Please try to keep in mind…I don't own Gravitation…

Red to Black Berry

Blackberry

Hello! Nice to see all of you again! I loved your reviews! I know I commented on some of them so forgive me if I repeat myself…

Mickiressa – Thank you, funny is good! I'm pretty sure they are going to forget they were mad…at least for a little while.

Tamano Setsuna – I hope this was quick enough.

Quiet-lil-kris – Well more you get.

Karusu-hime – Thank you I'm glad you like it! If you stay with me you will get to know how this turns out. I appreciate that you took the time to agree with me on the point that I'm a fucked up authoress. Sugar high…nice…

Dagget – His hair, though it doesn't seem like it, is very sexy on him, which is part of his new look. And remember Dri said that if he didn't look different on the outside it would be harder to have his inner changes noticed, in other words it's to help him stand out.

Bitbyboth – Thank you! It's nice to know my mistakes, I also have a problem with rapidly changing first person to third person but bear with me.

xXkawaii-chanXx – Yes their reactions are going to be fun. I love your idea! A green hat would be perfect for Shuichi! The hair extensions for Shuichi end just about shoulder length.

Zetsuki – Thank you!

X.xMeiko-samax.X – Well wait no longer!

To inform you there is a picture that goes with this story and it can be accessed through my profile. I hope you have enjoyed the story so far! This chapter goes to X.xMeiko-samax.X who gets five cookies.

So you know if you get 50 cookies before the story is up I'll do one favor for you. For example… two chapters back to back, an epilogue, a one shot, or maybe even a whole new story – it doesn't even necessarily have to be in Gravitation.

On to the next chapter… Blackberry.

Past

Hiro was in a panic. Suguru was in a similar state without his lead singer. Noriko was upset along with Mika both of whom Shuichi had grown on. Ryuichi refused to sing and when he did it was some mournful high pitched wailing. Ayaka was stressed because of Hiro. K looked like he was going to pop a gasket because this was, 'bad for publicity'. Sakano couldn't stop crying saying he had failed in his job by letting Shuichi out of his sight.

And Eiri. Eiri was so distraught – though not outwardly – that he told his editor to fuck off and broke three cameras of reporters that were too persistent for their own good. The last time he had seen him, Eiri looked like he had been crying only minutes before. Hell even he, Tohma Seguchi, cold bastard of NG corp. was worried about him. And as much as they had their differences he did not want to drop Bad Luck from NG because Shuichi was missing. That would be one hell of a welcome back present. And he knew he would come back, even just to die. Because of Eiri, he would have to see Eiri one last time. Of that, he was sure.

Present

"Are you ready Shuichi?" The words fell with a tremendous weight from Adrienne's lips.

"I don't know Dri…am I?" Adrienne's eyes softened and she gave him an indulgent smile.

"That's why I'm asking. Outwardly, you can do this…but emotionally? I don't know. I've gotten you there, now you need to keep up the front. Don't drop it, even for a minute, or you could get hurt by the consequences." He nodded, if she thought so, then he was ready.

"I can do this." He stated, and that's what it was, a statement. Something that was indisputably true.

"Call me if anything goes wrong, okay, I'll be there." He new no truer words had ever been spoken, that was why he loved Dri.

"Thank you. I, Dri you mean the world to me." A smile lit up his face and she shooed him out the door.

"La lune et les etoile sont avec toi." He waved as he slid into her limo, he loved her French sayings.

Down street after street and the airport came in sight. He was going home, but Shindou Shuichi was not the same as when he left. No, he was totally different, and NG was about to be blown away.

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♫

If Shuichi didn't show up soon he would have to drop Bad Luck, there was no way around it. He had tried to think of a way to avoid it but it was just that simple. He had all but given up hope when the second week had passed, three weeks, and not a word. Then it happened, Ryuichi and Noriko were hanging around in his office with Mika while Hiro and Suguru gave a report on what they could get done without Shuichi. Eiri was sitting in a corner and it was all he could do not to walk over and hold him. And then Ryuichi turned on the tv.

"After not a word from the hyper singer for weeks Shindou Shuichi has been spotted. No one has been able to get a clear picture of Shuichi but it's apparent the young star has changed, what and how is still unknown…"

Everyone sat up straighter and their attention was stuck on the tv screen.

"He was first spotted by a large group of fans outside the airport and has since been seen only a scant few times…"

"I'm going to go check the house." Eiri said as he started to rise.

"Now we have sighted him outside of NG. It appears he is going to find safe haven within the music corporation's walls."

Shuichi was here…that was the first thing that crossed their minds before everyone jumped up to look out Tohma's giant windows. They could see a large crowd but no Shuichi, they look franticly expecting one another to suddenly call out their proclamation of finding the bubblegum haired teen.

"Looking for something? I hope it's not me?" The voice was mock innocent and everyone whipped around to face Shuichi standing against the door with a cocky smirk on his face.

They gapped, like idiots. There stood Shuichi, yet it wasn't Shuichi, at least not the one they new. His back was pressed against the door as if he were too lazy to stand on his own. His now Sakura pink and off maroon with black speckled locks were mussed with that crumpled bed room look, though that had probably been achieved by running from the reporters. His eyes were droopy and they sparkled screaming 'I just came back down from one hell of a mind blowing orgasm'. His lips were lightly pouty with a 'just been kissed' rouge to them. The smirk he wore had 'I know I'm getting laid tonight' written all over it.

His black shoes led up to formfitting black suede pants. Said pants ended at a sleeveless muscle t-shirt. A fishnet body suit was apparent underneath it all and was covered by a large black coat. His ears had been pierced and the ornaments that hung from them were strawberries, one red, one black. Shuichi looked like a sex god…and they liked it…but…it kind of unnerved them.

Shuichi crossed the room before planting himself in front of Tohma's desk. "Well, how are my favorite people doing?" The question slipped out to land elegantly on the air while it waited for an answer.

"What the hell do you mean?!? We've been worried sick about you Shuichi! And where have you been?!?" Mika's voice was almost hysterical and Tohma was sorely tempted to cover his ears.

"I mean how have you guys been fairing. I've been in France." His voice was almost a monotone and unlike Shuichi he didn't apologize for making them worry, what had happened to him?

"France, what the hell were you doing in France?" It was Noriko who spoke up this time, it was also a valid question.

"I was visiting and old friend." Shuichi shrugged lightly as if it were no big deal.

"You have friends in France?" Hiro sounded confused and it was obvious that he had not the slightest idea who this friend was.

"Yeah. I just went to see Adrienne. Her house is a hell of a lot bigger than I remembered." He shook his head before he continued. "Dri and I go way back. I knew her even before you. I met her when she visited Japan. That was eleven years ago. Dri was only seven." Everyone just shook their heads, who was this guy and where had Shuichi gone?

Shuichi just smirked and laughed. "So Bad Luck is still on, right Tohma?" With a nod from his boss Shuichi finished what he was saying. "Good, well then I have some lyrics for Hiro and Suguru to look over. Shall we get started?" He rose at Suguru's happy nod.

He crossed the room and was about to make it out the door when Eiri's voice called to him. "Shuichi." Eiri swiftly followed his path, the boy had turned and was quickly enfolded in Eiri's arms. He could see Eiri whisper something in Shuichi's ear. Shuichi simply brushed him off and away. He could see the shock on Eiri's face.

"From now on, Tohma, I'll be focusing solely on my work. I want at least two albums out before the year is up." He turned and swept out of the room. He glanced around to see that Eiri wasn't the only one surprised and as he caught his reflection in the glass window he realized that he was too.

♫

♪

♫

Well that was that, it had been difficult but he had kept it up. He had done exactly as he was suppose to. So hard, it was so hard to pull away from Eiri, especially after he said those words. 'I was worried, I missed you Shuichi'. I almost couldn't pull back. 'Take a deep breath, you did wonderfully. Dri would be proud. Dri…I should call Dri, that would cheer me up.'

He walked over and grabbed the phone from where he had set it on the table next to his newest lyrics sheet. Flipping it open he found her name in his phone book and it only rang once before she picked up. "Hey Dri."

"My Little Strawberry!"

"Yeah. Listen it went well."

"Oh? That's good! I was worried. How was the plane ride?"

"Okay. I got to write a little."

"Wonderful. So how did you fair under the pressure?"

"I held up, I didn't crack at least."

"I see, how did they take the new you?"

"They seemed pretty shocked. I felt bad though."

"Shocked is good. Why did you feel bad?"

"They were so worried and I didn't even apologize."

"Oh is that all. Its part of your image to be more aloof, it's going to make working with the press a lot easier."

"Yeah I guess…"

"Is that all, it sounds like something else is troubling you?"

"I think I hurt Yuki."

"Oh? That's too bad, but it probably couldn't be helped. What did you do?"

"He hugged me. He told me he was worried, that he missed me. I brushed him off."

"There was really nothing else you could have done. If you need help call me, and…just call me Shuichi I want to be there for you."

"Thanks Dri. I needed to hear that. I love you, Dri"

"Huhuh, and I you, My Little Strawberry."

"Bye Dri."

"Bye My Strawberry."

He hung up the phone and let himself smile, Dri always understood. He just hoped he could keep up this front, he wanted to show everyone, not just Yuki that he had changed, he had grown up. Mind and body, he had grown up.

Translations

Lune - Moon - French

Et - And - French

Etoile - Star - French

Sont - Be - French

Avec - With - French

Toi - You - French

So there you go chapter two. Bare with me I know it's not the longest chapter. Now five cookies to anyone who can guess what inspired the earrings Shuichi was wearing when he showed up at NG. Five more if you can tell me the significance of the title in corresponce with the story. Also what do you guys think of Dri?

Your fucked up authoress, Kuro Tenka.