A/N: This story is going to be somewhat of a merger of the main Anime and the OVA series, plus I might merge some details from the manga in it as well. And also, while I said in the summary it's going to be a YukiShuuichi fic, there's going to be a bigger plot to it rather than just be a story about their relationship.

"Shuuichi's in a good mood today." Hiro said as he watched the pink haired pop-star singing in the recording booth; today Shuuichi's singing was more lively than it had been, more filled with effort. "I'm guessing last night was one of his and Yuki's good ones."

"It appears so, after last month this is refreshing." Fujisaki sighed as he remembered the prior month--it'd been a wreck since Yuki and Shuuichi seemed to have fought every night. "I wonder how long it'll last-- them not quarreling."

"Probably only a few days. If they don't start arguing then I bet Yuki will go in one of his moods and ignore Shuuichi." Hiro said and took a drink from a can of soda on the table, his eyes moving from Shuuichi singing to Fujisaki sitting at the recording control desk. "Anyway, today's the day the Popularity Charts for the new release videos, right?"

"Yeah, we get to see where our band's newest video landed on the charts."

"I'm betting on it being in the top slot."

"That would be nice, amazing too seeing as we worked on it last month when Shuuichi was too upset to work because of Yuki."

"It turned out good considering that, but I'm still betting on the top slot being Bad Luck's."

"Don't be so quick on assuming that." K spoke, arms crossed, standing next to the table. "Seeing as Nittle Grasper released a new video as well, we have more of a challenge on reaching the top spot. Bad Luck's popular but so's Nittle Grasper, and I don't think Ryuuichi had a bad month like Shuuichi did while making it."

"I'd almost forgot about that." Hiro muttered, sighed and took another drink of soda. "But I'm still banking on Bad Luck taking the top spot. Regardless if you believe it's possible."

"It's possible, and I'd already placed bets with Mr. Seguchi that Bad Luck would get the top spot." K replied, grinning.

"Oh? And what does the winner get?"

"Actually, it's like this--whatever band, either Bad Luck or Nittle Grasper, gets the top slot, their members get five days paid vacation."

"Really? And the losing band...?"

"Gets twice the workload those five days."

"Typical." Fujisaki and Hiro both sighed, but quickly turn their attentions to Shuuichi exiting the recording booth.

"Hey Shuuichi, worn out yet?"

"No, Hiro, I just remembered that today's when they release the video Popularity Chart, and..."

"You're taking a break to watch it. You deserve it, how hard you've been working today."

"Well, they should announce it on tv soon." K said, turning on the television in the room. "Just so you know neither us nor Nittle Grasper got this information ahead of time."

Quietly they all stared at the television, waiting for the announcement of the rankings.

Meanwhile:

Yuki sat at his desk, his laptop open and on in front of him though his attention was on the tv to the left of his desk. As he sat, watching the announcer talk nonstop about the other bands on the list and showing clips of their videos he heard the doorbell ring.

"Crap, of all the times..." He mumbled, glanced once at the television, and went to answer the door. "Couldn't you just've called, I'm busy..." He spoke as he opened the door, eyes closed, but the moment he opened his eyes he realized it was a stranger at his door.

Dressed in slick black pants, with a metal studded belt, black with red trimmings, and a grey trenchcoat, with a black cowboy hat blocking his face from view, the stranger looked up to Yuki and said:

"You didn't leave your number with your contact information in the letter."

"Huh...who...?"

"Oh, I haven't introduced myself properly yet, sorry." The stranger pulled the cowboy hat back and held out a hand. "The name's Hakoma. Sakuya Hakoma, you contacted me about a week ago about business."

"Oh yeah, come in." Yuki made room for the visitor to pass. "You wasn't what i was expecting."

"I have that affect on people." Sakuya Hakoma said, removing the trench coat and hat so that Yuki had a better view of the visitor's appearance—and quickly Yuki realized it was a woman. He stared stunned at her while she removed her shoes and stepped onto the wooden floor of the room.

"You really weren't what i was expecting." Yuki gaped, taking in the rest of Sakuya's appearance—she wore a red tube top shirt with a black mesh shirt over it, and gloves on her hands with the finger sleeves cut off. Her hair was short in back with long bangs in front. The back was black in color while the bangs were a dull green.

"My appearance does throw people off, i suppose it's because people don't know what to expect."

"You're so secretive about what you do, it's no wonder people are shocked. If you allow your picture to be published in your books, then i certainly have recognized you."

"You've read my books?"

"I only skimmed through one of your poetry books, and only because i wanted to use a poem in a part of it and couldn't write one at the time."

"Yes, i remember that, you mailed me a letter asking permission to use the poem. I was surprised that the famous Eiri Yuki picked a poem i wrote to use in one of his novels."

"Yours was the only decent poem i had at hand—the only one that fit." Yuki scowled and walked down the hall, barely waiting for Sakuya to catch up.

"I see someone needs work in their people skills." Sakuya caught up to Yuki and entered the room he entered a few seconds ahead of her. "What have we here, a bedroom. You're not thinking of using that charm of yours to seduce me, are you?" She teased after taking a full glance at the room's furnishings.

"Be quiet. I just want to watch a program for a while, then we can talk. You came an half hour earlier than i expected." Yuki turned his attention to the television to see how much he missed while talking to his visitor. "Good, they're just starting number three. I didn't miss it. Or at least i hope i didn't." 'If Shuuichi got anything below number two, he'd come home miserable.'

"Oh, you're watching the Popularity Charts for the new video releases. I'd almost forgot it was today." Sakuya said and sat down on the floor in front of the television, leaning back on her outstretched arms. "So, who are you rooting for to reach the top spot?"

"Like that's any of your business."

"Hm, aw well, though i bet you're rooting for the band your lover boy's in."

"...Nn..." Yuki glared at her, eyes narrowed.

"What? It's in all the magazines—well the rumors at least, but rumors always have a basis in fact."

"Be quiet, you're annoying me."

"...fine...oh, they're onto number two."

Television after a brief commercial break:

Announcer:

"Welcome back to the show, now's time to reveal the number two video. Or, in this case, videos. That's right folks, we have a tie for the number two slot—and it's certainly a shocker." The announcer paused before continuing. "Both bands are very popular and have been for a while, and on numerous occasions have sung on the same stage—just two months ago they've sung at the Tokyo Bay Music Fes. Incidentally both videos are of the song they sung together at the Fes: Here, tied at number two, are Nittle Grasper's and Bad Luck's videos for 'Kiss Shining.'" The announcer finished and switched to clips from the videos.

N-G Productions:

"What! No way no way no way, No way! How can we both get second place!" Shuuichi shouted, holding onto the television, shaking with shock. "That's bogus! There's no band that can beat either of us! It's impossible!"

"Did anyone expect this to happen?"

"Nope."

"Who d'you suppose got first?"

"No idea."

"How can you guys be so calm about this!" Shuuichi shouted at them, still pried to the television, "There has to be a mistake! There can't have been a band that beat both Bad Luck and Nittle Grasper! There can't!"

"Apparently there is."

"No, there can't...!"

"Hush, they're about to announce the number one video."

Television:

Announcer:

"Sorry to those of you disappointed fans about the outcome—no one could've predicted this. But now's time to reveal the number one video, a video whose band will go down in music history as the one band who beat Nittle Grasper and Bad Luck with their first video in the polls. A band who has truly risen from obscurity to popularity overnight: this is history in the making folks. Here is the number one video by newbie band, Black Heart, 'Stab'!" The Announcer finished and his image was replaced with the number one video.

A rock beat, the setting of a dark empty street, and then a very vocally sung first verse.

The visage of destiny reveals

that the hands of time aren't always real,

and though it pains me to confess,

when I'm with you,I am loveless.'

Then the beat quickens and the vocals turn into more rock sounding.

'Stab me in the heart to be with you

Chain these broken wings that hold me down

Bind these hands to the wall—now face me!

Like lingering shadows on the floor

I'm bound and broken—and ignored...'

Up until now the figure singing in the video is obscured by shadows, but then the shadows lift to reveal a woman with black spiky green bangs tipped black dressed in a sleeveless trench coat.

"Whoa...I haven't seen anything quite like this in Japan before." K said, staring at the Television screen even after the video ended.

"I guess its unconventionality paid off."

Elsewhere:

Stunned into silence, his greenish hair falling over the bandanna he had tied around his forehead, Ryuuichi Sakuma stared at the screen oblivious to everything around him.

"Ryuuichi, what is it?"

Ryuuichi remained silent and exited the room, and took out a square shaped locket—opened it and whispered.

"Hayako..."