Title: Normally Yuki

Chapter 4: Schemes of The Rich and Famous

Fandom: Gravitation

Disclaimer: I don't own Gravitation or anything else mentioned in this story.

One year, two months, and seven days after Shuichi walked out of his life for what he had believed was permanently he finally understood why Mizuki was nervous to hand him the manila envelope. The reason was not a reason he could really comprehend no matter how logical it seemed, and it all started with the words, "Well, you see Mr. Yuki... "

Apparently, Tohma Seguchi wanted his favorite superstar to pursue a book that he had been working on for the last year. The story wasn't quite a romantic tragedy, but it certainly had lots of drama in it. At least according to the keyboardist himself. So, in a brilliant move made by none other than the retired Nittle Grasper, Shuichi was to be paired up with the most successful romance writer in all of Japan, aka Yuki Eiri. It was an attempt to make the tripe of a story into a full-fledged book, worthy of being read by a larger audience, as quoted by Seguchi himself. And bring a steady cash flow to the NG president.

The story, or novel that the airhead pop star referred to it as in his Author Notes section, all seventeen pages of the idiotic novel, was about a lonely girl, who fell in love with a dark knight, but her love was never reciprocated and a white knight eventually won over her heart. The parallels were glaringly obvious, but Eiri paid them no heed and only digested the tale as an outsider. Well, in all fairness he really had no right to say what he thought of the story, it had been so long since he could claim the pop star as his. Err, no, he couldn't claim the story as his.

"You don't have to accept the project. However, um, the commission will be the same as a solo project and as you can see in the paper work Mr. Seguchi is willing to pay a bothering fee for your troubles." Mizuki told him in a soft voice. Eiri really wanted to laugh; Seguchi really knew how to con him into working for him by picking out his heart's desire: money and lots of it. Still, he had to wonder; was this scheme really worth it?

"If the project goes well and the sales are up to your usual quota then he would like to look into a few public presentations to promote the project." He lifted a quizzing brow and she explained, "The usual book tours, but on top of that a soundtrack for the book and if it does really, really well he's willing to produce a movie based on the book."

Ah, that made sense. "So he wants to get into the movie business as well, eh?"

"Um, Mr. Seguchi has been looking into movie and theater production on a regular basis, but I think it's more of Mr. Shindou who wanted to use this project as a launching point." Shuichi? What does a book have to do with Shuichi? "Mr. Shindou wants to start publishing written work. He has a couple books of poetry that he would like to publish along with this story. There are more stories he would like to write, but as we all know, and after you read the manuscript, he lacks, well, ability. So..."

Trailing off she took a sip of her milkshake, her hawk like eyes observing his every movement, every reaction to her information. Eiri kept his face placid and made sure his smile reached his eyes. Mizuki, having her current fill of snooping for reactions, continued whilst he listened.

"So, in order to promote the band and boost sales Mr. Seguchi agreed to this joint project with the conditions and terms stated in the papers. It is entirely up to you if you would like to participate." Lowering her voice she said, "I understand if you don't want to do it. I think it would be better if you didn't take it."

Eiri kept quiet, he knew what she meant. She, along with the rest of his family, was worried about his mental health. If he had turned to drugs and wound up in the hospital after multiple suicide attempts then they would've understood. But no one could comprehend why he was happy, thoughtful, and composed. Suppressing an evil chortle he remained determined to keep his reasons to himself.

In a confident tone Eiri smoothly related, "Thank you for bringing me this project Ms. Mizuki. I'll look over the documents and give you an answer within about two days." It was clear to him that she had not been expecting that reaction as her face currently resembled a gasping guppy. He grinned and stood, stretching out his back and legs, and feeling relieved when he heard a few cracks and well placed pops of stiff joints. Stuffing the paperwork into a briefcase he prepared himself to leave the coffeehouse.

"Um, uh... okay." Honestly, he loved throwing her off! She quickly joined him in standing and he thrust out his hand, shaking hers with gratitude. Her eyes widened and he chuckled, she would never get use to his western ways of doing things. Grasping the straws of composure she rattled off her end-of-meeting speech. "Okay, then you just let me know and we can work out the details later. There's really not much for me to say because well, I'm not really in charge of this project. So uh-"

He was already walking to the register before she remembered her purse and sunglasses. Bustling after him she caught up as he paid for their drinks, but only fast enough to thank him for paying. Nodding he waved her good bye, package tucked in his briefcase, and steadily walked back home.

Eiri was proud of himself. He didn't break down and cry; he didn't get mad or light a blunt to get rid of his non-existent pain. In fact, he had quite calmly taken care of everything. Just like the professional he knew he was. Honestly, who ever thought Shuichi, of all people, would write a romance story? Or that he, Eiri Uesugi, was being asked by Tohma Seguchi to help the illiterate singer make the story presentable.

And yet, Eiri really did have to ask himself: Was this scheme really worth his while? He knew with sinking ambition that he would have to meet with Shuichi. He would have to watch the little singer without... without what? He shook his head gently, a failed attempt to rid himself of the thoughts and fea- other stuff that tumbled through his mind. Was he ready to see Shuichi? Would he ever be ready to see Shuichi?

Dammit all!

oOXOo

Contrary to popular belief Eiri did not become a man-whore/man-slut when Shuichi left. He was not dilly dallying around with a pretty face with an equally pretty body. Nor did he drink himself into oblivion and invite hot little things into his bed when no one was looking. Nope, hadn't happened once in the one year, two months, one week and two days. Sure, he slept around here and there when he was in a relationship with Shuichi. After all, he never promised to be exclusive and Shuichi hadn't pressured him otherwise.

Strangest of all, Eiri Yuki, the ultimate sex god and sex icon, currently had no sex drive. It wasn't that he couldn't get the gears in motion, but more of he had no desire to do anything sexual. Okay, okay, there were still plenty of things he did sexually. The man hadn't the ability to swear off sexual activity for good, which was why his home made movies and secret photos were a life line for him. However, the situation was different this time around. Eiri didn't want to enjoy the act with anyone else. Hadn't wanted to share the act with someone other than his private fantasies.

If anybody found out that the only time he could get off was when he was bundled up in Shuichi's favorite blue camouflage blanket inhaling the sweet scent of spice, fruit, and that alluring scent that was uniquely the boy's... he would kill 'em. He would find out where they lived make their blood relations suffer and then torture them in the most excruciating way he could think of until the little shits begged for death. There was no way in hell this secret was going to get out!

So, here he was, in his study sitting on the office chair that Shuichi had once parked his pert little behind in. This office chair was more comfortable than his other one, as he had tried to reason with Tatsuha who hadn't believed a word he said. Annoying little shit.

It only made sense that he would take the chair that was cozier, yet the younger sibling rolled his eyes and asked if he fantasized about inappropriate things with the ex while he sat in the chair. Eiri narrowed his eyes at his baby brother, promptly realizing that Tatsuha was trying to rile him up. Ha, that didn't work!

Straightening up, he had put on his best big brother smile and reached out a hand to ruffle Tatsuha's ebony locks, his eyes shining with mirth. In the best affectionate tone he could muster he jovially proclaimed, "Ta-kun, don't get ahead of yourself. Those are big boy thoughts!"

He laughed as he walked away, but not before he saw Tatsuha's eyes grow big, his face tinge green, and the cherry on top, "Ewww! You sick bastard! Gimme my big bro back!"

Ah, being evil certainly had its good points. Now, back to the present and the office.

The blinds were up and the curtains pulled back so that the morning light streamed in through the windows. Eiri had discovered that a cheery atmosphere was more contributive to decent writing then stress, alcohol, and a myriad of negative emotions. Just like he had said. He being those creepy things on the television. What were they again? Ah, right the Tele-boobies.

Yup, that bit of advice for a cheery atmosphere and less booze was given to him by those weird looking Tele-boobies. Not by the sexy young man with a penchant for making him drool like a greenhorn and drive his libido to the edge of sanity with nary more than a sweet lovable smile. Tele-boobies, not Shuichi and The Latex Style Short Shorts.

Uh, ahem.

With his butt parked in the chair he spread the documents out on the desk, the laptop tucked away in the corner next to the printer as he went over what Mizuki gave him. He had made copies at the local print shop after his meeting with his editor and was currently going over the important parts of the project details, as well as reading the story through and taking notes.

It was true; Tohma was willing to pay a pretty penny for him to work jointly on this project with Shuichi, and it did make sense that Japan's hottest rock/pop star work with Japan's hottest serial novelist. Hmph, the project really would sell well if done correctly. Losing himself in business mode Eiri tuned out the world and concentrated on the task at hand.

Preview: An Evening Conversation

A/N: Um, I really hesitate to leave Author Note's in this story. I've since realized that when I am reading a fanfic I want the author to give me the story with out any confetti. It's irritating when I have to scroll through a whole lot of air just to get to the whip cream... and I like whip cream. But anyway, I feel compelled to leave a slight note.

I would like to thank those that have review-ed, favorite-ed, and alert-ed. Every time I check my email, among the myriad of other crap it's nice and heartwarming to know that someone is interested in this story. It's also a helpful reminder to post chapters. ^_^ Thank you!