Disclaimer: I don't own anything from Gravi.

Authors Notes: Like I said, all chapters are probably going up today.

Noriko's Story

Angels, Gods…

What are they, really? Figments of our souls yearning for something more out of life? And if you meet either one, an Angel or a God… what do you do? You, yourself are still but a mortal, enchanted by the powerful auras of the Titans you have wanted to see for so long.

I was mortal thrown in by Fate (charming Siren that she is) to be amongst the Gods. The larger happiness I was shown only led me to larger let-downs. My solace I would later find right back where we started out.

Face of an Angel, Voice of a God, Heart of a Mortal

I busted out of the school's main entrance, late for my own planned meeting with the guys.

"Sorry," I puffed, making my way towards them.

Maybe it was time to cut back on the cigarettes… or stop being late to class. The teacher had kept me back for being late.

"It's alright, Noriko-chan," Tohma said as he pulled his jacket a little closer. "Ryuichi and I were just enjoying the weather."

"Nori," I panted, taking a deep breath. It felt like I'd never breathe correctly again. "Please, call me Nori. Nori-chan at least."

I rummaged around my bag, the muffled jiggle of keys taunting me as I couldn't find them. I smiled, pulling them out, looking at Tohma.

"Need help getting anything to the car?"

Ryuichi suddenly looked up, as if inspiration had hit, grinning wildly.

"Seaweed!"

Tohma and I jumped at the sudden cry, looking at him oddly, interrupting the blonde telling me he had his equipment taken care of. I gave Ryuichi an odd smile, my lips twitching, wanting to laugh.

"S-seaweed?" I asked, fighting back the bubbling laughter.

He looked at us with something between disbelief and that of a spoiled child. "Nori…seaweed…Oh come on! My Japanese isn't that bad!"

I couldn't take it anymore. The bubble building in me burst, spilling out laughter. I threw an arm about Ryuichi, laughing.

"Alright Bunny Boy, we'll keep it. But only for you," I told him in between giggles, leading them to the car.

Tohma had burst out laughing as well, following us. "Nori. Sushi wrap. If you call her seaweed, that means you're martial arts. Ryu."

I saw Ryuichi lean in to murmur something to Tohma, but I had turned my attention to the car, interrupting them. "Okay kiddies! Off we go!"

What can I say? I'm easily excitable.

I was about to get in, hand just on the car door handle when Ryuichi pounced on me out of no where in a bear hug. I could feel myself flushing hotly as he did so, but I smiled, hugging him back, feeling familiar with him already.

"Excited?" I questioned with a nervous laugh.

I just wanted my cheeks to stop burning, but Ryuichi just gave me a small peck on one, telling me 'slightly' before slipping into the backseat with Tohma. Or to be correct, on Tohma.

He smiled innocently as he bounced gently in the blonde's lap, grinning as I slipped in behind the wheel, watching him in the rearview mirror.

"Comfy seats you have here, Seaweed. Bouncy too!"
I couldn't see Tohma, he was blocked by Ryuichi, but I heard him murmuring to the other boy in that soft voice of his. I ducked my head as I started the engine, unable to control my blush.

I laughed lightly. "Bouncy is perfect for little bunnies."

I backed out with a wild grin. Driving was a freedom few could understand. "Let's go!"

We sped out of the parking lot, finally away from school. I turned up the radio while we talked on the short ride there. After a few stoplights and almost collisions (note the 'almost'), I pulled into a small place. It looked a little rundown, could use a coat of paint or five, but this was the closest I'd ever come to home.

"Here we are folks: My all time addiction," I shared with them.

Ryuichi made this cute noise of surprise when we had stopped, as if he'd just been caught doing something bad. I watched him sit up, blinking rapidly.

"We're already here? Damn… I was enjoying my seat," he said with a smiling pout as he got out of the car, pressing Kuma to his chest.

I giggled, getting out as well, going around to the trunk, opening it up. I started struggling to get my keyboard out under the mass of crap the usually cluttered my car.

"Bunny Boy, do you write?" I asked over my shoulder, Tohma getting out to join us, pulling his jacket tighter as he came over to me.

"Your addiction?" he asked me, and I looked at him. He truly was curious. "What do you like about it so much?"

"The rush, the appreciation if the crowd likes it," I said, smiling softly. I finally got the keyboard out and shut the trunk. "The fact that you're in control of so many when you're on stage… it's awesome."

Ryuichi finally found an answer. "Depends on what you want me to write."

He was slow and cautious in his speech, eyes looking more at Tohma, as if wanting reassurance.

I couldn't help the look on my face, staring at him as thought he should know better. "Lyrics."

He kept his eyes downcast and I felt guilty. Ryuichi looked hurt. "Yeah… I write those."

"Let me get that for you, Noriko," Tohma offered me, reaching for the keyboard in my hands.

"Oh, you sure?" I asked him absently, hands already releasing the instrument.

It was heavy… he wasn't too big for a guy. Tohma didn't look like he could lift something this awkward.

"Yes," he assured me with a small nod. "You take care of Ryuichi."

I walked over to Ryuichi, giving Tohma a nod. "Don't look like that… I just thought you knew what I meant is all, okay?"

"Ryuichi," Tohma called back at us over his shoulder, "Do you like ice cream?"

"Ice cream!" I cheered with a pleasant smile, taking up Ryuichi's hand. "My favorite is chocolate, what about you?"

Ryuichi nodded at Tohma, eyes lighting up. "Very much so!"

"Then I am going to buy you both lots of ice cream," Tohma told us happily, watching Ryuichi with a smile. "What's your flavor, Ryuichi? I mean, your favorite flavor?"

"Chocolate… for both," he told Tohma, smirking slightly. "I worship chocolate… hell, I'd sell my body for it."

I laughed and opened the door for them. This place was starkly lit, people crowded in, the bar overflowing with alcohol and people. Some waved and called out to me as I walked over to the bar, talking to the bartender for a moment. Then, with a laugh, I went back to Tohma and Ryuichi.

"He says they've been dying for a show! Think we can do it?" I asked, feeling giddy already.

I caught the last thing Tohma had said. "Fortunate for you, I won't make you sell your body… just sing for me."

He laughed, smiling around the keyboard.

Tohma nodded eagerly at me, "Of course we can. Since we're not even a band and we have no material… should we all just play off each other, or should we do a cover?"

I thought about this for a moment, once again not thinking ahead. Well, we had done so well in class, I guess I never thought we'd need music prepared.

"I'd personally like to see what we could pull off," I said after a bit, taking my keyboard back. "Like we did in class."

My eyes were lingering on Ryuichi. He was so adorable hiding behind his bunny! I went towards the stage without another word, going to set up. Looking back once for them to follow.

They didn't follow after I had set up, looking about the stage, able to ignore the eyes following my every move, not to mention the lewd calls every now and then. I went back over, satisfied with how my stuff was set up, trying to see what was wrong.

"Guys?" I asked, seeing Ryuichi pale. "Ryuichi, are you okay?"

I got quieter as I drew closer, listening to what Tohma was saying. Ryuichi seemed to be completely nervous, listening to every word Tohma was saying, hanging on to each one as if it were his last.

"Have you ever heard of The Doors? Jim Morrison?" Tohma asked, noticing (as I had) Ryuichi seemed a little Americanized. "When they started playing, he always sang with his back to the crowd because he was scared. And the crowd still loved him, and they screamed for him even though his back was to them. Finally, with enough time and encouragement from his bandmates and the crowd, he turned around. And then the crowd went wild. So, you take your time. You've got talent, and everyone is going to love you. It's just a question of how much of you are you willing to give them now?"

"Oh… Tohma," I murmured, smiling as I snuck back off, unnoticed, to the stage.

I saw them talking intently, getting a little ticked off as the time wore on. After a little, a saw a young kid walk over to Tohma carrying a board and Tohma pointing at the stage.

"Hey! Set it up over here," I cried over the noise, waving him down. He climbed onto the stage, setting it up on the other side of the stage from mine.

Ooh… jealous. Nice board!

Tohma walked up towards me, "I apologize, Noriko, but I think I've convinced Ryuichi that everyone in here needs to hear his amazing voice!"

Ryuichi soon followed, pulling Tohma away for a moment, giving me an apologetic look.

After a few minutes, I had to call out to them.

"Guys!" Ooh… I didn't mean to snap… "Let's go, we only have a little bit of time. There are other people waiting to play."

"We're coming now!" I heard Tohma call back from where ever they were.

I had snuck around to where I heard his voice, impatient person that I am, and… didn't regret it more than I was saddened by it.

I saw Tohma and Ryuichi in a… compromising position. Just… too close to be friends.

"Sorry," I muttered, smiling embarrassedly as I turned away heading back to the stage.

They were into guys… go figure. Hottest guys in school… and they like each other. Odd. I had heard Tohma was engaged.

"Are we all set up?" Tohma asked as they returned.

I flashed a smile. "All ready."

"Great!" Tohma exclaimed, truly excited. Taking me by surprise, he grabbed me around the waist and kissed my cheek. "Thank you for doing this for us!"

I blushed hotly, unable to control it. "Um… you're welcome?"

Tohma just headed to his keyboard, Ryuichi already burning holes into the air where Tohma would be standing, back to the audience. The blonde shed his gloves, resting them on the side of the board, flicking it on. Ryuichi and Tohma talked softly to each other… another pep speech I suppose.

I was set. "Alright guys, are you all set?"

I saw the crowd shift anxiously. They knew me well, but the newcomers on stage with me worried them.

"We're ready, Noriko," he told me.

I could almost swear he was bouncing lightly on his feet…

I felt myself grin, and the crowd knew what was coming. "Nori-chan here once again!"

The roar of the crowd almost took my breath away. This is what I live for.

"As a special treat, my two friends will be joining me!"

Slightly quieter applause followed that, but I continued grinning.

"Please give it up for Tohma, Ryuichi and Noriko!"

Over the hoots of the crowd and thunderous applause, I struck the first dramatic notes of what was our very first song.

Tohma waited for my signal, and was off the moment it began. His head bowed, but his eyes stayed turned to Ryuichi as his fingers moved at a rapid pace.

The sound beat began whirling, fading in and out as the bass came in with the hard, steady rhythm of a heartbeat. Something hard and sharp, though soft underneath the other sounds accompanying it.

I couldn't hold back the grin as Tohma started in, twisting a dial here, a few spreading keys there. It was perfect.

I kept her eyes on Ryuichi, waiting for him to start, hoping he didn't get cold feet. I admired the look of concentration on his face not missing a beat as I kept her eyes off the keys.

Suddenly sound burst forth, the music seeming to pull it out of him at just the right moment. Ryuichi's head lifted sharply, staring into Tohma's eyes.

"I take your word like it was gospel, I'm so eager to please. Yeah I like it when you talk to me. It feels so good inside your shadow, it's the place I need to be.

Yeah I know I need to climb you, like a tree. There is this place inside, where all the good things die. Sometimes I feel like a whore, sometimes I feel like a whore."

I was shocked.

Those words… what could they mean? What was he singing about? Was Ryuichi singing about himself and Tohma? I looked at the blonde, who was still smiling as his eyes devoured Ryuichi. As was the crowd to his voice. Ryuichi then started crying. I watched a glistening tear trickle down his cheek. His voice became more emotional, though stillstrong.

"I hate the way I am around you, I'm so nervous and weird. Sometimes I feel like I'm breathing underwater. You treat me like I am on fire, like I'm something to eat.

You make me hate what I see, when I see me. Yeah I dream of the day, when I learn how to make you pay. Someday I'll teach you to beg, someday, someday. Yes I live for the day, when I can hear you say..."

My own breathing hitched and I thought I would start crying. Ryuichi was intoxicating. His very presence on stage was so moving, the crowd had gone silent in awe.

"You make me feel like a whore, yes I dream of the time, when I can make you mine. Maybe then I'll feel half alive, more alive, so alive. There is this place inside, where all the good things die, you make me feel like a whore."

His voice trailed off slowly on the last bit and after a moment he finally raised his hands, wiping the tears from his cheeks, opening his eyes to look at Tohma, blinking away the wetness.

Tohma and I finished, and I watched our singer for a long moment, something tugging at me, needing to be let out.

"I love you…," I heard myself whisper to no one, voice lost over the eruption of cheers and shouts.

Finally I remembered the crowd.

"Thank you all! Please give it up one more time!"

The crowd roared again and Tohma hugged Ryuichi, who held on to him as if he would disappear any moment. Then, Tohma broke away and came over to me, kissing me on the lips. He pulled away, winking at me before turning around.

Ryuichi was gone.

"He vanished again," Tohma breathed, quickly trying to find him with his eyes.

Seeing hide nor hair of Ryuichi, Tohma quickly left my side in search of him. I now understood the purpose of the kiss. It served to hide their… relationship? Could it be called that yet.

I took care of my equipment, making my way off the stage as well. Congratulations and cheers followed me as I murmured my thanks, trying not to get caught up in the drunken crowd.

Not seeing them out side, I got into my car, driving around the block, finally spotting Ryuichi who was staring up at the sky.

I pulled to him, rolling down my window. "Ryuichi, what are you doing? Where's Tohma?"

"He ran away… and I'm counting the stars. Did you know that Tohma has millions of stars?" he asked, not even looking at me.

I smothered a sigh, putting the running car in park and getting out to hug Ryuichi.

"I bet he does," I told him softly, holding him.

It hit me then, that I wasn't going to be very far from Ryuichi ever again. Until I was forced away from him. Hewasgoing to be putting up with me for a long time to come. And if I had my say, so was Tohma.

"C'mon," I murmured, walking him to the passenger seat, slipping him in. "We'll get him back tomorrow."

Hello all! I have nothing to really talk about here today... I just said all I have to in the last chapter posted the same a day a few minutes ago. Please don't forget to review for me.

SL