~Four~

 

Kai rode the elevator alone, one hand gripping the cool metal rail, the other tucked into his pants pocket. He hummed a little in time to the drone of the machinery, tapping his foot. The numbers ticked by in the digital display above the door and Kai could imagine what the view over the city would have been had the elevator been made of glass.

With a soft ding and a whoosh, the elevator came to a halt and the doors slid open. He stepped into the bustle of the radio and television station corridor, sidestepping a couple of executives, bowing politely as they stepped into the elevator and vanished. Straightening, Kai made his way to the young receptionist.

“Hello, Kai,” she said, smiling at him.

“Hi, Rin,” he smiled back. “Is Miyavi around today?”

“I think so. Check the sound rooms. Oh, and be careful. I think he got into an argument with his father again.”

Kai sighed and nodded, giving the woman a small wave as he headed down the hall. Miyavi’s father again. Would the man never leave his son alone?

He looked through the small windows into the line of sound proof rooms and found that most of them were empty. Near the end of the small hall, his agitation starting to grow, he found Miyavi.

His friend looked small, sitting in the sound room behind an electric guitar. He had somehow curled himself into an impossible position on the stool, his eyes closed as he sang. Quick fingers plucked and strummed the notes of what looked like a fast melody. Kai watched for a few moments before he quietly opened the door and slipped inside. Unnoticed, he leaned on the wall and listened.

“Tada, boku ni wa tsubasa ga nai keredo, kawari ni kono te de kimi wo dakishimerareru. Sou tsuyoku, toritachi mo urayamu kurai ni…”

Where puberty had slammed into Kai with a pillowcase full of lead weighted industrial bricks, it had been much kinder to Miyavi. The boy, although he had not grown much in way of stature, had been left with a honeyed voice, pure and clear as a bell. His vocal cords were left unscathed by his growth, a fact that Kai sometimes envied in his friend. His speaking voice was even and low, unless he grew excited. Then, it reached notes on the scale that would have been impossible for even the most practiced opera singer. But when Miyavi sang, anyone who was within hearing distance had no choice but to stop and listen and be moved by the sound. Miyavi had a gift with his voice, and it was only amplified by the fact that he could pick up and learn any stringed instrument that could be plucked or strummed.

Miyavi opened his eyes, his fingers faltering on the strings.

“Kai,” he said, a blush creeping into his cheeks as he scrambled from the stool and set the guitar down. “Hi, hey, hello. How long have you been standing there?”

Kai bit the inside of his lip to keep from laughing.

“Not long,” he said, managing to keep his face straight. “I mean, yah, I heard you singing, but-,”

Miyavi groaned and fell back against the stool.

“You did?”

“Yah. Miya, you sound great. Really.”

Miyavi turned crimson as he busied himself unplugging the guitar and putting it gently into its case, turning his back to Kai.

“I sound like shit,” he muttered, closing the case. “At least, that’s what he says.”

“Your father wouldn’t know talent if it bit him in the ass,” Kai said, his brain to tongue filter temporarily going on the blink. “You’ve got a lot of talent.”

Miyavi’s shoulders stiffened at the slight against his father, the reaction only reflex due to the fact that he agreed with Kai. His father, the CEO of the radio and television station, dealt with so many different bands and acts on a daily basis that he tended to believe that his son’s own talent was second rate.

Kai bit his lip again, automatically kicking himself inwardly.

“Sorry, Miya,” he said, pushing away from the wall. “I didn’t mean-,”

“You’re right, Kai,” Miyavi said, turning around and smiling. “You’re always right about him. Always.”

“That doesn’t make it right for me to say that.”

Miyavi shrugged and picked up the guitar case. Moving quickly, he left the sound room and made his way down the hall toward the reception area.

“What did he say this time?” Kai asked, appearing at his side to match his stride.

“I told him about the contest,” Miyavi replied, his dark eyes narrowing as he focused on the bank of elevators ahead of them. “I asked him if you and I could use the sound rooms for practice, if we stayed out of the way and didn’t take up the space if someone else needed it.”

Kai punched the down button, watching the other boy from the corner of his eye. Miyavi let his head fall, brown fringe obscuring part of his face.

“He laughed, Kai. Laughed at us, laughed at me. Talk about being a supportive parent. He didn’t say no, but he didn’t exactly say yes, either.”

The doors slid open and they stepped inside. Kai hit the button for the buildings lobby. Miyavi slumped against the back wall, settling the guitar between his feet.

“You know, if mom were still alive-,” he began.

“No,” Kai snapped. “Don’t do that to yourself again.”

Miyavi bit his lip and they spent the rest of the ride down in silence. Kai fell in behind Miyavi as they crossed the lobby and stepped into the sunlight. He’d known his friend long enough to read his moods pretty well, and this looked like it would be a stormy one.

“Miya,” he said.

“Hmm?”

“I am sorry.”

Miyavi nodded, but remained stonily quiet.

Kai glared at the sidewalk and found himself hating Miyavi’s father just a little more.

 

~

 

Hyde stepped into the small café, dreading what he was there to do, knowing that he would find himself in a world of hurt if he were ever found out. But he was tired of the anger that was always brewing just beneath the surface of things, tired of being blamed. Damn it, he was just tired of having to look over his shoulder.

Winding his way through the tables, he approached the counter and stood in line behind a couple who looked more interested in one another than to what they were ordering. They finally moved aside and Hyde stepped forward.

“Hi,” he said. “I’m looking for You. Is he working today?”

“Yes,” the girl at the register said. “He’s on his break, over there.”

Hyde followed her outstretched arm and spotted the tall boy in a table in the corner, pouring over a book.

“Thank you.”

Steeling his resolve, he made his way over and slipped into the chair directly across from You.

“You? We need to talk.”

You stiffened visibly, dark eyes shooting up to stare hard at Hyde. His look of surprise quickly turned to the one of thinly veiled anger and sadness that Hyde had become accustomed to seeing.

“What do you want, Hyde?”

Hyde flinched slightly at the cutting way You said his name.

“I want to talk to you, that’s all.”

“Then talk. You have three minutes before my break is over.”

Hyde nodded.

“You, you need to talk to Gackt. He’d kill me if he knew I was here, but I can’t sit by on this anymore. You need to get him alone and you need to talk to him.”

“About what?” You’s voice was a low whisper, the anger draining from his eyes to be replaced by concern.

“I can’t say, I’m sorry. He needs to be the one to tell you. Then maybe you can do something about it.”

You glared.

“You can’t or you won’t?”

“Can’t. He swore me to silence. You know how Gackt can be.”

You conceded this point with a nod.

“He means well, but sometimes his view of things is slightly skewed by the way he deals with the people he really cares about. Especially you.”

You looked into Hyde’s face, searching his eyes. For once, Hyde wore the wounded look.

“He’ll be home alone tomorrow night,” Hyde said, staring at the tabletop. “His parents are going out and I’ve made an excuse so I don’t have to go over. If you can find time, go by and get him to talk. It’ll do you both a world of good, believe me.”

“Why, Hyde? Why are you trying to help?”

Hyde’s expression turned a little, a bare glimmer of hope edging into his eyes.

“Because, You, we were friends once. You, Gackt, and me, we were always in everything together. I don’t know what changed, but I miss having my two friends together in the same room.”

“You don’t know what changed?” You suddenly felt all the anger of the past year bubbling up within him and spewing forth like a volcano. “What changed was the fact that suddenly, Gackt trusted you more than he trusted me. That he always had time for you, but he could never find two seconds for me. That every time I needed him, he was never there for me. He abandoned me for you, even after all the years that we’ve spent together. But, what’s two years compared to sixteen, though, right?”

You stood as he was talking, drawing stares from the patrons around them as his voice rose. Hyde shrank back against his seat.

“That’s why you need to go talk to him, You! Because then maybe you can work out why he’s acting the way he is! Just do it, You!”

Hyde leapt to his feet and left the café, leaving You smoldering behind him, not caring that people were staring at him as he went. He rounded the corner and broke into a run, fighting against a series of conflicting emotions that rose within his chest. You had been his friend. The three of them had become thick as thieves in the beginning, close as brothers, although Hyde knew that the relationship between Gackt and You was something he could never share in. But he was content with the way things were.

Then, Gackt’s problem.

“Damn your foolish pride, Gackt,” Hyde thought, darting down streets as if he were trying to outrun the thoughts and emotions. “Damn you for trying to be perfect, impenetrable and strong. You’ve done this to us, to all of us.”

He slid to a halt, doubled over by the burning pain in his side. Collapsing against a building, he slid down, buried his head in his arms, and wept. As much as he cared about Gackt, he’d always cared more about You.

You, who always smiled, always laughed, no matter what. You, who had only ever seen his father perhaps three times in his life, who had been forced to take the mantle of ‘man’ early on. You, whose mother had worked two jobs when You was little just to ensure they could survive. You, whose tears were bittersweet when he cried, and Hyde knew he cried.

You, who wanted nothing more than to have his best friend back in his life.

You, whom Hyde knew he had hurt deeply.

Hyde balled his fists into his hair, wishing that the burning tears would stop flowing, hating that he felt so weak, guilt tearing his heart to shreds. He should have told him. He should have told You the truth rather than make things worse by beating around the proverbial bush. If anyone was to blame in this nightmare, it was Gackt. No, that wasn’t true. They were all to blame. All of them for being so stubborn, so thick-headed. So stupid.

He pushed himself up onto wobbly legs, looking around to get his bearings. Across the street was the park, the twilight casting long shadows beneath the swings. Crossing over, Hyde slipped into the park, wiping his eyes on his sleeve. Using the playground as a shortcut, he started home, weary to the bone. As he stepped around the sandbox, he spotted a familiar figure sitting alone a bench, hunched forward in abject misery. A young boy with long red hair and a skirt.

Trying to recall the boy’s name, more to distract himself than anything, Hyde stayed his course and headed home.

 

~

 

Tetsu slumped forward, elbows on knees, hands cradling elbows, eyes cast on the ground. His thoughts were dark and far away as the evening breeze blew his loose hair around his face.

Shifting slightly, he glanced at his watch. Ken wouldn’t be home for another half hour and his parents were out with some friends for the evening. Not having very many friends made it hard, but Tetsu somehow managed to make do.

“Maybe if I dressed like a boy more often-,” he began thinking, but he stopped.

Standing up, he looked down at himself, pushing his hair back with one hand as the other straightened his skirt. This was his comfort zone, his true self. His parents had long since given up the battle to make him change and were finally okay with his choices. Most of his classmates accepted him as well, though he still got some rough treatment for his looks and his attitude. He wasn’t what could be considered pretty, not by male or female standards, but that didn’t matter. He wasn’t out for a relationship with anyone at this point in his life anyway.

Pulling his jacket closer to his body, he started walking toward Ken’s house. He knew that his friend’s parents would be home and that he’d be met with a less than warm welcome, but he had nothing else to do and nowhere else to go. As he walked, he contemplated himself, trying to figure out just which deity had decided it would be fun to throw what might have been a female soul into a male body. It almost reminded him of a manga he’d read once, about a female Angel in a high school boy’s body. Except, of course, Tetsu wasn’t in love with his sister. He didn’t even have one. Perhaps that could be considered a bright point in his life. Without siblings to embarrass or be a bad influence upon, he felt he had one less burden to bear.

The only person who accepted him completely and without judgment was Ken. The big oaf, with the heart of gold beneath his cool exterior, had practically pulled him from the jaws of a lion when they were in primary school. Since then, Ken had saved him numerous times and in numerous ways. And now…

“Hey, Tetsu!”

He stiffened, dragged from his thoughts viciously, and spun around, eyes widening as three boys scuttled out of the shadows around him.

“Nice night for a walk, isn’t it Tetsu?” one of them sneered.

Tetsu remained silent, trying to back away.

“How long has it been, Tetsu?” another asked, stepping forward. “We were interrupted last time. Care to try with me again?”

“Leave me alone, Katashi,” Tetsu managed. “I-I don’t want any trouble from you tonight.”

Katashi smiled, reaching out.

“No trouble. None at all.”

Tetsu turned and ran. Katashi yelled in rage as his normally compliant prey bolted. The three boys gave chase.

Leaving the park, Tetsu panicked when he found nothing but empty streets all around. Everyone in the world had vanished, it seemed. He could hear Katashi and his friends behind him, closing in, and he forced his legs to move faster. Without thinking, he darted down a darkening alleyway and abruptly came face to face with a solid brick wall.

Tetsu fell into a panic, slamming his hands into the wall, as if that would make it suddenly leap to life and spring out of his way. He heard Katashi and his cronies enter the alley and he spun around, pressing his back hard against the wall.

“Please,” he whispered, desperately trying not to cry. “Please, no, leave me alone.”

Katashi’s smile malicious, wide and Cheshire-like as he stalked forward flanked by the other two.

“Ken’s not here to save you this time, Tetsu-hime,” Katashi said harshly. “It’s just you and us.”

Tetsu’s knees gave way and he slid down onto the damp ground. The last thing he could remember thinking before they set upon him was that he wished he were a little faster, a little stronger.

A little more like a man.

 

~

 

Ken stepped out of the shower just as the doorbell rang. He dressed and was crossing the hall back to his room when he heard his mother gasp, followed by a familiar voice floating up the stairs.

“Is Ken home?”

Ken hurried down the stairs in time to see his mother’s mouth bobbing like a fishes. He looked past her to the open door.

“Tetsu?” Ken’s voice cracked.

The red head looked up and smiled, though the expression was pained beyond belief. His jacket was gone, laying bare arms that were covered in cuts and bruises. These looked superficial to Ken, who was more concerned about the bleeding gash above Tetsu’s left eye.

“Mom, let him in!” Ken snapped, pulling the door from her grasp and reaching out.

Tetsu gratefully slid his hand into Ken’s, tears threatening to slide free of his eyes. Ken’s mother stepped aside, concern flashing across her face as Ken pulled Tetsu inside.

“Should I-,” she began.

“No,” Tetsu said quickly. “Please, just let us deal with this.” He turned imploring eyes on the woman. “Ken can take care of me, he’s done it before. It’s okay, I promise.”

Before she could respond, Ken had his arm around Tetsu and was guiding him upstairs, away from his gaping mother and all of her unasked questions.

“Go, sit,” he demanded, pointing to his bedroom door as he stepped into the bathroom.

Tetsu went silently, head down, pain wracking his body from the beating he’d endured. He settled into a spot on the floor, dragging the blanket from the foot of Ken’s bed and wrapping it around himself. He shivered, more from shock than cold, his eyes going somewhere far away. Ken dug around in the medicine cabinet for peroxide, ointment, bandages, and a soft cloth. He stopped in the doorway of his bedroom and looked down at his friend, anger and terror mixing together in his stomach to form a hard knot.

“Tet?” he called softly, moving to sit in front of the other boy. “Tet, come back to me. Please. Come back.”

It took a few long moments before Tetsu’s eyes cleared and he looked up.

“Ken?”

“Yes.”

Tetsu broke down, hiding his face in his hands as he cried. Ken watched, unsure of what to do, remaining, as always, the silent rock of strength that Tetsu had come to depend on. Finally, the tears slowed, then stopped. With a sigh, Tetsu looked up again.

“I’m sorry.”

“Shut up and hold still.”

Tetsu smiled a little at that as Ken fished one of his arms from under the blanket. A little cleaning and a band aid or two dealt with the damage on both arms. Satisfied, he turned his attention to Tetsu’s face. The smaller of the two let out a hiss of pain when Ken gently wiped blood from the wound.

“Sorry.”

“Shut up and keep cleaning.”

Ken chuckled, dabbing the cleaning peroxide onto the spot, bringing another hiss from Tetsu.

“Thank you,” Tetsu whispered.

“For what?”

“For not asking.”

“If you want to tell me, you will. Did they-?”

“No. No, they didn’t. I… I ran. That made them mad. The beat me up, but they didn’t… didn’t…”

Tetsu didn’t have to say it. Ken knew what he meant.

“I really wish-,”

“No, Ken. It wouldn’t do any good. I won’t put you in that situation.”

Ken sighed, staring into Tetsu’s eyes as he dabbed ointment onto his forehead. His stomach did a back flip and Ken suddenly realized why. The last piece of his emotional puzzle clicked into place. Biting his lip, he tore his eyes away to open another band aid.

“I’m the one who’s sorry,” Tetsu said wistfully. “Because I’m so weak. I’m so much like the girls that I emulate, it’s not even funny. That’s why it’s so easy for them. But you… you don’t… you think I’m okay. You treat me like I’m normal.”

“Because I don’t see you just on the outside, Tet,” Ken said softly, pressing the band aid over part of the cut and reaching for another. “I see your heart and soul, and they’re pretty normal to me.”

Tetsu let Ken press the last band aid into place before falling onto his back in a tangle of blanket. He let out a sound that was part snarl and part growl.

“Christ, Ken, why the hell do you put up with a fucked up bastard like me, anyway?”

Taking a chance, Ken moved up next to Tetsu, placing a hand on either side of the smaller boy’s shoulders as he knelt beside him. He looked down into deep brown eyes, seeing the confusion and emotion that he felt reflecting back at him in those orbs.

“Tetsu…”

“What?”

“I do it because,” he took a deep breath, knowing that the risk in this moment was greater than any he’d taken before in his entire life. “You are my violins, Tetsu. When I’m near you, I hear violins. You’re the reason I play, the reason the music is in me. I’ve known this for so long, but it’s taken this moment to realize that maybe, just maybe, you needed to hear it just as much as I needed to say it. You’ve kept the song alive in me when I’ve wanted to give up. You asked me to play with you and I pulled my guitar out of its corner. Tetsu, I want... I need you. Please, will you consider me? Be with me, and I swear, no one will ever, ever, hurt you again.”

Tetsu wasn’t breathing. Slender fingers covered his quivering mouth, eyes wide and tear filled. Ken knew that there was no recalling the words now, but he didn’t care. He wanted Tetsu to know, to see.

“K-Ken…” Tetsu breathed, raising the hand from his lips to touch Ken’s face. “Ken… I…”

Tetsu found a lock of Ken’s hair and tugged, pulling Ken the last few inches between them so that their lips met. Once, softly, sweetly, almost experimentally. Ken pulled back and saw that Tetsu was crying and smiling at the same time.

“Violins,” he whispered in a hoarse voice. “I hear your violins.”

Ken smiled for a moment before recapturing Tetsu’s lips with his own, creating a blinding sensation behind his closed eyes. As if they’d both wanted it for so long, the kiss deepened, and they went on the wave freely, kicking open doors to a future that held so many possibilities and dangers.

But, without communicating it, they knew that, together, nothing was impossible. Not anymore.

~Five~

 

You hesitated at the path leading up to Gackt’s house. Even if he’d practically been raised in this house while his mother worked, You felt that tonight’s dealings would be different. The last time he’d set foot in the house had been nearly nine months ago, before Gackt had stopped speaking to him on a regular basis.

Settling his bag more securely on his shoulder, You dug his fisted hand into his jacket pocket and trudged up the path. After a little more hesitation at the door, he raised a hand and rang the bell.

Gackt was slow in opening the door, his eyes going wide as he moved his left hand behind his back quickly.

“You,” he gasped. “What are you-?”

“What was that?” You snapped.

“What was what?” Gackt asked lamely.

“That!”

Reaching out, he yanked Gackt’s hand from behind his back, revealing a wad of bloody paper towels.

“Oh, this,” Gackt said, staring at the towels. “It’s nothing.”

“Bullshit,” You spat, maneuvering the shorter boy into the house and closing the door. “Gackt, what’s going on?”

“Nothing, You,” Gackt muttered, rubbing lightly at his nose. “It’s nothing.”

“I don’t believe you,” You growled.

Gackt wrenched his arm from You’s grip and moved away toward the kitchen. Dropping his bag and removing his shoes, You followed, unwilling to let the silence take hold again.

“Gackt, please?”

The older boy went into the kitchen to the sink. Yanking more towels from the roll, he wet them under the tap and pressed them to his nose. You watched from the doorway, unease growing into dread as he watched a new trickle of blood form on Gackt’s face. Gackt turned, the wet towels turning bright red, and faced his old friend.

“Gackt, please,” You said softly, all anger fleeing from his mind and heart. “Talk to me. Let me back in.”

The other sighed, his shoulders sagging. With a lowered head, he admitted defeat in stoic silence.

“There’s something wrong with me,” he said flatly, staring at the tile floor. “I don’t know what it is, but it’s in my head.”

“What?” You couldn’t keep the fear from seeping into his voice.

“I get this pain, here,” Gackt pointed to his right temple, “and it spreads. To here and here,” he pointed to his left, then traced to the back of his skull. “At first, it never lasted long, maybe two or three minutes. But lately, they’ve been lasting longer. Almost an hour yesterday. This,” he held out the bloody towels, “this is new. This happened just before you came in.”

“And you haven’t been to a doctor about this, I assume?” You said, moving fully into the kitchen to take the bloody towels from Gackt’s hand and replace them with clean ones.

“No,” Gackt admitted, allowing You to fuss a little. “No one knows besides Hyde and now you.”

You looked sideways at Gackt, alarmed at the paleness of his friends face, the shake in his hands as he pressed the paper towels to his face. He bit his lip.

“I think you should go to a doctor,” he said softly, watching Gackt’s reaction. “Just to make sure there’s no serious problem.”

Silence clung to them like a cloak, almost smothering You as he watched Gackt stand there, unmoving and unmoved.

“I’m afraid,” Gackt finally said. “My grandfather had a tumor. What if I-?”

“Don’t,” You said, placing a hand on Gackt’s arm. “Don’t think like that. It’s probably just migraines or something. You’re perfectly healthy, I’m sure, but you need to be sure.”

“You,” Gackt said, lifting his face to stare his friend in the eye, “if I make an appointment, will you go with me?”

You’s heart leapt into his throat at the tone of Gackt’s voice. He noticed suddenly that his friends eyes were brown, not icy blue, and his heart lurched again. Gackt’s vulnerable voice delved into his mind, touched his soul.

“Of course,” he managed to choke out. “You make the appointment, I’ll go with you.”

“Promise?” Gackt whispered.

“Promise,” You said, and he held up his left hand, pinky finger extended.

Gackt looked on in surprise as the hand was held out. This was a move neither had thought of since they were children, hiding in the attic from the “bad guys” and “pirates” of their imagined games. You smiled from behind his hand, waiting patiently as always for Gackt to make his move. A smile tugging his lips, Gackt raised his own left hand and wrapped his pinky finger around You’s.

“There,” You said, placing his right hand over their connected left ones. “It’s a promise, an unbreakable vow. If I break my promise, you know what will happen.”

“Yah,” Gackt replied, the smile finally forming completely. “The earth will open up beneath you and the Creature of Kangi will rise up and eat you. For breaking your promise.”

“Exactly. Wouldn’t want that to happen, now would we?”

Gackt grabbed You and pulled him into a tight embrace, burying his head against the taller boys’ chest. You automatically wrapped his arms around his friend, gripping him tightly as he felt the first of Gackt’s warm tears soak into his shirt.

“What took you so long to tell me?” he whispered.

“What took you so long to ask?” Gackt replied, his voice muffled.

You chuckled.

“What took us so long to stop being bone heads?”

Gackt laughed but didn’t pull away. They stood in the kitchen, hugging each other as friends and brothers, You not caring that Gackt’s nose was bleeding again and staining his T-shirt. All that mattered was that the rift was being mended and they were coming together again.

And Gackt would be okay. He just had to be.

 

~

 

Yukihiro watched Sakura attempting to put the drum kit together, trying his best not to laugh at the stream of curses that now filled the air of the garage.

“What the hell?” Sakura growled. “The damn wing nut was right there? Shit!”

From his corner, Yuki purposely strummed a flat note on his electric guitar, earning himself a scowl and a rude gesture from his cousin. Yuki laughed this time, smiling as Sakura turned his scowl to the workbench in front of him.

“I swear, that nut was right there,” he said, pointing to a spot near the corner of the bench.

“Check the floor, numbskull,” Yuki called.

“Kiss my ass,” Sakura shot back, but did as he was told.

Yuki looked down at his guitar, letting his hair fall forward over the strings as Sakura came up cursing, having found the wing nut on the floor under the workbench.

“Not a word,” he threatened Yuki. “Not one damn word.”

Yuki remained silent, chewing hard on the inside of his mouth to keep from laughing. He shook with the effort, but covered it up by strumming out a few notes on the guitar.

Sakura attached the last cymbal to the kit and stepped back, admiring the Pearl © equipment.

“Not bad, for an old set,” he commented, moving over to flop on the old couch next to Yuki. “What do you think?”

Yuki set the guitar down on the seat next to him and wandered over to the kit. It was, indeed, old. Probably made sometime in the last ten years. Even so, it was still in relatively good shape for having been kept in storage. He picked up one of the sticks from the workbench and tapped lightly on a snare.

“Sounds good,” he remarked, setting the stick back down. “It’ll serve our purposes, at least.”

Sakura nodded, shoving his hair back over his shoulder and leaning forward.

“Yuki, are you sure you want to do this? I got a look at the roster, the competitions pretty heavy.”

“I’m sure,” Yuki replied, leaning back against the bench and examining his fingers. “I want to do this. Are you sure about this?”

Sakura grinned.

“Hey, we wreaked havoc as kids. Got into all sorts of mayhem and trouble. Who says all that has to end now we’re in high school? I’m in, you know I am.”

“Good,” Yuki nodded. “Now get your ass behind that kit and let’s see if we can get something worked out.”

Sakura chuckled, lightly punching his older cousin in the arm as he passed. Yuki struck a mock defensive pose, smiling widely. Shaking his head, Sakura snatched the sticks up and dove behind the kit, settling himself onto the short stool and grinning wildly at his cousin. For the next while, they played, Sakura tapping out an easy beat, Yuki strumming out a rhythm to match. They started and stopped frequently, each adjusting and warming up to their instrument.

“Hey, did you see Ken today?” Sakura asked, stretching his arms above his head while they took a short break.

“Maybe, why?” Yuki answered, applying a band aid to his finger.

“I could have sworn I saw him kiss Tetsu.”

Yuki glanced up at Sakura.

“And?”

“I don’t know. It’s just weird.”

“Why?”

Sakura gave Yuki an odd look before explaining himself.

“Don’t get me wrong, Tetsu’s a great guy. Attractive, too. I just never thought Ken would be the one making out with him.”

“What? You thought maybe you could?” Yuki teased, smirking.

“No! What the hell, you know I don’t swing that way!”

Yuki chuckled.

“Besides,” Sakura went on, twirling a drumstick between his fingers, “I thought Ken was a straight guy, you know? He’s always been a winner with the ladies.”

“Appearances can be deceiving, Saku.”

“I know.”

“I mean, look at me. You couldn’t tell that I’m bisexual, could you?”

He said it so casually that Sakura almost missed it. The hands that had been beginning to tap a light tempo on the snare faltered as he turned wide eyes on Yuki. The older boy kept his eyes on his guitar, his left hand on the machine heads, his right strumming lightly.

“You’re… what?”

Yuki smirked at his guitar.

“You heard me. Are you going to make a fuss about it?”

“Well, no, I just never expected you to be-.”

Yuki chuckled.

“Shows what you know about me.”

“I guess it does.”

They sat in silence for a while, Sakura studying his cousin.

“I think I knew that, anyway,” he finally said. “I think I’ve always known.”

Yuki nodded.

“I know.”

 

~

 

Shinya gasped as strong arms slipped around his waist and a moist pair of lips immediately found a sensitive spot on his neck, just below his ear.

“Totchi,” he hissed, leaning back into the taller boy’s arms, “not now. Kyo and Aoi-,”

“Are busy,” Toshiya whispered into Shinya’s ear, “talking about the contest. They won’t notice if we’re gone for a few minutes.”

Shinya’s reply was cut short when Toshiya’s hand slid downward, groping him lightly through his pants. He groaned, melting back against the warmth of the others chest.

“Come on,” he growled, grabbing hold of the wandering hand and pulling Toshiya through the nearest door and into the bathroom.

Toshiya spun the smaller boy around, pulling him into a deep, lust filled kiss as he made quick work of Shinya’s pants. Shinya groaned into the kiss as Toshiya’s warm hand wrapped around him, bringing him fully hard with a simple touch. He leaned against the sink, gripping the counter top with white knuckles.

“No time for formalities,” Toshiya muttered, dropping to his knees and engulfing the smaller boy in one movement.

Shinya bit his lip to stop the scream that boiled in his throat. Toshiya’s mouth was a sin, a horrible, dirty, beautiful sin. His head lolled back as Toshiya did all the things he knew would drive Shinya mad, that would drive him over the edge. It didn’t take long before Shinya’s reserve broke and he groaned, releasing into Toshiya’s willing mouth.

When the taller boy stood, Shinya leaned into him, grateful for the arms that wrapped around him and supported his shaking frame.

“God, I hate you,” he muttered.

Toshiya chuckled, kissing his temple.

“I know, baby. Come on, let’s get back.”

Shinya straightened himself up, catching his breath and bringing his color under control with practiced ease. Toshiya left first, giving Shinya another kiss on his way out.

“Hey Totchi, what happen?” Kyo asked teasingly. “You get lost or something?”

Toshiya smirked, sliding onto the couch opposite Aoi, who his guitar propped on his knee. The black haired boy gave him a knowing look, but said nothing. Toshiya was confused for a moment, but he shook it off as he reached for his own guitar. Shinya wandered in moments later, cans of soda in his hands.

“Sorry guys,” he said, handing them around to the others. “Parents, you know?”

Kyo smirked.

“Sure.”

“Go to hell, Kyo,” Shinya snapped, lightly slapping the back of the small blonde’s head. “What do you know?”

Kyo laughed, grabbing his notebook from the table and leaning back. Shinya smiled, shaking his head as he took his place on the other end of the couch from Aoi.

“So, have we decided what we’re going to do?” he asked, crossing his legs and getting comfortable. “I know we’re allowed two songs.”

“Kyo and I were thinking that we could start with one that everyone knows,” Aoi said, hugging his guitar closer to his chest. “Something familiar, you know? Then something new.”

“New?” Toshiya spoke up.

“Yah,” Kyo added in. “Something I’ve been working on with my brother, Kaoru. It’s not much, but-,”

He pulled some papers from his notebook and passed copies to Toshiya and Shinya. They looked through them in silence, Shinya’s mouth falling open.

“Kyo,” he said, looking up at the nervous boy with shock. “This… this is great!”

“Sure is,” Toshiya muttered, sifting back through the chords. “It’s simple, but deep. And the lyrics… wow. Who wrote them?”

“I did,” Kyo said, ducking his head to hide his blush.

“Kyo, why didn’t you tell us you could write music like this?” Shinya demanded. “This is brilliant!”

“I didn’t do it all on my own,” Kyo started. “Kao helped me. A lot. I just-, I just wrote the words and some of the initial chords. He did the bass line and most of the drum…”

“It doesn’t matter,” Toshiya cut in. “We’ve got a definite winner here,” he shook the papers. “One that you had a hand in. I say we use it.”

Shinya nodded, smiling brightly at Kyo. The blonde ducked his head further, hiding his embarrassment behind his thick fringe.

“Come on, guys,” Aoi said. “Ease off. Kyo already said we could use it. Just don’t stroke his ego about it. His head’s big enough as it is.”

Kyo balled up a piece of paper and threw it at Aoi, laughing. Aoi batted it easily aside, laughing harder when Shinya yelped.

“Jerk!”

“Sorry, Shin,” Aoi gasped, gripping his guitar so it didn’t slide out of his lap. “I didn’t mean to-,”

He yelled when Shinya lunged for him. Toshiya moved to pluck the guitar away as Shinya landed in Aoi’s lap, straddling him.

“You hit me,” Shinya pouted, placing a hand on either side of Aoi’s head.

“I didn’t mean to,” Aoi sputtered, suddenly confused. “I’m sorry. Now will you please get off of me?”

“You’re cute when you’re flustered.”

Kyo curled himself into his chair, laughing until tears streamed down his face. Even Toshiya laughed, his normally stoic nature forgotten in the amusing spectacle.

Aoi felt his stomach turn ice cold as he stared up at Shinya, poised above him like a vulture.

“Can I kiss you, Aoi?” Shinya purred.

“Can you… what?”

Without repeating himself, Shinya leaned down and placed a hard kiss on Aoi’s parted lips. Kyo rolled out of his chair with a yell and a thump while Toshiya fell back into the couch, howling his mirth.

Shinya leaned back and left Aoi’s lap, satisfied with himself. He joined the other two in their laughter as he surveyed the guitarists face.

Aoi’s stricken expression was priceless, to say the least.

~Six~

 

Ruki sat quite still, just to one side of the sliding doors of the balcony, listening as his parents fought again. Their voices rose and fell in volume as they moved around the apartment, going from one room to the next in their argument. He took the last drag from his cigarette and cast it over the edge, not even bothering to lean forward to watch it fall.

Their fights had gotten more and more frequent in the past year, almost to the point that Ruki wanted to start yelling himself. They’d start, and he’d sit on the balcony, ready to intervene if things got out of hand. Not that things ever did, but Ruki always held fast to his ‘just in case’ mentality. He was no longer afraid of the fights, either. If nothing else, they made him angry, or more truthfully, they flat out pissed him off. They were useless fights over stupid things and he just wanted them to stop.

The last bout of yelling was cut off abruptly when the doorbell rang.

“Ruki?” his mother called moments later, her voice slightly edgy.

He sighed and ducked through the sliding door, closing it behind him.

“Yes?”

“Someone at the door for you,” she said, pointing.

Ruki pulled it open, only vaguely wondering why she hadn’t let whomever it was in, and realized why the instant he saw who was there.

“Reita,” he blurted thoughtlessly, “Why are you here?”

Reita shrugged. Behind him, Ruki heard the fight heating up again and groaned.

“To hell with this,” he muttered, sliding his shoes on and grabbing his jacket. “Let’s go.”

Checking for wallet, keys, and phone, Ruki pulled the door closed behind them and headed for the stairwell at the back of the building. Reita followed, somewhat used to this routine.

The roof of the apartment building offered a view of the city in all directions and a good breeze. It was covered by a few small tables and a handful of chairs, all surrounding a modest sized coop of cooing doves. Ruki made his way to the southern corner and climbed up onto the retaining wall, leaning back against the cornerstone. Reita dragged a chair over and straddled it, waiting for Ruki to talk.

“I seriously wish they’d stop,” Ruki said finally, glaring down at the street below. “It’s irritating, annoying, senseless, useless, and stupid as fuck.”

“What was it this time?” Reita asked gently.

“Who the hell knows?” Ruki barked a short laugh. “Her infidelity or his hours at work? I really don’t pay attention anymore.”

Reita nodded, leaning back a little to watch the clouds roll by. Ruki’s parents fought a lot more since their son had entered high school. When they’d met, Ruki had been sitting at the back of the arcade, picking a fight with a couple guys somewhere around three times his size. Reita had barely been able to pull him away before the first punch had been thrown, earning himself a few good kicks and curses from the smaller boy all the way down the street.

It had only taken going back once with Uruha to throw the older boys off their trail.

People thought that Ruki was a rough and tough kid, but in truth, he was quite the opposite. Reita knew first hand the kindness and compassion that Ruki could show, although the smaller boy refused to admit it out loud.

“I keep wondering why they don’t just split up and get it over with,” Ruki muttered, snapping Reita out of his daze. “They’re never going to get along again.”

Reita looked at Ruki curiously.

“If things are really so bad here, you know you can always move in with me,” he said after a while, staring past Ruki at the nearby buildings.

“Would your father allow it?”

“It’s my apartment. He pays part of the rent, but it’s in my name. Besides, I have room. It would be nice to have some company.”

Ruki watched Reita from the corner of his eye.

“What about Uruha?”

“His parents would never let him do that,” Reita said easily. “Besides, he takes care of his younger brothers after school, so he has to stay home a while longer. At least until he settles on a university.”

“That’s not what I- never mind.”

“What?”

“Nothing. Forget it.”

Reita raised an eyebrow at Ruki, but let the issue drop without argument. They sat in silence for a while, listening to the traffic in the street below as each lost themselves in their thoughts. Ruki contemplated Reita’s offer, knowing full well that he did have the space for another person in his apartment.

Reita’s father, a high rise music executive, had gotten his only son the apartment when he turned seventeen. After going through all the red tape with the school district, Reita had been allowed to move in and live on his own. As far as Ruki knew, neither Reita’s mother nor stepfather had ever set foot into the place, nor would his father allow it. Reita lived comfortably enough in the studio apartment, with a hired cleaning staff and space to breathe. Ruki and Uruha had spent a few weekends there in the past year, and Ruki had felt most at peace and at home there.

“If your offer is really out there,” Ruki spoke up. “I’ll talk to my parents about it. Knowing them, it’ll be a good thing. Something to get me out of the way.”

“Of course the offer’s real.” Reita smiled. “I wouldn’t make it otherwise, would I?”

“I would hope not,” Ruki returned with a laugh, levering himself off of the wall. “Because I’d hate to have to kick your ass for it.”

“You’d try.”

The two boys laughed, making their way back into the building and onto an elevator. They stepped onto the sunlit street, and with no where to really go, took to wandering aimlessly around the city.

“Hey! Hey, Reita!”

They turned at the sound of the familiar voice.

“Kai! Hey, what’s going on?”

Kai dashed across the street, waving happily at an irate driver who blew his horn and waved wildly. Ruki leaned on a lamppost, clutching his sides as he laughed.

“Damn, Kai,” he gasped. “You’re gonna get killed doing that one day.”

Kai shrugged, grinning.

“Hey, Reita I was wondering if you’d loan me something,” Kai said, punching Ruki in the arm when the smaller boy moved closer.

“What’s that?”

“An extra amp? Miyavi’s dad is being a pain about us using the stuff from the company, and mine actually blew up a few months ago.”

Reita laughed, poking Kai in the ribs.

“You blew up my amp? What’d you do, dump water on it?”

Kai fended Reita off as best he could, moving behind Ruki.

“No. Well, I didn’t dump the water on it. But it did get a bath.”

“Kai!”

Kai, sensing impending doom at the hands of one Reita, took off, dodging through pedestrians, Reita hot on his heels.

“Guys?” Ruki yelled. “Hey, come on guys! Grow up!”

Neither of the boys stopped running. Making apologies, Ruki took off after them.

 

~

 

“Okay, Mr. Leaves-Cryptic-Messages-on-His-Boyfriend’s-Voicemail. What did you do this time?”

Tetsu laughed, motioning Ken into the quiet apartment. Ken removed his shoes and jacket while Tetsu closed and locked the door, then allowed himself to be led down the hall to Tetsu’s room.

“I got you something,” the younger boy said simply, pointing for Ken to sit on the bed while he slipped into the closet.

“Really? Why?”

Tetsu refrained from answering directly as he wrestled with something at the back of the closet, grunting with effort.

“I had to keep it hidden,” he said, his voice muffled. “My parents would absolutely flip if they saw it.”

“Saw what?” Ken’s curiosity was getting the better of him.

“This.”

Tetsu backed out of the closet, flipping his hair out of his eyes, and turned around. Ken’s jaw dropped at the sight of the black leather guitar case in Tetsu’s outstretched hands.

“Tet, you didn’t-,” he sputtered.

“I did.”

Tetsu stepped over and placed the case in Ken’s shaking hands.

“Open it,” he said softly, crawling onto the bed and dragging a pillow into his lap. “Go on. Open it.”

Ken fought to control his fingers as he grasped the zipper at the top of the case and dragged it slowly down. He reached inside and grasped the cool, firm neck of the guitar and slid it free.

“Oh, Tetsu,” he breathed, setting the empty case aside and taking the instrument in both hands.

It was powder and midnight blue with a diamond glitter imbedded in the middle. Perfectly aligned with mid-grade strings, it hummed beautifully when Ken strummed his thumb across them. He turned wide, shocked eyes on Tetsu, unable to think or speak for a long time.

“Tetsu… what’s this… why did you-?”

“A token of my appreciation,” Tetsu said softly. “For everything you’ve done for me, and everything you’ve been with me. Because you’ve saved me more times than I can count and… and because I love you.”

Ken set the guitar on the floor before reaching up to wipe the tears from Tetsu’s face. He drew his boyfriend into his arms, kissing the top of his head gently.

“Thank you,” he whispered into Tetsu’s hair. “Thank you for everything. I love you, too, I really do. You’ve saved me even more than I’ve done for you.”

Tetsu shifted a little so he could place a chaste kiss on Ken’s lips, before slipping out of his arms completely.

“My parents are out for the evening,” he said, sliding from the bed. “If you like, I can make dinner for us. I mean, if you want to stay.”

Ken smiled.

“I’d love to. Thank you.”

“Good.” Tetsu nodded. “I’m going to change, so feel free to make yourself comfortable in the living room.”

“You mean I can’t watch?”

“Ken!”

The taller boy laughed as he darted out into the hall, guitar in one hand, case in the other, well aware that Tetsu was slamming the door behind him and blushing like crazy. He also knew that Tetsu was aware that he had been joking. He’d never impose himself on Tetsu that way.

Setting the case aside once more, Ken sat with the guitar across his knee, picking out a few easy chords and whispering a light tune.

“Kiite sekaijuu ga ayamachi ni kegarete ite mo, kimi e tsunaida te wa itsu made mo hanasanai kara.”

“That’s beautiful.”

Ken turned slightly to see Tetsu standing in the doorway leading to the hall. He was wearing a pair of blue jeans and a baby blue peasant blouse rather than a skirt, and Ken smiled.

“Thank you.”

“Keep going.” Tetsu moved to sit at the other end of the couch. “Please?”

Ken nodded, trying to remember where he left off. He picked out a few chords and continued.

“Tatoe kono omoi sae uso ni omowarete mo, kimi e no kagayaku was itsu made mo furisosoideru. Sore dake wa shinjite ii yo.”

Tetsu smiled and got up from the couch. Without a word, he went into the kitchen. Ken stayed on the couch, slightly bewildered. Was Tetsu upset with the verse?

“Tetsu?” Ken followed the quiet boy into the kitchen. “Tetsu, are you upset with me?”

Tetsu emerged from a lower cabinet, holding a large pot in his hands. He didn’t answer as he filled it with water at the sink and set it on the stove to heat. He ducked his head into the refrigerator for a long time, clearly hiding, until Ken walked over and tugged him upright.

“Tetsu? What is it?”

“N-nothing. It’s nothing, really.”

Ken gently pulled on Tetsu’s face so he could look down into his eyes.

“Liar. What’s wrong?”

“Those… those lyrics. What do they mean?”

Ken looked confused.

“They’re just lyrics, Tet.”

“But they must mean something. You wouldn’t have used them if they mean something. Right?”

Understanding dawned in Ken’s mind. He wrapped his arms securely around Tetsu, relieved when he felt slender arms slide around his chest and hold onto him.

“It’s just an old song, one I wrote before I told you how I felt. It’s never really meant anything. Not until now, at least. If you’re worried that it means I won’t stay with you, you’re mistaken. I won’t give up on you. Remember…” he leaned down and whisper sang into Tetsu’s ear, “Kimi e tsunaida te wa itsu made mo hanasanai kara.”

Tetsu let out a small giggle, clinging harder to Ken.

“Thank you.”

“Anytime.”

The sound of hissing water made Tetsu yelp and fling himself away from Ken. The older boy laughed as Tetsu pulled the pot from the stove before all the water boiled over the edge. He helped clean up the spilled water and gave Tetsu a kiss before sitting at the table to watch the smaller boy cook.

Conversation was warm and light as Tetsu cooked. At one point, Ken retrieved the guitar from the living room and played it idly, not paying any attention to the melody he strummed. Over bowls of rice, beef, and vegetables, they discussed the songs they wanted to use for the competition.

“I was thinking,” Tetsu said shyly, “if you could teach me the song you were playing earlier, I could sing it. It’s a beautiful song, from the sound of it.”

“You’d actually sing?”

“You sound shocked.”

“I just know that you get stage fright. Are you sure you want to?”

“I’ll be alright if you’re there.”

Ken blushed.

“Alright. I’ll teach you the song. It’ll be better with two voices anyway.”

Tetsu leapt from his chair and threw himself into Ken’s arms, smiling widely.

“Thank you, Ken! I promise your song will be even better with the two of us singing it!”

Ken held them both upright in the chair by sheer will alone, laughing against Tetsu’s neck.

“I know, now come on, get off before we both end up on the floor.”

Tetsu backed off, blushing deep red, and returned to his seat.

“What about the other song?” he asked a few minutes later. “We’re supposed to do two, for the audition, to show our range.”

Ken thought about it for a while.

“Well, my song is sort of mellow, slow on the beat and tempo. We should find one that’s livelier. Something with… spunk.”

Tetsu chuckled.

“Spunk? That’s the word you chose to use? Spunk?”

“You have a problem with my choice of words?” Ken teased.

“Well, no, but who uses the word spunk anymore?”

“I do.”

“Just goes to prove how weird you really are.”

Ken sputtered as Tetsu stood and removed their dishes from the table, smiling behind his hair. He turned to put them in the sink to wash them and was quickly wrapped in Ken’s arms, the taller boy nipping at his ear.

“I have half a mind to make you regret that,” Ken chuckled into his ear. “But for now, I’ll let it go. Making fun of my words… shame on you, Tet.”

Tetsu leaned back into Ken’s arms, reveling in the comfort they provided. In the back of his mind, he knew what Ken meant, but he knew the older boy well enough to know he’d do nothing until Tetsu asked him to. At times, he wished it wasn’t that way. But still, he admired Ken’s restraint and respect for him.

“One day,” Tetsu breathed as Ken kissed his neck lightly. “One day, I promise.”

“I know.”

Smiling, Ken let Tetsu go and glanced at his watch.

“Damn. It’s late. I better go. Will you be okay?”

Tetsu turned around, returning the smile.

“I’ll be fine. My parents should be home soon. Call me when you get home?”

“Always.”

They held hands and gave each other a lingering kiss before opening the door to let Ken out into the hall. Ken waited until he heard the lock fall into place before descending the three flights of stairs and escaping into the night.

 

~

 

Hyde was sitting on the curb when Ken stepped out of Tetsu’s building. It took a moment for Ken to remember that Hyde lived in the neighboring building.

“Hey Ken,” Hyde said, rising to his feet. “What’re you doing here?”

“I was visiting Tetsu,” Ken answered easily, motioning to the apartment building behind him. “What’re you doing out here alone?”

“Needed some air,” Hyde said, shrugging. “It’s stifling in that apartment sometimes.”

“I thought you’d be over at Gackt’s or something. You two spend a lot of time together these days.”

“No. You’s over tonight. Those two have a lot to work out.”

“I imagine so.”

“Ken, do you think I’m a bad person?”

The question blindsided Ken. He stared at Hyde.

“What?”

“Do you think I’m a bad person? Do you think I broke up their friendship?”

“Gackt and You? Of course not. Those two have been best pals for years, about as long as Tet and I have been friends. It’d take more than a little fight or two to split them up. Why? What happened?”

Hyde stuck his hands in his jacket pockets, suddenly feeling cold.

“That’s just it. I don’t really know what happened. One day, the three of us are getting on well. The next, those two have hardly spoken in a year. I can’t go to one without hurting the other, so I coward out and end up doing the most damage to You. Because Gackt demands loyalty, you know? Even if he doesn’t out and say it, he has the presence that just screams for your attention.”

Ken nodded.

“I knew Gackt when we were kids,” he said. “I know how he can be. He grew up with money. A lot of us didn’t have that luxury. When You started hanging out with him, we thought he was crazy. Sweet, quiet You being ordered about by big, bad Gackt. But because of You, Gackt changed.”

“Changed?” Hyde raised an eyebrow questioningly.

“It was like overnight, Gackt went from being a pushy, spoiled brat to a caring, decent human being. Rumor has it that You threatened to kick his ass if he didn’t get his head on straight.”

Hyde laughed.

“Now, why can I just picture that actually happening?”

“Because it’s just the sort of thing that You would do. Even in public, if Gackt ever started to get out of hand, You would put him in his place. Half the time, he wouldn’t have to say a word to do it.”

Hyde nodded, staring at the sidewalk thoughtfully.

“I know that Gackt’s parents practically raised You for a while,” he said without looking up, “when they were in primary school.”

“Yah,” Ken said, shifting the guitar in his hand. “You’s mother had to work two jobs to make ends meet for a time. She made friends with Gackt’s mother, but she never took money from them. They offered, but she stood firm in her belief in hard work.”

“How do you know so much about them?”

Ken shrugged, offering a lopsided grin.

“Gackt and you aren’t You’s only friends, you know. He was on the baseball team our sophomore year. Damn good at it, too.”

“Why’d he quit?”

“Threw out his shoulder in the last game. He was afraid he’d do more damage when he came back, because his physical therapy didn’t help much. It still hurts him from time to time, so he comes to practice to get it worked out by the trainer. We still talk from time to time.”

“Oh, so that’s what that’s all about.”

Ken nodded again. Hyde opened his mouth to say something else, but his cell phone ringing cut him short. He looked down and smiled.

“Speak of the devil,” He smiled at Ken and opened the phone. “Hey, You. What? No, no it’s alright. You’re what? Oh, that’s great! No, really, it is. I’m glad to hear it. You’re welcome. Anything for a friend. Saturday? Seriously? He’s going to what? Damn, that would be great, You! Hell yeah. I look forward to it. Hey, don’t mention it. I’m just glad you two are on good terms again. I hear him back there yelling. Tell him I think he’s a pompous jerk.” Ken snorted and Hyde gave him a wink and a smile. “No, he can kick my ass later, I don’t mind. Alright. Alright, You. No, I’m glad you called. Thanks. You guys keep talking. Make sure all the bases are covered. Alright. Good night.”

Hyde hung up the phone, tucked it back into his jacket, and did something quite interesting. He spread his arms on either side of his body, fingers splayed, tipped his head back, spun in a circle and all but shouted “YES!” to the sky. Ken nearly dropped his guitar for laughing at the smaller boy as he spun a few more times before collapsing against a lamppost.

“Damn, am I good or what?” Hyde breathed, blinking against the dizziness.

“I think you’re good,” Ken said. “I’m glad things are working out.”

“Me, too.” Hyde glanced at his watch. “I need to head in. See you tomorrow?”

“You bet,” Ken smiled and held his hand out and gripped Hyde’s tightly when he took it. “Have a good night.”

Ken started off at a brisk pace, holding the guitar case tightly. Hyde did one more spin and came to a stop facing Tetsu’s apartment building. In the third floor apartment, he saw Tetsu standing at the window, watching him with a smile on his face. Feeling oddly silly, Hyde proffered a jaunty bow to the boy, following it up with a snappy salute and a smile.

Tetsu, to his credit, played the dame well, giving back a gentle bow, complete with a wave and his own smile. They both broke into laughter as Hyde waved up normally and disappeared into his building.

Things were looking up indeed.

~Seven~

 

*2 weeks until auditions! Be ready!*

 

Chachamaru stepped back to examine the counter board he’d placed outside of his classroom, nodding delightedly at it. One week down, no one dead yet, a new week beginning. Things seemed to be going well. He could only hope they’d stay that way.

He went back into to the room and set about writing the notes for the next class on the board. Students were beginning to file into the hallways, their voices raised as they greeted friends and classmates in passing. As always, he had an ear on the open door, waiting to catch any disturbances. One or two of his first class students filed in, bowing politely to him on their way to their seats. He smiled and nodded at each of them, trying to keep his concentration on his notes.

The bell rang and the last minute stragglers darted into the room, giggles erupting from some of the girls as Miyavi all but fell over himself to get through the door before Chachamaru closed it.

“Thank you for joining us,” Chachamaru joked, catching Miyavi by the arm and righting him. “Settle down, ladies. Miyavi, please take your seat.”

Blushing profusely and muttering apologies, Miyavi darted to the back of the classroom and slipped into his seat, straightening his tie.

“Thank you.” Chachamaru went to the front of the room and looked around. “I’m glad that everyone chose to attend class today. First period seems to be hard for my Juniors.” He smiled as a few people laughed at his teasing. “Today we begin Chapter Ten, but before we do, I want to get some business out of the way.”

A handful of the students fidgeted, expectant as Chachamaru settled himself on the corner of his desk.

“Don’t worry; this little speech will be given to all of my Junior and Senior classes. You’re not being singled out. Most of the members of this class have signed up for the competition auditions. That in itself is a wonderful thing. But, and I say this with the utmost respect for your emotions and feelings, if you are not serious about this, if you are not certain that you will be able to perform against many of the music students here, I implore you to reconsider your position in the competition. I really would hate to see someone’s feelings hurt because someone else may or may not perform to a higher standard. Granted, any and all who have signed up will be given their due chance at auditions, but not everyone will be able to advance to the Festival stage. Alright? Any questions? Kimiko?”

“Mr. Fujimara,” the girl lowered her hand slowly, looking nervous, “if we entered into the contest, but we’ve realized that we might have stage fright worse than we thought, how long do we have to drop out?”

Chachamaru smiled encouragingly at her.

“Good question. If anyone has decided that they wish to leave the competition, you may do so any time between now and two days before the auditions. After that, you are locked in and really have no choice.”

Kimiko nodded and sat back, chewing her lip.

“Any other questions? Shuuya?”

“What if one of the people in the group we signed up with decides to quit? Can we replace them?”

Chachamaru nodded.

“The same holds for adding or replacing members of groups, although the limit still stands. No more than five, no less than two for a group to be called a group. Just see me as soon as possible to get the names changed on the roster, and make sure that any new member you bring in is up to par on the music that you’ll be performing. Hana?”

“If spots open up, will we be able to sign up late? I missed the deadline the first time.”

“That’s a grey area,” Chachamaru admitted. “It depends on how many spots open up and how quickly they become available. So I can’t give you a definite yes or no on that, I’m sorry.”

“That’s okay. Thank you.”

“Anyone else have any questions?” No one moved. “Alright. Then let’s get started on Chapter Ten, shall we?”

 

~

 

By lunchtime, Chachamaru had given the same speech and answered most of the same questions six times, and seven groups had removed themselves from the roster. He didn’t have lunch duty, so he sat in his classroom, his throbbing head tucked between his folded arms.

“Cha?”

He looked up wearily and met the gaze of one of his colleagues. The other man smiled elegantly and held out a hand. Glancing down, Chachamaru saw two pills lying in his palm.

“Tylenol ©,” the other said. “You look like you could use them.”

“Thank you, Mana,” Chachamaru said, gratefully taking the two pills from the outstretched hand. “What brings you to my side of the world?”

Mana slid into the chair beside Chachamaru’s desk, leaning one elbow on it, and stared at Chachamaru.

“I hear the groups are dropping like flies.”

“Oh? Who told you that?” Chachamaru took the Tylenol © with his bottle of water.

“All the students are talking about it. It’s not like it’s a big secret.”

Chachamaru chuckled, spinning the cap back on the bottle and rubbing his temples.

“No, it’s not a big secret. Seven groups have dropped out, two have replaced members, and three are adding on new ones. I’ve got a handful of students who missed the first deadline breathing down my neck for spots, though I don’t know if I should refill the roster. As it is, auditions will take an entire Saturday.”

Mana nodded.

“You’ve got yourself stretched thin, Cha,” he said. “It’s no wonder you look like you haven’t slept. You really should take it easy. Your students would never forgive you if you got yourself sick. Me, on the other hand, they’d cheer me on if I came down with something.”

Chachamaru laughed, looking sideways at Mana.

“That’s a lie and you know it. Your students love you, Mana.”

“I’m the theater teacher. I’m pompous, arrogant, strong-willed, bull-headed, and those are just my positive aspects.”

“No one cracks a whip like Mana, eh?”

“Got that right.” Mana patted Chachamaru on the arm and stood up. “Well, I must venture back to my end of Creation. Take it easy, will you? We’re all cheering you on.”

Mana turned to go, leaving Chachamaru with a pleasant blush of gratitude on his face.

“Mana?”

The other man turned.

“Hmm?”

“I’ve been trying to decide which teachers to ask to be judges. You’ve got a real eye for talent. Care to help an old friend out?”

Mana smiled.

“Anything for an old friend.”

“Thanks. I mean it. It’ll be like old times, won’t it?”

“I do miss the music these days.”

“So do I. We should get together sometime. Rehash the old days. How about it?”

With a curt nod and a slow, curling smile, Mana left the room.

 

~

 

Uruha stood in the corner of the courtyard, his tie tucked into his jacket pocket and his arms folded across his chest. Ruki was off to one side, trying to draw conversation out of two girls, and Reita was behind him, talking to his father on his cell phone. Since phone use was prohibited during school hours, Uruha was acting as human shield against the gaze of the teachers.

“I know, Dad. Yes, sir. No, I don’t mind. Ruki’s got a job, he can handle the rent. We’ve already discussed it. It will be one less thing for you to deal with. I know that. No, they still won’t be allowed in. Alright. Just call me back. Thank you. Bye.”

Uruha turned when Reita gave a low growl of anger and slammed his phone shut.

“I take it the conversation didn’t go well?”

“No. Dad’s being… Dad. He has to ‘think about it’ for a while.”

“And?”

“I think he’s still trying to make up for what my stepfather did,” Reita said, coming out of the corner and leaning next to Uruha on the wall. “Like, he has to do everything for me now to make up for not listening to me when I told him what was going on. I appreciate that he got me the apartment and everything, but I pay nearly all the rent and the utilities that are due on it. He pays a quarter of the rent and the cleaning service.”

Uruha watched Reita from the corner of his eye, noting the deep red that had crawled into his cheeks as his frustration grew. He also saw the glance the Ruki threw their way, his eyes lingering on Reita before turning back the girls who were pointedly ignoring him.

“Damn it,” Reita grumbled, straightening his tie as the bell that signaled the end of lunch sounded. “I hate this.”

Uruha followed as Reita stormed over to Ruki, pulling his tie back on. Ruki stood, and punched Reita in the arm lightly.

“Are we flat mates yet?”

“To hell with what my father thinks,” Reita all but snarled. “You can move in tonight, for all I care.”

“That’s the spirit!” Uruha threw an arm around Reita while Ruki laughed. “Nothing like a little teenage rebellion to brighten the day.”

Reita couldn’t help but smile as he wrestled away from Uruha only to be caught by Ruki, the smaller boy effectively pulling him a few inches down to lay a large, wet kiss on Reita’s forehead.

“Ruki! What the hell?”

Uruha managed to get out of the way just in time as Reita backpedaled away from Ruki. Ruki, for his part, just smiled and wandered away, heading to his next class.

“That boy has something up his sleeve,” Uruha said to Reita as the followed. “I promise you that.”

Reita nodded, eying Ruki.

“Hey, Uruha! Got a minute?”

They turned and saw Sakura waving to them.

“Sure, hold on,” he called back.

Turning to Reita, he shrugged. Reita nodded and caught up with Ruki as the tall boy veered off to meet Sakura.

“You know I didn’t mean anything by that,” Ruki said.

“Sure.”

“Reita.”

“Yah, I know. Hurry up; we’ll be late for Fujimara’s class.”

Reita sped up and left Ruki in the hall, a little dismayed, but still proud of the reaction he’d gotten. The pieces were falling into place perfectly.

 

~

 

The first of Chachamaru’s Senior classes filed in after lunch. He was glad that Mana had brought him the headache medicine when they seemed a little more boisterous than usual.

“Alright, come on,” he called, closing the door. “Settle down. We’ve got business to discuss.”

For the seventh time that day, he made his speech. For the seventh time that day, he asked for questions. No one moved. No one raised their hand. Chachamaru was a little shocked.

“No one?”

Gackt raised his hand.

“Mr. Fujimara, you know that the Juniors are chatterboxes. There’s really nothing that the Juniors know that the Seniors haven’t heard about by lunchtime.”

The class erupted with laughter and Chachamaru smiled.

“I suppose that’s true,” he conceded. “So there’s nothing that anyone wants to ask about? Nothing at all?”

Heads shook across the classroom. Chachamaru nodded.

“Well alright then. Let’s get started with today’s lesson.”

He turned to the board, preparing to explain the notes, when an echoing crash resounded throughout the hall.

“What the hell?” a strained voice yelled, followed by another crash.

Chachamaru dropped his pen and flew into the hall as other classroom doors opened all around. Students piled into the corridor quickly.

“What is this? Move, people!” Chachamaru yelled, fighting his way to the middle of the crowd.

Uruha stood to one side of the hall, fists clenched as he glared at Sakura. The younger boy was slumped against the wall, clutching his jaw, droplets of blood slipping from a split lip. Chachamaru heard a choked cry behind him and moved aside as Yukihiro fought his way through to kneel next to his cousin.

“Uruha, what is this?” Chachamaru turned his attention to the taller boy. “What happened?”

Uruha remained silent, continuing to glare at Sakura.

“Uruha!”

Ruki and Reita slipped in and went to Uruha. Yukihiro tugged Sakura to his feet, turning to glare death and daggers at Uruha.

“What did you do?” he growled at Uruha, supporting Sakura. “Why did you hit him?”

Uruha shook his head once, hard, and remained silent.

“Sakura?” Chachamaru looked to the younger boy. “What’s this about?”

Sakura, too, remained silent.

“Alright, fine. Both of you, to the headmaster’s office. Now! The rest of you, back to your classrooms. Get a move on!”

There was a loud shuffling movement as students turned and fled back to their rooms, teachers herding them along.

“Yukihiro, see him to the office, please,” Chachamaru motioned to Sakura. “And Ruki, make sure Uruha gets there without trouble. Reita, get back to class.”

The five boys nodded and moved apart, four toward the stairs, Reita back into the classroom. Chachamaru stepped back into his room long enough to set a silent reading assignment for the class, leave Gackt to keep them in order, and then headed to the office himself.

He entered moments behind the four boys and saw Sakura dabbing his lip with a wad of tissues in one corner, Yukihiro hovering over him and casting scathing looks at Uruha and Ruki at the other end of the room. Uruha sat with his eyes on the floor, ignoring Ruki’s questions, much to the chagrin of the smaller boy.

He was waved into the headmaster’s office first.

“Chachamaru, what’s going on out there?”

“Klaha, I assure you that I have no idea whatsoever. I’m just as in the dark as you are on this one.”

“Remember what I said.”

“Of course.”

Klaha nodded and went to retrieve Uruha. The tall boy stepped into the office and sat down, staring at the hardwood desk in front of him. Chachamaru felt cold dread land like lead in his stomach.

“Uruha, what happened that made you hit your classmate?” Klaha asked.

“He… asked me a stupid question,” Uruha said softly.

“What question was that?”

“He asked… if I was… gay.”

“And that’s reason to hit him?” Chachamaru couldn’t help but cut in.

“It’s not the fact that he asked,” Uruha defended, his voice strengthening a little. “It’s the way he asked. Like he was implying something. And… I don’t know. I just… snapped. I can’t explain why. I just did.”

Klaha and Chachamaru exchanged a look. There was something more to this than Uruha was willing to tell. Instead of pressing him, Klaha sent Uruha out and brought Sakura in.

Their questioning of the younger boy got them no more answers than they had gleaned from Uruha. Clearly exasperated, Klaha set them both in front of him.

“Alright boys, here’s what I think,” Klaha began, forcing his voice to remain even. “There was some kind of misunderstanding between the two of you. It got out of hand. Neither of you has caused any trouble before, so we’ll let this go. But, if it ever happens again, the consequences will be harsh. Understood?”

Uruha and Sakura nodded.

“Good. Sakura, I’m sorry to have made you wait. Go to the infirmary about your lip. Uruha, you can go to class. Thank you, boys.”

With polite nods and bows, the two boys left the office in silence. Chachamaru sank into one of the chairs, sighing.

“I’m really sorry, Klaha,” he moaned. “I really am.”

“Why? As far as I can tell, this had nothing to do with your contest. There’s no trouble.”

Chachamaru looked up, surprise in his face.

“I know they’re both entered into the contest,” Klaha said with a smile. “If you feel they should be pulled, that’s up to you. But me, I’d let them stay in. Just the threat of losing their spots should be sufficient to scare them against any future outbursts.”

Chachamaru caught on and smiled.

“Of course, headmaster.”

“Good. Now, don’t you have a class to teach?”

Chuckling, Chachamaru left Klaha’s office and returned to his classroom, nodding when he saw Ruki and Uruha in their seats.

“Now that the party is over,” he said, getting everyone’s attention. “Let’s talk about that chapter, shall we?”