It had been 2 full years since Shuichi was thrown out for the last time. It would be two years since he returned to Japan, to his family, to his old friends. He sighed heavily. He had changed since then. The bouncy love-filled teenager was no more. He was something different now.. He was someone different.

As he sat on the plane, he couldn't help but think about what had happened the last time he was there. It seemed like Yuki really did hate him.. His heart was broken, there were marks, scars, all over his body but there were more on the inside. Bad Luck broke up, Hiro went to college as he promised. Everything fell apart.

Bad Luck was no more, but Passed Shadows was born. He loved the name, it felt so.. Right. He gave a fake smile and looked over to his new band mates. Ryu, he was the guitarist. He was funny, and probably a bit more bouncy than he ever was. He was the one that had always made fun of his pink hair, playfully, of course. But he looked different now. Then, there was Tina. She was beautiful. Her blonde hair cascaded down her back, but she was one tough cookie. She could beat up anyone if she wanted to. She, was the drummer. He smiled to himself. And of course, he was the singer.

Passed Shadows was a hit in America, and now.. He had to go back to Japan. In a way, he wanted to. To see his family of whom he hadn't spoken to in a while. He hadn't talked to anyone over there in a while. He hoped they weren't mad.

"Buckle your seatbelts!" The pilot yelled and all of them did as ordered. There was a lot of turbulence. A lot. Shuichi covered his mouth. God, it felt like he was going to throw up.

He wondered if they'd recognize him. He hoped they would. They landed and he gave a huge sigh, picking up his bag and walking from down the stairs of the jet. He looked around and thanked God there was no huge crowds of screaming girls. There was just too much chaos he had been through the years.

"Shuichi.. You, okay?" Tina asked, looking into his eyes.

"Yeah.." He forced a smile. "I'm fine."

All of three of them got into the limo and drove off. He looked through the windows to see things he had in his dreams, in his flashbacks. Some things he wished to remember, some things.. He wished to forget. But he never got his wishes.. None of them.

He closed his eyes and let his head fall back into the seat of the limo. "…Damn." He said.

"Are you going to go see your mom and your sister?" Ryu asked.

"Yeah.. I am."

"Okay, we'll see you back here at 4 then, right?"

Shuichi nodded. "I'll see you then." Tina and Ryu got out of the car and the limo driver pulled up to the house. He swallowed hard and got from the car, clenching his fists tightly. "Stay here." He told the driver and he nodded.

Maiko looked outside, her blonde hair falling into her face. Her eyes widened as she saw a black limo and a guy standing beside it. "Shu-Shuichi!" She yelled and rushed out of the house.

Shuichi looked up to see Maiko and gave a soft smile. She basically tackled him to the ground with tears running from her eyes. "Shuichi!" She yelled, hugging him so tightly he could barely breath.

"Maiko," he said softly. "..It's okay." He pulled the both of them up and wiped the tears from her cheeks. "Where's Mom?"

Maiko hugged him once again and took his hand, leading him towards the house. His mother was standing in the doorway, holding her chest as if it was about to burst. "…Shuichi!" She ran to him and hugged him tightly.

Shuichi closed his eyes and wrapped his arms around them both. "It's okay, Mom.. Maiko. I'm here."

--

Tohma looked towards the phone and sighed, he knew Yuki would have to know. He reached down, put the phone to his ear and dialed the number. He laid back in his chair and closed his eyes. "Yuki? I need to tell you something…. Shuichi is here. He just came back this morning… I-I know.. Alright. Goodbye, Yuki." He set the phone down with a heavy sigh. Yuki wasn't too happy about that. Why couldn't Shuichi just stay over there, dammit? Everyone's lives would be so much easier.

Yuki placed his hands on his forehead, tossing the glasses to the side. He clenched his fist tightly and slammed them upon the desk, making everything jump violently. "Shuichi.." He whispered.