A/N: The chapter starts out in Tohma's POV. I couldn't resist doing one; after all, Tohma is the vengeful god of Gravitation. (Oh. Which reminds me; you who asked for the POV names to be put, I have not ignored you; I've just been too busy to go back and edit my already written chapters. I'm real sorry. It does make more sense to just tell you who it is…:shuffles guiltily: ) And you know, after reading this chapter, I think I've been watching a little too much Law and Order lately… Tohma sounds like a cop. Oh, yeah, and I'm sorry for any Out of Character scenes in here, I tried my best to fix them, and for the vauge love-scene. (That's not really a love scene...)

Chapter Eight: After the Concert

I knew something was odd when Eiri told me that Shindou never returned his call. No matter how mad that boy claims to be, he always come running back to Eiri like an abused dog. It's annoying, really.

When I told him that Eiri watched the concert, he seemed shocked… and guilty. Now why in the world would that be?

One answer: he still intends to go back to Eiri, even though he's hanging onto Ryuichi… Unlikely, but plausible. Second answer: He's just being rude and stubborn. Shuichi is known to be stubborn, but he's not the type to ignore calls. Another answer: he hasn't told Eiri that he and Ryuichi have gotten together. Or yet another: He doesn't know that Eiri called. There's the one.

I loosen the tie I had to wear for the concert. Really, I've had to wear some ridiculous things in the past, but performing in costume… Oh well, the fans ate it up. This means they'll buy the DVD of the concert, and so forth.

I narrow my eyes, staring at Ryuichi, who was staring at Shuichi guiltily.

Now why would he be guilty? He had just preformed a very good concert, and made out with the boy he's been after since he saw him. Unless that kiss was brought about in a not so honest way.

Which I so believe. It wouldn't be that hard for Ryu to get a hold of Shindou's cell phone; they share a room. And if Shuichi had missed the call…

My theory hasn't been proven yet, but its close enough for me to corner my band mate without feeling bad that I've tackled an honest man in my quest to save Eiri's heart. Besides, this is how police work; off of hunches and theories.

I followed them back to their room.

"Ryu!" I called, stepping towards the man as Shuichi unlocked their door.

Ryuichi unwound his arms from around Shuichi's waist and he gently pushed the boy into the room. He wasn't stupid; he could sense that I was tweaked about something, even though I gave no outward signs of it. "I'll be back in a moment," he murmured.

Shuichi nodded, and went into the room.

"Funny," I commented. "I've never seen Shuichi so docile. Not even in Eiri Yuki's care."

Ryuichi bristled. I had to commend him on his excellent intuition. There was something going on in his head connected to Eiri. "That's because that man didn't treat him right."

Ah, so he doesn't like Eiri. Perfectly normal. I don't really like Shindou, but since he's not a threat anymore, he's suddenly grown on me. "And you are?"

I was treading on dangerous turf, but I had to prod to find the truth. A person like Ryuichi won't admit willingly to these things, because he believes he hasn't done wrong.

"I am!" Ryu snapped. I've never seen him this mad before. Hm. I'm prodding a nerve with a sharp stick. Good.

"So lying to him encompasses treating Shindou right?" I say smoothly, like I know everything. (I've been told on many accounts that I do, the most recent one being Shuichi Shindou.)

Ryuichi froze. "What do you mean by lying?" he asked casually. "I'm not lying to Shuichi at all."

"It's more like falsifying the terms he's on with Eiri, but falsifying is still lying. Both aren't true. Or do you see it as a glossing over of a certain fact that could send Shuichi back into the arms of Eiri Yuki?" I asked, crossing my arms.

"What do you mean?"

"I mean you deleted a message from Eiri on Shuichi's phone," I accuse. "I've talked to him. He says he left Shindou a message, apologizing for the fight they had, and it never got returned."

Ryuichi glowered for a moment, then cracked. "Yeah, I did! But Tohma, you've gotta understand," he mumbled sadly. "I can't let Shuichi go back to Yuki; back to a one-way relationship where he isn't treated like he should be! I just did what you would do Tohma."

I know I am conniving and shrewd. I can be a tad manipulative at times. I can make the most powerful person in the world break out into a cold sweat. My employees scuttle like ants at my command. I know some people (most of which I have fired, or taken away any chance of a career) see me as...evil. But I would never… Never, ever in a million years, delete a message that was left for Eiri by Shuichi. I have too much pride in myself for that.

If I were to ever get a chance with Eiri, I would want it honestly… I've learned that the hardest way available. Do it by trickery, then Eiri saying he hates me. It sucks.

"No, Ryuichi. That is something I would never do. I know better than that."

Ryuichi dropped his head. "Well, then… what… do I do?"

"Then I suggest you tell him by tomorrow morning. Or I will. And you do know how I hate to sugarcoat things."

(Ryuichi)

I opened the door to mine and Shuichi's room.

The pink haired singer was standing in the doorway, his eyes wide and his skin paler than normal. He had changed into his pajamas, and the baggy shirt he wore slipped over a thin shoulder. His violet eyes glistened with tears, and he was trembling.

He heard us. I can tell.

I take a step forward; he takes one back. I sigh and close the door behind me.

"Shuichi…"

"Surely Tohma was lying?" he whimpered.

"No," I admit softly.

Shuichi burst into tears. Not his normal, crybaby tears, nor the confused, helpless tears he cried at the coffee shop.

No. These sounded like his heart had been ripped out and been stomped on.

And I was the cause.

Damn.

I wish I could die.

Ryuichi stepped forward, wrapping his arms loosely around Shuichi.

The crying superstar flinched and pushed Ryu away. He turned and tried to walk away, but fell to his knees, absolutely howling.

Hiro picked this time to poke his head through the door. "Shuichi?" he asked, looking rather bewildered.

He saw Shuichi on the floor, crying and sounding like he was dying a long, agonizing death. He saw Ryuichi, looking helplessly stricken, his hand reached out towards Shuichi.

He took in the situation for a moment, then strode into the room. "You'll need a negotiator," Hiro murmured to Ryuichi, then leaned next to Shuichi.

He gently petted Shuichi's hair, whispering to the smaller boy. He scooped up the singer in his arms and carried him to his bed, sitting the boy down. He pulled out a tissue from the box on the nightstand, giving it to Shuichi.

This went on for a few moments before Shuichi calmed down. Hiro beckoned for Ryuichi.

Ryu came, then sat on his bed, facing Hiro and Shuichi.

"Now, what's the matter, Shu?" Hiro asked softly.

Shuichi shook his head, biting his lip.

"Would you like to explain, Sakuma-san?"

Shuichi bristled, scowling at Ryuichi, who winced. "Yeah, you wanna explain?!" he snapped. Hiro frowned. "Shu, calm it. Now."

The brunette shifted. "You heard what Tohma said… And I did delete that message…"

Shuichi stood, his despair turned to rage. "Why?!" he shrieked, jabbing Ryuichi in the chest so hard that it would probably bruise the older idol.

Ryuichi dropped his head, ashamed. "… Because if you got that message, you'd never chose me. You love him still… and if you got that message… then I'd be alone again."

Shuichi growled. "Do you think that after I told you I wanted to be with you I'd go change my mind?" he hissed.

Ryuichi looked up at Shuichi, eyes full of tears. "Yes. I did. I've seen you do it before! You'll have a fight, and that man will say he's sorry and make all sorts of empty promises to you, and you go running back! Even though you've said you'll never go back!"

Enraged, the slighter singer raised his hand and slapped Ryuichi as hard as he could.

Hiro stood and grabbed Shuichi as he made a move to strike the older man again.

"Do you think I'm a hypocrite? Do you think I'd tell you one thing, and then go do another?! Huh?! Am I that pitiful?!" he screeched, struggling against Hiro. "SO YOU HAVE THAT LITTLE TRUST IN ME, HUH, RYUICHI!"

Ryuichi was trembling, looking wide-eyed at the angry Shuichi. "…n-no, I-I…"

"Funny way of showing it! IT'S MY CHOICE TO MAKE! MY CHOICE! NOT YOURS! WHEN I SAY SOMETHING, I MEAN IT! I DON'T TRY TO LIE TO PEOPLE I LOVE!"

"L-love?"

Hiro relaxed his hold on Shuichi and stepped back. The pink-haired boy nodded. "Yes," he said coldly. "I love Yuki, and I love you. I was waiting on that call to tell him who I chose."

Ryuichi cringed. Shuichi smiled sadly. He gently reached out and cupped Ryu's cheeks, being extra careful with the side he had smacked. "I've distressed you enough," he mumbled, pressing a gentle kiss to the discolored handprint on Ryuichi's cheek.

Hiro took this as a cue to leave the two alone, closing the door quietly behind him.

"Your friend left," Ryu mumbled slowly, laying his hands on Shuichi's backside.

Shuichi smiled and climbed up into Ryuichi's lap, positioning himself just so over the older singer. "That's a good thing," he whispered with a smirk.

Ryuichi reached up and pulled Shuichi's mouth against his own, kissing the boy reverently.

Shuichi slid his hands into Ryu's hair, tangling his fingers against the brown locks, scraping the scalp with his nails as the other man pulled him closer.

Soon, they pulled away from their heated kiss to breath. "Do you really love me, Shuichi?" Ryu hummed, stroking the boy's back.

Shuichi huffed. "Of course!"

Ryu smirked and pushed Shuichi down onto the bed.

The next morning, everyone noted the blushing Shuichi, and knew that whatever fight they had had the night before… had been settled. Of course, they knew how too, despite Shuichi's antics of keeping it a secret—thin hotel walls and two highly acclaimed voices? Those two don't mix too well.

On the plane home, Shuichi waved the NYC goodbye, then snuggled up to Ryuichi. "Home we go…"

"Are you ready to go home?"

"Not really… but I really need to stand up for my actions, and I need to settle things with Yuki…"

"You don't have to tell him."

"I'd rather not run from my problems…" Shuichi murmured.

Ryuichi smiled and kissed Shuichi's cheek. "That's perfectly fine."