Author's notes:

Cali has one important thing to say.

GOMENASAI MINNA-SAN!

Yes. I am very sorry. I just moved to L.A. from San Diego so now I'm in the messy busy moving process. My computer isn't even here yet. So I have to mooch from my cousins, which means very little fic typing time. I also have to get a new job and re-enroll as a senior here. ~sighs~ I really tried to get the next chapter up as soon as possible. This was the soonest. ;_;

Well, enjoy ne? This one has Ryuichi past finally confronting him. Which means angst time. ~smiles~ And yes, there shall be lemon: Next chapter!!! YaY!!! ^O^-Wai!

Thanks for bearing with me! ~snuggles~ Luv ya'll! ~blows a kiss~ Now I'm off to unpack more boxes and finish Final Fantasy 10. Cali luvey's Tidus very much. *_* And if ya wanna ICQ lil ol' me my number is 147181434!

~*Duet*~
Chapter 6: ~A Family's value~
Written by: Cali-chan

"Akira nii?"

At the sound of his name Akira glanced back, blue eyes taking in the small boy that stood hesitantly a short distance away. At the sight of the child he broke into a sudden smile and opened his arms. "Rei. What are you doing here?"

The child's face brightened and he moved quickly into the mans hold, snuggling into the strong arms. "I want to pray over my brother's grave too."

Akira took in Rei's innocent, wide brown eyes; tenderly brushing stray green bangs off the boys face. "Do you even remember him?"

"Un!" Rei nodded, expression sad. "He always used to buy me candy and give me hugs."

They knelt and clasped their hands together in silent prayer, eyes closed in concentration. Afterwards they both stood and Akira lovingly dusted off the grass on the child's clothing. "Rei, why did you follow me?"

"Cuz you looked sad! When you look sad you always end by my brother's grave."

"Rei..." Akira ran a hand through his long blond hair tiredly. "Does your father know you're here?"

"Yes. He said to invite you for dinner too." Rei held up his arms, silently begging to be picked up. When Akira obliged and slung him on to his shoulder, the small boy contentedly rested his chin on the blond head. "Ne, Akira nii. You miss him, don't you? I remember you crying so much when he died."

"He was my best friend. Ever since we were children we had always been together."

Rei played with Akira's hair. "That's why you're my nii-chan! Cuz since he's gone you're the closest thing to him!"

Despite himself Akira found himself smiling. He took one last glance at the gravestone, overwhelming sadness blanketing him. Fourteen years and the pain was still fresh. His best friend...

"We'll be back to visit next week." He spoke to the gravestone, hoping perhaps that the spirit of the young man beneath it could hear. "All right, Ryuichi?"

~*~*~*

"Ryu-chan!" Shuichi knocked on the bathroom door. "Are you ready yet? Your concert will start in twenty minutes!"

"Haaa~Aaaiii! Coming coming Shu-chan! I just have to.... AAAAAAHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH!!"

Shuichi jumped at his lover's sudden scream. The bathroom door burst open; nearly slamming the pink haired youth's face, and a soapy naked Ryuichi flew into his arms.

"Shu-chan! Shu-chan! I have shampoo in my eyes! WaAAaaaaah! It hurts!" Wobbly green eyes gazed imploringly up at him. "Make it better?"

Shuichi fought the urge to burst into giggles as he led the older singer back into the bathroom, dunking his head into the sin