Forbidden Fruit

By Fiorae

Author's Notes: I've finally finished work on my website! Forbidden Fruits is being hosted there, now with art to it, so go check it out. There is a link to it in my profile titled My Website, but here is another if you need it: in the fan section. I've set up a review system there too, so be sure to review and tell me if you like the art and revised story.


Chapter Two: You Taste Like Cola

Before the concert, Yuki had told Shuichi he might be going to Kyoto for a couple of days, so Shuichi wasn't surprised to find the house empty when he got home. Wether Yuki was really in Kyoto or not was anyone's guess, but it didn't really matter.

Shuichi strolled his tired body into his bedroom, climbing into the bed. He didn't want to change his clothes. The calming smell of cola and strawberry body wash was still fresh in them. He turned on his back and looked to the ceiling.

... I love you, Shuichi . . .

'Ryuichi really said that . . . ' he thought as his mind ran through the events of the night. Each image of everything that happened flashed by like a movie on fast forward. Their singing on stage. The dance they did to excite the crowed. Going back to the dressing rooms. The shirt being taken off . . .

The movie slowed as it got to the confession, and froze when it reached the kiss. He'd really kissed him. Shuichi had really kissed Sakuma Ryuichi.

"I can't believe I did that . . . " he whispered, covering his eyes with his arm. "Why did I do it? I have . . . Yuki . . . " His voice trailed away as he thought about all the things Ryuichi had asked him.

Are you happy . . . with Yuki-san? Are you happy with your unrequited feelings . . . ?

"Yuki loves me . . . he's just got a really weird way of showing it. He's shy . . . that's all," Shuichi turned and groped his pillow, shutting his eyes closed tightly. Yet every time he closed his eyes, he saw that look on Ryuichi's face. That pain in his eyes . . . Oh, how many times Shuichi must have made that look over Yuki.

My heart hurts . . . it hurts so badly . . .

"Ryuichi ..." Shuichi gently touched his lips. He blushed as he thought back to the kiss. Ryuichi had put so much affection into the kiss. It was an amazing one. Better than the ones Yuki gave him. Yuki's felt more like he was trying to eat your face off. But Ryuichi's were ...

...passionate.


"Where are you, Shindo-san?"

Shuichi's half open eyes lazily trailed upward to look at the youngest member of their band, Suguru Fujisaki. Fujisaki stared down at him with a slightly annoyed expression.

"Shindo-san, you have to get up. We have an interview in less than thirty minutes!" he cried, shaking Shuichi vigorously. Shuichi groaned slightly, but didn't make any indication of waking up.

"Nakano-san! I think he's dead!" Fujisaki called over to Hiro. Hiro looked up from his guitar, an amused smile on his lips.

"He's probably gonna be no use to us today, Fujisaki. Yuki's out for the week," he said, shrugging. "You know Shuichi can get nothing done when Yuki's on his mind."

Fujisaki sighed annoyance. "Why does Eiri-san have to leave right after our concert! This interview is important!"

Unknown to his band mates, Shuichi wasn't sluggish because Yuki was out of town. He hadn't gotten much of any sleep the previous night for thinking about what happened with Ryuichi.

Hiro sat his guitar down and walked over to his best friend. He pat his head gently.

"Fujisaki's right though, Shuichi. You don't really have much of a choice with this interview."

Shuichi sat up slowly. His violet eyes looked into Hiro's brown ones. The grin on Hiro's face slowly disappeared.

"...What's wrong?" he whispered. Shuichi looked at the ground, then back up Hiro.

"I can't see Ryu ...Sakuma-san today ..." he whispered, correcting himself on the name. Hiro and Fujisaki looked at him with confusion.

"You're usually happy to be around Sakuma-san, Shindo-san. Why not now?" Fujisaki asked. Shuichi frowned and looked at the ground.

"I just can't ..."

Hiro didn't like how Shuichi was acting today. He had been so excited when he last saw him. What could have happened over night to upset him so bad? And what did it have to do with Sakuma-san? Hiro grabbed the cotton candy haired vocalist and pulled him gently out of his seat.

"Let's go talk, Shuichi," he whispered softly. Shuichi nodded slowly. Fujisaki stared at them, dumbfounded, as Hiro lead Shuichi out of the room. He sighed and flopped down where Shuichi had been sitting.

"I wonder if I should quit Bad Luck ..."


"Ryuichi-san, what's wrong?"

Ryuichi blinked and looked up at his long time friend, Tohma. Tohma was at his desk, signing a few last minute things when he noticed Ryuichi's distant expression. Ryuichi shook his head then smiled.

"Ryu-chan's fine, Tohma! Ryu-chan is just tired of waiting. Are we gonna leave soon?"

Tohma smiled and nodded. "Just as soon as Noriko-chan gets here, Ryuichi-san. Be patient just a bit longer."

Ryuichi nodded. He turned and looked out the large office window. Truthfully, he wasn't all that excited about doing the interview today. He'd have to see Shuichi ... which was normally a happy thought for him. But after what he said to him, he wasn't sure if Shuichi would want to see him at all. Thinking like that ... made him sad.

The door to Tohma's office suddenly flung open.

"Sorry I'm late guys! I had to find a baby sitter for Saki," Noriko said as she ran into the office. Tohma smiled.

"Well then, we can leave now ..." The phone on Tohma's desk rang suddenly. Tohma sighed and picked it up. "Yes? Right now? ...and it can't wait? Fine. I'm on my way." He sat the phone back down.

"Something wrong?" Noriko asked. Tohma shook his head.

"Nothing serious. Apparently, there's some type of sudden meeting I need to attend. It'll only take a few minutes," he said as he made his way to the door. "Please wait patiently. I'll be right back."

Noriko sighed. "They worry poor Tohma to death, huh Ryu-chan?"

Ryuichi blinked. "What?"

Noriko raised an eyebrow. "You okay, Ryu-chan? You seem kinda out of it ..."

Ryuichi sighed. "I'm a little nervous about seeing Shuichi today ..."

"Why?"

Nittle Grasper's vocalist fiddled with his fingers. "I confessed to him ..."

"You did what!" Noriko cried, bolting over to her partner.

"Oh, I knew it was a bad idea to let you two share a room! I told you not to tell him, Ryu-chan!" she cried. Ryuichi bit his lip.

"I couldn't help it, Noriko-chan ..." he whispered. Noriko sighed, then reached her hand out and patted his shoulder.

"Okay ... tell me what happened ..."


"You kissed him!" Hiro cried in disbelief. Shuichi nodded, leaning against the bathroom stall.

"I don't know why I did it ... I was just ... caught up in the moment I guess ..." he whispered. Hiro sighed.

"And it didn't go any further than that, right?"

"O-of course not!" Shuichi cried, blushing. Hiro couldn't help but laugh at his tomato red face.

"Then what are you so nervous about? You kiss me all the time," he said, patting Shuichi's head. Shuichi looked tempted to bite him.

"I kissed you once! One time! And I was drunk!"

"Oh, you were sober when you kissed Ryuichi then? Now I'm jealous."

" ..."

"Haha, don't look like that Shuichi," he chuckled. Shuichi's eyes grew distant.

"It's different, Hiro. Ryuichi ... told me he loves me ..." he whispered. Hiro's eyes widened.

"Like, seriously?"

"Mhm ..."

"Wow ...well, that makes a lot of sense." Shuichi looked up at Hiroshi.

"How so?"

Hiro shrugged. "I mean, it's been kinda obvious to me I guess. He always gets so happy when he's around you or when he's talking about you. And the way he looks at you when you sing ... It's like your voice is his version of Mecca."

Shuichi stared at Hiro, letting his words sink in. Had everyone else seen what Hiro had saw but him? Was he the only one oblivious to Ryuichi's feelings? Suddenly, Shuichi's heart ached...


"He didn't give you a definite answer?" Noriko asked in disbelief. Ryuichi shook his head.

"He said he wasn't sure about his feelings ...So, that kinda means I might have a chance, right?" he looked up with hope filled eyes. Noriko felt a wave a sympathy hit her. Ryuichi really had the love bug ...bad. She wrapped an arm around him and squeezed tightly.

"Yeah, Ryu-chan ..." she whispered. She wasn't sure if she really believed herself though.

The door to Tohma's office once again flung open, stepping in with it a very annoyed looking Tohma.

"Okay ...we can finally go to our interview now. I'm sure Bad Luck is probably there and waiting by now," he sighed. Noriko stood and stretched.

"Yup, let's get going Ryu-chan," she said, smiling at him. Ryuichi nodded.

"Sorry, you guys, give me a sec. Ryu-chan gotta run by the bathroom!" he cried suddenly, running out of the room. Tohma sighed obvious agitation.

"Let's head down stairs anyway. Ryuichi-san knows the way."


"Ah, Shuichi, we're gonna be late for the interview!" Hiro gasped, looking at his watch. Shuichi flinched.

"You and Fujisaki-kun go on ahead, Hiro. I'll come on my own," he whispered. Hiro nodded slowly. He ruffled Shuichi's hair, then made his way out of the bathroom. As Shuichi heard the door clank closed behind Hiro, he sighed and sank to the floor.

Ryuichi had liked him for so long, and Shuichi never even noticed. He felt incredibly guilty. The pain in the older man's eyes kept flashing through his mind and it made his heart hurt. He hated to think he was the reason Ryuichi had felt so much pain and kept it hidden for so long. What would he say when he saw him ...?

The door to the bathroom suddenly creaked open. Shuichi jumped. Who was coming in now? Everyone should have been downstairs waiting for the interview to start. The footsteps slowed down to a stop. Shuichi peeked through the crack in the door to see who it was. He gasped.

It was Ryuichi.

He was facing the wall, slouching over on it. His shoulders seemed to shake a bit.

"It hurts again ..." he whispered, clenching his shirt. Shuichi bit his lip. It was coming over him again. That weird urge. He felt the need to comfort him. Hold him. ... Kiss him. He stood and unlocked the stall door.

"Ryuichi-kun ...?"

Ryuichi jumped. He turned slowly, a soft blush on his cheeks.

"Shuichi ..." he whispered. Shuichi stepped closer to him. Ryuichi looked at the floor, a guilty gesture. "You should be at the interview ..."

"So should you," he replied. Ryuichi bit his bottom lip.

"I thought it'd be weird ... after what I said yesterday ..." he mumbled. Shuichi was somehow amazed by Ryuichi vulnerable state at that moment. Of all his personality changes, this one he'd never seen. It was like his serious self and his childish self mixed into one. Was this the real Sakuma Ryuichi ...?

Ryuichi's eyes took on their stage look. It seemed like he realized Shuichi had saw him without the mask, so he had to quickly replace it. The older man took a deep breath before he spoke again.

"I didn't mean to drop that bomb on you like that. I guess being around you for so long made all the emotions bubble up and explode." He laughed numbly. "Just ...forget I ever said anything ..." he made to leave but Shuichi caught his arm. Ryuichi turned, his eyes glowing with that same pain from the other night.

Shuichi felt his stomach flip and his cheeks flare. "I-I can't forget ...! Especially because ... it's been all I could think about ..." he whispered. His hand gripping Ryuichi's shook gently. He took a step closer. Then another. They were mere inches away from each other. Slowly ... they closed the gap between them once more.

This time their tongues fought for dominance. Shuichi was winning for a moment, but Ryuichi pinned him to the wall and took over. He moaned into the kiss, enjoying the feeling of the older man above him. Ryuichi's broke the kiss. He stared into Shuichi's eyes, caressing his cheek. Shuichi gave a little smile.

"If we don't leave now, we'll be late for the interview," he whispered. Ryuichi suddenly gasped.

"Shu-chan's right! Oh, and if Ryu-chan is late then Noriko-chan will hurt Ryu-chan!" he whined. "C'mon, Shu-chan! We gotta hurry!" He grabbed Shuichi's hand and ran with him out of the bathroom. As they ran through the halls, Shuichi watched their intertwined hands. It felt so right, holding hands with Ryuichi. Hugging Ryuichi. Kissing him. It all felt like it was the way it was supposed to be.

"Hey, Ryuichi-kun?"

"Hai?"

"Did you know you taste like cola?"

Chapter Two End


Author's Notes: Wow, seven pages! Give me a high five! This isn't the end yet though. More to come for these two. Next chapter will be up by Sunday! Oh, and please check out Forbidden Fruits on my website: