! Let's go!' Shuzo stood up, pulling Akashi up with him.

Akashi let Shuzo pull him up, 'Alright, let's go, but you have to drive.'

And that's how Akashi ended up on the back on Shuzo's bike, speeding down the hill and towards the beach.

Shuzo stopped the bike a half an hour later, he hopped off and held the bike steady so Akashi could hop off to. 'There you go. Isn't it beautiful?'

Akashi gazed out at the sparkling ocean. It really was beautiful. He turned to say this to Shuzo, when something hit him in the back of the head. 'Ow.' He looked down to find a rock laying on the ground beside his feet.

'Seijuro! Are you okay? What happened?' Shuzo asked, putting his hand of the back of Akashi's head.

The redhead smiled, 'I'm alright, it was just a rock.'

A rock? Who threw it?' Shuzo asked, pulling his hand off the back of Akashi's head. He gasped as he noticed the blood on his hand. 'You're bleeding!'

'Am I? I feel alright...' Akashi said, swaying slightly.

Shuzo's eyes flashed dangerously. 'Who's there! Come on out! You hit someone!'

'Did I? Darn.' A familiar voice said, drifting out of the darkness.

Akashi's eyes widened. 'Uh oh' He whispered.

'What do you mean?' Shuzo asked, turning to face Akashi.

'I know that voice...' Akashi said, stepping away.

'Are ya gonna run away again, rich boy? The boy named Haizaki said.

'Let's get out of here, Shuzo.'

Shuzo didn't need to be told twice. He grabbed Akashi's hand and pulled him back towards his bike. But they were cut off by two more boys stepping in front of them.

'Uh oh.' Akashi said again.

It happened quickly. Hands grabbed the back of Akashi and Shuzo's shirts.

'Hey! Let us go!' Shuzo yelled, trying to break out of the hold. Meanwhile, Akashi was still dizzy and was having a hard time staying on his feet.

'Ah, sorry, but you see, me 'n' rich boy have a score to settle. Don't we?' He punctured the last word with his fist smashing into Akashi's stomach.

Akashi stumbled back, gripping his stomach as he fell to his knees.

'Seijuro!' Shuzo screamed, struggling to break the grip of the boy holding him.

Akashi stayed on his knees, afraid that he'd fall over if he stood up. So he wasn't prepared when a foot kicked him in the chin. Lurching his head back, Akashi tasted blood.

He fell to the ground, shaking slightly. He tried getting up, but his body wouldn't obey him.

'Seijuro! Seijuro, can you hear me?!' Shuzo yelled. When Akashi didn't answer, Shuzo stomped on the foot of the boy who was holding him, he then brought his elbow back and smashed it against the boy's throat. He ran over to Akashi, picking him up, he turned to run.

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When Akashi opened his eyes, he was on Shuzo's back. He was carrying him all the way up the hill. 'Shuzo? What happened?'

Shuzo turned to smile at him, 'We got away! Now we're going home, don't worry, we're almost there.'

Akashi gasped. Shuzo's face was covered in blood, there was a cut on the side of his face and there was blood leaking out of his nose and mouth. 'You're hurt!' He tried to climb off, but Shuzo tightened his grip.

'It's okay. I'm fine. Just a little bit chilly.' He said with a smile.

Akahsi was confused until he looked down and saw that Shuzo wasn't wearing a shirt and the reason became clear when he felt his head and found out that there was fabric tied around it. 'Your shirt...'

'It's okay, your head was bleeding and I didn't know how bad it was. I didn't want it to get worse.' Shuzo reassured Akashi.

Shuzo looked up as he felt his shoulder getting wet and the smaller boy on his back shaking.

'I'm sorry, Shuzo... I'm so sorry. This is all my fault!' There were thick tears streaming out of Akashi's eye's and down his cheeks. 'This is all my fault!' He cried again.

'Hey, It's okay, I'm happy to help. Are those the people who beat you up when we first met?' He waited until he felt Akashi nod before continuing. 'It's my fault anyway, I shouldn't have dragged you down to the beach. I'm sorry.'

'It's alright, you didn't force me, as long as Shuzo's going, then I'll go to! I just want to spend time with you! I don't care what we do!' Akashi cried into Shuzo's shoulder.

'Thanks, I feel the same way, Seijuro.'

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It was months after the incident, and Shuzo and Akashi were closer then ever. It was one particular evening where they were lying on Shuzo's bed in comfortable silence.

'Seijuro...' Shuzo mumbled into Akashi shoulder.

'Yes?' Akashi answered, sleepily.

'Can we talk?' Shuzo asked, sitting up.

'What is it?' Akashi sat up as well.

'So, you know how I have really good grades?'

'Mm-hm.' Akashi replied suspiciously

'Well, My mom got offered a new job...'

Akashi nodded, not understanding what this had to do with Shuzo's grades.

'And it pays really well...'

Akashi said nothing.

'And there's a really good private school that she was looking at...'

Akashi continued to say nothing.

'And I think I'm going to go...'

Akashi finally found his voice, 'But, it costs lots of money to go to private school.'

'Yeah, but... I have really good grades so... the school said they would pay for most of it... and my mom's new job would be able to pay for the rest...'

Akashi stayed silent for a long time. 'That's good, I hope you have fun...' He got up to leave. 'I have to go...'

'No, Please, don't leave! I told my mom I didn't want to go, and she said I didn't have to... But, the job pays lots more money... and I would learn lots of new stuff and she thinks it would be easier 'cause the new job will take her away from home...'

'It's fine! Just go, don't worry about me!' Akashi shouted.

'Seijuro, I'm sorry!' Shuzo cried, 'If that's what you want, then I'll stay!'

Tears rolled down Akashi's face. 'No, I don't want you to. You've always been so smart. And this is what you want to do! You've always had big dreams! Go, make those dreams come true, just... please don't forget me.'

Shuzo threw himself on Akashi. 'I'd never forget you! You're my best friend! I love you, Seijuro. I promise, I'll come back whenever I can and I'll come see you, I swear.' Shuzo sobbed into Akashi's shoulder.

'I love you too, Shuzo.'

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The blissful summer came to an end, Akashi hugged Shuzo one last time before he left.

'I'm sorry, Seijuro, I've had so much fun. I can't wait until I come back.' Shuzo said, burying his face in Akashi's hair.

'Don't apologize, just keep your promise, don't forget me.' Akashi said, tears filling his eyes again.

'I can't even if I wanted to... You're my best friend, nobody that I meet will ever compare to you.'

Akashi nodded. 'Goodbye, Nijimura Shuzo.' He stuck out his hand.

Shuzo sniffed and grasped his hand. 'Goodbye, Akashi Seijuro.'

'Remember,' Akashi said. 'Friends.'

'Friends.' Shuzo agreed.

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Well, that's all, That was pretty long, and I hope it answered all of the questions about Nijimura and Akashi. Overall, I really enjoyed writing this chapter, so feel free to tell me your thoughts!