A/N: We're nearing the end, guys. This chapter, the next one, and an epilogue are all that's left of Ricochet's run. I hope you guys stick around!! Ooooh, care to guess who the two schemers are? I didn't think I'd include them much in the story at all, but I wanted to give Tsuki a happy ending, sooooo, I worked it in. But anyway, I'll give you three guesses to whom are schemers are. GYAAAH! I HAVE UPLOADED THIS CHAPTER A BAZILLION TIMES, AND THE CHANGES NEVER GET SAVED:falls to the floor in a deep bow: I'm trying to fix all the mistakes, but it's not working!!! T-T

The song is "Bird". I know it belongs to Gravitation somewhere, but I've never heard it, but I used it because, well... The lyrics fit!


Chapter Thirteen: From the Get-Go

"And then you what?!" Hiro hissed, leaning across his chair to stare Shuichi down.

Shuichi shrugged, his furred collar brushing against his cheek. He raised a pencil to his lips, chewing silently on the eraser. "I told 'im to leave," he mumbled around the end of the pencil.

"You're an idiot," the guitarist huffed, returning to the doctor office-issued old magazine.

"Yeah, you've pegged me," Shuichi giggled, absently crossing out a few words in his notebook.

Currently, the two were waiting for Shuichi's name to be called for his weekly check up. Normally, Shuichi went alone, but he had asked Hiro to tag along so he could fill his friend in on the night before.

"Heeey, Hiro, what rhymes with 'loneliness'?"

Hiro raised an eyebrow, sneaking a look at the new lyrics that Shuichi was writing. "Um… Moldiness?"

Shuichi scowled. "Ew. No."

Hiro chuckled, and Shuichi raised his fist to smack the guitarist, but as he began to do so, his name was called.

Shuichi stood, dusting off his worn-out jeans. "Ha. You've been saved, Hiroshi. I'll be back in a few."

Hiro laughed softly as he watched his friend drift into the back of the doctor's office. He returned to his magazine, shaking his head. "He's really changed," he mumbled. "I hope he stays happy this time…"


Absently, Shuichi kicked his feet as the doctor washed her hands. "So, doc, will I be able to perform soon?"

The woman laughed, pushing her glasses up her nose. "Well it depends on your state, Mr. Shindou," she replied, drying her hands on a towel.

"I've been taking my medicine like a good boy," the pink-haired rock star whined.

His doctor ignored this and slid on a pair of gloves, striding over to the table where Shuichi was sitting. She pulled her stethoscope out and placed it against Shuichi's chest. "Breathe."

Shuichi obeyed, and happily noted the positive nod of the lady doctor. She wrote a few notes down, then pulled out a small flashlight.

"Open your mouth," she ordered. Once Shuichi had complied, she shone the light down his throat, checking for the open sores that had caused his collapse months before.

She took some more notes, then nodded at Shuichi. "You're all healed," she said, pausing for a short cheer from the musician. "But stay away from alcohol, high stress situations, and please, take it easy on the screaming during your concert."

Shuichi beamed, nodding. "No problem, would you like to come to the concert, then?" he asked, tipping his head to the side.

The woman blushed slightly, and Shu laughed, jumping down from the table. "I take that as a yes! I'll send you a ticket! And thank you!" And with that, Shuichi raced out of the room.


Yuki angrily kicked his coffee table, sending his ashtray and beer flying to the floor. He ran his hands through his hair, his fingers tugging, frustrated, at the strands.

Having nothing else to do, he collapsed onto his wrecked sofa, turning on the television. It didn't help that the last channel he had watched was the music channel, and it really didn't help that Bad Luck was currently starring on the show.

With a sigh, he decided to sit back and watch anyway.


"And this is Bad Luck with one of their older songs, 'Bird'!"

Shuichi picked up the mic, grinning happily at the cameras, and began to sing.

"(Ikanaide!) Sakendemo ano sora e tobu yasei no tori

(Even when I shout "Don't go!", the wild bird flies to the sky)

Never say good bye shinayaka na sono tsubasa yuuki ni akaku somete

((Never say good bye) as those supple wings are dyed red with courage.)

(Ikanaide!) Kono mune wa tsumi bukai yume mite shimau yo

("Don't go!" In my heart, I can't help seeing that sinful dream --)

Never say good bye sono hane wo kiri totte makka ni nurasu yume wo

((Never say goodbye) a dream where those feathers are torn out and soaked in crimson.)

Kanashige na me de naze mitsumerun da?

(Why do you gaze at me with those sorrowful eyes?)

Nandomo furimuite mouichido dake dakishimetai to negatte shimau

(No matter how often you turn away, I can't help wanting to embrace you just one more time.)

(Itte kure!) Ima ore ga samishisa ni chi wo nagashitetemo

("Tell me!" Now, no matter whether blood pours out from my loneliness)

Never say good bye tobu koto wo kimeta nara mae dake muita mama

((Never say good bye) if you'd decided to fly away, you'd just stare ahead like that.)

(Itte kure!) Kono omoi me wo tojite sora e to suteru sa

("Tell me!" Come, close those heavy eyes and throw away the sky.)

Never say good bye itsu no hi ka aeru darou haruka na umi wo koe

((Never say good bye) You'll probably get there someday, and cross the distant ocean.)"

Once the song was finished, Shuichi and the rest of the band were seated on a long couch, facing the hostess of the show.

"So other than your new album, which is set for release on March 11th, does Bad Luck have anything else planned?"

Shuichi nodded. "We do. On January 28th, we've got a concert."

The host perked, leaning forward excitedly. "Does that mean you've been released from the tour hiatus?"

Shuichi laughed. "Yes it does. We're launching our new international tour with that concert. Please buy tickets."


Yuki stared blankly at the TV. So… he'd missed his chance.

With a sigh, he turned it off, dropping his head in his hands. He'd go to that concert, if only just to see Shuichi one last time.


Standing in the lobby of XMR, the man leaned against the wall, jewelry sparkling on his hands, and chains dangling around his waist. Dark blue sunglasses adorned his face, and his medium-brown hair was tucked back into a black newsboy hat. Music pumped into his ears through bright pink ear buds that traveled down to a stunningly green iPod. After checking his watch, he tipped the glasses down, azure eyes scanning the entering crowd.

It was there that he found who he was waiting for.

"Over here," he called, waving over a blond man.

The man smiled gently, and made his way over to the brunette with the iPod.

"You're exactly on time," the brunette laughed, giving the blonde a short hug.

"So are you," the other replied with a quick laugh.

The brunette swiped off his sunglasses, his bright eyes twinkling. "And you sound like I'm not responsible at all," he chuckled. He turned and motioned for the blonde to follow him, walking towards the XMR café.

The blonde followed, quietly chuckling at his friends antics.

Once seated at the table, the two quickly took to scheming.

"So all the pieces have fallen into place. I feel sorry for the boy…"

The brunette cocked an eyebrow. "Shuichi?" he asked.

"No, no… Do you think that Eiri will go to the last concert?"

"If what my sources have been telling me, he will. He seems desperate to get the darling Shuichi back."

The blonde clicked his tongue. "Well, this tactical scheme has actually fallen into place…"

"I can only control so much… I just hope that Shuichi and Eiri Yuki-san will act like I think they will…"

"They're not very bright, those two," the blonde commented.

The brunette laughed, shaking his head.