Disclaimer:

I do not own Gravitation or any of its characters. I just love them to no end and have a very twisted imagination. Please be aware that I am extremely poor so suing me will do you no good. Thanks.

Warning: Lemon Yaoi / Explicit Language / Angst / Rape / Violence / AU

Pairings: Yuki x Shuichi / Ryuichi + Tatsuha / Hiro + Ayaka / K +Sakano / Tohma + Mika

FYI: Inner thoughts -- [ Flashback ]

Author's Notes:

Hey, guys! Here's chapter three of Beautiful Stranger. More characters are introduced in this installment and another glimpse of Shuichi's past is revealed making this another angst filled chapter. I hope that you enjoy it.

Well, that's it for now. Enjoy the fic and please don't forget to review!

Thanks,

Forsaken

Beautiful Stranger

[ Darkness surrounded him as he sat huddled on the floor of the cold basement; naked and hungry. Chills ran up his spine and he wrapped his arms tighter over his drawn up knees, trying to warm his trembling frame. But try as he might, he couldn't stop the shivers that were running through his body. He wouldn't cry, dammit. He wouldn't cry.

He wanted to cry though, wanted to somehow vent the desperation that was consuming him. He was scared and in pain; the infected welts on his back a never-ending torment. God, how long had he been down here? Two …… three days? A week? He couldn't even remember anymore. It was as if time had stopped all around him, leaving him lost and alone in a void of darkness.

A sound suddenly intruded his thoughts, echoing throughout his silent prison. He scrambled onto his knees, ignoring the pain the movement was causing his back and sore joints and quickly moved to the basement door. Another sound resounded along the walls and he immediately began to call out.

"Is someone there?" His violet eyes fixed on the door before him, searching for any signs of movement. "Please answer me. Is someone there?" His chest tightened as despair began to course through him and he could feel the tears he'd been trying to hold back rebelliously track down his dirt stained cheeks. "Please let me out," he begged as he placed his hands onto the wooden door. "I'm sorry. I'll never disobey you again," his pleaded, his hoarse voice cracking on the last words.

He saw shadows play along the small gap in between the door and the concrete floor and hope stirred within him. His violet eyes looked at the door expectantly waiting to leap out of the hole he was in the instant it opened.

All hope was shattered, however, when a voice full of malicious content seeped through the other side of the door.

"I'm glad to see that you''re learning, my Shuichi, but ……" The voice paused. "The lesson is still not over."

The shadows disappeared, leaving him once again alone within the darkness.

"No!" he cried out, panic spearing through him. "Please, no! I don''t want to stay here anymore. Please! I said I was sorry! I said I was sorry!"

He was banging his hands against the door now, seeking his freedom. He was in a frenzy, unaware of the blisters forming on his slender hands as they continued to pound relentlessly against the barrier keeping him from the outside world.

"Come back! Come back!" he yelled desperately as tears trailed down his cheeks once again. Blood was now staining the door, but he didn''t notice the crimson streaks, didn''t notice the pain spiking up his arms. All he wanted was his freedom. "Let me out! LET ME OUT!" ]

Shuichi awoke with a start, nearly falling off of the sofa. Shit!

"Easy," a soft voice said as gentle hands steadied Shuichi into a sitting position, preventing what would have been a nasty fall.

Who …… Where? His eyes widened as Yuki's face came into focus. Suddenly, he remembered. I'm not 'there'. I'm in the stranger's apartment …… Yuki''s apartment. Relief washed over him. He was safe. Fucking nightmares. Why wouldn''t they stop haunting him?

"I'm sorry. Did I wake you?" Shuichi asked, afraid that he'd ruined his chances of staying.

Yuki looked at him for a moment from where he was sitting on the sofa before shaking his head. "No, I was already awake."

Shuichi almost sighed in relief as he ran a shaky hand through his hair; the reddish-brown locks damp with sweat. "What time is it?"

Yellow-green eyes looked at him steadily. "Almost ten in the morning."

Shuichi's eyes widened. "Really?" he asked, his tone amazed. He couldn't help it. For years now, he had been forced to be up and on the streets no later than seven; the early morning rush always an excellent source of easy money. To have slept this late was absolutely joyous for him.

Yuki's eyebrows arched in response to Shuichi's reaction but didn't say a word. Shuichi was thankful for the silence. He really didn''t want to explain why such a trivial thing could make him so happy. Suddenly, his stomach rumbled loudly and Shuichi blushed in embarrassment. Oh, jeez.

"Breakfast is on the table," Yuki informed him as the blonde stood up from the sofa. "I'm assuming that you're hungry."

Shuichi ducked his head a little. "Um ... Yeah, a little." Little my ass! I'm starving!

"Get up then," Yuki commanded impatiently. "You're not going to be able to walk on that foot."

Shuichi blinked and looked down at the foot in question. It was wrapped in an elastic brace similar to the one on his wrist. Oh yeah, I forgot. Tatsuha had noticed the swollen foot last night and bandaged it up for him. Jeez, I'm a mess. First my wrist, then my ankle. I almost killed myself just by falling down. What a clutz.

"Well, are you hungry or not?" Yuki asked, his tone exasperated.

"Oh, sorry." Shuichi made himself stand, trying to avoid putting unnecessary pressure on his wrist or ankle as he did so. Dammit, move Shuichi. You don't want to get him mad, do you? Shuichi looked up at the hard eyes boring into him. Definite noooo.

A strong arm suddenly went around his waist and Shuichi's eyes practically bulged out of their sockets when he came in contact with Yuki's hard body. He swallowed and tentatively looked up at the blonde now helping him stand. Yuki raised a golden eyebrow in question and Shuichi quickly looked away, flustered by those fathomless eyes.

"Come on, let's get you washed up."

Shuichi nodded and winced as they began their slow trek across the living room; his ankle causing him no small measure of pain. You've handled worst, Shuichi. This is nothing. Just ignore it. It'll go away. Shit, but it hurts like a bitch. Owe, owe, owe!

A gasp escaped Shuichi's lips when he was suddenly lifted off of his feet and into Yuki's arms. Startled by the abrupt movement, Shuichi wrapped his arms around Yuki's neck and looked at the blonde with questioning eyes.

Yuki shrugged. "You're taking too long."

Shuichi mouthed an 'Oh' as Yuki made his way toward the bathroom. He kept his arms around the older man's neck since Yuki hadn't protested and closed his eyes as he took in Yuki's sensuous cologne. God, he smells so good. He was almost tempted to let his head rest against Yuki's hard shoulders. Better not. He'll kill me for sure.

Once in the bathroom, Shuichi grabbed onto the sink as Yuki left him to clean himself up. He grimaced when he caught sight of his reflection on the crystal clear mirror.

Dark circles marred his pale skin and his hair was sticking up in all directions. "Jeez, I look like I went through a wreck," he muttered to himself as combed his fingers through his hair trying to calm the wayward locks.

Shuichi picked up the toothpaste on the sink and quickly finger brushed his teeth, using some of the mouthwash in the medicine cabinet to rinse out his mouth. He washed his face and grabbed one of the dark navy blue towels hanging on a rack to his left. Wiping himself dry, Shuichi hopped himself around on his good foot and took a look around the surprisingly large bathroom, letting out an impressed whistle.

Everything and he meant everything was absolutely spotless. He'd never seen such a clean bathroom before and he marveled at the shimmering porcelain and tiles. His violet eyes caught sight of the toilet and he suddenly gasped. "Ooohh, I gotta go peee!"

Shuichi knew he was probably looking ridiculous hopping around on one foot trying to unzip his shorts with only one good hand, but he didn't care. He had to relieve himself or he'd burst. Hang on, hang on. Fuuuck! He would just die if he had an accident. No, dammit! You will not pee on yourself! he yelled at himself in a panic as he fumbled with his clothes. Almost got it. That's it …… That's …… Aaaaahhhhhh. Shuichi''s eyes rolled back and his mouth opened slightly as he saved his poor bladder from exploding.

"Do I have to go in there after you? Hurry the hell up."

Shuichi winced at the sound of Yuki's irritated voice. He quickly finished what he was doing and zipped himself back up, praying that he didn't snag anything. He flushed the toilet and maneuvered himself back to the sink to wash his hands. When he was done, he opened the door and blinked owlishly at the annoyed blonde waiting for him.

"Sorry, it's a little hard to move around."

Yuki rolled his eyes and wrapped his arm around Shuichi's waist.

The pace was slow as he and Yuki made their way into the kitchen. It was a bit of a walk being that the apartment was quite large and so by the time they made it into the kitchen, Shuichi's ankle was throbbing uncomfortably. Yuki helped him into a chair and Shuichi let out a tired breath.

"You alright?" asked Yuki, once Shuichi was settled.

"Yeah, I'm okay." Shuichi thought he saw a hint of concern within those yellow-green eyes but dismissed it almost immediately when the blonde suddenly turned away toward the stove. Nah, he's practically glaring daggers at me. Get a hold of yourself, Shuichi. Stop trying to see things that aren''t there.

He couldn't help it though. Yuki was so very handsome. Dressed in a pair of loose fitted jeans and a white t-shirt that did nothing to hinder the older man's hard body, Yuki was a walking wet dream. Shuichi took the opportunity to let his appreciating eyes take in their fill while Yuki had his back to him. It's such a wide back too, Shuichi told himself dreamily. And look at that ass.

Yuki turned around and Shuichi quickly lowered his gaze. Shit, did he see me looking? Damn, he hoped he wasn't blushing. He really hated when he did that.

"Here," Yuki said as he placed a large dish of scrambled eggs along with a glass of clear water before Shuichi. "I don't have anything but beer to drink in the fridge so you''ll have to settle for water."

Shuichi eyed the plate and glass in front of him and suddenly found it hard to swallow. God, when was the last time I had scrambled eggs? It looks so …… homey …… so normal. But it wasn't. Not for him. Not anymore.

"What? Don't you like eggs?"

Blinking rapidly, Shuichi looked up at Yuki, noticing the man's irritation. Yuki probably thought he wasn't appreciating the food. God, if only he knew. Trying to swallow the lump stuck in his throat, Shuichi shook his head and smiled. "Oh, I do. I love scrambled eggs. It's just that ..." Shuichi paused, holding his tongue. Man, I was about to tell him …… Just shut up and eat Shuichi. That last thing he wanted was pity. "Thank you," was all Shuichi said before he began to dig into the meal he'd been given.

Yuki stood next to him for what seemed to be forever and Shuichi tried to concentrate on eating his food. Why is he just standing there? He's making me nervous. Okay, stay calm and act cool. Eat. Chew. Swallow. Eat. Chew ... Dammit, move Yuki!

He was about to start squirming when Yuki finally moved away, leaving him alone in the kitchen. Relief washed over Shuichi yet at the same time he felt ... disappointed. Yes, he was a bit intimidated by the obvious power held within Yuki's masculine frame and by the intelligence clearly seen within Yuki's almost exotic gaze. But ... He also felt an unexplained attraction towards the aloof man. Shuichi couldn't understand it let alone explain it but he knew it was there. This strange yet exhilarating feeling that clenched his insides whenever the blonde was near.

Shuichi smirked. Shit, I've known him for less than a day and I''m already acting as if I'm in lo ... Shuichi's grin faded as he slowly lowered his fork, placing it slowly back onto his plate. Is that why I'm feeling this way? Am I falling for a complete stranger? Was that even possible? Love at first sight? Bullshit! I can't be. God, I must really be as stupid as I look.

Shuichi's eyes narrowed as he stared at his plate full of eggs. What am I doing here? Shuichi raised his eyes and let his gaze roam the expanse of the large kitchen. What the 'fuck' am I doing here?

His thoughts were suddenly interrupted when Yuki came up behind him seemingly out of nowhere. Out of instinct, Shuichi whirled his upper body around quickly, picking up his knife unconsciously for protection as he did so.

Yuki took a cautious step back, his eyes calm but alert.

His heart ramming into his chest from the scare, it took Shuichi a moment to snap back to reality. Realizing what he was doing, he immediately put the knife down on the table and lowered his head. "Sorry," he managed to whisper, embarrassment intermingling with the fear still running through him. "You took me by surprise."

Yuki looked at him for a what seemed to be an endless moment before he simply said, "Here."

A black metal cane was practically shoved into his hands and Shuichi looked up at Yuki in confusion. "What's this for?"

"Isn't obvious? You can use it to move around."

"Oh ……" He's not kicking my ass for what I just did, Shuichi thought to himself in surprised wonder. "Thank you," Shuichi replied, his eyes going back to the cane. What's he doing with a cane?

"I'm going to my office downstairs. I'll be back in a few hours."

Shuichi stared at Yuki wide-eyed as he watched the older man walk away. He took the cane he'd been given and used it to follow the blonde to the door. It still hurt to walk around on his bad ankle but Shuichi had to admit that the cane definitely helped.

Yuki raised an eyebrow as Shuichi came up behind him. "What?"

"You're going to leave me here by myself?"

"You are old enough to be by yourself, aren't you?" Yuki asked sardonically.

Shuichi shook his head. "It's not that. I mean, well ... You don't even know me and you're going to leave me here alone in your apartment," Shuichi stated, his tone amazed yet confused. "Aren't you afraid that I'll steal you blind?"

Yuki reached out and opened the front door. "Your ass wouldn't be here if I thought you were capable of pulling something like that off. So shut up about it. You're giving me a damn headache." Yuki stepped through the doorway as he pointed to a white piece of paper on the small coffee table near the door. "That's my number downstairs. Don't use it unless your dying." And with those final words, Yuki closed the door behind him leaving a perplexed Shuichi in his wake.

Shuichi blinked at the closed door and turned around slowly, mindful of his ankle. He looked around the large apartment and stared at the ample space for a few seconds before a huge smile bloomed across his face.

He had the place all to himself. Woo hoo!!

Yuki took a deep pull from his cigarette as he entered the agency''s office. A phone was slammed onto it's base just before a very flustered looking brunette began to walk his way. Ah, shit.

"So you've finally decided to grace this office with your presence, Mr. Yuki."

Yuki raised an eyebrow. "What the hell crawled up your ass?"

Ayaka Usami threw the stacks of files she was carrying on top of her desk with an audible thump; the look on her face changing from one of irritation to one of full blown lividity.

"What crawled up my ass? What crawled up my ass?" Ayaka spat. "This damn phone has been ringing none stop since 8 o'clock this morning and who's been dealing with it all? Me! And why you may ask? Because that fucking bitch Nuriko hasn't shown up for work yet …… Again!" Ayaka slammed her hand against her desk. "This is bullshit Yuki! I'm not a goddamn secretary. I'm a hacker. A fucking good one at that. I don't need to be dealing with this crap!"

Ayaka was panting now and her face had turned into a lovely shade of red. Yuki always found the brunette's transformation from a quiet and refined lady to a vulgar and violent banshee very ... interesting. Knowing that he'd probably lose an appendage if he interrupted the woman during her tirade, Yuki waited for the brunette quiet down.

When it was safe, he asked, "Feel better now?"

Ayaka took in a deep breath and released it. "Yes, I do," she replied politely, once again calm and civil. "Thank you for asking."

"Good," Yuki said as he turned away and walked into his office. "In regards to Nuriko, she left me a message yesterday saying she would be in late today," Yuki informed Ayaka. "She had to take her husband to the airport. I guess Ryuichi forgot to mention it to you this morning."

"That son-of-a-bitch!" he heard Ayaka hiss under her breath.

Yuki sat down at his desk and reached over to open one of the drawers to his right. Retrieving a pair of gold wire-rimmed glasses, he placed them over his nose and put out his cigarette in the black ashtray to his right before he began going through the mail stacked neatly on his desk. "Where is Ryuichi?"

Obviously trying to muster as much of her dignity as she could, Ayaka cleared her throat and walked into Yuki's office with her trusty clipboard in hand, already scanning the top sheet. "He checked in about an hour ago. He was still tailing Aizawa."

Yuki's hand tightened over the envelop in his hand. "Anything new?"

Ayaka shook her head. "Not really. Same old routine. 'But', he did make a remark that Aizawa seemed a bit nervous."

Yuki looked up at the brunette. "Nervous?"

"Yes," Ayaka replied. "Ryuichi noticed that Aizawa was being more careful than usual. Watching over his shoulder, so to speak."

"I see," Yuki said absently, his mind already spinning its wheels. Yellow-green eyes narrowed as long fingers absently tapped on the desk''s wooden surface. Who's after you now, you little prick? Who?

The crooked cop had made quite a number of enemies throughout the years; one of those enemies being Yuki himself. It would be an quite a difficult task to determine who was not only pulling Tachi Aizawa's strings now but making sure that they could be cut at any given time. Yuki almost grinned. This is going to be fun.

The phone began to ring once again and Ayaka hissed snapping Yuki out of his thoughts.

"Fucking phone," the petite brunette all but growled as she walked over to her desk. "If Nuriko doesn't get her ass here soon, I swear to God that I'm going to kill her." She reached out and answered the phone, her voice sweet and polite once again as she spoke. "ES Investigations. How may I help you? Oh, hello, Tatsuha."

Yuki sighed audibly. What the hell does he want? I'll kill him if he doesn't come over later.

"Yes, he's here ... Shuichi? ... Who's ... Oh, sure. Just hold on a second." Ayaka placed the call on hold and looked at Yuki.

Already planning his younger brother's painful demise, Yuki gave Ayaka a don't-even-ask look and picked up the line. "What?"

"Well, hello to you too big brother," Tatsuha replied, his voice full of cheer and sadistic joy. "Having a bad day already?"

"Save it you little asshole," Yuki sneered. "The last thing I need is to be knee deep in bullshit first thing in the morning. What do you want?"

"I feel so loved," Tatsuha answered sarcastically. "I'm calling to find out how Shuichi's doing? Is he there?"

"No. Why would he be?"

"You mean you left him all alone in the apartment?"

"What the hell did you expect me to do? Wait on him hand and foot?" Yuki asked, his tone calm despite the annoyance he was feeling. "I've got a job to do, moron. I can't be wasting my time babysitting some punk kid off of the street. Besides, he can take care of himself. He is a thief after all."

Tatsuha suddenly snickered. "I can't believe it."

Yuki raised an eyebrow in response. "What?"

"You're afraid of Shuichi, aren't you?"

"What the hell are you talking about?" Yuki asked angrily, his heart beginning to pound against his chest. I am not!

"That's why you wanted me to stay over last night," Tatsuha continued. "And that's why you hightailed it to the office this morning ... alone."

Yuki's hand tightened its grip over the phone. Was Tatsuha right? Was he afraid of the little thief? No, dammit. It's not true. It can't be true. "Is this why you called me? To bother the shit out of me? Where the hell are you anyway?"

"I'm at the academy in between classes and don't try to change the subject on me," said Tatsuha. "It's not going to work."

Yuki brought a hand up to rub at his now throbbing temple. His brother really was a pain in the ass sometimes. "I don't have time for this, Tatsuha. I'm hanging up now." He was about to move to hang up the receiver when his brother's voice cut through the silence stopping him cold.

"Coward."

Yuki stilled, his eyes narrowing as anger washed over him in an instant. "What did you call me?" he asked, his tone just as calm as ever but with a dangerous edge to it.

"Nothing ... I didn't say a word." Tatsuha sighed loudly over the phone. "You know, Eiri. I don't get you. Why did you bring Shuichi to your house, even go as far as offer to let him stay with you until he heals if you don't want him around? You just make no sense."

Yuki remained silent. He couldn't speak even if he wanted to, his mind already pondering over his brother's disquieting words.

"Look, I won't be able to come over until later on this afternoon. At least check up on Shuichi before then, alright?"

"Fine," Yuki replied coldly before ending the call. Leaning forward a bit, he placed his hands underneath his chin and stared at the phone. Why the fuck am I letting what he said get to me? He doesn't know what he''s talking about.

Suddenly the image of a pair of large violet eyes came to mind and Yuki's chest tightened in response. He cursed under his breath and ran a frustrated hand through his blonde locks. He right, isn't he? Yuki sighed and leaned back into his chair.

He 'was' avoiding Shuichi, keeping himself at a distance. The boy's presence was confusing him, eliciting a response from within him that he would rather keep buried. Emotions that he normally kept under lock and key were emerging, seeping through the barrier he''d erected around himself long ago. Worst still, panic was filtering through along with those emotions …… including fear. The cracks in his shields were becoming more and more apparent and Yuki berated himself for it. Control meant everything to him and to have a slip of a boy compromise that control was almost intolerable. His foundations were shaking and he didn't know what to do to regain his balance.

Yuki sighed again as an uncomfortable throbbing began to spread throughout his temples. I don't need this shit.

How could this be possible? Twenty-four hours had yet to pass and already his life was being turned upside down by one Shuichi Shindou. What the fuck am I supposed to do now? I opened my big mouth and now he's staying with me. I can't avoid him forever. I'm just going to have to deal with it, he concluded. I'm not a coward, goddammit.

The phone rang once again. Yuki noticed that Ayaka was on already on the phone and so he reached over and picked up the shrilling phone. "ES Investigations. Can I help you?"

"Yeah, you can help me. Get me the hell out of this traffic jam I'm in."

Yuki sighed and leaned forward in his seat. "Ryuichi, where the fuck are you?"

"I'm stuck in the downtown district."

Downtown? "What the hell are you doing there?"

"I was following Aizawa as ordered and I ended up here. I lost him though once we hit the main stretch here."

"Shit," Yuki cursed softly.

"Do me a favor?"

"What?"

"Have Ayaka or Hiro look into Murao Industries."

Yuki grabbed his pen and wrote the name down. "Murao Industries?"

"Yeah," responded Ryuichi. "I've got a hunch."

Yuki slowly placed the pen back onto the desk. He had learned long ago that Ryuichi's hunches usually panned out so he wasn't about to question the older man's instincts. Unfortunately for him, Ryuichi tended to keep him in the dark until those hunches were confirmed, refusing to 'jinx' them. Dammit.

"Alright," he answered resignedly. "I'll have one of them check into it. Hurry up and get back. I have …… something to attend to and I need you back here."

The sounds of traffic in the background filtered through the cell phone as Ryuichi remained silent.

"Did you hear me, Ryuichi?"

"Yuki?"

Yuki raised an eyebrow at Ryuichi's suddenly fearful tone. "Yeah?"

"I forgot to tell Ayaka that Nuriko would be in late today."

"Yes, I know."

"Does …… Does Ayaka know I forgot?" Ryuichi asked, his voice losing its masculine tenor.

Christ, I hate it when he gets like this. On the job, Ryuichi was all business, his years of experience on the force evident in his work as a detective. But on a more personal level? The man could act worst than a five year old.

"Yes, she does," Yuki responded. He knew what was coming next.

"Ooooo …… She's going to kill me. Yuuuuki, do I have to come into the office today? Please don't make me. Please?" Ryuichi all but whimpered the words in a childlike tone.

Yuki rubbed a hand over his face in exasperation. Enough was enough. "For God's sake, Ryuichi. Stop being an idiot! Be in this office in 'fifteen' minutes. Fifteen, Ryuichi. Or I swear to all that's holy that I'll kick the shit out you."

Yuki could just picture Ryuichi swallowing at the more than plausible threat. Idiot.

"Damn, Yuki. You don't have to be so mean about it," Ryuichi replied meekly. "I'll be there."

"Good," he said, hanging up the phone a second later. He looked up and noticed that Ayaka was whispering angrily into the phone. The brunette slammed her hand down on the desk and Yuki pitied whomever was on the other line.

"Yes, Ayaka. I'm heading there as we speak," Hiro spoke into his cell phone as he walked down the hallway towards Yuki's apartment, combing his fingers through his long dark red hair.

"Dammit, Hiro. I called you over twenty minutes ago. What the hell took you so long?"

Hiro rolled his eyes. "I was in bed, you know. I had to take a shower, get dressed and have breakfast."

"God, you're such a man."

Hiro smirked. "Yeah, luckily for you."

"You are so going to make me puke," Ayaka replied with a sound of disgust. "Just get over there."

"I don't get it. What's the big deal about Yuki having someone staying at his apartment? You're making it seem as if something major's happening."

"Jesus, why do I put up with you?" Ayaka cried. "Can't you see what this means? Yuki 'offered' to let this Shuichi person stay with him until he recovers from his injuries. 'Yuki' …… The iceman …… The bastard who runs me ragged at work …… The prick who keeps you up all night long working on his crap ……" Ayaka's voice suddenly softened. "The wonderful jerk whom we owe our lives to finally let someone in."

Hiro blinked. He had tuned out again. In? Into what? Dammit! "Uh …… Into his apartment?"

"No, you idiot! Into his life!" Ayaka hissed at him.

"How do you know all of this anyway?" Hiro knew but he just loved frustrating his girlfriend to no end.

"I eavesdropped of course."

"Of course."

"You see," Ayaka continued, "Tatsuha called and right from the get I could tell that something was up. You should have seen Yuki's face. I just couldn't stop myself from listening in."

Hiro grinned. "Uh-huh," he replied knowingly. Like you really tried.

"Shut up!" Ayaka snapped. "Anyway, I listened in and I found out that this Shuichi is a thief Yuki brought home with him last night."

"A thief?" Hiro asked, his eyebrows arching in surprise. What the hell is Yuki thinking?

"Yes," Ayaka replied excitedly. "Tatsuha seems to think that Yuki's avoiding this person."

"So?" What's the big deal? I don't get it.

"So?" Ayaka asked incredulously. "How the hell can you be so dense? You're a genius for God''s sake. Think about it."

Hiro blinked, his mind a total blank. Think about it? "Um ……" Fear washed over Hiro. If he didn't answer correctly, there would be hell to pay. He could practically see the steam coming through the phone as Ayaka waited for an answer.

Come on, Hiro. Get in touch with your feminine side, he pleaded with himself. Commune with your emotions. Beads of sweat formed over his brow as his heart began to pound nervously against his chest. Crap, I hate these tricky questions. I'm a man, dammit. I'm not supposed to understand this shit. God, she's going to make me read those romance novels again. Hiro shuddered at the frightening thought.

He heard Ayaka sigh and Hiro lowered his head in defeat. Time was up. I'm doomed!

"You're hopeless," Ayaka told him. "You see, my emotionally dim-witted love, Yuki is obviously attracted to this Shuichi."

"What?" Hiro asked, chuckling at the thought. Yuki? Attracted to …… No way.

"Don't you dare laugh," Ayaka commanded. " You should have seen the look in his eyes when Tatsuha confronted him about it. I thought Yuki was going to run out and kill him when Tatsuha called him a coward."

Hiro's eyes widened in amazement. "Man, Tatsuha has got a 'huge' pair of balls."

"Must you be so crude," Ayaka chided.

"Absolutely. It's my duty as a man."

"Lord, give me strength," Ayaka pleaded. "Look, the point is that something is most definitely up and this Shuichi character is somehow involved. You have to go and check him out."

"Why?"

"It's your duty as not only Yuki's employee but as his friend to see if this Shuichi poses a threat to him, if he's after something other than shelter. He could be after Yuki's fortune for all we know."

"Man, where do you come up with this stuff?" Hiro asked as he approached the door to Yuki's apartment.

"Just do it, Hiro," Ayaka commanded. There was a pause and then ... "For me."

The two words were uttered in the sweetest voice Ayaka possessed in her arsenal of feminine charms. Hiro let out a breath knowing full well that he couldn't resist his girlfriend when she used her womanly powers against him. Damn, she's good. "I'm going to regret this," he muttered as he reached out to ring the doorbell.

"Thanks, honey. I love you."

Hiro rolled his eyes but grinned despite the obvious ploy. He knew by now that despite her sardonic demeanor Ayaka really did love him. "Yeah, I love you too." Women!

"Call me back the 'instant' you get out of there."

"Alright, gotta go," Hiro replied quickly, immediately closing the small cell phone and slipping it into his jacket pocket as he watched the door open.

Hiro's eyes widened as he caught a glimpse of the other person looking at him through the now slightly ajar door. He could only see a part of the person's face but Hiro knew beauty when he saw it.

Reddish-brown locks fell over a delicate heart shaped face the color of ivory. The almost girlish features were enhanced even further by the pair of the most beautiful eyes Hiro had ever seen. He'd never seen eyes that color before and he couldn't help but be transfixed by them. Maybe Ayaka's right. Shit, I'd even be able fall for him and I'm straight as a board.

"Can ... Can I help you?"

Hiro blinked at the hesitant question and snapped out of the spell he'd been under. "Oh, sorry." Hiro offered his hand to the boy. "I'm Hiroshi Nakano. Hiro for short. I work for Yuki."

At the mention of Yuki's name, a telltale blush spread over the boy's cheeks and those gorgeous violet eyes danced with emotion; the door opening wider as the young man stepped through it and into the hallway.

Hiro bit back a smile. You've got it bad already, don''t you kid?

"I'm Shuichi. Shuichi Shindou," the petite brunette stated shyly as he shook Hiro's hand in a surprisingly strong grip.

"It's nice to meet you, Shuichi."

Shuichi smiled at him and Hiro almost whistled under his breath; the beauty in that smile impressing even him. The brunette suddenly winced and Hiro noticed for the first time that Shuichi was leaning heavily against a cane and that his slender ankle was wrapped in a bandage.

"Man, you shouldn't be on that ankle," Hiro stated as he wrapped an arm around Shuichi''s slender arm. "Come on, we can talk inside." He felt Shuichi stiffen for a moment and Hiro thought the kid would bolt out of his grasp. But after a second, Shuichi relaxed and allowed Hiro to guide him back into the apartment.

Once he helped settle Shuichi on the sofa, Hiro sat down next to him, his eyes surveying the area. A pillow and a neatly folded blanket had been placed on the other side of the sectional telling Hiro that the kid had obviously slept on the sofa. He doesn't look like he's in any shape to do anything anyway.

"So you're staying with Yuki?" he asked nonchalantly.

Shuichi nodded his head. "Yeah, he let me stay here until I got better."

"What happened to you? I mean, if you don't mind my asking."

Something flickered through Shuichi's large eyes before he looked away, concentrating his gaze on the floor beneath his feet. "I was ... I was clumsy and I fell down."

"Oh," Hiro replied, noticing how nervous the smaller man had become. Fell down, huh? Hiro's blue eyes narrowed.Maybe. Maybe not.

There was something about the youth that just wasn't sitting right with Hiro. Shuichi was more than what he seemed. Despite the innocent aura about the slender brunette, there were shadows within his violet eyes, shadows that were easily recognizable by someone who had seen them before, someone who had held them within their own gaze, someone like Hiro himself.

What are you running from Shuichi? Hiro asked himself as a feeling of apprehension washed over him inexplicably.What''s it going cost Yuki when whatever it is finally catches up to you?

Hiro knew only time would tell. He only hoped that by then it wouldn't be too late.

"I'm sorry, sir but …… we weren't able to locate Shindou," Toru stated nervously.

Barely controlled fury flooded Nao's insides as he stood in front of the large windows in his office. His fists clenched at his sides and his eyes narrowed dangerously but Nao refused to let himself loose control of himself.

First he had to ascertain the circumstances of Shuichi's disappearance. For all he knew, Shuichi had probably spent the night in a prison cell. A dangerous light sparkled within the depths of Nao's black eyes. But, if his kitten had indeed strayed from him by his own free will ... then nothing …… no one would be able to stop him from reclaiming what was his. He would find Shuichi and he would once again teach the violet-eyed youth who his master truly was.

Nao's voice when he spoke was surprisingly calm despite the fact that he was seething inside. "Toru."

At the sound of his name, Toru's body tensed, fear radiating from his every pore. "Y …… Yes, sir?"

Nao didn't turn to look upon the fearful youth. Instead, he kept his stoic eyes fixed on his own reflection. "I consider this a failure, Toru. A failure that on any other occasion would have cost you your life." Nao paused, his gaze shifting to the boy's reflection. Toru was visibly shaking but Nao felt no satisfaction in seeing the boy's quivering form; the rage he was feeling was nearly overwhelming his senses. "But," he continued, "because you have worked with Shindou the most, you will be needed to help search for him. Because of this, I will overlook your transgression this 'one' time."

Toru paled at the subtle promise, his frightened eyes downcast as he spoke. "Thank you, sir."

"You may leave now, Toru"

"Yes, sir," replied Toru meekly, his head bowed as he quickly walked out of the office.

Nao calmly walked over to his desk and pressed the intercom button on his telephone.

"Yes, sir," a female voice quickly responded.

"Inform Mr. Aizawa that I would like to see him in my office within an hour's time."

"Right away, sir."

Nao moved away from his desk and once again stood before the wall-size windows that allowed him to watch over a large portion of the city. Eyes the color of midnight watched impassively as cars whisked through the busy streets and crowds of hurried pedestrians cluttered the sidewalks below; all of them unknowing victims of his empire.

I'll find you, my Shuichi.

Nao's eyes hardened as a streak of possessive madness whirled within them.

You're mine and I'm never going to let you go.

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