Gravitation

Disclaimer: I don't own Gravitation. Maki Murakami does.

Angel Eyes Kiyone: At long last, here is the third chapter. Sorry that took so long. Hope you enjoy it.

The two siblings sat in silence for several long moments. Both were in utter shock. Eiri, who had completely forgotten about his cigarette, (and his depression for that matter) racked his brain for a good answer as to why his empty lighter was still igniting flames after so long.

"Maybe it's love," came Tatsuha's voice suddenly breaking the silence.

Eiri looked at his little brother who was now looking at a wallet sized photo in his hand. The picture was of him and Ryuichi standing under a tree holding eachother close in a protective manner. Tatsuha smiled to himself. After waiting for so long, he finally got what he wanted. He wished he could say the same for his brother.

"What do you mean?" Eiri asked confused.

" You know what I mean." Tatsuha replied plainly. Placing the photo back in his pocket, he stood up to leave. "I'm out of here."

"It's late," Eiri reminded him, " are you sure you want to ride all the way back to Kyoto at this hour?"

"Aww! Are you worried about my safety, bro?" Tatsuha teased.

"Shut up!" Eiri snapped. "I'm just saying it's a long ride back."

"Can I spend the night here then?" Tatsuha asked his irritated brother.

"Fine." Eiri rolled his eyes. " Just don't go raiding my refrigerator, twerp!"

"Haha! Sure, whatever." Tatsuha laughed. "Hey, get me a blanket, will ya?"

"Yeah, whatever." Eiri sighed.

Just then, Tatsuha's cell'phone went off. He looked at the caller's id. A wicked smile spread across his face. It was Ryuichi.

"Hey, Honey," Tatsuha said seductively, "what's up?"

"Tatsuha?" came a panicking voice on the other end. "Where are you right now?!"

"Whoa, calm down," Tatsuha replied suddenly worried, "what's the matter, Baby?"

"Where are you?!" Ryuichi snapped.

"I'm at my brother's place." Tatsuha replied flabbergasted. "Why? What's wrong?"

"Just turn on the tv and put it on channel four!" Ryuichi replied with panic in his voice.

Just as Tatsuha turned the television on, Eiri walked into the living room with a blanket and pillow under his arm. There was a worried look on his face.

What's going on-" Eiri was cut off by the image he saw on the tv screne. The blanket and pillow fell from under his arm and his stomache lurched.

Tatsuha dropped his cell'phone on the floor. His eyes widened in horror at the sight before him. There were about a dozen police cars everywhere. Ambulances were lined up and there were people scattered on the streets looking at the sight before them. There were two balls of metal pushed together in the middle of the road by a semi truck. They were so destroyed that no one could even tell what kind of cars they were. But the saddest part was that all but one of the victoms died. The survivor was carried away on a stretcher. Eiri and Tatsuha watched carefully as crew members placed the victom into the ambulance truck and ushered a man following them to go in after. News reporters and photographers tried to get a comment from him but he just ignored them as he climbed into the ambulance. They showed a brief close up of his face.

E-Eiri, that's..." Tatsuha pointed to the television in shock.

"Nakano," Eiri said just as shocked as his brother was.

"That could only mean that..."

"Shuichi. No. No." Eiri didn't want to believe it.

There were people giving their comments about what they saw and how they felt about the accident.

" Damn it!" screamed one girl. "Didn't that kid's parents teach him how to cross the street?!"

This took both Eiri and Tatsuha by surprise. What did she mean by that? It couldn't have been Shuichi they were talking about...could it?

"I wish that brat would have gotten hit!" another girl snapped.

"Man, I hope he makes it through alright," a man chimed in. "I tell ya, that Shuichi Shindou is a God damn hero for saving that kid's ass!"

"Oh, God!" Tatsuha gasped. "It was Shuichi!"

Eiri's heart was pounding in his ear. Shuichi. His Shuichi was involved in that horrific accident. Buddha, help him if Shuichi doesn't make it through that ordeal alive. A thousand thoughts were going through Eiri's head. He suddenly felt dizzy.

' "I love you, Yuki." '

He had heard those words countless times over.

' "Yuki! I'm home!" '

The loud, obnoxious tone of his little lover's voice rang loud and clear in his mind.

' "Wait for me, Yuuukiii!" '

The pounding of his feet on the solid pavement trying to keep up with his blond haired lover.

' "I'll do anything for you, Yuki." '

The sweet sound of his pleading voice making his older lover give in.

' "You're the most precious thing in my life right now." '

"Ngh!" Eiri winced in pain.

"Bro!" Tatsuha gasped as he saw his big brother fall to his knees. "What's wrong?!"

"I can't..." Eiri choked.

"Can't what," Tatsuha asked calmly, "what is it?"

"I can't do this anymore!" Eiri screamed.

"Eiri." Tatsuha said rubbing his brother's back trying to sooth him.

The raven haired boy felt his brother tug tightly on his sleeve. He was crying again.

"You're right." Eiri whispered.

"Huh?" Tatsuha said dumbly.

"I do love him." The blond finally confessed.

"Oh, Eiri!" Tatsuha's face brightened.

"I need him. I need Shuichi with me. I...I'm affraid to go on without him, Tatsuha."

"Shhh. It'll be alright, bro." Tatsuha reasured Eiri.

"I need to see him." Eiri said wiping away his tears.

Tatsuha turned his head towards the television screen. The news reporter at the scene reported that Shuichi was going to be taken to Japan Red Cross Medical Center.

"Japan Red Cross Medical Center." Tatsuha repeated.

"Then let's go!" Eiri told him in desperation.

"Whoa, Eiri, wait!" Tatsuha seized his brother by the arm.

"What, damn it!" Eiri snapped.

"Listen," Tatsuha coaxed, "you need to calm down."

"I just want to see him." Eiri choked.

"I know you want to see him badly," Tatsuha continued, "but if you're going to drive down there you need to stay calm."

Eiri sat down and took a deep breath trying to relax. He closed his eyes and tried to clear his mind but he kept seeing images of Shuichi. They weren't pleasant images either. He was either bloodied, bruised, limping, or all three. Eiri could hear his lover's voice calling his name. He sounded so weak. So defenseless. His eyes no longer twinkled with happiness. Eiri's heart hurt so much just thinking about it. He needed to set things right between them and he needed to set Touma straight. Taking another deep breath, he stood up slowly.

"Alright," He said, "I'm ready. Let's go."

"Are you sure?" Tatsuha asked worried.

"Yeah." Eiri replied.

He grabbed his keys, lighter and cigarettes from the coffee table. He went to his bedroom to get his coat. When he returned, Tatsuha was ready to go. They slid their shoes on and headed out the door. They took Eiri's Mercedes. The drive took about twenty minutes. When they arrived, there were about five ambulances lined up. There were no signs of news reporters. Yet. Eiri sat in silence for a moment.

"Bro," came Tatsuha's voice, "are you sure you're ready for this?"

Eiri turned his head to look Tatsuha square in the eyes. "I've never been more ready for anything in my life, Tatsuha."

Angel Eyes Kiyone: So, what do you guys think? I'm still suffering from writer's block. So if it sucks, sorry. Either way, please r&r. Much love!