Gravitation Fan Fiction ❯ Sorry ❯ chapter 16 ( Chapter 16 )

Sorry

Written by: Chocho

Disclaimer: I don't own Gravitation, or the characters from it. I do not make any money from the writing of this story.

Story summary: AU. Ryuichi? Or Eiri? That is the question. Who will Shuichi chose? (Shuichi/Ryuichi, Ryuichi/Tatsuha, Shuichi/Eiri)

Chapter summary: Ryuichi tries once more to speak to Shuichi and then gets a surprise when he returns home. And what REALLY happened to Shuichi's wedding ring?

Warning: Language, OOC (Duh! Do I look like the creator?)

Sources: Based on the song “Sorry” by Madonna

A/N: Last chapter! (There will be an epilogue, don't worry). And I want to welcome Scarlet Rose back into the fold. Included in this chapter are parts of the song “Bird”. I got the translation from off the net. Don't shoot the messenger if they're wrong. Besides, if any of you have ever taken a foreign language (I've taken three) you'll know that it's impossible to translate something perfectly word for word. Anyway, on with the story!

 

***

 

Chapter 16

 

[“I hope everything turns out okay for you…Shuichi,” he wished softly as he sat back in his chair.]

 

*

 

(Monday Night - Toronto Convention Centre, “Sei-Teki Ni Hoshi Na” World Anime Tour - Toronto, Canada)

 

As he stealthily made his way up the tunnel hidden in deep shadows to the auditorium, what started as a muffled murmur of voices grew steadily louder.

 

What was he doing here? Shuichi made his decision pretty clear last night.

 

[“It's over! I'm through playing games with you!”]

 

So what was he doing here? He was not sure what he was going to say, but Ryuichi felt that he had to speak to Shuichi one last time.

 

Standing at the mouth of the tunnel, Ryuichi gazed around at the sea of people that filled the Centre. Even in the dim lighting, Ryuichi could tell that a good majority of them came straight from the anime convention as a majority of them had come in cosplay, dressed up as various anime characters. Among the people filing passed him, several had clearly come as Shuichi, their bright pink hair and scantily clad bodies making it all too evident.

 

His heart ached every time “Shuichi” went by. He wondered if he would ever be cured of this pain. Ryuichi hoped one day he and Shuichi could become friends. Was it possible, though, for two people to remain amicable after a past like theirs? And did he really want the answer to that question?

 

Ryuichi glanced down the aisle over the seats at the stage that was tented by a series of curtains that obscured it from view. The stage hands and road crew for Ask, would had been scheduled to go on before Shuichi and the others, should be right now getting Ask's equipment offstage and setting up Bad Luck's, which according to Daisuke would have been left up after their sound check earlier behind another curtain at the back of the stage.

 

The noise in the crowded Centre escalated. Ryuichi glanced back at the crowd. Was it his imagination or did it appear as if they were beginning to grow restless? A few calls for “Bad Luck” went up followed by cries of exclamation.

 

Ryuichi checked the time. He was starting to become a little antsy himself and his stomach twirled with sudden nervousness. He wondered if he had enough time to sneak backstage, which would be a nightmare of chaos, and see Shuichi before Bad Luck went on.

 

His answer came swiftly. The auditorium all of a sudden went dark, catching him off guard. He wondered briefly what was going on, but then when a roar of ear splitting cheers erupted around him, he realized that it must be time for Bad Luck to go on.

 

He beamed with pride. If the sold out crowd was not enough proof, then the excitement thrilling the boisterous mass should have made it as plain as day that this North American tour had been a tremendous success for Bad Luck.

 

As blue spotlights flooded the stage, the opening cords of “Bird” resonated through the arena. The shouts exploded into an almost deafening wave. The curtains literally vanished before Ryuichi's eyes and then Shuichi's voice filled the Centre.

 

“Ikanaide!” sakendemo ano sora e tobu yasei no tori

Never say good bye shinayaka na sono tsubasa yuuki ni akaku somete

(Even when I shout “Don't go!” the wild bird flies to the sky)

(Never say goodbye as those supple wings are readily dyed with courage)

 

As Shuichi's voice was replaced with music the stage lights snapped on illuminating the stage and revealing a very different looking Shuichi. Ryuichi's eyes flew open in surprise. His jaw hit the floor. The cheers that had begun to settle down erupted once more.

 

Tada ate mo naku jiyuu wo motome mada shiranu basho e to

Kono rakuen wo deteyuku no nara kojimetai yo

(Still unendingly begging for freedom, if you're leaving this paradise)

(For a still unknown place, I want to keep you locked up)

 

As Shuichi strutted around the stage singing a song Ryuichi had only had a glimpse of on the back of a napkin months ago, Ryuichi could not take in Shuichi's new look fast enough.

 

Gone were the hot pink locks. Instead jet black hair tousled with wax could be seen under a black top hat that was tipped to the side over his eye. Nails painted purple gripped the microphone in his right hand that was wrapped in fingerless gloves. His free hand held a black lacquered cane that Shuichi was using quite…nimbly, to say the least. Under a deep purple trench coat that buttoned down to his navel, Ryuichi could see black knee high boots laced up the front and a pair of very short shorts that appeared to have been poured on the singer.

 

Ryuichi was speechless.

 

In comparison, Hiro and Suguru were dressed fairly conservatively in black dress slacks, white button down dress shirts and for Suguru a matching vest. The drummer and bassist, whose name he could not recall, were dressed similarly.

 

Taking a step out of the shadows, Ryuichi watched hypnotized as Shuichi's angelic voice captured the attention of not only him, but the thousands of fans crowding the Centre. Shuichi's sexy, suggestive moves entranced them.

 

Ryuichi gulped. He had never seen Shuichi like this on stage before.

 

Just then, Ryuichi caught Shuichi peer off stage into the wings and smile. Ryuichi followed his gaze and even though he could not see who it was Shuichi was looking at, he had a very good idea who it was. There was only one person who could make Shuichi's face light up like that.

 

Yuki.

 

Ryuichi clutched his heart. As the Convention Centre rocked dangerously, a lone tear trickled unnoticed down his cheek.

 

[“It's over! I'm through playing games with you!”]

 

As Shuichi's statement of finality echoed in his head, the words flowing out of the speakers gripped his heart.

 

“Itte kure!” ima ore ga samishisa ni chi wo nagashitetemo

Never Say Goodbye tobu koto wo kimeta nara mae dake muita mama

(“Tell me!” Now no matter whether blood pours out from the wound of my loneliness)

(Never Say Goodbye if you'd decided to fly away, you'd just stare ahead like that)

 

He really had screwed up, hadn't he?

 

Ryuichi caught himself furthering the distance between him and the pop prince until he was one with the shadows.

 

Why had he come here? After what he did, what could he possibly say to Shuichi that Shuichi would actually listen to?

 

*

 

Something caught his attention out in the audience, but when his cue came around; all excess thoughts were thrown to the wayside and quickly forgotten.

 

Shuichi sandwiched the microphone between his hands and stood stock still center stage with his feet a shoulder's width apart.

 

“'Itte kure!' kono omoi me wo tojite sora e to suteru sa,” he sang with only the accompaniment of Fujisaki. Slowly the tempo sped up and the beat returned as Hiro, Kazuki and Keiko rejoined, the latter two being studio musicians who were hired specifically for this tour and played the bass guitar and the drums respectively. “Never Say Goodbye itsu no hi ka aeru darou haruka na umi wo koe…” (“Tell me!” come, close those heavy eyes and throw away the sky/Never Say Goodbye you'll probably get there someday and cross the distant ocean).

 

Shuichi threw himself into the song, losing himself and loving the feel of those eyes watching his every move from the sidelines.

 

*

 

Out in the cooling night air, Ryuichi paused his climb into the back of the taxi and looked up at the Centre. He gave a sad little smile, silently saying “goodbye” then disappeared into the car. “Airport,” he told the driver in heavily accented English.

 

*

 

(Tuesday Morning - NG Productions, Tokyo Japan)

 

Hesitantly, he reached a hand out towards the phone, but jerked it back. Just what did he think he was doing?

 

[“I suggest you go back home and forget you ever met Ryuichi.”

 

“I can't do that.”

 

“You can and you will.”

 

“I love him!”]

 

Tohma sighed wearily. Had he not just promised Mika that he was not going to get involved in this whole nightmarish mess?

 

[“I love him!”]

 

He had a feeling he was going to regret this later, but despite his misgivings Tohma picked up the phone and pressed speed dial. It went straight to voicemail. He was not the least bit surprised.

 

“Against my better judgment,” Tohma said over the line, “Ryu will be arriving at Narita tomorrow morning.”

 

As he hung up the phone and leaned back in his chair, Tohma again wondered what exactly he was doing.

 

*

 

(Late Wednesday Morning - Narita Airport)

 

With his carry on bag strapped across his chest, Ryuichi stepped over the threshold exiting the boarding ramp into the airport.

 

Suddenly a barrage of flashes ambushed him, stopping him dead. Despite the dark sunglasses he sported, the round robin strobe lights blinded him. Questions were hurled at lightning speed in his direction, one after another. Each reporter spewed out nonsense louder than the next, each fighting to be heard and out scoop the others.

 

“Sakuma-san!”

 

“Sakuma-san!”

 

“Look this way please!”

 

“What do you have to say to your fans?”

 

“Sakuma-san!”

 

“Why did you go to Toronto?”

 

“Did you go to see Shindou-san?”

 

“Sakuma-san!”

 

“Are you and Shindou-san over?”

 

“What did Shindou-san have to say about your underage lover?”

 

“Sakuma-san!”

 

“Are you going to continue seeing that boy?”

 

“What does his family think about your relationship with him?”

 

“Are you still in love with Shindou-san?”

 

“Why did you cheat on Shindou-san?”

 

The questions continued, but Ryuichi ignored them all.

 

He was jostled and shoved as the other passengers continued pouring off the plane. Some of them gave him looks of disgust, but Ryuichi paid them no heed. He searched around and racked his brain frantically as he tried desperately to find some way past the horde of annoying flies buzzing around.

 

His way out came from an unexpected source.

 

When his cellphone began vibrating against his thigh from its snug hiding place inside the deep front pocket of his pants, he was grateful for the distraction, however minor it was. The number on the LCD screen stunned Ryuichi. His eyebrows shot up in surprise. “What the-?” Why was he calling him?

 

 

Panting heavily, his face flushed and dripping with sweat, Ryuichi burst out of the automatic doors, not entirely sure how he managed to get past the pack of ravenous wolves. Immediately the sweltering summer heat slammed into him. His bag that had been slamming against his hip as he had raced through the crowded airport finally rested quietly at his side.

 

Ryuichi glanced around as he tried to slow his racing heart.

 

There! He spotted him leaning against his motorcycle with his arms crossed over his chest and his ankles crossed in front of him.

 

“Tatsuha,” Ryuichi whispered. Tears prickled his eyes. He was not sure why he was crying, but he was. Feeling suddenly exhausted and completely drained, Ryuichi gazed at the young monk through a thick veil of tears.

 

Tatsuha dropped his arms and straightening, slowly lifted his helmet off. He smiled across the expanse separating him from Ryuichi. “Welcome home, Ryu.”

 

With a sob, Ryuichi launched himself into his forbidden lover's arms. It was good to be home.

 

*

 

(Same Time - Skies above Canada)

 

“Are you sure?”

 

Eiri's voice seeped into Shuichi's sleep muddled mind. Shuichi pried open lids that felt weighed down and peered at his beloved through gritty eyes. He gave a half hearted smile. The other half was long gone. It had taken the first flight to LaLa Land. “Yeah,” Shuichi answered. He stifled a yawn. He had been up for over twenty for hours and he was completely exhausted.

 

Daisuke had woken him up bright and early the previous morning for rehearsal. He had then had to make a special appearance at some signing at the Toronto Congress Center where the anime convention was being held. Afterwards, it was off to the Toronto Convention Centre for a run through of that night's performance. Like their concert the other night in Philadelphia, last night's performance had run longer than expected and when it finally did end, they had all trooped off to celebrate. The party had lasted late into the night. When they went back to the hotel, Daisuke had called an unscheduled band meeting. Everybody had groaned and bitched and moaned and tried to argue, but Daisuke wanted to know what their decision was before he would allow them to head off to bed. Were they going to continue on to St. Catharine's for the Garden City Anime Festival and then to Winnipeg, Oshawa and finally to Anaheim, California for the Anime Expo with the others, or were they going to return to Japan and have the next week and a half off until the Tokyo Anime Fest next Friday?

 

If the events of last night had not happened, Shuichi was almost positive he would have voted to stay on with Ask and rest of those on tour with Bad Luck, especially after the private detective he had hired to follow and monitor Ryuichi after they had gotten back together had emailed him photographs that proved that he was right not to trust Ryuichi.

 

[“Again. I ask why not? Tatsuha is exactly like I was at his age and if I were him, I would do anything to make sure-”

 

“He wouldn't! He's nothing like you!”

 

“Oh? Why?”

 

“Because I love him!”

 

“…”

 

“I've always loved him! No matter what happens with Shu and me, nothing'll change between Tatsuha and me!”]

 

If he were to be honest, if Ryuichi had only kept his mouth shut then there was a good chance that Shuichi would have gone home with him and not Yuki. It was pathetic and unfair to Yuki, but that was honestly how events would have turned out. He had been so confused and unsure of what to do, despite the fact that he was no longer in love with Ryuichi and had fallen immediately back in love with Yuki.

 

…But then Ryuichi had opened his big mouth…

 

[“Because I love him... I've always loved him! No matter what happens with Shu and me, nothing'll change between Tatsuha and me!”]

 

…and Shuichi's choice was suddenly clear. Not only was he through being dishonored by his husband's actions, but he was going to go back to Japan with Yuki and together they would make up for the year that they had lost. He knew Hiro and Fujisaki were a little disappointed about not being able to continue with the tour, but even without knowing the details of what had transpired when they were asleep last night, Hiro and Fujisaki seemed to understand.

 

Eiri reached out and clasped Shuichi's hand, lacing their fingers together. His eyes never leaving those hypnotic purple eyes, he lifted their joined hands to his lips and pressed a chaste kiss onto Shuichi's knuckles which caused Shuichi to blush. Eiri chuckled. When Shuichi yawned, Eiri reached out with his free hand and traced a pattern on Shuichi's cheek. “Maybe you should get some sleep,” he whispered. “You look tired. I'll wake you up when we land.”

 

Shuichi was not about to protest. He rubbed his aching eye with his free hand. Sleep sounded like a very good idea right about now. “Okay,” he mumbled already half asleep. “I love you Yuki,” he yawned as his eyes drooped shut. Within seconds he was sound asleep.

 

An uncharacteristic smile graced Eiri's face. “Baka,” he chuckled. Eiri pried Shuichi's hand from his that seemed to have attached itself to Eiri's like a mutated appendage as the boy slept and folded the armrest up between the seats. Then he draped his arm around Shuichi's shoulders and pulled the comatose teen towards him so that Shuichi was resting against him. “I love you, too,” he whispered, planting a kiss on Shuichi's head. Tilting his head back against the seat, he hugged Shuichi tightly and closed his eyes.

 

*

 

(Couple Hours Later)

 

Groggily, Shuichi rubbed the sleep out of his eyes and untangled himself from Yuki's arms. Stretching the kinks of his body, he slid to the edge of the seat and glanced over at the blond writer and smiled. He was sound asleep. It should be a crime to be so sexy. Shuichi reached out and tucked a stray strand of dirty blond hair behind Eiri's ear. As much as he would love to just sit here and gaze love struck into Yuki's face, he really needed to pee.

 

Standing up, Shuichi cautiously squeezed by Yuki, who was sitting in the aisle seat, being careful not to disturb him. Yuki had been up just as long as he had. Shuichi scurried down the aisle through the plane to the bathroom located towards the back. He noted that a great deal of the passengers on the flight had also decided to take a nap. Others were watching some movie he could not identify while the rest were either reading, working on laptops or speaking with their neighbors. There were a few people just staring out the window.

 

Finding the bathroom, he was grateful that it was currently unoccupied. Shuichi squeezed himself into the hole in the wall and shut the door behind him, making sure it was locked and flicked the light on. When he turned around, he noticed that whoever was in here before him had left a magazine behind.

 

Bending over, he picked it up and turned it to the front page. A slow grin spread across his face. It was The Sun, a notorious tabloid magazine. Splashed on the front page was a picture that Shuichi recognized. It was one of the photos that Matsushita Naoki-san had emailed him. “Rock Star Caught in Passionate Embrace with Underaged Lover,” the bold headlines screamed. Shuichi tossed the magazine carelessly to the floor with a sly smirk. He pondered about where the fine folks at The Sun had acquired such a scoop as this.

 

Chuckling, Shuichi turned to the toilet. Standing over it, he reached inside the front pocket of his jeans and found something small, hard and round. He pulled his hand out. Laying his hand out flat, he stared down at a gold band.

 

[“It's the same shit, Ryu! Each and every fucking time and I've had it! It's over! I'm through playing games with you! And I threw my ring away so that makes us even!”

 

Ryuichi's heart went cold. “What?” he breathed.

 

Shuichi held up his ringless hand and wiggled his fingers, a mocking expression on his face.]

 

Holding the ring to the light, he read the engraving one last time. “Forever … Yours … Forever … Mine,” it said.

 

Shuichi barked. “Bullshit.” Unceremoniously, he tipped his hand and watched the ring drop into the toilet. Flushing the toilet, he watched as the band vanished. “Have a nice life…Sakuma.”

 

***

 

A/N: Well, what did you think about that? Did you see that coming? Wait until the epilogue. Trust me. Let's just say that Justin Timberlake was right.

 

On another note, my sister, Xunxin, and I are going to Philadelphia Monday May 21st to the 23rd. We're going to go see the King Tut exhibit at the Franklin Institute on the 22nd. We're staying at the Travelodge. I've never been to Philly before. I can't wait.

 

Anyway, until next time!