A/N: Thanks to the great reviewers! We love you all!
Disclaimer: We no own any characters menioned, nor do we own Muses song 'Time Is Running Out' that we use here
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Everyone was nervous as they prepared to go on. The man on stage was taking forever describing their ban before finally calling them up. "...And here they are! The Shichinin-tai!" The crowd gave a cry as they walked up under the bright lights and took their places.
They got ready and Jakotsu started the song. "I think I'm drowning, asphyxiating. I wanna break the spell that you've created. You're something beautiful, a contradiction. I wanna play the game. I want the friction. You will be the death of me. Yeah, you will be the death of me. Bury it...I won't let you bury it. I won't let you smother it. I won't let you murder it. Our time is running out and our time is running out. You can't push it underground, we can't stop it screaming out. I wanted freedom but I'm restricted. I tried to give you up but I'm addicted. Now that you know I'm trapped sense of elation. You'll never dream of breaking this fixation. You will squeeze the life out of me. Bury it...I won't let you bury it. I won't let you smother it. I won't let you murder it. Our time is running out and our time is running out. You can't push it underground. We can't stop it screaming out. How did it come to this? You will suck the life out of me. Bury it...I won't let you bury it. I won't let you smother it. I won't let you murder it. Our time is running out, and our time is running out. You can't push it underground, we can't stop it screaming out. How did it come to this?"
The crowd screamed as they finished, and everyone smiled, except Renkotsu who simply smirked.
They stepped off the stage and were greeted by a smiling Souten. "That was great! You're definitely going to The Battle!" She told them confidently.
"Let's hope so." Bankotsu agreed giving her thumbs up as they smiled at her. Jakotsu shrugged. The next band came up, and they all watched the performance sternly.
It finished and the judges discussed the three finalists that would be chosen. The members of the Shichinin-tai, plus Souten, were all rigid as they waited for the announcement. The first two bands were announced. But they paused before announcing the last finalists. "The Shichinin-tai."
Souten let out a whoop of joy, hugging Renkotsu awkwardly around the middle in her joy. "Woo-hoo! You guys did it!" she cried, laughing happily.
"We did it!" Jakotsu cheered hugging Bankotsu.
Bankotsu grinned, but he couldn't hold down the bursts of laughter that filled him. "Alright!" He yelled, shoving a fist into the air.
"This calls for a celebration." Jakotsu told Renkotsu. "You up for cooking dinner tonight?"
Renkotsu moved away from the gleeful Souten. "I suppose...." He said with a shrug. They drove back to Renkotsu's house and Renkotsu hit the kitchen immediately.
Souten was still letting out whoops of joy and hugging everyone happily as Bankotsu and Jakotsu hopped about the room, as gleeful as she. Then the phone rang; Jakotsu rushed to answer it. "Hello?" he answered.
"Hey, is um...Renkotsu there?" A female voice asked impatiently.
Jakotsu smirked as he picked up the female voice. "Oh Renkotsu!" He called in a happy singsong voice. "There's someone on the phone for you!"
Renkotsu came out and snatched the phone away. "Yo."
The girl on the other line smiled. "Hello Renkotsu."
"Hey." He replied in a would-be-casual voice.
"Uhm, what's that noise?" She asked, hearing another whoop from Souten and a hearty laugh from Bankotsu.
"Um...we're kinda..." he started. "Jakotsu get away from the phone!" He snapped suddenly, pushing said black-haired boy away from the phone. "Celebrating..." he finished, having subdued Jakotsu.
"Oh, celebrating what?" She asked happily, though she was a bit puzzled by the shout.
"We got into battle of the bands," he told her slamming the kitchen door in Jakotsu's face, for some privacy.
"Oh awesome!" She congratulated him, smiling happily as she clapped her hands together.
"Yeah, uhm, hang on a second." He said setting the phone down and sticking his head out the door. "Would you guys shut up?!"
Everyone stopped and stared at him. "What's the matter, Renkotsu?" Bankotsu asked him as Jakotsu smirked widely.
"I'm on the phone, shut up!" He growled.
Jakotsu waited until Renkotsu slammed the door back behind him again before turning toward the others with the evil smirk. "It's his girlfriend." He said, grinning wider at the words.
Renkotsu stuck his head back out the door and glared. "It's " He lied slamming the door again and picking the phone back up. "Sorry, the idiots were getting outta hand."
Yuka laughed on the other line. Behind Renkotsu, Jakotsu poked his head through the door. "I didn't know you had family." He commented innocently, trying to look interested in the new idea.
"Jakotsu GO AWAY!" Renkotsu yelled.
"But I thought you didn't-" Jakotsu protested before he was forcefully removed from the doorway.
"Stupid idiot." Renkotsu fumed locking the door behind him.
"Hmm?" Yuka asked, confused by everything. Especially the yelps and slamming doors resounding through her phone. "What's going on?"
"The idiots won't shut up." He told her. "I can't have a moments peace with them around."
Yuka smiled and laughed slightly. "I know how you feel."
"Really?"
Yuka laughed. "Yeah, my parents are always bugging me about stuff. I'm hiding in the closet right now." She proclaimed with another laugh.
"They still don't like me?" He asked raising an eyebrow.
"I'm not really sure, I just don't want them to find me right now is all...."
"They probably still hate me anyway." He said casually. "Not like I care."
Yuka smiled. "I don't care either, and I don't think they hate you."
"No I left a really good impression with the smoking and black clothes and the fact that I'm 18 and your 15 and I'm about to go to college." He remarked sarcastically.
Yuka laughed again.
"Oh and I'm in a band- and I'm usually really greasy, really the kinda guy you take home to your mother," he added.
"Or father." She pointed out with another giggle.
"Definitely not father."
"They'll be fine." She promised him, still laughing.
"Oh yeah right, especially after I swear they saw me walking with Bankotsu, Jakotsu and Suikotsu with a cigarette hanging out of my mouth, half-drunk. They LOVE me."
"It doesn't matter if they do."
"And I'm pretty sure they think I'm a pothead."
Yuka tried to hide her laughter. "They might." She conceded as she brought her parents to mind.
"Might? Right."
"Well, I'm not certain." She said with a sigh. "They won't say anything cuz they don't wanna fight with me, so I have no idea what they think."
"Then you should ASK them what they think! That's what got me kicked outta my house." He said shrugging.
Yuka laughed. "Yeah, but if they kick me out too, I have nowhere to go."
"You can stay here," he said with a shrug.
"Well, yeah," she said thoughtfully. "Plus I don't wanna argue with them either, it's a waste of time, and it's annoying."
"I understand that," he agreed, glaring toward the door.
Yuka laughed again. "Sounds like it." She joked.
"You try hanging around people like Jakotsu."
"He can't be all that bad."
"He's a female-hating overly-feminine male."
"But he must have his good points...."
"He can sing."
"So? Boys can sing."
"That's his good point."
"Oh. Eheh," Yuka felt embarrassed at her mistake.
"He wears more makeup than you."
Yuka was silent for a few moments, not sure how to answer. "...That's strange."
"Yeah, strange isn't the word."
"Eheheh, maybe not," she agreed.
"God, they make ME cook," he grumbled staring at the ceiling.
"You're a good cook though!"
"I'm cooking for five people today. I know I'm a good cook." He added arrogantly.
"If your head gets much bigger, it'll pop," she warned him.
"...Yeah, right."
"I'll bet you're looking in the mirror right now to make sure." She laughed.
"No, I'm cooking my Cajun Chicken, wanna come over and meet the family?" He asked dryly.
Yuka peeked out of the closet carefully and looked around. "Yeah, sure." She whispered into the receiver.
"Eh...okay, just, come in through the back way, straight into the kitchen," he added in a mumble.
Yuka smiled. "Ok, see ya soon." She said before hanging up and darting away from the closet as swiftly as possible.
Renkotsu hung up and walked out of the room to put the phone back on the charger. Everyone looked up as he came in. "So, what's up?"
"What?"
"What's up?" Bankotsu repeated, pointing to the phone.
"What do you mean? I was on the phone big deal."
"Well, what did she say? You were gone a pretty long time."
"We were just talking."
"Ok." Bankotsu said with a shrug.
"I still didn't know you had a cousin." Jakotsu added.
"Yeah, why so long on a cousin?" Souten asked. "You haven't seen her in a while?"
"Yeah that's it." Renkotsu said gritting his teeth.
"Oh, where does she live? Over in the next town?" Souten questioned him again.
"I dunno, leave me alone."
Souten was silent; feeling a bit hurt; though she was used to Renkotsu's attitude. "Fine," she huffed.
"This proves it!" Jakotsu exclaimed excitedly.
"Proves what?" They all asked, and Renkotsu glared daggers at him.
"That he wasn't talking to his cousin! Cause he's being too snappy and glaring at me like that!" Jakotsu deduced.
Everyone turned toward him and Renkotsu glared at them all angrily, daring any of them to speak. No one spoke and he turned and walked back into the kitchen, where Yuka was waiting with a 'your late' look.
Renkotsu made a face, even as she smiled. "Is everyone in there?" She asked, going toward the door.
"Yeah, but they're being asses, stay in here."
Yuka nodded, stopping dead halfway to the door. "I'm almost done with my cooking shift, its gotta simmer for ten minutes." He said sitting down. Yuka sat down next to him silently nodding again. "You're quiet."
"Just thinking..." Yuka said with a shrug. "You'd rather I be loud and attract their attention?"
"No its just you're usually really loud."
Yuka smiled. "I thought you didn't like it when I'm loud."
"Exactly, it's a nice change."
"That's mean." She pouted.
"I know I am."
Yuka sagged her shoulders and pretended to be hurt. Renkotsu yawned and shrugged it off. "Is it almost done?" Yuka finally asked.
"Hmm, we have 5 minutes to make out then call them in here and pretend that we didn't if that's what you mean."
Yuka laughed at him. "You're weird."
"No you're a mouse," he countered yawning again.
"What?"
"Small, squeaky, annoying, and you mate rather quickly."
Yuka blinked at the last part of the statement. "How rude." She commented, making a face.
He shrugged. "You asked."
"You didn't have to add in that last part."
"Its called brutal honesty deary, get used to it." He snorted with a touch of sarcasm.
"I'm pretty used to it around you." She retorted.
"Really now?" He asked blandly. "And I'm pretty used to anyone you associate yourself with hating me so we're even, no?" He retorted crossing his arms. "'Cause you're a twit like that."
"Moron."
"Bitch."
"Ass."
"Dinner's ready!" He called out the door. "Snot."
"Pyromaniac."
"And proud."
"About time, Renkotsu!" Jakotsu cried, walking in and spotting the girl right away.
Yuka smiled at him after sticking her tongue out at Renkotsu. "Hello." She greeted him happily.
"Is this girl your 'cousin' Renkotsu?" Jakotsu asked evilly, making quotations in the air as he said 'cousin'.
Yuka looked quizzical, cocking her head to one side. Renkotsu simply glared at Jakotsu who was getting happier about it by the minute. "No." Renkotsu growled.
"Oh, then who is she?" He asked, taking a seat next to Yuka, who appeared completely confused.
"Just...a friend."
Yuka looked from one to the other, still a bit confused. Jakotsu made a face at Renkotsu's answer as the others walked in.
"This is Renkotsu's 'friend' Yuka." Jakotsu told them smirking.
Bankotsu and the others regarded her with smiles. "Hi." She said, a touch embarrassed. "Um...Jakotsu, how do you know my name?" She asked him flatly.
"School," was his reply.
"Uh-huh...." She said with a nod, though she wasn't entirely convinced.
They all ate before Jakotsu got the 'light-bulb over his head' look. "Hey! Stop lying Renkotsu you don't have any friends!" He exclaimed victoriously.
Everyone looked over at Jakotsu. Souten hid a giggle in the palm of her hand as she looked between Yuka, Renkotsu, and Jakotsu. Renkotsu sighed, glaring. "Will you shut up?" He asked tightly.
"No I'm just trying to prove that she's your girlfriend."
"Well you're doing a hell of a job."
"Exactly, so is she your girlfriend Renkotsu? ...Strange, I really didn't think you swung that way...."
Renkotsu looked about to murder him. "You're the only one like that, freak."
Jakotsu glared. "Just answer the question!" He snapped impatiently.
"Tch." Renkotsu growled. "Yes, and will you shut up about it?!"
Jakotsu fell out of his chair in shock. "You...you're...I mean...you're kidding!" He stuttered. "I mean...you...and...a...girl?!"
Yuka and Renkotsu looked at him angrily. "Yes." Renkotsu snapped.
Jakotsu sighed. "I never thought."
"Well, now you know." Renkotsu informed him.
"You don't have to be such a jerk about it." Jakotsu pouted dejectedly.
"You didn't have to keep asking about it."
"Just curious."
"You're curiosity is quite annoying."
"How come I've never seen you two together?" Jakotsu asked suddenly. "I mean...are you that...unpublic?"
"I have made a point of avoiding you, if you must know." Renkotsu said bluntly.
"Are your get-togethers so X-rated you cant go out in public or it could get outta hand or something?" Jakotsu asked with a perverse grin.
"No." Yuka and Renkotsu both said sharply.
"So y'all are a boring couple?"
"Why are you asking?"
"'Cause I'm curious to know what you do behind closed doors Renkotsu."
"That hardly makes me feel comfortable."
"So? I'd love to know!"
"I don't feel like discussing it with you."
"Does that mean you two haven't DONE anything?!"
Yuka turned toward him again and glared along with Renkotsu. "Will you just give it a rest?"
"Um, Jakotsu, I think we need to be getting home, c'mon Souten." Bankotsu said quickly, and they all left.
Yuka sighed as she watched them go, Jakotsu kept trying to hang back to try and talk some more, but Bankotsu thankfully pulled him away.
"Told you they were idiots."
"The others seemed fine. Jakotsu was a bit...pushy though."
"He's just insistent, I think it's his way of making sure you're not a slut or something stupid, he hates females. Thinks their all evil or something."
Yuka giggled. "I'm not sure if I should be flattered or angry."
"Something about his mother, be flattered cause you hurt when you're angry."
"Oh, she must have been horrible." Yuka mused. "What do you mean I hurt when I'm angry?" She demanded suddenly.
"I was sore all over for weeks." He replied with a reminiscent, somewhat perverted smile.
"That's sick." She said, edging away from him.
"Its true!"
"I didn't hit you that hard."
"That's not what I was talking about."
Yuka looked at him quizzically, trying to recall the memory he was speaking of.
He with held a laugh. "...Hmm...now that I think about it...pleasurable, actually." He added smirking.
Yuka gave him a shocked look. "I really have no idea what you're talking about."
"I know," he admitted shrugging. "You really didn't fuck me that hard." He added.
"What in the hell are you talking about?!" She demanded.
"Bah...kidding mouse-girl, chill out."
Yuka sighed again. "That's not nice."
"Why not?"
"You had me worried for a minute cuz I couldn't remember any of that."
"Hah. I know I know. But while we're on the topic...we could go and do it righ-" he started, but she cut him off.
"Don't you even dare!"
"Now."
Yuka crossed her arms and watched him carefully from her seat. "Just a question Yuka, don't get so huffy!"
"I'm not!" She said, straightening up.
"So do you wanna?"
Yuka rolled her eyes. "You're persistent."
"No you just make me desperately horny," he told her sarcastically.
"Thank you for sharing...."
"It's a yes or no question just answer."
"Well what do you want me to answer?!" She demanded before she knew what she had said.
He rolled his eyes. "I'll state this in simplest terms for your little mouse brain- do you want to spend the night?"
Yuka looked at the phone and thought about her parents before smiling. "Yeah."
"Score- I mean, um, okay that's cool." He said in a would-be-casual voice.
Yuka rolled her eyes. "I said stay the night, not sleep with you."
"Please?"
Yuka looked at him sidelong and rolled her eyes again. "What's that face for?"
"No reason."
Yuka sighed again.
"I'm going to sleep." He told her yawning.
"Ok." She said, following him out and looking for a place to sleep.
He plopped down on his bed, yawned again and 'fell asleep'.
Yuka looked around and curled up in a chair, closing her eyes and trying to doze off. Renkotsu opened an eye. "That does not look comfortable."
"It's not."
He slid over to the edge of his bed. "Sleep on the bed, I won't bother you."
Yuka looked up and made a face before walking over and plopping down next to him, making sure to keep her space. "...I don't bite." He told her laughing.
"I doubt you do." She agreed with a small, hidden smile.
"Jakotsu'd have a field day if he saw this."
"He would." Yuka laughed at the thought.
"Yeah, now I'm bored and not tired."
"Hmm, that's a problem."
"How so?"
"Cuz you won't go to sleep then."
"Again, so?"
"And you need your sleep." Yuka said simply, running out of reasons.
"...Why?"
"Because sleep is good for you." Yuka said in exasperation, rolling over to face him.
"So? I don't need it all the time."
Yuka sighed, closing her eyes. "Fine."
"Yeah whatever."
Yuka sighed, trying to fall asleep. Renkotsu mimicked her obnoxiously. "Why are you doing that?"
"To be annoying."
"Ah, I see." She commented, opening her eyes again.
"Whatever."
Yuka rolled her eyes at him. "You're going to keep me up all night."
"No I'm not."
"Yes you will."
"No I wont."
"Fine, you won't." Yuka gave in with a sigh.
"Yes I will." He countered smirking.
Yuka made a face. "Fine, fine."
"What?"
"You're going to keep me up, that's what." Yuka looked around for the nearest clock to check what time it was.
"It's barely 11:00." He muttered closing his eyes.
"Oh..." Yuka said, having thought it was later than that.
"Goodnig-" he started, but fell asleep before he could finish the thought. Yuka smiled at him before closing her eyes and drifting off to sleep as well.
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Cutie? Hehehee...