A/N: Hiya guys. I just want to point out first that this is an older story. Only I never posted it here at FF. I think at the time I was timid about posting it here...sometimes I don't understand myself lol. Anyways its a complete story and I've posted up the entire fic. I'm not hunting for reviews..I just thought I'd share this story here since someone may enjoy it.

This fic was inspired by the video game Suikoden. BUT it is not a crossover! Most of the Gravi cast appears in this story. This is ultimately a Kiro fic but there is one Yuki/Shu lemon scene teehee. There is magic and supernatural stuff. It has a fantasy value and real life mixed up. I really hope you enjoy it!

Disclaimer: I do not own Gravitation it belongs to Maki Murakami. I make no profit from writing this fic.

Chapter 1: The Disappearance

K sat idly rubbing the back of his right hand, there was no pain and he felt no difference. He sat quietly, not even hearing the band as they rehearsed. There was work to be done but he didn't move. He also didn't notice how a certain member of the band was watching him, which was rare.

Hiro was playing his guitar, but he frowned at the way K was off in space, the blonde's blue eyes taking on a very far away look. Hiro wondered what was on his mind. He'd been pampering that right hand for the last two days, as if he'd burned it or something. Or that was how it had seemed to Hiro two nights ago. Pausing mid song, he got off his perch and walked over to Bad Luck's manager.

Eyes catching something that looked like a vague marking etched over the back of his manager's hand, Hiro spoke up. "What's that?" he asked K who quickly stuffed his right hand into his pants pocket.

"Nothing…to worry your pretty head over," he said right away and spied everyone looking at him. "Why did you stop playing? We have to have this song finished by the end of the week," K mentioned and gave a fake cheery smile.

Bad Luck was working on their latest album that was to be released at the end of the month. But as he looked at Hiro's inquiring glance, one of his many inquiring glances as of late K thought coyly, he thought he could sense something else. Almost smell it even it was like he could feel Hiro's concern. He took it back; one more whiff told him he really could smell it, the pheromones! For the last two days his sense of smell was incredibly acute and K thought about the mark on his right hand again. In his heightened state K could almost sense something else about Hiro. Unfortunately it was masked by his concern. But K already knew what it was, Hiro was digging him. K let himself smile for real this time.

"We stopped because Hiro stopped…Hiro?" asked Shuichi, who was looking at his best friend with worry. Indeed Shuichi noticed how Hiro's eyes had been following their blonde manager around lately. Actually for some time, but Hiro never bothered to explain to him what he was thinking. Maybe he'd have to ask his friend what was up, because he'd been acting more strangely around K in the last two days than any other time. It was getting a little creepy.

The guitarist realizing he was acting out of sorts shrugged and returned to his perch. He got his guitar into playing position and said, "It looked like he was in pain."

"It's just a scratch," K muttered and stood up, he looked at Hiro suspiciously yet contemplatively. "I'm going to get some coffee, keep playing…I'll be right back."

But K never came back. The band played an hour past their usual time and decided to call it quits. Suguru mentioned he had some homework that still needed to get done and tore out of the studio. Shuichi and Hiro were left.

Quietly Shuichi watched Hiro as he fidgeted with his guitar case. He was knelt by the shut case, running his fingers thoughtfully over the strap. If Shuichi didn't know better he'd say Hiro was seriously thinking about something.

"Hiro…what's wrong?" Shuichi finally asked. He almost hated to ask because he knew Hiro had broken up with Ayaka. Maybe he was still sore about that? But it had been two months since Hiro and he drowned his sadness with a night of bar hopping. It was the only time that Hiro spent brooding about the break up, as far as Shuichi knew that is.

The brunette looked back at Shuichi and wondered, 'should I tell him what I saw and or how I feel?' Could he accept it? Or would he just joke around and tell him he'd simply lost his mind? Hiro stood and hauled the case over his shoulder and took a deep breath.

"Shu…I." Fuck! This was hard.

"I'm not stupid Hiro I noticed your flaming obsession. You want him don't you?" Shuichi offered with a bouncy giggle, it just couldn't be true and teasing Hiro was fun. Nah, no way. But he noticed his friends cheeks turn crimson. "Hiro…?" Shuichi whined. Gawd was it true??

"I saw something strange the other night regarding K," Hiro revealed but thought it wasn't the only thing he'd noticed odd about K, "Something weird happened two nights ago." But as he started to tell Shuichi, Hiro recalled the first odd thing…well maybe it wasn't that odd.

It was late and Hiro hadn't left the NG building yet. He was enjoying the comfort of the studio all to himself and decided to stay to play his guitar. But after three cups of coffee, nature called, urgently.

Going to a stall rather than a urinal, Hiro thought he'd sneak a smoke in the john. After his business he was just about the light a cigarette, when someone else came into the washroom. Hiro peeked through the slit in the door between the frame. It was K.

Gee, he sure works late that guy. Maybe he sleeps in his office or something, Hiro had thought. Actually Hiro never really minded the guy, putting aside his scary use of guns and his slight touch of insanity. But tonight there was nothing scary about K, in fact he was sobbing. He looked sad and angry as tears streaked down his face.

Hiro felt cemented to the ground. He couldn't move. K never cried like this. Suddenly Hiro felt apprehensive that if K noticed him, he'd be embarrassed, so Hiro, as quietly as he could, stepped up onto the toilet seat. Phew, Hiro felt out of sight now and waited. Then K started to talk.

"I knew this day was coming, she doesn't love you anymore Claude." Pause and then the sound of running water filled the bathroom. "Are you surprised, really?" A sad chuckle came from the man. "At least I still have Michael, he'll always love me," K confirmed and smiled to himself in the mirror.

After splashing cold water on his face, K left the washroom. Hiro, whose legs were turning numb, stepped off the toilet seat and sighed, "Man…"

After that day Hiro saw K in a whole new light. For some reason he'd always put the man on a different scale, the abnormal one. But Hiro didn't see anything abnormal about K that night in the washroom. He was human after all and Hiro's heart went out to the man. He felt there was much more to K/Claude—teehee it was weird hearing him use his real name—then what met the eye. Hiro couldn't explain it but maybe knowing that K had vulnerabilities made him, attractive.

"Ok I'm waiting talk already Hiro," Shuichi complained as surreal images swirled in his mind. Hiro and K had sloppy sex and now his best friend was going to spill the beans. Shuichi winced with anticipation. Really the only sex he wanted to imagine was his and Yuki's. But it was a best friend's job after all to be there so Shuichi said, "I don't want all the details, alright?"

Hiro looked at Shuichi puzzled, "Huh?"

"Nothing…"

The guitarist gave Shuichi a funny look and said, "I was walking to the parking lot to my motorcycle two nights ago when, well…"

Oh no here it comes.

"…K picked up something I'm not sure what..."

Shuichi had closed his eyes so he wouldn't make a funny face when Hiro told him how great of a kisser K was. Huh? Picked up something? He opened his eyes, "What?"

Ignoring Shuichi Hiro continued, "I swear Shu he picked something up and suddenly gasped and looked at his hand like it had been stabbed or burned or something. The same hand he's been poking at for two days. I'm worried."

"Look if the man wants to poke at his hand then let him. I'd rather not drill him about it and get a bullet in the head," moaned Shuichi, recalling the vast amounts of bullets he's dodged over the years.

"It's not like that Shu! I noticed a mark on him tonight. Like a tattoo," went Hiro.

"Cool! He got a tattoo…aww why didn't he show us," complained the pink haired singer. Shuichi yawned, "Hiro I'm tired, can you give me a ride home?"

Hiro sighed, he gave up. Talking to Shuichi was impossible sometimes. He was also considering asking Shu what he might have thought about K in a more romantic way. But feeling foolish Hiro just grabbed his jacket from the chair. Shrugging it on he said, "Yea, of course I'll drive you home."

Fifteen minutes later Hiro was dropping off his best friend and he waited until the singer was safely behind the doors of his home. Sighing, Hiro leaned into his motorbike and sped off. He didn't go straight home. Instead he turned onto the highway and revved his bike faster. Frustration riddling his face behind the helmet visor, Hiro was flying at over a 120 miles and hour. Exhilarating was how it felt and he needed it. He needed to vent and clear his mind. Dodging in and out of traffic, making a game of nearing the red back lights of a car, he'd veer off and aim for another set of red lights. But soon the game got tiring and Hiro took the next exit off.

He was on the other side of town and no where near his place. It would be a long ride home but he had nothing else to do. As much as he tried to clear his mind, Hiro found himself thinking the whole way back.

When he pulled up to his apartment, a meagre building that Hiro found suited him just fine. He slipped a key into door 2A, a one bedroom apt. on the second floor. Switching a light on in the hall, he placed his helmet on a nearby table and shucked off his boots. The guitarist headed straight for the fridge to grab a cold beer.

Popping open his can of Sapporo, Hiro flopped down into an easy chair and switched on the television.

"Ultramatic 2000, cleans even the toughest surfaces."

Click.

"Call us let's one of these girls make you forget all your troubles."

"Whatever." Click.

"An exclusive interview with two people that were picked up outside of Shibuya, obviously celebrity look-alikes claim to be here from another dimension…"

Hiro switched off the TV then and went to his room. Sipping the beer he strode over to the window and peered out. From here he could see parts of downtown, lit up with all its buildings and the airport. But it looked like nothing more then a decorated Christmas tree.

Lying in bed, Hiro went over the mark he'd seen on K's hand. Damn, he didn't really get a good look at it. But it was almost black that he was sure of and it looked more like a symbol rather than a picture. But Hiro only saw some of it, since half of it was covered by K's thumb. He also got a weird feeling when K didn't return. Maybe the man decided he was bored and went home? Maybe he went out for a drink? But K always came back when he said he would.

Hiro drained his beer and closed his eyes. In moments he fell asleep.

"HIRO?! I can see you! I don't know how but I can!"

The guitarist bolted awake and blinked in rapid succession. Then he shielded his eyes from the rays of the morning sun that spilled into the room. It was already morning?! Hiro felt like he'd just gone to bed. "K?" he asked to his empty bedroom.

Nothing.

He could have sworn he just heard his voice but Hiro was the only one in the room. Maybe he was just preoccupied with all this nonsense lately that he was dreaming about the man. Give it a rest, Hiro told himself firmly.

Shoving the thoughts aside Hiro got ready for work, throwing on a pair of jeans and t-shirt and skipping breakfast. Really he had one thing in mind…too see if K showed up for work this morning. He was always there before them, so if his car was in the NG lot, he'd be there. Riding his motorbike to work Hiro enjoyed the cool morning air on his face, which he allowed to wake him up further.

Pulling into the NG parking lot, Hiro immediately noticed K's car was there. He parked his bike and stood looking at the car for a few moments. Funny thing though, it was there last night when he got to his bike with Shuichi and it was there now, almost like it didn't go anywhere.

Feeling a little less edgy Hiro made his way to Bad Luck's studio. He was early for once and he was alone. Hiro thought he'd go find some coffee while the others showed up. On his way back, hot coffee in hand he noticed Sakano entering the studio.

"Where's K?!" he hollered slightly annoyed.

"I dunno," Hiro muttered. "Try his office."

"His office, his cell phone, his home phone…he's no where to be found," wailed the producer of Bad Luck. "We have an important meeting with some clients in fifteen minutes! He promised he'd be there."

Hiro could only shrug, what was he going to do about it? "His car is parked outside," was all Hiro offered.

"I know that, I seen it this morning. So where is the man?! Ahh!" Sakano cried and stormed out of the room and down the hall like a man on a mission.

Indeed where was the man, Hiro wondered blinking for a moment before going into the studio to set up. Eventually Shuichi and Suguru came and they worked on their song. The whole day went by and still no sign of K.

"Maybe he accidentally shot himself," Suguru went sarcastically as he covered his synthesizer with a plastic cover.

"Maybe he got lucky," Shuichi giggled.

Hiro shook his head, "Then why is his car parked downstairs?"

"He got drunk and took a cab home. Then he got accosted by a group of rabid zombie sumo wrestlers that Sakano hired," Shuichi theorized and choked laughing. "Pile it on."

Even Suguru smirked at that one.

"Only cause that happened to you does not mean it happens to everyone Shu," Hiro pointed out coolly. "Well not the zombie part...but you know."

Indeed Shuichi did know. The next time he lost his voice he wouldn't go to Sakano for help.

"Look, you guys disappear all the time and drive everyone crazy. So what if K has found something more interesting to do. He'll be back right?" suggested Suguru trying to get everyone to shut up about the subject already.

Everyone shrugged and called it a day.

"What are you blind? I know you can see me Hiro! Hiro?!"

Hiro stood in a dank stone hallway. It was dark and damp, he shivered. Only one light burned from a lantern sconce on the wall. It did nothing for warming up the place and from where Hiro stood it only made up ahead harder to see.

"Why do you keep talking to me K? And why am I dreaming of this place?" Hiro asked squinting his eyes.

"It's not a dream…it's a vision!"

"A vision?" Hiro questioned a few times out loud, waking himself up with his own voice. Geez, what kind of a dream was that? He still felt the chill of the dream and got up to take a hot morning shower.

Deep inside Hiro felt a feeling of foreboding. Something was wrong but he didn't know what. And once again he went to work to see K's vehicle still in the NG lot. What the fuck?

"Good morning Hiroshi," came a voice.

Hiro looked over to see Ryuichi. As usual the mega pop star was looking cheerful and relaxed. He held his pink Kumagoro plushie like as if he'd just finished having a conversation with it. Hiro wondered what they might have talked about, but shook his head. No, no, he didn't really want to know.

"Have you seen K? I tried to call him, I even went by his place but he wasn't home," Ryuichi told him.

Hiro sighed, "I don't know Ryuichi. We haven't seen him for almost two days. It's a bit strange isn't it?"

"Well its just K promised to take me too a movie last night and he never goes back on movie night," Ryuichi said with a look of being stood up.

Hiro felt a sudden flash of jealously. They went to see movies together? Was there more to that picture then just popcorn?

Ryuichi seemed to read him and smirked, "It's only a friendly get together Hiro. We've been doing movie night since I met K." Ryuichi giggled and walked off but he tossed Hiro a sly look and gave him a peace sign.

Hiro felt himself ease up and laugh at his silly display of green monster.

But after another day, there was still no Mr. K and Bad Luck was starting to unravel. Shuichi and Suguru argued and Sakano couldn't make them stop, even when he roared at them. The day had been harrowing and Hiro had a headache. They didn't get much progress on their song today and it was a total waste of time.

For the next three days, each one becoming worse, Bad Luck got nothing productive done. And each night Hiro's dreams got more vivid and it was almost like he was travelling to another place. Always he spoke to K in that dungeon. But the dreams were getting stranger, morose even. Like last night K tried to say he'd miss everyone but not to worry. The weirdest part was when he asked Hiro to tell Michael he loved him. What was K trying to say? And why was K telling him this, Hiro thought.

The worst though, was when he finally got to see K in his dreams. He sat on a stone floor with his arms wrapped around his knees that were pulled up to his chest. His blonde hair was not in its ponytail and it looked stringy and dirty. In fact all of him looked scuffed or dirty, like he'd ran through a muddy field and jumped in a lake. But the worst part was the shackles on his ankles of his feet that were bare.

Hiro was lost in his thoughts as a microphone flew past his face. He furrowed his brows and looked at Shuichi who obviously threw it at him.

"Wake up Hiro!" Shuichi barked at him.

"Shut up."

Suddenly the door flew open. "All of you shut up and tell me where K is," went Tohma, who was not looking very happy. "He's been gone without a trace for a week! This is unacceptable, tell him if doesn't get back to work by tomorrow he's suspended!"

"Sir, we haven't heard or seen…" Hiro started but Tohma left, shutting the door hastily. "Screw this, I'm not hanging here to listen to you guys argue all day. Catch ya later," Hiro said annoyed at everyone and everything. He packed his guitar and left his band mates behind.

Boots thudding over asphalt with heavy aggravation, Hiro made his way to his motorcycle. But he paused and looked over at K's car. Frowning he strode over. He wasn't sure what he expected to find but Hiro peered into the windows. It was empty, save for a few food wrappers and map under the driver's seat.

But something caught his eye.

"What the hell?" Hiro muttered as he spotted keys hanging out of the ignition. Looking around, suddenly feeling like a thief, Hiro tested the door. It opened. He wondered if he should call the police. Something was definitely askew here.

And you just disrupted a possible crime scene you dolt, Hiro berated himself. He closed the door and walked around the car. Hiro's eyes went to an archway that leads to a small fountain and garden area near the parking lot. It was nearby the car but nothing seemed out of place. It was the same as always. Hiro sighed heavily and walked over to the fountain. He stood looking into the water, seeing some coins people had thrown in there as wishes, before noticing his own reflection. Arrogantly he gave his mirrored image the middle finger. He smirked when something glittered and caught his eye.

It looked like a beautiful red stone. Sparkling again, almost as if it were calling him to reach in the water and grab it, it glimmered with a delightful dance. Actually Hiro didn't realize but he was reaching into the water, barely feeling the coolness encasing his hand and wetting his sleeve. Fingers grazed over the smooth surface of the stone and the water suddenly felt hot and it began to steam. Hiro pulled the stone out quickly and the water stopped steaming.

Bringing the stone up to eye level to give it a closer look, Hiro examined the solid red stone. It was beautiful and it looked expensive. Suddenly Hiro remembered seeing K do something similar to he was doing now, five days ago. Hiro went to throw the rock away but it was stuck to his hand. Actually in a mere second he watched the stone dissolve into his hand.

He flipped his hand around inspecting both sides, with a shaky breath. The stone was gone but then like the burning edges of a piece of paper, an image formed on the back of his hand.

Hiro gasped.

A symbol appeared, similar to what he saw on K's hand. Hiro was feeling a bit of panic now, he looked around but he saw no one. He looked back to his hand but didn't hurt and the symbol almost gave him the impression of a flame. Befuddled, Hiro wandered past the fountain and braced against a tree. He pulled out his smokes and the lighter, but surprisingly the lighter flamed without him flicking it. Lighting the cigarette Hiro took an apprehensive haul.

"What the fuck just happened?" he asked himself and started checking out the mark on his hand again. What was going on? Maybe he should go find Shuichi and tell him what happened. Or a doctor…but his hand didn't hurt.

He blew out smoke and went to tear a leaf from the branches above him with his marked hand. The symbol lit up and the sound like in-coming missiles soared towards him. Instantly two flaming arrows hit the tree and it burst into flames. Crying out in surprise Hiro backed up, stumbling and landing on his butt. He scrambled backward, eyes glued to the tree engulfed in flames.

Holy shit!

Hiro got to his feet and ran to the fountain but halted. In front of him in the archway leading back to the parking lot, was a pearlescent wall. It was see through because Hiro could see cars and on the other side. Hesitantly he approached it but he only examined the shimmering wall. He heard sirens and craned his neck in the direction; Hiro felt the urge to run. A double take told him the wall had disappeared and he ran to his bike and hopped on. Gunning the engine Hiro tore out of the NG parking lot.