Just a show

Chapter Two: Disaster Dating and Masterful Mess Control

Ryuichi Sakuma hadn't seen his former band mate, Tohma in such a long time and had wanted to visit him for awhile, but he hadn't be able to make it to the studios until today. Up until now he had been in America pursuing his acting career. He had being fairly well at it, but missed the music scene. Perhaps, he would discuss Nitter Grasper which broken up a long time ago to reunite once again. He missed his friends, band, and his fans. Kumagorou and him, especially miss Tatsuha. Together, they had lots of fun because they drove Tohma nuts. However, Ryuichi and Kuma's main reason for visiting was the arrival of the new band: Bad Luck. There had been several rumors flying around that reached his ears not only saying the lead singer was a fan, but he was much like Ryuichi himself and would someday surpass him. This piqued the former lead singer's curiosity so to sooth it he decided to have lunch with one of his former band mates, Tohma, a man who now headed his own record company, whom the band just happened to work for.

As he made his way to Tohma's office a beautiful sound reached his ears. He stopped for a moment, letting it fill his very soul before he went to find who owned such a wonderful voice, finding the sound only a little ways down, coming from a practice room. Now while all the recording rooms where sound proof, along with several practice rooms, some of them were not. The very reason: Tohma liked to hear some of the singers when they thought nobody was watching, when they were completely lost in their music. It gave him great insight at how successful a band would be. It was no doubt that this voice was the representation of something that would make his friend prosperous. Ryuichi looked wide-eyed at a cute pink-haired man singing and swaying with the beat. Violet bright eyes focused on a piece paper in front of him, this man… was... he had to be…the singer everyone had been talking about. He did indeed remind Ryuichi of himself, the way he moved, looked, and even sang.

"Ah, Ryuichi," Tohma stood beside him. "What do you think? His whole persona reminds me of you, that is why I have no doubt he will be great." The blonde man said with a smile.

The former lead singer of Nitter Grasper didn't take his eyes off the man as exclaimed, "He is so cute! Oh Kumagorou thinks he is very good!" The platinum blonde gave a sincere smile. "Can I get a closer look?"

"Of course," The man gestured towards the door, "I was just going to see how things were going anyhow. I'm glad you are here, it's been awhile. Where you needing something?" the former keyboardist opened the door for Ryuichi, letting him go first.

"Well…I wanted to know about this new lead singer, but mainly Kumagorou misses Tohma."

Shuichi was so lost in the song that he didn't hear the door open. He didn't see his idol pull up a chair and sit down. He couldn't see anything, all he could do was feel the music that seem to call to the very depths of his soul. He was on a whole other dimension.

You're so pretty

I want to hold you

I want to…

The singer stopped. Putting his guitar down as he inquired, "What's wrong?"

"It's not right, I could change into 'I could love you' but I don't like that much either." Shuichi sighed running a hand through his pink locks. "Well, I guess I just need to…ah ha…that's it!" he leaped in the air with a cheerful yell. He then turned to grab a pen and with his paper in hand he was ready to write something else but froze as he was reaching for the writing utensil.

"Shuichi?" the guitarist questioned as he followed his best friend's line of sight to see: there sat Ryuichi Sakuma, the greatest singer that had been known to Japan.

"Hello!" the former lead singer greeted. "Kumagorou and I liked that very much! Will you sing more for us some time?" Shuichi just nodded his head slowly.

"Alright," Tohma clapped his hands together, "Good to see you are doing well. I believe it is my lunch break. Ryuichi, would you care to join me?" he looked over to the elder singer, who seemed to be looking a little lustful towards the pink singer. Infatuation with Shuichi from his friend, the master of manipulation hadn't quiet calculated that. He would just have to watch closely, for now. After Eiri was done with this singer, he would let the other singer go after him. Shuichi was going to need it when the novelist broke his heart.

"Yay! Tohma is taking me to lunch!" Ryuichi shouted, leaping with joy, breaking the man out of his trance, "Bye, bye, Shu!" he waved. The other singer who had finally realized that all of this was real, fainted with delight.

30 minutes later…

Suguru and Hiro were able to get their lead singer to wake up. "He called me Shu!" the pink-haired man exclaimed in complete awe as he pulled himself up.

"Yes, we know," the green-haired keyboardist stated, more annoyed then impressed with Ryuichi's intrusion. "That just cost us some more time from out work." Frustrated, he glared at Shuichi.

"Well…EXCUSE me for being excited….," The guitarist quickly stepped in before sparks flew—and not the good kind.

"Okay, why don't you work on your lyrics," he pointed to Shuichi, "and Suguru and I will get lunch."

"Fine!" both the men agreed staring at each other with a look of angry. The long-haired man sighed in relief. Disaster avoided.

"Life is never boring with Shuichi around," Suguru pointed out while they were waiting for their order.

"Nope," Hiro agreed. "Why do you think I've been friends with him since high school? He is so much fun!" A big grin crossed his face.

"Yeah, but isn't it hard for you sometimes? He always needs you, doesn't that get burdensome?" He went to pick up a bag of food, accidentally brushing a hand against Hiro's. They both blushed.

Pulling his hand back, and running it nervously through his hair Hiro replied, "Um, well believe it or not, he is actually more reliable than he seems. When I really need him, he is always there. He just never arrives to anything early."

"Oh I see," the green-haired man replied, gazing at the ground as they headed to the limo that would take them back. Suddenly he felt awkward. "I hope someday to have a friend like you."

"You already do," Hiro replied with a wink. "Let's go, hopefully Shuichi has finished that song, by now." He opened the door of the limo for Suguru before sliding in, too.

Hiro waved a bag in front of Shuichi's face who was currently lost in writing, and ignoring the guitarist.

Tell me this

Your Golden eyes freeze

Snow is the meaning of your name

Is your very soul frozen over?

The pink head man stopped writing for a moment, and looking upward, he finally noted the return of his best friend,

"Lunch!" he exclaimed, yanking the bag out of his hand. "I'm starved!"

"We got here about two minutes ago, but you were lost in that song. You must really like that girl," he teased. Shuichi blushed and grabbed his lunch.

"No…no…I…," The boy tried to protest. Eiri was a jerk and not to mention a guy, and he DID NOT like him.

"What are you telling me? That your lyrics mean nothing? We both know that can't be."

"It's not that…well…it's a guy," Shuichi admitted, gazing down at his food.

"Well you can't help who you fall in love with," his best friend stated as he pulled his own lunch out.

"I'm not falling for him, he is a bastard,"

"I can tell," Hiro grabbed the lyrics, "…so when are you going out with him?"

Shuichi muttered something under his breathe, "This Friday."

"Really?" the guitarist questioned in surprise. "I was joking." Shocked-honestly he was, because it was bad enough he was in love with a guy who would never love him back, but now he was falling for a guy, a bastard in fact. When did that happen?

"Well, I…," Shuichi stuffed his mouth. After swallowing it down he answered, "I'm almost finished with these lyrics."

"That's good we will actually get something done today." The comment flew off of Suguru lips with a bit of sarcasm. He wasn't phased by Shuichi's sexuality he never really thought about the man being straight or gay. If had to have chosen before hand, he would have suspected the boy would be more interest in boys than girls (considering at times he was more like a girl than most of the ones Suguru knew.)

"Why you!" The pink haired boy launched himself at the green-haired man. Hiro took a deep breath. Here we go again.

Shuichi had been trying to get ready for his date when his sister had arrived for an unexpected visit instigated by their mother, no doubt. Now, he loved his sister dearly, but he would have been glad for the warning especially if he had known that the guy he was dating that night was his sister's favorite author. Then he wouldn't have been in this situation:

"You are going on date with YUKI EIRI LIKE THAT!" Maiko exclaimed completely shocked by her brother's choice of wardrobe.

"What's wrong with what I am wearing?" He looked downward at his short green shorts and tight black shirt that showed off his toned stomach.

"Nothing, if you want to look like a female hooker."

"Hey, this is my stage outfit!"

"Whatever, you're not performing. You are going on a date with YUKI EIRI!"

"I wouldn't exactly say that," Shuichi mumbled.

"What?" She glared at him, before grabbing him by the collar, dragging him to his closet.

Eiri had been sitting at the table for the last ten minutes. He couldn't believe he was actually going to be stood up by a second rate J-pop wannabe star. Him, Eiri Yuki, it wasn't possible! He tapped his hand on the table, he would give the brat another five minutes, and then he would go tell Tohma the deal was off. He really didn't….

Looking up he noted a plate flying up in the air and a waitress landing flat on her butt. There stood Shuichi Shindo. Eiri was surprised. The brat actually looked good! He was wearing a pair of black slacks and a violet shirt bringing out the color of his eyes. Somebody must have gotten a hold of him. There was no way that brat would actually be able to look that good without help. Shuichi helped the waitress up and gave her an apologetic smile. She melted, letting him go as she turned into a puddle. He then made his way over to his 'date.'

"You're late," Eiri grumbled.

"Sorry," he replied falling into the seat from across the gorgeous blonde. Neither noticed they were being watched. "I was working on another song, Tohma is a slave driver."

"And a manipulative bastard," the novelist added. Shuichi smiled, feeling a little more comfortable.

"Yeah, so um…," he leaned in closer to Eiri. "What are we supposed to do?"

"This is a date. What do you think baka?" the blonde snarled.

"Honestly, I don't know." Shuichi replied sheepishly.

"Don't tell me you've never been on a date before."

"Well, no not really," the younger man laughed a bit, nervously.

"Oh great! Not only are you a virgin but completely ignorant of relationships, and I bet you had to have someone dress you to look that good."

"You think I look good?" Shuichi questioned too unfamiliar with the situation and too flattered to be angry with the novelist at the moment. A light blush made its way on his face. Eiri for a brief moment thought he was cute.

He quickly made that thought go away. "I didn't mean that," he tried to cover up for his mistake of actually complimenting the brat. "I just meant it was an improvement compare to those stupid stage costumes you wear."

"I'll have you know, the best designers in Japan make those stupid costumes!" Shuichi retorted slightly annoyed now. A waitress came up to them to ask for their order, so they ordered something quickly before going back to their growing argument. Little did they know they were serving as entertainment for several people including one: Kiyoshi Yusuo, a famous reporter.

"Hmm proves, they must have been desperate in fashion school to have those idiots dress you up like that."

"Yeah…well…they must let anyone be a romance novelist, considering you are a complete prick."

"You little brat…well at least I didn't have to have somebody dress me up,"

"Yeah…well…," he looked at Eiri. The man was wearing black slacks as well, and a loose silk blue shirt. There was just no way to insult him about what he was wearing, "Well I did it as a favor for my sister. She likes you for some reason, and wanted me to impress you."

"She failed, because there is no way a brat like you could impress me! I don't know why I'm even on this date with you."

"I don't know why either," Shuichi set aside his food and went to leave.

"Don't you dare walk away from me brat!" grabbing Shuichi by the arm he forced the brat to fall backward into him. As Eiri looked down to glare at Shuichi, he couldn't help but think how those violet eyes were too beautiful for a man. Meanwhile, the brat gazed up at Eiri's beautiful golden eyes. There was silence for a moment. Then a plate hit the floor, and a clumsy waiter exclaimed, "Oh my goodness, so sorry!" ruining the perfect moment.

"You're going to pay your half of the bill," Eiri growled. When it registered in Shuichi's mind what was going on, he moved away from him swiftly. Angrily, he began to dig for his wallet. Though, that glare was quickly replaced with a sheepish grin when luck would have it that he didn't have his wallet.

"I can't," he whispered. Childishly, he looked up at the novelist, he was really embarrassed. How was he supposed to make a dramatic exit?

"What do you mean you can't?" the blonde sent a harsh look his way.

"I forgot my wallet," Shuichi replied simply, his cheeks getting redder.

"Fine whatever, I'll get it,"

"Thanks," Shuichi replied.

"Oh don't thank me, because you are going to pay me back!"

"Fine," the pink haired boy stated in angry, "whatever, I'm leaving."

"Good go,"

"I'm going!"

"Not fast enough!"

"Fine I'm out of here," Shuichi began to turn around.

"Good," the novelist was left standing there. He felt like an idiot when the waitress tapped him on the shoulder and he turned to see all the people staring at him. Somebody mumbling how insensitive he was, others just called him a bastard, and some couples just complained about their dates being interrupted by a lover's quarrel. Lover's quarrel, yeah right, at least it's over now. There is no way the press would believe they were a couple now, and Tohma had picked this spot so he was sure somebody saw him. One part of him was grateful, another was disappointed. Why?

He paid for the bill and left the building to ponder a few things.

Hiro was practicing his guitar and strange thing was he found himself thinking about Suguru. Wonder why he was blushing? He's kind of cute when he... He shook the thought away, when he heard a pounding at the door. Opening it up, a pink-headed baka fell into his arms.

"Hey Shu," he wrapped his arms around the boy, "what's wrong?"

"It was a disaster!" Shuichi cried, waving his arms around. "The guy hates me now."

"I thought you said he was a bastard, so why does it matter if he likes you or not? Anyway you don't have to go out with him, again if you don't want to."

"But I do…anyway, I don't know why," the pink haired brat curled up on the couch, hugging a pillow. He didn't quiet understand his feelings. Really, he should hate this guy, yet after their date all he could think about was how he wished he hadn't said the things he did. "But it does," he replied. Hiro sighed and went to make some tea. The boy must really be attracted to this guy? Why?

"Tell me everything that happened." Shuichi poured out his heart, every detail that happened during the date he could think of. Hiro mused over the situation and couldn't help but want to laugh a little. Shuichi got a couple of good shots out of the guy, but mainly his date had instigated the whole thing.

"Well, I doubt if he hates you." Putting hand on his chin as he gave his advice "Sounds more like you just got carried away."

"Really?" bright violet eyes peered up at his. The red head sighed, part of him really wanted to tell him 'no.' He was a little jealous, but what was he going to do? Shuichi was already falling of course; the baka simply didn't know it yet.

"Yeah,"

"Okay, but I still don't think he'll go out with me again. He was forced to…," Shuichi caught him in mid sentence.

"He was forced to what?" Hiro inquired, shocked. Who would have to be forced to go out with Shuichi?

Shindo think quick! "Um… to go out with me," Damn it, not that, "Well I saw him at a book signing that…um… Maiko asked me to go to, and when I saw him I just…well anyway I got Tohma to do me the favor."

"Why would Tohma do that?" Shuichi's best friend could believe it until the last part.

There was no way the head of N.G. did a favor without a high price for just an employee.

"Well um…," Shuichi broke out into a nervous laughter, "He wouldn't at first…but I told him I'll have this album done by next Friday." Hiro glared at him. Shuichi was surprised at himself, but it was the only explanation he could think of at the moment that would make sense, and he didn't have to lie too much.

"Shuichi damn it! Do you know how hard that is going to be? We only got one song, and need at least nine more!"

"I know, but…I…really like him," Shuichi admitted, gazing up at Hiro with puppy eyes, "there is just something about him. He is a complete bastard so I don't know why…" he turned his head away, embarrassed. The guitarist sighed before putting Shuichi's face in his hands.

"I just want you to be happy." He looked downward into his eyes, "So I guess we will just have to pull it off." As an afterthought he added, "Don't worry about Suguru, I'll take care of him." Shuichi nodded his head, "now go home, and rest. We are all going to need it to get through the next week."

Yuki woke up from an afternoon nap to hear pounding at his door. He waited. The person just wouldn't leave. Probably his sister or Tohma, "Alright coming!" he shouted while making his way to the door. He opened it up to reveal a pissed off guitarist.

"Who the hell are you?" Yuki growled. Hiro just crossed his arms in complete defiance.

"Hiroshi," he replied simply, "are you going to invite me in?"

"No,"

"Well, then I'll just get straight to the point. I'm here because of Shuichi."

"So," Eiri didn't want to admit that he was actually interested, "what does that brat have to do with me?"

"You went on a date with him just a little awhile ago?" he inquired.

"So,"

"Well, are you planning on going out with him again? He told me that you were forced to go out with him." Did the damn brat reveal their secret? "He said that he convinced Tohma to set you guys up, if we did an album in a ridiculous amount of time." Good cover, not too far from the truth.

"Yeah so?"

"Are you planning on going out with him again?" Probably not, he thought to himself, but he could tell this man was probably in love with the brat. So to piss him off…a bit more he said:

"Yes," Hiro tried to hide the hurt he was feeling, but it was hard to do when it could be seen in his eyes.

"Well, then you must know he is my best friend." He then pushed Eiri against the wall, "If he cries other than for his own stupidity, I'll hurt you." The novelist just pushed him away like this was nothing.

"Whatever, I'll do what I please." He growled pushing the man out of his house. "Now don't come back, EVER." He was about to slam the door when Hiro said something that caught his attention.

"He is really attracted to you. He doesn't know why, but he likes you," after that Eiri shut the door. Hiro left saying having said all he wanted.

Yuki had almost gotten another chapter done when another pounding sound was heard at his door. He walked over and began to yell, "I thought…," he looked down to see his look alike. "Well you can get the hell out of here too."

"Jeez bro, can't you be nice for at least five seconds." Tatsuha snapped back, slipping inside the house. "Anyhow, Mika kicked me out... again."

"That's your problem, now leave." He pointed at the door, hoping his brother would just leave, yet knowing that he wouldn't.

"Oh come on bro, please, I'll be quiet as a mouse," he begged, bending in a pleading position.

"An impossible feat for you."

"Not really, considering how many times I…," He realized what he was saying, "never mind, come on, please." Eiri grabbed him by the collar and tossed him out.

"No," with that he slammed the door. Tatsuha pounded away on the door. Eiri went back to his laptop.

Ten minutes later…

Still pounding

Twenty minutes later…

Eiri was getting really annoyed.

Thirty minutes later…

Yuki opened the door, and yanked Tatusha in by his collar. "Damn you," he muttered as he shut the door. "Quiet as a mouse?" the younger brother nodded his head with a smile.

"Good, because if you are not I'll throw you out and call the cops."

"Come on, bro you wouldn't really do that?" Eiri gave him a look saying 'hell yeah'.

"Okay well then, I'll let you write." Tatsuha threw himself on the couch. His older brother went back to writing his romance novel. Turning the T.V. on, the younger Uesugi kicked his shoes off.

There was no way, the plan had been blown. She stared at Skylar, she almost felt sorry for him. There was no way this guy would believe them after such a foolish mistake. Elle cringed at the thought of what her mother would say. Black Jack walked closer to them "You two!" He yelled. "You will…

Eiri found that his muse had taken a break without warning again. "I can't kill them off yet, I'm not even half way through the book! Damn!" He heard the sound of the T.V. blaring through his house. "Didn't know mice watched T.V…well at least he isn't bothering me." Then all the sudden he heard a loud 'What the fuck!'

Yuki yanked his glasses off setting them down on his desk, and made his way to the living. "What the hell are you yelling about?" he glared at Tatusha who was just gawking at the T.V. He pointed towards it. The novelist followed his brother's line of sight.

"Yep, you heard us right! Yuki Eiri and Shindo Shuichi are lovers!" One perky female announcer said.

"While this is the first time we have see them together. One of our sources speculates from the way they were fighting they had to have been dating for awhile." The male announcer stated.

A clip appeared of Yuki and Shuichi arguing. "Shit!" he muttered. Tatsuha turned to him still in complete shock.

"So…it's true! How the hell did you keep something like that from me and Mika." Then his eyes widened, "Oh and Tohma."

"Tohma knows, he knew from the beginning. And it isn't your business what the hell I do."

"But I thought you were straight?"

"Yes, I am, but there are…expectations,"

"Yeah, I suppose a Rock Star is one hell of an expectation, but you absolutely hate Ryuichi. How the hell can you be dating his protégée?" Yuki didn't think about how that might look? If people knew how much he disliked Ryuichi would they believe he liked Shuichi? Even if it was true it didn't matter…well damn…maybe he actually liked the brat a tiny bit. He was kind of cute.

"They are not the same person, besides," Yuki smirked. "It won't be long before he surpasses that idiot Ryuichi."

"Yeah right, only in your dreams, Shuichi is just a kid following his idol like a lost puppy." Tatsuha stood in defiance; nobody put his honey down.

"Look who is talking?" Yuki retorted. Then he wondered why he was fighting for Shuichi. "Let's just see what the record sales say in the next month, now keep it quiet!"

Yuki threw the nearest thing he could at his brother which was a magazine Tatsuha had brought with him. Then he went to his laptop.

K threw the paper on Tohma's desk, "Not exactly what we were going for, but at least we can work with this." Tohma grabbed the paper. He examined it, thoughtfully. Headline: "Shindo and Eiri A Lover's Quarrel?" The article mentioned both their careers, and the argument they had. The line that caught Tohma was: "They appeared to be more like a married couple which leads most to believe they have been dating for awhile.

"I see," Tohma stated rubbing his chin. "This is actually better than I thought."

"Yes," K agreed, holding his gun so it pointed upward, "so what do we do now?"

"We move Shuichi in with Eiri-san." Tohma stated, simply putting the paper down and clasping his hands together.

"Sounds great to me, so do you want me to threaten them with my baby? Or do you have a better idea?"

"Yes, I'll take on Eiri, and Sakano can handle Shindo. Now I have much work to do, I suggest you try to find ways to make it looks like the boys are hiding from the press."

"No problem." He took off with his gun in hand.

Author's Note:

Okay, too much coupling in this chapter? Or is it subtle enough? Anyhow I hope you enjoyed it. My Editor has been a big help with this! I know the lyrics suck, and I know Shuichi's actually doesn't suck that bad, I looked them up, so I apologize, but they aren't enough to really matter, they are just supposed to show that Yuki is starting to inspire Shuichi just as he is for Yuki. I do hope to improve them if they become more than just 3 or 4 lines.