A/N: Well… nothing much to say but ask if you enjoyed the longer chapter… this one isn't as lengthy but will be worth the read! So read and review to tell me what you think! Come on, pressing the button on the bottom of the page will make my anniversary happy! Plus I have that bet with a fellow friend that I can rack up 100 reviews from all my releases! Help me prove her to her that readers are reviewers, not just readers!
Happy 3rd anniversary to me on fanfic this year! I can't believe it has already been that long but it has. At this time Last year, I was writing 'The Risks We Take' and now I'm loaded with ideas and new stories.
I'm very happy to have come so far with the Thrill crowd and am extremely happy I'm not letting the Thrill fandom die at all even if the manga had finished. The only slight problem from here on out for a few months is that fact that I might be getting a job and becoming bogged with my life outside writing so release dates may not always go the way I pre-planned. If it gets to be too bad though, I'll just ask that everyone check out the story randomly and I may just have updated. :)
Besides that problem, I'm having lots of troubles with my muses at the moment. They've decided to abandon me :( Yep, they've given up on me recently so it would really help to have extra encouragement from all you reviewers. Other than that, I'm very appreciative towards the reviewers who take time out of their day to read and review and offer critique, thoughts, or encouragement to me. It helps me connect with everyone and it definitely does wonders to encourage me to sit and write so THANK YOU SO MUCH!
Plus I have that bet with a fellow friend that I can rack up 100 reviews from all my releases! Help me prove her to her that readers are reviewers, not just readers!
Ria Sakazaki- Tell you what, Bribe bribe Since this chapter is long you should update your story as well for me. :)
Nightbloodrose- There's a reason why Nanako is always meddling in Ryoma's life…Tomie and she'll get her chance to defend her side later.
munkyaround- Well we all know Fuji is interested to an extent and Ryoma doesn't seem to be discouraging his advances either. But we'll see what builds from physical attraction and amusement.
FlAmEsOfDeSiReS- Don't know if Imperial will happen yet because it's one-sided at the moment but Thrill pair is a set pair. Tezuka and Fuji get their private confrontation later.
abhorsen3- Ryoma unconsciously looks out for him so that'll be here and there a lot. Atobe, who is never wrong, just warned the wrong person of all the things he'd have to live with. He'll make sure his parts in the story stand out though. XD
Ryoma knowing about Tezuka and Fuji may be revealed sooner than later so watch for that. Ryoma can be an absolute genius when methodically getting rid of people he doesn't want in his house…even if it meant calling people to make them busy XD The ring incident will fully be explained through pieces as well.
MARYLOVER- It's a complicated situation they both placed themselves in as well. Hirasawa will be in and out a lot because Nanako will be in and out a lot. You'll actually get to see how their relationship is a bit. Lucky for you, Yuuta and Yumiko will be appearing soon again but not this chapter. I believe they are already starting a relationship unknowingly… to themselves but everyone else can basically see it XD It'll be a lot more exciting from here!
Melar- Yes, the playing field has to even out somewhere…besides, Nanako really is just looking out for Ryoma. The reason that Nanako brought Yumiko and not Ryoma will be revealed in this chapter when Ryoma and Fuji talk of his past. Overall, Ryoma's bossy and Fuji's lenient of that…. to an extent as it shall be seen.
XxSisz4evaxx- Glad you liked it! I am toning down my fluff for later since they have just started 'seeing' each other and they already took some big steps for the beginning of this fic already! XD
lilgurlanima- LoL we'll see in this chapter actually!
Yukimurafangirl- Tezuka and Fuji get their confrontation in this chapter. :D
Selyn- I had to be a bit witty since Fuji and Ryoma are playing witty characters throughout this whole story. They'll always try to top each other so I'm always thinking of witty responses that will stump one or the other based on their nature. XD There's more scenes coming up that will bring the pair closer emotionally as well as physically so do wait for those…despite the slower pace of the relationship I'm taking with this story XP. But I do so love long reviews…they last longer as I neglect homework. XD
Club7
Rated: M (Language and "activities")
Summary: "Love is Lies," was Fuji's motto; "Love is fake," was Echizen's…so how did lies and fake become attraction? How did attraction become attachment? It all started in Club 7.
Pairing: EchizenXFuji
Chapter VII: The Wonders Of Being A Couple
Osaka, Japan
8 PM
Sunday Morning
Fuji stretched lazily as he yawned. Climbing out of his bed, he was a bit surprised to see Karupin curled up next to him.
"Good morning…" Fuji murmured to the cat as he looked at the clock. It read seven in the morning and Fuji knew that he'd be knocked out at this time if he worked last night…instead Ryoma had shipped him off to bed early like a child.
"Really… your master is so used to getting his way huh?" Fuji asked Karupin who merely purred and set her head back down lazily.
"I am if you're wondering." Ryoma stated from the door with his cell phone pressed against one ear and a smirk upon his lips. " Breakfast?"
"Why not…since I'm already awake." Fuji said with a smile and slid off his bed. "Did you already have breakfast without me?"
"Of course… I run a full schedule." Ryoma said with a smirk.
"How late did you go to bed?"
"Two or so…" Ryoma said with a shrug before switching back to English to answer the person on the other line.
"Yet you're up already?" Fuji asked a bit surprised.
"Since five," Ryoma said with a spreading smirk. "Unlike you, I don't drown myself in alcohol and suffer from hangovers every night so I'm okay."
"It almost sounds like you want me to quit being a host…" Fuji said with a small smile.
"What if I asked?" Ryoma asked leaning against the doorframe as Fuji slid a shirt over his bare chest.
"Our relationship doesn't allow you that privilege." Fuji responded.
"Oh? Then what does your relationship permit?"
Both turned to see Nanako with a raised eyebrow towards Fuji's bed before glancing down the hall to Ryoma's bed.
"Does, not sleeping with each other also count as a privilege that's restricted since you two aren't really in a relationship?" Nanako asked with a sight to Ryoma.
"Thank you for doubles checking for me Mr. McGinnis, I hope to talk to you soon again." Ryoma finished to the man on the other side of the phone before he hung up and glared at Nanako. " How did you get in?"
"With your spare keys of course," Nanako said brushing that fact away. "Why don't you tell me why you two aren't even at the stage where you two sleep together?"
"I couldn't sleep," Fuji suddenly said. "Ryoma was up all night doing business so I slept here to get some sleep."
"But you work nights." Nanako stated. " Wouldn't you have entertained him while he worked?"
"That's none of your business what we did before I sent him to bed over here so I could get some peace to do work."
"I see…." Nanako said with a frown, " He was SO distracting, you kicked him out of your bed so you could pour over paperwork?"
'That's right," Fuji said with a small smile. "But I made enough noise to keep him up thinking…"Fuji said with a chuckle.
"I'm so sorry Ryoma can't stay focused… I swear, he'll be impotent if he works any harder." Nanako said with a sigh, " but since you both are up, let's spend the whole day together."
"Where's Hirasawa?" Ryoma asked with a scowl.
"Working very hard," Nanako said with a smile, "He did exactly what you did to poor Syuu-chan last night to me."
"So he screwed you on the sofa, wall, and bed before pulling out his cell phone to make a few calls and do business?" Ryoma asked bluntly. " Oh wait… I forgot the blowjob while I was typing and the-"
"You don't have to share that!" Nanako said turning bright pink all of a sudden. "I merely meant I was TOO tempting so he kicked me out."
"Is that so…" Ryoma said bluntly before turning to leave and drag Nanako out as well. "Syuusuke needs to do his morning business before breakfast so why don't you be a WOMAN for once and wait PROPERLY in the living room.
"I am a woman all the time and very proper thank you very much!" Nanako snapped.
"I'm sure you weren't very proper last night with Hirasawa." Ryoma said with a smirk.
"Stop assuming what I was doing last night."
"Then stop assuming why Syuusuke and I spent the night apart." Ryoma snapped back.
"Mou!" Nanako said with a good frown to Ryoma before escorting herself to the living room.
"Sorry about that…" Ryoma muttered before leaving.
"I'm surprised you could say all that with a straight face." Fuji said amused at the vivid imaginary night he had described to Nanako.
"I'm a businessman, what do you expect." Ryoma said with smirk.
"So that is…" Fuji murmured as he watched Ryoma walk out the door and down the hall towards the living room.
'Yep…he's definitely the type not to fall for.' Fuji thought silently. If he could lie to his clients that he loved all of them with all his heart then anyone could do the same to him. If Fuji was honest to himself, he knew he would say, 'I'm scared to fall in love.'
xXx
"I didn't appreciate being thrown out last night." Nanako said with a huge frown when Ryoma appeared in the living room as well.
"I didn't appreciate unwelcome parties either." Ryoma shot back.
"Didn't you see how happy he was to see his sister? I'm surprised you never in ALL the time you dated him, went to find his sister."
"Unlike you, I found that the family was split due to private issues and I wasn't about to be nosey like you obviously were." Ryoma stated.
"I would never overlook it in case he's a criminal."
"Does he look like a criminal?" Ryoma asked.
"Did the guy who killed your parents look like a murderer?" Nanako asked with a frown.
"They were in a car accident." Ryoma said softly.
"A car accident that was on purpose and that guy is still on the loose!" Nanako said. " That's why I prefer you stop disappearing without someone with you."
"I'm perfectly capable to self defense!" Ryoma argued heatedly.
"Oh really?" Nanako asked.
"Of course." Ryoma stated.
"Even in the face of a gun?" Nanako asked.
"Hn…" Ryoma merely replied.
"Kirihara should always be by your side." Nanako stated.
"He's not my babysitter and for god's sake Nanako! I'm no prince nor prime minister!"
"No you're not!" Nanako agreed readily, " but you're a very rich and powerful young man who some people wouldn't mind seeing dead! Tomie and Kirihara has been with us for ages protecting us but you must stop running off on your own as well!"
"I don't want to risk his life for mine!" Ryoma stated.
"It's his job!" Nanako insisted.
"It's his job to be my secretary!" Ryoma reinforced.
"And to protect you!" Nanako said.
"Nanako," Ryoma started.
"I just want to protect you Ryoma…" Nanako said as a stray tear fell down her cheek. "I don't want to lose the only family I have left to some psycho, money-crazed person!"
Ryoma sighed…he HATED tears…because that meant he had to compromise with her…he had many times compromised with her…. that's why his apartment ended up in this building, his secretary is his personal bodyguard and his schedule is always set with security.
"Mada Mada Nanako…but even the mother needs to let her child go…" Ryoma quoted his mother when he had decided to go to his first summer camp as a child.
"I know…. but all I ask is that you're cautious…"
"I will…"
"Good, because Sanada will be here to see you soon."
'After Syuusuke goes out to work like we agreed!" Ryoma said with a sigh.
"Of course… although I don't know why you can't tell the one your dating these issues…"
"He doesn't need to be burdened with it." Ryoma said softly.
"Well-"
"I'm ready for breakfast!" Fuji said cheerfully as he walked through the doorway.
"About time…" Ryoma said teasingly losing all seriousness at once.
"Right…I brought some waffles…"Nanako said with a smile.
"Were you crying?" Fuji asked with a frown.
"Why do you ask?" Nanako asked a bit surprised.
"A… tear-streak on you face." Fuji gently pointed out.
"Oh… it's allergies actually." Nanako said with a small laugh as she wiped it carelessly away. "I'm so used to it sometimes I don't even know it's there."
"It would seem so…" Fuji said as Ryoma handed him a plate to get his breakfast on. Accepting a soft kiss to his cheek, Fuji concentrated on the food and wondered when was the last time he actually had a decent home-cooked meal with others besides Yukimura….
"I hope you like it… I sometimes use Ryoma as a guinea pig since I'm trying to be a good wife." Nanako admitted with a smile. "If you don't mind me asking, why haven't your sister and you seen each other till last night."
"Oh…" Fuji said with a reinforced smile now, "I had a falling out with my parents that prevented me from seeing my sister and brother."
"Oh…"Nanako said with a small smile. " I hope that she'll be able to see you more now then…she was quite surprised with your line of work as well."
"No one knows really…" Fuji said with a softer smile.
"I see…" Nanako said before glancing up and seeing Ryoma head towards his bedroom with his cell phone.
"I need to make a quick phone call so don't bother answering her if she becomes nosey…" Ryoma said bending down to place a quick kiss on Fuji's head like a child. " And YOU…leave him alone…" Ryoma warned before he went down the hall and the slight shut of the door could be heard.
"He is very clever this time around to hire such a professional for a boyfriend this time…" Nanako said with a smile.
"You still think-"
"Yes I do," Nanako confirmed, "because somewhere inside me it's not right yet."
"Then we'll just have to-"
"Prove me wrong?" Nanako asked. "You don't know how torn my heart is at the moment…I want to believe you two yet the nagging keeps coming back and I doubt the two of you…but I can tell you, out of all the people he actually dated or hired, he's been happiest with you."
"I see…" Fuji said with a small smile.
"But I promise you, if you're anything like Hiruki, I'll personally shoot you down!" Nanako said.
"Hiruki?" Fuji asked a bit curious now as you who that was….
xXx
"Tell me she's not at your place…"
"Sadly she is…" Ryoma said with his own frustration clear in his voice.
"oh god…."
"I expect you here any minute now to remove her Hirasawa." Ryoma ordered.
"Fine but you best quit using that engagement incident for things!"
"Che! If you didn't propose to the wrong girl and lose the ring then I'd have nothing to blackmail you with."
"Those were called 'MISTAKES' and the biggest one I made that day was to do it in front of you and ask for your help."
"Your mistake," Ryoma said before hanging up. Looking towards the dining room, he hoped his cousin hadn't overly dug into Fuji's life.
xXx
"He was probably the biggest mistake Ryoma ever did…or fall in love with." Nanako said with a sigh as she stared out the window.
"I thought he didn't believe in love? I recall him telling me that love is fake."
"Because the love he has experience has all been fake." Nanako clarified. "Besides…if he thought love was fake, why are you here? Aren't you two in love?"
"More like we have an understanding of each other to a point where we can be together…" Fuji said softly. " I'm not too sure about love myself."
"Syuusuke?"
"Hm?" Fuji asked turning towards the hall where Ryoma had popped up.
"Come here…I need to talk to you."
"Okay…excuse me…" Fuji said excusing himself from Nanako who nodded. Following Ryoma to Ryoma's room, he watched as Ryoma shut the door and walked towards him.
"She didn't harass you did she?" Ryoma asked sitting on his bed.
"Not too much," Fuji said taking a seat next to him. "More like threaten me…"
"I'm pretty sure you're regretting the position I put you in now huh?" Ryoma said with a small smile.
"A bit…" Fuji said, " but it livens my life."
"For the worst." Ryoma said with a small laugh.
"What's this?" Fuji asked looking at the nice stack of condom on Ryoma's bed.
"My friend's idea of a good joke." Ryoma said with a slight scowl as he remembered how Momoshiro had casually passed him it as a welcome gift for Syuusuke and him.
"Do you even have a use for this?" Fuji asked amused.
"No I…'
"Hm?" Fuji looked up as he noted that Ryoma's door seemed to be subtly opening.
"Mou!" Ryoma muttered as he took the condom from Fuji's hand and stared as the door fully opened and Nanako looked at the both of them staring at her.
"You two were doing naughty things weren't you?" Nanako demanded.
"We were talking." Ryoma said bluntly.
"Oh…" Nanako said walking forward. "I never knew talking involved a open condom as well…. what is this…sex-ed?"
"Nanako…"
"You little liars…" Nanako said as she turned to leave the room. "I expect you two after you two have cleared a few things up…you have ten minutes!"
Fuji looked at the packet he had been touching earlier had been ripped open and looked ready to be used.
"You're truly a genius in the sleeping aren't you?" Fuji asked with a smile. "You told the truth yet now she believes a lie because you methodically placed it here."
"I have a few tricks myself…" Ryoma merely said
"The wonders of being a couple with you!" Fuji said with a small laugh.
"Che!" Ryoma said as he attempted to stand only to be pulled down towards Fuji. " What is it?"
"I just wanted a taste…" Fuji said pressing his lips against Ryoma's fully before both relented to the other and the simple kiss turned out to be mind-boggling.
"We have to go out there…" Fuji finally managed to say as he recovered from the kiss first.
"Un…" Ryoma muttered as he fell back on his bed with a slight blush dusted across his face.
'Too tempting…' Fuji thought as he eyed the perfectly arousing boy almost panting on the bed.
xXx
"About time!" Nanako complained. " Come here Syuusuke…"
"What?" Fuji asked following Nanako towards a container.
"Eat this for me…" Nanako said holding a pickled ume up to Fuji's mouth despite Ryoma's scowl as he had his hands planted on his hips in frustration at her actions.
"Oh stop it Ryoma!" Nanako said with her own frown. "You already had your fun…it's my turn!"
Fuji cautiously opened his mouth and Nanako placed the whole thing into his mouth.
"Good?" Nanako asked.
The flavor wasn't exactly straight on but it was decent enough. "It's pretty good." Fuji commented.
"Eat this as well…" Nanako said with a bright smile holding out some fish to Fuji's mouth. Opening his mouth obediently the front door swung open and everyone turned to see Hirasawa with a scowl that deepened as he saw what his fiancée was doing.
"Kai darling!" Nanako said a bit more timid now.
"What are you doing?" Hirasawa asked with a not 'normal' smile that looked a bit like a scowl…. was such a look even possible?
"I'm…. doing tradition!" Nanako said with a nervous smile to her fiancé.
"Tradition?" Hirasawa asked cupping her chin with one of his hands as he stared directly at her and ignored the other two present.
"Un… see!" Nanako said picking up a bit more fish and shoving it into the grumpy looking Ryoma's mouth.
"Since you like tradition so much," Hirasawa said with a slight nod of acknowledgement to Ryoma and removing the chopsticks from Nanako's hand, " Then let's go do OURtradition…"
"We-we have one?" Nanako whispered out as she allowed her fiancé to guide her towards the front door where Ryoma was waiting with her purse and coat.
"Aa…" Hirasawa said accepting the stuff for Nanako, " It involves a bed and you telling me how much you love me while I'm on top of you."
"Ryoma you're behind this aren't you?" Nanako demanded angrily.
Ryoma merely shrugged and shut the door behind the both of them with a relieved sigh.
"Do you have him on speed dial or so?" Fuji asked amused at the turn of events.
"I do…" Ryoma said as he went to sit on the sofa and switch on the TV. "He has actually helped in a lot of situations…"
"As expected of you." Fuji merely said as he sat next to Ryoma. " Do you mind telling me about Hiruki?"
"If you don't mind telling me why you know Dr. Tezuka." Ryoma shot back.
"What if I merely told you he was an ex-client?" Fuji asked testing the waters.
"Then I shall tell you that Hiruki was a ex-lover." Ryoma stated simply.
"You drive a hard bargain don't you?" Fuji said with a slight smile.
"Of course," Ryoma agreed.
"Then I'll just have to ask someone else…"
"You're absolutely right," Ryoma said finally sparing Fuji a glance. "You ask people about my past and I'll dig through yours."
"Won't that be inconvenient for you?"
"Won't it incur my displeasure if you dig?" Ryoma asked back.
"I suppose that means you don't want to share and rather no one else shares as well?"
'"Smart Syuusuke…" Ryoma merely said.
"Mou…don't treat me like a dog…" Fuji said pressing a kiss to Ryoma's cheek. Ryoma, on the other hand didn't find it too unpleasant either…in fact, he had wanted to turn and continue what they were doing in his bed.
"Then I won't hold back when I tempt you," Fuji said with a smile," I'll have you in my bed by the end of the first week."
"Or will you be in my bed?" Ryoma countered with a superior smile.
'Hmm…' Ryoma thought as he looked at Syuusuke. " For this...maybe Nanako would come in handy…"
xXx
Later that Night
"How was the accident with my hotel manager?" Ryoma asked Sanada as soon as he entered Ryoma's apartment.
"As your cousin suspected," Sanada said with a sigh. "It was rammed by the pick-up truck because you were suppose to be within the vehicle as well… for once the police force and I was relieved you were reckless and disappeared for a few hours.
"Going to play tennis like a normal person is NOT reckless." Ryoma snapped at the detective.
"But you have to remember you're not normal." Sanada reminded him sternly. "The accidents that have been happening ever since you decided to enter the hotel management are signs that whoever took out your parents, want you gone as well." Sanada said with a sigh.
"Dammit Gen…I'm tired of hiding year after year from someone who could be my best business associate at the moment! I just want a normal life running my parent's hotels!"
"Well sadly, whoever your parents and you offended isn't going to stop…" Sanada said with a small sigh. "But for the first time in all these years, we have a lead."
"Go on…"Ryoma said with a small sigh.
'The person who rammed the semi into your limo didn't die as the others did in all the other cases but he survived." Sanada explained. "It'll take some time but if he can recover enough to tell us who hired him we might have a solid lead."
"But wouldn't the opposition try to kill him off before he speaks?" Ryoma questioned.
'That's exactly why Nanako paid the doctors to pronounce him dead so that we won't have outside interference. Your personal bodyguards are personally watching him and protecting him."
"I need to have people watching Syuusuke as well…"
"I will personally see that I get someone for him as well." Sanada said, "The old suspect for your parents death…"
"Tetsuro right?"
"Yes…I heard you went to see him?" Sanada said, " I prefer you didn't place yourself in danger."
"His father ran away and left his son to see to the welfare of his sister." Ryoma said. "To be albe to privide for the two of them, he works as a host… besides his father was never found to be guilty of that."
"But a man who was certain he wasn't guilty wouldn't have run off." Sanada stated. " For all we know he could be an accomplice to destroying you…please stay away from Club Star and Tetsuro Shun."
"Fine… but I insist you watch Tezuka closer as well… it seems he frequents Tetsuro…" Ryoma stated.
"He…he does?"
"Aa…" Ryoma said without looking at Sanada. He didn't need to ask to know that Sanada had a thing for Tezuka Kunimitsu as well.
"I'll keep an eye on him."
Ryoma merely nodded. "I just don't want to have unnecessary deaths…"
"Understood…" Sanada said and stood to leave. He knew Ryoma had not yet recovered from the incident from two years ago.
xXx
Club7
"How's the new arrangement?" Daichi asked Fuji as he came out of the back room to work.
"It's working out pretty good."
"She's not coming is she?" Daichi asked wearily looking at the steady flow of incoming customers.
"I highly doubt it Daichi-san…her fiancé is back in town."
" That's great!" Daichi immediately brightened. "That means your customers can be comfortable now!"
"Aa…" Fuji said with a smile.
"Fuji…"
"Hm?"
"To be honest, I dislike that fact that you're even with him because I think he's only playing with you."
"Am I not playing with him as well?" Fuji questioned.
"But already you're as attached to him as you were with Tezuka-san…please think about your actions Fuji."
"I will…" Fuji promised and watched Daichi walk away. Could it be…. he was setting himself up for another heartbreaking relationship?
"Fuji!"
Fuji snapped out of his trance to look at his co-worker. " What is it?"
"You have a customer…"
"Oh…then…" His eyes connected with the man's and he forced himself to smile. "It's been a while Tezuka…"
A/N: Yeah I know… shorter chapter but it is what it is so hopefully this will keep you all wondering what happened to all the characters. Review please!
