Author's notes:

Wai! I finally got Gravitation episodes 1-8! And Fruits Basket 1 & 2! And Pretear 1 & 2! ~squeals~ I'm so happy I could cry! ;_; cries anyway~ I was so inspired I managed to get off my butt and write the next chapter. And I was in a slump too. Cali had been depressed lately... ~sighs~

Well, hope ya'll like this one! This is the calm before the storm, meaning the fluff before the angst in fic terms. ^_^ Not like the four chapters before it I'm going easy on the characters and giving them a good time. They'll need it, the next chapters will be hell. Oh yeah, they're chibi a lot here too. ^-~

Many thanx, huggles and glomps to Kari-chan and Ran-chan who have both been reviewing almost every chapter. You make me feel special. *_* ~sparkle sparkle~ I luv you!! ~glomp snuggle~ This is also dedicated to the memory of Mikage-chan, my best yaoi bud who I love to death. She's not dead but she's practically an ocean away so it feels like it. ;_;

Saa... ~sniggers~ I'm having so much fun with this fic now! ~beams~ And the Harry Potter movie is out!!! ^O^-Wai! I'm gonna watch it later after I finish this! I love Harry Potter. *_* Now on to the fic so I can go watch it already! Btw, translations of Japanese terms I used are at the bottom.

Oh yeah, I don't own gravitation. Damn. ;p


~*Duet*~
Chapter 5: ~Iku ze! Zoo da yo!~
Written by: Cali-chan

"The zoo! We're in the zoo!" Ryuichi clapped.

Shuichi glanced around, taking in his surroundings. "I haven't been here in so long! The last time was two years ago with Hiro."

Ryuichi's smiled happily, eyes soft. "I'm glad you came with me. It's no fun coming here by yourself." Shuichi felt himself warm beneath his friends expression. Suddenly Ryuichi's eye was caught by a flurry of color. "Shu-chan! Look! That man is making balloon animals!"

"Sugee! Let's see if he can make a Kumagurou, Ryu-chan!"

"Ya! Great idea!"

They ran over to the Balloon man, both turned chibi with large eyes glittering in excitement.

"Make me a Kumagurou!" Ryuichi demanded. The man blinked.

"A what?"

Shuichi pointed to the stuffed bunny. "That's Kumagurou."

"Uhhh... alright." He reached for a yellow balloon. But was thrown back suddenly by Ryuichi's loud shout.

"Kumagurou is pink! Not yellow! Why are you making him yellow? He's pink!"

"A-ah... sorry." He grumbled slightly to himself as he proceeded to make a pink rabbit. When he finished he thrust it into the green haired singer's arms. "Here! Now are you happy?"

Shuichi sniffed. "Someone got up on the wrong side of the bed today."

"Waiii~iiII!! The tigers are this way!"

"Ara?" Shuichi blinked as Ryuichi half-dragged half-carried him towards one of the more larger cages. They both leaned over the bars, eyes glittering as the orange striped felines came into view.

"Aren't they cool! I love tigers!" Ryuichi gushed, his lithe body as far over the bars as he could move it. He held Kumagurou over his head so the pink bunny could see as well. "So does Kumagurou! But as long as their far away of course. They might eat him."

They watched the large cats avidly for a few minutes before Ryuichi's stomach let out a low grumble. The green haired man blushed, hiding his face behind Kumagurou.

'Kawaii~ii!' Shuichi couldn't help himself and reached out to huggle him. When Ryuichi snuggled closer he asked. "Na, you hungry Ryu-chan?"

"Un!" A small nod, wide glittering green eyes gazing up at his friend. "I want ice cream or cake or cotton candy or PIZZA!!!" The last word was screamed out loud as Ryuichi spotted a Pizza stand nearby. Shuichi was once again dragged quickly towards it by his chibi-fied friend.

"May I help you?" The man behind the counter asked as they came to a pit stop right in front of his cart. He blinked as a drooling chibi Ryuichi leaped up to the to the glass case containing the food, and by some miraculous defiance of gravity, sticking there.

"Shu-chan! I want the cheesy one! Kumagurou likes the one with pineapples!" Ryuichi suddenly launched himself off from the glass to Shuichi's chest, hanging on to him like a little spider. "And I want the pink juice! It's the same color as Kumagurou's fur! You're treating me out ne?" Green eyes were impossibly big on his little chibi face.

"Mochiron!" Shuichi grinned, patting the older singers small green head. Then sweat dropping he turned to the man selling pizza. He had already forgotten Ryuichi's order. "Na, did you catch what he said?"

"With his loud voice it would have been impossible not to." The man muttered dryly, preparing the order. "And what would you like to have?"

"One of the pepperoni pizza's please! And a can of Pepsi. And that box of strawberry Pocky too!" When they were handed their order they went over to sit on one of the more hidden benches, closed off from the rest of the zoo by high bushes and tree's. Happily they dug into their food, content to stop all conversation for the moment.

Shuichi watched Ryuichi from the corner of his eye as he ate. The older man's eye were shut as he relished every bite of his pizza, lips stained red with tomato sauce. Shuichi had the sudden urge to lick it clean. Ryuichi's green eyes opened suddenly and caught him watching, a wide grin playing on his lips. "What are you looking at Shu-chan?"

"A-ara? Nothing! You just have some sauce on your mouth!" Shuichi blushed bright red and stuffed an entire slice into his mouth. He was such a hentai, thinking such thoughts in a public place. His cheeks bulged as he chewed the pizza. When he reached out to grab his can of soda his wrist was quickly snatched by Ryuichi's hand.

"Naa, Shu-chan..." Blue eyes met green. "I have sauce all over my face and I don't have a tissue! Kari-san said if I dirty this expensive shirt she'll have my hide so I can't wipe my mouth on it!"

"Kari-san? Who's she?" Shuichi managed in between chews.

"My housekeeper. But she only comes on weekends though." Ryuichi scooted closer until his face was right next to Shuichi's. "So can you help me?" Blue eyes widened as the strange change in Ryuichi began again, eyes losing their innocence. The older man's face moved closer. "Can you please lick it off Shu-chan?"

Shuichi promptly choked. By sheer will he managed to swallow the food and blink the tears away from his eyes. He jumped when he found that Ryuichi's face was now mere inches from his, breath dancing over his lips. "Ryu-chan! A-ano... demo... ara..."

"That's alright." Ryuichi pulled away and stood, disappointment clear on his face. "I'll just go get tissue."

"Ma-matte!" Shuichi reached out and grabbed a hold of his sleeve. "The people will laugh if they see you like that." Ryuichi merely glanced down and waited for him to continue. "C-come here..."

Ryuichi complied, sitting back down next to him. Shuichi turned beet red, his nose threatening to bleed as he argued with himself. 'You can do this! You've already kissed him before!' Gulping nervously he leaned forward, one hand moving to Ryuichi's cheek to keep him still. Then his pink tongue darted out and he lapped at his friend's warm skin eagerly like a kitten.

A sigh was torn from the Ryuichi's lips as the warm wet flesh darted dangerously close to his mouth. His cheeks heated up, his head tilting into the youth's hand which was so softly holding his cheek. When Ryuichi opened his mouth to let out another sigh Shuichi's lips suddenly covered his, tongue slipping in to taste. The kiss was heated and deep, their arms encircling around each other in order to leave as little space between them as possible.

When Ryuichi's hand slipped into his shirt Shuichi's pulled away and ended the kiss, lips slightly bruised. "Ryu-chan!"

Ryuichi's other arm, which was wrapped around the youth's waist, kept Shuichi from moving away. His finger found the small nub of the teen's left nipple and he pinched it teasingly, leaning in to nibble the youth's ear. His breath danced over the wet flesh as he whispered softly, causing Shuichi to shiver. "Shu-chan..." He pulled away slightly to drink in the image of Shuichi's flushed face before reaching out and tugging the teen into a tight hug. His love for the boy was suddenly so overwhelming that he had to put it in words. "Suki da... honto ni suki da."

Shuichi's heart stopped. Ryuichi... loved him? Ryuichi who was perfect. Who was famous, rich, gorgeous, and had a voice so much more beautiful than his, loved him? This was the man he had always admired and adored from afar in the past, the man who had given him a dream which he had miraculously reached. Shuichi couldn't believe it. This had to be a dream! He reached out and pinched his own cheeks, wincing slightly as he felt the sharp pain. It wasn't a dream then. So that meant it was an hallucination! He, Shuichi Shindou, had finally gone crazy.

Ryuichi watched Shuichi's face with interest. It kept changing from awed to frightened, then suddenly to disbelief. Perhaps he had moved too soon. "Naa, Shu-chan. It's okay! You don't have to answer me now. Just think about what I said okay?" He withdrew his arms from Shuichi and stood, holding out his hand. "Let's go! Let's look at the Panda's next!"

Shuichi reached out and took it, eyes hooded beneath pink bangs. "I'm sorry... I just don't know what to say." He allowed Ryuichi to pull him up. "It's just that... other than my mother, nobody has said 'I love you' to me before. I'm not sure what to say..." Blue eyes misted with tears. "Your not joking are you? I almost can't believe it. Ryuichi Sakuma just said I love you to me. This has to be a hallucination. Hiro always said I was crazy. Now I know it's true!"

Ryuichi smacked him lightly on the head before drawing him into a hug. "You're an idiot."

"I know." Shuichi sniffled.

"Haven't you watched enough television to know what to say in a love confession?"

"It's much different when it's happening to you! It's much scarier!"

Shuichi could feel the older man's chest shake as Ryuichi chuckled softly. "I guess your right." He started to stroke the teen's head, merely content to hold him.

Shuichi melted in the older man's arms. It was true. He wasn't sure what to say in a love confession. He had never been on the receiving end of one after all. He had always been the one chasing and begging for whatever Yuki would give him. Now here was Ryuichi, someone he felt deeply for, offering his love like he had done for Yuki in the past.

It was almost too good to be true. Here was someone who wouldn't hold back, who would give his love freely and openly. If he returned Ryuichi's love then he would have a friend and lover in one, someone who he could confide in without being ashamed. And yet, Shuichi was slightly hesitant to give in. He didn't want to be hurt again like he had been with Yuki. The pain from his former lovers betrayal was still fresh, a wound not yet healed over. Shuichi wanted to love Ryuichi... but he was unbelievably frightened.

Ryuichi, sensing his friends hesitation, kissed the teen's forehead and murmured, "You're scared, aren't you Shu-chan?" Shuichi nodded, once more a bit shocked that Ryuichi seemed to know him so well. Ryuichi continued. "I know how you feel... exactly how you feel."

Shuichi looked up in surprise as he caught the faint sorrow in his friends voice. "Ryu-chan..?"

"I was hurt too. By someone whom I trusted with my own life." He nuzzled the youths baby soft hair, hands pulling Shuichi closer. "That's why I could never hurt you. I could never put someone through what I myself had been forced to feel. It hurt so much, Shu-chan, when he did it. It hurt so much that I was forced to change or go crazy. Maybe I have gone crazy. Sometimes I feel like a child, other times like an adult. I don't know who I really am any more."

Shuichi felt his heart clench as tears escaped from Ryuichi's eyes. He tiptoed and kissed them before they slipped off the man's chin. Then he reached out and returned the hug, kissing the older singer's neck. Ryuichi would never hurt him. Shuichi wanted so badly to love someone and be loved in return. It wasn't nice being alone. "I love you too Ryu-chan."

Ryuichi look so surprised, like he never expected to be given a positive answer. "Shuichi..."

"Iya!" Shuichi summoned up a grin, tapping Ryuichi's nose. "I'm not Shuichi! I'm Shu-chan remember?" He grin grew wicked. "Or you could call me koi if you want."

Green eyes grew impossibly large and sparkled. "Honto?"

"Honto!"

"Honto ni honto ni?"

"Un!" Shuichi's blood circulation stopped as Ryuichi squeezed him tightly. "Geh. Ryu-chan! I can't breath!"

Ryuichi let go and started to swing the chibi-fied Shuichi around. "I'm so happy! Isn't this great Kumagurou?" He grinned at the pink rabbit that sat on the bench, a silent observer to all that had happened. "Shu-chan said he'd be my lover!" He held the tiny Shuichi in front of his face and announced, "I'll take such good care of you! I'll give you strawberry Pocky everyday! I'll buy you anything you want! I love my Shu-chan!"

Shuichi laughed as Ryuichi set him back down on the ground, only to rain his face with kisses. He was starting to get used to his lover's personality swings. When he finally managed to calm Ryuichi down, Shuichi reached out and covered one of the older man's hands with his own. "What do we do now?"

"Let's get Sora! Then we can go home and play!"

"Ara? Play what?"

"Bed games!"

Shuichi fell, a large sweat drop sliding down his head. "Na-nani?!"

"No worries!" Ryuichi winked. "I'll make sure you have fun!" He clapped, excitement clear on his face. "I always wanted to play bed games with Shu-chan!"

Shuichi laughed. "Ryu-chan no hentai! Do you even know what your talking about?" He had never before liked anything that had to do with sex, and yet to his surprise his was faintly excited at his lover's proposal. There was something about Ryuichi. He could make anything seem fun for him.

Suddenly the bushes nearby rustled and a purple head popped out. "Mataku. If I could only draw I'd be writing a yaoi manga about you two."

Shuichi turned beet red and fought the sudden urge to faint. "Noriko-san!"

"Noriko!" Ryuichi glomped her. "What are you doing here?"

"My daughter wanted to go to the zoo so I brought here. Then I saw you two so decided to followed. I was just curious to see what you were both doing!"

Shuichi's voice shook. "You were eavesdropping?"

Noriko nodded, a sweet smile on her lips. "Yup!"

"... how much did you hear?"

"Everything! Uwaaa~Aaa. It was a yaoi dream come true! You will let me watch you two, won't you Ryu-chan?"

The green haired man blinked. "Watch what?"

"You know, bed games?" She winked.

"Sure!"

Shuichi promptly fainted.

"Shu-chan!" Ryuichi caught him before his body hit the ground. "Nooo~ooo! Shu-chan's dead!" Tears started to waterfall from his eyes.

"Baka!" Noriko smacked his head. "He just fainted!"

"Shu-chaa~Aaan! Talk to me!" He shook the pink haired singer's body. "Shu-chaa~aaaan!"

Noriko slapped her forehead. "I give up! You two idiots do deserve one another." She moved to walk away. "Stay here. I'll call my bodyguards to carry your boy home since you apparently didn't bring your own."

Ryuichi nodded, eyes glittery with tears as he watched her disappear. Suddenly Shuichi twitched and woke up, eyes glazed.

"Where am I?"

"At the zoo! You fainted!" He hugged the pink haired teen so tightly his head swelled.

"Is Noriko-san gone?"

"Yeah! We're going to your house now ne?"

"Ha-hai."

"Let's go!" Ryuichi grabbed Shuichi's hand and dragged him off, nearly running into Noriko. She had been her way back her daughter and three bodyguards in tow.

"Where are you two going?!" She demanded, arms crossed.

"Jaa ne Noriko! We have to go!"

"But Shindou is-"

"I'm feeling okay! See ya!"

They both disappeared in a cloud of dust. Noriko's daughter sidled up to her, eyes wide. "Who were they mommy?"

"A pair of idiots." She muttered irritably. "You want to see their family?" Her daughter nodded. "Then let's go to the monkey cages. They have a lot of Shindou's and Ryu-chan's there."

The little girl burst into giggles. "Mommy!"

Noriko smiled down at her before taking her hand. "Let's go dear."

"Haa~Aaaii!"

~*~*

"Achoo!"

"Bless you!" Ryuichi called from his side of the attic.

"Mataku. Mom never cleans this place up!" Shuichi complained. He and Ryuichi were currently digging through the dust filled room for his stuffed cat.

A sudden burst of giggles caught the teen's attention. Ryuichi was hunched over in the corner, shoulders shaking as he laughed. Shuichi moved next to him and peered over his shoulder. "What's so funny?"

"Shu-chan's baby pictures!" Green eyes glittered. "You were so cute! Look at you on Halloween! What a cute vampire costume!"

Shuichi smiled, resting his chin on Ryuichi's shoulder as he knelt next to him. "You can have that album if you want. Mom won't miss it."

"Honto?" Ryuichi clutched it to his chest, eyes wide.

"Un!" Shuichi stood and dusted the dirt off his pants. "Let's continue looking."

Shuichi had begun to look inside a large box when he felt his lovers arms wrap around his waist, warm breath tickling his neck as he asked. "Naa, Shu-chan. You have a lot of good memories ne?"

"Yeah." He leaned back into the embrace. "I guess so."

Ryuichi nuzzled his ear. "I want to make good memories with Shu-chan too."

Blue eyes softened as he turned his body around, still remaining in Ryuichi's hold, so that they were facing each other. "You already gave me so much good memories, even before I met you."

"I guess so. I never knew you had so much pictures of me in your room!" Ryuichi pouted. "But none of Kumagurou. Kumagurou is mad."

"Gomen! It's just that none of your pictures that came out then had him in it!" Shuichi patted Kumagurou's head. "I promise to take as many pictures of you soon m'kay?"

"Kumagurou says he forgives you!" Ryuichi made the stuffed animal hug Shuichi's neck.

A sudden flash of blue caught Shuichi's eye. "Hey! What's that?" He jumped up pulled out a small stuffed cat from beneath a pile of books. It was all blue except for green button eyes, the velvet soft fur rubbed off slightly in some places. He dusted the dirt off lovingly, a small smile playing on his lips. "Sora."

"Is that her? Is that her?" Ryuichi hovered nearby. "Can I hold her?"

Shuichi turned and handed the toy to him. "She looks exactly the same. A bit dirtier, but the same."

Ryuichi took her carefully, eyes reverent. "She's beautiful..." He made Kumagurou look her in the eye. "Kumagurou says it's love at first sight."

"Can we get out of here? I'm gonna sneeze again. And I wanna get her washed." Shuichi walked towards the door. "Not to mention mom might make us stay home for dinner. Her cooking's terrible!"

Ryuichi followed his new lover. They snuck quietly past the kitchen and out the front door, running towards the car before Shuichi's mother could come out and stop them. As their driver pulled out of the driveway Ryuichi reached out and took Shuichi's hand, moving it to his lips and kissing it. Blue eyes fluttered closed, a soft moan falling from Shuichi's lips as his fingers slid into Ryuichi's mouth. The older singer sucked on it slowly before letting go, leaning forwards to place a chaste kiss on the youth's forehead.

Shuichi felt a burst of happiness flash in his chest. He wished this moment would last forever. "Thank you..."

Ryuichi blinked. "For what?"

"For everything." Shuichi lay down to rest his head on his lover's lap, smiling as Ryuichi started to stroke his hair. "For everything..."

~*~*~*

Author's note:

This chapter was so nice to do. ~sighs~ I was able to relax and have fun and write fluff. Cali luvs fluff. ^-^ I think I've been spelling 'kumagurou' wrong the entire time. ^.^* Not mention I just discovered that Ryu-chan's eyes were brown not green, and Shuichi's were purple not blue. But since I started with those colors I'll just continue with them m'kay? ^__~ It's their fault! Their eye color keeps changing in pics. ¬_¬

Well, next chapter may take a bit longer cuz I gotta work on my Saiyuki fic too. I watched Harry Potter!!! ~claps~ It was so kyewl! And I was sitting next to an old couple too. Shows Harry is for everyone. ^_~ Watch it! ^O^-Wai!

Saa, ja na! ~waves~ Thanks for all your reviews! I can't tell you how they inspire me. ~smiles~ And they make me so happy too! =^_-_^= ~Neko smile~ Thanks to this fic I made so much new friends! I treasure those e-mails like Ryuichi does his new Shuichi photo album! Yes I'm talking about you Bishie-chan and Caro-chan. ^_~

~huggles~
Cali-chan

Translations:
Sugee: Wow
Kawaii: Cute
Mochiron: Ofcourse
Matte: Wait
Suki da... honto ni suki da.: I love you... I really do.
Koi: Beloved
Honto ni: really?
Nani: What?
Ryu-chan no hentai: Ryu-chan you pervert
Mataku: Geez