Noriko's Story Chapter 8, a gravitation fanfic

Disclaimer: Don't own it!

Author's Notes: Helloo again! Here's the next instalment of Noriko's Story! YAY! I'm proud of this one, but very disappointed in the reviews... glare C'mon guys... give a struggling writer some feedback, man! Ah, well... whatever. See if I review for you guys. Neh!

Noriko's Story

Some think music is the flow of life.

The gentle ebb and flow of a mellow voice with soft, caressing music following it. The head pounding beat of thumping drums as they're mercilessly beaten, electric guitars screaming over them, a ragged voice forced on top of that. Of all the things that music is made up of… I feel it isn't these.

Feelings. Emotions.

These are the things of which music is made of, of which we can listen to and have a poignant memory of something or someone from long ago. Music is nothing without feeling, and sometimes it seems that feelings are nothing without music. Like the proverbial chicken and egg question. Which came first?

Dreams and Reality.

They mingle so often sometimes, the line between the blurs. Was becoming a famous a dream or reality? Sometimes I'm not sure at all.

Sometimes I wish it was all a dream.

The Blackest Tears

It was almost over, this dream of ours… our final year of High School was coming to an end. Our parting of ways would soon be upon us and I wasn't ready for it. I knew we would never see each other again.

Tohma had to go to college. I would have to try for a college, or my parents would pay to get me into one, and Ryuichi… he never told us what he wanted or had to do.

I think he had more faith than Tohma and I. I think he may have been clutching at the hope we would stay a band forever.

I made more efforts to be with them, once the reality set in that we were going to be parting ways very soon. I spent as much time with them as they would allow, as I am sure that they spent as much time with each other as they could. And then it was time. The day had finally come.

Graduation.

Everyone looked exactly the same save for us three in the dark colored caps and gowns. Ryuichi with Kumagoro dressed identical to him, Tohma with his standout features, and me between them with my newly dyed purple hair. I had to sneak by with it tucked under my cap before taking my seat and letting it tumble down as I resettled the cap, grinning.

The troublemaker had returned.

Speech after annoying speech was made. Principal, Vice Principal, Valedictorian, some other student, and probably others. I dozed off during it. Tohma had awakened me just as my head tipped backwards, cutting off a snore. I caught my cap and hoped I wasn't making it too obvious I had slept through the speeches which were to 'inspire us on our way to greatness, for we were the future. And we were being counted on to make a difference.'

Someone, just give me a tranquilizer and let me either die from too much as I slip into sleep, or lose all function of my limbs while I stay in a hazy consciousness.

No such luck.

Soon, name after name was being called. Hand after hand gripped tightly by five or so different people with a little jiggle, and empty book after empty book passed out. We would be receiving the document that stated our passing of High School later.

We got to do this all. Over. Again.

Goddamnit! I was tired, I was pissy, and I wanted out!

Tohma sat straight, firm backed, comfortable in the hot gown and cap (come on, it was a hat, of course he wore it well). He looked quite fine sitting there smiling. But I was guessing he was just as bored.

"Trying to convince my parents NOT to take me out to eat."

Well... that didn't sound too hard. Tohma was wonderful at convincing people of things.

If nothing else Ryuichi and I would rescue him.

The heat was starting to make me drowsy, and I felt my eyes closing slightly.

"Mm... well... we need to do something," I said, trying to smother a yawn.

"I was going to go get drunk." Ryuichi said, giving a wide and fake smile as pictures were taken.

"Go to the woods, build a clubhouse in the trees, get drunk, and then jump?" Tohma planned out of no where.

"Yes!" I said, giggling quietly.

I could picture it, everyone flailing as they fell... but then we bounced back up.

Now I couldn't stop giggling.

"We'll sneak off after this," I murmured, slouching in my chair, eyes fully closing.

Too boring to stay awake.

"I vote we sneak off during." Ryuichi said.

My eye cracked open. "Think we could get away with it?"

Tohma looked down in his lap, my eyes followed. Ryuichi was being very bold with his hand massaging Tohma's thigh in front of a sea of people. Not to mention his family.

Tohma must've realized all the eyes that could be watching him, because with a quick flick, Tohma pulled Ryuichi's hand from him and set it back down on his own thigh.

"I don't know about you two, but if I don't hand my father a diploma when this is over, he'll kill me. I bet he has two of his assistants watching me and the doors right now."

"Alright, alright," I grumbled. "We'll wait it out..."

I yawned silently, relaxing in the uncomfortable chair again. "Wake me when they call me... this is too boring."

But, I couldn't sleep. Not really. Too much noise, too much shifting.

And this chair was fucking killing my back!

I heard Tohma groan softly and my lips twitched, wondering if Ryuichi's hand had found a better place.

"Ryuichi just left," Tohma whispered to me. "If you want to follow him, you should. I'll call you guys later and we can meet somewhere."

Sighing, I opened my eyes to look at Tohma. "Come with us!" I hissed, sitting back up in the chair.

Fucking plastic... who's idea was it to make plastic chairs!

"We'll get your paper later... please Tohma?"

Who knew what Ryuichi was doing...

"It's not about that, it's about my father watching me. I can't sneak away when there are eyes staying on me," Tohma breathed, "You just go and watch over him. You don't want to be here, either. I promise, I'll meet up with you guys right after."

"Screw your father for once!" I told him. "You're old enough to make your own decisions now... you have to do it sometime."

I shifted in my seat, getting ready to crouch away. "And I think you should start now."

"Just go find Ryuichi. You know the stupid crap he does when he feels bored and self-distructive."

I huffed, crouching low as I tried to avoid stares and hisses from people. He had better find us later. I slipped out of the auditorium, telling a faculty member I had to use the restroom as I headed for the bathrooms.

I heard someone in the boys room, and it could only be one person.

"Ryu?" I asked, pushing the door open slightly.

I didn't want to walk on someone else.

Ryuichi grunted, not actually answering, snorting another line up his nose as he sat on the counter, banging his head lightly against the mirror. His cap was tossed in a corner, gown zipped open to reveal the belly exposing shirt and leather pants.

I couldn't help but stare for a few moments, half of me loving the sight before me, the other half wondering how Ryuichi wasn't dying in those pants. But I found my voice soon.

"What's wrong?" I asked, dropping the cap to the ground, peeling off the gown and revealing a tank top and short skirt.

I knew it was going to be hot.

"He pushed my hand away," he muttered and increased the pace of his head banging.

"Quit that," I scolded, going over to him, both hands pressed against the sides of his head to stop him. "You know how he is about his family."

"I don't care! He's MY Tohma and he should enjoy a nice public fondling. It's not like they could see!" he said, tears in his eyes. "We haven't had sex in three weeks because HE had to study."

"Shh," I hushed, thumbs pushing away stray tears.

"You know he loves you. But he needs to keep his life in order," I tried to explain. "He'll come out and enjoy a nice public fondling when he's ready."

"But I'm horny NOWWWW." he said, pouting before sighing. "He won't ever be in public with me, Nori. I think he's ashamed of being my boyfriend."

"No," I told him, face serious. "He could never be ashamed of you."

How the hell could I explain that?

"I think... he's just scared of... fully admitting it to himself?" I said uncertainly.

Because I knew what it was like to admit I was gay, right?

He just sighed, hugging me tightly, burying his face in my neck as he sniffled. I hugged him back, rubbing his back lightly to calm him.

"You wanna wait here or go for a walk?" I asked softly.

"Wait here. I just...I just want my Tohma." he said softly, worring at his lip. "I just want him to hug me and promise he loves me and he's not leaving me for her."

"Don't worry...he won't leave you for her," I told him.

By 'her', I assumed he meant the ever elusive fiancée. I wondered what she was like, if I'd ever meet her. My mind was wandering.

Tohma wouldn't leave Ryuichi for her... right?

Suddenly, Tohma burst through, smiling brightly even though (and this was a rare thing indeed), he was sweating. I turned to look at him, smiling in relief that he had turned up.

"Hey Tohma! Ready to run away with us yet?" I asked, smiling at him as I let Ryuichi go.

He would probably want to pounce on the blonde.

"You should get out of the gown before you pass out from the heat," I told him, taking his diploma and hat from his hands so he could remove it.

"I'm already sweltering," Tohma said, pulling down the zipper enough to let it fall and pool around his feet. Kicking the offending garment from him, he reached down, grabbed it, balled it up, and tossed it into the small overflowing trash.

"Now, let's just get out of here before they start singing the school song."

"Never were there sweeter words spoken!" I said happily, handing back the items I removed from Tohma. "Need to give this to your dad or what?"

"I'll give it to my dad later," Tohma said, grabbing the folder and tucking it under his arm. "He'll be pissed, but he can yell at me later when I can close a door in his face and put on headphones."

Ryuichi suddenly burst into tears and launched himself onto Tohma, hugging him so tightly the blond couldn't breath, sobbing. Tohma gasped as Ryuichi collided with him and then cut off his air supply with a tight hug.
But, he was quick to wrap his arms around Ryuichi and hug him back, kissing him on the wet cheek and lips.

"Ryu... what's wrong?" he cooed, snuggling in.

I smiled at the pair and gave Tohma a small wave mouthing 'I'll be outside' over Ryuichi's shoulder. They needed some alone time anyway from what Ryuichi had told me.

Slipping out of the bathroom, I ignored the odd stares of my classmates as I went down the halls, saying my good-byes to a few people.

I was sitting on a low wall just out front of the school, smoking as I kicked my legs gently, bored out of my mind. But at least I was outside. Tons of people wanted last minute pictures of me with me because of my hair, and last minute yearbooks were signed with the usual crap.

'H.A.G.S.' 'Call me.' 'Hope you do well.' And many more of the like, knowing full well I would never see any of these people again.

Booooooooooored… I was SO bored.

Flicking the smoldering cigarette away, I couldn't help but groan, falling to one side on the wall, not caring I was in a skirt. Not ladylike? Who cared? Was I ever a lady? Although I did try to make sure I was well covered where need be…

I heard the doors open and lifted my head. Yay! They were back! And looked very happy to say the least. I guess they made up. Sitting up, I hopped off the wall and went over to them.

"Finished up where you started, huh?" I asked, eyes glittering with amusement.

Tohma smiled, hand holding Ryuichi's, who was nodding excitedly. It made me wonder for a moment, how Ryuichi viewed their relationship. Did sex mean love to him? Couldn't he just appreciate the small things? Like just going for a walk, or hanging out without the bathroom fuck. Or maybe he thought sex kept the relationship together.

I didn't know.

"So, should we party? I'm pretty sure the bar wouldn't mind us one bit," I told them.

We were going to go there anyway. It was where we started, it only seemed right that it would be where we finished. Besides, I also had surprise.

Kenichi, the owner of the bar, the one who had helped me by giving me a job, was excited for us, this being out last time and all. He was more than happy to let me decorate the place, even the stage and bar and bring a cake. I didn't reserve it because all the people who had ever come to see us should be there. They were always pleasant people, even when drunk beyond belief. I can't remember a single fight ever occurring in that place.

"Of course! Where else would we go?" Tohma asked pleasantly.

And for what I thought was the very last time, we piled into my crappy red car and Ryuichi and Tohma were rolling around the backseat as I drove like a maniac towards our beginning, as I liked to think of it. Now to be known as our ending.

I parked and shut of the car, taking a deep breath. I just didn't want to cry. This wasn't going to be the very last time, I knew that. There was still a little summer left, but something about all of this felt final.

Entering, I watched their faces as the looked around, Purple, pink and gold streamers decorating everywhere, a cake set on a table on the stage, and everyone taking a deep breath before shouting 'Congratulations!'.

That hadn't been in my plan… I looked over at Kenichi behind the bar who was grinning widely. I laughed and took in my friend's shocked faces, happy they were surprised.

"Not much, I'll admit… but I thought we could at least enjoy this place in one big bang," I said, smiling.

"Nori-chan," Tohma said softly, his smile a bit crooked now. "I don't think there could've been anything better."

After that I was practically glowing. Getting drunk, eating cake and playing on stage had been better than some dinner with Tohma's family. Both things seemed as though they were in two different worlds, and Tohma had liked mine best.

The usual music started playing throughout the bar and people went back to the loud chatter and boisterous drinking as I led them on stage. Three chairs sat around the table that held the cake, three glasses, and one bottle of rum. Another glance at Kenichi had told me that was his doing as well.

I can always be thankful for wonderful friends.

The cake had an icing Kumagoro on it, the boarder in gold, the sides decorated in purple sprinkles. It had our names in icing and even a squeezed in 'congratulations'. I think it had come out perfect. Ryuichi would love the sugar if nothing else.

Ice already in the glasses, I poured out some of the drink for all of us, taking my seat. We could get drunk, drunk later. For now, it was nice to just enjoy ourselves before the wildness kicked in. I cut the cake, giving Ryuichi Kuma's face, Tohma got his name and I got part of an ear and name.

It was nice, receiving the thanks and requests to play after we finished. And we were in no rush, eating slowly, enjoying each other's company. Once again I was hit with the thought of how final this all felt.

We spent about an hour lounging easily, stealing a little more cake, drinking until the bottle was polished off. It was then I wanted to play. The customers had been happily getting wasted since we had arrived, and only more people kept coming in, the air becoming thick and hot.

"One last time?" I asked, smiling in the happy haze the alcohol left me with.

"Never the last time," Tohma said, rising from the table.

We moved it off to the side, chairs pushed away and Tohma and I took out places at our already set up instruments, grins hard to wipe away. Ryuichi stood before the crowd which had gone silent, eyes watching us in rapt attention.

My eyes lit up. Was Ryuichi actually going to sing facing the crowd?

And then he turned to face us.

Well, not everything can be perfect.

"Hey everyone!" I called out to the crowd. They cheered back in response. "I guess this is our last time… we're all grown up!"

Boos erupted, coming forth. I laughed lightly.

"We'll still stop by, I promise! And I want to thank all of you so much… this place has been the closest thing to a home… with tons of drinking, but a home nonetheless!"

Laughter and applause.

"Thank you, Kenichi-san, for all you've done for me… thanks guys… and this is for all of you. Our good-bye!"

Tohma had slipped his gloves off, just like that first time, leaving them to rest on the edge of his board, flicking it on. I followed suit, nodding at the blonde, my fingers pouring out something soft and slow. A true good-bye. The bass pulsed almost loudly compared to the softness of our playing. Sounded almost like a heartbeat.

Ryuichi's eyes closed and his head tilted back slightly as his lips parted, words flowing out.

"Here we are asking again where is GOD ? It's breaking us down we're feeling so lost, in solitude why don't you explore a way that is new that shakes you to the core.

A resonating voice from afar, listen very close to the stars and then never again will you fall. What does it mean? How does it know? It's the final solution. Just when you think there is no place to go it's the final solution."

The notes grew louder under my fingertips, Tohma keeping the soft undercurrent as we both watched Ryuichi. Both us and the crowd eating him up. Loving the way his body swayed with the music, how his heart was in his voice.

"Clouded are minds of men, where is GOD? Some say we face diminishing odds, celestial mechanics will restore, human destiny will be reborn.

Watching him was one of the most beautiful sights I could ever imagine. Everything about him screamed amazing, yet something shy and quiet. His voice rose up and he pivoted, as if undecided whether or not turn. But then…

Ryuichi faced crowd, eyes shut tight, chest heaving slightly.

"The secret of the zodiac lies within. Living a life of sin where is GOD? Darkest are things before the dawn. The resurrection of your spirit is near, feel its evolution while you hear...

His voice faded out slowly to a melodic whisper as Tohma and I tapered off into silence. It was almost deafening.

But the sound of a pair of hands set off a chain reaction, tearing through the crowd. Applause and cheers filled in the silence where we had left off and I realized while I clapped for Ryuichi too, cheering, I was crying.

He turned around… he faced the crowd. But it was over now. As the cheers died away, we turned off our boards and took the cake down into the crowd to share. Laughing and passing along slices, drinks being handed back, I felt guilty for this incredible happiness I felt, because I knew it would have such a low later.

I felt a hand on my shoulder and turned to smile up at a dark haired man in a smart looking suit. Not one I could recognize, and he would stand out.

"I work for Shinji Studio's," he said, handing me a card. "And I think we should talk.

Alrighty guys... this was such a nice chapter to me. I liked it!
Well... my little bro is getting mad at me it's 11 now and he wants the PC... so please review! I would threaten notto update until I get more reviews, but we know that's a lie. I'm addicted!

Please review!

Hey... anyone know what's up with the whole TatsXSug pairings? Dude... it's weirding me out... maybe it's cause of the Site, I dunno... but it always strikes me as odd.