Author's Note: So as I was sitting in Algebra, taking a test on which I received a _._ on, and well, compared to others I think that was a pretty legit grade. But anyway, on my play list, the song "Auld Lang Sine", Lea Michelle's cover came on and well…it gave me a bit of inspiration! However, my true inspiration came from reading all the reviews, the positive ones left by many reviewers and for that, I thank you all!

So this is a slight continuation of Auld Lang Sine, and afterwards chapter or…hm… I hope you like it! This part also takes place a few hours after Takaba left the wedding.

And once again, thank you for all your support! Every single one of you, you have no idea how much of an inspiration that is for me! Thank you so much!

Takaba smelled the pungent wine making its presence known in the small private room. There was smoke from brightly lit candles, sneaking around the many people in the room. The way the lights reflected of the idle champagne glasses obscured Takaba's vision as he sat at the table, eating and drinking lightly. The wedding had ended just shy of seven hours ago, and Takaba found himself sitting in a private rented room of a restaurant with his friends, having a good time.

Like earlier, he wore a tux, as well as Cho, Kou and Takato. Mary had on a simple black cocktail dress, as she was the only girl there. For the first few minutes, the five just talked about the New Year, though there wasn't much catching up to do. They had all been together the night before at Kou's house, counting the few seconds until the New Year rang in. They all had a great time then, watching the fireworks overhead, listening to others cheering on the streets of Tokyo.

Now the group found themselves celebrating the day together, as they would any special event. They had been in the private room for at least four hours, drinking, talking, lighting candles. The private room itself wasn't very large, given that they didn't have a great amount of money to rent out a bigger one. There was a table in the center and a tiny stage up against the wall towards the front of the room. The stage contained a microphone, and a stereo. The group had found ways to utilize these things as Takato came up with a wild idea to walk up on stage and announce one regret, one confession and a New Year's Resolution.

Takaba was voted to go up first.

He didn't mind that much, it wasn't like he was going to get too personal despite the fact that his closest friends sat before him. He just slowly walked up to the microphone, took hold of it and spoke.

"My one regret," He began. "Getting involved with an asshole." Asami.

"My one confession." He sighed. "I still miss that asshole." Asami.

"My resolution…hm…it's quite a personal one."

"Does it have to do with said, 'ass hole'?" Kou asked with a smirk on his face. "Care to elaborate?"

"I wouldn't mind, if it was your business." Takaba jokingly replied, jumping off the stage. There was a smile glued to his face, a fake one. He didn't feel like elaborating on what he meant, not to Kou or anyone else. Hours ago he had felt like a train wreck, at least being with his friends he felt a little happier. He didn't want to remember Asami and felt dumb for even mentioning the man, even if he didn't use his real name.

Takaba knew it would be hard, to forget the Asami, but it was a New Year, and things had to change, Takaba had to change. And maybe this change would be a good thing…maybe it would be a bad thing. The young photographer would never know until he had experienced the change –lived through it. Until then, he could only heed the warnings that his past had given him, and attempt to utilize them in both his present and future.

OoOoOo

"We are Japanese, aren't we?" Mary asked, holding a wine glass. Takaba could already tell that she had consumed way over her limit as there was a strange grin on her glossy lips.

"I'm Chinese." Cho chimed in, swaying happily in his seat.

"Uh…that won't do." And it wasn't a surprise that Kou was drunk as well. "What are you getting to Mary? You're not even full Japanese…what do you mean?"

She giggled and placed her wine down. "Let's do some Karaoke!" She pointed towards the stage. "I mean, it's almost seven o'clock, won't we have to leave soon? Takato, you reserved the place! How much time do we have left?" Takato would have answered, but he presently lay motionless a corner of the room , snoring in a loud unattractive manner.

Mary frowned. "Aww….looks like he's gone to bed quite early. One less person to sing with." She looked at Takaba, blinking her eyes. "What about you Aki? Wanna sing with me?"

Takaba smiled. Being the only one who wasn't drunk, he still had control over his thoughts and actions, he simple declined. "I can record you singing, I've already done a few time frames on my camera." He held his object up.

"Fine…Kou, do you wanna sing with me?" She looked at the other boy, who presently had a large blush on his face. He giggled and shook his head. "I just want to watch!"

"I shall sing with you!" Cho cried out like a knight saving a princess, oblivious to his own drunken trance. He stood up, nearly tripping over himself. Luckily Mary was right there to catch him, though she wasn't that good on her feet herself, in addition, her heels weren't helping the cause. Nevertheless, the two walked, or swayed up to the stage, selected a song and began to sing. In Takaba's opinion, they sounded like dying ducks, both of them. Their arms were around each other as they slurred words and swayed absentmindedly from side to side. It was a wonder how the two didn't just fall off of the stage then.

Takaba felt his heart warm up, as he held his camera to his face to record.

There was a feeling of peace about the room that had manifested itself when everyone let loose. Takato was asleep, Kou was howling with laughter, Cho and Mary were making fools out of themselves. Takaba felt his chest swell, and for a second…he felt happy. But despite the day, the time and even the people surrounding him at that moment, he didn't feel like he belonged. He didn't feel like he belonged in such a joyous atmosphere where everyone was so happy, so oblivious.

Takaba felt his mood take over him, as he focused on everybody, and for an instant he even began to feel jealous. No matter how hard he had tried, he couldn't fully be present there, with his friends. His heart still ached, his mood was still crushed, and his mind still lingered on the events from earlier. There was nothing, that New Year's Day, that would be able to lift Takaba's spirits. When all the celebrations ended, when the drunk retired for the night, and when that last drip of wine was consumed from the sacred cup of kindness, Takaba would still be broken. He would be left there, by the man he loved, forgotten and in turmoil. It wouldn't be hard, from here on out, to keep a smile on the outside. However, the inner conflict on the inside would rage within Takaba until finally, he was able to find some permanent solace.

In the midst of the singing, clapping and laughing, Takaba silently excused himself, though no one seemed to notice. He left the private room, shutting the door behind him softly and quickly made his way outside of the restaurant. He just needed a bit of fresh air, better yet he needed to get out there. He could only keep a smile for so long until he finally cracked, and he didn't intend on ruining the night for everyone.

OoOoOoO

When Takaba made it outside, he only leaned on the cool, brick wall of the building, feeling the welcoming winter breeze caress his exposed face. Looking up, he realized how clear the sky was and how brilliant the moon shined. There were stars, scattered around the large black dome like little dots of light, peeking through a blanket. They gave Takaba a bit of hope, given the melancholy state he was in right now.

Memories of last New Year's began to flood his brain, as he remembered how much fun he had then, acting like such a child. Prank calling, getting drunk, almost getting naked…waking up naked. He chuckled, remembering that, it was amazing how a year could change things. A great amount of sadness flooded his being as an image of a tall handsome man popped into his head, Asami of course. The man had also played a big part on New Year's, he drove Takaba home.

Takaba only found himself smiling, and putting his hands in his pockets. A chilly breeze swept by and Takaba stood up straight. He turned around slowly, shivering slightly, it was really cold. A sigh escaped his lips as he took a step towards the door; He didn't have the mood to return to the private room with his friends. Honestly now, all he wanted was a peaceful sleep_

A hand took hold of Takaba's shoulder a strong one.

The photographer rose an eyebrow and quickly spun around, looking up and down at his captor. There was a frown on Takaba's lips, as he breathed in the fresh scent of expensive cologne and deadly smoke. Why was he not surprised?

"Asami." He spoke in just shy of a whisper, looking at the taller man.

Asami still looked the same way he did hours ago, the only thing different being his ring, which Takaba couldn't help but address. "Congratulations on your wedding."

The business man sighed, and took a cigarette from within his pocket. Takaba watched in silence as he lit the stick and began to smoke.

"That's not going to be healthy for your son." Takaba started, looking up at him. "Nor will it be healthy for your wife. I suggest quitting now, it'll make things easier for them."

Asami rose an eyebrow. "I didn't know you cared that much for them."

"Well, they're people…and you should care for them too. They are your family after all."

"Bonuses, more so…not family." Asami's words stung Takaba, as he glared at the man, watching him crush his cigarette on the concrete ground.

"You have a wife and a son Asami, don't call them 'bonuses', that's a terrible thing."

For a while, things were silent between the two, as the only sound audible was that of the cars on the road ahead. Takaba stared at Asami, letting emotions run through his face, as usual, Asami remained impassive.

"Why are you here?" Takaba asked, finally breaking the silence. "You just got married, you should be spending this day with your wife and son. I mean, isn't that how it's supposed to be?" He crossed his arms.

"It doesn't have to be that way." Asami's voice was soft, as he brought a hand to lightly brush Takaba's porcelain skin. Unsurprisingly, the photographer took a few steps back which resulted in Asami roughly taking hold of his arm in order to subdue him. But Takaba wasn't done, he wasn't going to go down without a fight, like had so many times before. He would continue to fight, even if that meant dying. He just couldn't allow this cycle to repeat himself…he had to stop it, now.

"Asami!" He bellowed. "Let me go!" And with a powerful jerk, he yanked his arm away.

The older man looked somewhat surprised, but still retained his composed and stoic look. This infuriated Takaba to know end. He felt like he was being mocked, Like Asami had absolutely no regard for his feelings. Allowing his anger to flare up within him, he sent a useless punch flying towards Asami's chest. The business man only stared.

"Aren't you going to say something?" Takaba looked up. "Something…something right?"

"You're the one trying to ignore my offers_"

"Offers? For what? For me to go back and be your bitch? Your mistress? For me to play nanny with your son while you and your wife stand hand in hand!? For me to allow you to be that magazine perfect family, disregarding my own feelings! Asami, I can't live like that…I can't, I can't live like this!"

The business man looked genuinely hurt, but he continued to speak. "None of that matters Takaba, unless you allow it to change you, to get to you." He pulled Takaba close, placing his strong arms around the boy.

"So…so the fact that you have a wife—no, a son. That doesn't change anything? Asami, you are a father…your son is the most important thing to you now." The photographer closed his eyes. "Family is important Asami; I'm adopted…I never knew my family, my parents. I would never want to take that chance of connection, that bond away from someone, especially not a father and a son."

Takaba softly buried his head in Asami's chest, listen to the man's heartbeat for the last time. He closed his eyes and mediated, remembering all the memories the two shared, every moment they had together. The kisses, the touches, the dinners, movies, dates, and in an instant, he had sealed all of those away. He then stood on his toes, and softly, pressed his soft lips to Asami's chin.

He lingered like that for moments, feeling his heart race, feeling Asami's breaths become faster and rigid. He closed his eyes once again and imagined what could have been, how life would have been if Asami was just a normal business man. They would be happy, and Takaba would be celebrating this day differently. But he could only run from the present for so long.

He stood normally again, and backed away from the man he loved. He saw the troubled look on Asami's face, and felt agony seeing the man try to hide it. But it had to be done, one way or another.

"Good bye Asami…" He turned around. "Take care of your son….and….Happy New Year." And without another word, Takaba found himself walking back into the private room. He didn't feel depressed or misplaced like he did earlier…in fact, he felt rather excited.

This was finally his new life, his new beginning and he planned to start it by having a wonderful time with his friends.

Times had come to pass, and they had taken a large portion of Takaba with them, but he had planned to remember this New Year for a long time to come, to love it, and to never forget it.

The End.

There is a reason Asami let him go, and you will figure that out in the sequel, which won't be posted up soon, as I have a lot of stories/ art request/ and art trades I'm working on. I hope this chapter was enough for you guys! Please tell me if you liked it or not! It's so hard trying to capture Asami, so sorry if he was OOC.

Lastly, I do not own the Finder Series.