Title: Normally Yuki

Chapter 5: An Evening Conversation

Rating: T.M.I. : It now exists. Moo-haha (Evil Cows Unite!). On a serious note, contains implied adult themes and Eiri's usual cussing

Fandom: Gravitation

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

Just as he promised, Eiri contacted Mizuki with his answer within the two day period. In the early evening of the second day he picked up his cell phone and punched in the numbers for her personal home phone. Putting the device to his ear he listened as the line connected and after the first three infernal "brring" noises a young woman answered the line.

"Hello?" Eh, this was not Mizuki. The voice was lighter and sweeter, and if he wasn't mistaken a tad worn out. What was this young lady doing before she answered the phone?

"Ah, good evening is Ms. Kanna Mizuki in residence?" He did his best to place the voice, trying to remember if Mizuki had any female family members, but came up short. All her family lived in the country side and she was the only young female their family could boast about. Well, if that was the case then-

"Kanna sweetie!" A pause, and then it clicked in Eiri's head. "Some man is on the phone!" He heard a voice give a garbled reply to the mystery girl. "Um, mister-?"

"Yuki. Tell her that Mr. Eiri Yuki is on the line." He smiled as a small squeal erupted on the other end. It was very rare that an author would call his editor's personal home number, but then again Eiri was feeling rather evil tonight. His desire to catch her off guard and perhaps faint from imitating a gasping guppy was getting the better of him this evening.

"Oh! Um, okay! Right away Mr. Yuki!" Some more shouting and then a very loud and very clear, "Huh?!" echoed his way causing an evil laugh to softly bubble out. A few moments and a bit of loud ruckus later a bewildered Mizuki panted out a questioning "Hello?"

"Ms. Mizuki, good evening!" Eiri smirked as he greeted her. Oh, he could just imagine her fish impression now!

"Mr. Yuki?! Are you- no, why- is everything okay?" Forget imagining her fish impression, she was talking like a dazed and confused fish right now! If fish could talk, that is.

"Everything is fine Ms. Mizuki. I was just calling you in regards to the project you gave me." Eiri could hear Ms. Fish straightening up and putting on her best business face. From the rustle in her clothing to the inhale of breath she took, probably to steady her nerves, ah, blessed ears! "I do apologize for contacting you so late; however I just received the legalized copy of the contract from my lawyer just now." Just this morning, actually, but what she didn't know wouldn't hurt her.

"Lawyer? You're getting ahead of yourself on this one Mr. Yuki."

"Not really, I wanted to be sure that all my interest would be protected. It is important to me that Mr. Seguchi's lawyers don't try to pull a fast one."

"But," he could hear her frown, as she tried to think clearly. "Our lawyers would make sure that the company's interest would be protected."

"Yes, well as you recall, I was referring to my interests, Ms. Mizuki."

"Oh." Oh, indeed. "Well, then... what is your answer?"

"As long as my interests are protected then I see no harm in pursuing a business relationship with Mr. Seguchi and his subordinate."

"Okaaay." He knew the moment that she understood his message. After working with her for nearly eight years she was quick to identify the hidden meaning in his words. She knew exactly what he was after. "Well then, I will make sure that Mr. Seguchi knows that your terms and the company's terms must be accepted before we can pursue the project. I assume you have a list of conditions so when I set up the meeting be sure to bring that. I'll call you and let you know where the meeting place is. Is that acceptable?"

His voice dropped an octave and a smoky baritone grinned with pleasure, "Kanna-chan, you know this is why I love you."

Her hearty laugh sounded over the line and she smiled, "Oh Eiri-kun, I'm soooo glad you finally admitted it! What would you do without me?"

"Just sniping off any editor that pissed me off." They both took a moment to chuckle in friendly cahoots. Eiri glanced at the clock on the wall and decided to wind down the conversation.

"Hm, that's true. Well, I'm sure you want to get going now, eh?"

"Wow, you read my mind. Yes, I do need to hit the sack it's almost nine pm." When Shuichi was living with him, the boy was coming and going at all hours for the sake of the band. However, now that the pop star was gone Eiri was able to toy with the idea of a proper bedtime. Thus, eight pm became his bed time along with the thirty minute ritual that preceded it.

"Alright then Mr. Yuki. Have a good night and thank you for calling."

"You too Ms. Mizuki. Oh," Eiri smirked as he added one last piece, "and don't wear your girlfriend out too much. Your prior activities were glaringly obvious due to her panting and breathy voice. Goodnight!"

Mizuki sputtered and stuttered as he pulled the phone away from his ear, but she finally managed to shriek, "You bastard!" Pressing the "End" button, Eiri sniggered to himself, very pleased to be able to push Mizuki's buttons in such a dastardly way. Well, he reasoned, her little girlfriend shouldn't have answered the phone sounding like she'd been properly fucked six ways and counting.

Preview: Men Take too Long