Chapter 7

Shindou sat next to Yuki, sweating and trying to catch his breath. Shindou had just finished his stress test. "This isn't a good sign is it?"

"Just try to calm down."

"Calm down, my whole future is riding on this on this and you want me to calm down!"

"You're getting on my nerves, that's why I want you to calm down."

Shindou tried to get his breathing under control.

"All right Mr. Shindou, we'll let you know in a couple of hours."

"A couple of hours!?"

Yuki leaned in close, "I know a way to pass the time."

Shindou blushed as Yuki grabbed his hand and lead them back to their room. Yuki locked the door behind him. "Now, let's give you a real stress test." Yuki was all over Shindou. Neither had felt this good in a long time.

A couple of hours later, everyone had gathered outside of Shindou's room. He didn't want anyone, even Yuki, in the room with him when the doctor gave the results of the stress test.

"I think I'm going to need a doctor after this," Sakano said.

"Yeah, it's been hard to fend off questions from fans and the press about Shindou," Fujisaki said.

Everyone was trying not to ask the question looming over them, what would happen if Shindou couldn't perform anymore. Yuki stood by the door with a sour look on his face.

The doctor came walking up the hall, everyone stood up. He went into Shindou's room. It seemed like days before he came back out. Shindou was walking behind the doctor with his head down.

Hiro was the first to speak. "Shuichi… Are you… I mean…" But he just couldn't find the words. Shindou wouldn't look up, it had to be bad news.

"Oh, Shuichi," Makio said and went to hug her brother.

He put a hand up to stop her. He raised his head, a big smile spread across his face, with his out stretched hand, he made the victory "V".

"You jerk!" Maiko said as she wrapped her arms around him.

Everyone gathered close. "Really, Shuichi?" Hiro said through tears.

"Bad Luck is back in business!" Shindou beamed.

Yuki walked out from behind Shindou, he was still by the door, side stopped the crowd. Tohma went over to him.

"You don't look happy."

"Well, I think I would have been happy if he didn't make it though that stress test. But he…," Yuki trailed off as he watched Shindou revel with his friends about the good news.

"So you wanted to keep him to yourself. That doesn't sound like you Eiri."

"I came so close to losing him. I don't want to go through that again. But…" Yuki's gaze never left Shindou. "But, if I hold on too tight, I'd end up hurting him just as badly as Dr. Hitachi." Yuki just shrugged.

"Eiri, I…" Tohma wanted to reassure his friend. Wanted to tell him that nothing like this would ever happen again, but he knew better. In this business now a days, stalkers are part of the deal.

"I know Tohma."

Just then Shindou broke from everyone and went over to Yuki. "Come on Yuki, let's go home." As they walked out Yuki grabbed Shindou's hand and this time Shindou held on just as tight.