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

Sorry it took me longer than usual to update this time, I've been a bit busy this week :S

Everybody has different opinions of the characters in Gravitation, so I hope no one is too disappointed by the portrayals in this story. I hope you all continue to like it, thanks for reading! Over 100 reviews! I can't believe it! I thank you all 1000 times, I'm not worthy!

By the way, big question: I'm thinking of writing a Valentine's Special, would you like to see one? Let me know!

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                                                                                                                                   Love knows no reasons,
                                                                                                                                       love knows no lies.
                                                                                                                                   Love defies all reasons,
                                                                                                                                         love has no eyes.
                                                                                                                                     But love is not blind,
                                                                                                                                love sees but doesn't mind.
                                                                                                                                        Author unknown

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War of Hearts

Chapter 7

A Perilous Encounter

Yuki's touch on his arm was warm in contrast with the cold night wind that ruffled the leaves of the trees below them.

'We are going out,' was all the novelist had said. He felt Yuki guiding him carefully out of the balcony and into the lounge. He couldn't bring his eyes to meet those of the novelist; he was afraid they'd send another one of those unprecedented blizzards that paralyzed him earlier. But above all, he didn't want to agitate him any more than he already had.

They both stood at the edge of the sofa, Shuichi hiding his eyes behind soft strands of hair and Yuki clenching his jaw and looking to the side. He was going to make things right, he reminded himself, but something about Shuichi was causing him to break into a cold sweat.

'What's wrong here? It's not like other times. Why is he avoiding my gaze? It's not the meanest thing I've said to him. Why is he so quite?' A million questions invaded the writer's mind; something was definitely making him feel uneasy. Yuki reached out for the fragile man in front of him and cupped his delicate chin, tilting his head upwards to force visual contact.

What the novelist found sent a chill down his spine; Shuichi's eyes were glazed over and he appeared to be looking through him, as though Yuki was some kind of spectral being and not a human in the flesh.

Shuichi didn't say anything for once, no words came to mind. He'd apologized enough times during the course of their relationship to last him a lifetime. That bizarre layer of permafrost was still numbing his heart and he felt oddly detached, as though the whole scene wasn't real. He had tried to call Yuki repeatedly and it was the novelist's fault for not realizing the phone was disconnected, if he'd wanted to check up on him, then he could have just called. He felt so tired, so very tired. This game was starting to get a bit old now.

Yuki waited for a reaction from his lover and he braced himself for the oncoming slaughter of whines and tears that would surely ensue soon. It was okay, he was ready, he could take it. Then he would wait for him to calm down and pat him in the head and call him a baka, and everything would be as good as new.

Silence.

"I'm sorry," the novelist finally whispered.

Shuichi's eyes widened in surprise and looked into the amber orbs of his usually aloof lover in disbelief. It was not that Yuki never apologized; it was just that after the outburst he'd let out earlier, the singer couldn't believe he'd atone so easily.

"Shuichi." 'Don't make this harder on me, please.' Yuki closed his eyes and swallowed hard.

At this, the singer lounged himself in his arms and started to cry openly.

Well, not quite what he'd predicted but close. The novelist wrapped his arms around his lover's lithe frame and run his fingers through the singer's hair.

'My name, he called my name, he sounded so confused. He does love me, he needs me; how could I not see?' Shuichi buried himself further onto Yuki's shirt and sniffled. The world was coming back into focus and the frosty bite in his chest had disappeared and been replaced by that familiar blanket that was now kindly returning the senses to his body. 'So warm, so warm.' He sniffled some more.

"I'm really sorry Yuki," Shuichi lamented between muffled sobs.

"Don't be. It's my fault. Now let's have a shower and get changed, okay? I'm taking you out for dinner."

Shuichi's face instantly radiated with happiness as he pulled his head back to smile at his grumpy boyfriend. "Where are we going?" he questioned, not bothering to hide the excitement in his voice.

"Somewhere I've never taken you before," answered the blonde with a hint of mystery.

Shuichi freed himself, albeit reluctantly, from his lover's hold and stormed towards the bathroom.

"Yuki, Yuki, Yuki, I'm so excited, I love surprises! Yuki is taking me out on a mystery date! I'm so lucky!" Shuichi shouted as he practically ripped his clothes off.  He could hardly wait to be out of the place with his beloved and on a date, no less!

Yuki followed the singer leisurely and arrived at the bathroom door; he was pleasantly surprised with the sight that greeted him. The vocalist was completely naked now and had his back to him; he was whistling some merry tune whilst looking for a clean towel in the cabinet. The novelist allowed his eyes to roam pruriently over the smooth landscape before him. From Shuichi's toned legs, up the curvature of Shuichi's plump and delightfully shaped buttocks, around his tiny and pliant waist and along those delicate thin arms. His shoulder blades jutted out slightly from his back (Oh, now that was something Yuki loved), and finally that long, gracious neck of his. screaming for attention.

Shuichi was startled to hear the door close behind him and find the novelist examining him thoroughly and shamelessly with fire in his eyes golden eyes, hands behind his back. He blushed beat red instantly and heard the lock being latched into place.

"You can shower first if you want to," he said smiling.

"Oh, I wouldn't want to delay us any more than necessary. It would save us time if we just showered together, ne?" Yuki had made his way to where Shuichi stood and was grazing his elegant fingers over the singer's smooth neck. This action made the younger man shudder and he rolled his head to the side, which quickly prompted the writer to latch at his neck and collar bone, kissing, biting and licking, leaving wet trails with his tongue in his wake.

All was definitely good again.

~*~*~*~

Shuichi and Yuki sat in the luxurious Mercedes. Yuki was wearing one of his black suits with a burgundy shirt whereas Shuichi had opted for a pair of navy trousers he saved for special occasions, along with a plain white shirt that accentuated his lavender eyes and magenta hair. They both wore black shoes, except Yuki's looked more worn in since the singer hardly bothered to dress up. Yuki stole a quick glance at the man humming next to him and the corner of his mouth twitched slightly; he looked absolutely adorable.

"Na, Yuki, give me a hint, what kind of restaurant is it?" Shuichi pulled out the puppy eyes in a desperate attempt to crack his lover's will, but to no avail.

"I said I was taking you out for dinner, I never said I was taking you to a restaurant." 'Now that's the only hint I'm giving you Shuichi. You'll never guess anyway.'

The singer frowned. 'Out for dinner but not to a restaurant? What kind of statement is that?' He then looked out of the window. They hadn't ventured into the city; instead, they were driving through the outskirts and the suburb they were currently in looked posh and fit for the very wealthy, although he'd never been there before. It only served to amplify his enthusiasm and he couldn't help bouncing in the seat and looking all around him in search for something that might give Yuki's intentions away.

The gates to the house were wide open and the novelist pulled in onto an ample driveway. "We are here. Can you tell already?" Yuki pulled the hand break on and switched off the engine.

Shuichi stepped out of the car and examined the place thoroughly. They had parked in front of a very nice house; it wasn't excessively big, compared to some of the ones along the same street, but it was definitely just as classy and stylish, if not more so. The garden was well kept; all the rose bushes were perfectly trimmed and shaped, strategically placed to make the most of the space. The little pond to the side was crystal clear and mirrored the image of the full moon in its complete stillness. Even the pebbles were round, smooth and of unusual colors. Definitely not your average house. There was a garage on his left with its doors closed, no more cars were visible. As Yuki approached the door, a light lit above him bathing him in an orange glow.

"Stop scampering around baka. Come here." Yuki opened the door to the house and stepped in, followed by a somewhat panicky Shuichi clinging to his arm. Yuki took his coat off and perched it on a peg at the entrance.

"Yuki where are we? Whose house is this? Why have you brought me to someone's house?" The young man's voice was a mixture of anxiety and anticipation. The house inside was as elegant as one may have expected, and as they made their way further in, they could hear classical music coming out from a room.

Suddenly Shuichi was very afraid and stopped dead in his tracks, rooted to the floor in fear. Yuki had brought him to someone's house for dinner, as a couple! Whose house was this? A fellow writer? His editor? This was NOT what he was expecting. They had never gone out in public like this! Just what the hell was Yuki thinking? And why today of all days? And without warning too! He could have sworn Yuki worn a delighted and self-satisfied expression on his face.

Yes, he was definitely smirking. Yuki Eiri could be so cruel sometimes; he was enjoying torturing the poor singer by keeping him in the dark.

"Relax. It's not as bad as you think," said Yuki calmly. Shuichi spotted a door that stood ajar a couple of meters away from him. 'A washroom!' He unclipped himself from Yuki's arm and locked himself promptly in the bathroom, hyperventilating with his back resting against the door. 'Not good, not good.' His eyes darted around in the darkness as he looked for the light switch with trembling hands.

"What the hell are you doing, baka?" Yuki turned the knob but found his lover had imprisoned himself inside. He banged his head against the door, frustrated by the childish actions of Shuichi.

"Shuichi, I'm going to count to ten and if you haven't come out by the time I'm finished, I'm going to break the door down and drag you out by the ears," he said as he rubbed his temples lightly, "I'm sure you don't want to make a scene like that, now, do you?"

"You wouldn't!" tried Shuichi, without as much conviction in his voice as he would have liked.

"Try me," was all the novelist said before sighing in exasperation.

"One,

two,

three,

four-"

He was cut off by Shuichi's cry of desperation. "Okay, okay, I'll come out in a minute, just give by a moment to collect myself, okay? I'm sure you don't want me to screw things up more than I do."

"Five minutes, Shuichi. That's how long you have, else I'm fulfilling my threat. You are worrying over nothing anyway."

Shuichi heard as Yuki's footsteps carried him away from the door and he yelped in relief. Walking up to the mirror, he checked himself. The hair was a bit messy, but then again it always was. His face didn't look too good though; the rosy colour had been drained from his cheeks and replaced by a tinge of yellowish-green.

"I think I'm going to be sick," he muttered, resting his hands on the sink for support.

He walked into the lounge and examined the scene before him. The table had been carefully prepared, complying with all the guidelines of Japanese formal table setting right down to the last detail. Some elements of occidental origin had been blended in nicely as well. All the paraphernalia was in place: two wine glasses per person, a larger glass for water, all on the right hand side. Additionally, a cup for sake had been added. As to be expected, a pair of carefully decorated chopsticks was placed first in front of each diner, each on their quaint rest in the shape of a silver leaf. Just atop the chopsticks laid the rice bowl on the left and the soup bowl on the right. Above these two, were the pickles plate and the side dish. All the bowls were made out of fine lacquered china ware. The long sturdy table was high like the occidental tables, and was covered with a pristine and delicate white table cloth. On the middle of the table, a pulchritudinous arrangement of fresh roses provided a focal point. Either side of the fine flower vase, two long, exquisitely engraved and shiny silver candle holders stood proud, several scented, glossy candles in their grasp gave the room an intimate touch as their light flickered weakly. He also spotted the traditional Japanese cooking pot. The blonde lifted one of the crystal glasses and flicked a nail against it, making it 'clink'. He heard someone creep up behind him and put the glass down.

 "Eiri, you actually came! Did you bring Shuichi with you?" she asked with a voice he hadn't heard in a long time; a happy voice.

"Yeah, the baka is having a nervous breakdown in your bathroom right now."

"Eiri! You haven't told him where you've brought him have you?" she asked amused. Well, at least Eiri seemed to be having fun for once.

"And to what do we owe this exuberant display? You know I don't care for excessive presentations." Yuki's tone of voice didn't betray any emotion, except for slight annoyance at the, in his opinion, needless lavishness. 'Shuichi will like it though,' he admitted to himself.

Meanwhile back in the washroom.

Shuichi had gotten his breath under control and was starting to look healthy again. His hands had stopped shaking and he was recovering his confidence again. This was a good thing, he told himself, he would not be a nervous wreck, everything would be just dandy. That's right, Yuki trusted him enough to bring him over for dinner at a friend's house and he was not going to disappoint the writer. He grinned like a madman in front of the mirror and failed to repress a lunatic cackle. The two men that walked pass by the corridor at that moment looked at each other in confusion at hearing the creepy sound.

Back in the lounge.

"Eiri, it's not often that we have guests for dinner. Besides, in case you haven't noticed there are five places allocated at the table," she grinned. Why did she sound so elated? Yuki looked at the table and frowned; indeed there were five seats. At that very instant the two men walked in chatting.

Yuki's ever-narrow eyes widened and his mouth opened slightly; certainly the biggest display of human emotion she had seen in a while.

"You have got to be kidding!" Yuki glared at everyone in the room individually. He'd been cornered, and they knew it. Well he would unequivocally not give them the satisfaction of watching him fall prey to their little scheme.

"Now, now Eiri-san, is that way to greet your good old cousin?" The blonde smiled, "I know we don't exactly get along like a house on fire [1] but couldn't you abandon the disdainful and stuck-up comportment and grace your sister for once?"

"Hatori, please, don't order Eiri to drop an attitude you yourself are showing right now, that's called hypocrisy." Mika defended her brother, Hatori had done nothing wrong, that she knew, to deserve such a welcome, but cousin or not he was being too vicious and she would not stand for it.

"I'm sorry Mika, I do apologize." The photographer cooled down straight away.

"It's not me you should be apologizing to," she replied glancing at Eiri and cocking her head slightly.

"I'll apologize if he apologizes to me first," he said without malice.

A pink-haired boy could hear the sounds of what sounded like an argument coming in from the room at the end of the corridor, had he ruined everything already? He rushed in and clumsily stumbled in the room, loosing his footing and crashing against someone's back. The person in question turned around and caught him before he fell. Black pants, black shoes, flash of blonde, a familiar voice, "Sorry Yuki, is everything okay?" He looked up and was greeted by no other than the man who'd tended to him last night. The photographer winked at him and smiled.

"Ask him yourself."

Yuki sprang forward and practically slapped Hatori's hand away from Shuichi's wrist.

"This was a mistake Shuichi, we are leaving." Yuki dragged a stupefied Shuichi towards the door as the singer realized the situation. Tohma, Mika and Hatori stood there, just as bewildered as he was.

"Ever so grateful Eiri-san. Never mind the fact that your sister has spent the whole day in the kitchen and has poured all her efforts into perfecting a family dinner. You still don't care for other people's feelings. I can't believe I actually thought you might have grown up a bit since last time we met." Hatori spoke evenly, clenching his fists at his sides.

Yuki stopped at the door and turned around, shooting his cousin the most venomous glare he could conjure, but Hatori didn't even flinch. Instead, he countered Yuki with a minacious scowl of his own. His cousin was wrong if he thought he feared him, he'd come face to face with plenty of men much more murderous than him amongst the leaders of African guerrillas. Compared to them, Yuki's daggers felt like a child's frustrated attempt at hurting a rock with their flimsy kicks. He knew fear, and this wasn't it.

Now Yuki remembered why he didn't like Hatori; their temperament was too similar, like the same poles of a magnet, and they repelled each other with the same force magnets would. Damn the genes that cursed through their blood. He looked over at Mika, who suddenly appeared very frail and saddened, defeated even. Tohma was rubbing her shoulder comfortingly, and Shuichi just looked back and forth between the two men as if he was spectating a tennis match.

He would not pass as childish. However, Yuki Eiri always did what he wanted; he didn't care what others thought, right? But her sister's pained expression was getting the best of him, and he was ruining everything for Shuichi too. He was certainly not doing it because of what that idiot had said.

He released Shuichi's wrist and swallowed his pride this once. He could have sworn he'd get food poisoning, the taste in his mouth bitter like bile. He straightened his shirt and walked to the table where he sat down with his head held high.

"Fine," he said lackadaisically.

The tension in the room could be cut with a knife, the air was filled with apprehension and it seemed as though everyone was holding their breath.

'Nothing that a little wine cannot mend,' Mika was quick to react and produced a bottle of expensive looking red wine.

"Shuichi, would you mind helping me out in the kitchen for a second?" she asked the singer.

He looked back at her in utter confusion. "Eh?" was all he could manage with a dumbfounded expression. She looked irritated for a moment and grabbed his arm; it seemed people were doing that a lot this evening. Tohma also left the room after Mika, saying he was going to change into something more comfortable.

The two blondes remained silent, ignoring each other purposely to the best of their abilities. The only sound in the room came from the speakers; they could both recognize Mozart's William Tell Overture playing, it was almost comical. As if on cue, they both took out their cigarettes and lit up; nicotine would soothe their boiling blood.

tbc

[1] Ok, my beta told me in America you don't say "get along like a house on fire". Doh! Who understood that line? Anybody? In Britain you say it to mean that two people get along extremely well and when they get together they get carried away because they just get on so well they give off sparks sort of thing. Oh, well, explanation over.

Well, how was that? What will happen over dinner? Two lions head to head!

Now you know a bit more about Hatori and how he knows everybody, more explanations in future chapters! Why don't Yuki and him get on? Just what did he do in his time abroad? Is he going to find out about Yuki and Shu? What are his feelings towards our lovely singer exactly?

I'm pretty sure most of you know William Tell Overture, if not by name I'm sure you'd all recognize it if you heard it. I can just picture those two in the room with that playing and I can't help but laugh.yeah.I'll go and hibernate for the rest of eternity now.weird humor, oh well!

*Goes and hides under desk*

Thanks again to all those who review, I think I have a few new readers (maybe?) and that I've lost a few along the way. Oh well, can't blame them! ^_^ Thanks to all those who read even if they don't review, I hope you are all waiting to hear more on this!

What would I do without my dearest beta reader? Little Dai-chan goes by the pen name of Animegirl9 and she is an awesome writer. Her stories are beautiful, powerful, steaming and the characters are greatly written, especially Eiri! Lots of action and exciting pairings go on in her fic The Opposite of Gravity, along with a big secret little Ryu-chan is hiding! I worship her and thank her for putting up with my antics and helping me with comments and correcting my awful punctuation! Thanks Dai-chan, you rule the world! Now everybody go and read her story, you will enjoy it, guaranteed!

As always, Mirai Aria gets second mention. Thanks for reviewing and reading the story, even if it can't compare to your masterful Yuki fic. What do you think of the last chapter? Predictable I know. Well I'm sorry I can't weave plots like yours but I hope you found a small amount of amusement in it!

Dark Kagome 2: Wow you were my first reviewer! Thanks for the threat, it makes me feel good! Don't worry I rather enjoyed writing this last chapter and I'm already working on the next one! Hope you continue to enjoy! Thanks a lot!

justxme: Well Yuki is a bit short when it comes to words. He wouldn't tell Shuichi straight out, but Shuichi knows him and can tell, so they reconciled ^_^ How long does the calm before the storm last? Will there be a storm at all? Keep reading to find out!

CPV Phantoms-CTFA: Ah *sigh*, you always grace me with your reviews so early! Thanks, it's very encouraging! You call me Pato-sama *blushes*, that's a big name! Anyways, Dark P don't turn into Hulk, it's bad for your blood pressure... Thanks Crimson P for rescuing me from Dark P's evil claws. Let's make peace though, okay? *Steels glomp from Boogiep, winks*. Lol.

Anime-Earth: Don't worry. Hatori is nothing like Shigure, well except he's a joker! But he takes things more seriously than Shigure and he's about to take matters even more seriously.

Pan-chan5: Hope you are still itching for the next one!

Punky-girl: Ah, the dinner is next, what will happen? Wait and read!

Black Dios: Thanks for Pocky and for reviewing, you always do. BIG THANKS *glomps*

Phoenix 3:16: Did this chapter capture your attention too? I hope so! Yes, love triangle is in the air! And things are going to heat up soon enough! But let's not jump ahead of us, everything in due course.

mayorie: Oooh! New reviewer! Hello and welcome to War of Hearts! Yes, my point exactly, Hatori will not be a push over, but can he catch Shu's attention? Well, we'll have to sit tight and watch the whole thing unravel!

Risukii-chan: OMG!! I love your reviews! I would love to give you the award again but need to have variety. I'm glad you liked my crazy line, Hatori just can't help but tease, and I think he needed to relax a bit himself; Shu makes him feel so awkward! I know he may have been a bit OOC with the idea I was giving, that's why I said I'll be more careful from now on. We don't know all there is to know about him though; hopefully things will become clearer in the future. Keep your head intact, no head banging please; you are too precious to loose you at this point! I'll update soon, tell me how you like it and be honest, ne?

Princess of Mirrors: Hopefully this chapter wasn't confusing, is Yuki okay?

firedragon97: Bwuaa haa haaa Yeah, tension is building up alright! More to come in the future ~_^

Naeda: thanks for reviewing Chapters 1 and 2. You are probably not reading this chapter this week, but by the time you get to this chapter you'll see I read your reviews and appreciated them, thanks a lot! Keep them coming!

wyrd2Burfrnd: Yuki kinda knows Shu is special to him, but remember we don't fully realize just how essential things are until we loose them. Will it come to that? Well, that's for you to find out in the future!

KumagorouBeam: Wow, I'm lost for words! God himself! That's too much, Arigatou godaizmasu *bow-bow* (in Sakano fashion). I know the story is nothing original but hopefully the way it is told is entertaining enough to keep you motivated. At first I didn't know how to start, and since it was Gravi, I just thought 'give it Gravi setting', but now  I do realize there is plenty of that going around and people have read it enough times. Fanfics should have new material, ne? Anyway, I'll try my best to keep it enjoyable! :P

Pshyco Gurl: I hope that flowed smooth. That's why I said you didn't know where I was taking the story. I was never gonna have Shu and Yuki in bad terms, well, aside from the usual conflicts. I just didn't want to portray a perfect relationship, because otherwise is no fun! Lol. Did you like this chapter? You can kick my ass into next week if you didn't and I wouldn't blame you, review!

Shiroyuki Hikari: Well and here is why they are so similar! In looks at least; they have the same genes! They may be similar at a glance in character too, but they are very different in many aspects. Keep reading the next few chapters and you'll see for yourself!

Pixy: Thanks for reviewing! I only tortured Shu-chan a little bit here, just by making him panic a bit! He won't be mistreated all throughout, but life can't always be peachy!

Kitsune011: Thanks for reviewing! I understand it may not be your cup of tea, but thanks for commenting on it! All feedback is valued!

Baybhie: I understand you been busy, I thought you weren't reading it anymore but I'm happy if you drop every now and then and tell me that you are! You were my 100th reviewer too! Wow, over 100 reviews, I never thought people would like it and that I enjoyed hearing from all of you so much! *Hearts floating around me*If you continue that is. Anyways, you know I reviewed Phone Call, get those two together soon! You know everyone is dying to see it!!

Authormichals: Here is the new chapter, I hope you enjoyed it! Hatori is Yuki's cousin! That's why they look alike! But they are different. More to come next; and just how is Hatori going to try to get Shu anyway? Will he do that to his own family? Wait. he doesn't know Yuki and Shu are together, does he? Mmmhhh. the answers in chapter 8!

AISH a.k.a. Kitty in the Box: I'm glad my explanation made sense! If you are ever in doubt, just ask! Yes, I think Hatori is sexy too, well in my mind he is anyway! Confrontations coming up! Or are they? Read chapter 8 to find out! Thanks for reviewing!

This week's Award of the Week goes to a very talented writer I discovered this week. She reviewed in Gurabyteshyion but said she is following the story here. I almost died when she said she did! I was ecstatic and beyond myself with happiness.and stress!! _  She is extremely talented and the two stories I've read by her made a huge impact on me, since I agree with what was being said. Some of the best stuff I've ever read, I take my hat off to you! Her pen name is Reika and her two fics Cruel and Smiling Monster are a must read for anyone that appreciates good writing. 18 or over strictly though! Go on, I know you will go and read anyway, but I warned you, not for the eyes of youngsters! And if you read them and don't understand them, well then that'd explain why you read something easy and light hearted like my fic, for hers are outstanding pieces of work. I find it hard to believe she is reading this story, I don't blame you if you stop :P I have many ideas I want to put forward later, but I get sidetracked, lol. Anyways, thanks for reviewing, you are the best!