Chapter Notes - I'm back again with another installment. After writing many too many essay type pieces recently, I've gotten back to the kind of writing that I actually enjoy! And I did rather agonize over this chapter because so much happens in it and I may be going in directions with characters that may bother some readers/fans of the Gravitation series. After a lot of thinking it through, and mulling over getting a Beta Reader, I decided to just go where the characters were taking me and let it be what it is. On top of that, I've cut this chapter in half at what seemed like a logical point, because otherwise it was going to go on forever... Most of what I am concerned about will be showing up in chapter 24, so you'll have to enjoy this as an appetizer until then!

Answering questions etc. from the last chapter's reviews and PMs:

Thanks again for all the reviews. There weren't really any questions posted this round to answer! I do appreciate the compliments and I'm glad that you're enjoying. I love my Shu-chan doll, too! (from my profile pic) He's so much fun to dress up... I've read a number (or tried to read...) of other Gravitation fics on the site but I really don't enjoy all the unresolved angst in them, so I understand what you're saying about having a weird after taste. People seem to love to torture poor Shuichi! Does he really deserve it? o.O

Dzem gets an 'A' for review effort =D

Enjoy chapter 23!

The sun was really blazing down on Tokyo that day. Somehow summer had crept up on the city yet again. Eiri was hiding from it as much as possible under the shade of a group of trees, sitting on a bench in the park-like setting of a group of office buildings. It was close enough to the studio that Shuichi wouldn't have to walk far to find him, but far enough away that people might not be stalking around looking for celebrities. He did his best to keep out of the way while waiting and reading a paper. His peace was broken by the sound of his cell phone ringing. He answered, not sure who was calling him from the unfamiliar number appearing on the outer screen of his phone.

"Moshi?"

"Hey, Eiri-kun… It's Alan. What's new, kid?" His language was English and his tone was upbeat.

Eiri smiled, surprised by this, and changed languages to match, "Not much. You showed up as an unknown caller, Alan-san…"

"Yeah, sorry about that." He laughed, "I'm not home right now. We're down in Okinawa."

"Oh? What's happening there?"

"Visiting some old friends… Two of my brothers are coming in for a visit, too… We were talking about getting a weekend poker game going up in Tokyo with some other friends there. You play?"

"Sure, sure… It's been a while, though…"

"It's by no means a serious match, so whatever you know would be good enough… K-chan is here entertaining the wives, so bring Shu and he can bond with his uncle and father. Whattaya say, old man? Might be your last chance to hang with the guys before you're hitched."

"Bachelor party?" Eiri chuckled.

"Yeah, why not? No strippers though… The women folk wouldn't dig it."

"Shuichi would hemorrhage…" He agreed, "I'm game."

"Great. If you know anyone else who might like to join in, bring 'em. It'll be fun."

"I'll think about it… This weekend?"

"Yeah. We're coming in on Friday night, got rooms and a suite downtown. Call me back on this number if you need to reach me. My cell battery died so I'm using my friend Taka's until I can get it replaced. Let me know if you're bringing anyone else, too."

"I will… Thank you for the invitation."

"No problem. Looking forward…Oh, and hey… Leave your little brother at home, would ya?"

"I do, whenever possible. You don't even have to ask, really."

"Super. I'll talk to you again when we have more details ironed out. See ya, kid!"

"Goodbye." He closed the phone just as he noticed Shuichi coming across the park toward him, waving in greeting, "I have… a normal family now." He told himself, "Friends… who want to spend time with me just as the person I am… This is so strange…"

"Hi hi hi hiiiii…" Shuichi plunked happily down on the bench beside him, observing his strange expression where he sat still holding the cell phone in his hand, "What's wrong? Who called to piss you off?"

"Oh… No one pissed me off. I was just surprised… It was Alan-san."

"Really? How's he doing?"

"Very well, it seems… I've been invited to a poker game this weekend."

"You play poker?"

"Sure… Learned in Vegas when I was visiting once."

"Makes sense." He nodded, "Where?"

"Here in Tokyo… Apparently two of his brothers are in town and some friends from Okinawa are meeting up with other friends at a hotel here on Friday night for a weekend of poker. Sounds like fun."

"Cool… So I can meet more of Uncle Kentaro's new family!"

"Yeah. You can hang with the girls while we men play poker, drink beer and scratch ourselves." He smiled down on Shuichi.

"Woo. How exotic." He made a gagging noise.

"Does Nakano play poker?"

"Beats me. I'll ask. My dad does."

"Your dad is already invited, it seems… Ask Nakano if he is interested in joining in. The crowd might be a little old for him but… Alan asked if I knew of anyone else that might like to play."

"Okay… So what's the weird look on your face for?" He poked Eiri's cheek.

"Surprise that there are people in the world besides you that want to hang out with me."

"Normal people ain't so bad, huh?" He laughed.

"Not at all." He leaned over and kissed Shuichi in belated greeting, bumping their foreheads together.

"Thanks for coming to meet me." Shuichi sighed from the unforced affection, "You didn't have to."

"Between your work and your cooking class and my work and meetings, I've hardly seen you. So we're going to have dinner whether you like it or not."

"Oh, I like it just fine." He nodded.

"Good… Then let's get out of here."

"Yay! Date with, Eiri!"

"Dinner… Not date."

"Date!" He insisted, getting up and hopping around.

"Freak. We're not dating any more." Eiri got up too, slinging his leather satchel over his shoulder, then following the bouncing pink dot toward the subway. Shuichi's practice must have gone well, judging from the amount of energy he was giving off. Then quite suddenly he came running back, going into orbit around Eiri momentarily until he was restrained by grasping arms.

"Daaaate!!" He sang.

"It's not a date. We live together. We're getting married."

"I'll always date you, even so!" He beamed, "You'll never believe it! Seguchi-san approved your script rewrite today! We're definitely going to New York!!" He broke free and ran off screaming again.

"Well, now that's surprising. I was sure he'd sabotage it." Eiri mused, now watching the pink dot racing around between pedestrians, startling them, making them laugh at his drama. He hopped up on one of the other benches along the way, people gathering around.

"You and me! We're gonna rule the world! Hiiiyaaaahahaha!" He threw his arms up in the air and then ran off again toward the subway with pedestrian commentary following him.

"There's Eiri Yuki, too."

"I guess their relationship is going well."

"He's so handsome!"

Eiri heard such chatter as he followed the trail Shuichi had carved through the early evening foot traffic. Then, when people started getting too close on the subway platform, Shuichi was attached to his arm, keeping the crowds at bay by acting insane.

"Get back from this soon-to-be-famous TV star!" He grinned, laughing wildly.

"Shu, your voice is going to be a mess if you don't calm down." Eiri warned him.

"Oh, yeah. Oops. Heh… Hi everyone!" He waved.

"Kyaaa! Kiss him!" Some girls screamed.

"Whaaa?? Kiss him??" Shuichi was surprised.

"Apparently we've found some voyeurs…" Eiri sighed, rolling his eyes.

"Yeah. Pervs! No free shows!"

"And no more sugar for you." He hustled Shuichi into the train the moment the doors opened, "I think we need to stop taking public transit..."

"It's so much fun though. I get to see people. Besides, I think it's good for you to be in public, down here in the streets with the rest of us norms."

"You're not a norm anymore. When are you going to get used to that?"

"Never." He leaned on Eiri comfortably.

"You're a pretty special kid, aren't ya?"

"Yup… Say, what's for dinner anyhow?"

"Tapas."

"Wu-huh?"

"You'll see. Something new for you to try… So… Touma approved the rewrite… I'm shocked."

"Me too. I guess he must have given up on toying with us."

"Just means he has a new toy… Whatever it is, I wish it good luck."

"Yeah, seriously… Oh! And I sent an extra song off to the TV producers today."

"Oh?"

"I think you'll like it. Pressure Drop. It'll go along with that club scene you wrote in."

"CD must be coming along nicely…"

"Almost done! They decided to put Tokyo After Dark on it due to demand on the NRG artist forums. We're ahead of schedule. Just like you are!"

"Trying to beat me to the finish line, are you?"

"Yup." He nodded emphatically.

"It's not a race, you know."

"Sure it is. For my pride. I'm definitely gonna beat you." He hugged Eiri suddenly, "Doesn't mean I won't still respect you!"

"Right. Jerk." He shook his head.

Shuichi's fans would not be still even in the subway car and coaxed him into giving them a little impromptu concert. Eiri just smirked and watched him, standing up on the seat next to him and holding onto the handrail, singing his heart out. He was a true performer and his fans loved him on stage or in a packed subway car. They applauded as Eiri grabbed his hand and towed him out of the car at their stop.

"Nicely done."

"Thanks!"

His hyperactive antics scored them yet another spot in the morning news, reaffirming their position as the celebrity couple most likely to be spotted in public and continuing Shuichi's reputation of being very accessible to his fans. This news article was proudly tacked to Shuichi's office wall most happily because it had Eiri in it, smiling at him. Sitting back in his desk chair, he sighed and admired his ever-growing collection of pictures and articles about the two of them.

"Yep. We really are going to rule the world." He nodded with satisfaction.

He had enjoyed his new dining experience at the upscale Spanish Tapas restaurant the night before. It was always a good thing to have people bringing him a steady flow of delicious food, most of which he had never tasted or heard of before. Though he had been worried he wasn't appropriately dressed for it—having just come from the studio in his ratty street clothes—Eiri assured him that his level of public recognition now precluded him from a dress code. It turned out he was right. Even in camouflage long-shorts, T-shirt and high top sneakers with mismatching socks, he was still allowed into the fancy place.

Things had really fallen into place for Eiri, recently. Alan had finally referred him to a Reiki master and an acupuncturist, both of whom were old acquaintances of his. Eiri had to go to Yokohama to meet them and figured out quickly that they were rather unusual people. They had a very exclusive and private clientele and had taken him on as a personal favor to Alan, hence the long wait for the introduction—Alan wanted to ask for this special favor in person when he and Kentaro returned to Japan from their trip to the USA.

It was a much different experience than the treatment he had received from Alan. There was a different tone to it, if he could really call it that, and a lot of calm intensity. It left him feeling strange and wobbly afterward as expected, but more than he had experienced before. He ended up staying for a couple hours afterward to recover before driving back home and shared a meal with the strange family that had just treated him.

They'd sent him home with instructions to drink a lot of water, eat fresh foods whenever possible, packets of herbal mixes to take regularly and an appointment to return in a few weeks for a repeat of the process. They wouldn't accept money at all, which made Eiri feel rather strange, but once he had been told not to mention money again, he didn't. It was being done for him as a personal favor to Alan and he simply had to accept that gift.

"Was it a coincidence that you sent me to a male couple?" He had asked Alan over the phone a few nights later.

"It was, actually. But I think that probably only helped things. They've been together for a long time. I hope their energy was helpful to you."

"It was… intense. That's the best way I could describe it… The acupuncture was strange, too. I got to see it in a mirror before Sensei took the needles out. Now I'm gulping water like there's no way I'll ever be anything but thirsty."

"Good. It'll help get rid of the toxins. The thirst will pass in a little while."

"I hope so. I'm getting bored of the bathroom."

Alan laughed at him, "It's better for you than smoking."

"True… They told me not to pay them. I really don't feel right about that. I got it that this is a big deal for them to take me on."

"Don't pay them. Seriously. Don't bring it up again, either."

"That's just strange. I've always paid all my other doctors."

"It's not the same. They're doing it as a favor to me, so just accept that."

"All right, if you say so."

"I do. Sometimes it's best this way. The best healing can come from those who are not being compensated monetarily for their work on you. That's what you need right now. It's not any less potent because it's not paid for. Right?"

"I understand."

"If you really feel guilty, go find a really, really weird old book somewhere and give it to them. They like that kind of stuff."

"I doubt I'd find anything weirder than they already have in that place. It's like a museum of oddities."

"Yeah, it's like that, isn't it? The dust in that place has dust on it." Alan chuckled.

"Did you study at the same school as they did?"

"No.. I already had started practicing when I met them. They taught me a lot more, though, so I think of them as my master teachers… You felt comfortable enough with them?"

"Since I knew that you knew them personally, yes… Thanks for this, Alan. It was more than worth the wait."

"Welcome. I'm glad it's working out well. How have you been feeling?"

"I feel very good. Relieved, actually. I'm focused, calm… I still want a smoke though."

"Then you're gonna get more poking from needles, kid."

"I know. It's not bad at all, actually."

The bachelor party for Hiroshi had gone off well, in spite of its relatively small size. Ryuichi had help from Sakano in planning things out with Shuichi. Sakano encouraged him to keep things calm while out with the studio's superstar and owner. When K got wind of it, he insisted on going with them to supervise, but mostly to look after Ryuichi since Sakano couldn't be persuaded to go to the trendy nightspot in his stead.

"Most people would be all over the opportunity to go there…" K raised an eyebrow at Sakano, "Especially in the company of Ryu… So what the hell, man?"

"Such things… I am simply not comfortable with." He shook his head, trying hard to stand up to K's friendly harassment of him over their lunch at the studio.

"Why not?" He smirked, "You get all crazy when you drink? Huh? I'd pay to see that."

"I am not a drinker, K-san. You'll go to look after things. That's more than adequate." He nodded.

"You bet your ass it is, but that's not my point..."

"Just try not to make things difficult."

"I have no idea what you mean." K chuckled.

"You certainly do know what I mean. Let them have fun, while you watch over things. Yes? Give me your word. This is an important celebration for Nakano-san."

"Understood. You don't have to ask me twice."

"Good…" Sakano sighed and made an effort to relax his knotted muscles after weeks of being tense over the situation.

"I had no idea you were such a romantic, Sakano."

A blush flowed across his surprised face, "Wh… It simply is important. This should be a once in a lifetime event for him. To take this step so young and to be so sure of his decision, I think is to be commended and supported." He nodded.

"Yep, yer a romantic." K smiled, "Don't worry. You can count on me!"

"Thank you, K-san." He bowed his head politely.

"Still wanna see you drunk someday…" He mused before slurping down another noodle.

One of the studio limousines picked everyone up for the party, stopping first for the groom. Ryuichi was glad to say hello to Ayaka who he hadn't seen in a long, long time.

"Oh! I shouldn't be hugging your future wife! Sorry!" Ryu apologized to Hiro as he released his happy hold on her after smooching her cheek.

"S'all right, man. I'm not a jealous guy." If anything it just made his fiancée all the more attractive since she had known Ryuichi for so long and warranted such an enthusiastic greeting.

"Don't worry. I'll make sure that nothing too naughty happens tonight." He winked at her, getting a smooch in return.

"I'm not worried at all. Just have fun tonight. It's really good to see you again, Ryu-chan!"

"Thanks! You, too. Let's go party!" He grinned then stopped, noticing the look on Hiro's brother's face, "What's wrong? You look broken…"

"I think he's just in shock to be around someone so famous… Yuuji, snap out of it." He punched his older brother in the arm.

"Ow… I guess if this was a dream that wouldn't hurt…" He snapped out of it only to hug his brother, "You're getting married! My little bro's getting married! Waaahhh! It's so great! How'd you grow up so much more mature than me??"

Ayaka laughed at them and saw them out, waving as the limo pulled away from the curb. It was good to know that Hiro had good friends and family.

Shadow Bar's lounge had a corner reserved just for them, complete with a pool table. After a few drinks Shuichi and Hiro started to feel like they weren't so out of place, even though famous people were all around them. Tonight, they were the special ones and the lounge's security staff was keeping people away from them. Even the famous wanted to reach out and touch the heat of Ryuichi Sakuma's still-blazing star.

Not surprisingly, Shuichi ended up with some very wonderful new pictures to add to his office wall. It made the hangover more than worth it. He dragged around the apartment all day in a fog and trying to chase it away with coffee and aspirin, just like Eiri who had actually let himself get more drunk than Shuichi had ever seen him.

Shortly after their night out, Hiro and Ayaka were married by Eiri with the help of his younger brother in a very small, peaceful ceremony which Shuichi cried all the way through. Tatsuha offered to comfort him and got a good solid punch as a reward for his kindness. It was exactly as Eiri had expected it would go. The happy couple went off on their honeymoon directly afterward. It would be very short given the band's commitments, but it was something that they were certainly entitled to. Kentaro and Alan had promised to give them very special treatment at the inn.

"I wonder if she's gonna come back pregnant…" Shuichi had mused as he looked through the millions of wedding photos of them. Ayaka looked absolutely spectacular in her wedding kimono, provided to her by her favorite aunt.

"I wouldn't doubt it." Eiri took a break from gulping water long enough to say. Quenching his post-acupuncture thirst was becoming a job.

"It's still crappy that only her one aunt came. I guess that's better than no one though…"

"Definitely better than that."

"I hope I get to be 'uncle' to the baby!"

"Keep practicing on the plant."

"I will!"

Mr. Plant was still alive and growing, which surprised Eiri to some extent. Shuichi was putting in the effort, treating the thing like it was their offspring. In the kitchen there was a slew of plant foods and sprays that had a very precise schedule for application. He talked to the thing, consulting with it on everything from lyrics to outfits and even his hair color.

That was another thing that had been an interesting issue as the temperature rose in Tokyo… Tempers at NRG were flaring over Shuichi's need to dye and cut his own hair, which he liked to do in the guest bathroom. Eiri had just given up on worrying about the many-colored stains that were left behind. He'd just have to pay to have the whole bathroom redone, if they ever ended up leaving that apartment. There were stains in there that not even Kentaro with all of his advanced housekeeping skills could get out.

K had been giving Shuichi grief over his hair just before he decided to bleach it in protest. He contended that it was his hair and he was going to treat it just like he always did. K countered that he was no longer just a stupid punk on the street, he was a stupid punk that had a contract and that he shouldn't be doing whatever he pleased with his image. They had consultants and professional stylists on hand for that—people that were better qualified than Shuichi to understand what the fans would react positively to… and his having bleached hair was even worse than the blue streaks he had put in when K was complaining before. Eiri wanted to stay out of it, but eventually he got dragged in anyway.

"Can't you talk some sense into him??" K vented when Eiri showed up to take Shuichi home from the studio one day. The tall American was standing just outside the employee entrance, smoking furiously.

"Chh… What now?" He frowned, deciding that he'd just wait in the car in the future to avoid these pleasant interludes with K.

"What the hell is up with the hair lately??"

Eiri shrugged, "It's what he does. What's the big deal?"

"The big deal is that his image is part of NRG Studios! What would your people do if you showed up with your head looking like that??"

"I wouldn't. I'm not that creative… He's still a kid, Winchester. Don't overreact. He's just doing what kids his age do. I have no idea what you're getting so worked up over. I think he has a better feel for the pulse of his own generation than a bunch of 40-something suits conducting focus groups."

Shuichi came out of the doors just then, head glowing with the latest shade—bubblegum pink with a couple of black streaks in the front that looked like bug antenna at times when they stuck up. He cringed noticeably as K growled at the sight of him.

"Cut it out! I'm getting high blood pressure cuz of you!" He yelped at the angry American.

"If you'd quit screwing with your hair, I wouldn't have to do this! You think this is good for my blood pressure??"

"Does Ryu like it?" Eiri interrupted before they started to bicker more.

"Huh?"

"It's an easy question. What does Ryuichi think of Shuichi's hair? Does he like it?"

"That's not the point!" K barked.

"It is the point. I don't think anyone ever told Ryuichi what to do with his hair, he just did what he wanted to… Probably still does."

"There's a world of difference between Ryuichi Sakuma and Shuichi punk-ass-brat Shindou!"

"Is there, really?" He asked and tugged Shuichi away before K could respond, "Goddamn American… Now I have a headache." He muttered.

"Thanks for the help!" Shuichi smiled.

"Welcome. Get in the car."

"Okay!"

As they were driving away, Shuichi let Eiri in on the reason that K was especially annoyed with him that day. He had taken his hairy protest to the fan forums on the NRG Studios website, wanting to know how the fans felt about him doing whatever he wanted to with his hair. Apparently the response had been overwhelmingly on his side, and the pictures he had taken of himself at home with his crappy webcam to post as examples had been spread thoroughly and rapidly over the internet. His adoring public loved him all the more for actually being a human and contributing to forum postings. As a consequence, the studio's IT department had to shut down Shuichi's self-made account because his mailbox had been flooded… and also because K had threatened his life if he ever posted there again. It was unheard of that an artist would participate in forums that way. In the end, pressure from the fans had won the day for Shuichi and he carried on with only K's occasional snarls as a reward for his victory.

End of short chapter 23 - please review and ask questions, too!