Author's notes and warnings: More Chichiri meanie…Tasuki confused…Nuriko yearning and Hotohori clueless! This chapter will introduce some Gravitation characters and have them interact. You'll also find out something about Chichiri's past…
Thank you's for the fantastic people who took the time to review…
Xellas M.: Interesting beginning? Hontou no hontou, ni? Whew! *Wipes sweat from brows* I hope you'll like the rest of the 'hard' Chichiri story…He's so HOT! Oh, and thanks to you and the other nice reviewers, my GW experience wasn't as bad as I had thought! Thank you SO much! And you may need extra sugar and ice…it's gonna be a marathon! LOL
Chachiri: Hai! Hot & sexy, Hot & sexy! That's our Chichiri! Waving Chichiri banner Poor Tas-chan…I don't drool over him as much as I do Chiri…but for him, we'll let Chiri do the drooling, ne? And yes, Sakano and Hotohori do have the same seiyuu don't they! They sound so different I had completely forgotten that! Arigatou, no da!
Chisama: Sorry for making Chichiri so mean…but isn't he totally HOT and absolutely drool-worthy? It'll get worse before it gets better, I'm afraid. But hang in there with me, okay? I promise a totally happy ending!
Shadow Priestess: Arigatou, no da! I'm sorry you don't like the 'ice cube' Chichiri…it'll all be explained later…I think you'll like how it'll turn out…
Lady Pyrrha: Thankie, thankie, thankie! I'm glad the bio helped…or will help grins I hope you like the rest of the story as well!
Fujimiya Maru: Hi! You bet Tas-chan will melt the--- sshh! *Whispers* I'm not suppose to tell…
Kawaii: Arigatou!!! Wai! You think that's sexy too! Woo hoo! Thanks for your support, you're just so…so...kawaii! *Rolls eyes at her own lameness! *
Mangaland: Mou, bet you have tons of manga, ne? *Green with envy* Thank you for the review!
Obijan: I knew it! I knew it! He was WAY too interested in Yuki! You have Kumagorou? I have a Kuma too! Though when I first got it, it wasn't Kuma…but after I saw Gravitation, my little rabbit is the exact copy of Ryuuchi's pink bunny… now he is Kuma! Arigatou! I hope you'll like the rest of the story…
Hitari: Wai! Bootleg version? *slaps hand on forehead* Jeeze! Maybe you could be my consultant? *grabs Hitari's hand and dances around waving Ryuuichi banner* Isn't he, totally HOT? Gods I might do a Ryuuichi/Chichiri lemon just because…*sigh* Glad you liked it so far…what do you think of K/Ryuuichi paring? I'm seriously thinking of that… As for Yuki/Chichiri thing…I'm writing similarities in their past as well, though Chichiri's will be more mysterious… And you KNOW that Tasuki is NOT Shuuichi! Prepare for lots of sparks to fly. GODS I love Chichiri like this…. And I love Quatre too! Especially with Trowa…
Disclaimer…The usual blah, blah, blah…you know the one where I own nothing? *Sniff*
Songs Of The Heart – chapter two: The Enigma
By Moonraven
"What happened?" Hotohori gasped as he saw Nuriko's disheveled look and Tasuki's bruised face. He brushed back a strand of stray hair that had escaped Nuriko's braid and tugged it gently behind the younger man's ear, completely oblivious to the adoration in the luminous hazel eyes. "What did you get into this time?" He turned a frowned on Tasuki.
"I didn't do nothin!" Tasuki growled at his friend/manager. Why was HE always the bad guy?
"It wasn't Tasuki fault, Tori." Nuriko cut in. "We ran into some jerks but nothing serious." He fingered the truant strand of hair, sighing as he recalled the handsome man's touch. Tasuki rolled his eyes in disgust. Noting to tell, my ass!
"Nothing serious?" Hotohori took a firm hold of Tasuki's chin and turned his face to one side so that he could examine the bruise. He frowned and shook his head. "We are suppose to meet Seguchi Tohma in an hour. I don't suppose you know how to get rid of this…coloration by then?"
Nuriko examined Tasuki's face with interest. "Weeelll…" He started thoughtfully.
"Ya fucking suggest make-up and I'll fucking deck ya!" Tasuki glared at his braided friend dangerously.
Hotohori slapped a hand over his eyes in anguish. "Tasuki! You WILL remember NOT to use that language in the meeting, right?"
"What meeting?" Nuriko raspberried Tasuki. "If we can't hide that trophy you've got, we can't have a meeting. Who would back up a singer who looked like he'd just had a brawl?" Nuriko raised his brow, challenging Tasuki to disagree.
"It wasn't my fault!" Tasuki grumbled as he shuffled his feet. "It's not fair. And why do we need him anyways? I just need you guys."
Hotohori sighed. "We talked about this before, Tasuki. We'll still be with you, it's just that you need other forms of exposure as well." He ruffled the wild red hair affectionately. "You need to mingle with other celebrities and NG could do that for you."
"I don't need no fucking mingling." Tasuki mumbled some more.
Nuriko laughed and hugged him. "I love you, Tas-chan! Look at it this way, the more people know of you, the more girls you're going to get!"
Tasuki grinned sheepishly though he tried to look indignant. "Fuck, Nuri. You're making me sound like a horny rock star!"
"You are." Hotohori said under his breath, earning a glare from Tasuki.
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*
43 minutes, 3 jars of foundation and one pissed off Tasuki later, Nuriko announced that the red head was finally presentable enough to go to the meeting.
"It's about fucking time!" Tasuki complained, his face twitching with annoyance.
"Look! You have a nasty bruise that's changing colors as I work! And your complexion is far from easy to work with! Do you want to look like those zombies from 'The Night Of The Living Dead'?"
"We didn't have to do it at all!" Tasuki shouted back.
"Yes we did!" Nuriko, hands on his pips, braid swing forward, retorted.
"No, we didn't!" Tasuki assumed a similar position san braid.
Hotohori sighed and rolled his eyes skyward. He calmly stepped between the two and pushed them gently back.
"Okay, children, let get going, shall we?" He said in his usually controlled tone. "We don't want to be late, Seguchi-san had arranged some press to be there as well." His handsome face frowned slightly. "I'm not sure but he said something about a genius song writer that he had wanted you to meet."
Tasuki balked. "OI! I can write my own fucking songs and I have Nuri!"
"We're in the big league now. You'll still have Nuriko, and this genius will only act as a consultant of some sort." He walked back to Tasuki and pushed the man ahead of him. "Will you please hurry? The meeting is downstairs and we have only a few minutes left."
They arrived at the meeting room and were surprised to find that it was more like a press release than a small meeting. There, to one side of the room was a large sofa by the window, facing a couple of cameramen and reporters. A large comfortable looking chair was positioned next to the sofa, turning slightly inward, facing the larger seat.
A delicate looking blond with startling green eyes smiled as they entered and offered his hand to Hotohori, who shook it warmly.
"It's good to see you again Hotohori-san." His voice was husky and warm. He turned his smiling face to Tasuki and Nuriko and extended his hand.
"Tasuki-kun, you are much more attractive in person, I see." Tohma cocked his head to one side as he studied the red head. "That's very good." He gave a small laugh as Tasuki mumbled his pleasantries and his thanks.
"Nuriko-kun. I've heard much of your talent. Maybe we could talk about other projects for you as well." He smiled at the gaping Nuriko then lead them to the sofa and sat down on the large chair.
"Well, are you excited about joining NG productions?" He asked them, still smiling.
Tasuki gulped and let Hotohori and Nuriko answer the more general questions; his mind was still not used to being with such a large and well-known company. NG was gigantic in the music business.
Tasuki paused and nearly choked as he saw a silent figure slipped in the door and stood inconspicuously by the door.
It's HIM!
Tasuki jerked up in his seat and stared at the tall figure. Nuriko, sensing the tension, looked to where Tasuki was staring fixedly.
'What do you know?' Nuriko thought, interest peaked. 'It's the man from the park!'
Tasuki blushed when he saw that the man had recognized him. He frowned with irritation as the bored looked on the man's face turned to amusement as the stranger watched the various emotions flashed across the red head's face. Tasuki cursed under his breath. What the hell was wrong with him? Why was he reacting like a silly kid…a silly schoolgirl facing her crush…?
NO! He screamed silently. What the FUCK am I thinking?
Tasuki was furious when a smirked touched those cold lips and the red head looked away in disgust. He was going to beat the crap out of that man!
Nuriko's elbow in his ribs brought him back to the conversation and he cursed himself for the umpteenth time. He had no idea what the question was.
Shit! Tasuki looked at the reporter who was looking at him expectantly. They were already on Q&A?
Seguchi Tohma laughed quietly. "It's always the talented ones that have the poorest attention span. Shuuichi is much worst that Tasuki, believe me." Then looking at Tasuki, he repeated the reporter's question.
"Do you have a love interest, Tasuki-kun?"
Tasuki's eyes came to rest unbidden on the single brown eye at the back of the room. His heart pounded thunderously in his chest and Tasuki shook his head mutely. A delicate brow on the nameless man rose in amusement and Tasuki bristled to see the smirk back on that…beautiful face.
"Ah, he's young…that will all change when hundreds of girls chase you around the city." Another reporter's voice sounded and there was a general agreement and good-natured laughter.
The rest of the meeting/press release was a blur to the flustered red head. He was only aware of the formidable figure by the door that scrutinized him silently the entire time. He hated the man! He would fucking knock his socks off. He would…he would…HURT him! Tasuki's thoughts revolved around ways to make the damn man suffer…intensely.
When the reporters filed out and the three friends had more time to themselves, Hotohori turned to Tasuki.
"You didn't cuss once, Tasuki. That was very impressive."
Tasuki mumbled something unintelligible under his breath and stopped when Tohma approached them. Tasuki's breath caught in his throat when he saw that next to the infamous producer and Nittle Grasper's keyboard player was none other than the stranger that had his thoughts in turmoil all day.
Tohma took them to his spacious office and gestured for them to relax in the sitting area. The stranger came with them, silent as usual. As they sat on the large couch, Tohma sat on another couch, opposite them, across the coffee table. The tall stranger stood leaning against the wall not too far away, looking at them with indifference.
"Chichiri-san." Tohma called softly to the man in black. Chichiri…
Tasuki stared openly at Chichiri. Even the name sent shivers up and down his spine.
"This is Tasuki, Nuriko and Tasuki's manager, Hotohori-san." He turned a smiling face towards them. "This is Chichiri."
"WOW!" Nuriko squealed. "I had NO idea!" He nearly jumped off the couch. "THE Chichiri! Oh my god, oh my god, oh my god!"
"What the hell are you so excited about?" Tasuki growled at his best friend in annoyance. "You sound like the ass hole is a god or something."
Gasps could be heard and silence reigned after that. Amusement flashed across Chichiri's face but he said nothing. Nuriko had his hand across his mouth, eyes wide in horror.
Hotohori groaned inwardly and slumped down in his chair. He knew a well-behaved Tasuki was too good to be true. But to call the most ingenious of all songwriters an ass hole…
Tohma paled and glanced at Chichiri worriedly. The silent man stared back, expressionlessly and the blond producer cleared his throat before speaking.
"Are you referring to the rumors?" He asked uncomfortably. "I don't understand how you---"
Tasuki snorted. "Rumors my ass! We met this morning, the jerk all but told me to fuck off!" He glared at the bland expression on Chichiri's face.
Hotohori slid further down in his seats. It seemed that any hope of salvaging a decent relationship had just flown out the windows.
Chichiri pushed off the wall, the look on his face clearly said that he'd rather be elsewhere. When he spoke, his voice sent tremors throughout Tasuki's body.
"His style is too wild. His songs have no direction and if they don't change, he'll limit his audience." He turned towards the door and added over his shoulders as he left the room, "I'll be in my office."
Tasuki sputtered angrily and he stood up, clearly intending on going after Chichiri. Both Nuriko and Hotohori each grabbed hold of an arm.
"That fucking ass hole! I'm going the beat the shit out…. Mmph!" Nuriko clamped a strong hand firmly over his mouth and gave him a warning glare.
Tohma looked at the three friends uncertainly as they settled back down on the couch.
"Gomen." Tohma told them quietly. "Chichiri doesn't like…people very much. I'm afraid he's not very good with them."
"No shit!" Tasuki said, earning him another bruised rib, courtesy of Nuriko's elbow.
Tohma frowned and shifted in his seats. "He's not a bad person, really. He's just…he doesn't trust people." The blond said reluctantly. "Chichiri's directions could take your career to a different heights. I recommend that you give it a chance." He smiled broadly at them and Tasuki had a feeling that they had no choice in the matter.
"I agree." Hotohori said as he stared down Tasuki's protests. "I've heard wonderful things of his work. We'll give his suggestions careful considerations."
"Mou, Seguchi-san, at the park…where we met Chichiri, he scared away some pretty tough guys with just a look. They mentioned rumors too." Nuriko twisted his braid nervously in his grasp. "Why are they so afraid of him?"
Tohma frowned and thought hard for a moment. He went over to a file cabinet and took out an old newspaper. He gave the paper to Nuriko and smile wanly.
"Chichiri is a very private person. No pictures had been taken in over 10 years." He pointed to the newspaper. "That will tell you something about him but I can tell you nothing else…for now." He looked at them intently as he studied them. "He's very dear to me and my friends. Very dear."
To Tasuki, the message was clear. 'Mess with Chichiri and they would pay, major time.'
A knock on the door cleared the tension in the room and the smile was back in those intense green eyes. A tall, nervous looking young man in a dark suit, with short black hair and glasses entered and walked towards them.
"Sakano-kun." Tohma greeted the newcomer. "Perfect timing as usual." Tohma introduced the famed Bad Luck's producer to Tasuki and his friends.
"I have another meeting across town, Sakano, would you be kind enough to give our new friends tour of our facilities?"
Sakano smiled openly at the three friends and nodded. "I would love to. Shuuichi is dying to meet you, Tasuki-kun. He has your CD, I believe." He told the red head as he led them out of the office.
"Shindoh Shuuichi? Has my single?" Tasuki was beyond surprise. The pink hair teen idol was interested in his song?
Sakano laughed and nodded. "And gushing about how great it is too! I believe he and Sakuma-san are listening to it and discussing it this very moment."
"Ryuuichi Sakuma…?" Nuriko's eyes were as wide as saucers before they rolled back and the pretty braided boy collapsed in a dead faint.
Hotohori gasped and caught his friend, cradling the smaller boy tenderly. Tasuki rescued the newspaper and tugged it under his arms as he helped Hotohori and Sakano take Nuriko into the nearest office.
The unconscious boy was laid to rest on a broad couch with Hotohori fussing like a mother hen. Sakano had left to find help and Tasuki settled down at the table, reading the newspaper.
At his ferocious frown, Hotohori left Nuriko to come sit next to Tasuki. "What is it?" The tall handsome youth asked.
Tasuki pushed the newspaper to his friend silently, his mind trying to process the incredulous story printed over 10 years ago.
"Wow." Hotohori said under his breath when he was done reading. He shook his head in disbelieve. "That poor man. I wonder how long he was in the mental ward."
"Too long it seems." Tasuki said as he stared down at the smiling face of a 15-year-old Chichiri. The open and friendly expression on the youth was totally different from the cold and cynical air around the older Chichiri. The happy youth still had both his eyes…so the incident took out his left eye?
"I wonder if they've ever found out what happened to all those boys." Hotohori continued to scan the article, trying to understand the 'mysterious circumstance' that had killed 7 teen-agers. "They probably deserved it too, from the report but what KILLED them?"
"Maybe the cold bastard did." Tasuki said without thinking and heard a gasp from the door. Both he and Hotohori turned to the sound and found a very ill looking Sakano in the doorway.
Right behind him was Chichiri. If looks could kill, Tasuki would be so dead he wouldn't have any hopes of reincarnations…
TBC
~*~*~*~*~*~*
Did ja like it? Did ja…did ja?
Next chapter: The Attraction
In the other stories, I had switch POV back and forth from Tasuki to Chichiri…I won't be doing that here…not just yet anyways. I wanted to add to the mystery behind the man – no one knows his thoughts until the very end…
I shouldn't have mentioned the Ryuuichi/Chichiri lemon…now it won't leave me alone…
Please review and let me know your thoughts…
