Disclaimer: I don't own Gravitation or the characters portrayed within it. I only own this story and a couple of characters in it :D
A/N: I'm back with the third installment of this story! Thank you all for your reviews, they inspire me and make me try my hardest to meet your expectations.
This chapter is dedicated to all Gravitation music fans, I LOVE the music from the show and this is best enjoyed with the wonderful Gravi tracks playing in the background. But if you are not that fond of it, then play anything that makes you want to get up and dance, whatever rocks your socks!!
Also dedicated to Shuichi and Ryuichi die hard fans.
Glossary of Japanese terms used:
Kawaii: Cute ^_^
Iie: No
Demo: but
dejavou des: I'm/it's ok/alright
Na no da: la la la
Na no ka: la la la (but the ka appears in Japanese questions, they don't have the question punctuation)
Arigatou: Thank you
Genky: Happy/carefree
- a cappella: musical term meaning "to sing without instrumental accompaniment"
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Rolls and quakes me
Soothes and shakes me
Pulls and takes me
where I can escape me.
Takes me over
and pulls me under
Makes my closed heart
open to wonder.
Fills my soul
when it's grown empty
the music holds
and soothes
and breaks me.
megg (http://www.teenopendiary.com)
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War of Hearts
Chapter 3: The Concert, getting high
Shuichi was getting his concert outfit on and could already feel the butterflies in his stomach starting to flutter. He could also hear the sound of the crowd outside and another band playing sieving through the thick and long heavy black curtains of the stage, and then through the wooden door of his dressing room, making the items on the table rattle.
It will Bad Luck's turn next.
He was wearing a pair of tight, sleek, red leather shorts (very short shorts.) and a black long sleeved see-through t-shirt. The t-shirt exposed his flat and lithe stomach and the long sleeves attached to his middle finger at the end. On his feet he wore black boots with straps and buckles that came half way up his shin, and last but not least, a long, tight, red coat with red fur all around the hem that hugged his body closely.
He checked himself in the mirror and content with what he saw, left to join the rest of the band. As he opened the door he was hit by the full blast of the activities taking place a few metres above from where he stood. No soon had he closed the door he heard a loud charging noise coming towards him at a dangerously high speed.
"Shu-chan you look great!" Ryuichi glomped the other singer, causing them both to come plummeting down onto the hard, concrete floor.
"Ryu you came! I'm so happy you are here". The pink haired vocalist simpered and glanced up at his idol with adoration. The deity who had become a precious friend in the last few months was looking back at him.
"Of course I came! I wouldn't miss it for the world. I know Tohma is busy tonight supervising the concert and all, so we won't be playing. But that won't stop me from coming to see my favourite performer in the world na no da!" Ryuichi graced him with a beaming smile.
The younger singer blushed at the compliment from the man he considered to be touched by the hand of God himself.
"Kawaii!" Ryu squealed hugging Shuichi harder and causing his reddened face to turn a worrying shade of purple. Ryuichi loosened his death grip on Shuichi.
"Anou . did Yuki come this time?"
"Iie, demo daijobu desu, I don't mind really". But Shuichi was a bad actor and a disappointed look marred his otherwise perfect face. Ryuichi decided to change topic.
"Ne ne? Shu-chan. will you be playing the new song tonight na no ka?" Ryuichi bobbed slightly up and down atop the younger man; if it weren't for the innocent look in his face, the scene would have suggested something entirely different.
"Un". Shuichi nodded, "it's a surprise, I haven't let anybody hear it yet". Ryuichi's smile widened further. "You hear that Kumagorou?" Suddenly a plushy pink bunny appeared out of nowhere. "We'll listen to Shu chan's latest song tonight, aren't you happy?" The cute bunny shook violently in approval.
"It's Bad Luck's new song. Shindou-san composes the lyrics, Nakano-san plays the guitar and I make the arrangements". Fujisaki and Nakano arrived and looked at the two men tangled up on the floor.
"Will you two stop making out? Shuichi get your cute ass off the floor we are up when the next song's over."
"You hear that Kumagurou? Hiro is jealous na no da!" Ryuichi chirped.
Hiro's answer was to roll his eyes.
"Ok Shu, break a leg". Ryuichi turned serious, "I know you can shine, go out there and do your best". Ryuichi got up from the floor and offered Shuichi his outstretched hand. Shuichi grasped it firmly and hugged the older singer when he got to his feet, "Arigatou Ryuichi".
*~*~*~*
Hatori had been given a privileged spot on a level above the crowd and the stage. He was taking pictures of the band playing now. They were pretty good but nothing fantastic. He had been disappointed when Tohma told him that Nittle Grasper wouldn't be playing tonight. Both men had been together at the beginning for a while but then Tohma had had to leave to perform his duties. The concert was nearly over and he had enjoyed it so far. The closing band's name was Bad Luck and his old friend had informed him that they were NG's best asset after Nittle Grasper and wanted good pictures taken of their performance to go on NG's magazine the following week.
It was their turn now, the band was announced and the crowd's screams went up a notch. Just then, a short haired guy that looked quite young came out, followed by a taller one with long mahogany locks. Last to come out was a thin boy with shocking magenta hair sporting a very revealing outfit, covered somewhat by a bright crimson overcoat. The crowd's cheerings increased and between the applauses, all the whistling and the high pitched screams, the noise became deafening.
'Now where have I seen those two before?' And then it clicked. It was that odd kid and his friend at the park yesterday.
A girl threw her bra at the stage and it managed to land right in front of the singer, who in turn turned the same colour as his coat.
"I love you Shuichi! Will you have my children?" The girl screamed shamelessly.
Shuichi looked back at his band members who had by now taken up their respective places behind their instruments. He grabbed the microphone and spoke to the audience.
"Good evening everyone!! First I would like to thank you all for coming here tonight. We'll be performing a few of our songs and a little new tune we composed recently". The vocalist winked. "First up is a song that's very special to us for it was the first we played together as a three member band--" Loud cheers of approval could be heard already and Shuichi waited for the racket to subside.
"Yes, you guessed it right, it's The Rage Beat!!" He signaled his band mates to start playing and the audience went wild as the first few beats of the song came out loud and clear through the large amplifier system surrounding the arena. Shuichi could feel the tingling sensation that started at his feet and quickly went up his body, filling him with new found confidence and energy. He pulled down his eyelids and took a deep breath, and then his eyes changed:
"Obieta mezuki de
iradatsu omoi uwaki na kaze ni hakisutete
hibi-wareta rojou ni
toketa shigunaru wa
kizuato dake nokoshite-iku"
The dainty framed man harbored a surprisingly deep voice within him.
"Madoronda noizu ga asu o keshi-saru mae ni
yabou ni hibiku kutsuoto o oikakete"
Hatori for his part was utterly fascinated by the scene playing before him. The audience loved this band and he could see why. The singer's transformation had been a sight to behold of: one minute he was blushing at the sight of a bra and the next he looked like the most confident man on the planet.
As soon as the music had started the vocalist's expression had changed, it was like he was another person. His voice was powerful and was accompanied by the music rather than the other way around. Hatori started getting really excited; the only other person in the world who could sing like that was Sakuma Ryuichi. The blonde zoomed in on the vocalist's face and for the first time noticed the two, impossibly large, sparkling violet eyes of the young man. He drew in his breath unconsciously and his stomach contracted in a tight knot. Suddenly he'd forgotten to keep breathing and could only look at those two beautiful liquid orbs that scanned the audience as if looking for somebody.
For some strange reason he found himself wishing they found him.
But they didn't.
He started breathing again and ignoring the pain in his lungs took picture after picture of the energetic youth. The guitarist was playing a cool solo and the singer mimicked him by his side and then run to where the microphone stood.
"Mein sutoriito ni kizamu semegi-atta namida ga
ima mo kikoeru kutsuon o hisumaseru
doko ni mo tomaranai
mitasanai Emotion shikato kimete oikose yo
furueteru SHAI na seikai no nuke-michi o neratte
tadoritsuku basho e
I Want New World"
No matter how many times he did it, the feeling was always the same and he just didn't grow tired of it. Singing was his life and gave him a joy like nothing else could, nothing except Yuki maybe.
"Next is a funky little tune I personally love. It has a very good beat, it's fast and it's fun. Up next is Spicy Marmalade!!"
The music started and Shuichi felt as his excitement increased after the warm up song and how the music embraced him, wrapping him up in a halo of perfect harmony, taking him into a world of his own. He moved his head back and forth to the beat and then seized the microphone:
"S-pi-cy Marmalade
jidai wa marude
ui himeta kao de
madowaseru"
He kept singing holding both his hands to the mike until the first few verses were finished. He then took the mouth piece out of its stand and took it with him as he walked up and down the stage dancing to the beat. Shuichi danced surprisingly well. It wasn't choreographed or anything, just his own rhythmic, sharp movements to the music. He had started doing it after a few performances, commencing with a few steps here and there as he felt more and more at ease on stage. He wasn't aware of it, but just as Ryuichi turned from a cute child-like character into a confident grown up in stage, so Shuichi turned into an incredibly sexy performer. He didn't know it then, but when he moved the way he did and sang with that sensuous voice of his, he was erotic beyond belief.
If he had been told, he wouldn't have believed it.
The man in the red coat took the garment off as the heat of the lights and moving around became unbearable, and kept dancing and singing. The fans cheered and a plethora of screams ensued. A girl near the front fainted at the sight of Shuichi's slender legs and provocative hip thrusts. Hiro and Suguru had noticed just how much fans liked to see Shuichi wiggle his body on stage and had agreed on extending the length of certain musical parts during performances to allow the singer plenty of time to build on his moves. Shuichi hadn't even noticed. Pure pheromones oozed out from every pore of his hot, sweat beaded skin, driving the spectators, male or female, crazy with desire.
They were now playing their third song, Jurejurenaru Kisetsu, and Shuichi was in heaven. All there was now was the rhythm and himself. It penetrated his body and touched every single, sensitive fiber, shaking him to the core of his senses, and causing his body to jump up and down and move his shoulders to the music. A pool of energy grew deep inside him and he let its waves come out in powerful bursts with every movement.
Meanwhile Hatori couldn't quite believe what was happening. He could have sworn that boy was properly shining. He glowed white hot with a big bright blaze that dimmed the most luminous of lights on the stage. The blonde couldn't stop taking pictures, he just couldn't get enough, and he was glad for all the film he'd brought along. His breathing was fast and uneven and the palms of his hands were sweaty. His heart thumped rapidly against his rib cage, threatening to break free any moment now. He felt light headed, as if floating on a cloud starved for oxygen, drunk with the overpowering sensations that filled him.
The atmosphere in the concert hall was surreal and the people were high.
High on the music, high on the beat, high on the pink hair's majestic performance; high with the adrenaline that pumped vigorously through their dilated veins. The air itself was electrifying, vibrant, filled with passion and a whirlwind of dancing colours.
And Shuichi shined, he shined like the bright star that he was, and just like a star, he pulled in the people with a powerful gravitation, for lack of a better word. There was no other way to describe it.
The young vocalist sang with all his heart. He hadn't seen the novelist, but at the moment it didn't matter. Not tonight. Tonight he would forget about him and allow himself to be totally happy, even if for a brief moment while he performed. He had his fans who loved him and the support of his band, manager and producer. There was also Ryuichi of course. Ryuichi who had come to see him, only him. Ryuichi who had complimented him earlier. Ryuichi who had invited him to join him when he sang Shinning Collection at Tokyo's festival. Ryuichi, the best vocalist in Japan. His dear friend Ryuichi.
Ryuichi who couldn't sing tonight.
"Thank you, thank you very much!" Screamed the genki singer. "This wasn't really planned but this is turning out to be a very special evening for me and I would like to invite a certain someone to join me on stage for a song."
The audience listened and Sakano started to panic.
"I knew he'd do something like this! Everything was going far too well to be true. Why can't that boy just stick to the program??" He screamed in horror as he pulled K's tie.
"You worry too much, stop fretting." K replied absent-mindedly. 'Well done Shuichi, you are nearly there, just a bit more, not long now, not long. I knew you could do it'. The American beamed with pride.
Sakano turned his head towards the stage, eyes tightly closed, bracing himself he gulped audibly.
Shuichi spotted Ryuichi in the crowd and looked at him straight in the eye. "Will you Sakuma Ryuichi, do me the honour of sharing a microphone with me?" The younger vocalist had extended his hand out with his palm facing up, just as Ryuichi had done earlier when helping him up from the floor.
Ryuichi was in stage in two seconds flat and glomped the lightly clothed man for the second time that evening.
Another girl fainted.
The best singers in the whole of Japan were soon up on their feet and agreed to sing Sleepless Beauty for old times' sake; much to the delight of the privileged crowd that had gathered there that evening.
They sang a cappella, like Ryuichi did on that fateful night the first time they met at Bad Luck's first public act as ASK's supporting band. They invited the audience to join in on their singing after the first verse and soon enough everyone sang along.
Umarekawareru anata yo hitori hohoemanaide hitomi o irodoru
nozonda sekai ga totsuzen hai ni natte mo kiseki ni mada meguriaeru
You who have been reborn,
color your eyes without smiling alone.
Even if the world you've longed for has suddenly burned to ash,
by some miracle we could still brush into each other.
sotto dakishimete kowasu you ni
Hold me gently in order to break me
muku na mama de sarasarete hanabira o chirasu hana no you ni
migaku houseki te no naka no HIBI ni sae kizukihajimeteru
Be exposed in a state of purity
like a flower whose petals have fallen
You're just beginning to notice the days are shining jewels cupped in your hand
(tsumetai te ga) nukeochita toge o hirou kara
(madoromu hi ga) kusuburitsuzukeru
(A cold hand) gathers up the shed thorns, so
(A banked flame) continues to smolder
ima mo todokanu hikari no yukue azayaka ni mau omoi o egakou
michibiku kotoba ga koborete shimawanu you ni utsuru toki o osorenaide
Let's depict the vividly dancing thoughts found in that place of light that is unreachable even now.
So that the words that guide you won't completely spill out and flow away
Do not fear the times of change (1)
Ryu and Shu had an arm draped over each other's shoulders and rested their heads together. The younger of the two pointed the microphone towards the audience and in response they sang that last line at the top of their lungs.
So that the words that guide you won't completely spill out and flow away
Do not fear the times of change
Needless to say their performance was sublime and the loudest and longest roar of applauds filled the magical air.
It was time to close, but not before one last song. Ryuichi left the stage through the curtains, (he couldn't join the audience again, he'd be shred to pieces by possessed fans!), and Shuichi got given a high metal stool to sit on. The mad adrenaline rush had reached its peak and he was starting to come down from his musical high.
"The last song of tonight's performance is a brand new tune I wrote yesterday. It's dedicated to the person I love the most in this world, even if that person can't be here with me tonight", 'or won't be here for me tonight I should say,' thought Shuichi miserably. The audience was dead quite now and hung to every word the young man spoke.
"It's a ballad and there will only be a little piano and an acoustic guitar instead of our usual electronic style. I would also like to take this chance to thank you all once again for coming here tonight. You've been all a singer could ask for and I am honoured by your presence here this evening. We wouldn't be what we are now if it weren't for your support. I am deeply grateful for this experience and I thank you all from the bottom of my heart. Arigatou."
The audience was touched by the sincerity in the vocalist's voice and face and loved him even more now if that was possible.
"I give you The Sound of Your Laughter" and Hiro's acoustic guitar struck a few melodic chords. Shuichi sang and his voice filled the entire hall again, only this time it was more powerful. He poured his whole heart out in his singing and spaced out more than before. The audience was in a trance, as if enchanted. As the song progressed Shuichi closed his eyes and sang for Yuki. He imagined his smile and thought about how he wished he could get through to the novelist's frozen heart and lend him some of the ample warmth that resided within him. Oh! How he wished for him to be happy and smile a true smile! Not one that didn't reach his eyes, but one that came from a healed heart. His voice cracked ever so slightly, but more than enough for the audience to notice, and a lonely tear made its way out of his closed eyelid and slid down his cheek.
The song came to an end and everybody was silent.
Hatori's chest throbbed with pain. It ached so much he thought he'll break down crying any moment now. The anguish in the boy's face was unbearable and it pierced through his heart like a thousand needles. What the hell was this feeling? Nothing made sense. This was so new yet so old to him. He just wanted to go down there and console the young man, wrap him up in his arms and soothe his pain by caressing his hair and face with lazy fingers until the youth slipped into a peaceful sleep. He put his camera down and did the next best thing: he started applauding.
Shuichi, eyes still shut, registered a clapping noise that brought him back to reality. He looked around searching for the source of noise in the otherwise silent space. Glistening amethysts met gleaming emeralds in an intense gaze and Shuichi recognized the man that had partly inspired him to write the song he'd just sang, irises going wide with recognition.
Everyone else joined in a blearing applaud causing Shuichi to come out of his bubble.
tbc.
(1) Translation from animelyrics.com but last line translation from subtitles of the second episode of the TV Gravitation series.
Liked it? Hated it? All reviews welcome.
I would also like to let you all know that I'm very happy for I have figured out the entire plot for the story now!! It's pretty long and filled with angst, mixed feelings, unrequited love and misunderstandings! Ahhhh *sigh* the world of romance is certainly a great place to live
I'll update regularly and will NOT drop it, unless I get loads of hate mail.
Special thanks to:
Mirai aria: for reviewing and mentioning my fic in the last installment of Yuki (outstanding update if I may say so myself! I love your ficcie!!!) Hurry up and update soon, the suspense is killing me!
Black Dios and Seven7: for reviewing and adding me to their favourite stories. Glomps you both. Black God keep working in your fic!
Dementia-12. Obsidian Jewel, Burned Vamp, Ran Mouri and Yuri Rikusentai: for reviewing and/or adding me to their Author Alert List (Wow!)
Kuroi Hikari and KittyKitty: whose reviews I love and crave
hee-chan2 ,AISH a.k.a. Kitty in the Box, Kanberry, pantlantic and Sakura: for reviewing either of the first two chapters
And last, but by no means not least, Animegirl9: a great author, currently writing The Opposite of Gravity (very nice Yuki*Shu action going on here, a must read for all Yuki*Shu fans!!) and also my Beta Reader for this story. Thank you for asking me to Beta Read your wonderful fic and accepting to Beta read mine! You are great!!
