Ch. 1
Hello, and welcome to the first chapter of Eternally Yours! I hope you enjoy it! A few things:
1. I'm basically going by the manga (not completely, but mostly). In the manga, the characters are more interesting and complex (Suguru has a pretty different personality in the manga, so if you think he's acting OOC, and you've only seen the anime, that's probably why XD)
2. Keep in mind this is my first time writing a fanfiction that is not InuYasha centered. So if it's weird ::quotes Sakano-san:: please, tell me so! Please, tell me so!!!
3. The part about Aizawa-san isn't meant to be insulting to anyone in a wheelchair or with a mental handicap. ::nervous glance:: But it is meant to be insulting to Taki XD Also, about that part, Taki isn't technically declared mentally ill, but I decided to assume he would have been, sooner or later. After all, being that obsessive isn't exactly healthy. But once again, it's NOT an insult! It's merely something that Shuichi thinks, and not meant to be offensive at all. So please, don't flame me for it.
4. If you take the time to read it, please take the time to review it?
"Doko ni mo, tomaranai, mitasanai emo-" Those words echoed across the studio, off-key and screechy.The pink haired vocalist frowned at his mic, tapping it stupidly. "Is this thing on?"
That simple comment was enough to send their producer up a wall. The bespectacled man crumpled into a tiny ball on the floor and began sobbing pitifully. At the keyboards, Suguru Fujisaki plunked his head into his hands and sighed.
"Mr. Shindou, you need to get your act together right now." Suguru tapped a few keys on the synthesizer. "Shall we begin again?"
"Don't tell me what to do, Fujisaki." Shuichi pouted, flicking the buttons on his mic. "We can't sing correctly until Hiro's here, anyway!" The singer folded his arms and shook his head. "So I'm waiting."
This response caused a reaction from the blonde American, who had been sitting placidly on a wooden chair only moments before. In seconds, the American was up, with his magnum out and pointed at Shindou's head. "Hiroshi said he was going to be thirty minutes late." Mr. K. began, his American accent loud and obvious. "That is thirty minutes of free time that you two"-he nodded at Shuichi and Fujisaki- "could use to your advantage. This next few weeks will decide if we trounce Nittle Grasper, or go back to being opening acts. Understood?"
Shuichi nodded, his terrified eyes glued on the gun. Suguru smirked and raised the volume on the synthesizer.
"Are you ready, Mr. Shindou?"
"Yeah..." Shuichi, still pouting, grabbed the mic from Mr. Sakano. The producer smiled weakly.
"The mic's on..." Sakano said timidly. Shuichi glared at him.
"I know it's on." Shuichi said, reattaching the microphone to its stand. Mr. Sakano quailed under the vocalist's fury, and sank back into his chair, muttering his apologies.
"Can we start now?" Fujisaki asked impatiently, checking his wrist watch. The sixteen year-old ran a hand through his dark green hair and shot Shuichi an angry look. "We've already wasted ten minutes."
"Fine, fine." Shuichi rolled his violet eyes and nodded at his keyboardist. Fujisaki flicked a switch on the synthesizer, and the opening to the 'Rage Beat' began to play. Shindou tapped his foot, waiting for the opening to end. The rolling notes sounded in his head, and his mind wandered back to the first time he had heard the song in concert. Zepp Tokyo Clubhouse, to be exact. As an opening act for their old rivals ASK. Of course, ASK wasn't a real rival anymore. Not since their lead singer, Taki Aizawa had suffered a fatal accident, which had rendered his legs paralyzed. Which had in turn driven him to the brink of insanity.
No one wanted to pay to see a band that had a lead singer in a wheelchair. Not to mention one on the verge of being admitted to a loony bin, after all.
Shuichi didn't want to be insensitive, but he did feel sort of thankful to whomever had pushed Taki in front of that car. The papers had reported that the said car had been traveling at a normal speed, and that the driver had seen a figure shove the singer into the street. But the culprit was either very elusive or very rich, because no arrests had been made. ASK had proven to be more trouble then they were worth, what with Taki threatening Eiri Yuki and Shuichi with everything under the sun, and now that he was out of the way, Shuichi could concentrate a bit more on his singing.
But obviously not enough.
"Mr. Shindou!!" Suguru's angry voice cracked into Shuichi's head, and he winced.
"What's wrong?"
"You missed your opening!" Suguru complained, his brown eyes flashing. "If you continue moving at this rate, I might as well qu-"
K clicked his gun. "Care to finish that sentence?"
"No thank you." Fujisaki responded cooly, but Shuichi could see his bandmate's jaw clench. Shuichi smirked and was about to say something about it, but he heard a car stopping out front, and he turned toward the door to investigate the driver.
A young man, around Shuichi's age, stepped into the studio, his long auburn hair running loosely down his back. He carried a guitar case, and wore a good-natured smile. His usual outfit of black jeans and a white t-shirt had been replaced with a Seguchi Tohma-like outfit; a collared blue shirt with fancy black pants.
"I'm sorry!" The guitarist said, flashing his smile at everyone in the studio. "Ayaka-chan was running late, so our date ran late. And I didn't even have time to go home and change."
"It's fine, Mr. Nakano." Fujisaki said, not even raising his head to look at him.
"As long as you're here, Hiro!!" Shuichi yelled happily, his eyes sparkling. He always felt he sang better with Hiro, than without him. He supposed it was the fact that he and Hiroshi had planned to become rock stars since... what, fifth grade?
It was surprising that the two had stuck to that goal.
Shaking all negative thoughts out of his head, Shuichi grinned back at Hiro and motioned for the guitarist to go to his regular spot.
"I can sing, now, Fujisaki!" Shuichi said, throwing a childish smile Suguru's way. Fujisaki returned it with a serious glare.
"Let's see if you can walk your talk, then." Fujisaki replied, causing Shuichi to fume in anger. Hiro winced, taking off his sunglasses. No matter what happened, Shuichi and Fujisaki could never seem to agree on anything. Whether it was the beat of the music or the concert costumes, the two always clashed in decision.
"Hit it, Hiro!" Shuichi yelled, his throat feeling light and clear. Which was, in his opinion anyway, the perfect way to sing. Hiro flashed a thumbs-up Shuichi's way, and struck the opening chord on his guitar. Suguru joined in the song, his fingers flying on the keyboard.
Just like Seguchi's... Shuichi thought blandly. He quickly shook off his thoughts, and opened his mouth, expelling the words easily and without trouble.
"Obieta mezuki de, iradatsu omoi-" Shindou stopped again. Something was missing.... He turned to his bandmates, only to see Hiro's guitar leaning against a chair, not being played. "Mr Nakano?" Fujisaki had unplugged his synthesizer and was frowning toward the open door that lead out into the hall.
"Mm-hm! Oh yeah! I've never tried their food.... what time-? Oh, of course! When should I pick you up? Seven? Sounds great! Later!" A beep was heard, and Hiro strolled back into the studio, four pairs of eyes on him.
Fujisaki spoke first. "Mr. Nakano, need I remind you that we have a concert coming up? There's no time for antics such as these! In fact, I -"
"Hey Shuichi, would you mind if I took off early today?" Hiro cut in, ignoring the young keyboardist, who looked annoyed.
Shuichi bit his lip. In truth, he'd rather Hiro stayed here and practiced, but he just couldn't bring himself to deny his best friend.
"No problem, Hiro!" Shuichi said, easily plastering on a huge fake smile."Say hello to Ayaka-chan for me!"
"Mr. Nakano!" Fujisaki's voice trailed after Hiro, as the redhead flashed the "V" sign while he exited the studio.
"Well.... I suppose if Hiro's gonna take off, I'm gonna get going too." Shuichi announced, grabbing his green backpack.
"Mr. Shindou!" Fujisaki opened his mouth to say something, but shut it quietly. "Fine, fine, but I expect you both to be ready to practice tomorrow."
"No problem, Suguru!" K grinned, clicking his gun.
Sakano sighed and crumpled into a puddle on the ground, sobbing desperately.
And Shindou Shuichi, backpack in hand and cell phone to ear, dialed a familiar number, a wide smile on his tanned face.
"Yuki! I'm coming home now!"
