Gravitation Fan Fiction ❯ Break Through ❯ Seven Days ( Chapter 9 )

Disclaimer; I do not own Gravitation or any anime/mange within this story

NC-17 for adult content and Yaoi

Many thanks to Deformography for her speedy beta efforts^^.

Chapter Eight: Seven Days 

 

Mikka woke up alone in her bed; a scenario that seemed to be occurring more and more often. It didn't even seem like she had a fiancé anymore. She knew Eiri was back; he had called from the road telling her that he was coming the night before, and, of course, stupid she had waited up all night to see if her prince charming needed her comfort. …Of course he did not.

She got up and walked to the window, setting her eyes on the busy city below. How she whished to be one of those normal people who had happy relationships and could just wander the streets without having to worry about paparazzi stalkers, and those who simply wanted to know when she'd finally get married.

Mikka went to her bathroom, showered and dressed, feeling quite relieved that she'd told both her manager and personal assistant to take the day off. And although it didn't seem like she was going to be spending any time with Eiri as she had planned, she could at least get some things done, or just be alone without all of those people who always surrounded her, and be able to mind her own business for a change. She considered calling Mika to comfort her about her loss; hopefully her old friend needed a shoulder to cry on, unlike her cold brother.  

She made her way to the room Eiri used as a studio when he couldn't get to his apartment, and although he hardly spent any time there, she was hopeful that he'd at least stayed around long enough for them to cross a few words. While on her way to the room, she heard a loud laughter--male laughter, and got excited to think that Eiri was actually laughing at something, though highly unlikely. Hurrying to the source of the sound, She sighed disappointedly as she found it was only Eiri's younger brother Tatsuha, lying on the couch watching and laughing like a little boy at an American episode of Friends. 

"Tatsuha?" Mikka let out, and immediately the boy got to his feet and bowed. 

"Mikka-san," he gasped, "I… I mean, Eiri brought me to stay over, we…I mean, I got in trouble with my mother." The younger, black haired spitting image of Eiri explained shyly, bowing even lower. 

"Aren't you acting bit too easy going for someone who just lost his father?" Mikka asked perking a brow, thinking about how lucky she was that she didn't leave her room wearing lingerie…or worse. 

"I'm not sad, if that's what you mean. I'm sorry it happened the way it did, but I'm not sad." Tatsuha replied, getting serious. 

"Do any of you Uesugi have love for anyone other than yourselves?" Mikka snapped, going to the studio and knocking on the door loudly. To her surprise, the door opened and a disheveled Yuki peered from the door, cigarette hanging from his lips. 

"Oh, you're here," Mikka said, the surprise evident in her voice. 

"You were knocking on my door. Who did you expect?" Eiri shifted his gaze to Tatsuha, who was standing a few paces behind. "Was he bothering you?" He asked dryly pointing his chin to his younger brother. 

"No, I just wanted to make sure you were alright." 

"I'm alright." And the door closed. 

"Are you mad because I'm here, Mikka-san?" Tatsuha asked after he saw Japan's hottest pop star had no intention of moving from the spot she stood, staring at the closed door. 

"No, of course not." She replied, barely able to keep the sadness from her voice. She let out a heavy sigh, went back to her room, threw herself on the bed, and cried her heart out. 

+++ 

Seven days passed before Seguchi Tohma was to return to Tokyo, in which time Bad Luck did a series of radio interviews and record store appearances. They were a bonafied hit. In every signing session, there were tens of hundreds of fanatic screaming girls. In every interview, the main focus of the questions was about their love lives. 

Hiro had wanted this with all his being, but for some reason, all of this attention left an empty and bitter taste in his mouth. Maybe he was being over analytical and a psycho, but this wasn't what he had dreamed of. There was a bad feeling in the bottom of his gut that would not shake, no matter how positive he tried to see things. Every time he tried to talk to Shuichi about it, his long time friend would get mad and start an argument making the drift that had inevitably come between them bigger. Hiro stole a glance at the said friend, who sat back on a chair staring intently at the ceiling, pen in hand. 

"Ne, so… what happened with Maiko last night? She said you guys were going on a date." Shuichi shifted his eyes from the ceiling to Hiro, with a very perverted expression on his face. 

"Nothing, really. She's not the Maiko I remember." Hiro replied calmly. 

"That's it? You've been in love with her since you moved next door to us, and all you have to say is "she's not the Maiko I remember!"Wait, are you thinking that she might be involved in Tohma-san's evil plot, too?" Shu laughed wholeheartedly. 

"That's not funny man! Your sister is just as obnoxious as you, if not more. I can only take one of you at a time!" 

Alright, alright, I was only joking!" Shu feigned hurt, "C'mon man, give me some ideas!" Shu begged, changing the subject-Sakano-san had come up with the genius idea to have Shuichi take two hours daily to write new songs. 

"I'm not a song writer." Hiro replied nonchalantly, as he polished his guitar. 

"Aw man, what good are you?" The singer pouted as he blew a loose strand of hair off his face, and reassumed his ceiling observation. 

"I don't see what's wrong with using the songs we already have." Hiro added, matter-of-factly. 

"Sakano-san doesn't want anything that's been heard before; Glaring Dream was the one and only exception because I bitched so much about it." Shu responded, hitting his head with the pen. 

"Why? I don't see the reason to go to such measures… unless of course they think our material sucks?" 

"I don't know. I'm sure Sakano-san would have told us if that were the case." 

"So, you just do what you're told without asking for a reason?" Hiro accused, anger starting to take a hold of him, as it did every time they discussed this. 

"Yes…so…" Shu got annoyed as well. "So what? They know what's best for our career, maybe you should try and put a little trust in them too." 

"Whatever man, I'm not a sell out." Hiro's voice elevated to an angry, sarcastic half yell. 

"Sell out? Don't make me fucking laugh! What do you know? You're so wrapped up in your own little conspiracy world that you can't even see what's going on around you. We wanted this, we strived for it! So live it, or shut the fuck up so that I can!" Shuichi's face was red with rage. 

"Fine, if you fucking want to live being Seguchi's lap dog with no voice or opinion, until he finally gets tired of you, be my fucking guest…I'm out!" Hiro turned to leave, but the dark gaze of the one standing at the door stopped him dead in his tracks.

Shuichi's eyes went wide with shock, then fear; he'd never seen Seguchi Tohma look so dark and angry. Hiro just stood in silence, as if the man's very gaze held him in place. 

"Shuichi-kun," Tohma snapped not looking at the singer, and Shu couldn't find it in himself to move faster. Tohma moved out of the way for Shuichi to leave, and then closed the door, peeling his eyes off Hiro. He walked to the piano at the center of the room and sat on the chair previously occupied by Shuichi. The former keyboard player of Nittle Gasper closed his eyes and began playing.

The sad song penetrated Hiro's bones, and literally gave him chills. It made his body sway with every change of melody, like a sunflower seeking the sunlight. It was as if the music was telling him what Seguchi Tohma would not. The song ended and there was an interminable silence. Hiro stood rigid and when Tohma finally opened his eyes and set them on him, it was as if someone had dealt him a terrible blow. 

"I have to play to release my anger, otherwise I might say something I will regret." Tohma's expression was once again his serene façade. 

"You can say what you like, I'd probably deserve it." Hiro responded, lowering his face, unable to meet the older man's eyes. 

"Tell me… what have I done wrong…how have I mistreated you in any way?" The calm and toneless voice was worse than anything. Hiro kept his eyes fixed on the floor, unable to find a straight answer to that question.

"Say something!" Tohma Seguchi roared, slamming his palms on the piano. Hiro's heart jumped at the hollow noise, but he stood impassive. "If there is one thing  I hate, it's people who cannot stand by their own words!" Tohma walked to where Hiro was standing and put both hands on either side of Hiro's face, holding it tightly and bringing it up to meet his own. He looked into the longhaired man's eyes intently, as if fighting an inner battle that he could not lose. "How have I made you feel like a lap dog?" Their faces were so close that their lips almost touched, the music mogul stared into Hiro's eyes as he fought to keep his voice and body in check. The violent desire to cover those lips, even after uttering those cruel words, was threatening to overpower Tohma. 

Hiro fought to keep his cool, Seguchi's hands on either side of his face felt like molten lava, burning him; they were so close that he could feel his hot breath…why did he care so much what the man thought? Why couldn't he say what he feels? Why couldn't he question the man's integrity? Slowly, Hiro brought his hands and took the man's wrist, pulling the burning digits and lowering them-- he did not let go, however. They stood facing each other, as if waiting for the other to falter. 

"I… I feel that things are going too fast, and that there is no reason for you to go through such lengths for us," Hiro began lowly, "I, I'm new at this, and I can't adjust to it as easily as Shuichi." He realized that he still held Tohma's wrists. With a deep blush he let go and bowed low in apology. Tohma blushed as well and gave a little whimper; he looked at his wrists as if they were on fire, and then looked up to meet Hiro's eyes once more. 

"I will never get tired of you." The words were said barely above a whisper, and then, as if catching himself added, "Of either one of you." He skeptically touched the side of Hiro's face, "Don't say those things ever again," then Tohma ran his fingertips delicately down Hiro's cheek, to his chin and brought the pained face to meet his own once more, "Don't ever say you'll leave again." The imploration and urgency in Tohma's voice brought sensations Hiro had never felt before. The eroticism in the man's manner, the depth of his eyes, the timber of his voice stroked places Hiro didn't know existed… what was this feeling?  

 

Slowly, as if painfully, Seguchi Tohma dropped his hands from Hiro and left as silently as he came. The door opened and closed, loud steps faded away, and still, Hiro stood in the same spot he'd been left like a lost child, his face burning, his heart aching… and he didn't even know why. 

 

+++  

Tohma ran into his office, locking the door behind himself. He grabbed a throw pillow from his overstuffed sofa and hit it with his fist over and over, then brought it to his face and roared into it until his throat was raw. The tears streamed down his face and he couldn't stop them. Realization hit him like a brick wall falling over him; it was not infatuation what he felt for Hiro… it was love.

Hiro's words still stabbed at him like a knife… Seguchi's lap dog… It hurt, oh god how it hurt. 

Tohma calmed and collected himself, replaying all those months and analyzing what he could have done wrong. He would not be denied, could not. If necessary he would play dirty to get what he wanted. He had tried the honest approach, he had tried to win Hiro by doing right by him, but apparently that had not been enough. In the meantime he'd distance himself from Hiro; at least until he could face him and act rationally without seeming to melt in his presence. Also, Hiro needed to be taught a lesson. Tohma got up and went to his desk; pulling his digital organizer from the drawer, he looked for a number he hadn't dialed in a long time. 

+++  

Shuichi came running after he saw that Tohma was well out of sight. He found Hiro just standing there like a mannequin staring at the floor as if it held some ancient secret it refused to yield. 

"What happened?" He asked, shaking Hiro out of his thoughts. "C'mon man, don't do this to me… what happened?" Shuichi's face didn't seem his own. Hiro brought his dark eyes to look into the lavender inquisitive ones of the friend he almost let down. There was real fear in them. Hiro hadn't realized or wanted to acknowledge how much all this meant to Shuichi… his only friend. Painfully, he realized that thanks to his own blind selfishness, they almost lost everything that was important. 

"Nothing…don't worry, we didn't get kicked out of the label." Hiro said, watching Shuichi's expression take a dramatic change. 

"So, what did he say? I hope he put you in your place for being such an asshole," Shuichi joked to lighten the mood. Hiro didn't find it funny at all, but had to admire the younger man for trying so hard to stay positive. He grabbed his forgotten guitar and put it in its case. "Are you going to tell me what Seguchi-san said?" There was only silence on Hiro's part. "Fine, be like that!" Shuichi threw his hands up in the air returning to his worry free obnoxious self. 

"I know why he's doing so much for us." Hiro announced tonelessly. 

"Did he tell you?" 

"No… he didn't need to." 

"Why?" 

"I have to be sure," Hiro replied, taking his guitar and getting ready to leave.

"Hiro, do you like him?" The question was asked as naturally as if asking about the weather. Hiro stopped in shock… could it be that Shuichi realized something he, himself did not? 

"Of course not… what are you saying you idiot!?" Hiro's face felt hot. 

"Hiro, it's alright if you do." Shu continued pressing his buttons. 

"I said no… I'm not gay." The conviction in those words was simply not there. 

"So what if you were? Love does not discriminate; the heart doesn't care whether they're a man or a woman." How ironic that the usually self centered and obnoxious knucklehead would be giving him love advice. Hiro looked at Shuichi for a few seconds and walked away without saying another word. 

"Hiro… the day you let go of your pride and inhibitions and admit what you really feel… the better off you'll be." 

"I… I don't like him, I think he likes me." Hiro confessed immediately regretting it. He hadn't meant to reveal his suspicions to anyone, especially Shuichi… damn his shallow pride!  

Shu looked at him for a moment, and then burst out laughing, confusing the hell out of his longhaired friend. "Don't be pretentious, dude!" The moment of deep sharing was gone and Shu was once again his loud mouthed self, "If Seguchi-san, for some miracle of nature were to be into dudes, I'm sure he'd fall for someone like Ryuichi Sakuma or Yuki Eiri… but you? C'mon man, let's get real!" Hiro rolled his eyes, cracking a smile as well-- Shuichi always knew how to get him off his dark moods. Hiro rolled his eyes again and walked to the door. Shu came running behind. "C'mon man, it was a joke! You're a stud like the best of them. If I weren't in love already, I would fall head over heels for you too" Hiro kept on walking, more embarrassed than annoyed, "Hiro… c'mon man, don't go! I have to turn in a song by tomorrow… I need your help!" Shu begged half jokingly. 

"Good luck with that." Hiro joked back waving a hand and giving his friend a mocking smirk. 

+++ 

As soon as they set foot in the studio the next day, Tohma Seguchi summoned them. As they stood outside his office, Shuichi turned to Hiro. "It better be something good. If I get in trouble because of your mouth, I'm kicking your ass so hard…" 

"Shut up! Did you write the song you were supposed to?" Shuichi turned to Hiro with watery eyes and shook his head. Shu was painfully reminded of the hell he'd gone through the night before to produce a half decent song with no success. Hiro gave him a wink and knocked. The door was immediately opened by a very agitated looking Sakano-san. 

"Good morning." Tohma Seguchi greeted gleefully as always and signaled to the chairs for them to sit. "I have wonderful news for you both." He smiled wider, almost maliciously, "As of tomorrow, Bad Luck will have a new member." Both Hiro and Shuichi stood as one, eyes bulging open. 

"What!" Shuichi yelled first, somewhere in the background Sakano-san whimpered and there was a gasp from Usagi who had never heard anyone talk to Seguchi-san that way. "Bad Luck is just me and Hiro, always been always will be. We don't need another member to…to do what? Catch the groupie's panties that are hurled to the stage?" Tohma's face remained calmed and collected; these kinds of situations were his specialty. 

"I understand your feelings, and believe me, I thought this long and hard and trust me when I tell you it's for the good of the band." Tohma began calmly. 

"How is it good, why? Aren't we good enough!" Shuichi was yelling now, Hiro put a hand on his shoulder to clam him down. It didn't help that NG's president seemed to be very much enjoying the show. 

"May I remind you that you are under contract with my company and I get to make these kinds of decisions on your behalf," Shuichi's face changed from anger to shock… so this is the cruel world of show business? "You can rant and scream all you like, the decision has already been made. I am merely letting you know." Shu let himself fall on the chair and stared ahead. Hiro looked at Tohma with all the contempt he could muster, but the man seemed unaffected. 

"That is all, gentlemen." Tohma said after allowing them to absorb the news, "Try to get along and do your best." And the trademark smile adorned Tohma's features, as if he had told them something trivial instead of something that just ruined their lives. 

+++ 

"I'm having a bad dream…" Shuichi sighed as he stared ahead. Hiro sat across form him and Sakano-san just stood, not knowing what to do with himself. He had been the first one told about this sudden decision and had known that it wouldn't sit too well with the two friends. And the fact that Seguchi-san failed to tell them "who" this new band member was, meant that he, Sakano would have to take the wrath of Bad Luck when he broke the news. 

"Its alright… we'll just ignore the dude!" Shu stood up and announced solemnly. 

"Shuichi, I" sure that whoever this person is, has no fault whatsoever. Let's just give him a chance." Hiro reasoned. 

"Hiro! If it weren't for you and your big mouth, we wouldn't be having this problem. Let me deal with it as I please, alright?" Shu shot sarcastically, glaring at his long time friend. Hiro just rolled his eyes; he couldn't really blame Shuichi for feeling that way. 

"Fame can seriously change a person. Where is the agreeable, way too trusty and obnoxious, over the top kid I knew? The one who would have said "the more the merrier" I'm not sure I'm liking you anymore." 

"Hiro, I'm still the same, but my priorities are not. I have a goal and until I achieve it I cannot risk anything." 

"A goal? Do you think you are the only one with goals? Until now, I been following yours blindly. I thought my goals and yours were the same, and I thought you cared. But I can see that's over with. If you don't care about other people's feelings and ideals, I won't care about you. If you're mad because you're not getting your way anymore, then go cry to your mother! Grow up and act like a pro." Hiro's feelings had never been as hurt. To think that his best friend was in it only for himself was too much to take. 

"Look who's telling me to grow up! You, the one who thinks your own shadow is out to get you!"  

"At least I was right about that… wasn't I?" 

"It's your own fucking fault! If you hadn't patronized Seguchi-san, he wouldn't have done this out of spite." 

"You take that back!" Hiro yelled and hit Shuichi square in the face before he could stop himself. Shuichi stood stupefied holding his cheek, then hit Hiro as well. And then all hell broke lose. The two rolled on the floor around the studio trying to get the last "good one", screaming all the obscenities known to man. Sakano tried to get the two apart, only to get a few punches himself. 

"Take it back," screamed Hiro, chocking his long time friend. 

"Fuck you!" Shu spat, punching Hiro in the groin. 

"Fuck you, too!" Hiro roared. 

"Double fuck you!!"  

"Eh…Excuse me. I hate to interrupt, but I thought I'd come a day early to introduce myself." A small voice said hesitantly, making the two stop their cursing match and turn to the one uttering the words… a child, fifteen…sixteen at best. "My name is Fujisaki Suguru and I'm the new member of Bad luck," The boy bowed low, "I will do my best to help the band reach greatness and to honor the trust you and Tohma-kun put in me." Hiro let go of Shuichi and straightened his clothes, bowing as well. Shuichi looked the other way, ignoring the agreeable boy. 

"You called Seguchi-sama "Tohma-kun". Are you related to him somehow?" Hiro asked and Shuichi turn his eyes sharply to them, not noticing the familiarity at all. 

"Well, yes…" 

"I'm so glad you could come, Suguru-kun. Let me show you around, and then we can hear Bad Luck's material to see what you can do to improve it." Sakano cut in before it was too late. If Hiro and Shuichi found out, that'd be the end; they wouldn't even give poor Suguru a chance. Shuichi stood in front of the boy to block the way, while Hiro bowed and politely asked: 

"What is your relationship to Seguchi-sama?" 

"Tohma-kun is my cousin." Suguru smiled and went to follow Sakano. 

+++ 

A/N Well my pretties, there was Suguru-kun in the horizon^^ like some of you asked for… or about. I just had to keep it to myself there ^_~ I love him and BL wouldn't be the same without him. ^o^  Also did any of you noticed how I used the same thing Hiro said to Shuichi in the anime… but in reverse?

That despicable Tohma and his evil ways… how dare he make Hiro and Shu mad!! Acting out of spite like that! Anyways I think he'll get over it… and Hiro too ne?

Oh, And that scene there with Yuki and Mikka in the beginning was there only because of the contract agreement I have with them (have to be in every chapter in part two^^) Seriously though. For all those of you who have asked, I will get to the reason why Eiri hangs on to her 

Next Stop: Super Drive. my baby is coming, my baby is coming!! And he's bringing a pink bunny with him^^ 

+++

Hitomi: Well you got your answer; I would not leave Suguru-kun out of BL. ^^

Deformography: You saved my life man… err, woman -_-

TricksterGoddess: Thank you, I thought about that too, since Eiri doesn't give a fuck, but then I thought, I'll think of a better way to bring Mika into the light *mischivious grin*

Clarichan: I might not, who knows nothing is set in stone yet^^

Dana: I love him too!! Don't fret, it will happen soon enough, just have a little patience^^

Ladygizarme: Well, there's your answer^^ I'm not planning on too much drama between Maiko and Hiro, but who knows. I want to leave all the angst and juicy drama for the guys^^ And we all  know a certain pink haired drama queen will need all the angst he can get!!

Haruna: Well, I told you all I had to say about your review in the email I sent you^^ I hope this chappy was not too boring for you… I try my best I really do I swear it!!!

See you all next Sunday^^