Chapter 7

Ryuichi

flashback 10 years ago

Ryuichi stood beside Ami's grave clutching the bunny doll for dear life. A sick feeling had settled into his chest and hadn't left since she'd died nearly a week ago. He hadn't been able to bring himself to attend the funeral. It was his fault, and everyone knew it. The gun in his pocket felt heavy, but it wasn't time yet. Methodically arranging the flowers he had brought for her, he began to sing her favorite song, and fell into a trance of sorts.

"Ryuichi?" A voice called from behind. He knew that voice, and he didn't intend to answer. Tohma wasn't dissuaded. The blonde sat down uninvited. "I've been looking everywhere for you."

Plucking a lone weed from the grass, Ryu just shrugged. "Kumagoro and I have been very busy."

Tohma flinched at the mention of the doll. They'd all tried to get him to let Kumagoro go, but he just couldn't. No one understood, and he doubted anyone ever would. Ami was dead. Poor Kumagoro missed her. Ryuichi just couldn't leave him alone, and he was tired of explaining that to them all. Neither man spoke for what seemed like forever.

"Are you ever coming back to me?" Tohma asked finally. His voice cracked uncharacteristically. Very few people had ever seen the blonde as fragile as he was right now. Ryuichi knew how much Tohma loved him, and Ryuichi returned that love as much as he could, but things were different now.

"I don't know." It was the most adult thing Ryuichi had said since the accident, and it was a goodbye of sorts.

"And what about the band?" Tohma was hurt, and he fell back on the one shield he had. "Don't you see what this will do? I can write all of the songs I want, and play better than anyone out there, but you are the one they want! Don't you understand what you are doing to us? To me?"

"I don't want to sing anymore, Tohma. The songs have gone away." That much was true. Ryuichi had always felt the music like another part of himself. It would flow through him, and bring him to life, but now it was over.

Tohma nodded. "Goodbye, Ryu. I'm really going to miss you."

end flashback

There was no mistaking the petite man in black that Ryuichi had spotted. He'd know Tohma almost all of his life. The pair had started Nittle Grasper together when they were just fifteen. In his way, Ryuichi had loved Tohma forever. Things just fell apart after Ami died. Since then, in his more lucid times, Ryuichi had followed Tohma's career. He was now one of the most famous record executives in the business. He had built NG from the ground up into a force to be reckoned with. Ryuichi was proud of him. He wondered why Tohma was at a dive like this, though. This definitely wasn't Tohma's scene, and then he spotted the dark haired man beside him. Sakano.

Shuichi

Blood was pumping furiously through Shuichi's veins. The rush was intoxicating. So many memories of being on stage all came flooding back to him at once, and for once it wasn't bitter at all. Leaping off of the stage, he launched himself into the crowed, and hurled himself at Yuki. Admiration was written all of his face.

Yuki laughed dryly. "You aren't as horrible as I thought you'd be. The songs are better out loud than on paper, but that's not saying much."

Shuichi beamed at him.

Yuki was about to say something more, when a wiry dark haired man stepped between them. "Mr. Shindo, I'm Sakano with NG." he said offering his hand. "I have to say that you were amazing up there….a little rough, but still wonderful. I've been eagerly awaiting your return to the music scene. You boys were good then, but you are incredible now. But I have to ask why you would bring Mr. Sakuma in when you are undoubtedly just as talented as he is?"

A stab of pain hit him like a knife, and with out his pad Shuichi was almost helpless to explain. He pointed to the scars on his neck hoping Sakano would understand, but Yuki cut in. "He's mute. He lost his voice to cancer."

Sakano's cheeks turned scarlet. "Oh, I am terribly sorry for your loss."

Shuichi shrugged as if to say, "I've learned to live with it."

"Well, that explains Ryuichi's appearance. Speaking of, where is the rest of the band?"

They found Hiro and Ryuichi in the back room. Hiro was putting his gituar in the case as Ryu played with his beloved bunny doll. The brunette shot up when he saw Sakano. "HEY! I've missed you!"

Sakano squirmed to get out of the younger man's embrace. "It's good to see you again, Mr. Sakuma."

"Um, not to be rude but who are you?" Hiro asked regarding Yuki and Sakano warily.

"This is my friend Sakano, and he is going to help us make a really cool record."

"Is this a joke?" Hiro asked skeptically.

Sakano shook his head. "This is no joke. I think you boys have real talent.

Now Shuichi's eyes were wide. He assumed that Sakano was a friend of Yuki's. He never really thought about the possibility of Sakano signing them. NG was a major label. The thought of working under a such a prestigious label was more than he could bear. His hands began flying in a fluid stream of words that not even Hiro could understand. With all eyes on him, Shuichi just smiled. "This is so cool!"

Hiro rolled his eyes. "What's the catch?"

"None really. Tonight was an audition of sorts. Mr. Seguchi….."

Shuichi motioned for him to stop. "Tohma Seguichi," he spelled out. "THE TOHMA SEGUCHI?"

Hiro translated, and Sakano nodded. "Mr. Seguchi has given me permission to start working with you boys….that is if you accept."

Shuichi was practically dancing. "YES. YES. YES."

"Mr. Seguchi will not have much to do with this band I'm afraid….for personal reasons." Clearing his throat, Sakano cast a glance toward Ryuichi. The singer in question was currently arguing furiously with Kumagoro about what flavor ice cream tasted better with blueberry topping. "I'm sure you've heard all about Nittle Grasper."

"Nittle Grasper?" Hiro asked.

Sakano sighed, and offered a business card. "Why don't you all talk about it, and come by NG's offices on Monday?"

Yuki

Yuki's head was aching from the club's shitty speakers and from the odd turn of events that had happened that night. All he wanted was to hail a cab, and go home, but a pink haired figure was never far behind him. The grin on his face hadn't budged since he'd gotten Sakano's card. Giving in, he let the boy follow him home.

Hanging his jacket up, Yuki sighed. "Exactly why did you feel the need to come here?"

Shuichi scribbled a note. To celebrate.

A wry smile came to Yuki's lips. "How do you want to celebrate?"

The boy just shrugged, but Yuki had ideas of his own. He was going to do what he'd been thinking about all week. Catching Shuichi off guard, Yuki pressed his mouth onto Shuichi's. This time there was no hesitation. Yuki became bolder. His hand dropped to Shuichi's belt, and began working at the buckle. The boy's breathing quickened, and was all the invitation he needed. His long fingers found their way into Shuichi's pants, and he began caressing Shuichi's cock..

Yuki watched as Shuichi's mouth formed silent moans, and nearly lost it. "Is this what you want?"

Shuichi nodded.