Ripples in Red Water

Chapter 4: Luminescence

Part 1

Back to Business

By: Empathic Soul

Disclaimer: Gravitation is a wonderful anime. It is sadly not mine.

PLEASE READ AT YOUR OWN RISK

Thank you once again to those who reviewed! I really love the reviews! Hehe! Helps me and makes me inspired to write the story again!

Thank you once again! Please read and review and as Ruruouni Sesshouhen remarked: Read with you heart!

Thank you!

Heh, introducing main character number 4!

The stage room for practicing rehearsals and holding possible concerts in Ng Studios is packe with several people. Technicians and several other electronics experts were fixing the various instruments and are busy with several other preparations. Today was the day that BAD LUCK was going to do a major rehearsal of all their songs. Technicians were shouting to the electricians about making sure that the connections in the wires and also making sure that there would not be any possible short circuits that might cause harm to the members of the band as well as cause possible black-outs in the studios.

"Are the cords in section A finished? How about the amplifiers?" The boss shouted from the corner while looking at his checklist. "You there, is that section safe and okay to go?"

"Section A done, though there are connections to be checked in section C." The man in section A replied.

"Get it done in a hurry!"

This rehearsal was put off last Wednesday because of the attack that occurred with Shindou Shuichi. They gave him the day off and now that it was Saturday they would like to continue with the rehearsal that they have planned.

K was particularly eager about it. He was so excited that he decided to greet everyone with a series of gunshots from his M16. Well, everyone scampered off hurrying in doing their jobs as soon as they saw the threatening blonde. The blonde simple laughed in his own weird maniac kind of way as eh saw the people immediately rushing to their duties not even sparing him a single glance. At least that way the work would be over and done with faster and more efficiently.

"Hahahaha! Such a wonderful day this is! You what are you doing we have a rehearsal! Or do you want me to shoot!" K threatened and saw the man rush immediately to his post.

Sakano on the other hand was busy handling all the calls with regards to Shuichi's rumored attack. There were many fan girls calling to make sure that the popular vocalist is actually in good shape. Fan letters, flowers, chocolates, get well son cards, you name it, Shuichi has it. Everything seemed to have been for Shuichi. NO doubt that the news would spread like wild fire. But Sakano made it a point to hide the truth by claiming that the boy was instead sick with a cold instead of being attacked by a bunch of gangsters.

"I'm very glad of your concern for Shindou-kun but there's nothing wrong with him. I would send your regards…" Sakano sighed as he placed back the receiver only to have it ringing again. "ARRRRGH! This won't end!!!"

Suguru checked his synthesizer and his keyboard making sure that they were easily accessible and that they would not be too far from his reach as they played their songs. The distance of the keyboard and the player is extremely important. He also made sure that the connections were all properly placed to avoid any technical problems later. He checked the other accompaniments as well.

"Okay, on to the next instrument…damn this rehearsal is making me edgy…" Suguru felt highly anxious but his calm façade really does miracles.

At the backstage, Hiro sat on the farthest end of the room talking to his girlfriend, Ayaka, while cheking if his guitar was in tune. He plucked the strings listening to the pitch and then adjusting it making sure that the guitar would not be an obstruction in their performance. He looked at the direction of Shuichi who seems to be back to how he acted before. Hiro smiled at that. He could not help but worry for his bestfriend's sake. For his own thoughts, he believed that it was still a little too early for Shuichi to return to practice. He wanted to insist that they move this to Monday but K and Sakano said that Monday would be a holiday for the company and no one would be allowed to come in. And a holiday only meant the meeting of the board of directors.

But BAD LUCK isn't the only ones that are there. In fact the vocalist of Nittle Grasper had insisted that the watch the practice all the way. Noriko declined though saying that she had an appointment with the dentist and that she promised her husband that she would go out to lunch with him. Tohma on the other hand, granted that wish of Ryuichi much to the excitement of the vocalist and heightened increase in his enthusiasm.

But the one thing that really surprised everyone was the presence of Yuki Eiri coming to watch the practice and out of his shell. He sat there beside Tohma looking at the people who were preparing the stage and waiting for a certain pink-haired vocalist to emerge from the backstage.

Tohma smiled looking at the person beside him. This was the FIRST time that he actually saw Yuki Eiri outside his apartment aside form errands like buying a pack of cigarette, eating out, buying beer, or meeting with his editor. Needless to say, he instantly knew that up to that moment, the man is still worried about his lover situation. And this only impressed Tohma on how much Yuki managed to change in such a short span as two years.

"It's a miracle to actually see you here, Eiri-san." Tohma smiled while taking a glance on the other boy beside him who took interest in playing with his pink stuffed animal. Ryuichi often did not prefer to sit beside Yuki at any cost preventing any possible death opportunities while he made his own comments.

"Yeah! It's the first time that I actually saw you watch Shu-chan practice!" Ryuichi added with big starry eyes and looked at the stage while he played with Kumagoro. "Shu-chan shined so much during practices!"

"Ryuichi, you should not call Shuichi-kun names in front of Yuki, he might hurt you…" Tohma whispered and Ryuichi nodded obediently.

Yuki did not even bother to reply. He just looked straight ahead watching the technicians prepare and also await for the entrance of the band. Ayaka, feeling that she had to go and leave the backstage, went towards Yuki and smiled at him taking the seat beside him. Although they were formerly engaged and people thought that they would be awkward with each other, they both accepted the fact that they both have different people in their hearts and they are fine about it.

After a few minutes, Suguru emerged wearing a black blazer over a light blue inner shirt. He paired it with black leather pants and black boots. He had an extra accessory of a simple gold necklace with a letter S pendant. From afar it appeared like that, but it was actually a dragon that formed the letter S. He directed himself to his synthesizer and gave the final adjustments while waiting for the other two.

Hiro emerged after a few minutes wearing his usual style of shirt only today it was red. He had that cross pendant in his necklace as well. He immediately placed the guitar on and checked as well. He looked at Suguru, who nodded towards him with a smile signaling that his synthesizer was alright.

"Where's Shuichi?" Suguru asked wondering what could be taking so long.

Shuichi usually was the fastest one to dress up among them, but today he got in first and still hasn't emerged at all.

"Still dressing up I guess." Hiro motioned to the dressing room. "He probably had something to do with his bandages."

Suguru shrugged but looked at Hiro's face for a moment before returning to the adjustments. There was a hint of worry in the guitarist's face as well as guilt. He did not want Shuichi to over exert himself but the vocalist also insisted on going back to work to take his mind off things for a while too. So Hiro got nothing to say but merely not to accept the request of his best friend.

Shuichi then emerged from the curtains. Everyone gapped as they saw him. Usually he opted to wear flashy colored outfits with orange and bright green, but today he was wearing something akin to being Yuki. He wore a fitted inner black turtleneck shirt that revealed his abdomen slightly and with a pair of black sleek pants. He also wore boots to match. But the one that showed off was the white trench coat with loose belts that were left untied. There were red lines on the coat to serve as linings and design. He is also wearing a Yin-Yang symbol as his necklace. HE ran a hand on his hair just making them fall into place.

He looked at Hiro and then to Suguru silently asking them if they were ready. The two snapped out of their reverie and nodded towards their vocalist. Shuichi grinned, his trademark smile, and looked at the people who are watching them.

I can do this.

He silently wished himself though. Even if he hated to admit it, his wound is still painful and to add to that he's still having the blasted migraines. He just wished that he would not faint through out this practice. He knew that he had to go through this practice. But he did not just want to get through this, he wanted to shine like Sakuma Ryuichi always advised him. He's going to do his best today even if it kills him in doing so.

Besides, Yuki went out of his way to watch him…an additional incentive.

Plus there are many people awaiting for the beginning of this well prepared rehearsal.

"LET'S GO!" HE raised his hand and the rehearsal began with a strike from the guitar.

Lunchtime was almost nearing in NG Studios but the group was still about to sing their last song. The people there were all stunned to the bones when they heard Shindou Shuichi sing his latest creation without any accompaniment at all. His voice melodiously floated itself in the entire rehearsal room as if grasping each person there in a thin wave of euphoria—a breeze floating them into the sky.

Everyone felt like they were silently being place in a gentle cloud to watch the sun rise from the horizon. The gentle breeze ruffled their hair as relaxation took them in. The song was able to do that, give them the feeling of relaxation and euphoria at the same time. Everyone closed their eyes as the pink-haired vocalist sang from the bottom of his heart.

They could feel it. They could feel the presence and the impact of the song as it miraculously calmed their inner being, not simply making them happy but also giving them a sense of warmth inside. They could also hear the emotions that Shuichi threw into the lyrics and towards the tune as he sang the entire song with all that he could give.

AS the song came to an end, there was a slight hum to signal that. Everyone slowly opened their eyes to see Shuichi smiling to all of them. He particularly looked at Yuki for a while then to K who immediately climbed up the stage smiling widely.

"That was magnificent!" The man commented in his strange accent but the boy simply placed his hand behind his neck.

"Really? That was my newest creation though, I just wanted to check it out." He laughed at the compliment, not sure at all on how to react.

This was actually the first time that he got reactions like that. They were all visibly enthralled with the song and he knew that he did not capture their attention through that, he also captured their souls and hearts in the process. Imagine that, he captured Yuki Eiri, Seguchi Tohma, Sakuma Ryuichi, and K in that song. How can one not be so proud of himself?

Hiro also started to praise him with his new song along with the rest who came up to him immediately.

"Wow! Another one? You've been really working hard lately." Suguru looked at the pink haired boy amaze that he managed to pass at least 8 songs in the past ten days. They have easily completed the next album and all the songs sounded good if not excellent that they were all excited to get it into the market. Even Tohma assured them that it would b a sold-out.

"I have to admit Shindou-kun, that last song was incredible." Tohma placed an assuring hand on the boy's shoulder and added his all-purpose smile.

"Oh, it wasn't really that much." Shuichi felt embarrassed with all the praises that he's been receiving.

"No! No! No! Shuichi was more than shining a while ago! Kumagoro even said so!" Ryuichi jumped around excitingly, hugging the boy tightly around the neck. He stopped when he noticed Yuki glaring at him in full force.

Shuichi noticed that. Although he did not feel like acting the usual way like clinging on the man, he had to do that. It was because if he did not the people would think that there was still something wrong with him or that he was still not feeling well. Although they may be correct, he did not want them to worry so he had to do something about it.

He immediately jumped into Yuki's arms surprising the man at the sudden contact. Yuki's eyes widened looking at the boy who clung onto his arm as if he were hanging to it for dear life. But he was relieved to see that look on Shuichi's face, that annoying yet extremely cute puppy dog look with his eyes shining and sparkling and looking really stupid. He missed that but he would not be caught dead admitting that.

"Ne, ne, Yuuuuki! What do you think? Did I shine? Am I good?" Shuichi acted pleadingly and nearly smiled at himself. He was so good at pretending that he even thought that it was real. Oh don't take it wrong, the feelings are true but his acting just was painful.

"Baka." Yuki replied but could not hold back that slight smile that decided to grace his lips.

"YIPPPEEEEEEE!!!! YUUUUUKKKIIII LIIIIIIKKKKEEEEDD IIIITTT!" Shuichi jumped up and down around and around causing a vein to twitch from the forehead of the blonde author and causing him to blush in the process as well.

"Shut up!" He snarled at the boy but only weakened his resolve when the boy gave him a meaningful and cute smile.

How can I be sickeningly love sick?

I'm acting like a school girl in front of her idol…or perhaps not but this is definitely not what I am used to do.

Damn…

He's making me emotional

"Oh my god, did I just see Yuki Eiri smile?" Hiro mocked and saw Yuki direct a glare towards him. "Okay, probably a burst of my imagination."

"No, Eiri-san has softened through time." Tohma added salt to injury.

"What?" Yuki stared incredulously at Tohma and Tohma merely shrugged.

"Tell me I'm wrong." Tohma challenged. And Yuki merely remained passive. Although he wanted to counter, he could not and that was a wonder.

Shuichi knew that he was successful in performing the act. The look in Yuki's face, the relieved sighs from his friends, the change in Tohma's expression to a look of true happiness, and to Ryuichi's extremely wide and silly grin. Everything was going normally, like it usually should be going, except for a few physical problems—but nevertheless, everything was fine.

It hurts actually…

His side is hurting that he decided to wear black in order to cover the blood if any decided to appear.

He's having his migraines again but nevertheless at least the rehearsal was over.

Now, he could rest.

Suddenly he caught a flash of pink by the door. Actually, he had seen that woman over there since the rehearsal started. He had been observing her for quite some time not and noticed that she did not leave at all. In fact, she stayed there listening to him through the entire rehearsal. He wanted to offer her to come inside but he did not know her and this might insult Tohma and K since they prohibited outsiders during practices. And while she listened she had that smile on her face.

Yes a smile….

A smile that he had no idea how to interpret…

Although softly…

There was something else…

He knew that she was smiling softly and he knew that she WAS smiling softly towards him. Shuichi did not know why but it eased his feelings knowing that she was watching him. Somewhere deep inside his heart, he knew that woman was important. It was then that he did something different.

Ignoring the comments that came from the people around them, he roughly pushed them away hurrying towards the door. HE could not even hear the words calling out his name from behind, and neither did he hear Yuki calling his name. He simply wanted to follow that woman, he's going to ask her questions, probably this time, he would have answers—he would finally have the answers that he sought to have.

But then again, a part of him wanted to know why there was a doubt in his heart—a huge thorn of doubt. Amidst a certain degree of happiness with seeing the woman, there was a counterpart that negates the happiness.

And with that he decided to follow the woman.

TBC

Thank you for Reading

Please Read and Review

Since it's my upcoming birthday I will celebrate it with you guys by giving a four chapter update! My other chappies might come in after another week though because it's going to be a really hectic school week!

I love all your reviews! It helps me so much! Though I would like it very much if you could review each chapter as well! nyahahahahaha!

Yakari Taito: Really? Does my story really get better!!! Wow! Yahoo! Thanks! (Yuki told me I have zero talent as well) ehhehehehe! Joke!

Reiannah: Of course your reviews has always been the best, I think you're my most favorite one! heheh! Sakuya's a baby neh? neh? hehehe! I love him because even as the writer, I still think he's unpredictable! hehe! And I really love your reviews though I think I already said that!

Spiral FishCakes: Really? Is Sakuya interesting for you also? I am so glad!! Kampai!!! Hehe!

Cradle to the grave: Is this the first time you reviewed? heheh! Thank you-na-no-da! I appreciate the comment and in truth I think the chapter is a bit boring too! ehhehe, some chapters might end up that way anyway! Though please read and review again! Mata ne?

Mistress of Anime: See I told you lots of updates! La-li-ho!

I love Athrun: And yes new chapters for you!

deppfan1016: No surprises, well not that much anyway! hehe it will be a bit predictable from now on, or is it my own instinct because I wrote it? ahahahah! anyway, thank you for liking Sakuya and the flashbacks! I adore Tohma to an extent as well because I think he's a bit too obsessed with Yuki in the series and making him more like the brother he's supposed to be is more interesting for me! hint hint hehehe

clarichan: True! Tohma is NOT evil! clap clap clap! hehehe! see yah in the next review!

Kanilla: long? hehe, then it's probably a good thing I cut off the chapters or else you people would be reading chapters that are 12,000 plus words each! hehehe! thanks for the review and I would see you soon

The updates will be half of chapter 4 first (that means 2 chapters) and then the next two! hehe, But my personal favorite chapter is the fifth and it's coming after a week or a week and half or two...uh...no idea!

But please continue to review oki? Every chapter? hehehehe! oh well Just read and enjoy! The greatest accomplishment of a writer is to make the people love their story and enjoy it to the least! So, as long as you do, I am honored! See you soon!