Title: Breaking Away

Author: Yev

Disclaimer: I don't own SD, and I don't make money from it. Don't sue a penniless student.

Notes: For Seph and Linez

"I want out." I announced the moment I stepped into the room.

The occupants of the room looked up at me.

"What?" Mitsui said, staring at me unbelievingly. "What are you talking about, Akira?"

"You can't want out now." Fujima protested.

I tried to smile at them and glanced at the other corner, where the other member of our band was sitting. He looked at me, understanding evident on his face.

I turned back to Fujima. "Why not, Kenji?"

I watch as he struggles for an answer. Beautiful Kenji Fujima, pretty boy of the band and the one the young girls love. Behind the façade lay a troubled young man with a talent for songwriting. I've lost count of the amount of times he tried to end his life, the amount of times we chance upon him overdosing on some new drug, the amount of times we had to cover everything up so that the media didn't wreck havoc on his life. Sometimes, I wonder if it was worth it when he himself didn't seem to care at all.

"What about the concerts?" Mitsui asked quietly.

I leaned against the closed door and shrugged. "I'll finish the tour. I'm not irresponsible, you know."

He nodded and kept silent. I can tell that he's not sure how to persuade me to stay. I chuckle inwardly. I know them for so well. And so long.

It must have been ten years since we first started out. Ten years since we've struggled together, trying to make the record companies listen to our music. And now ten years down the road, we're at the pinnacle of success.

It's been a long climb to success.

"But why? Akira?"

Fujima's voice shook me out of my thoughts. I study his face, the youthful face that never seemed to age. He was upset, I could see that. Suddenly, tears I didn't realize I had began to choke me.

I had to get out of the room; I had to calm down before I could say anything.

I managed a half-choked 'Sorry', and rushed out of the room.

Before I slammed the door shut, I heard Fujima's indignant "Why didn't you say any thing, Hanamichi?"



I headed for the only place I could have privacy at a time like this. The toilet.

There was no one in there. I entered a cubicle, slammed the toilet seat down and sat there, willing myself to calm down.

I didn't realize how hard it would be to leave them. I didn't think of the fact that I would be upset, or that any of them would be.

But then again, I should have expected Fujima to be upset. He was always the baby among us, even though he was the eldest. It seemed like he was meant to be in his early twenties forever.

The sound of the toilet door opening.

Mitsui, I guessed silently, wiping my tears away.

"Akira, are you there?"

Guess correct.

He knocked on the door. "Akira? Answer me."

"I'm fine, Hisashi."

A moment of silence. Then "Can you come out? I need to talk to you."

I wiped at my eyes for the last time, and swung open the door.

He was leaning against the sinks. "Akira." He said, his eyes roaming over my face. "Why the sudden decision?"

"Is it really that sudden?"

"I didn't think you would want to leave."

I sighed. "I'm suddenly so tired of everything, Hisashi."

"Then take a holiday after the tour. You don't have to quit."

I shook my head. "I don't think it works that way."

He touched my arm. "Don't. Think of us, think of the fans. What will happen after you leave us?"

A knife lanced through my heart. "The record company will find you a new guitarist." I turn and headed for the door. "Isn't it time to get ready for the concert?"

"Akira."

"What?" I asked, without turning back.

"It won't be the same. Any other guitarist won't be Akira Sendoh. Angel 'n' Devils won't be the same. Have you thought of that?"

I refused to turn around and look at him. I know that if I do, I would soften. "We should go get ready."



I put on my stage make-up silently, avoiding both Fujima's and Mitsui's eye contact. It was then that I realized that he still hasn't said a single thing.

I stole a look at him. He looked up at maintained eye contact with me for a moment and looked away, silent and thoughtful.

I look back at the mirror and stare at my own reflection.

"I'm done with my make-up. I'm going to check out the equipment. Coming, Kenji?" Mitsui stood and headed for the door.

Fujima jumped at the sound of his name. "Sure. I'm done with my make-up too."

Great. They left me here alone with him. Mitsui did it on purpose, I knew it.

I grabbed the glitter powder and applied it liberally over my face, marveling at the wonders of make-up.

"Remember the good old days?"

I startled at the sound of his voice, spilling glitter on the make-up table. Cursing, I tried to clear up the mess.

"Sometimes, I wish we could go back to those times."

Of course, I remembered. How could I not? It had all started out such a long time ago.

Four innocent teenagers, making music and loving our sound. We were all hungry for success, all striving towards it, but at least we had fun, we had friendship and we loved every minute of it.

I looked at him, putting on his make-up. We had been neighbors, childhood friends, band mates. All these years, I've got to know him so well; I could read his emotions easily.

I know that he was waiting for me to remember and feel nostalgic. He knows very well where my weaknesses are and how to make use of them.

Just as I was about to reply, there was a knock on the door and before either of us could reply, the door opened.

"Hanamichi. Sendoh."

I closed my eyes, recognizing the sound of his voice. "Rukawa."

"What are you doing here, Kaede? I thought you'll be here only after the concert."

I opened my eyes and took one quick look at my reflection. "I'm going to check out my guitar."



I closed the door behind me and leaned against it.

The good old days. When it was just the four of us. All we had was our band, and vice versa.

Everything changed that night Hanamichi met him. From then on, it was five of us, not four of us. Everything that we did included him; everywhere we went he was sure to go if he could.

Kaede Rukawa. Superstar actor. We met him when we were invited to feature on the soundtrack of one of his movies. Supposedly, he was a huge fan of ours.

Sparks flew when Hanamichi met him. And as they always say, one thing just led to another.

From then on, they were always together. Or as much as they can.

And our band didn't feel like a band anymore.

"Hey Akira! Have you checked out your equipment?"

I looked up to see Fujima and Mitsui staring at me. "I'm going to."

"Well, you're the last one left. Hanamichi checked his out before doing his make-up."

I nodded and moved away from the door. "I'm on my way there."

"Okay." Fujima flashed me a smile and entered the dressing room.

Mitsui stood there, looking at me. Taking a step towards me, he cast a backward glance at the dressing room door. "He's here, isn't he?"

I nodded.

"He's the reason why you want out?"

I shrug, not wanting to elaborate. "I better go check out my guitar."

He made to protest, but I turned away.

"We'll talk about this later tonight after the concert, Akira."

I made a non-committal noise and walked off as fast as I could.



I stood in the dark, cradling my guitar to me, feeling the familiar adrenaline rush through my veins. I was waiting for the cue to start. All four of us were standing on the dark stage, waiting. Hanamichi with his drums, Mitsui at his keyboard, me with my guitar and standing in the center, Fujima at the microphone.

This is us.

Angel 'n' Devils.

The name started out as a joke. Hanamichi and I were joking about how Fujima's looks contrasted with the three of us.

An angel among the devils, he had said.

The name stuck when we made our first record.

And now, it's on the lips of a few thousands screaming fans waiting for us to start the concert.

Out of the corner of my eye, I see the cue as light floods the stage.

It's time to rock