Sorry, In the prologue I forgot the disclaimer: Gravitation belongs to Murakami Maki, I only wish I owned Ryuichi.

Another AU (Alternate Universe/Timeline). What if Seguchi had been there to save Yuki after the Kitazawa incident? How would the Gravi lives be different? Contains considerable Fake crossover. I find Ryo and Dee convenient when I need New York police.

No Rest for the Wicked

Chapter 2

Yuki awoke immediately, he always did. He had developed the ability to go from deep sleep to full wakefulness in only a second. He considered this to be just another hazard of his profession. He rolled to his side wanted to stop the persistent noise that had awakened him, only to realize that it was the phone ringing. Fumbling for the receiver, he finally managed to get it in his hand without knocking the entiredevice onto the floor.

"Hello," he snapped into the receiver.

"Mr. Thomas?" The voice on the other end of the line sounded irritated.

"This is Thomas," he replied automatically switching to his cool professional voice.

"Have you forgotten our meeting?"

Yuki quickly checked his watch. 'Damn,' he must have fallen asleep before requesting a wake-up call. "My apologies Mr. Smith, I will be there in half an hour."

"Do not make me wait any longer than that Mr. Thomas. Goodbye."

Yuki hung up the phone and rushed into the shower. He was going to have to hurry. Since he had slept in his clothes again, wearing the same suit was not an option. After the shower and quick change of clothes, he rushed to the meeting. He had planned on being checked out of the hotel before the meeting but since the meeting was so early, he would have plenty of time afterwards. As it was he only arrived at the meeting place with a few minutes to spare. Mr. Smith was looking highly irritated.

"I am very sorry Mr. Smith I neglected to request a wake-up call." Yuki admitted by way of an excuse. He could have any number of more acceptable excuses but the truth always worked the best. His unfailing ability to tell the truth to his superiors was one of the reasons he was able to rise so far so fast in the organization. He never sugar coated anything.

"Sit down Mr. Thomas. I do still have some time before my next appointment. We had originally planned to give you a holiday. However, there was a complication that came up last night. It is a family matter, anda family member needs a favor. Your instructions will be at your hotel when you get back. This needs your special personal touch, so there will be a bonus involved."

The meeting ended shortly after and Yuki immediately went to the hotel lobby. He had wait in line before asking the concierge for any messages. He was not surprised when he received a large manila envelope. Yuki carried the package under his arm until he reached his room. Once inside he opened the packet. He was not happy about being given another assignment so soon. He liked to let things cool down some after a job before starting another. And, usually the organization did not like for any operative to do too many jobs in a short period of time. He usually had several months.

Reading through the instructions in the packet he understood why he was getting another job so soon. This one would take place abroad. There were sending him back to his home country, back to Japan.

To his great pleasure, this was not just a straight-forward hit. His instructions stated that he was to go to Japan and win the confidence of some spoiled rock star. He hated these types of people, brats who thought that just because they had achieved some sort of fame that the world should stop turning just for them. Only after he had gotten the idiot's trust was he to do the deed.

The organization had already made all of the arrangements. Included in the packet were plane tickets, hotel reservations, and all the cash, dollars and yen, he could possibly need. They had even used his journalist cover to secure him a position a chronicler of the band. The band, Bad Luck, was getting ready to do a promotional tour here in the United States. Efficient as always, it looked like the organization already had everything arranged. It was also specifically stated that the hit was not to take place until the band had arrived here in the United States. That was just as well, he did not relish trying to get his specific job tools onto a plane and also didn't like the idea of trying to procure new ones overseas.

Yuki thought of himself as the lowest of the low, the foulest of the foul. But, he knew there was a place he would draw the line, children. Innocent children were off limits. Maybe because of what happened to him, maybe because of that eleven year old prostitute that he had failed to save, but Yuki would not kill innocence. It even made him feel protective. It was the only thing that made this crappy world worth living in. It was a good thing that the mark was a rock star; he checked the age and noted he was only nineteen. But, a rock star, even at nineteen was probably already drug addicted, sexually promiscuous, and quite jaded.

Pulling out a couple of the pictures provided, Yuki studied the face of his next hit. True, the kid didn't look jaded, but pictures did not always tell the truth. He carefully examined the close-up. The mark had raven black hair and huge violet eyes. He wondered if the eye color was real and decided that it must be contact lenses. Violet eyes were not that common in the United States and just did not happen in Japan. The kid's features were delicate and very feminine. In the full body shot Yuki could see that appeared to have a very slim build and compared to the others in the picture he was also very short. A nervous chill went down his spine, kind of a delicious shiver as he realized that his was one of the most attractive men he had ever seen. He was going to have fun with this one.

The demographics page listed the kid's name as Shindou Shuichi. Address: Tokyo; Profession: Lead Singer, Bad Luck; Age: 19. The sheet also listed the height, weight, parent's names, etc…, all things that were irrelevant. All he needed were the pictures.

To his great disappointment he noted that his flight was scheduled for later tonight. He would need to get to his apartment in New Jersey to pack and gather what supplies he would be able to take. Also, he would need all of his equipment for a journalism assignment. He managed to get his things here packed quickly and was checked out of the hotel in less than an hour. One final check over to make sure that he had left nothing incriminating behind and he was out the door. He only had one bag to carry so he took the short walk to catch the next commuter train. It was less than another hour and he was back in his own apartment.

Packing up here took a little more time. Business suits would not do at all for this assignment. He did include one suit, just in case, but he mostly packed jeans and button down shirts. Anticipating cool weather, he also threw in a black trench coat. He got himself changed into black jeans and a white turtleneck pullover sweater. He had just pulled on black boots when a knock sounded on his door.

Yuki opened the door to find a man, obviously a police officer getting ready to knock again. The man looked surprised when he pulled the door open.

"Excuse me sir, I'm sorry to disturb you. My name is detective Drake. My partner," he pointed to a man standing at the end of the hall, "and I are here investigating a murder that took place two nights ago."

Yuki was able to control the sudden panic that rose in his chest and allowed nothing to show on his face. "A murder officer?"

"Yeah, one of your neighbors was found shot to death in his apartment this morning. So far we are thinking it was a robbery gone bad. We were wondering if you had seen or heard anything on the night in question?"

Relief washed over him, they were not looking for him. Once again he kept any emotion from his face, except vague concern. "I'm sorry officer I have been staying in the city for the past few nights, finishing an assignment. And, as you can see," Yuki painted back to his bags, "I am getting ready to leave for another."

"What type of work do you do? Mr….?"

"Yuki, Eiri Yuki. I am an independent journalist," he pulled his press credentials out of his pocket. "I am getting ready to leave the cover the upcoming United States promotional tour of the Japanese rock band, Bad Luck. I was chosen for this assignment because I speak Japanese fluently." Yuki gave the man a small bow, "Now, if you will excuse me, I only have a short time to get something to eat and still make my flight. Good luck catching that criminal scum." He did not fully close his door until he saw the detective approach the next apartment.

Quickly gathering his bags, Yuki left the apartment and made his way to corner café. Determined that he was going to going to let any police see that really planned to eat, he managed to stuff down a Gyros and grab the next train back into the city.

When he arrived at the airport, he still had a couple of hours until his flight. He hated to admit that he was terrified of flying. So he always took the opportunity beforehand to get as drunk as possible. Besides, he really needed to calm his nerves after the police visit. Entering the bar, he began to drink himself senseless. Right now he was just some poor excuse for a traveler who had an unreasonable fear of flying.

After Mr. Yuki's door closed, Detective Drake wasted no time in getting out to the street where Dee and Ryo were waiting. Drake didn't care too much for Ryo, always getting in his was with Dee, but since they were a couple now he supposed he would have to get used to it. They were sitting in front in an unmarked car. The window was already down when he got to the car and Dee was waiting, "Are you sure that's our guy? He did not bite on anything."

"I told you," Dee sighed, "We're not sure of anything yet, so far there is no hard evidence just my stupid hunch. But, he did have some suspicious activity in the city during the past three professional hits that we have traced to Aizawa. We also know that he meets with on of their operatives. Other than that, we have zilch!"

"If he is your perp," Drake grinned, "He is once cool customer. He never even flinched and managed to act concerned about our cover story." His grin widened even further, "But, I did learn something I bet you don't know."

"Cut the crap Drake," Ryo shouted from the other side of the car, "If you know something, you had better tell us now."

Drake leaned his head into the car window, "Give me a kiss Dee. I'll tell you for a kiss." Smacking lips pursued Dee further into the car.

CLICK! The loud sound of a gun cocking sounded in the car.

"I suggest you keep your hands and you lips off of him Drake." Ryo stated this calmly but he was holding a loaded gun to Drake's head.

"Gee Ryo, chill out man, I was only funnin, you know?" A nervous giggle followed.

Click. The gun was removed from Drake's head and Ryo carefully replaced it in his shoulder holster. Drake pulled back out of the car with a sigh of relief.

"Just tell us what you know." Ryo asked coldly.

Drake pouted but finally gave in. "This guy, Eiri Yuki, he said his name was, he is some kind of freelance journalist. He says that he is leaving for Japan tonight on some kind of assignment.

"Shit!" Dee yelled, "Shit, shit, shit. We'll lose him. If he is our perp and you made him nervous, he could leave the country and never return." Dee started the engine and put the car in gear. Tires spun as he peeled out, "Call the chief Ryo. I think we're heading to Japan."

Dee drove through the streets at a breakneck pace and turned to give Ryo a leer, "You know Ryo, that thing with Drake and the gun? I like it when you get all possessive like that."

"Just shut up and drive Dee."

They were able to make the airport with fifteen minutes to spare. Their chief had made most of the arrangements over the phone while they were packing. They were given so many threats about the expenses that Ryo finally offered to pay for the plane ticket out of pocket. This seemed to calm the chief who assured then that the department would pay, within reason.

Once inside the just managed to get their bags checked in time to run for the plane. They were the last ones allowed to board. New York City's finest did not travel first class, for them it was economy all the way. They had to walk to the back of the plane to find their seats. At least being seated in the back gave them the opportunity to get a look at their fellow passengers.

Ryo was able to identify their man sitting at the back of the business class section. Except for the partition, they were only a few aisles away. Since they were seated in the center of the row, they could see the back of his head at all times. But, all the guy did was sleep. Ryo thought this was a really good idea too and snuggled his head onto Dee's shoulder. Soon, he was asleep too. Dee tried to make himself comfortable and enjoyed Ryo's closeness. He resisted the temptation to wrap Ryo in a hug, so he settled for a discrete kiss on the forehead. Dee remained awake until after they caught the connecting flight in LA and then he would sleep himself.

Right now, he and Ryo were unofficial. The chief was having some difficulties with the Japanese authorities. He really hoped things would be straightened out by the time they arrived. If they stayed unofficial and got caught, they could be charged with stalking. He vowed that he would never let something like that happen to Ryo. Thinking about Ryo again caused him to reach over and take the man's hand, gently stroking the fingers. Ryo sighed and snuggled closer.

Shuichi woke up in his bed, alone, for the first time in months. He remembered that he had a really weird dream. He had been on tour and he kept feeling like there was someone staring at him, he would turn and there would be a man standing there, but he couldn't see his face. It was kind of creepy. It was times like these that he knew that he was going to miss having Hiro in his bed. Rubbing the sleep out of his eyes, he realized that he did not like waking up alone, not at all. He was just about ready to roll over and go back to sleep when he heard someone crashing through his front door. Sliding to the floor and attempting to crawl under the bed he was caught by one foot and pulled up, head dangling.

"Shindou, get your ass up, you and Nakano both!" With a relieved sigh he realized it was only K, and he was yelling at a decibel designed to wake the neighbors.

"It's my feet that are up K, if you put me down, I might be able to at least put some pants on." Shu managed to kick K in the stomach and with a slight grunt K tossed him onto the bed. Shu sat up, thankful to still be breathing. "What are you doing here anyway we have the morning off, and I just want some sleep."

K's eyes scanned the room, he was obviously ignoring the question, "Where's Nakano?"

Shu sighed K would be impossible until he got his way, "I don't know K, try that chick Ayaka's place. Hiro is with her now." Shu felt the tears coming and rolled over so that K wouldn't see them.

A shifting of weight on the bed told him that K taken the liberty of having a seat. "Are you all right with this?" There was true concern in the man's voice.

"I am hurt if that is what you are asking." It was difficult but he managed to keep the strain out of his voice, "But, I'm not as hurt as I should be, if you understand what I mean."

"I'm not sure if I do Shuichi," K rarely called him by his given name and the use slightly alarmed him. "If that is the way you feel I'll take you word for it."

Shu wasn't done getting it out of his system yet, "Do you know what the worst part is K? It wasn't finding out about Hiro and Ayaka, it was finding out about me, and finding out that I did not love Hiro enough. I was only holding on to him because I did not want to be alone. I was being selfish." Real tears started flowing now he did not even attempt to hold them back.

It was a shock when he felt himself being pulled into K's arms. K was never affectionate. But, the arms were gentle and comforting. He was held until he managed to cry himself out.

"Better?" K asked after the tears ended. Shu nodded and wiped his nose on his sleeve. He couldn't help but hear the disgusted sound that K made.

Smiling gently up at K, "Thank you, I think I just needed a shoulder to cry on."

"Sure Shindou," That name was back again, "seeing that you're happy is part of my job."

Shu laughed understanding K fully, "You really are an ass, aren't you?" It was more of a statement of fact than a question.

"And you, you're an idiot. You are the only person I have ever met that gets cheated on by a long time lover and then claims that it is his fault. That may happen in books, sappy romances, but I have never seen it in real life. You are a study Shindou and I have yet to figure you out."

"There is nothing to figure K, what you see is what you get." Shu took another swipe at his still wet eyelashes, "So, do you want to make this into an encounter session, or would you like to tell me why you are here?"

"Shit, I nearly forgot about that. You're needed at the studio this morning. There is a journalist flying in from New York this morning. He is supposed to chronicle your promotional tour. He is also the person who is going to assisting you with English he is fluent in both languages English and Japanese." K suddenly looked nervous and would not meet his eyes, "Sakano wants him to stay here with you until you leave for New York."

"Here? With me, why me?"

"To help you with some English phrases before you go. It will be good practice."

Shu groaned and rolled over. "Will we ever be allowed any rest?" It was a rhetorical question. "Okay, when do I need to be there?"

"Sakano wants you there in two hours and I still need to hunt down Nakano. And Shindou, if you need me, you can always call. I know you don't trust me, but you should." K was up and out of the room with that cryptic statement.

Climbing slowly out of bed, Shu could not see that he had any choice but to get himself up and ready for this meeting. He had even forgotten to ask K the guy's name. Not that the name really mattered, he would be finding out soon enough. But, it would have been nice to know the name of the person he was going to be living with for the next few days.

If the man expected some sort of leather clad rock god, he was going to have another think coming. Shu showered and changed into his usual shorts, tee shirt, and athletic shoes. Shoving a quick breakfast of cold cereal down and washing his dirty dishes, he was out of the apartment in less that an hour, only stopping to grab his hat and sunglasses on the way out

.

Tachi was already beginning to regret his rash actions. However, he was not willing to change anything. The move would further ASK's prospects with the public and at NG. And, there was no way that he could back down with his powerful uncle that would only show that he was weak. If there was any guilt, he knew he could live with it.

Tachi was walking to the studio this morning, ASK, as usual, was scheduled for practice this morning. This was a morning like any other morning, except he was going in early today. He had received word that the operative that his uncle had arranged would be arriving today and he wanted to try to get a look at him. He had reached the studio in record time, anticipation urging him on. He was getting ready to open the building's front door when he heard Ma's voice calling out to him to wait up. He turned to see Ma jogging towards him with a welcoming smile on his face. Ma's arms went around his waist and the blonde's lips sought his.

"Not here Ma!" it was a soft hiss, "I'm not ready for a public display." Tachi actually felt some of Ma's hurt when the light went out of Ma's eyes.

"Don't worry love," he smiled his sweetest smile, "everything is fine. I'll come by your place after practice, that is, if you don't have any other plans?"

Watching Ma's face he decided that Ma blushed like a girl. He had seen Ma blush before, but never an actual shy blush and never for him. The light came back into his eyes, "Sure Tachi, I'd like that."

Just as he reached to pull the door open again a pink-haired blur went rushing past them almost knocking Ma down. "That little bastard…!" Tachi started to give chase. Ma put out a hand to stop him.

"Let it go Tachi," Ma was pleading, "Just this once, for me?"

Tachi took pity and did wrap an arm around Ma's shoulders. Yes, he would let it go for now. After all, he would not have to put with it for much longer.

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