Gravitation non jouir.

Red to Black Berry

Well I've been trying to update at least every nine days so here is chapter two. Thank you so much for reviewing.

DarkMetalAngelOfDestruction – I hope you consider this soon.

Karusu–Hime – Oh God…bad ass cocky punk…I think I'll use that.

Missanis – Thank you so much. I'm completely grateful for the help and so I give you cookies. 5 cookies.

Mickiressa – I know but I had to make him brush Yuki off.

Firedragonmaiden – No more looking forward, it's here.

Rynn–Rynn – Thank you, you remind me of Ryuichi…

GravitationInnocence – Thank you! I'm glad you find my fic special. You are right Shuichi is still the way he always was on the inside but if he shows it nothing will change and he might get in trouble for acting that way. I had a lot of fun coming up with Adrienne, she was probably my favorite oc character yet.

X.xMeiko-samax.X – I had to put it in and it really just seemed to fit Dri's character. 5 cookies.

Intelligent-one – Thanks that's what actually got me started on this story, Shuichi's hair style.

MoonIceBlue – And more you shall get.

Bitbyboth – Thank you I'm glad you told me I went back and fixed that.

The Lone Wolfcubs – I can't believe that you read this that many times!

Now this chapter goes to The Lone Wolfcubs who read my story five times since it was published, thanks. 5 cookies will be added on at the beginning of the next chapter.

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.

Now for the next chapter…Your Call, Red or Black?

Past

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.

Present

"Alright let's take it from the top." Shuichi's voice rang in the following silence and then the music started up again. Shuichi was working them into the ground.

Hiro didn't really know what to think about the new Shuichi. He was more aggressive then ever and he made Hiro feel as if victory was at hand, that all he needed to do was reach out and grab it. At the same time Shuichi was so distant and it alarmed him to see the once dependent boy not giving a damn about everyone around him.

Suguru was quite of a different opinion. Where Hiro was unsure Suguru was positive. He was ecstatic to see Shuichi so on the ball. They already had the lyrics for their next album matched to the proper music, it all sounded great, if a little different then what the usually sang. Reguradless he new it would throw all their fans for a loop and they would enjoy it too. All Shuichi seemed to want to do lately was work, work, work, and Suguru couldn't have been happier or agreed more.

"Perfect. That about does it. I'll get these onto a disk and we will run it through Tohma tomorrow. After that we can celebrate, congrats guys, we made a cd in practically a month, at this rate Nittle Grasper will crash and burn." Putting aside their opinions they both liked the idea of being done, if for their own reasons.

"Sounds great, see you in the morning Shuichi." Hiro called as he and Suguru grabbed their stuff and waved before setting off.

He was heading for the recording studio when his phone went off. He answered on the second ring.

"Hello, Shuichi Shindou."

"My Little Strawberry sounds all grown up like that."

"Dri. It's wonderful to hear from you again."

"You say that as if you haven't heard from me in a week."

"I haven't. Where have you been?"

"Sorry. I took a small trip to Italy. It wont happen again, promise. As long as you need me, I'll be there."

"Thanks Dri. So guess what."

"What? Good news?"

"Yes. We just finished our new cd, I'm going to record it right now."

"That's great, but you must have worked yourself into the ground."

"It's a way to distract myself without being destructive."

"Have you been sleeping well?"

"No I suppose I haven't. But as soon as I get the demo in to Tohma tomorrow I'll have time. I'll catch up on some much needed relaxation before throwing myself back into the game."

"Huhuh. Good, I'm glad. So when do you think your next concert will be?"

"I don't know yet but I'll tell you when I find out."

"Well good luck my Strawberry."

"You're the beat in my heart Dri."

"Huhuh, your so cute Shuichi, when you get on stage, make them faint."

"I promise amour, I will."

"Huhuh. Bye my Berry."

"Bye Dri."

He hung up the phone and he felt like his soul had just lost three pounds. He felt so much more at ease after talking to Dri.

Everyone had been bugging him about the way he was acting lately and he was hard pressed not to scream. Mika and Noriko, he new hated the new him. They thought he was being disrespectful, really he was just putting on a don't-give-a-damn cold front. They were just so bitchy about it.

He entered the small room and let out a deep breath, he could spend as much time needed recording now and he wouldn't be disturbed. He relaxed and started up the music so he could sing, this cd was going to throw all but Nittle Grasper out of the game, of that, he was sure.

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Shuichi strolled into Tohma's office early the next morning with Hiro and Suguru flanking him. He lightly tossed the demo onto Tohma's desk and sat back in one of the chairs in front of Tohma's mahogany working station.

Tohma was, personally, grateful that Shuichi was cracking down to business. However, Eiri was not fairing well, that much Tohma knew. After coming back to Japan the now serious singer moved out of Eiri's house and into a grand hotel sweet that cut off all contact with Yuki. The young writer was suffering, it was quite obvious, to Tohma al least. Exactly how bad it was, he didn't know. Eiri just wouldn't let him in.

Everyone was taking this differently. Sakano was just thrilled that Shuichi was back unharmed and vowed that he would never let Shuichi out of his sight, apparently that hadn't lasted long. K was of a whole new outlook entirely. He had decide to keep Shuichi hidden from the public eye as a tease while spreading wild rumors, some real, some fake. K was milking it and praising Shuichi as a God for the stunt he pulled. He was even thinking about changing the band's name.

It didn't take long for Tohma to approve and Bad Luck had their newest single album on the market. K had come the day after the release to discuss a small press conference for Shuichi but with certain conditions. Shuichi was going to have his hair covered by a hood and be wearing street cloths. No one would get a full glance of the new lead singer until the night of the concert.

Tohma agreed easily enough.

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"Shuichi! What's with the dark close?"

"Where did you go during your disappearances"

"Why are you wearing a hood?"

"When is your next concert?"

"There is a rumor going around that you're changing the name of the band, is that true?"

"Your fans want to know, where do you think Bad Luck stands in the music industry competition and the on going battle between Bad Luck and Nittle Grasper?"

The reporters shot off so many questions that Hiro and Suguru couldn't gat a word in. They thought it was hopeless until Shuichi did something unexpected. He calmed the crowd.

"My new favorite color is black. I went to France to visit a friend. No comment. The concert is in a week. The name is undecided and up for grabs at the moment. And we are going to run Nittle Grasper into the ground of course. Any more questions?" 'Wow' was one of few coherent thoughts going through Hiro's and Suguru's heads. When did Shuichi get so good with this kind of thing?

"Yes Shuichi, does the darker cloths symbolize a darker outlook on life?"

"Who was this friend in France? Maybe a lover?"

"Are you worried about not being able to sell out in only a weeks time?"

"What are some other options going around for the name?"

"Your really so confident about your latest work?"

"Is it true that Yuki Eiri and you have broken up?"

Again Shuichi took charge with some interesting answers. "Possibly, over all you could say my songs are darker maybe going so far as to call some of them morbid. No she is just a friend, her name is Adrienne. No, what you see changed about me today, know that it is just the tip of the iceberg, so to speak. Other options are Flush, Artificial Tears, and Garnet, there are more but none that I particularly like. Yes I'm confident that my work will stand above Nittle Grasper. As for my relationship with Yuki Eiri, that remains to be seen, I'm not going to discuss anything about Yuki at this present time. Anything else?"

"When you say Adrienne, you wouldn't happen to be referring to Adrienne Bane Bastian of the Trillionaire Bastians, would you?"

Everyone seemed to hold their breath for this comment and Shuichi smiled. He put his hand in his pocket and withdrew his cell phone. Flipping it open he put it on speaker after dialing a number. It answered and a large breath escaped the reporter' lungs.

"Hey Dri."

"My Little Strawberry! Are you well?"

"Well enough. I'm in the middle of a press conference, your on speaker phone for the crowd."

"Well you certainly have been a very bad Berry now haven't you?"

"Sorry Dri, they asked about you. I'll call you back later, okay."

"Very well."

The call ended with a click and Shuichi rose, ignoring all the questions, the three band members filed out of the confining room.

♫

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♫

As Shuichi stepped out of the limo to walk into the concert hall he could hear him fans screaming. Shoats of, 'Oh my fucking God look at Shuichi!' 'He looks so hott' 'He is fine in those cloths' 'Forget his cloths, check out his hair!' and countless other phrases trailed him inside.

He would have entered without a look back but one of his fan girls said something that caught his attention.

"Shuichi! In the interview, Lady Adrienne referred to you as 'My Little Strawberry', I'm curious, are you really a Red Berry or a Black Berry?"

He turned and the crowd freaked, he walked straight up to the young woman who had said that and leaned in so close their lips almost touched, everyone quieted down to here what he had to say. "What do you want me to be?"

The girl's breath escaped her in a 'whoosh' and she suddenly couldn't speak. Shuichi continued a line that practically brought the poor woman to her knees.

"I'll tell you now, I am one, very, Black, Berry." All the girl could do was nod shakily. Shuichi's eyes swept over the crowd and the bed room eyes he had worked so hard to achieve those three weeks were prominent making every person they caught on, melt. Then he continued back inside. The crowd let out a shrill scream. They took up his name in chant a moment later, those who could still breathe, that is.

Translations

Non – No

Jouir - Own

Amour - Love

So next chapter you get to hear his first song. Also I'm going to give you Ryuichi and Eiri's reactions to Shuichi. I invite you to take a look at the picture for this story, it's on my profile. The questions from last time still stand, where did I get the inspiration for Shuichi's earrings and what is the significance of the title. 5 cookies per question. Another thing, anyone who can give me a name I like for the new band name will get 5 cookies. Tell me weather I should rename Bad Luck or not.

Your fucked up authoress, Kuro Tenka