Melody

1. Prologue.

T: It's been a while since I wrote for Gravitation and this story (which has been haunting me for a good year now) seemed the best way to get back into the fandom. Anime verse, mainly because later bombshells shall be more believable that way…slight OOC for Tatsuha but that's because this fic is all about stretching him out a little, slash later down the line and a note of angst in the background. I do not own anything you see here other than the plot bunny and the aforementioned bombshells (yes I am aware that I'm a tease!)

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Three months ago Shuichi had introduced him to Katani Arai, a man who, despite his age, knew more about popular music than any other person he knew and who had one of the most positive attitudes he had ever met

In three months he had learned that Arai had once been a fairly successful synth player, that he'd stepped away from his career after he'd met his wife, that he'd set up a highly successful chain of music stores after his daughter's birth and that, for some unknown reason, the man had given all that success away.

It was one of the many mysteries that surrounded the elder man, mysteries that, each time he saw the other, he attempted to shed a little light on and that Arai, as subtly as possible, would turn his mind from.

During the first month that he had known the other Arai had, in circumstances he could not quite recall, discovered that he had a highly trained musical ear a 'talent' the other was always testing in the most inane of ways. He'd tolerated this attention despite the fact that he had wanted to keep that 'gift' to himself and it'd only been when the elder man had informed Shuichi of the 'talent' that he'd drawn a line in the sand.

He'd not talked to the other since that, the irrational anger he felt towards the other for interfering in his life making any civil conversation between them impossible. It was a distance that had affected his mood enough that, as half term had neared; his father had taken him to one side and informed him,

"You are going to stay with your brother for the next two weeks, sort out whatever it is that's distracting you and then we can get everything back to normal."

It'd been an amazing opportunity and, though he knew that things would not be as simple as his father had made them sound, he had smiled and replied,

"As you wish, tousan."

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Arai steps from the backroom the moment that he hears the bell on the door and, a genuine surprise on his face, he says,

"Shu-chan told me that you were staying for the holidays but I did not think to see you."

"Really?"

"I over stepped the line, Tatsuha."

"I need you to understand that I have to live my life my way."

"I understand that sentiment all too well." There is a familiar tone in the other's voice and, pushing his fringe from his face, he enquires,

"This is to do with that person you are always talking of, isn't it?"

"It is. That individual has always been very self sacrificing; putting others needs before their own a trait that has led them into loneliness and misery. I have no want to see you follow down their path."

"I'll be fine, pops, don't you worry."

The other smiles at the nickname and, picking something up from under the counter, he says, "I was going to send this to you through Shu-chan but, as we're being civil again…" before he passes a CD case into his hands.

He has only to see the bright strike of lightening forking across the cover to know what he is holding and, awe in his tone, he enquires,

"Where did you get this?"

"I've a friend in NG who sent it my way."

"You can't just give this to me, pops, it's worth a fortune!"

"Consider it an investment in your future, though I'm assured that you'll never let it out of your sight."

"Damn right I won't!" He places the case back onto the counter and, leaning a little towards the other, he enquires, "So what sort of 'friend' not only managed to get hold of a copy of Sakuma-san's début solo album in Japan but also hands it on to your care as though it's nothing?"

"You'll find out soon enough."

"Enigmatic as always I see." The man smiles and the last edge of tense anticipation fades from the air.

"So what are your plans while your here?"

"Other than bothering you, you mean? I'll probably drag Aniki from his study at some point and make him enjoy himself, Shu-chan's invited me to watch him recording and I'll probably go see how neesan's going, it's not long now till the baby's here, after all."

"You know that you are not a bother, don't you, Tatsuha?"

"Of course, pops, I'm just yanking your chain." The words are more to stop them falling into the old conversational pattern than to assure the other and, seeing this well, Arai begins to tell him a long, involved, story of his youth.

He is watching the other miming out a particularly complex synth piece when he feels his breath hitch and, fearing exposure, he makes some half hearted excuse and all but runs for the door. The breathlessness catches up with him before he can make it from the shop, however and, cursing his luck, he passes into unconsciousness.

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T: So why can't Tatsuha breath? Why is he trying to hide this condition away? Who is Arai's friend in NG? For all these answers (and even more questions) go to the next chapter. I'll also be more than happy to answer any, non plot spoiling, questions that you have so feel free to ask! Also why not review? I'd like some form of opinion on this piece even if it is a negative one!