A/N: So it seems there will be a few more chapters left, not just 1 or 2. Landlord has roofers up there since barely 7am, so I'm doing my best to write/function.

Disclaimer: I don't own Gravitation, losangeles . About od / gaylesbian / a / gaypride . Htm , "The Rage Beat" or "Sleepless Beauty" from Gravitation, are information from His : / / answers . Yahoo question / index ;_ylt = A0LEV0tjbJNTa20AZqJXNyoA ;_ylu = X 3 o DMTE za BHNlY w N zcg Rwb 3 MDNAR j MQ l 1 ? q I d = 2009042320205 M

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Chap 7: "Welcome"

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As the group unpacked their luggage at the Hotel Sofitel Los Angeles at Beverly Hills, everyone was disconcerted by The Grand Canyon incident.

"Hey you gotta calm down" Hiroshi spoke to Noriko as she stormed ahead. In an attempt to toss away any bond they had formed, she pushed him.

"K-san we've had "killer fans", but never anything this serious" she cried.

"Miss. Ukai, my duty as band manager is partly to increase revenue, but also to ensure your safety; have I ever failed you?", he reassured in a fatherly one.

"Here are your room keys. If you need anything, aside from hotel business, please let me know" Seguchi said, passing out the cards. Access to the all hotel services are yours to enjoy".

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The act Tohma put up really had taken its toll. Fully clothed, he dropped onto the king sized mattress in his single suite.

It wasn't the first time either band received a death threat, or somebody attempted to act on one, but this time they were in the "middle of nowhere" so-to-speak. Each person he cared for most in the world was present, or would be hurt greatly if the assassination attempt was successful.

K-san's contacts would discover who the target was and why, as well as who ordered the bloodshed.

Tohma offered for K-san to bring Judy and Michael with them for the final stretch of the tour, since they lived in California, but of all the devotions in Claude Winchester's arsenal, his wife and son came first. No one aside from Seguchi Tohma and the band members knew of their ties to said manager's life, his military connections saw to that.

They were free to attend the upcoming concerts, but under the guise of fans. Mikey wasn't very interested in this type of music, so dozens of autographed memorabilia was out of the question. He would surely cheer though, anyone his daddy believed in he did too, and the new group seemed nice.

The boy did enjoy creating his own "Freedom flag"; the regular stars, with red, white and blue stripes on one side, with a rainbow on the opposite side, to fly around during the parade.

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As a Californian native, Claude Winchester left the hotel immediately as the sun rose to swim in the warming ocean.

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He returned with even more energy and enthusiasm than ever before, "Let's get out there and show the best pop-stars in all of Japan!"

Seguchi Tohma agreed to be the announcer. With his far-reaching voice which commanded attention, he began:

"Welcome to the 44th Annual LA Gay Pride Parade!"

Cheers erupted all around.

"What you may know is that the duration is Three days, and cost is approximately $20 per day (advance purchase: $15 per day)"

A man about forty years old wearing a feather boa around his neck and a sequined dress stepped forward, "Activities and Features :

A parade with colorful floats including LGBT activists and their friends in the community

A Carnivale atmosphere complete with vibrant costumes and a giant street party

Around 200 community and gay-friendly vendor booths -DJs and dancing

Food

World-class entertainment on a variety of stages

The 'Dyke March Rally and After Party' featuring honorary speakers; led by women on motorcycles down Santa Monica Blvd.

Music video premieres

'Silent Celebration' (one minute of silence to honor the deceased and the cause)

Pride is broadcast live on Time Warner Cable Channel10

'Erotic City,' a dress-up event in the evening (leather and fetish attire suggested)

Local club and bar related parties".

A muscled woman stepped in, "Here is the history of Gay Pride

Gay Pride, a celebration of LGBT culture around the world, stemmed from the Stonewall Riots in the bar of the same name, in New York City's Greenwich Village on June 28, 1969. This is why Gay Pride events often take place in the month of June (though not exclusively and varying from country to country, of course).

The original incarnation of Gay Pride took place one year after Stonewall in the form of Gay Pride marches in New York, Los Angeles and Chicago. These commemorated and brought attention to the riots and the cause in general. June 28th was originally known as 'Gay Liberation Day,' and in Los Angeles, 'Gay Freedom Day.'

These were the early seedlings of Gay Pride-a celebration, festival and parade that focuses attention on vital LGBT issues like same sex marriage and A.I.D.S. and H.I.V. It is also intended to bring the LGBT community and their friends together for an unabashed celebration of identity and culture as well.

There are Gay Pride (also simply known as "Pride") festivals and parades all over the world, from Israel to Amsterdam."

After kissing her with nostalgia shining in auburn eyes, her girlfriend clothed in a bright spring dress added,

"History of Los Angeles Gay Pride

As mentioned above, the first LA Gay Pride Paradeaka 'Gay Freedom Day' took place in June of 1970. To this day, it is classified under the umbrella and moniker of Christopher Street West (CSW). Christopher Street was the location (in New York City) of the Stonewall riots.

LA's original Gay Pride parade took place on Hollywood Blvd. Although no parade was held in 1973, the celebration returned in 1974 with a festival attached. Ultimately, in 1979, the LA Pride Parade and Festival were moved to the current location in West Hollywood's Santa Monica Blvd. West Hollywood is one of Southern California's most gay identified neighborhoods."

A man about thirty seven stepped forward then, "Welcome everyone, please talk to people, laugh, share, love. Otherwise they win".

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The moment "Nittle Grasper's" colorful float rounded the first bend, gay and straight fans alike screamed their praise, begging for autographs. Always one to please, Ryu jumped down. Turning, Tohma saw his dear trusting over-friend among their fans, and climbed down as well.

Shuichi laughed, "Look how excited Ryu is!"

Hiro nodded, "Sakuma-san doesn't seem too pleased he just went down into the crowd" he chuckled, turning. "Wait Shu were did you go?!"

He could just imagine those icy blue eyes;"You let him leave?!".

It wasn't his fault if Shuichi found someone who appreciated him more. Then again, he didn't want a "fan" shooting up his friend with, Coke, Special K, or any of that nasty stuff. He wouldn't need to agree, they could catch him off guard. Hiro and Eiri wouldn't find Shuichi until months later- a meth-head lying in the gutter.

At that unsettling notion, he ran to find his best friend, shouting over the multitude of voices and blasting music.

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Shu and Ryu stood on a float in the "center" of the parade, waving rainbow flags and dancing among a most erotic crowd.

From all around, fans called for Bad Luck's first hit "Rage Beat, Rage Beat!".

"Better give 'em what they want Shu" Ryuichi spoke with determination.

Ecstatically both singers loudly sang the hit pop song a-Capella...

Each sang the beginning, as a duet, "With a frightened look in my eyes...I take my impatience... and I toss it to the capricious winds... on the cracked pavement... the signal that melted away... only leaves a scar behind..."

Out of the corner of his eye Hiroshi saw a fan climbing onto the float, and discreetly knocked him off, as if to begin crowd-surfing. They couldn't take any risks. Mr. K saw, and smirking commented to himself, "A natural".

Shuichi had a solo, "Before the sleepy noise erases tomorrow... I chase the footsteps, echoing with ambition... I won't top anywhere..." at this, he reached out to Eiri. Said man couldn't hold back a smile.

Tears reached violet eye as they sang the final portion together into one microphone; "Ignore the unfulfilled emotions... and get over them... In the trembling world of shyness... aim for the escape route... Towards the place I'll arrive at... I want new world!"

The moment the final note ended Eiri climbed onto the float, pressing his lips to his lover's. Parting from the breathtaking kiss, Shuichi never lost sight of the most handsome man as he returned to the crowd.

After a short water break, they sang Nittle Grasper's song in another a-Capella number, with Shuichi singing the background- Nittle Grasper's "Sleepless Beauty"...

"I've been charmed by your eyes from far away; wake up and wait for me... Call out and break the night's barricades; the crowd comes...(there is no way out) if you plan to endure the impact (until it collapses)... a projected lie... Smile as you become reborn and paint your whole body... See the world suddenly burning up miraculously as we meet by chance..."

Here Ryuichi took his solo; "I see you haven't changed at all; the petals scatter from the flower,Polish the gem in your hand everyday so it will build up and start over... (your cold hand) because of horns shed through wariness (a doused flame) the smoke carries on... Now tell me where the light is, sketch it as it dances vividly... Guarded words overflow and come... out in times of fear... cry, cry for a way out..."

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End of chap 7

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We see more celebration and fun in the next chapter!