Summary: They always stuck together through thick and thin, the good times and the bad. All different personalities, but they share one thing in common: love can't be masked and gave up on by admitting human frailty...rather by following what their heart says, not their heads.

Disclaimer: I do not own Gravitation, at all. End of story.

PS: I am a huge pervert, so please excuse... XD

Chapter 8:

The two vocalists skipped hand in hand to the city zoo, their faces shining like a pretty, new penny. Before entering the crowded, public area, they put on disguises upon Ryuichi's request.

"Don't want to swamped by fangirls." Ryuichi winked.

"Well, I'm known well throughout the city, but I'm not super famous like you." Shuichi said, thinking back at how he never had to have a disguise before.

"You'd be suprised at just what kind of attention you will get by working at NG...and hanging out with me." Ryuichi answered, slipping on dark sunglasses that hid the light in his eyes.

Shuichi looked at his feet and thought about what he was just told.

"Think about it, Shu. I announced you at my concert. A lot of people were there and probably saw it. So, you don't want to ruin a perfectly good day being swamped by fangirls."

Shuichi smiled and slipped on his sunglasses. Ryuichi smiled back taking it as a symbol that he agreed. They put on ball caps and walked to the entrance to pay.

"Shu-chan!! Lookie!! Big cats!!!"

Ryuichi took off running to the exibits with all the lions, tigers, cheetahs, leapords, and lynxes. Shuichi sighed and shook his head. He could tell it was going to be a long day. Here he, a 19 year old, is going to be babysitting a 32 year old...GOD! He smiled at that thought. He knew he was going to be tired the next day, but it was worth it.

"Look, Shu-chan! Aren't they cute?!" Ryuichi yelled pointing at a baby lion playing with it's sleeping father.

"They sure are." Shuichi answered.

"Let's see what's next!!"

The two went around the whole zoo...twice. Shuichi felt like his feet were going to fall off of his legs.

"Ryuichi...I need to sit down." Shuichi said breathlessly, finding a lonely bench under a huge tree. "Oh, nice and shady."

Ryuichi looked at Shuichi as they made their way to the bench.

"Tired, Shu-chan?" he asked, chipper and full of energy.

"How is it, that I am younger than you and just as energetic, but you can still outlast me?" Shuichi asked sitting down.

"I don't know." Ryuichi answered tapping his chin with his index finger. "I guess because I come here a lot, and I do a lot of running around. I am just used to it."

RIIIIING!

Shuichi looked at his pocket where his phone was ringing. He took it out and looked to see who was calling.

"Ah, it's Yuki!"

"Your boyfriend?"

"Yep!" Shuichi answered happily, flipping open his phone and putting it to his ear. "Alo! HEY YUKI!!"

Shuichi listened for a few minutes and then looked at Ryuichi.

"Um, Ryuichi, is it okay if Yuki meets us here. He wants to go to lunch with us."

"Sure! Why not?!" Ryuichi answered chipperly.

"Thanks!"

Shuichi told Yuki that it was okay to meet them and then hung the phone up.

"So, how did you and Yuki meet?" Ryuichi asked sitting beside Shuichi.

"Well...it was just a fateful encounter, really. Hiro and I were on the way to Suguru's house so we could work on a song, because we were just starting our band. I realized I left my folder with all of my lyrics at my house so I told Hiro to go ahead and I will catch up, because I had to go back and get them. So, I ran home and got them. I took a shortcut through the park and being the clumsy person I am, I tripped over my own feet and my lyrics, which were in a notebook, fell out of my hand and landed at Yuki's feet. He picked them up and read through them, and then he smiled. That was the prettiest smile he has ever made..." Shuichi started daydreaming and his eyes glazed over. He shook himself to focus. Ryuichi giggled. "Well, he said I had zero talent at writing. He said that it was cute. He asked me my name and I told him Shindou Shuichi. I, being the idiot I am, told him he was hot. He seemed to get a kick out of that. He told me he was Yuki Eiri, and he was a beginners novelist. He asked if he could see me again the next day. After that, we saw each other everyday. I introduced him to Hiro and Suguru and we have been inseperable ever since."

"That's a fateful tale." Ryuichi said with a half-smile and an eyebrow raised.

"I know. I was shocked when he asked me out. It was the best day of my life."

"He seems good for you. I mean, you are happy with him right?"

"Heck yeah I am happy with him." Shuichi grinned wide, every tooth in his mouth showing.

Ryuichi chuckled.

"That's good."

"So, Ryu, how did you and Tatsuha meet? Was it a fateful encounter, too?"

"No, not really." Ryuichi answered, looking up at the sky and smiling. "I met him one day when Yuki-san came by to meet with Tohma. Tats-kun was there with him, and when I saw him walk into NG I felt like my eyes were glued to him. It was funny because his eyes were glued to me, too."

"Well, he is your biggest fan." Shuichi laughed.

"I know." Ryuichi answered with a smile. "It was cute, because when I asked his name his voice was all shaky and he about passed out. After I met him that day, I had to see him again. So, I asked Tohma to get me and him to spend a day together. We saw each other for a month before I asked him out."

"I bet he turned into a puddle didn't he?"

"Actually, more like he exploded."

The two men laughed.

"What's so funny? Did I miss something?"

"YUKI!"

Shuichi jumped into his lover's arms. Yuki smiled and placed a light kiss on Shuichi's lips.

"Having fun playing hooky?"

"I should be asking you that question, Yuki." Shuichi giggled. "You shouldn't be skipping."

"I told my teacher I had to work on my novel."

"That teacher is too easy on you. I think she has a crush on you."

"Probably, Shuichi, but who cares."

Shuichi smiled and pulled himself out of Yuki's arms to turn to Ryuichi.

"So, it's Ryuichi's decision where we go eat at."

"Why me?!" Ryuichi said loudly.

"Actually, I already have a place." Yuki said, interrupting Ryuichi's priceless expression on his face and took a picture of it with a random camera he pulled out of nowhere.

Ryuichi protested, temporarily blinded by the flash.

"Whoah, that's a lot of lights..." He started walking around blankly trying to get his vision back.

"You have already got a place to eat at, Yuki?"

Yuki smiled. "Yeah. Someone is waiting for us there."

"Oh, who?!" Shuichi asked excitedly.

"I can't say. It's a suprise."

"Oh, but I want to know. Who is it a suprise for?"

"Ryuichi."

"Aww, Yuki has a heart..." Shuichi blushed.

"Whatever, brat. It wasn't my idea."

"Oh, then who's was it?"

"I would tell you, Shu-chan," Yuki said poking his lover's nose, "but, you have a big mouth and you would tell Ryuichi before we even got there."

"That's so mean, Yuki! I would not!" Shuichi pouted.

Yuki chuckled. Ryuichi, coming back to his senses, walks to the two, smiling big. His stomach growled. He blushed sheepishly.

"I guess my tummy is telling me to feed it."

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Yuki fought back his annoyance as the two vocalists chattered like five year olds down the street towards the restaurant.

"Why me?" Yuki said aloud as they approached a Chili's.

"Oh, I haven't ever eaten here before." Ryuichi said, looking at the building in awe.

"Well, Hiro, Suguru, Yuki and I go here all the time. It's our favorite. You'll like it, I promise."

The three entered and stood in the waiting area.

"It's about time you guys showed up. I have been telling the waitresses that I have been waiting for you three for the past twenty minutes."

"You'll live." Yuki said, turning towards the person that had just spoken, Tatsuha.

"Tats-kun!" Ryuichi yelled and pounced on the black-haired teen.

Tatsuha laughed and embraced his lover. Yuki took advantage of this situation and pulled Shuichi to him. He leaned down and whispered in the pink-haired boy's ear.

"After this, I want to go to our special place."

Shuichi buried his face in Yuki's neck and breathed in his cologne.

"Mm, Yuki, I still have the rest of the day to spend with Ryuichi, remember?"

"That's why I brought Tatsuha along. So he could keep him busy."

"So, they are still tagging along?"

"Yeah, so technically, you will have still spent the day with Ryuichi, and Tohma won't jump down your throat about it."

"Mmm, you're the best Yuki."

Shuichi was melting in Yuki's scent.

"Yeah, I know."

Shuichi pushed off of Yuki playfully.

"Concieted much?" Shuichi giggled.

Yuki smirked. "Yep."

"I love you, Yuki."

"I love me, too."

Shuichi's jaw dropped playfully. Yuki chuckled and stroked his lover's cheek.

"Uesugi, party of four?" the waitress called.

Ryuichi bounced.

"That's us!!"

The four followed the waitress to a table in the smoking section, because Yuki can't live without a cigarette, and were placed at a booth in the corner. They took the menu's, ordered their drinks, and looked through at the many dishes that was sold.

"Mmm, yummy seafood." Ryuichi said, half-drooling, sitting so close to Tatsuha it seemed like their hips were glued together.

"Yeah, I'll say." Shuichi replied, putting his menu down. "Imma order my usual."

"Me too." Yuki said, also putting his menu down.

"What is your usual?" Tatsuha asked.

Shuichi and Yuki looked at each other and answered, "Hot wings from the appetizers section."

Ryuichi raised his eyebrow at the two lovers.

"You guys are weird."

Shuichi grinned. "We do it because we know that everyone thinks we are weird."

"That's my brother for ya." Tatsuha mumbled, snuggling his head on Ryuichi's shoulder.

Ryuichi blushed and giggled. He turned to Shuichi.

"Where are we going after this, Shu-chan?"

Shuichi looked at Yuki and then back at Ryuichi.

"Well, Yuki and I had an idea of a place to go. You guys can come along."

"Mkay!" Ryuichi said cheerfully, going back to the menu.

Tatsuha snickered. He knew exactly where the two wanted to go.

Down five booths at the other end of the building sat a familiar face. His lips curved into a malicious smile as he watched Shuichi.

'That a boy, Shuichi. Just let all your worries walk on by. At least for now.'

------

The four had ordered and ate and felt like their stomachs were about to explode out of their bodies.

"I'm never eating again." Tatsuha said rubbing his stomach.

"That's a shock. You can't live without eating eight meals a day." Yuki said, puffing on a cigarette.

Tatsuha glared at his brother. "I can't help it. I'm a growing boy."

"You're seventeen, though, Tats-kun. How much more growing are you going to do?" Ryuichi asked childishly.

"I mean, in other areas."

Ryuichi blushed at let out a tiny "Oh." Shuichi giggled like a school girl. Yuki just rolled his eyes.

"So, let's pay and get out of here." Tatsuha said, getting turned on from the blush on Ryuichi's face.

He tickled his childish, older lover as they paid and made their way out of the building and towards the park. The four came to a stop in the middle of the park. It was a dull day, clouds hanging low in the sky. Yuki smiled as the memories of when he and Shuichi first met came to mind. Shuichi took his hand in his and looked out at the horizon.

"It was two years ago since I met you here." he said, his voice a whisper, afraid he would break the comfortable nothingness in the air.

"Yeah.." Yuki whispered back.

"This was also the place where Shuichi-kun had one of his worst trips ever." said a dark, husky voice from behind.

All four of the men turned on their heels to see shining, grey eyes and greasy, black hair.

"K-Kai." Shuichi chocked, his knees getting weak.

"This..this is Kai?" Yuki asked him, grabbed Shuichi before he felt to the ground.

Shuichi nodded weakly.

"Oh, so you know of me?" Kai asked, a wicked smile on his face. "That just makes this encounter more enjoyable. So, since you know about me, I am sure you know of Shuichi's past life. But, do you know all of it?"

"What do you mean?" Yuki asked coldly.

"This is the place where Shuichi had one of his worst trips ever." Kai repeated, this time the hate in his voice rising, his eyes shining in amusement.

"Kai...stop, please..."

Ryuichi and Tatsuha looked at Shuichi in confusion. Shuichi turned to them sadly.

"Please, go hide somewhere. I...I'll let you know when it's okay to come out..."

"Shuichi.." Ryuichi said.

"Just go!" Yuki said, his voice firm.

Tatsuha knew not to toy with Yuki so he took Ryuichi's hand and the two walked to the nearest bathroom, which was out of earshot, but they could still see Shuichi and Yuki. Kai watched until he knew they couldn't hear and then spoke to Shuichi.

"What was it that you were on, Shuichi? That night when you made a fool of yourself? LSD?"

"Kai, that's enough!" Shuichi said firmly, clinging to Yuki's arms for support.

"That was the night that the little blonde girl got hit by a car, remember?"

"THAT HAD NOTHING TO DO WITH ME!" Shuichi yelled angrily.

"Sure, you say that. But, what about the poor girl's mother?"

"She NEVER blamed me for it!"

"Sure, sure, Shu-chan."

"You are the one who planted the acid on ME!"

"But, you took it anyway. You thought you were flying remember?"

"You pushed me!"

"And, you hit that little girl."

"You PUSHED me!"

"And, she fell onto the street in front of that car."

"YOU PUSHED ME!"

"And, she got hit...right in front of her mother's face."

"YOU PUSHED ME!! YOU PUSHED ME!" Shuichi screamed, completely losing the ability to support himself. His knees gave out. Yuki held onto him tight, engulfed at what was being said.

"But, you were the one who fell onto her."

"You PUSHED me!"

Shuichi was sobbing. "That woman blamed YOU, because YOU PUSHED ME!"

"You were the one who took the drugs, Shuichi-kun."

"Shut up, Kai. You insensitive JERK! You used me! You MURDERED a little girl by DRUGGING me, PUSHING me, FRAMING me!!"

"But, you didn't get jail time, did you, Shuichi-kun? Even though you fell into the little girl, you got off easy."

"Because it was YOUR fault."

"I spent three years in that HELL!"

"YOU PUSHED ME!"

Shuichi's voice was going hoarse from all the screaming. Yuki held to him tighter, his anger for Kai raising.

"Leave, you bastard." he said threateningly to Kai, his golden eyes glaring ferociously. "Leave."

"He owes me."

"He owes you nothing. You used him, so therefore, he owes you nothing. Leave now or I will call in harrassment to the police."

Kai's eyes widened frightenedly. Yuki took advantage of the situation, figuring Kai was breaking his parole or whatever he was on by following Shuichi.

"I'm sure the cops would love to have you back in their custody."

Kai growled. "That brat is lucky that you are here. If you weren't, I'd have his head on a platter."

"You won't lay a finger on him."

"I'm not supposed to. My parole officer says I'm not supposed to egg on the already unstable mind of an insane person."

"Shuichi is not insane, you are! Now, leave or the cops will be having a little phone call."

Kai turned on his heel. He turned his head and looked back at the sobbing Shuichi.

"Watch your back." was all he said to the pink-haired singer.

Shuichi sobbed, grabbing Yuki and sobbing into his chest. Yuki whispered comforting words to his angel, quieting his sobs. Ryuichi and Tatsuha came out of their hiding spot and walked back to the two. Ryuichi looked concerned at the sobbing Shuichi.

"Maybe Tatsuha and I should just leave, so you can have some alone time with him." Ryuichi said, his serious side out.

"Yeah, bro. He doesn't look to good."

"Alright. See you guys later. Tatsuha, call me when you get ready to come back to the university."

"Alright, aniki. See you two."

Ryuichi leaned down and stroked Shuichi's back, his serious side still out.

"It'll be okay, Shu-chan. He won't bother you again."

Shuichi looked up at Ryuichi and stared into his eyes. They glinted with something Shuichi couldn't read.

"He won't bother you again."

"Ryu..do you know of Kai?" Shuichi asked in a shaky voice.

Ryuichi didn't answer. He turned his face and said a quick goodbye.

"I had fun today. We should hang out again some other time."

He grabbed Tatsuha's hand and the two walked away. Shuichi stared at Ryuichi's back.

'Does he know of Kai?'

"Come on, Shu, let's get back."

"Okay."

The two lovers walked back to the university, eyes peeled for anything that could happen.

"He pushed me, Yuki. He pushed me into that little girl...knowing I could hardly stand at the time..."

"I know, Shu." Yuki answered sympathetically. "It's okay."

After all, Yuki had a past of his own.

(A/N): Okay, now there are two new questions that pop up...1.) What does Ryuichi know about Kai? and 2.) What is Yuki's past, and was it so bad that's the reason he doesn't judge Shuichi for his own? Well, I guess those answers will come in later chapters, because for now, I have to stop this chapter. I rushed this one, so it's probably not any good. I hope you all liked it though. PLEASE REVIEW!