Author's notes:

Is it just me or is the plot not moving? -.- ~kicks it~ Geesus... that's what I get for writing about the un-mainstream pairings. I have to fix it up first so it works which means getting rid of the obstacles and getting them together. Which also means wracking my brain to find -good- reasons to why they do this or that. Painful. Very. Brain cramps. But after this chapter it'll start moving, promise. =3

This part was the hardest to write so far. I needed a -really- good reason to show how Mika accepted and even supported her brother and husband's relationship. Even if Tohma's interest in Yuki is painfully obvious, in both the manga and the anime, he is still married. And Mika is cool and I don't wanna hurt her so that limits my options. And I wrote this at 3 AM so it's probably painfully obvious how sleepy I am. ^.^*

And Cali is whining again. ¬_¬

Lotsa thankies and huggles to all who commented! So far I've gotten a fic request for a TatsuhaxRyuichi. Ne, more requests? Send 'em in to crimson_jaded@yahoo.com m'kay? ~glomps~ And I don't own Gravitation. ^_~

~*Duet*~
Chapter 4: ~Where gifts are given and debts are paid~
Written by: Cali-chan

"And then I saw the tiger's!! Waa~Aaah! They were so cool! I would've stayed longer but K-san told me we had to go. I love the zoo so much! If they'd let me I'd visit it every day!" Ryuichi tilted his head. "Do you like the zoo Yuki-san?"

'God... he talks almost as much as Shuichi.' Yuki merely ignored him, taking a sip from his can of soda. What he needed now was a beer. A pack if it could be helped. He needed to get drunk. That way he wouldn't realize how much he messed up his life if only for a few moments.

"Maybe I'll ask Shu-chan to come with me tomorrow! He'd like that! After we find Sora of course!"

"Sora?"

"Un!" Ryuichi nodded. "Sora's like his Kumagurou! A soul friend! We're gonna look for her tomorrow at Shu-chan's house! I'm so excited!" Ryuichi smiled and chewed on one of Kumagurou's ears, pink staining his cheeks as he flushed happily.

"I see." Yuki suppressed the pang of jealousy that rose. 'What with this retarded guy anyway? Shuichi had just came running for comfort to him two days ago and now he acted like they were a couple or something...' He glared at the Pepsi can in his hand, denting it slightly as he tightened his grip.

A sudden giggle caused Yuki to look up, only to see Ryuichi trying to muffle his laughter behind a dancing Kumagurou. The ends of Yuki's lips turned down in annoyance. "What the hell are you laughing at?"

"Yuki-san is jealouu~uuuus!" Ryuichi announced. He set Kumagurou on his lap and rested his chin on his hands. "You're mad cuz Shuichi is mine now and not yours!"

Yuki slammed his can down on the table, eyes flashing in anger. "What makes you think he's yours anyway?" He bit out his words. "And who says he's not mine? It's to early to judge that."

"Ara?" Ryuichi blinked up at him innocently. "So you didn't mean to play in the bed with Tohma-kun and hurt Shu-chan's feelings?"

Yuki had the grace to blush. "That was a mistake! I was depressed and not thinking right. And it's none of your god damn business anyway!"

Ryuichi cowered beneath Yuki's furious gaze. "Don't say bad words in my house or Kumagurou will bite you!"

"Tch." Yuki reached into his pocket and fished out a cigarette, lighting it quickly. After a few puff's he managed to calm himself down, his furrowed brow smoothing.

"So... since you say it was a mistake, does that mean you care nothing for Tohma-kun?"

Yuki glanced up, taken slightly aback by the sudden seriousness of his companion. He had heard of Ryuichi's irregular personality changes from Tohma, but this was the first time he had seen it for himself. He was so caught up in the new Ryuichi seated right in front of him that he didn't bother to answer the question until the green haired man repeated it.

"Am I right, Yuki-san? That Tohma means nothing to you?"

"Of course not!" Yuki surprised himself at how much he meant his answer.

"So," Ryuichi's gaze was unwavering, piercing Yuki into his seat. "Why was having sex with him a mistake?"

"I love Shuichi." Yuki pointed out.

Ryuichi leaned forward. "But you love Tohma-kun too."

"I..." Yuki wanted to look away from those sharp green eyes, but somehow he couldn't. They bore into him, looking deep into his soul and discovering his secrets. Yuki scowled. He hated it, hated his feelings being thrown into his face. What did this singer who acted like a child half of the time know about him anyway?! "That's none of your business."

"I was just wondering, why were you still with Tohma-kun this afternoon?" Ryuichi asked. "Why did you go to a party together? Shouldn't you be angry at him because he took advantage of you and caused you to hurt Shu-chan, who you said you loved?"

"..."

Ryuichi frowned, but his eyes glittered in amusement. "So, you want -both- of them? How greedy of you Yuki-san." His smile was mocking. "You know you can only have one of them. And I think Tohma-kun is the only one willing now, love or no love."

"Shut the fuck up!" Yuki cursed. Suddenly a Kumagurou came flying and slammed into the writer's face, sending him and his chair falling backwards to the floor.

"Kumagurou! Stop that!" Ryuichi ran and snatched the pink bunny off the stunned Yuki, holding it tightly to his chest with both arms. "Treat our guests -nice-! You're supposed to give them three strikes before you knock them out! He only had two!" His eyes were once more wide and childish as he knelt and poked Yuki's prone form. "Dai-*poke*-jou-*poke*-bu?*poke*"

Yuki could only gaze at the older man with fear. 'This guy's fucking -crazy-!'

"Ryuichi-kun?" Tohma's voice came floating in from the balcony, sounding very tired. "I need a little help here."

Ryuichi immediately bounded out of sight with Kumagurou in hand. Yuki started to stand as well, wincing as a sharp pain rose in his back. The older man's words still mocked him.

//You know you can only have one of them. And I think Tohma-kun is the only one willing now, love or no love//

"Kuso!" Yuki's hands went to his forehead, a migraine steadily rising. 'How can I love -two- people?!' Yuki decided love was too much trouble. It never went the way he wanted it too.

Ryuichi suddenly came into sight, a sleeping Shuichi in his arms. His childish eyes glittered brightly as he cradled his friend close. "Shu-chan wa kawaii!!!" Yuki's eyebrow twitched.

Then Tohma came into view. He looked worse for wear, tired both physically and mentally. Yuki found himself walking up to him and resting a comforting hand on the shorter blond's shoulder. "You look like shit."

"I know." Tohma touched his hand and smiled. His blue eyes followed Ryuichi and Shuichi as they disappeared into Ryuichi's bedroom. "Shuichi-kun..." Yuki gave a start at the affection his old friend laced into that name. What the hell happened out there?

"So Shuichi is Shuichi-kun now? What ever happened to Shindou-san?" Yuki couldn't hide the curiosity in his voice.

Tohma chuckled, glancing at Yuki from the corner of his eye. "I knew there had to be more to him than met the eye since he managed to have you fall in love with him." Blue eyes moved once more to the room where the other two had disappeared into. "He's an amazing young man Eiri."

Yuki frowned. "What happened out there."

"We talked. I'm afraid he won't be coming back to you Eiri." Yuki felt his heart clench painfully, rejection hitting him like a slap to the face. Tohma noted it and reached out to take the taller man's hand. "It hurt him to give you up but he though it best. Afterwards he cried himself to sleep, quite efficiently ruining my expensive suit in the process."

"He... doesn't want me anymore?"

Tohma's grip on his hand tightened. "He loves you Eiri, too much in fact. But we both agreed that your relationship was not good for the both of you. He's willing to take the pain of separating from you for both your sake's. Are you willing to do the same?"

Yuki's jaw clenched. "Do I have a choice in this at all? Your both deciding everything for me."

"Hey hey!" Ryuichi's head suddenly popped out from the doorway. "Shu-chan's already tucked in bed! Do you two still wanna do anything?"

"Iya." Tohma shook his head. "I'm afraid we have to be on our way as well."

"Okay!!"

"Wait." Yuki strode into the bedroom. "I have to say goodbye to the idiot."

"Hai hai!" Ryuichi nodded cheerfully, snatching up Tohma's arm and dragging him away. "Me and Tohma will wait in the kitchen and eat chocolate!" They disappeared, giving the two former lovers privacy.

Yuki walked up to the bed and sat on the edge, giving a start as he sank into the extremely soft mattress. It was large, big enough for five people, and the sheets were silk and expensive. He wasn't surprised. Ryuichi had so much money he could probably open up a Swiss Bank account. Then the blond man's attention was diverted to the sleeping Shuichi in the middle of the vast bed.

'The idiot...' Yuki allowed himself a small smile as he moved closer. The boy's eyes were red and puffy from crying, full lips set into an unconscious pout. The image was so painfully familiar. How many times had he seen Shuichi cry himself to sleep, him being the cause. 'Maybe Tohma was right... this separation is for the better. I always end up hurting him, sensitive brat that he is. But I wish those two had given me more of a say in this than just handing me over from one to the other.'

He stroked the wine colored bangs away from the youth's eyes. 'Shuichi... did you ever realize how much I love you? If I let you know would you come back to me?' Yuki frowned. 'It's better if you never know. A guy like you can definitely find someone better than me. Then you'll be able to concentrate more on your other love, your music.' He shook his head. 'And K would finally be off my back, accusing me of your so called -slumps-.'

'But you will always be special to me. My first and true love.' Yuki smirked bitterly. 'It seems I'm a helpless romantic after all. I knew your idiocy was contagious.'

'Sayonara.' He leaned down and brushed his lips lightly over Shuichi's own. 'And I love you, you idiot.'

Yuki slipped of the bed and walked to the door. But before he stepped out of the room he spared on last glance at the sleeping figure, drinking up the image and keeping it treasured. Shuichi would always be a special person to him. There would be more memories to be made, with Shuichi as a friend. Shuichi his lover would be a thing of the past.

But he would always remember, when that bright smile meant something more than friendship. When he held the small thin body close. When Shuichi was his and no one else's. And perhaps, when the pain of separation dulled, he would be able to smile as he remembered it. But now, it was goodbye. And goodbye's hurt. He turned and walked away from the room.

Tohma stood waiting for him in the kitchen, a chocolate munching Ryuichi in the background.

"Iku, Tohma."

"Hai." And when Tohma reached out and took his hand, squeezing it reassuringly, Yuki noted in surprise that the pain seemed to dull. "Let's go."

~*~*

In the bedroom, Shuichi shifted in his sleep, a pained whisper coming from his lips. "Yuki...." His brow furrowed and he tossed restlessly beneath the covers. Then suddenly his face smoothened, a small sweet smile gracing his lips. "Ryu-chan..."

The Kumagurou's in the room seemed to smile.

~*~*

Suguru walked down the wide hallway, silently sifting through the paperwork he had been burdened with. Strange as it seemed, he loved being the one in charge of the technical part of the band. It challenged him mentally and prepared him for the time when he would finally take over his cousin Tohma's place in the business. Not to mention it also gave poor K one less thing to worry about. Managing Shuichi Shindou was any person's hell.

He paused when he reached the doorway to the recording room, silently wondering what sort of insanity he would have the honor of witnessing today. He had to admit, when you were a part of the band Bad Luck not a dull day went by. 'You can do this Suguru. It can't be as bad as yesterday can it?' Steadying himself he reached for the doorknob and went inside.

"MWAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA!!!!"

O_O

Suguru blinked as Shuichi's laughter blasted into him. Then surprise quickly shifted into annoyance, a vein popping out on his forehead. He stormed his way to where Shuichi was currently standing, posing triumphantly on the controls of the recording studio, and yanked him off by his collar. "What are you doing you idiot?! That's expensive equipment!!!"

Shuichi merely grinned and squirmed out of his grip, leaping up on a nearby table. Then he pointed at the sky as waves seemed to crash behind him. "I, Shuichi Shindou, will let nothing get him down today!"

Ryuichi stopped doodling on the floor with his colored markers to admire Shuichi's pose. "Shu-chan! You look so cool!" ~heart~

"Oh?" Hiro finally spoke up from where he had been seated on one of the speakers, watching his best friend with much interest. "Even if I ate all your strawberry pocky?"

Shuichi thumped his chest with his left fist. "Ha! That just bounces off! No hurt!"

"Yah! Shu-chan! That's the spirit!" Ryuichi and Kumagurou clapped.

"Oh God." Suguru's hand went to his forehead, expression pained. "Can't we have at least -one- normal practice?! Is that too much to ask?"

Hiro ignored him. He was having fun with Shuichi's current state of cheerfulness. "Even if Yuki's not with you anymore?"

Shuichi's expression faltered for a moment before he caught himself. "No! Not even that! I'm ultra-genki!!" He started to dance, arms thrown out to the air. This only excited Ryuichi, which caused the older singer to gleefully jump on the table and join in. He grabbed Shuichi's hands and twirled him around, both dissolving into giggles. Hiro chuckled, and even Suguru had to smile. They couldn't remember when they had last seen their friend so happy.

K chose that moment to walk in. ¬_¬ "May I ask what my two famous idol singer's are doing? Have they eaten too much chocolate again?"

"I-ya!" Ryuichi and Shuichi chorused.

Hiro smirked. "Their genki-fied."

"Ho? And may I ask why?"

"Because Ryu-chan wrote a song just for me! For Bad Luck! And it's really great!" Shuichi glomped his friend, causing the green haired man to laugh happily.

K's expression brightened. "That -is- good news! And we were behind schedule for new songs too!"

"Anything for Shu-chan!" Ryuichi drew Shuichi into a huggle. "Now he has more free time for me and Kumagurou!" Green eyes sparkled. "And after we get Sora later we'll go to the zoo like you promised ne? Ne?"

"Of course! Anything for my Ryu-chan!"

"Shu-chan! Your so nice!" ~heart~

"Ahahahahaha!"

K grabbed Shuichi by the ear, cutting his laughter off abruptly. "That's enough Ha Ha's Shindou-kun! Now is the time to practice Ryuichi-kun's song!"

"Ow! Hey! That's hurts!"

Ryuichi nibbled on the end of Kumagurou's ear as he watched Shuichi being dragged away. They hadn't openly voiced their agreement about starting a relationship yet, even if Ryuichi knew that his friend was willing. It was far too soon. Shuichi's breakup with Yuki was only days old and the boy was obviously still in pain, no matter how well he hid it. Ryuichi would have to wait till Shuichi made the first move to know when he was ready.

Suddenly Bad Luck started to play the song he had written, entitled 'Love Stuff'. Shuichi's voice was both beautiful and rich, sweet and pure. His lithe body swayed with the beat, soft lips parting as he transformed words into music. And as Ryuichi watched him, he realized he was content.

As long as Shuichi was near him, he was content.

~*~*~*

Mika frowned as she rapped on the door for the third time. Why wasn't anybody answering? She knew her younger brother was inside since Tohma had just come from here. She tapped her feet in annoyance.

Then a slow smile suddenly rose on her lips. Why was she bothering to even announce herself. She reached into her purse, pulled out her extra key then unlocked the door. Slipping inside she glanced around before striding purposely into the living room.

"Eiri?" Mika's blue eyes brightened as she caught sight of him sitting silently on the couch. She moved to take a seat beside him, fixing her skirt carefully as she tried to find the right words to express her thoughts.

"What do you want." He grumbled. "Doesn't anybody knock anymore."

"Well actually they do. But you never answer the door anyway."

"Tch."

"Eiri." Mika turned and caught his eye, ignoring his his sullen expression. It was time to get to the point. "I came here because I wanted to ask you to please treat Tohma right. He sincerely cares about you. He came home earlier from here, pain clear in his eyes. I don't know what you did to hurt him this time, he wouldn't tell me, but I can easily guess that you're the cause. He loves you Yuki, he told me yesterday that he had already confessed his feelings and that you had accepted it. What had gone wrong?"

Yuki's hands shook. "Y-you know about us?"

"Of course. We very rarely keep secrets from one another." She reached out for the can of beer on the table. "Can I have this?"

"You know and you even don't care?!"

Mika shook her head. "Of course not. Why should I? If he's happy then so am I."

"He's your husband and you don't care if he sleeps with your brother?!"

"So," Mika's took a sip from her can. "You love him but aren't agreeing to a relationship because of me right?"

"Naturally." Yuki looked down at his hands. "I may be an asshole but I wouldn't sink low enough to steal my sister's husband from her, love or no love. I realized what I was about to do so I broke it off this afternoon." His eyes narrowed. "So you knew and didn't even care that he was cheating on you?!"

Mika heart softened when she looked at him. Her poor brother, his head was probably aching from all these complicated love affairs. She reached out and took his hand, squeezing it as she got ready to explain. "Eiri... Me and Tohma, we got married for an entirely different reason than love."

"What?" He was clearly confused. "What the hell do you mean?"

"Back then, when I was 20, father had me engaged to his business partner Takeshi-san. We were to be married by the end of that year."

"What? Why didn't I know about this?"

Mika sighed. "You had cut yourself off from the family already by then remember? You had us promise to leave you alone."

"..."

"When I found out I was about ready to kill myself then. I know it's a common thing for an old fashioned family like ours so I shouldn't be surprised. But I hated it. The man was twice my age and didn't have a very good reputation with women. But he was rich and close to father, so it was decided. I had no choice at all."

Yuki felt a sudden flash of anger towards his father. The old man always managed to push his children away with the decisions he made for them. The worse part was that he didn't really mean it and thought he was doing them good, which meant you weren't even granted the freedom to entirely hate him.

Mika continued. "Then, I decided to kill myself."

"Nee-san?" Yuki's head jerked up in surprise. Mika, his indestructible sister whom he had always secretly admired for her strength, kill herself?

"Nobody was supposed to know." Mika's hands clutched at her knee's, her head bowed. "I bought a strong poison and went to the garden, the one beside the pond. It was my favorite place ever since I was a child so I thought it would be morbidly fitting if I died here. But just as I was about to drink it Tohma appeared." Her face suddenly lit as she smiled. "I should have known he would be there. He knew me as well as I knew myself, we had been best friends since we were children after all. He was furious at me and smashed the bottle but he couldn't help but understand why I was doing it. He made me promise to wait, that he would find a solution."

"Then the next day father called me in and said that the engagement with Takeshi was off. Another richer and more powerful suitor had offered for my hand."

Suddenly Yuki understood and everything became startlingly clear. "Tohma."

"Yes. He had offered to marry me in Takeshi's stead, even though he loved you from the first time the both of you met. He sacrificed his heart just to save me from myself."

"Mika.."

"I was too selfish to refuse his offer, even though I knew he really loved you not me. I was so caught up in my relief that I wouldn't be bonded for life with someone I didn't even know. That I wouldn't be forced to degrade myself because of Takeshi's Japanese views of women's inferiority. Tohma was my best friend whom I loved like a brother, I knew he would take care of me. So I accepted, and then we were married."

Yuki remained silent. His sister took another sip from her can of beer before continuing. "So you see, we're bonded by religion and a priest's words, not by love. Our marriage was really just a farce. We may live together, but we're just friends Eiri, not lovers." Her fingers pinched the bridge of her nose as she fought the urge to cry. "He sacrificed so much for me. I was too blind then to notice how much. He wasn't free to love because of the bond of marriage I had unwittingly trapped him with. To ensure my happiness he had given up his. He knew what you would think if he confessed his feelings so he kept it a secret. I wanted to tell you myself but he forbade me. So we both kept silent, and I was the only witness to his pain."

"But now he finally had the courage to go forward and reveal his love. He saw the pain you were going through with Shuichi and it was more than he could stand. He finally revealed himself, after years of hiding it, and you pushed him away. He was in such pain when he came home earlier Eiri, that it brought tears to my eyes. I can't live a lie anymore, I'm tired of him hurting for our friendship. So I decided to come here and tell you everything."

Yuki scowled. "I thought I was doing the right thing when I broke this up before we got any further. He was your husband for Christ’s sake! Why didn't he explain all this?"

Mika expression was almost identical to her brother's. "The idiot thinks if he let's out this secret to anyone it'll damage my good name."

"As if you had one to begin with."

"Shut up. I'm not going to take any lip from you -little- brother." Mika reached out and tenderly brushed a few strands of wayward blond hair from his face. "He's going to be furious when he finds out I told you all this, but it will be worth it. I owe him a debt I can never fully repay."

"Nee-san..."

"I'll pray for your happiness. Call him now and tell him to come over all right? I can't bear seeing him heartbroken a minute longer."

Green eyes flashed as he tried to feign annoyance. “Why is it everyone's butting into my love life?!"

"Because you always make a bad mess of it." Mika explained as she picked up her purse from the table. "I have to go. Promise me you'll call him."

Yuki merely nodded as he saw her out. "Later."

"Thank you..."

"Whatever."

With a little wave she was on her way, walking briskly down to the elevator. She managed to remain calm until the doors slid shut, giving her privacy. Then Mika leaned back on the wall and lowered her head, her hair spilling over her shoulder. 'Please, let this work out. He's given me so much and he never once asked for something in return. I need this to work.'

'Please... let Tohma finally have the chance to find love.'

~*~*~*

Author's notes:

Gah! Did I get Mika's character right? ^.^* I honestly don't know much about her except that she's a crazy driver and is beautiful inside and out. ^-^ That's my opinion. ^_~ And yes she does end up with someone too. And double yes it's a weird pairing. I love making my brain hurt. XO Cali the masochist. ^O^ ~LOL~ And I know her part of the story sucked so bad. I couldn’t seem to make it really go the way I wanted it so it came out wierd. ¬_¬ Cali is sorry... ^.^*

I should call this the Gravitation Soap Opera fic with all the heavy drama happening. ^_^ Next chapter the plot finally gets moving! And we go to the zoo! ~claps~ Wai!!

Ryu and Shu: Wai!

That's enough YukixTohma for awhile. This -is- a RyuxShu pairing fic so I'll concentrate on them in the next chapters. And I'll try to bring in more character's like Noriko and Tatsuha soon. And I'm afraid there are a couple of original character's coming up too. I -have- to bring up Ryuichi's past after all. =3 The horror. ^_~

That's all for now! Next chapter will come out when I write it. @_@ And check out my peeji at http://www.oocities.org/gottabegenki m'kay? Jaa!

~huggles~
Cali-chan