Gravitation
Date Started: May 9, 2006
Sora Kazuma
Author's Notes: A side-story for Lena's Fic 'Blood-Stained Music Sheets', it's mostly my crazy wacked out tribute to Ryuichi Sakuma and Tatsuha Uesugi. Vampires, music, gay men…random explosions from the God of War K…why do I have to explain it to you guys…its Gravitation! So onward to the story, once you know that this will be rated 17+. With that said, have at it fans!
Chapter One: A Rising Obsession, A Mutual Affection?
Ryuichi Sakuma was always… a little strange, even in his fans eyes. He was a goofball, a crybaby, a child 90 of the time. But when he stepped on stage, something happened. It was like the childishness, the immaturity melted away leaving nothing behind but the raw powerful emotion, the drive, the spark, the heat that was the heart of worldwide platinum artists Nittle Grasper.
At first glance, the lead singer with the gorgeous voice was ungodly beautiful. Shaggy chocolate brown hair that he couldn't decide whether he wanted it grown out or short, big bright cerulean blue eyes that almost seemed to large for his boyish face. He looked younger then he was…late teens, early twenties, not someone who was nearing 34. Enough earring studs to line both of his ears, and a simple dress of t-shirt's and baggy pants to fit his tall lean figure, he looked more American then Japanese, though his name said it all.
He had seen the world…his band had been international, number one for years, and even after their breakup, his career as a solo musician skyrocketed. XMR Records out of New York City had picked him up and he was a Billboards Number One artist for weeks…his breakout CD was multi-platinum in days. Two and a half years ago, he returned to Japan, announced that Nittle Grasper would be reforming under NG Records, the record label Touma Seguichi of the same band had created after the original break up five years before. Their main target was a band called Bad Luck from the same label, a no-talent trio of wannabes who had seemingly come from out of nowhere, been hired by the company on sheer enthusiasm and had somehow made it up the charts with their debut CD to have several number one hits. Ryuichi had issued a challenge to Bad Luck's lead singer, Shuichi Shindou, someone he called a close friend, to enter a grueling five-week contest. Both bands would put out ten new singles in that time, and the fans would decide who would stay and who would go. In the end it came back down to Bad Luck being the top dog. New talent won out against old charisma and Nittle Grasper conceded for once in nearly ten years. It wasn't long after that that the famous group disbanded again, and Ryuichi was back over in the States, this time working under Judy Winchester's Agency as an actor.
To crazed fan Tatsuha Uesugi, this was all nothing new to him. He kept up on Ryuichi's life as if it was his own…everything and anything. He had all the magazines articles, CDs, tapes, DVDs, posters, apparel…if it was Nittle Grasper and Ryuichi Sakuma chances are, Tatsuha had it.
The nineteen year old had his own place in Kyoto now…he had moved out of the temple that his father ran and had an apartment for himself, though he still saw his parents every single day. He worked, just like every other kid trying to support himself, stayed in touch with his elder sister Mika, her husband Touma and their year-old son Kairu and on occasion got through to his brother Eiri when he wasn't trying to make his deadlines, sleep or make love to his little boy toy. Tatsuha loved his family…they were all dear to him, but sometimes he just felt so left out of everything. His sister was married to one of the most successful men in the music industry and also a keyboardist for Nittle Grasper, and his brother had been dating lead singer of Bad Luck, Shindou-kun for almost 3 years now. It seemed life revolved around their spotlight and Tatsuha had nothing to go on. The one person he loved, that he believed he loved, was overseas and had been for two years working on a movie set in California. There was no one else for him, but he didn't hope to stand a chance.
It was a little after three on a Friday afternoon when his cellphone went off in the baggy pocket of his robes. The young priest had been in the middle of prayer when the small thing had vibrated against his thigh, and if the number hadn't come up as 'Seguchi Mika' he wouldn't have bothered to answer it. Excusing himself from the shrine, he picked it up, well on its way to its seventh ring. He was surprised his voicemail didn't pick up first.
"Yes Sis? What's up?" He asked, starting down the steps out of the temple. Dark raven eyes blinked and then widened slightly as the voice on the other end of the line spoke up, definitely not his sister's voice.
"Afternoon Tatsuha, how are you doing?"
"Seguchi-san!" He automatically recognized the voice and that very whimsical tone it always seemed to hold. "Afternoon. What are you doing with Mika's cellphone?"
The voice just laughed. "She went over to see Eiri this afternoon and so I've got Kairu right now. I wanted to let you in on something alright? But you can't say a word to anyone."
Tatsuha felt his heart skip a beat at that. Touma always had a way of intimidating him. "Alright…?" He said, wondering what this was all about this time. If it was another crazy stunt against Bad Luck, he was out. Eiri had almost killed him once for messing with his boyfriend, he wasn't about to let it happen again.
"You do realize that this year is the twelve-year-anniversary of Nittle Grasper, correct?"
"How could I not? I've been counting the days." He replied, feeling even a little bit more apprehensive with the mention of the band name.
"Our greatest hits CD also goes out in a month. We would have released it on our tenth, but unfortunately that was before we disbanded again. And this time it just feels right. You know Ryuichi's movie comes out in Japan next week right?" Again with things and questions Tatsuha already knew. He had pleaded them out of Shuichi weeks ago.
He smiled. Maybe he was just trying to stir up conversation. Maybe he would change topic and ask him to come to Tokyo for the weekend to watch his nephew. Something like that. "I know. I can't wait to see it. I've already bought tickets."
"Really now?" The voice fluctuated and then he let out a soft sigh. "That's too bad. I was hoping you would want to come to the private screening tomorrow night while Ryuichi is in town."
Wait…hold the phone…what did he just say…?
Tatsuha was to stunned to think for a moment…he couldn't speak…he could barely breath. His knees were giving out on him and he numbly just collapsed on to the steps before he fell. "Seguchi-san…say it again." He had to hear those words.
If Touma was aware of Tatsuha's affections for his best friend, he was very well at hiding it. "Oh?" He questioned innocently. "Well, we were keeping it a secret…it was going to be an NG thing…but Eiri and Shindou are going to be there, along with Mika, Noriko and her husband, most of the producing label of the record company, some XMR staff... We co-handled the making of the official soundtrack, so it's only fair our bands get to profit a little free time from it. So… I figured while the whole family is together you would want to be there too Tatsuha, specially since Ryu hasn't been here for a very long time."
The teen was so happy, he didn't know what he wanted to do first…cry a river…or let a river run of blood from his nose. He and Ryuichi together at the movies, watching his gorgeous body on the screen…it was like a dream come true. "What do I have to do to go?" He asked, wondering if there was going to be a catch to this. It sounded to good to be true.
Touma only chuckled. "Be here, at Eiri's place, ready to go tomorrow by 5 PM."
The motorcycle stopped out front of the well-kept pad and Tatsuha took off his helmet, resting it against his hip as he turned his bike off and left it close to the house. He was half expecting the pink-haired ball of energy to answer the door at full run, so it surprised him when he rung the doorbell twice and it opened to reveal an almost exact replica of him standing there, only a little taller with golden hair and eyes. "Hey Bro." He said, blinking. For once Eiri didn't look half asleep or half drunk answering the door. He was wearing khaki pants, a buttoned down dress shirt of emerald green, matching piercings in the ears and his thin-framed glasses. For once…he looked nice. "Where's Shindou? I was expecting him to be ready and you to be locked in your study still."
"I've been listening to his damn chatter all day about this premiere. If I'm not there on time I'm never going to hear the fucking end of it." He left the door open, turning back around and heading inside, expecting his brother to follow him.
Once in the house he ditched the helmet, the chaps and the heavy bike jacket, revealing black cargos, a silk shirt of fire engine red and the silver chain he wore around his neck. The two were always the opposites in everything. Eiri returned to the bedroom, though after a moment his voice echoed out through the silent house. "Touma needed him there ahead of time, so he went on without me. It's just the two of us."
"How romantic." The youth grinned, walking into the bathroom to fix his hair. He was paranoid about the way he looked, after not seeing Ryuichi in so long….
The sound of boots resounding across the floor barely caught his attention, but the sound of his brother's deep mock-annoyed tone of "Shut up" Made him smile. Eiri was Eiri, anti-social, vain and unamused as always.
"Will you stop with the damn primping like a schoolgirl? You're just as bad as he is." It was evident he was ready to go and only holding him up.
"Yeah, yeah." Tasuha said, raking back his long raven bangs before exiting the bathroom. There was no response needed to know who he was talking about and he had had a feeling Shuichi would be like that too. If there was anyone who admired Ryuichi just as much as he did, it was Eiri's boyfriend.
They were taking the black BMW import…probably one of Eiri's favorite little toys. Tatsuha had gotten used to riding on the opposite side of the car long ago after his brother had first shown an interest in foreign motors. He liked his machines raw and fast, so as soon as they were out of the neighborhood and on the freeway the vehicle was moving at 90MPH. Neither one was phased by the speed…the youth had just done that on his bike coming in from Kyoto.
Most of the ride was silent…it wasn't a very long trip anyway…traffic was light on the main roads so it was only about twenty minutes into the heart of the city, and then it was a matter of getting close enough to the premiere. Tatsuha had asked about Shindou…how they're relationship was going, how his career was going, but Eiri hardly responded more then two or three word answers. He was used to that, still it was better then silence. The problems that lay inside his brother had scared deeply, and he just didn't trust anyone really.
The group gathered infront of the movie theatre started about 4 blocks out and spanned both sides of the street. Police officials had the place blocked off and when they stopped the car to turn it around, merely rolling down the window and tilting the sunglasses, Eiri was escorted through. Tatsuha was a little amazed at the turnout for what had been deemed 'a private event' but still, Nittle Grasper was who they were.
"This place is going to be swarming with news crews. Touma's kept most of them except the few entertainment shows at bay, but still." Eiri actually spoke up once the theatre was almost dead in view. "Shuichi will be waiting for us out on the red carpet…Bad Luck had an interview or something. Just don't let people get the wrong idea, and be careful tonight."
"Wow, Bro…" He smiled at him as the police were stopping the car, flagging it down right in front of the inside. That was more then he had ever told him, not since they were very little. "Thanks."
"Just…don't do anything stupid." He told him, that annoyed tone coming back, brushing it off as nothing.
The doors opened and Tatsuha stepped out of the car, knowing that Eiri was simultaneously doing the same thing on the other side. The reporter standing there caught sight of the two dreamy gentleman, finished talked to her cameramen and rushed off. Tatsuha had been expecting that at the sight of his brother. Course the crowds were going wild and the girls just would not stop screaming.
Eiri came around, more to protect his brother then anything, though the reporter had gotten to him first. "Why hello there, who do we have here?" She asked, looking up at him with a slight blush. Tatsuha loved how he could do that to women and not even try.
"This…" Eiri was first to intercept, putting a hand on his shoulder. "Is my little brother." His deep voice was holding that sugary sweet charm that made the people who knew him really want to laugh and that smile…god when he smiled like that you wanted to melt into the floor.
"Good evening Yuki-san." The reporter smiled, a little disappointed she hadn't caught him with someone else, but still captured by the blonde's beauty. "It's nice of you to join us this evening."
"It's nice to be here, thank you." He tilted his head, those long bangs shadowing his eyes.
"YUKI!"
They had been expecting it, but two seconds after the pink-hair was spotted, the boy was at his lover's side. Bright purple eyes, a very feminine build and an ungodly voice was trademark as Bad Luck's leading vocalist. And of course the crowds were going crazy again.
"Shindou-san, hello again!" The reporter giggled at his very childish entrance, dashing the red carpet just so he could hold hands with his beloved.
"Hello again Mari, you'll have to excuse me. I've been waiting for him to get here all evening!" He beamed, and Tatsuha knew that smile all to well. As long as Eiri was with the boy, the world was perfect.
"I can understand. So Yuki-san, I know Shindou's excited about the entire premiere. How about you?" She asked her gaze still glued to the blonde.
"Shuichi's been talking about this all day, and Touma asked us to be here. We're all a family and he wanted us to help with his friend's career, Shu's a fan, so I'm just hoping its going to be as much fun as everyone's building it up to be."
"Oh!" Shuichi finally finished cuddling Eiri's arm to glance over at Tatsuha, who was feeling semi-left out at the moment. "Ryuichi's here Tatsuha! Have you seen him yet?"
The boy's heart skipped a beat and his eyes widened. "No, I haven't. Where's he at Shindou-kun?
The reporter was now semi-interested. "A long time fan of Ryuichi Sakuma?" She asked, trying to stay involved in conversation.
Tatsuha smiled a smile that could probably rival Eiri's. "Of course. Nittle Grasper is my favorite band. Sakuma-san is my idol."
Shuichi could tell it was time to get them away from this lady. "I'll introduce you to him Tatsuha! Come on! Thanks for talking with us Mari-san!" He smiled boyishly, leading the way further down the red carpet.
Touma and Mika were up closer near the entrance with Reiji of XMR label, and Sakano was just inside the doors. Passing through, Eiri squeezed Shu's hand, telling him to stop. "I'm going to go see Touma. The two of you find Ryuichi and I'll catch up with you both before the movie starts."
Shuichi's violet eyes held a very worried questioning look and then he just gave a small nod. "Alright. See you then."
Tatsuha had caught it and then some. Something was bothering the couple. As soon as they were out of earshot of Eiri he moved up closer to Shuichi. "Is everything alright? You guys didn't get in a fight or something did you?"
"Huh?" The boy batted his lashes innocently. "Oh...! No, no, don't worry. Everything's fine."
"You sure?" He persisted. Eiri was acting semi-strange and now Shuichi too, not that he ever acted normal, but still, something was up.
There was a large group of press just up ahead, circled around a backdrop of the movie poster and several flashes were going off, catching their attention. Shu just giggled. "Yeah I'm sure. What's up with you? I figured you'd be more happier to see the love of your life!"
"I am happy...! Eiri's just been…" He sighed. "Never mind."
Shuichi looked up at him, brows furrowed and then turned his attention back towards the press. "Hey guys, how bout giving them 5 minutes to breathe!" He called at the reporters and photographers circling like vultures.
A couple heads turned at that. "Shindou-san!" A few huffed. "Not right now, we still got a few minutes."
The lead singer just shrugged. "Alright then. Guess I have no choice but to sick K on you."
At the mention of that simple letter, the group started to disperse around the area. One of the reporters just smiled sheepishly. "Let me know when you all are ready." He said, backing off.
The moment the people moved, all eyes were on the man wearing the black and white tuxedo and the silver cuff earrings. Tatsuha had seen shots of the movie but even still, seeing the real thing made him stand stock still in place, not knowing how to breathe.
He had grown his hair out again like he had when Nittle Grasper was young, halfway down his back and tied loosely at the end, though several layered strands fell against his cheeks and his bangs still tickled his nose. Bright ocean blue eyes blinked and he was wearing the most gorgeous clueless smile, standing next to the petite blonde who was no doubt the leading actress in the movie. The moment he saw them, his eyes sparked and he left the woman to run to the two boys. "SHUICHI!" He cried wrapping his arms around his neck, course it didn't work to well when Shu was shorter then him and the younger of the two almost fell backward. "You were gone so long Shuichi I was starting to get worried!"
"He was gone all of ten minutes Sakuma." The blonde gave a small smile. No doubt she was used to this by now and it showed in her amused green eyes. Her Japanese wasn't bad, but her accent was heavy on it and Tatsuha looked over at her, reveling in the curvy body beneath the silver sequin dress. Damn what he wouldn't give to take her and his idol back to his room with him.
"TATSUHA!" He was so lost in thought he wasn't aware he had gotten pounce-hugged until it happened. Raven eyes widened at the feel of the arms reaching up around his neck, the smell of Ryuichi's cologne…god, this was almost to much.
"Sakuma-san…" He managed to get out, feeling so good, he could die right now and be perfectly happy.
Ryuichi let him go, though his hands were still resting on his arms. Those big blue eyes looked up at him so sincere he just wanted to cuddle him right there in front of everyone. "I missed you so much Tatsuha! Touma kept telling me how you and everyone were. I'm glad to be home!"
Tatsuha was nearly in tears with that heartfelt statement. "We're glad to have you home Sakuma-san." He said in a sound that almost came out as a purr. Realizing the boy was missing something he blinked his dark eyes. "Sakuma-san, where's Kumagoro?" Realizing he didn't have his trusty pink rabbit plushie with him.
"Sarah made me leave him in the trailer. But that's okay, I promised to take him to the movie to make up for it!" He beamed. "Will you stay with me until then Tatsuha?"
Those dark eyes just gave in and he smiled a sincerely gorgeous smile that made Shuichi beam proudly. "Yeah, I'll stay with you." Always.
"YAAYYYYYY!" He said, arms wrapping around Tatsuha's arm like Shu had done earlier, just kind of latching on to him.
"So, Sakuma-san, Shindou-kun, who's your cute friend?" The blonde actress asked, finally coming over after ditching the last of the reporters. Apparently she had caught sight of him the same way he had her because those sugary pink shaded lips upturned into a smile.
"Oh…" Shuichi smiled. "This is Uesugi Tatsuha…Eiri Yuki's little brother." Something about the way he said it broke Tatsuha out of his dream haze a little to look over at the older boy.
"Really now?" The woman giggled. "It's nice to meet you. I'm Sarah O'Hallan."
"No! You can't have Tatsuha, Sarah!" Ryuichi immediately snapped, his head falling against the side of the boy's arm. "He's mine! You can't take him away from me like you did Kumagoro-kun!"
"Sakuma-san…" Tatsuha wished he wasn't just playing around but he knew that was all he meant. Even still it was wonderful hearing those words.
The woman let out an exasperated sigh. "Fine, make me your enemy for now…"
"Sakuma-san!"
"God, their worse then my reporters." Shuichi glared at the two new newscasters who had entered the theatre in search for the idol, though they hardly paid any attention to him and went right over to the Ryuichi who was still cuddling Tatsuha's arm. Bad Luck's lead singer caught a glance at Tatsuha and he smiled. "Have fun tonight. We'll leave him to you."
"Shindou-kun, I owe you one!" He grinned, his attention pulled back towards the two girls who were practically fainting at Ryuichi's presence.
The rest of the night was much like this for the two. Like he promised, Ryu was not about to let Tatsuha go and Tatsuha was more then pleased to be seen at his side. "He's going to let this go to his head." Eiri said, watching as his younger brother smiled for the camera.
"Don't you think he deserves it a little bit?" Shuichi looked up at his lover with big violet eyes.
"Hell no." The blonde replied automatically, pulling out a pack of cigarettes to place one loosely between his lips.
"I was expecting that. But Tatsuha's dedication and loyalty make tonight seem that much more worth it. He's been chasing after Sakuma-san for years. He mine as well have one night." He said, watching the two of them. "Seeing the two of them together makes me want to be with you."
"You're the one who wanted to be here instead of at home all alone with me." He responded coldly. "And what's this 'one night' bullshit? You know as well as I do that if everything goes according to plan they'll-"
The handsome novelist's words were cut off by the microphone starting up and the master of ceremonies ushering everyone to their seats so they could move on with the program of events.
"Come on Tatsuha, this way." Ryu was already tugging on his escort's arm, leading him further back towards the back room.
"But Sakuma-san, the movie's going to start soon. Don't we have to be getting to our seats?" The younger man inquired with a bat of his charcoal gray eyes.
"Later! We have to get Kumagoro-kun!" He said half paying attention to the question.
"And the curtain rises on act one." The charming voice of Seguchi Tohma came through the air, causing Shuichi to nearly jump in over anticipation. However the boyish blonde was just wearing that adorable half smile, teal eyes closing. "The actors have all fallen in to place. We just have to see how the scene plays out."
Tatsuha was almost in tears he was so happy. He was going in the back to a hidden backstage room with Ryuichi. Alone. This was almost to good to be true. His heart was racing so fast, his legs were going weak…even if it was just to grab the beloved pink plushie, just to hold his idol's hand was worth it.
"Kumagoro-kun! I'm baaaaack…!" The child-like superstar cried, opening the door and flicking on the lights as if the plush would just bound up into his arms. Pausing for a moment, he came further into the room, big cerulean eyes spying the bunny on the table. "I told you I'd be back…you don't have to sound so upset. Look I brought Tatsuha with me! He's our friend too!"
Anyone who didn't know Ryuichi well enough would have thought he had seriously mental problems, carrying on a conversation with a plushie, but Tatsuha just smiled, watching as he picked the stuffed animal up into his arms. "Yep, now we're almost ready to go. One more thing…"
Those bright blue hues looked up at the man shadowing the door with an almost mischievous smile and he walked back over to him, leaning up enough to wrap his arms around his neck.
The young priest was in a sense, stunned, dark eyes wide in disbelief. "Sakuma-san…wha…?" That lean body was pressed hard up against him and he was sure he could hear the other man's heartbeat sure and steady against his own. This was to much to take. One hand reached back against the wall to try and steady himself though he felt like he was going to collapse.
"I'm hungry." There was a soft whispered breath against the flesh of his neck, a purring demand to be fed. A ginger brush of gentle lips against the skin there and the man shivered underneath them, a silent beg for him to continue.
A tongue caressed softly and then there was a nip, and a sharp pain followed.
Tatsuha was already in a half daze, not sure he was aware of what was going on but the searing slice across his neck made him grit his teeth to avoid crying out. His back hit against the wall and he let out a heavy breath. His vision was blurring over and everything seemed to run together. Energy seemed to be leaving, fleeting like his heavy breathing. "Sakuma…"
Cerulean eyes blinked open at that, realizing what was happening as the moment's passed…holding up Tatsuha's much larger frame as he practically slumped into his arms was much more difficult while he was biting away at his neck. "T-Tatsuha!" He cried, pulling away and trying to keep him steady on his feet. Those dark eyes opened once for a brief moment and then fell back exhaustedly. There was a trickle of blood still working its way down the boy's neck that kept catching his eye, but already he had lost too much blood. It wasn't like Ryuichi to lose control but it had been driving him overboard. Since long before he had left he had wondered what his affectionate friend would be like. And now that he'd had a taste.
"Kumagoro, I think I made a boo boo." He said in a very childishly worried voice. "Tatsuha's gonna hate me now…"
If only he knew…
Chapter One EndAuthor's Notes: So there you have it…chapter one is finished. Hmmm…god I love Ryuichi being all-cute and cuddly…makes my day…anyways, yes, Ryu, god of Nittle Grasper is a vampire…don't ask, I couldn't tell ya, he just is. It's Gravitation right? 99.9 of the time things don't make sense anyways. Though I hope you all like the idea and the coupling as much as I do. I felt so bad for Tatsuha during the series that he had to just have his own little story in the making.
So chapter two…you can bet Tatsuha wakes up to a very startling discovery…and you wouldn't believe who all is in on it. If that's not enough to scar the poor boy for life, there might be another thing coming when word gets out to the public of why Ryuichi is back in Japan—for good! Until I write again!
Sora Tokumi Kazuma