Their first show didn't go exactly as planned. Ryuichi cut his finger and was crying for the first thirty minutes so they were behind schedule and Nittle Grasper lost some of their performance time. Shuchi had a wardrobe malfunction when his boots that he picked especially for that particular outfit wouldn't zip and he had to rummage through the rest of his clothes to find new ones. Tony was throwing a fit so they had to bribe him on stage. Elysia finally promised he could quit the band after they left Japan. He agreed. They preformed and blew everyone away.

"Alright," Tohma began as he paced the back of the moving bus. "First show. Not very good. We are going to have to make sure we do a much more proficient job on these next ones. Everyone?"

"Yes Seguchi-san." They all chimed in response.

"Very good. Now. Next destination is…."

"I wanna go to Kyushu!" squealed Ryuichi. Tohma jumped at the high pitched shriek.

"Honestly Ryuichi. Now why on earth would you want to go to Kyushu?" K inquired

"I dunno," he said honestly. "I just do! Please! Pretty please! Nuriko-Chan! Make Tohma take us to Kyushu!" Nuriko was about to say "Like hell" when tohma interrupted with a smile on his face. "It's all right Ryuichi. We can go to Kyushu if you want."

"Hurray!" Ryuichi ran over and scooped up kumagoro. "Kyushu, Kyushu, Kyushu."

Tohma went to the front of the bus to inform the driver of the new destination.

The driver shook his head and smiled wryly. "You're the boss." Is all he said.

"I tried to warn you about his lot." Tohma said with a chuckle. He tipped his hat back out of his face and surveyed the group. "Very energetic, talented, and wild. One's thing for sure, they keep you on your toes." Tohma patted the drivers shoulder out of sympathy. But in reality the driver had no idea how hard they were to live with. Then, the driver had no idea how hard they were to live without.

"Ryuichi! What have I said about permanent markers and carpet!" Tohma scolded as he strode towards him.

Elysia just grinned and began sketching out lyrics for her bands grand finally of the tour.

We've been there before a time or two.

But no matter how I try one thing stays true.

I just keep losing you.

Shuichi looked over her shoulder . "Is that part of the chorus?" Elysia snatched up the lyrics and muttered, "Yes"

"They looked good so far." Shuichi started to point out the rhyme scheme when he heard K arguing with Nuriko about something that had to do with taking up space.

"I'll talk to you later Elysia. K please don't kill Nuriko!"

Toby laughed and flopped down next to Elysia. "So is this how you envisioned the "greatest" singers of all Japan?"

"Oh shut up! Elysia snapped as she scooted past her band mates and sat down next to Sugaru.

"So how's everything going?"

"Fine"

"Hmm." Silence filled the bus he only noise to be heard was Shuichi's insecent cries of "Yuki!" over his cell phone and Ryuichi playing with kumagoro.

Hiro picked up his guitar and started to play random little notes and hummed along .Elysia began to hum along as well. After a while Hiro convinced Sugaru to join in and they began to play "Blind game again" Shuichi and Ryuichi sang loud and clear. Elysia's heart began to ache. She was faced with the two most important people of her life and she couldn't utter a note. Jay finally shoved her between them and with a little coaxing from shuichi she began to sing. Soon the whole bus was blaring so loud that Sakano was sure that one of the other drivers would become furious. He tried to hush them but they just kept singing.

By the time they reached Kyushu. They were all laughing so hard it hurt to breathe. Tohma sent out for food and they all crammed into Bad Lucks hotel room and made jokes and pointless jingles until they began to get woozy and decided to part ways. Tomorrow was going to be amazing. Elysia new that. She stumbled back to her bands hotel room and crashed next to Jay who never even woke, just scooted deeper beneath the covers.

"Want anymore sake Tohma?" asked Nuriko.

"No. That's all right. I think I need to keep my head as clear as possible for tomorrow." Tohma glanced over at Ryu curled into a ball on the floor. His crayons and water colors sprawled underneath him. Kumagoro tucked tightly under one arm.

"He looks so cute when he sleeps." Nuriko said in a whisper.

"He always looks cute." remarked Tohma as he took a spare blanket from the closet and covered Ryu with it. He placed his hand on Ryuichi's forehead and gave him a peck on the cheek. "Night Ryuichi. Night Nuriko."

"Night Tohma." Nuriko said picking up the skittles Ryu left on her bed.

Tohma crawled between his own covers in his private room. Soon not even a earthquake could wake him.

Shuichi cradled his phone against his chest. Yuki said he would call. Shuichi slapped himself in the face. He should have known better than to get his hopes up. This was Yuki after all. Shuichi shoved his face into his pillow and sighed.

Hiro who was half asleep glanced over at his best buddy. "Yuki getting to you again, Shuichi?"

"No!" he whined.

Hiro rolled his eyes and smiled. "Maybe in the morning. He almost always calls you before a show." Hiro turned back over and tried to swim into sleep.

"Maybe you're right." Muttered Shuichi.