Ripples in Red Water

Chapter 5: Rave

Part 1

Melting the Ice

By: Empathic Soul

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

PLEASE READ AT YOUR OWN RISK

Okay, this chapter is lighter than the last one but I cannot assure you that this might lose the angst. Well this is an Angsty fic so it would continue to have one till the um last chapter. So look forward to the Epilogue. But I assure you since this is romance also there would be a lot of that!

Well, I was waiting for my 99th and 100th review, but then again, I really never wanted to wait, so I presumed that some of you wouldn't either. So here, hehe

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!

BE FOREWARNED: This chapter includes angst, drama, and a little bit of violence! Please do read this with care and understanding. Absorb it so that you would get some of the subtle hints for the plot and do so understand the characters as well. Thank you so much!

Yuki looked at the figure that is lying down in the bed beside him. His usually calm exterior seems to have been replaced by a broken and torn apart one as he gazed at the boy that looked very feverish. Shindou Shuichi has been out cold since the incident in the parking lot for three days now.

The boy has a fever and is currently at it's peak, meaning too high for comfort. They were about to send him to a hospital so that the doctors would be able to take care of him, but the boy was raving and they could not move him easily. They simply settled to send a doctor immediately with the help of Tohma.

Yuki could not believe it, but it was actually the first time that he saw Tohma worried like that with regards to a person, who is not part of the family, or rather not part of the family…yet. The man rushed out to get a doctor and immediately arrived with one a few minutes later. He heard loud screeching sounds of tires as it raced out when Tohma went to find a doctor and the same loud screeching when it arrived accompanied by a doctor muttering several complaints and curses and even a dose of prayer mentioning that he might have died in a car accident due to reckless driving.

For what Tohma did, of course not the part that he carelessly drove, Yuki was thankful.

Well he did not say it though, a simple nod should be enough to be understood.

But that was not the one that bothered him so. The doctor has given him medications but the boy seems to be getting worse everyday. And now, the third day of his sickness, the boy seemed to be getting out of his mind, raving like there's no tomorrow. It pained him to see Shuichi in any form of pain, but seeing his lover like this was pure torture.

He could not do anything at all. Even though he wanted as much as to help the boy go through his nightmares and fight off all those demons haunting him, it was as if Shuichi could not feel him at all anymore. The boy shook and shoved his hands away, roughly kicked and turned as if fighting an invisible enemy. Nothing could be much worse than seeing someone you love in pain like this.

Yuki grabbed the towel on Shuichi's forehead and started to dip it in the cold water that was beside him. He soaked it well making sure that the towel absorbed the heat that it got from Shuichi's body replaced by the cold water. He then wrenched it tightly to remove the excess water. He gently placed it on the boy's forehead only to be shoved away.

"This stupid…" Yuki was about to mutter a curse, like a reflex, but held himself knowing that Shuichi did not mean it. It was probably the boy's natural reaction to alien feelings, especially at times like this.

And Yuki's conscience started to speak again, like it usually did when Shuichi is there.

What exactly are you trying to do? I thought you were trying to help?

I am…

You know, you're REALLY good at it!

Sarcasm…

I'm glad you noticed.

I am trying my best here.

Suuurrre…I believe you. Really I do.

I AM.

Whatever you say. I told you I believe you.

Why are you suddenly so talkative all of a sudden?

Help is one thing and call me a conscience is also another thing…so if you're really trying your best to help, then do as you must to keep your mouth from expelling such horrendous words. And if I use complicated words blame it to yourself, you're a writer.

Yuki tried to ignore the voice, shove it to the depths of his mind, but true to form, the voice was right. With what he's doing, he surely isn't helping Shuichi get better. Anyone who's sick and hears those additional side comments would probably just get worse. He grumbled under his breath and looked at the basin.

Can he actually help it if old habits die hard?

He stared at the basin and decided to fill it with more ice cubes. The water seems to have absorbed more heat from Shuichi's body and has gone to be lukewarm.

He stood up and looked at the boy for a while. His insides started to get weary at the sight of the very boy that was full of life a few weeks ago and who is now laying on the bed fighting his own demons.

Shuichi had gone to look pretty weak and frail. His body had gotten a whole lot thinner than he thought at first. His skin got paler and he's got dark circles under his eyes. His body seems so fragile that a mere nudge would cause him to break in a million pieces, no pun intended of course.

Aside from that, Shuichi also looked dead to the world. His body is sweating profusely and Yuki knew that the boy is slowly getting dehydrated. It was only lucky that he could get ounces of water every night when Yuki tries to force him to drink even unconsciously. There were times that Shuichi would throw up the mere water and Yuki would merely let him drink again. Soup was also given but he always throws it back up.

But he had to change this, if he wanted to help Shuichi get any better, he would have to do everything that he could. He would have to go through this. He should get through this, for him…for Shuichi.

He stepped out carefully eyeing Shuichi at the corner of his eye and carefully closing the door. HE sighed softly remembering that he did not even bother to write anything on the novel that he is currently working on, especially with Shuichi in such a condition. His editor would have to wait. Shuichi is more important than a stupid novel. Even the productions of BAD LUCK were placed into a halt due to the singer's condition. No one complained, not even Tohma, well especially Tohma since he ordered it.

When he stepped out on the way to the living room, he was suddenly reminded that none of them were actually back to how they usually live and where they were supposed to live. Everyone is in there…in Shuichi and his apartment.

Hiro sat on the couch with his arm wrapped around his loving girlfriend as they both slept. His head lay on her head as they cuddled comfortably to a position where they could actually rest. Ayaka had her arms wrapped around his waist and her head nestled at the crook of his neck. Hiro sighed comfortably in his sleep being with the woman that he loves.

Yuki was more than happy for the two of them, but of course a reputation is a reputation, a habit is a habit. He could not just go out of character and shake they hands and tell them how happy he is, Shuichi-style. He merely gave them an approving nod the day they came and announced their marriage in two months. Yuki however, hoped that it would not be moved to a later date because of the events that is happening to Shuichi. Yuki knew the boy would not like the thought that his best friend sacrificed too much for him. It would only pain him even more.

Looking at the side of Hiro, Suguru sat there. He probably dozed off after reading the book on his lap. The book still had a mark on it and Yuki took a slight glance as to what the book would probably be about. He noticed some jumbled words and shook his head upon realization.

English.

Beside Suguru, K sat with his arms crossed seemingly alert if anyone tried to disturb his sleep. Up to now, Yuki still felt at least a little bit bothered by those guns that the man kept bringing with him. It triggers memories when HE was holding the gun and pointing it at the very person that he loved and killing him afterwards. Yuki shook his head. He did not want to remember it at all anymore…

Sakano sat beside K with a small drool down the side of his face. The panicky producer seems to be tired by the sound of his heavy snoring. Yuki did not even want to bother him. He looked pitiful…and…

Broken?

You said it not me.

And of course, Sakuma Ryuichi. The man is exhausted. Aside from Yuki, Mika, and Tohma, he's been the one who insisted that he won't leave Shuichi's side. Hiro attempted to reason out with him but Ryuichi seemed more bent up to stay the more he was insisted to rest. He was extremely stubborn beyond the point of reason. Ryuichi did not even hold Kumagoro even once as he took care of Shuichi with Yuki. It was a bit awkward for Yuki to see the older man without the pink bunny and with that serious expression on his face. He did not act as a child even once since the incident. Yuki could not even begin to muster the will and the heart to tell the older man to bug off especially when it is evident that he is THAT worried about the pink haired vocalist's condition.

Tohma actually explained it to Yuki as to how Ryuichi felt for Shuichi. At first, apprehension was there for Yuki as he sensed a rival with the attention of the pink haired ball of energy. But Tohma assured him that Ryuichi did not feel that way towards the younger boy.

"Ryuichi and Shuichi are almost identical in all aspects…." Tohma started while mixing the bowl of chicken soup he's making for the sick Shuichi. "I have known for a long time that Ryuichi felt lonely most of the time, especially in his rise to fame. I wanted to help him get through with it, by providing him company, Noriko and I. But we were not enough at all."

"Enough?" Yuki raised an eyebrow. "You guys are a handful."

Tohma cannot help but smile at the comment. He poured ample amount of soup in the bowl and placed it on a tray while heading to get a spoon and a glass of water.

Tohma is the resident chef.

"We are. But Ryuichi wanted someone who can understand him. And the moment that Ryuichi saw Shuichi, it triggered that feeling. He wanted someone to guide and at the same time be with him. Like a master to a student, a big brother to a younger brother, a Ryuichi to a Shuichi…" Tohma looked up and smiled towards Yuki's direction, who leaned at the wall and continued to smoke. "That's how they seem to relate."

Tohma continued with his explanation as he placed the tray on the table.

"And I can very well guess that the moment Shuichi-kun was in pain yesterday, he felt the need to blame himself for not protecting him and also the feeling of actually knowing that he's not the one that Shuichi needed…needed at that moment." Tohma looked at Yuki expecting a reaction.

And as good as Tohma is, Yuki did react with a slight blush, a humph, and turning off the cigarette and heading towards the room to feed the sick and raving Shuichi—who is currently being watched by their very topic of conversation, Sakuma Ryuichi.

Ryuichi is now sleeping after being forced by Tohma. The man was extremely tired and eye bags are starting to form under his eyes. The boy objected at first but after a few words from Tohma, he decided to get some rest and leave the watch to Yuki, Tohma, and Mika.

But even though Yuki is very thankful with the support that they are giving, people helping Shuichi and all, he still could not get the face of that redhead that advised them to go home immediately after that incident in the parking lot.

He was somewhat familiar to Tohma since he looked more at Shuichi and Tohma than to him. It annoyed Yuki so much when he touched Shuichi's forehead and then smiled gingerly towards the unconscious boy. He actually had the urge to kick the man and shove his hand away rudely. Well, if he wasn't really Yuki Eiri, he would have done that.

But what annoyed Yuki more was that Yuki knew what that feeling was…

That feeling of seeing another person touch his…

His…

Yes? Your?

Lover.

Yuki could have sworn his conscience smiled.

Yes, and Yuki admits…

Jealousy.

He felt jealousy for that act…that simple act the redhead did. And until now, it still gave him that annoying feeling.

Yuki slowly recalled the events that happened back then after Shuichi lost consciousness in his arms crying and mumbling incoherent words to Yuki though the writer could barely understand of make out any sense out of it.

He started to recall the events three days ago.

"Shuichi?" Yuki asked wondering why the boy suddenly stopped crying in his arms. Actually he stopped moving in general.

He looked down only to see and feel that Shuichi has lost consciousness in his arms wherein this same boy was actually violently raving just a moment ago. He immediately felt a huge gush of worry flow through him as he slightly shook the boy to knock some sense and to wake him up. But of course that was to no avail.

So the next best thing would be…

"TOHMA! Shuichi needs to be taken to a hospital." Yuki shouted pulling up the boy's slender form into his arms as he raced towards the blonder businessman to ask for help.

Tohma snapped out of his trance from seeing all the events a while ago when he heard Yuki's plea and the same person stood there in front of him carrying Shuichi in his arms. Tohma wasn't sure anymore which was the reason that he was shocked.

He presumed it was a combination of Shuichi's sudden burst and nervous breakdown and the fact that it was the first time Yuki shouted for help plus the first time he felt like an older brother, not only to Eiri but to Shuichi as well. This was causing mayhem in his internal emotion database…

But his eyes focused on Shuichi. The boy never looked so frail in his entire life—well the length that Tohma knew him. Inside the businessman's mind, he wanted to burn the woman to hell, whoever she is. But given that he had enough sense and a more gentlemanly kind of attitude, he would want to hear an explanation first.

Then probably after that, he could kill her.

But of course, priorities should be set…

"Of course, let's go to my car…" Tohma was about to lead Yuki to his car when a black Jaguar came rushing to the scene, tires screeching in the process as it took a wild turn.

The people there actually thought that it might his something. But apparently, the driver was skilled.

A man with red hair wearing a business suit emerged with anger in his face. He stormed out of his car and hurriedly went to the crying pink haired woman. His eyes were burning with unexpressed anger and not even a single strand of pity was left. He eyed Shuichi with a worried glance and then resumed to his angry state.

"WHAT THE HELL DO YOU THINK YOU'RE DOING, SUZU?" Sakuya stepped in front of her and placed his arms on his hips. He did not trust his hands on her because he might hurt her or something. "First you ruin his life before by sending him to his own grave and now you're sending him to another grave, what kind of a sister are you?"

"It's your fault anyway! You saw him that day only to remind him of his past! You did this to him!" Suzu screamed back pushing Sakuya and pointing her index finger rudely to the man in front of her who appeared shocked for a while.

"What do you mean by that?" Sakuya regained his rationality. "You're the one that spilled everything! Everything could have been done in a way that would not result to this! But you just had to come here and ruin things al over again!" Sakuya pointed at the people that were there as if to emphasize something. "And you did not just destroy Shindou Shuichi but also them! Look at them! Look at the people that you indirectly destroyed!"

"I never wanted this to happen…I just wanted to see him…what could be so wrong with that?" She now cried so hard as she could. The tears that she's been hiding has exploded and caused her to feel more wrecked than before. She began to form fists on her hands as she imagined to have tried to grasp her emotions into a single ball.

But Sakuya was never one to be fooled by mere tears of this woman he had grown to dislike because of what she did and for many other reasons that he would not rather enumerate. Sakuya always wanted to tell her that the consequences of her actions are still there. If she was willing to fulfill her PERFECT plan, then she should have not done this. She should have not seen him.

"What could be so wrong, you ask? THIS! You going here is wrong, because the moment that you made him a different family, a different life, and created a lie for him to cover the truth—that, THAT is also the moment that you severed your ties with him. He's not your brother anymore! You substituted him, remember?" Sakuya cannot help but be sarcastic and extremely bitter about it.

All those events are killing him

Suzu shook her head violently, trying to persuade Sakuya into something in her mind. It echoed into her that she substituted Shuichi with this Shuichi.

No!

It never occurred to her that it was result of her actions! She only wanted to five him a life.

So what if it's a lie?

As long as he's happy, right?

"Suzu, you have no right to be with Shuichi anymore." Sakuya whispered pointing out the obvious. He turned around to Shuichi's direction to see his situation.

"And you have? What right do you have to see Shuichi last Wednesday? What right have you got to tell him the truth?" Suzu muttered with the same intensified anger in her voice. A sudden shift in her emotions, as Sakuya always noticed with her.

Sakuya stopped moving towards Shindou Shuichi but did not even turn to face the lady who is shivering violently behind him, with eyes flashing with raw anger and hatred. Suzu looked like she could kill for a moment there.

"You're not family Sakuya! You were never part of the family! You were merely some family acquaintance and it ends there! How dare you ruin all the plans that I had for him? How dare you!!" Suzu pointed at the man accusingly and suddenly saw Sakuya grab her wrists and pulled her so that their faces would be merely inches apart.

"And you being his family has the right to lie to him, right? Is that what you're trying to say? Is your lies justified by the truth that the two of you are blood relatives? I don't like hiding the truth from him! I would not hide it anymore! I never liked hiding it! You only stopped me all these years by placing my as Vice-President of your stupid company!" Sakuya gritted his teeth and looked at the woman who stood there in shock.

"I wanted the best for him!" Suzu countered swishing her hand away to be freed from his grip.

For the first time, Sakuya shook his head calmly. He strode towards Shuichi noticing that none of the other spectators were acting violently about him nearing the boy, particularly Ryuichi, Tohma, and Yuki. He sighed and placed a hand on Shuichi's forehead and then removed it as he looked back at the girl who looked at him indignantly.

"No Suzu. You've always wanted the best for YOU not for HIM." Sakuya muttered.

The wind in the parking area suddenly died down followed by an eerie silence. Suzu took all those simple words down staring at the man who strode towards Yuki Eiri, Seguchi Tohma, and Sakuma Ryuichi. She could not believe it. He actually said those words to her. Those were the words that scared her a lot—and what freaked her out most was the fact that he was…

RIGHT?

Is he right?

NO! THAT WASN'T IT…SHE WANTED THE BEST FOR SHUICHI, NOT FOR HERSELF!

Really?

Suzu placed a hand on her forehead to calm herself but it was to no avail. It hurts so much…and much more…not for her…even Sakuya was far away.

Sakuya looked at Tohma, exhausted after the argument with Shuichi's sister. Tohma looked at the once proud and calm VP turn into a wreck in a matter of seconds, well not like HE was someone who looked decent and stable…

"Tohma, don't bring Shuichi to a hospital…it's too dangerous if he wakes up in that kind of atmosphere. Just get a doctor, I'll pay…" Sakuya ordered looking at Shuichi then to Tohma and glancing at the zoned out Ryuichi.

A tinge of guilt spread in Sakuya's face and focused once more to Tohma.

"What do you mean? Shuichi-kun would die if we don't take him to a hospital!" Tohma looked desperate for once, out of options to say the least.

"Tohma, trust me in this. Place Shuichi in any room, except in a hospital or in a room painted in either red or white." Sakuya glanced towards Yuki who seemed unperturbed by the other's inquisitive features.

"Are you sure?" Tohma raised an eyebrow still doubtful.

"Yes. Just do as I tell you." Sakuya nodded and proceeded back to the girl who is currently in shock.

Yuki looked at Tohma who seemed to be doubtful at first but suddenly regained his normal features. Yuki then glanced at that man who just talked to them then back to Tohma as if asking where they would take Shuichi. Yuki felt angry at the man for at least touching Shuichi, even just in the forehead. It still made his blood boil to a degree.

"We have to trust Sakuya." Tohma muttered towards Yuki. "You will understand why once Shuichi-kun waked up. Right now, please believe me, I won't make it bad."

Yuki gave him a nod to acknowledge him. Tohma led him to his car and they headed to his apartment taking note of that redhead in his mind and also making a mental note about asking Tohma about him and his connection to Shuichi.

After recalling the incidents, he headed towards the kitchen to see Tohma and Mika discussing something. The two barely had enough sleep and refused to go back to their respectable homes just like those in the living room. The couple looked up and saw Yuki with the basin and smiled.

"I never thought I'd see the day that you actually would do something like this." Mika smirked teasingly towards her brother who just ignored her and went straight to the fridge for some ice.

"The brat's sick. I would rather have him healed fast than infect me of that disease that he has." Yuki glared at his sister while he placed the ice on the basin.

"Translation: My lover is sick and he needs my help. I would do all that I can to help him because I. LOVE. HIM." Mika looked at Yuki evenly who glared at her twice the intensity that he had a while ago. "You have to do better than that to fool me, dear brother."

"Leave." Yuki pointed at the door heading towards outside his apartment looking menacingly at the woman in front of him.

The two had their staring contest making Tohma feel a bit…awkward and left out of the situation. Tohma decided to interfere before things get out of hand or at least before he saw the cups of coffee spill over the table. He had to avoid déjà vu.

"Uhm…" Tohma cleared his throat successfully breaking the contest. "It's getting out of hand. Anyway, Eiri-san, how's Shuichi-kun?"

Tohma took a sip of his coffee and sighed. Nothing but good coffee to wake his dead senses…

Yuki shook his head and sighed. He sat beside the two who looked at him with sad eyes. They also had to admit that they were worried about Shuichi. And to add up to that, the weather started to get really bad. There seems to be harsh winds blowing outside. There was an unexpected typhoon that started two days ago effectively canceling all work and even the Board of Directors meeting. It was all actually weird, but some could say this was all bad luck…

BAD LUCK…

How ironic…

The silence that they shared was unbearable. Yuki stood up after a few minutes willing himself to continue with his guard in watching over Shuichi, Tohma, who held his shoulder in a firm grip was the only thing stopping him. Yuki was a bit surprised that he could not even shake the hand away. Yuki looked behind him and saw Tohma smiling at him gently.

"Why don't I replace you for a while and you have a cup of coffee it might help you." Tohma advised pointing at the coffee that Mika is currently mixing.

"But…" Yuki was about to say no when Mika beat him to completing his statement.

"Tohma can do a good job in taking care of people. Let him do this…and YOU! I don't think Shuichi would appreciate seeing you in this kind of disposition." Mika eyed her brother, who looked like he was run down by a truck.

"Not that much compared to you." Yuki grunted staring hard at his sister.

"You little, brat!" Mika gritted her teeth.

Yuki almost snickered at how he can make his sister feel all riled up. Well, you need someone to vent on anyway, who's better than his sister?

Tohma simply took the basin and headed for the room where Shuichi is when he stopped by the voice of Yuki.

"Thanks…Tohma, Mika…" Yuki mumbled softly immediately falling for a little nap as all those fatigue and stress finally caught up with him.

Mika and Tohma looked at each other and then smiled.

TBC

Please read and review…

Thank you once again! Please continue to support and enjoy this story!

Tangerine-asuka: thank you! hehe

Yakari Taito: The wait is over! heheh!

ddz008: I agree! I think Yuki is much much capable of giving the same love and if not even more than what he thought he could give! I am happy you liked that chapter!

James: well, that's the fun in fanfiction! you get to write on the characters in the way that they would be least expected to act! hehehe! continue to read K? thanks!

Luluness: thank you! I'm very flattered!

Mistress of Anime: Thanks for the lovely poem! This is the first time I read french! I don't know any but I want to know though! (hint hint) heheh! But that was a really nice review, refreshing, and thanks for greeting me on my birthday! Continue to read alright? Thanks again!

I love athrun: Thank you again!

deppfan1016: wow! thank you for that! hehe! I'm very flattered that the previous chapter ended up to be one of your favorites!

kanilla: I will keep writing for you and all the other reviewers! Thank you!

Reiannah: I'm sorry to make you cry and feel scared of that. I'm not promising that the next would be lighter, but somehow, it's a bit um...less angsty because of the plot. I need to establish that and also I would want to strengthen Yuki in the process. He's quite unstable in the series so I'm making him strong and make him realize how his love for Shuichi is entirely different.

I feel bad for cursing you with sadness...I really am. But that's angst neh?

About Shun, I guess I have to say that for a story with a deep plot such as this, there are things that would happen that you least expect. So as a hint to a fellow author, there are lines in the previous chapter and the chapter after that, that would show the subtle images of my original plot. And Shun, well yeah, he might and I say might...get his ass kicked.

Shuichi does have to regain his memories. The only thing about that is...memories come slowly. There would be more.

Clari Chan: Hahaha! Thanks for the greeting! I'm very aware of the emotion in the previous chapter. Well there would be about three more of those emotion filled chapters to come. And thank you for the wonderful compliments and flattering reviews!