These lovable characters are owned by Maki Murakami, bow down and show respect *bows*. Yay, I'm writing Ryuichi! It's kind of hard because Ryuichi is, in my opinion, one of the most complex characters to ever grace the world of anime, and I don't know exactly how he thinks o.O

LESSONS IN LIFE
(Chapter 6 - Ryuichi Sakuma)

"Tada! What do you think?"

Tatsuha was wearing a really big grin as he welcomed me at the door. My eyes widened as I stared up at him. Not because of the grin - he usually does that when he's done something he's really proud of - but because of the blue-black mark that marred his pale skin. On his hand, he held something that looked like an ice pack, and gave me the idea that he was just about nursing it.

"What happened?" I asked immediately, rushing inside the apartment to push Tatsuha down on the couch. Kumagoro fell from my head and onto Tatsuha's lap. Kumagoro never falls from me so I initially wondered if something was wrong with him and his grip, but I realized that he's also worried about Tatsuha.

"Aaw, Kumagoro's worried about me, too!" exclaimed Tatsuha happily as he held Kumagoro up.

"Did Tatsuha-kun get into a fight?" I asked, guiding his hand with the ice pack to the discoloration on his cheek. It looked like it awfully hurt. I hope it's all right.

He adjusted the pack a bit, and eventually held it in place. He grinned. "You can say that," he answered. "But it's fine now, I got what I wanted," he declared, his grin widening.

I frowned. "I didn't know Tatsuha gets into fights," I said sadly. In his hands, I could see Kumagoro feeling sad too. We share the same feelings, and we especially share our fondness for Tatsuha. Kumagoro only likes a few people, he told me so. But he really likes Tatsuha because he's one of the few people who really talk to him. Maybe that's why we're both disappointed with the idea of our new best friend getting into trouble for something.

"No!" Tatsuha said quickly. "No, it's not what you think." He looked past my shoulder. When I looked, it was at the direction of a dark hallway where Yuki-san's office was - Tatsuha usually invites me over because he said he didn't want to leave his brother alone too much. Especially now when Yuki-san would be alone. He's really a good brother, he doesn't want to say it.

Tatsuha lowered his voice so only I and Kumagoro could hear him. "Eiri did this to me," he said, pointing at his cheek.

"But why!?" I asked, my head automatically looking back again to where Yuki-san was.

"I...kind of taunted him," explained Tatsuha, letting out a sheepish grin. "But before you get angry," he said, seeing my frown again, "I did it for him. And Shuichi."

That certainly got me listening. I felt my ears instinctively perk up at the sound of Shuichi's name. Shuichi is one of my best friends - not to mention that Kumagoro likes him a lot - but he's been quiet and sad lately. I noticed because he doesn't talk as much as he used to before, and that's just awful because I always feel sad too whenever someone around me is sad. I even cried with Shuichi before, during that time when he dropped a whole pack of strawberry pocky down the NG roof. It was nighttime and we couldn't find it, and Shuichi cried because the pack was so expensive that he didn't have any more money left. Things got so frustrated because the candy store was already closed and I couldn't buy him any and we both cried because we wanted to eat more pocky.

"I wanted to see if there's any hope of bringing Shuichi back," continued Tatsuha when I didn't say anything. "We all know that my brother has this problem about having to admit things to himself and other people. Shuichi is one of a kind, and I don't want Eiri to regret something he failed to do for them both. That's why I tried to trick him into saying things himself," said Tatsuha, his grin still in place. "Technically, he didn't say anything about Shuichi, but his reaction to my words was as good as he can get."

"Wow," I mumbled, staring at him. "You did that for Shuichi?" I asked. A few seconds more and I found Kumagoro and myself tearfully hugging Tatsuha, so happy to know that Shuichi has so much loving friends. "But still, Tatsuha was very stupid to get himself hurt!" I added, in between a smile and a frown. I was happy with what he has done, but I still can't stand knowing that he hurt himself doing something good. Tatsuha is too nice for anybody to hurt.

It's not a secret to us both that he likes me. It's actually something I thought would keep me from being friends with him before. But unlike most of the people who shares the same opinion of me, Tatsuha didn't seem to take my reaction to him as a sort-of twisted rejection. He understood what I meant when I told him to really think things through. Most people would tell me to just flat out tell them that I'm not interested.

I like people, and I also want them to like me. But being famous gives me an awful impression to some people, because I suppose I'm being stereotyped as the typical celebrity who looks down on others because I've got millions waiting behind my back. I hate it. People find it hard to befriend me because I make others really nervous by my name alone. I guess that that is one of the reasons why my words are always mistaken for something else. Like when I tell people that they don't know what they're saying when they tell me they love me, they think I'm pushing them away.

But Tatsuha and I quickly became friends. I think Shuichi plays a really big part in this. He would always bring Tatsuha with him. Shuichi is one of the very few people who I think understands me. Maybe he's shared a lot of his own insights with him, too. I owe Shuichi a lot because when I met him, it seems as though I found friends everywhere I go. My life back here seems ever so different from my life in America. I became happier than I've ever been for so long.

"Oh, I just remembered!" I said, quickly letting Tatsuha go to fish something out of my jacket. I found it on the left inside pocket, a small piece of folded paper. I showed it to Tatsuha and he read:

10 Reasons Why Shuichi-kun Should Go Back To Yuki-san

1. Shuichi is very sad nowadays and he needs somebody to play with! (Yuki-san is always Shuichi's playmate, ne?)
2. Whenever they fight, Shuichi always says that he misses Yuki-san, so I'm very sure that Shuichi misses him now, too!
3. Tohma says that Yuki-san gets into mood swings, so fights are always his fault. He needs Shuichi to be there to cheer him up!
4. Shuichi always make sad songs when he's not with Yuki-san.
5. Shuichi makes happy songs when he's with Yuki-san!
6. Shuichi won't play with Ryuichi and Kumagoro when he's sad.
7. Tohma is sad because Yuki-san and Shuichi are sad.
8. Everybody is sad!
9. K's job gets hard when everyone around him is sad.
10.

"What's this?" asked Tatsuha as he finished reading it. "And how come there's only 9?"

"I can't think of any more," I said sadly. "Anyway, it's a gift I'm going to give Shuichi!" I said and smiled again, taking the list from him. "Because I really think Shuichi should go back. I talked to him yesterday and he said that he couldn't because it's not yet time and there's something he's looking for. I don't know what he meant by that, and I didn't ask him to explain because I don't want to sadden him more. But I'm making a list so maybe I can help him find what he's looking for. I really don't want to see--"

Before I could say that I don't want to see everyone like this, Tatsuha cut me off because he suddenly lunged and hugged me. At first, I was scared because nothing never really comes out good whenever people touch me this way unless it was I who started the hug. But I eventually knew that the hug didn't imply anything, and that it was actually a pleasant and friendly gesture. I hesitantly hugged back and spoke, "Anou, Tatsuha?"

"I'm sorry," he said, still hugging me. "You just make me really happy sometimes."

I blinked, tilting my head a bit, but the only thing I saw was Tatsuha's dark hair. But what did he mean by what he said? Sometimes, I feel as if Tatsuha's the older one between the two of us. I think he notices it too. But I like it this way. I haven't known him for long, but he already gained much of my trust. I feel as if I'm always safe around him, and that he'd never hurt me. Tohma always warns me to be careful of the people I befriend, but it just so easy to get along with Tatsuha.

"Great," he said as he finally let me go. "I'll help as much as I can," he added, standing up. He straightened his clothes and looked at me. "But for now, I think we need something to eat. I'll go check to see what we have, you can go around if you want. Just don't disturb Eiri, he can get really moody."

And so Tatsuha left. Kumagoro wanted to go with him. I told him that he'll just bother Tatsuha-san, but he won't listen. In the end, Tatsuha broke our fight and said that it's okay for Kumagoro to come because that means that he can ask him about what I would like to eat without having to bore me as he look around. Not that I'll get bored anyway, but Tatsuha can be really thoughtful sometimes.

And so, I was left looking around, my list still in hand just in case I'd get an idea. I really tried to do what Tatsuha told me to, but I just couldn't stand there without looking back at the hallway where Yuki-san's office room was. If he was working, it doesn't sound like it. He's being too quiet. Unless he writes his novels by pen and paper, I'd bet he isn't doing anything in there at all.

I looked towards the kitchen to see if Tatsuha was looking, and assured that he won't see me, I walked towards the hall. The door seemed to be slightly opened, and I could see Yuki-san's back as he sat there in front of his laptop. At the far corner, I could see a box of cigarettes lying on the floor. I have no idea how it got there, but I think it's a good thing that Yuki-san isn't smoking right now. I wonder if he himself threw it away?

But I quickly looked away when Yuki-san moved. I moved behind the wall, peeking only a little way lest he sees me. Not that he looked like he's going to turn to me, though. He had pushed his chair back and was now laying his head on his folded arms. Beside him was what looked like a CD case, and I recognized it to be the newly released album of Bad Luck. I didn't know Yuki-san was one of Shuichi's fan, but then again, he should be. Shuichi is a great singer! The CD itself seems to be inside Yuki-san's laptop, and he's listening to it through a pair of small earphones.

When I first listened to that CD, I asked Shuichi about the songs. Shuichi would always make great songs, and though this new set was just as good, I noticed that they contained sad, tragic lyrics. He didn't say anything about it and just shrugged his reply, saying that those things just came to him when inspiration struck.

Watching Yuki-san now, I think I understand the meaning of the lyrics as I now play them all in my head. What especially stood out was the promotional song of the album itself, the one Shuichi just recently finished. I think it was one of the saddest song Shuichi ever did. And I think that that is the reason why that track seems to be the one playing over and over in Yuki-san's player.

//
Listening to the echo of your voice in my memories
The illusion that kept me going seems to fade away
The sun rises from the horizon and I see the break of day
Revelations come in this morning litany
Never in your words did you say you love me
Eye blank, little by little I feel you push me away
I'm sorry to miss it, I must've gone blind
But I can see clearly now

So long have I thought that we'll last forever, that what we have is enough
But though in love, I'm still human, I can still make mistakes
//

That's was how the song ended, or so I remember. Yuki-san should stop listening, because I don't want to think that Shuichi meant what the lyrics implied. He couldn't. And Yuki-san shouldn't hurt himself so much. I know he's hurt, because even with his back to me, I can see how tired he was. He was shaking, though his movements were so small I could've missed them.

I suddenly felt so heavy that I had to push myself away from the door. Somewhere around me I could hear Tatsuha talking to Kumagoro about whether he should open the can of fruits or just the peaches. I looked down at my list. I now know what to put for #10, but I won't write it down just yet. What Tatsuha has done for Yuki replayed back in my head, and with a sidelong look towards the kitchen, I made up my mind.

I now convinced myself that Yuki and Shuichi are going through this things for nothing. Of course, I have nothing to do with what's going on between them, and I know nothing when it comes right down to it, but with the way I see it, they're just hurting each other with what they're doing. Shuichi said that he is looking for something, and I think he'll find it with Yuki. I just think that he doesn't know how to look. But even if they do get together, I doubt things will change if Yuki won't give Shuichi what he needs.

Unless somebody does something crazy enough to draw attention.

"Tatsuha."

I reached the kitchen just in time for him to look towards me, and something about the way I called him seemed to make him stop. I could see him frown, but my thoughts were too deep that I couldn't even do as much as comfort him. What I was about to say, what I intend to do...there's something in me that pushes me to ask his permission. I have a feeling that I might hurt him if I don't. Tatsuha's feeling always have to come in check.

"I think I have a plan."

End of Chapter 6

I'm so sorry if this took long to come out. I seem to be neglecting my Hunter X Hunter fanfics lately because of this one, so I kind of swore that I won't write anything Gravitation related until I finish something for HxH ^^; Anyway, there you go! Since I took long, I'd give you all a teaser for the next chapter. --peace offering, please accept!

Chapter 7 will be narrated by Fujisaki Suguru *all hail!*. Ryuichi will do something nobody would expect him to do, but would be enough to snap Yuki off his "pathetic reject" state. Plus, Yuki/Shindou break-up goes to the public! I have a feeling that I'm just about to mess up Fujisaki-sama's career o.O

Tatsuha plushies to the following people for the wonderful reviews! Megamie-san for appreciating Tatsuha's greatness, I thank you. And yes, he does deserve to spend more time with Ryuichi. I really want them to be together, but this fanfic isn't big enough for romantic developments of so many couples, unfortunately. Maybe next time, when I'm done with this one ^-^ Evil Tsubasa and Colleagues, thank you so much for reviewing every chapter. It seems that every time I check my reviews, you're always there ^-^ I'm feeling a bit sorry for Yuki now for some reason, and I do want him to be with Shuichi. I'm still thinking about the ending because I don't want it to become a sappy reunion of some sort. No, I think I like seeing Yuki getting hurt ^___^ Tairamika, I also like the Uesugi brothers, I think they're really cute when they're together. We don't know much about their relationship though, except that Tatsuha seems to be afraid of Yuki enough to not play anything tricky around him =P As for fangirl eeking and eeping, *taps space beside her* here! Let's annoy the world together! *^-^* Setsuri, thank you for the gifts! *glomps pack of strawberry pocky* Haha! I inserted something in this chapter about strawberry pocky for you ^____^ And yes, Fujisaki-sama will have his very own chapter next *all hail the genius that is Fujisaki Suguru*. silvercross, kyaaah! *major glomp and sings, "It's a small world after all..."* Thank you for reading this fanfic. As for SD...ehe...ehehehe...*hides behind her chair* Rukawa-sama is such an arsehole! I don't know what to do with him! *throws temper tantrum* SD is currently on hiatus for me right now, I'm sorry. I kind of lost interest in SD pretty quickly, I'm really so very sorry! o I hope you understand, I'm really really really very sorry *teary eyes and apologizes over and over*. mad melma, thank you for reviewing! Hai, I hope you would review again so I'd know if I'm doing as well I'm expected to ^-^ yamatoforever, thank you for reviewing again! Tatsuha and Ryuichi may be up to something. Actually, I think all the characters are o.O Things will come together in the end, so please be patient! Chibi Kitty, yes, there will be more! Thank you for the enthusiastic review! Astralkitten, thank you, I still have much bug spray ^___^ Besides, I wrote this in the middle of the day, so not much bugs =P I found out that inspiration comes during the evening, so I thought that nighttime is the right time for me to contemplate on what I should write about and just write them in the morning ^_____^ Thank you for reviewing again! *glomps* And yes, love Tatsuha because he is a god himself, he just won't admit it, mwahaha! hopeanne, wow, you reviewed the chapters one by one! ^____^ Thank you! And thank you for liking the Mika chappy. It's so good to know that people didn't find it bad, thank you so much. Thank you thank you thank you so much to everybody!

Again, crappy lyrics are written by me. I noticed that Japanese lyrics tend to be more poetic than Western lyrics, and that's why I have a special fondness for them, and that's why I really tried to follow that "tradition". I like to consider myself a poetry lover; words usually blow me away. You can make me go teary-eyed by singing to me a song with beautiful lyrics. Hyah, I'm that pathetic ^_________^