Disclaimer: I do not own Gravitation or any of the anime/manga mentioned within this story.

NC-17 for Yaoi, language, and sexual situations.

I hope everyone enjoyed their holidays! (Whichever ones you celebrate) I did a little too much, eheheh! Well… enjoy!

Chapter Twenty-Six: Fake Star

Tohma came in to find Bad Luck busy rehearsing. They sounded as they hadn't in a while, refreshed and polished. Ryuichi and Tatsuha were there as well, dancing to the music, laughing and throwing their praises to the band. Everything seemed as it should be. For the first time in a long while it felt things were truly on track.

The producer had just been to the apartment he'd found for him and Hiro to move into, for the first time that morning, and was feeling pretty giddy about it. He couldn't wait to tell his lover. Tohma hadn't wanted to say anything until he made sure it was the perfect place for them to start their new life together.

"Let's take five!" Hiro called as soon as he spotted him, the producer smiled warmly at his lover, who smiled back, just not as warmly. Tohma had felt a change in Hiro's behavior in the past few days, he didn't thought much of it at first, accrediting it to Shuichi's disappearance, and the stress of their album release, but now that the hyper singer had been back since yesterday, Hiro's manner had not gone back to his loving and trusting self. Tohma didn't know what to make of it, if anything really, its not like they had had an argument or a creative disagreement of some kind, for all he knew, he was just being paranoid, and Hiro was just tired from all the stress he's been put through. Still, Tohma had a bad feeling at the bottom of his gut, and over the years, he'd learned not to ignore them.

"You look tired." The producer muted, giving Hiro's hand a little tender squeeze as the longhaired man came to meet him.

"A bit," The guitarist replied, looking over his shoulder to see where the others were. Tohma found this peculiar; Hiro was not one to care whether the others saw their little displays of affection.

"Is everything alright Hiro?" Tohma asked, hoping this gave his lover an opening to talk about what was bothering him.

"Yeah, everything's ok, I just have a lot on my mind." The longhaired man replied absently.

"Do you want to talk about it?" The blonde producer insisted tenderly, but a bit concerned. It was now obvious to him that Hiroshi was hiding something.

"Oh, its not important, y' know, the normal pop-star stuff, nothing to worry about." Hiro smiled offhandedly. Tohma didn't insist, but noted the very out of character reply with a little frown. He knew Hiro well and knew that his lover would eventually tell him. He just wished the younger man had waited a little while longer before letting stress get to him. Especially since Tohma had been keeping his surprise all week, and now that Eiri and Shuichi were out of his mind, he wanted to go forward with his divorce and moving with Hiro to their new place.

"I have something to tell you, let's go have lunch." The producer smiled, taking his lover's hand and urging his towards the garage area.

Hiro pulled away tenderly, but resolutely, "Tohma… I can't, I'm sorry, I already told the guys we'd get together to talk about a few things." Hiro apologized looking away from Tohma's eyes, leaving the older man disoriented for a second. "Shuichi missed a lot in these past few days, so Suguru and I will fill him in."

"Alright, I guess we can talk later," The blonde keyboardist muted.

"I'm really sorry, I'll check with you next time," Hiro added as if sensing he'd sounded harsh. Tohma was still debating how to feel, when the rest of the crew interrupted as they made their way towards the parking area as well.

"Tohma-kun!" Ryuichi came running and hugged his band mate as if he hadn't seen him in years.

"Hello Ryu," the producer replied scarcely and pulled the singer away.

"Hey! Are you guys going to lunch?" Shuichi asked cheerfully as he and Tatsuha caught up, Tohma turned to Hiro, searching his eyes for an explanation, but the longhaired man just turned to the pink haired singer, knocking him on the head.

"Hello! Earth to Shuichi, don't you remember we made plans to eat together and talk about what's happened while you were gone?" Hiro modulated, fixing his eyes on his best friend.

Shuichi looked lost for a few seconds, then he lit up like a X-mas tree. "Oh yeah… we did, didn't we Fujisaki?" Both Bad Luck members' turned to the almost invisible teen.

"Whatever," The youngest man grouched, walking past them.

"I'll see you later," Hiro gave Tohma a quick peck on the forehead and went off, pushing Shuichi along with him.

Tohma stared after them with mixed feelings, Hiro obviously lied to him, and even Shuichi and Suguru were in on it… what is going on, was Hiro getting tired of him just as Mika said? He didn't believe it, or rather, he didn't want to believe it, but he couldn't see any other explanation.

"Shuichi-kun!' The producer called remembering something he had meant to do the day before. "Could you come here a bit?" The singer approached him cautiously, which reinforced Tohma's uncertainty.

"I didn't do it!" Was the first thing that came out of the singer's mouth, Tohma eyed him strangely.

"Don't be scared, I just want to give you this." He pulled something from his pocket and held it up for the younger man to see. "I won't be needing it anymore, but I'm sure you will." Shuichi's eyes watered from happiness, "This is for the well deserved black eye you gave him." Tohma smiled remembering the sight.

"Is this what I think it is?" Shuichi took the shiny key and looked at it stupefied.

"Not having it taken away will be a difficult task, he must have taken it from me a dozen times." Shuichi nodded his resolution to keep this treasure, but otherwise said nothing; he was just too astonished. All he wanted to do right now was go to Yuki's place and try it… open Yuki love nest's door with my own key! Shuichi's eyes took a mischievous look to them, and he began snickering and blushing by himself. The others rolled their eyes knowing exactly what was on the singer's mind.

"Who did you give a black eye to, Shu-kun?" Ryuichi asked innocently, looking from the singer to the producer and back.

"I'll tell you later babe," Tatsuha whispered lowly into his lover's ear, the grin he wore told Ryu more or less what the he had already figured out.

Tohma's phone went off, his face changed dramatically as he looked at the screen and saw whom it was.

Hiro noticed, and wanted nothing more than to ease his lover's mind, since Mika Seguchi came to his place to threaten him with killing herself, Hiro had done everything humanly possible to avoid Tohma's inquisitive eyes. It had gotten to the point were he lied and went to his parents place just so they didn't have to share the same bed. It was getting more and more difficult to pretend indifference, especially since Tohma seemed to be sensing something amiss. He needed to decide what to do, and fast!

"I have to take this call, I'll see you all later," The producer announced worriedly, and with a last glance at Hiro, the blonde man walked away, already listening to whoever had called.

X

"What's the matter with you Hiro?" Shuichi asked as soon as Seguchi was out of sight, they used to cover each other's lies a lot in high school, but it had been years since there had been a need to.

Hiro looked at his friend, then at the Ryuichi and Tatsuha, "Nothing, we'll talk later. Let's go get something to eat… I'm starving." He added absently and went towards their van.

Shuichi turned to the other two and smiled apologetically, then followed his best friend out.

X

Suguru, who stood to one corner the whole while, was a bit apprehensive to be left alone with the monk and his man. "I forgot something upstairs!" He exclaimed, and hurried off. Ryu and Tatsuha were left alone in the hall.

"You should talk to him Tatsu," Ryuichi turned to the taller man, with tender eyes.

"What am I going to say? I'm sorry you like me and I don't like you back? Suguru is a big boy, he can deal with it." Tatsuha replied, holding his lover's face in his hands and kissing him roughly on the lips.

"You guys been friends since you were little, you can't leave him feeling left out." Ryu insisted.

"He will, no matter what I say. Besides, I have a lot more important things to worry about right now. I told you I had a huge fight at school yesterday, and my bastard brother knows about it. Not to mention I might even get spelled from school. If that happens it's back to Kyoto for me… do you know what that means?" Tatsuha reasoned, kissing Ryuichi again and again all over his face. "I can't bear the thought of not seeing you."

"That's what you get for getting into fights!" The older man reproached, not feeling sorry for his lover, but for the kids he sent to the hospital. If Tatsuha were to be sent back to Kyoto, it wouldn't mean they'd break up. They just wouldn't see each other as often, but they'd still be together. And if that were case, maybe it'd be good for Tatsuha; he needed to learn a little empathy. Even if that meant that he himself would have to suffer the consequences along with his lover. Ryuichi had already made up his mind; and he would be with Tatsuha no matter what.

"I did it for you!" Tatsuha whined-- but in his deep voice didn't sound as cute as when Ryu or Shu did it.

"I never asked you to beat up people who talk trash about me. What do I care if some teenager I don't know thinks I'm fucking Shuichi?" Ryuichi reproached, turning the other way, but in reality feeling pretty good that Tatsuha would go to such extents to protect his dignity. Of course fighting was wrong no matter how one looked at it, but he had felt a tingling in his tummy when Tatsuha recounted the tale.

"I do! I care, and if tomorrow someone else comes along and talks trash about you, I'll beat him to a pulp!" The monk said resolutely.

"And you won't get it for a month!" Ryuichi stated just as resolutely.

'You wouldn't do that to me!"

"Try me,"

XXX

"Hiro!" Shuichi ran after his friend, the longhaired man turnedwith a sour expression on his face, Shuichi felt miserable, he'd been so wrapped in himself and his problems that he had not stopped to even think Hiro might have some of his own… of course he does! His lover just left his wife, and she is not doing good at all… it must be putting quite a strain in their relationship. On top of that, they're clacked up in a small apartment with me!

"Hey!" Hiro mumbled as if he'd just seen him now for the first time all day.

"What's wrong dude? I mean, back there, is everything alright with Seguchi?" Shuichi asked concerned.

"Oh, that, yeah, we're alright, I just want to stay out of his way as much as I can, y'know… he's busy and all." Hiro replied dismissively, waving a hand and turning for the van.

"You know, we might not be as close as we were in high school, and we might have drifted apart since we found our other halves… but, I'm still you friend, you can tell me what's on your mind." Shuichi came closer to his childhood friend, feeling that closeness they used to share, for the first time in months. "I might not be able to help much, but I'm here to listen."

Hiro looked at his friend struggling with his emotions, he wanted so badly to tell another how he felt, to ask what should he do, but at the same time he didn't want to bring in more people to his dilemma and complicate things. He knew Shuichi well, and knew that his friend-- even though he's been distant for his own reasons-- would explode after hearing Seguchi Mika's threat, and would most likely intervene… Hiro knew nothing good could come out of it, despite Shuichi's good intentions.

"Just stress, don't give it too much thought. So, I'm really happy Eiri-san and you patched things up." Hiro changed subjects cheerfully.

"You can't lie to me man! I know something is wrong, and if you won't tell me, maybe I get Seguchi himself to ask you." Hiro let go of his mask and let his feelings show, he was lost to this pink haired goof, who could always bring the better and the worst of him.

"There isn't anything you can do about it, I don't think there is anything even I can do, just let me deal with it Shu… please."

"But Hiro, we are friends! Even if fame, stress, and other stuff get between us, at the end of the day, we know we can count on one another! What makes you think that friendship is only good when it's convenient? I know I might not be able to help, hell! I can't even help myself! But I can't stand knowing that you're going through hardship on your own!" Shuichi's words could be heard in the whole underground garage by now, his emotions running high. All he could think was what he'd gone through with Yuki, and he knew he would not let his best friend go though the same if he could help it.

Hiro smiled defeated, he lost, and there was no way he could argue with that. Suddenly, they were in high school again, talking about their grades, and chicks and their petty problems. Only this time, it was not that easy.

"Let's get in the van." The longhaired man said, realizing they were still in the middle of the parking garage.

Hiro drove aimlessly he wasn't hungry. He just wanted to get away from NG and Tohma, if only for a little while. The young man knew his older, and wiser lover suspected something, and would confront him soon. Hiro just didn't know what he would say, or do.

"Sometimes I wonder what would have happened if Tohma hadn't gone to the club that night, or rather, what would have happened if I hadn't bumped into him at the record store?" The guitarist wondered absently.

Shuichi just looked out the window, the passing cars but a blur… just as his thoughts. "We would probably still live at home, playing at "Perushana's" and trying to make it in the industry. I would have never met Yuki, and you'd still be obsessed with Maiko." Shuichi replied matter of fact, and yet confused, why is Hiro talking like this?

"Don't you think life was a lot simpler back then?" Hiro turned his green eyes to his friend for a second. Shuichi could see the turmoil in them, just like… "Weren't you happier, when things were so much simpler?"

"You sound like a coward," Shuichi whispered. Hiro couldn't even reply, his friend was completely right.

Without realizing it, they wound up at their old high school, where everything started, their band, their dreams of stardom… everything. Hiro parked the van in front of the building, and the two friends lost themselves in their younger days' memories.

XXX Flash back XXX

"Ne Hiro… do I look good?" Shuichi ran up to his friend and asked in a kitten voice, flipping his hair exaggeratedly this way and that.

Hiro made a face, and went back to the book he was studying as he walked down the hall to his shoe locker. His mother had been nagging him about getting top place in his midterms, and apply to that top-notch high school she wanted him to go to. In reality, he didn't plan to apply for that school, but go to the same high school as Shuichi; he and the school's comic relief had great plans for their high school years. They were going to form a band, play in all school activities, be the most popular guys in school, and most of all… LOSE THEIR VIRGINITY! Nope, top-notch schools were not ready for that. Plus, he doubted Shuichi would even get into high school at all with his current grades.

"Copying Sakuma Ryuichi again huh?" Hiro mumbled sarcastically and walked ahead.

"Of course not! I'm not copying him; I just think this hair-do suits my face. In fact, you should do something with that mane of yours. Maiko said the other day that it looks as if you have lice!" Shuichi laughed loudly, catching up to his friend and grabbing a hand full of his hair.

"Did she really say that?" Hiro asked gravely, slapping Shu's hand away.

"Of course not you idiot! I'm just jealous 'cause I can't grow my hair like that," Shuichi smiled " but you should do something with it, it's so 'American'" Shuichi mused striking a head banging pose.

"Shut up," Hiro pushed him, and put his book away continuing his way down the hall followed by his 'shadow.'

" I don't know why you're studying so hard, it's not like you're gonna apply to that school your mom's bugging you about… are you?" Shuichi's face suddenly changed to worry; it never ceased to make Hiro laugh.

"Of course not, but I like studying," The longhaired smart boy replied.

"Geek!" Shu coughed.

"Virgin," Hiro coughed back.

"You're a virgin too!"

" I did get a blowjob behind the gym, so technically I'm not." Hiro corrected matter-of-factly.

"… I did get a blowjob behind the gym… shut up!" Shuichi mimicked disgusted. "I don't care about those sort of things, I am in love with someone already, and I will settle for no one else!" The shorter teen stated with a determined glint in his eye, the same he always got when talking about their future 'band'

"I don't think Sakuma Ryuichi would let you put your thing anywhere near him." Hiro smirked mockingly.

"Yeah, whatever." They reached their destination, Hiro opened his locker and found a small envelope inside, before he could even lay a finger on it, Shuichi had already opened it and was in the process of reading it.

"Ooh, met me under the Sakura tree behind the school gym… so that's where 'all' the action happens huh?" Shuichi chanted emphatically,

Hiro snatched the letter from his friend's paws, and scanned it quickly, then put it in his pocket. "Hasn't your mother told you not to read other's letters?"

"Of course she has! do you think I listen?" Shu smiled angelically, "So are you going?" Hiro didn't reply. "You might get another blowjob out of it" he sang sweetly, Hiro just gave him a look, but didn't reply.

The two didn't dwell about it any longer, after school, they went to the manga store and bought the latest releases from their favorite mangaka Yuki Eiri, and talked passionately about them instead.

X

Hiro returned home, and put the letter with the countless others. Shuichi didn't even begin to know just how popular with the ladies his best friend was. Not that Hiro would ever tell him, he could very well imagine all the teasing he'd be subjected to, at the hands of his perky friend. Nor would he trash the letters those nameless girls worked up all of their courage to give to hi. Hiro just wasn't like that.

He sat on his bed, took a book out of his bag, and threw himself back, opening the page from where he had left off, before Shuichi interrupted him. Then, as an afterthought, he turned his head to the nightstand, where a picture of Shuichi, Maiko, and himself rested between his lamp and a pile of cd's. He took the frame and ran a finger over the younger girl's face.

"Will I ever get the courage to tell you?" Hiro sighed. A quick knock on the door brought him back to earth; his brother Yuji popped his head a second later.

"Shu's on the phone" Hiro got up and took the apparatus.

"What the hell are you doing home… what about your blowjob?!" The rowdy teen yelled, Hiro had to pull the receiver away form his ear.

"Calm down! You sound as if you're getting something out of it." Hiro cracked.

"I bet you're studying like the nerd you are, you're wasting your youth man! Don't tell me this is because of Maiko? Man you're such a loser, I wish you could see the L I have on my forehead right now." Hiro shook his head an hung up, the phone rang again immediately, but Hiro gave it back to Yuji—who had stayed there the whole while-- and went back to his bed.

"Aren't you gonna answer?"

Hiro smiled shaking his head "Nope, that baka needs to get a life."

XXX End of Flashback XXX

… I can't follow anything through, Hiro thought coming out of his memory "I'm leaving Tohma," The guitarist stated without preamble.

"What?!" Shuichi turned to his friend in disbelief. "What do you mean?" Their relationship had seemed so solid from the start, a match made in heaven. If anything, it seemed too good to be true.

"I mean… these people, we don't belong with them, there're on a whole different level than us." Hiro slumped on his seat and sighed.

"Now you're talking nonsense, you don't sound like the Hiro I know." Shuichi spat.

"Think about it! Honestly, do you see yourself in the same league as Eiri-san?" Shuichi had to admit that he didn't, but that didn't matter, Yuki had chosen him, just as Seguchi Tohma had chosen Hiro. "I'm sorry if what I'm about to do will crush your dream." The longhaired man apologized wholeheartedly.

"Our dream Hiro! and it doesn't have to be crushed! I don't care what happens to the band, but at least tell me what's going on! I know you love Seguchi and that he loves you" Shu insisted passionately.

"Love doesn't always conquer all…" Hiro stated composed.

"Yes it does!" Shuichi yelled, about to pull his hair. What the hell what's going through his friend's mind?

Hiro wished he had Shuichi's determination and fearlessness. He knew his friend would do anything to attain his own happiness, but he was not that brave. Mika Seguchi's words still rang through his ears, he knew he could never live with himself… or Tohma if she were o go through with it.

"I refuse to believe that you'd chicken out of your problems." Shuichi spat disgusted.

"What do you know?" Hiro spat back.

"You're telling 'me' that?"

Hiro closed his eyes and remained silent for a long while. Shuichi remain silent as well, but not thoughtless, he could not begin to comprehend what was going through his friend's mind. He would support him with whatever decision he made ultimately, but that didn't mean that he would not try his damnest to convince him otherwise.

"I can't stay with him…" Hiro whispered as if explaining himself.

"Why?" Shuichi exclaimed.

"Mika Seguchi paid me a visit." Shuichi felt hot all over. The singer knew Hiro would not just up and leave the man who'd turned him gay just because of that! There must be something more to it. Just the thought of that woman playing his friend's moral antics made him angry.

"What did she say? Hiro don't let her play you like that! She is scorned and would tell you anything!" Shu almost screamed.

Hiro knew it would go down like this, but just speaking it to another person, made him feel a bit better. "I know what you're thinking, but I'm not telling you this to seek for advice, I've already made my mind." The guitarist let out.

"So, I guess that's all your love was worth," Shuichi replied disgusted. Whatever the woman said did not justify Hiro running like this.

"You don't understand… I didn't expect you to, but regardless of what you think, please don't tell Tohma, I want to solve this on my own."

"That's not what friendship is all about," Shuichi believed in his friend, even if he didn't agree with him all the time.

"Please Shuichi…" Hiro pleaded.

"I won't, but I tell you this, if he asks me, I won't lie."

"Fair enough," Hiro agreed, hoping it didn't get to that.

XXX

What do you have for me?" Tohma asked urgently, as soon as he was out of earshot from the group. Utada Shigeru, never called unless something mayor – and always bad—was to be printed in the pages of the gossip magazine he worked for, which happened to be the most circulated one in all of Japan.

"I sent you a copy of Friday's release this morning, didn't you get it?" The man asked somewhat surprised, then added gravely, "I think you need to see it."

"Is that bad? What is it, why didn't you contacted me sooner?" Tohma grew more concerned by the second, the only two things that crossed his mind that could be on that magazine, is his affair with Hiro or Eiri's with Shuichi, but that was too fresh for anyone to know, unless…

"I would have, but I just got back from overseas myself, I sent it as soon as I saw it."

"Well, what is it this time?" The producer had stopped quite a bit of damaging bad press from ever hitting the stands thanks to Utada's information network.

"Are you alone?" The editor asked.

"I'm on my way to my office," Tohma replied.

"Call me once you're there… it's bad, and I'm not sure if even you can stop it this time."

"Don't scare me Shigeru," Tohma whispered hurrying his pace.

X

Once he got to his office, he immediately saw the manila envelope on his desk. He tore it open and looked at the contents for a full ten minutes before setting it down and massaging his temples frustratingly. He dialed Utada's number, already thinking on how he would deal with this.

"Did you see it?" Shigeru came on a second later.

"I've warn him so many times…" Tohma let out exasperatingly.

"I have no idea what to tell you, that issue is supposed to hit stands on Friday, and although everyone in the printing department was made to sign an non-disclosure agreement, there's talks of nothing else. What really worries me Tohma is that, that kid is related to you," Shigeru voiced concerned. The article in question went on to tell the public exactly who the 'mysterious' black haired beauty was, and took full advantage on the uncanny resemblance to his blonde, elusive, and not too nice to the press brother. He'd seen his friend through some scandals, but this one might be too huge for even the great Seguchi Tohma to get out of.

"I know…" Tohma whispered, looking at the image of Ryuichi and Tatsuha kissing passionately, right on the lobby of this very building. Not to mention the other very compromising pictures within the magazine. Whoever was responsible for this, had done a superb job at stalking them, Tatsuha in particular, there were even photos of him coming out of school, Ryu's place, and where he had once lived with Mika. The more Tohma thought about it, the less possibilities of fixing this he saw.

"Ryuichi is hot news, he's always been, I'm afraid there will be nothing you can do to persuade the editors in chief not to publish this." Utada urged.

"I know," Tohma let out, again feeling lost. His thoughts raced with repercussions this could bring. Ryuichi was the nation's god, but even he could not get out clean out of this. Tatsuha was not only fifteen years his junior, but underage as well. On top of it all, Mika… and his mother. "…What have you done…?" Tohma thought of Tatsuha's rashness and thoughtlessness, and how he always did exactly as he pleased without concerns of who he hurt in the process.

'Come again?" Shigeru asked.

"Oh, nothing, just thinking aloud." The mogul stated.

"Tohma, what are you going to do?"

"I'll think of something," The producer replied less than sure.

"If there's anything I can do, let me know, although I'm afraid it won't be of much help." Tohma's good friend lamented.

"Thank you Shigeru, you've done more than enough." Tohma hang up, and took a deep breath. "… things were going too great weren't they?"

Tohma sat up and snapped into the intercom, there was not time to hesitate "Usagi, I need you in here now." The assistant came in a second later.

"I need you to find out everything you can about these people," Tohma didn't waste any time, he wrote the names of the main publishers, and although the photographer who had taken those photos was a small fish in the pond, he jolted down his name as well. "… and I mean 'everything'." The producer emphasized.

"Anything's the matter Seguchi-sama?" Usagi asked worriedly, very seldom she saw her boss looking so grim, especially since he and Nakano-san got together.

"No, let's just say I'm fighting fire with fire…" The young woman bowed politely and left quickly to do her task. Tohma dialed another number, and waited for a reply.

"Tohma- kuuuuun!" Came Ryuichi's happy go lucky voice.

"Get here… fast!"

XXX

It has been years since he's heard Tohma's voice so grave. At first, Ryuichi didn't know what to expect so he left Tatsuha and rushed to meet his old friend and in more ways than one, his mentor. As soon as he walked into his friend's office and saw his face, Ryuichi knew it was something devastating, beyond Tohma's control. The way the singer saw it, there could only be one thing that could make his already pale band mate look like a ghost, and that had Tatsuha written all over.

"What is it?" Ryuichi walked towards the desk, his green eyes keen to those of Tohma, no need to play the absent minded ten year old role he preferred. "I came as fast as I could."

Tohma had thought it through while waiting for Ryuichi to show up, and frankly, even if Usagi found any damaging information about those magazine people, there was no way he could intervene. This story was too big for them to care much about their reputations.

"Have a seat," Tohma pointed to the chair in front of his, the whole thing seemed so formal and impersonal. Ryuichi was actually beginning to get scared. The singer did as told.

"I don't know how we're going to get out of this…" Tohma began, and set a magazine in front of him. Ryuichi saw the picture, and for a moment it didn't register, then slowly, he took it and stared at its cover as if he didn't know the people on it. The singer then paged it slowly, running his eyes up and down each page.

Tohma watched him carefully, it seemed Ryuichi understood the gravity of the situation, but then again, one never knew what went through his old friend's mind.

Ryuichi finished paging through the magazine, and set it down, his face hadn't change in the least. Tohma didn't know what to make of it. Suddenly, the singer rose and went to a cabinet, opened it, and began looking around in it.

"Don't you have anything to eat Tohma-kun… I'm starving!" The producer was floored. Was he in denial, or did he truly not care?

"Ryuichi!" Tohma let out, the singer turned to him and gave him one of his most honest and heartfelt smiles.

"This is my problem, you don't have to worry about it Tohma,"

"No its not 'your' problem, its 'our' problem, we're friends and Tatsuha is like a son to me, I don't want to see either one of you get hurt."

"It's ok, I don't care what people think of me, I love Tatsuha and I'm willing to go through anything for him, even if it means the end of my career." Tohma was taken aback, for as long as he knew him, Ryuichi thought of nothing else but singing, and now, here he stood, forsaking that just to be with the one he chose. The producer admired, and even envied that determination. Hiro's current behavior immediately came back to mind, but Tohma pushed it aside and focused in this moment.

"You do realize the consequences this might bring, not only to you, but to Tatsuha as well." The producer asked nonchalantly.

"I know," Ryuichi muttered lowly, "I'm willing to go to hell for him." Tohma didn't know what to say. On the one hand he admired him, but on the other thought he was nuts.

"But is 'he' willing to go to hell for you?" Tohma asked in a low voice, he could not leave aside Tatsuha's immaturity and selfishness. True, the teens seem to have grown a lot since coming to Tokyo, but has he grown enough? And what were his feelings for Ryuichi. Infatuation did not equal love, and he'd hate to see the Ryuichi who was cast off by Yoshiki all over again.

Ryuichi seemed thoughtful for a few moments, and then smiled, "I don't care, I'm not letting him go no matter what he thinks, he's stuck with me, and if I have to pull him to hell with me by the hair, then I will." Tohma broke into a grin and shook his head.

XXX

Hideaki Asato walked into his office in disbelief. When his secretary told him that Seguchi Tohma, 'the' Seguchi Tohma was waiting for him, he could not believe it. In all his years in journalism, he's written hundreds of pieces on him and his band, but never, ever, has the man himself contacted him. This must mean that what he had was indeed the time bomb he'd thought.

In numerous times he thought he had information that would bring the kings of the music industry down, but the overly rich and beautiful idiots never seemed to care. In fact they always managed to dust themselves off, and go on being gods. Well, he was tired of it; it was people like them who made his life the hell it was. None of them deserved the adoration and almost holistic manner in which they were regarded. Sakuma Ryuichi was not all that talented in his opinion, and the man sitting so solemnly in front of him, was nothing but a rich boy born with a silver spoon in his mouth, who has never gone through any hardship in his pretty life.

Just looking at him, sitting in his messy, shoebox of an office, looking so regal and totally out of place, pissed him off… Yes Seguchi Tohma, I will pull the rug from under your feet and make you fall on your ass.

"Seguchi-san, I could not believe it when I heard you wanted to see little 'ol me." Asato sat and crossed his legs, assuming an air of superiority… if only just for show.

"I'm sure you know why I am here, I will not take much of your time. I want you to remove that article from Friday's release." Seguchi Tohma's tone was icy, unrelenting, not at all the pleasant man everyone said he was. Asato almost laughed at the thought of it. If this was his way of begging… well… he was not going to get very far.

"I'm sure you came prepared with some sort of threat. Let me save your breath Seguchi-san, nothing you might say or do will make me pull the plug on the story. Just the fact that you came personally tells me just how desperate you are." Asato smiled evilly.

"Desperate? Hardly," Seguchi's unreadable face did not change. "I realize this is a very juicy piece of trash that people will breathe in like air, and being the fist magazine to 'have it' will further whatever little career you've got." Asato gritted his teeth, refusing to play Seguchi's game. " I didn't say to remove it permanently… just, until my brother-in-law turns eighteen, that's not too far away. You will still get your 'story of the year' and your bonus, maybe even a better office, and you'll cause a minor a lot less grief."Tohma ended confidently, but feeling less than.

Just for the chance to see the man's poker face stressed if only for a second, Asato would do anything. He could not believe the gal of his, to show up here and demand anything.

"Story of the century you mean, and no, I will not wait until Tatsuha-kun turns eighteen…hell! That's half the juice right there!" It gave him such pleasure to go head to head with the bastard. Hideaki would remember this day for a long, long time.

"What if I promise you exclusive interviews, Ryuichi's admission in his own words, Tatsuha's, photos… you name it." Still Seguchi's face did not change, he uttered each and every word as if he were talking about the weather, " Of course you can refuse and go on ahead with your clandestine story, obtained by very questionable methods, that I fully intend to bring charges against, and bring this magazine down, along with you. And believe me when I tell you… I will make it my personal mission to see you and everyone associated with you ruined." These words were said resolutely. "Of course the exclusive rights to the 'real story' will be granted to the competition, and this little 'inconvenience' will be forgotten rather quickly." The producer ended powerfully, "I just thought it fare to give you the option, since you worked so 'hard' at getting your material."

Asato's mouth was left agape. Just the tone of the man told him that he was serious, but then again, if he was here, it must mean that it will cause them more damage than he cared to admit. The editor knew that Seguchi could press charges for a number of things; from stalking a minor, to breathing air in the same vicinity as them, if he really wanted to. The powerful man had the lawyers and the money to win, but still, this story was a gold mine ready to be dug in.

"You must be pretty nervous if you have to resort this low." Asato let out confidently.

"Low? I am here offering you a legitimate piece, that I much rather have in my own magazine, in exchange for your discretion. A rather uneven trade if you ask me. You deserve less than the dirt Ryuichi steps on, and yet, here I am dealing with you. Don't speak to me about lowness… Hideaki…san"

"You think you can solve everything with money and threats! I am not afraid of you Seguchi-san" Asato replied defiantly, but in reality he was starting to feel the weight of Seguchi's words, if the man set to destroy him, he didn't doubt that he very well could. Seguchi Tohma's 'shit list' was not one you wanted to be on.

"I'll let you sleep on it, whether it's worth having me as an enemy over this, will be up to you." The blonde producer stood and left without another glance.

Asato didn't move for a long time, his thoughts raced through every possible solution, he saw none that would be beneficial, were he to release Friday's issue as it was. He knew damn well the mag's white-collar bastards would not stand behind him if anything were to go wrong, so he would be all alone to deal with Seguchi's wrath. The editor slammed his fist on his desk and cursed his bad luck… That damned Seguchi better keep his word!

He pressed a button and spoke firmly, "Get Kojima and Fujita here, pronto!"

"Right away Hideaki-san" Came the reply from his secretary.

"Fuck! Planning a brand new issue from scratch in two days… My boss is gonna have my ass."

XXX

Tohma hoped his bluff worked. Of course he meant to do all those things he promised, but if the man turned out to be more ambitious than intelligent, they were going to be in deep water. Even if Ryuichi didn't care, he could seriously wind up in jail. If Mika didn't press charges out of spite, their mother would. Eiri's name would be involved as well, and ultimately his, which he really didn't mind as much. He had other more pressing matters to attend.

Tohma pulled his phone out of his pocket and checked for messages… Hiro hadn't called all day, it pained him… what is the matter with you? Ordinarily he would have never called, his pride would have stopped him from it, but Hiro was reshaping him in ways he didn't thought possible. The mere fact that his lover was being cold and avoiding was driving the producer to a wall, a wall called insecurity. He dialed his lover and waited to hear his soothing, but masculine voice.

XXX

"Aren't you going to answer that?" Shuichi pointed coldly to Hiro's breast pocket.

"I can't talk to him right now," Hiro stated, not looking at his friend's cold gaze.

"So you're taking the cowardly way out?"

"What am I going to say?" Hiro ran a hand through his hair exasperatedly.

"So, you just going to let him think you don't care?" Shuichi accused.

"I'll talk to him when I'm ready,"

"Hiro, take it from me… save yourself the pain. Seguchi Mika is coping, Yuki talked to her and she's doing good considering. Don't let her manipulate you the way she manipulated Seguchi." Shuichi implored.

Hiro looked at his friend for a while. It was incredible that this was the same Shuichi who would tease him, then cry when teased back.

'You love Seguchi right?" Shuichi asked.

"Yeah…" Hiro whispered.

"Then fight for him! Ryuichi told me this; I fought and got Yuki back. Don't let her keep on ruining his life… and yours."

"I don't know if this fight is worth fighting, weather I win or lose, Tohma might wind up unhappy." Hiro let out tonelessly.

"I can't believe I'm hearing this from you… I thought you were so mature and cool, but now I'm starting to believe it was all just a front." Shuichi looked out the window wondering just what had happened to make Hiro take this road.

"What would you do if Mikka Costa killed herself because you took Eiri-san from her?" Hiro asked out of the blue, "Would you be able to live with it? Would you be able to be happy with your Yuki, knowing that she died because of you? Would he be able to live with you?" Shuichi understood everything now. Hiro was not being a selfish coward, his friend was trying to save Seguchi Tohma, the man he had fallen in love with, heartache and guilt.

Shu didn't have to reply, he would probably do the same, "I'll help you," The singer stated, "But this isn't the best way to solve anything, you should talk to him, let him know what's up, let him make the final decision." Shuichi turned back to look at his friend tired eyes.

"I will, just not today."

XXX

Tohma stared at his phone as if it would tell him what was in Hiro's mind. He felt so helpless, so defeated. He knew something was terribly wrong, and he could not do anything about it. He dialed again…

"Hey…" Came a reply a second later

"Can I see you?" Tohma asked softly.

"Are you alright? Sure, where?" The deep voice of the only one the producer could trust replied concerned.

"I'm heading to 'that' place"

"I'll be there in twenty minutes," and the line went dead

XXX

Yuki left Mikka with mixed feelings, and more confused than ever. On the one hand, he was glad the charade was over and that she didn't seem 'too' hurt. On the other hand, he was angry beyond words… who the fuck does she think she is threatening? He had half the mind to call her bluff, but, and this was a big but… What if she was not bluffing? What if she truly brings down Shuichi and Tohma for something he did?

The mangaka honestly gave two fucks what people thought of him. In fact, the more he thought about it, the better he liked the idea to really end the charade, but his lover and friend wouldn't fare so well. Just the thought of what his pink haired angel would have to go though in the hands of the media, was enough to give the mangaka goose bumps.

"What the hell am I supposed to do?" He asked himself frustratingly. Neither Shuichi nor Tohma were at fault, he himself and no one else should have to pay! Granted he had played with Mikka out of fear and need, and she was entitled to cope however she felt necessary, and god knew he very well deserved everything she had in store for him, but for her to get others involved was so low.

Shuichi had really been heart broken due to his past actions, and right now, they were past the point where he could just pretend he had no feelings for the perky singer and walk away just to protect his career. And even if he could… he didn't want to. Shuichi had not been the only one brokenhearted. Still… the beautiful angel didn't deserve to be 'second choice' Yuki wanted to be with the hyper singer, with the suffocating body, and infectious laughter more than anything… he knew that now.

His phone went off, and for a second he thought not answering for fear it could be Mikka demanding an answer. He looked at the screen and was surprised to see Tohma's number… you haven't called me in a while. He thought worriedly

"Hey…" For some reason, he had a bad feeling in the pit of his stomach. Whether it was his talk with Mikka that left a bad taste in his mouth, or a presentiment, he didn't know, but Yuki knew that when it rained… it poured.

"Can I see you?" Tohma's tone confirmed his fears.

"Are you alright… Sure, where?" He put thoughts of Mikka, and Shuichi aside, and concentrated only on his friend-- who rarely if ever called to ask for help.

"I'm heading to 'that' place" Yuki looked at his watch, it would take him about fifteen minutes to get to the bar they frequented when they were lovers.

"I'll be there in twenty minutes" Yuki spoke and hung up.

X

Tohma was already sited at the bar having a drink when Yuki arrived. His face had a shadow to it, which seemed a little more than exhaustion. The mangaka sat next to him and set his keys on the counter, causing a reaction from the blonde, smaller man.

Tohma set his eyes on him and gave him a little smile, "Hey…" he whispered tiredly.

"Is everything alright?" Yuki asked immediately,

Eiri's worried expression made Tohma feel a little better. "Have you ever been weary to the point of not caring what happens anymore?" Tohma went back to stare at the drops sliding down his glass.

"All the time," Yuki replied tonelessly, "This isn't like you Tohma… is everything alright with Hiroshi?" To this Tohma gave a little laugh amused that his ex-lover would worry about his new one.

"I don't know… funny huh? I always know everything about everyone else's lives, but I don't even know what's going on with my own."

"Did you guys have a fight?"

"No,"

"Is it work?" Yuki asked, but he knew that Tohma wouldn't get like this over work.

"I thought I could finally settle down and have the one thing I was missing, I thought Hiro would fill the void in my soul, but…" Tohma paused, then turned to Yuki with a smile, "Enough about me, this isn't why I called you here for."

Yuki hardened his expression; it was so like Tohma to suppress his emotions. In a way, there were the same, Tohma and himself. Probably that was the reason they sought each other to begin with, and the reason they still got along despite everything. Now that he no longer had romantic feelings for the older man, he could see it so clearly.

"How am I supposed to help you if you don't tell me what's wrong?" The mangaka let out a bit harshly. Tohma lowered his eyes, and said nothing for a few moments, as if debating.

"I don't know what is wrong, I just don't want to think about it right now… I can't" Yuki nodded understanding-- but not agreeing. If there was one person who deserved happiness, it was this man.

"You will tell me if there's anything I can do." The mangaka warned as a father would a child.

Tohma laughed, "I will… tousan. I wanted to show you this," The producer switched gears and slid the manila envelope toward his ex lover. Yuki took it calmly, paged though the magazine he took out of it, and put it back, closing the envelope and setting it down.

"This doesn't have anything to do with me," The mangaka said nonchalantly, trying not to picture his brother with the moron he thought had been with Shuichi… he just hated the guy.

"Doesn't it? This is about your brother. Tatsuha's name is printed in bold letters and so is yours. It's only a matter of time before the media swamps you about it. What's going to happen to the great Yuki Eiri's reputation?" Tohma asked.

Reputation was the last thing on Yuki's mind, he was concerned about Tatsuha's though, but that was something he'd keep to himself, he'd find a way to help him without anyone knowing… then it hit him.

"What about you? You have ties to our family… this," He pointed at the envelope, "the divorce, and the fact that Sakuma is from Nittle Grasper will damage you more than me or anyone in our family, and I am not speaking of reputation alone." Yuki asserted worriedly.

"Ah revenue, yes," Tohma laughed ironically, " Nittle Grasper might lose some of its followers, but that is of very little concern to me. In any event, I put some pressure on the magazine's director, he might call it off, but then again he might not. If he's half the businessman that I am… he will not, so I'd be ready for anything. I just wanted to warn you."

It was Yuki's turn to laugh ironically, " Hmph…Always thinking of others huh? If its my reputation you're worried about, don't, I could care less what people say about me, but… thank you for calling me here, you've helped me make up my mind on something. I know what I have to do now" Tohma's eyes shot open.

"Don't tell me you'll marry Mikka just because of this?!"

"You're a sharp one." Yuki smirked. "Think about it, it will divert the public's attention, hey! I can 'mysteriously' lose a sex tape, and even more mysteriously have it find its way on the net." The mangaka smirked, "That'll make Tats' blunder pale in comparison."

"This isn't a joke Eiri," Tohma rebuked.

"I'm not joking," Yuki got serious.

"Eiri no! I forbid you from it. Just the fact that you came to that conclusion tells me that you had your doubts, why are you worrying about me? … think about Shuichi!"

"I am, and I'm also thinking about you, and Mikka, and everyone I got involved in my selfishness. I'm just as tired as you Tohma, I want to be able to be at peace." Yuki drank from the glass that had been put in front of him, and set his eyes on the tiny droplets sliding down from it.

"And making the same stupid mistake I did will accomplish that?" Tohma put a firm hand on Yuki's shoulder.

"It may not, but at least will put others at peace. I cooked my own meal, and now I have to eat it and like it."

"I don't…" Tohma began, but Yuki cut him mid sentence.

"You don't have to agree, just respect my decision. Enough about this!" The mangaka halted a hand to keep Tohma from saying anymore.

"Eiri…" The producer understood him completely and knew exactly why he was doing it, but it was just too unfair. Why did it always end up like this!

"I spoke to Mika, she is doing a lot better, it seems is finally sinking in." Yuki changed the subject refusing to think about it more than he had to, he'd have a lifetime to regret it, and he was in no rush to start.

"I'm glad she is doing well, I can't tell you how awful I feel." Tohma indulged Eiri and dropped the previous subject as well; he knew once he made up his mind, no one could change it. Tohma just hoped his friend could live with his decision. "Even if things don't work out with Hiro… I will not go back to her."

"Now, why would you say that? Hiroshi-kun seems a lot more mature and reliable than Mika and I put together… oh, and throw Tatsuha in mix as well." Yuki smirked, winking at the older man. Tohma smiled hoping he was right.

XXX

After dropping Hiro at his parents', Shuichi drove to Yuki's place; he couldn't wait to try the key Seguchi gave him. He turned on the radio and played it loud, to take his mind off the blonde…at least for the moment. The tent he was sporting was becoming painful and was making it hard to drive.

"Just what I need…" Shuichi mused aloud and rolled his eyes as the latest Mikka Costa tune blared through the speakers. "She's so fucking fake!" The singer let out as her love song soared, "I bet someone wrote it for her and told her how to sing it… che, anybody can do that!" Shuichi drove along, he didn't change the station, he had an incredible urge to do that, but for some reason he didn't.

"At least my boner went away," The perky pink haired smirked.

The song ended, "Well, there you have it, Costa-san's first single, from her latest album 'Legion'" The DJ announced, Shuichi turned down the volume and hoped there was a Bad Luck song in store as well.

"For those who just tuned in, Costa-san dropped by the studio for a live interview," The woman announced excitedly. "We are so happy to have you here Costa-san!" she continued, clearly speaking to the devil herself.

"Oh, Please, call me Mikka." The two women laughed as if someone told a funny joke.

"I been swamped with letters, emails, calls, and everything you can imagine, asking about my recent wedding announcement. So I thought I'd come on the air and answer a few questions." His archrival stated in that fake voice of hers.

"What?!" Shuichi turned up the volume. He'd been so overwhelmed by everything that's been going on in the last few days, that he had completely forgotten about the announcement.

"Our station is so happy you chose us, but enough with the chit-chat, let's get down to business!" The woman DJ yapped eagerly. "When?"

"It will be in November twenty-fist, the location is secret of course, but I will tell you that the invitations have been sent, the honey moon booked, and that I will not be touring this summer like I normally do after releasing an album."

"Oh my God Mikka-san, this is huge! You have been engaged to Yuki-sensei for so long and you're finally making it legal." The DJ quipped with a hint of jealousy.

"You're so funny!" Mikka laughed,

"Will you two be starting a family right away?" Shuichi turned off the radio; he did not want to hear any more, he felt betrayed. Of course Yuki had never said he would cancel his wedding to Mikka, or that he would be the only one in his life from now on, but Shuichi had hoped for something more substantial.

He got the apartment, bowing to give the blonde grouch a chance to explain, or even to tell him his plans for the future… if there was in fact 'a future' between them. The singer tired his new key, and smiled when it went in smoothly.

"Kyaa it fits!" he quipped forgetting Mikka Costa and her little interview-- che, if that's what people have to do to sell records…then let her. Shuichi let himself in the dark apartment. He had hoped to surprise a certain someone, but at this time of day he was sure his love must be at work "Alright then, I'll make some tasty dinner, I show you I can be a reliable 'wife'" He quipped dancing his way to the windows and opening the blinds, letting the light bring everything to life.

He then went into the messy studio and lost himself into his lover's works, he poured over easels, drawing tables, written story lines. It wasn't everyday you had a chance like this, "I should start cooking," Shuichi told himself as he paged through some Angel Sanctuary material. It was still hard to believe that it was actually based on himself and Yuki; it gave him butterflies in the stomach every time he thought about it. It was not as romantic or as happy as he would have liked, but hell! If anyone would have told him two years ago that he would be the great Yuki Eiri's inspiration for a manga he would have laughed… really hard.

"I'll give you time to sort out your feelings," The singer spoke to the drawing of his love staring right back at him, "Just don't take forever,"

XXX

Yuki drove to his studio after leaving Tohma. Things were getting more and more complicated by the minute. He knew his next inevitable meeting with Mikka would seal his fate, so he could not afford to make the wrong choices. That time was over with, and now he needed to grow up and face the music. He turned on the radio to distract his mind from the overwhelming issues he kept putting his brain through.

Mikka's voice came to life, much to Yuki's surprise. She was talking excitedly about the wedding and how wonderful everything was going to be, "Hmph… you know me well bitch," The mangaka smirked listening to her blabbering.

"I bet your wedding Kimono is stunning!" Some woman DJ beamed, making Yuki laugh aloud.

"My wedding dress is stunning, we'll be having a Catholic ceremony," Mikka beamed back, "You know my father is Italian, he is 'big' into religion so I'll humor him, but we will have a blessing at Yuki's family temple in Kyoto, his brother will preside it." Yuki laughed even louder in spite the humorlessness of the situation, he pulled out his cell and dialed the hardly used number… and a second later came a reply.

"Well, if it isn't the rabbit out of his hole?" Her voice came crisp and sure… she knows she has me by the balls, Yuki thought getting irritated.

"I was just listening to 'our' plans" Yuki remarked just as crisp and sure, as if he didn't have anything to fear.

"Oh were you now? I booked that interview this morning, do you think our little friend heard it too?" She emphasized the last part.

"I doubt it, he's not too concern with other's business, and I don't think he likes you very much. Anyhow, I got an answer for you," Yuki let out tonelessly, trying not to think of Shuichi.

"Do you now?" Mikka rebuked sarcastically, Yuki's temple was throbbing from the anger he felt. The fucking bitch was not going to make things at all easy was she? If this is how his life was going to be like, he better drive a knife though his heart and end his misery.

"I'm not doing it because I'm afraid of you, I could care less what little plot you got cooking, I just realized that a relationship with a pink haired rocker is not the best for my image, besides, being the flavor of this month doesn't' guarantee me a prime spot the next, I'm too old for this shit" Yuki played down his actual feelings and put on his tough, aloof and cold as ice front.

"Wise decision, I knew you couldn't be that stupid." Mikka stated nonchalantly,

"Yeah," Yuki laughed, if she only knew how stupid he really was.

"Did you hear the date, or do I have to send you an invitation as well?" She asked sarcastically, but elated, she had been actually afraid that Eiri would simply not care about the consequences and just send her to hell.

"Cut the crap, don't make me change my mind, 'cause I can, really fast." Yuki spat, losing it fast.

"Are you coming home tonight?" She asked sweetly changing the subject, hoping he would. The fact that she had to threaten him to get her way, didn't mean they had to be enemies; she loved him so much, and wanted to have a life with him, why couldn't he understand that?

"No, I have a deadline to meet," Yuki replied curtly.

"We do have to talk, you know that." She reminded him.

"We'll talk when I have the time."

"Are you going to have time for Shindou?" Eiri didn't reply.

The line went dead; Mikka knew very well the answer to that question

XXX

A small grin graced Yuki's lips, upon entering his usually dark studio. Light poured from every window. Loud music could be heard from within, and the fresh smell of coffee and food hit his nostrils remanding him he hadn't eaten yet.

The mangaka closed the door loudly, advising the intruder inside of his arrival…a second later.

"Yuuuuuukiiiii!" A blur of pink hair and fair flesh came out of nowhere and threw himself on him, showering him with kisses all over his face. Yuki smiled in spite of himself, if he had had any doubt before, he no longer did. He had made the right decision, he'd protect Shuichi even if it cost him his own happiness, he could no longer deny he was madly in love with him—not that he'd ever tell Shuichi— and he would do whatever it took to keep that contagious smile on his face.

"Get off me!" Yuki grouched, trying to appear annoyed, "How old are you!?" He admonished, but his contented expression, completely gave him away.

"I missed you so much!! I came straight from the studio to see you! I thought you'd be here… I wanted to surprise you…" Shuichi let out, in a rush of words.

"There's nothing that surprises me little boy." Yuki stated, taking the slender man in his arms and carrying him to the sofa, sitting on it with Shuichi straddling him.

"You were surprised the other night when I came to make you mine." Shu let out snidely. Yuki let out a loud laugh.

"To make me yours?" the mangaka arched his brow, "You were drunk out of your mind, and if I may remind you, 'I' made 'you' mine."

"All technicalities." Shu stated matter-of-factly.

"Anyhow, how did you get in here, did you add burglar to your resume?" Yuki asked suspiciously, shifting Shuichi's weight on himself.

Shuichi pulled out the key Seguchi gave him, "Ta da!" He smiled broadly.

"I see, so Tohma really did give up on me huh?… I'm devastated." The blonde feigned hurt. Shuichi hit him on the arm, and then began to grind himself against Yuki's waking sex.

"I can leave if you want?" The singer husked, running his tongue over the mangaka's lips, lapping them soft, like a kitten.

Yuki fought the urge to give in to pleasure; he needed to talk to Shuichi about their relationship, but the singer was having none of it. Shuichi began trailing kisses over the mangaka's face, grinding himself on Yuki's fully awake sex harder, then sucking at the blonde's earlobe seductively, driving Yuki crazy with need… his ears truly were his weak spot, he'd come to find out in the past few days.

Throwing all thoughts of Mikka and weddings to hell, Yuki grabbed Shuichi's shirt and tore it off with one quick pull. The slight singer threw his head back, and began laughing like a child.

"I hope you got your checkbook handy… Yuki-sensei," The singer laughed, standing up and trying to get away, but was swiftly pulled back to his lover's lap.

"Look at what you've done." Yuki grind himself against Shuichi, making him feel his rock-hard sex, " Tell me Shindou Shuichi, what do you intent to do about it?" The mangaka husked in the younger man's ear.

Shuichi's naked back pressed against Yuki's chest, and his head was thrown back against his broad shoulder. Yuki took this as an invitation and ravaged the young lips savagely, demanding everything Shuichi had to give. With expert hands, the mangaka undid Shu's belt, and—the now too tight—pants, to free the singer's throbbing sex.

Shuichi's mouth open agape in pleasure, as Yuki's feather light fingers ran the length of his upper body. Without lifting his head from Yuki's shoulder nor opening his eyes, Shuichi fumbled to get rid of his pants so that he could feel more, and to expose himself completely to this man who had taken everything from him… body, heart, and soul.

"Eager aren't we?" Yuki whispered in Shu's ear, his voice barely displaying the confidence he always exuded.

Shuichi only grinned in agreement and opened his legs as far wide as they could go, propping his feet on the couch for support.

Yuki moaned into Shuichi's mouth at the sight of his exposed body, he could feel Shuichi's heated skin burning him. The mangaka left the singer's swollen lips and ventured his way down the exposed neck, nipping and licking the length of it, followed by the slight shoulder, and then back up. Shuichi's body writhed in the most sensual, feline manner, seeking more contact, craving Yuki with every fiber of his being. Yuki's hands oblige by running up and down the younger man's torso on their own.

"Yuki…" Shuichi choked, grabbing the back of the mangaka's head, along with a handful of blonde locks, and bringing Yuki's wandering lips back to his own. "Drink me… drink all of me…" Shuichi pleaded.

With a barely controlled grin, Yuki plunged into his lover's waiting mouth once again and did as told.

Shuichi moaned loudly, his body trashed around, guiding Yuki's hands where he wanted them to touch. The singer's other hand rested loosely on the couch, as if he didn't remember it existed, fingers twitching now and then, along with his pulsing cock.

Yuki couldn't take much more of this hell. He wanted to plunge himself into Shuichi's hot and tight paradise, but he knew he would not last. His engorged, ready to burst shaft pressing against Shuichi's back, rubbing with every movement of his thrashing body, were not making matters much easier.

The mangaka's shaky hands stopped their wandering, one settled on a pink, perked nipple, and the other took the lifeless hand, and brought it to Shuichi's twitching core, helping it stroke it slowly.

Shu's mouth left Yuki's and he pressed his head on the mangaka's shoulder harder, arching his back in a silent plea for more contact.

"You're… so cruel…do it already…" Shuichi choked, barely above a whisper.

"Do… what?" Yuki's control was not doing much better; he could climax just by looking at the erotic cat in heat sitting on him.

"Do it!" Shuichi begged, thrusting his hips upwards, thrashing his head from side to side. Yuki's hand held Shuichi's core tighter, and increased the speed of his stokes.

"Cum for me…" The mangaka rasped in Shu's hear, leaving the singer's hand to stroke on its own. With his fingertips, Yuki teased the tip of Shuichi's painfully engorged dick, playing with the pool of pre-cum that had gathered there. Their mouths met once more, leisurely at first, then more and more demanding, wrestling to the finish line desperately.

"God…" Shuichi moaned into Yuki's mouth, his hips danced in sync with his hand, Yuki's hand moved from the tip to the balls, and the other came to tease Shuichi's throbbing entrance.

"I… can't…" Yuki smiled at the all too familiar phrase, knowing full well his angel was at his limit. Without any warning, the young singer's climax claimed him, shooting his essence all over his own stomach, and on their faces, mingling with their flickering tongues.

"I hate you" Shuichi spat satisfied, still riding the waves of pleasure his body craved.

Yuki took him by the hips and threw him to lay on his back on the couch, Shuichi's face was flushed, and his eyes were still dazed, but even so, the love they reflected shot right at Yuki's heart.

"My turn…" The dazed blonde rasped. Shuichi put his legs on either of the mangaka's shoulders and offered himself fully. Yuki ran his hands over Shuichi's stomach, loving the slimy feeling and the pungent smell of the younger man's semen.

"Hurry… I want it so badly, it fucking hurts!" Shuichi snapped getting frustrated, what the fuck was stopping Yuki? He could tell the man wanted him as bad as he, but for some reason he was hesitating… could it be? But his fears were soon put to rest, when he felt Yuki's hard rod rubbing against his entrance. Shuichi pushed, grabbing Yuki's ass to bring him in once and for all, but all he got was a half rasped laughed from his cruel lover.

"Horny bastard," Yuki's mouth descended on his and the sticky kisses began anew. Waking the over stimulated singer's sex once more. The mangaka's hand found its way to it and began playing with it slowly.

"Don't you want it?" Shuichi asked, beginning to feel dizzy all over again.

"Oh, I want it…" Yuki whispered and moved his mouth to Shu's taunt nipple and began sucking it hard. As amazing as he was feeling Shuichi couldn't help to feel a bit frustrated, now that he'd come once, he could think straight… a little.

Shuichi pushed Yuki off, and on the couch, to assume the same vulnerable position as he'd just had. "I want to do some sucking too," The singer rasped and took the whole of Yuki into his mouth…. Fuck, the smell of pre-cum, the hard breathing of his lover, his hard dick that had him enslaved, were driving him insane. Shuichi was almost at the edge again. The pink-head strained to keep his climax at bay, and concentrated on the man below. He sucked slow and sweet, then fast and hard—a little trick he had learned from the 'sensei' himself—Rejoicing at the intensity of Yuki's moans… that's right, feel dizzy, let your head spin, just like when you do it to me.

"Sit on me," Yuki commanded between moans, Shuichi smirked and happily complied, not caring about the lack of lubrication.

"Slowly…" The mangaka sighed, grabbing the overexcited singer's hips and keeping him from ramming himself on his dick.

"I can't… I want it so bad!" Shuichi cried, trying to push himself down, the pain he felt actually delicious.

As bad as Yuki wanted it as well, he was lucid enough not to deliberately hurt the smaller man, he held the slight hips firmly and brought them up and down himself, covering a bit more length each time, until he was in to the hilt. He closed his eyes and shook from head to toes, willing his orgasm to wait a bit longer.

The blonde mangaka could not get enough of this, no matter how many times they did it, or what turmoil plagued his mind. Shuichi had the power to obliterate it all and make him feel alive. It never felt like this with Tohma, and Mikka couldn't even compare.

"You're so beautiful…" The singer whispered, rolling his eyes to the back oh his head, savoring the size of the monster that filled every part of him.

"You don't know what beauty is" Yuki grinned as satisfied, urging Shuichi with a little push, to move. The perky singer did so slowly, still getting adjusted to the size. Taking his time to enjoy what he could not the first time around. Yuki moved a hand to stroke Shuichi, while the other one remained on his hip, urging him to move faster.

"Fuck yeah…" Yuki gasped after a few thrusts and his whole body shuddered, his hand left Shuichi's hard sex and held the singer's hips in place, thrusting himself into him hard, Closing his eyes and opening his mouth in one last moan. Yuki emptied everything he had, feeling the hotness of Shuichi's essence on him at the same instant, then the pleasantly heavy weight of his satisfied lover fell on him breathing hard, smiling like an idiot. "…What are you doing to me little boy?" Yuki whispered, kissing the top of the pink head tenderly.

XXX

Tatsuha opened the door after five solid minutes of demanding pounding. The annoyed monk had been trying to get in touch with Ryuichi for the past three hours to no avail. His lover had received a call from Tohma, and judging by the hurried way in which he left, Tatsuha had been left to worry all by himself.

The monk gasped at the sight of Suguru standing at his door for the very first time since they were ten.

"What are you doing here?" Tatsuha snapped worriedly, not remembering to put up his aloof front.

"Can I come in/" Suguru looked around uncomfortably, Tatsuha stepped aside and allowed the shorter teen to come inside.

"Sorry man, I just have a lot in my mind these days," Tatsuha realized his indiscretion and assumed his cool and collected self, the self he didn't like but was as necessary as breathing.

"I'm sorry to come out like this, but I had to tell you," Suguru pulled an envelope from his jacket and handed it to Tatsuha. The monk just now noticed how pallid the usually fair skinned boy looked, "I got it from Tohma's office," Suguru continued scared.

"Why are you giving me this, and why were you in his office snooping around?" The monk sneered suspiciously.

"Forget about that, and just look at it!" Tatsuha did, and dropped the magazine as soon as he saw it's cover. He picked it up quickly and paged through it like a man possessed.

"Holy, fucking shit!" The tall teen exclaimed, and grabbed his head with both hands.

"I'm sorry, I don't know much, I went to talk to Tohma and I saw it on his desk, I grabbed it and came before even thinking about it." Tatsuha looked at the teen and for the very first time was aware of how much Suguru cared. Most likely Tohma will be livid when he finds it gone, and yet Suguru didn't care. "What are you going to do Tatsuha?" Suguru asked scared, "I mean what's going to happen once it gets out?"

"I don't know, and there's nothing I can do. Ryu most likely knows, and he hasn't call me." The monk tried to kid himself, but he knew that this would be devastating for his vivacious lover.

"I saw Sakuma-san leaving Tohma's office earlier, then Tohma went somewhere and came back, that's when I went to see him and … Anyway, I just wanted you to know." Suguru ended.

"I appreciate you putting your neck on the line for me, especially after I've treated you like shit," The monk conceded. Suguru nodded tersely, not caring about that at all right then "Shit, I got to talk to Ryuichi!" Tatsuha exclaimed, switching gears, and pulled his phone and dialed, again getting Ryuichi's voicemail.

"Shit! Where the hell are you babe…?"

XXX

"Ne, Yuki?" Shuichi watched his lover put on his torn jeans. After lovemaking, they took a much-needed bath and were now getting dressed to grab something to eat, since the meal he made got burned. They were acting exactly like a normal couple and this worried Shuichi because they both knew they were anything but.

"Mmm?" Yuki asked as he fixed the sleeves of his black turtleneck.

Shuichi hadn't wanted to bring the interview up, or to ask any useless questions, but it was killing him. Shuichi needed to know. "What am I to you?" Yuki fixed his eyes on him and seemed to be thinking on what his next words.

"You're the one who brought light into my darkness," The mangaka replied softly, Shuichi's chest swelled with love and pride, but that didn't answer his question.

"Does that mean we're steady?" Shu asked shyly, he promised not to get ahead of himself, but he couldn't help it.

Yuki looked at him for a long while, his expression was unreadable. Then, the mangaka took his hand and guided him to sit on the bed.

"I don't know what it is you expect from me, but I'm not a free man. I never promised you anything other than my body, but I feel I should tell you that I am not leaving Mikka. I will marry her in a couple of weeks and more than likely I won't come back to this place for a while.

Shuichi set his eyes on the blond man. Everything came crushing down on him. He'd been played once again.

"You used me…" Shuichi's tone was neither accusing nor angry, just resigned to the reality he somehow knew.

"No I didn't, I do like you… a lot, but she has been there through thick and thin, and a few nights with you won't not change that. If you want to continue this I won't stop it, but I won't feed an illusion or make promises I will not be able to keep. Neither of you deserve it"

"What do I deserve?" Shuichi's eyes filled with tears.

Yuki stood and walked to the window, turning his back on the younger man, so that he could not see his own doubts. "Shuichi… I" The singer halted a hand to Silence him.

"If I want to continue this, you won't stop it? In other words, I can continue getting charity fucks from you whenever the wife is not around? Is that it Yuki?" Shu swallowed hard and fought to keep his tears at bay. Pain and humiliation blended and shaped his anger to heights he couldn't think possible, he was tired of being second choice, tired of being taken for granted and played, not only by this man, but by fate and even gender.

"Is not like that, I didn't mean…"

'It's all right; you don't have to explain anything to me. You said it yourself, you never promised me anything, how dare I thing that maybe we had a chance?" Shu walked away not able to hold his tears any longer.

"Shuichi wait!" Yuki came after him and grabbed him by the arm; he could not let him go angry like that. Shuichi turned sharply and yanked his arm free. His lavender eyes were filled with tears, and something else… bitterness.

"Don't! I beg you, don't hurt me anymore…" Shuichi whispered defeated.

Yuki didn't try to follow it was better this way. Shuichi would resent him now, but in the long run it was for his own good.

It will never be, and as much as he tried to fight it, he knew, he's always known. He and Yuki were too different. They lived in different worlds, where they were like two negative ends of a magnet that could never defy nature and be together. He'd been too late in Yuki's life.

… it'll hurt now, but I'll survive, I'll break through… I always do. With one last look at the cruel blonde god, he set the key on the table and walked away, this time… Forever.

XXX

A/N Ohohohohoh! I had to do it! Sorry 'bout the evil cliffhanger, but I cannot post the entire last chapter in one shot as I had originally planned. It's too long, so I did what I always do. I split it. Only this time it's not part I and II, its two different chapters. Sorry. I'm still working on the grand finale (and boy its proving to be a bitch!)

I bet ya'll forgot about those flashes back when Tats and Ryu were kissing at the NG lobby a few chapters back? Go back and remind yourselves. I hate plot holes so I solved it pretty painlessly ne? And I know, I know Yuki is OOC, but give me a break! The man can't be a prick the entire fic!

Next Stop: LAST CHAPTER Do you Believe? and the Epilogue Angel Dust. Finally this long and tedious saga is coming to an end. Of course all the remaining issues will be solved. Happily you ask? Who knows?

Will Mikka get her way? Will Hiro and Tohma end? Will Tatsuha and Ryu be separated? Will Suguru find love? THE QUESTIONS!!! Well don't miss it… you've made this far, might as well.