Disclaimer: Gravitation is the property of Sony and Maki Murakami and X Japan owns the titles.











Unfinished

As they exited the automatic doors of the increasing occupancy of Tokyo International Airport, Fujisaki Suguru and Nakano Hiroshi experienced the frosty chill the morning day brought with its beautiful sky. The late fall's peaceful dawn was filled with the trees in the far distance that lost their leaves. The sky towers and offices were a welcomed addition against the backdrop of the cool blue sky with its various shades of pinks and lavenders along the horizon. Each individual window rippled the rising sun's image on its mirrored surface. It was a good morning to fly with a windless blanket that awoke the senses, carrying the smell of perfume from passing women in its nippy embrace.

"Boy its cold," Hiro commented to Suguru, as they walked through the mounting group of arrivals to the van waiting for them in the parking loop. The ebony automobile's luxurious appeal was nothing less than what NG Records could offer. It was sure to have a heated interior to bid more than his blue jeans and white pullover did. His long brunette hair added some warmth around his neck and face. "I suppose it'll warm up as the day goes on. Then maybe Ayaka-chan and I can go out if the weather stays nice."

"I honestly don't care about it much," Suguru mentioned under his breath, not appearing excited about being back in Tokyo as he was before. Something was bothering the young teen, but he wasn't in the mood to discuss it with present company.

"Bet you wish we could have brought back the warm weather of Nagasaki with us," K expressed, the manager nudging the two young men along.

"Hey, it might be in Shuichi's backpack," the guitarist joked, recalling the weight of the overstuffed red bag he was forced to lug until he found its scampering possessor.

"Well, it seems we brought back something from Osaka, and I don't mean the crowd," Suguru announced, stopping to point up at the long but remote line of gray clouds that beckoned to shatter the splendor of the upcoming afternoon.

Passing him by, Producer Sakano acknowledged the keyboardist's observation, as he followed the others, acting more composed than usual, either for or because of his Shacho's approval. Feeling awkward carrying Ryuichi's pink bunny from helping him with the band's luggage, Sakano held it out to K, hoping that the singer's former manager was used to it more than he, and K willingly grabbed Kumagorou's ears. "The TV stations inside have listed a fifty-fifty chance of freezing rain, as the temperature drops. Looks like we may be in effect for an early winter. We're lucky to be leaving the airport before rush hour."

Suguru blew on his hands, keeping them warm. With a shake of his head, he resumed his walk to the car, greeting the driver who was assisting the men with putting their luggage behind the last row of seats. "Don't say anything about this to Shindou-san," he warned, "unless you want to hear his complaints the whole way about Yuki-san driving home in it."

Shrugging his shoulders in indifference, K headed towards the van's open- sliding door, patting his holster. "It doesn't matter. No weather or traffic delays for us, or airport security to confiscate my gun."

"Let's be thankful for that," said Sakano sarcastically, straightening the suit he slept in on the plane before entering the van. K snorted to his companion's comment as he crossed his arms and leaned against the framed opening. With K around, there was little need for a security force, looking like a soldier surveying the scene, though the stuffed animal in his hands diminished the effect.

"By the way Nakano-san," K voiced, "did you ever figure out what was bothering you?" Remembering K asked about yesterday's concerns, Hiro pondered whether he could answer today. Never did he mention Shuichi's run in with Taki Aizawa, or the bold things Shuichi claimed to have said to the man who apologized for his horrid act. Everything seemed fine once more; until he woke up and had the distinct feeling Shuichi was trying to avoid him. On the other hand, Shuichi was in a hurry to find Eiri, so naturally he had to take a backseat to his lover. Once again, Hiro was thinking he was trying to create a problem that didn't exist.

"What are you guys talking about?" Suguru asked, and Hiro briefly glanced away to think. The teen let out a huff and simpered. "Does this have something to do with whatever you and Shuichi were chatting about last night?"

"What did you hear?" K asked, cutting in before Hiro could reply. Anything that might harm Bad Luck's members personally and publicly made K disconcerted. Hiro was also curious as to how much Suguru overheard on the plane.

"Only Shuichi's loud mouth talking about Bad Luck, Yuki-san, and some apology by a guy," he recalled fuzzily. "Did you two really have to talk so loud? I was sleeping."

"Again, sorry about that," Hiro apologized.

"We don't have a problem, do we?" inquired K with censure in his tone.

Not wanting him to start investigating something that might already be resolved, Hiro waved a hand in dismissal. "It's all right, K-san. Shuichi ran into a guy in the airport, when we went to find a drink, and I was worried about what may have happened. Like Suguru said, the guy apologized to Shuichi and he's fine. Shuichi said he handled things. You saw him this morning. How did he look to you two?"

"He was running so fast to find Yuki-san how could I tell?" Suguru laughed, speaking the thought Hiro previously considered. "That's typical Shuichi behavior."

"That's what I want to hear," K said with zest, nodding with a grin, "because if there is a problem, I will find out. I always do."

Claude K. Winchester, or K for short for both his privacy and being easier on the Japanese tongue, was a six feet tall, thirty-six-year-old, blond and blue eyed American, who was excellent as a manager, willing to do absolutely anything for the sake of Bad Luck, no matter how embarrassing it was for the band, as long as they came out fan-fawned. They were grateful for everything he did nonetheless, but K had a way of motivating that bordered manipulation, when the trio endeavored to get out-of-line or disobey him. It was comical to anyone not under his supervision, unless they upset K as well.

"Fujisaki-kun, being Tohma's cousin, you've been to America," Hiro began in a low voice for only him to hear, as he deposited his luggage in the back and then put his icy hands inside the fleecy pockets of his pullover, keeping an eye on K. "Are all Americans like K-san?"

Adjusting the collar of his magenta dress shirt after it flipped up when he removed the luggage strap from his shoulder to place it with the groups', Suguru considered his question. "There's the NRA, but I don't think even they act like K-san."

"Let's be thankful for that," Hiro whispered with a laugh, and Suguru stifled his own. Thinking about what K said referring to a problem; Hiro was trying to do the same. Shuichi's his best friend, and if there was a personal problem, Hiro wanted to discover it before anyone else in order to give Shuichi real help. If Shuichi didn't want to talk about something, he would have a good reason, and Hiro didn't want K intruding on territory that didn't concern him. "Let me ask you one more thing," Hiro started, keeping his voice low.

"Yes?" he responded.

"Would you tell me if you notice anything peculiar about Shuichi?"

Taken by the question, Suguru was bewildered. "I thought you said everything was okay with Shindou-san."

"It is!" Hiro declared. "At least I think it is. He does seem tired to me. I just don't want K, Sakano or Tohma bothering him if things aren't. Let's keep this between us."

"Okay," Suguru accepted, though nevertheless puzzled.

"Thanks," Hiro said with a smile to assure him as he turned away.

"Nakano-san," stopped Suguru. "I'm not sure if I'm remembering this correctly and it may be none of my business, but did Shuichi say that he wanted this guy who apologized to him to go to Hell?" Suguru could see Hiro flinch. "To me, it sounds like it wasn't a stranger who Shuichi ran into if he could be so harsh. Do you know the guy?"

"Let's just say that if Shuichi wants him in Hell, it's perfectly fine with me," Hiro stated, not caring if he sounded cold.

Surprised by his bluntness, Suguru reverted to the original subject. "I'll let you know if I notice anything funny with Shindou-san."

"Thanks," Hiro said.

"Did I know him?" Suguru asked abruptly.

"What?" Hiro asked.

"The guy Shuichi collided with, do I know him?" They looked at each other and Suguru noticed Hiro's answer by the look on his face. Briefly, Suguru considered he was butting in on something personal, but Hiro nodded an affirmative to his question. "Who?"

"What's holding us up?" they heard their manager call. Shocking them out of their conversation, Hiro peered over to see K was not shouting at them. It was to the middle-aged, portly driver.

"I'm sorry Sir," the driver announced in a gruffly voice that the two musicians could hear with the back doors open, "but Seguchi Tohma-san has not arrived."

"Is no one here reliable?" K muttered to Kumagorou.

Suguru exchanged curious looks with Hiro. Weren't Tohma and the others behind them? Sakano and K were already present, but they were three people short of their party. Looking from their perspective in the parking lot, not one of the people huddled outside to leave the airport were who they missing.

"Where is my cousin?" Suguru questioned with some impatience. "And where's Shindou-san and Sakuma-san?"

Suddenly many of the people near the airport doors began to stumble forward in surprise, opening up a line through the path as Sakuma Ryuichi came charging through, and for a split second Suguru and Hiro were afraid the press or fans were aware of Bad Luck's return from their tour, despite K's deception to the press that the band wouldn't be returning to Tokyo for another day. Having Sakuma Ryuichi with them could only fuel their fire. Running his way through the crowd like he was racing to a finish line were bringing more people to the man in the olive green parka with tinted hair's attention. To make matters worse, he was calling for K loudly whose head snapped up quickly to sight him. Instinctively, K reached inside his black trench coat, but he did not remove his weapon.

"Okay, we found Sakuma-san," Hiro huffed. Coming up to the ageless man, K and Hiro were prepared to help get Ryuichi quickly to the van, but they couldn't leave without Tohma or Shuichi. What if they were stuck inside by a mob of fans?

"Ryuichi?" K said flatly, grabbing his wrist and tugging him away.

"Sakuma-san, what's happening? Are you all right?"

"No," Ryuichi answered. "It's---"

"What?" Hiro asked.

"Cold-cold-cold-cold," chattered Ryuichi, clenching onto K's sleeve. The American removed his hand from the magnum in his holster, and sighed with an accompanying eye roll. Much like Shuichi, Ryuichi could complain over the littlest things. Being his former manager, it was an almost easy transition to manage Shuichi. "I don't like morning cold, na no da!"

"I know, I know," replied K, putting a hand on the back of Ryuichi's neck and pushing him towards the car.

"Kumagorou and I only like the cold when it's raining," Ryuichi continued, happily accepting the plush bunny K pushed towards his chest.

"Yes I know," K repeated, looking at Hiro with a funny grin.

"Or when it's snowing," he went on.

"Or Christmas," Ryuichi and K said in unison, obviously having heard this on other occasions. "All right, get in the van. It's warmer in there." More than happy to obey, Ryuichi bounced into the van, causing it to momentarily rock.

"What about Seguchi-san and Shuichi?" Hiro inquired, curious to their whereabouts.

Ryuichi popped his head back out of the van, resting his pink bunny on his shoulder. "Tohma and Shu-chan said they'd be out soon. They took a detour."

"Detour?" Suguru repeated, confused and a bit annoyed for what seemed like no reason. "To where?"

"Coffee break!" Ryuichi clarified, but beginning to pout. "Tohma wouldn't let me come. He never lets me drink any coffee, saying decaffeinated isn't decaffeinated enough for me, whatever that means." K averted his face to hide his smile. Sakuma Ryuichi on a caffeine buzz only translated to emanate danger. "Tohma knew I wanted to hang out with Shuichi, but he insists I come here instead. I hope they aren't doing something secretive."

"Me too," Hiro muttered lowly so K and Sakano wouldn't hear. "Shuichi doesn't like coffee."

"You said he was tired," Suguru replied, thinking of the most obvious reason. "I'm sure my cousin talked him into getting a cup with him. He wouldn't have any reason to otherwise, right?"

"I guess," he mumbled, leaning against the doorframe.

"Tohma and Shuichi are such slowpokes," Ryuichi complained, but his pout quickly turned into a smile as his face brightened with a suggestion, his body already hopping out of the van, planning to disperse the crowd with his energy. "Hey, Kumagorou and I can go get them."

"No way," K yelled. Not wanting Ryuichi causing another scene, he snatched Kumagorou and threw it far into the van, accidentally hitting Sakano in the head.

"K-san!" he cried.

"Kuma-chan!" Ryuichi wailed in horror, diving in after his precious bunny, crashing into the already flustered producer. The feisty American grabbed the handle of the sliding door, and slammed it closed with a 'whoosh,' almost crushing a startled Hiro's hands with it, if he hadn't jumped back like he did.

Taking his friend and moving towards the row of seats behind the dazed Sakano, Ryuichi made sure the pink cotton stuffed animal was all right. Mimicking the cocked head of the forever-smiling plush, Ryuichi stared at its black bead eyes. "K-chan can be such a meanie," he commented, putting the bunny on his lap, giving him a tight squeeze. But then Ryuichi looked down at his friend with a harsh look. "Hey!" he exclaimed, holding Kumagorou at arms length and looking it in the face. "Seems you got to fly at the airport, after Tohma told us not to. Don't misbehave like that again. Now you sit and save Shuichi a seat, while you think about what you did," he reprimanded, placing the bunny next to him, as he buckled his seatbelt. "I'm sure he'll be here any minute now."

* * *

Many passengers coming and going from the airport were flanking to the Starbucks within the food court, ordering whatever various coffees were offered on the menu. The entire area smelled of the rich flavored beans being grounded and cappuccinos being poured, topped with creams and dustings of spicy cinnamon by the busy workers behind the counter for the desire of the customers moving down the lines.

For Tohma, it wasn't the best place to get a cup of simple coffee. Hanging around a crowded place where he and Shuichi could be noticed was reason enough to leave, but Tohma had a busy day ahead and this may be the last time he could talk to Shuichi. It was the uncomfortable flashes of anxiety from him losing his fake sense of cheer that compelled Tohma to think of a place to go and fast. There was something still left to discuss between them, but they were interrupted by their companions.

It was shortly after Sakano and Ryuichi had approached them that Tohma decided for both him and Shuichi that they would go get refreshments. It was easy to disperse Sakano by easily requesting he go to the car, but Ryuichi required prying him off Shuichi and ordering him to leave. Any other time Tohma wouldn't mind his friend tagging along, as long as he behaved, but Ryuichi didn't like to be around complicated things, and the fashionable blond was pretty sure that Shuichi didn't want to discuss whatever was bothering him with Ryuichi either.

After paying for the two black coffees, Tohma headed out of the food court. They had both decided it would be better to talk somewhere else. Too many people sitting at the other tables could recognize them, so they would be better off standing in a more secluded place towards the exit. They could only keep their party waiting for a certain amount of time before they start wondering why their coffee break was taking so long.

When he finally found Shuichi leaning against a pillar, Tohma handed the younger man the hot paper cup. It seemed that he had been occupying his time staring down the row of payphones ahead of them. With rounded shoulders and his sunglasses on the top of his head revealing his puffy eyes, Tohma was sure that Shuichi needed this cup of coffee more than he protested it. "Thanks Seguchi-san," Shuichi said with gratitude, peeling back the plastic lid's lip and taking a long sip.

"I thought you didn't drink coffee?" Tohma commented, surprised that Shuichi was drinking down the dark liquid without a cringe of disgust or choking from the bitter taste.

Swallowing another sip, the vocalist let out a small smile. "I don't, but I force myself on the days when I have to get up early to make it to one of K's meetings. He has a tendency to get carried away with himself if I'm not awake while he is talking. The taste of this coffee is better than the taste of a magnum in my mouth."

"I see. Still doesn't explain why that doesn't motivate you to get to my meetings on time," he remarked with a soft laugh. Shuichi wasn't expressing much in return, and Tohma knew that it was because of what he said to him during their walk.

"Seguchi-san, why did you buy me coffee?" Shuichi inquired, looking over to where Tohma was standing, but instead Tohma's gloved hand was reaching down to pick up the yellow notepad by Shuichi's feet.

"For whatever caused this scribbled mess," Tohma replied in his sinuous voice. "I thought maybe you could use something to wake you up, something to tie you over until you get to Eiri's flat. You're making people worry, and if you are going to keep telling people you are fine, you better start acting like it." Raising his eyes from the paper, Tohma saw Shuichi had returned to staring down the hallway of payphones. The NG Records' president knew that he was good at being indirect with people, almost having it down to an art form. However, there were times he decided to be blunt. Shuichi was well aware of what they discussed in the private conversation before they were interrupted.

Most people might consider what he was asking Shuichi to do was cruel. They might think asking was to kind of a word, when it really sounded like he was telling him what to do. It couldn't be helped in this situation. Accepting Shuichi in Eiri's life meant Tohma had to be accepted too. There was no way getting around it. To both men, Tohma was influential. To Shuichi, he was his boss and a man he looked up to as what Shuichi could become, though Tohma felt that may no longer ring true. To Eiri, he was the one person who was there for him during his hectic youth. The help Eiri needed didn't come from Tohma in the end, but Tohma was his sister's husband, and couldn't easily be forgotten.

"You should throw this out and start over again," he voiced, stepping in front of Shuichi to get his attention, handing him the writing tablet. "Let's go. We don't want to keep K-san and the others waiting. I'll help you with your things." Lifting the red backpack from the floor, Tohma swung it over his shoulder, the bag clashing with his refined clothing. He was amazed at how much the little bag weighed, and spilt a tiny amount of coffee on the feather cuff of his jacket when trying to adjust it on his back. "Oh dear, I'll have to get that cleaned," he added as he proceeded to leave.

"You want me to be totally normal, but you don't even ask what happened," Shuichi stated suddenly, causing Tohma to stop mid-step and turn around.

"I don't need to," he said simply, dropping his façade of a good mood, causing the pink-haired singer to be taken back. They watched each other for a moment, understanding each other without words. Tohma had experience with this situation before, with Eiri. Being the first to look away, Shuichi threw away both the notepad and practically full coffee cup in a nearby trashcan, putting the sunglasses over his eyes. Tohma resumed his smile.

"I want you and Eiri-san to be happy, Shindou-san," he pronounced, following Shuichi by his side as the young man dragged his rollaway behind him. "I'm sure I won't have any reason to check up on either one of you. You know how to handle your situation. You're fine." To visit Eiri often to check up on Shuichi would surely raise suspicion with the romance writer, and the one thing Tohma always wanted to protect him from was being hurt. Besides, the musician had many important plans of his own that had to be handled. Trying to find a way to dismiss Shuichi would hurt Eiri, so he made sure to coach Shuichi instead.

"By the way, he apologized," Shuichi quickly added as they exited through the automatic double doors to the outside.

"And what did you think of that?"

"Everything is fine, remember?" Shuichi smiled, returning Tohma's indirect ways.

"Then I suggest you learn to like coffee and write your little heart out in your song," Tohma suggested. "And tell Eiri-san hello for me."

TO BE CONTINUED

Liked my ending? It suddenly came to mind, so I'm most proud of it. REVIEW please.

And want to know what is bothering Suguru? You'll have to read the next chapter to find out, won't ya?! ^_^

So what do you think? Do you think Shuichi will be able to keep up his little charade and hide his feelings about the situation with Aizawa from Yuki for long? Let's just say there wouldn't be any point to this story if that were true.

Look forward to a lot of exciting things to come with Shuichi and other characters!

And Yuki soon makes an appearance. Are you thrilled? I am. I would like to thank the many people who have said to me in my other story (License to Shrill) that I write Yuki well. That means so much to me.

Review if you haven't already!