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No Escaping Fate	By : MoonsBlood Category: Gravitation > General Views: 4858 -:- Recommendations : 0 -:- Currently Reading : 0
Disclaimer: I do not own Gravitation, nor any of the characters from it. I do not make any money from the writing of this story.

Chapter List
- 10
- 11
- 12
I will just tell you the primary language at the start of a section and underline the secondary language. Thanks as always to Ashcat.

Chapter Ten

~Japanese~

It was weird to be back at NG knowing that Bad Luck was going to be returning to recording. It had been two weeks since he had first spoken with Tohma about pulling the band back off of the shelf. Everyone who mattered had taken the news really well.

Hiro had been right about right about Suguru though. The youngest member of Bad Luck had laid into Shuichi with a verbal attack that would have made a tiger cower. After getting it all off of his chest though the green haired man had calmed considerably and even seemed rather excited about getting �some real work done.�

Not everything was going so well for Shuichi though. The members of Seven Sins had not taken his news so well. His short trip back to America to make the announcement had been met with resistance and Shuichi had to wonder if the band would be able to survive at all, let alone stand for them to have him as producer. Rick had been his saving grace and had advocated for him, but things with Seven Sins were still up in the air.

Even though he had not made it back into the studio yet; he had been writing lyrics like crazy. The words seemed to flow from his pen. He didn�t know what to credit for his sudden bout of inspiration, but chose not to question it either. Suguru and Hiro were already setting some of the better lyrics to music and with any luck Bad Luck would be ready to start recording their first album in six years in a month or two.

The other thing that was bothering Shuichi was that he had still not been able to bring himself to confront his family. He blamed it on the fact that he was staying so busy. Between writing lyrics, meeting with corporate suits, and trying to find a new singer for Seven Sins he was in fact rather busy. However, he could have found the time if he really wanted to. He had managed to make time for his friends after all.

Shuichi shook those thoughts from his head. He would speak to Tohma about setting something up for him.

They had managed to keep everything away from the media so far. The fact that Bad Luck had reconciled and that Neo and Shuichi were the same person; it was all still under wraps. In fact the only thing that had been remarked upon was Neo�s continued stint in Japan and Seven Sin�s halt in activities.

Everything was moving so fast that Shuichi had to make himself stop from time to time and remind himself that it was all real.

Bad Luck would be practicing today for the first time. Shuichi had to force himself to leave the initial arrangements to Suguru. He himself had become very good at doing it, but the keyboardist was a genius. As a result the three of them had not played together yet.

Shuichi was looking forward to hearing how the song sounded when put together.

As he continued down the hall towards Bad Luck�s studio he ran into Ryuichi� literally. Various apologies started to come from the older vocalist, but when he saw whom he had landed on he froze.

Shuichi and Ryuichi had only seen each other a half a dozen times since the night they had gone out. Shuichi knew that the man was avoiding him, it was kind of hard to miss, but he didn�t know why.

Ryuichi simply got up and held his hand out to Shu without saying anything. When they were standing face to face the older singer smiled down at him. �Hey.�

�Hey, I haven�t seen you in awhile.� As he said it Ryuichi tried to focus on anything but the smaller man.

�We have both been busy, I am sure.� Shuichi wasn�t sure if he was more upset or hurt. He knew that Ryu had feelings for him, so he couldn�t really fathom why the older man had suddenly backed off. He had been trying not to think about it too much. If nothing else the man had been a good friend when he needed one. So even if there wasn�t going to be a �them� he wanted the man in his life.

�Well, I had better get going. Hiro and Fugisaki will be here soon. Ja mata.� Shuichi moved to walk around him, but Ryuichi caught him by the arm.

�Can you stay for just a little while? We are laying down a new track and I would like you to hear it.�

Shuichi looked up into those pleading eyes and couldn�t say no. �Sure.�

Ryuichi had a sad smile as he led Shuichi to Nittle Grasper�s studio. It was only a few doors down from Bad Luck�s. Ryu pointed at a seat for Shuichi, and introduced him to the mixer, an American named Paul.

Shuichi met Tohma�s eyes for just a moment through the glass and the keyboardist gave him a meaningful look before tilting his head toward Ryuichi. Shuichi wasn�t sure what that was about, but he didn�t think he was going to like it.

The opening cords started and then Ryu�s sweet voice filled the room.

�And I'd give up forever to touch you
'Cause I know that you feel me somehow
You're the closest to heaven that I'll ever be
And I don't want to go home right now��

Shuichi felt the pain in those words. �What are you telling me Ryu?�

�And all I can taste is this moment
And all I can breathe is your life
'Cause sooner or later it's over
I just don't want to miss you tonight��

�Is this the way you see me? Is that what you are feeling right now?�

�And I don't want the world to see me
'Cause I don't think that they'd understand
When everything's made to be broken
I just want you to know who I am��

�Who is broken? Are you broken or are you saying that I am? Do I really know you at all?�

�And you can't fight the tears that ain't coming
Or the moment of truth in your lies
When everything feels like the movies
Yeah, you bleed just to know you're alive��

�Oh wow. You really see me don�t you? You know all the pain that I�ve kept hidden for so long. You understand that I can�t love you. I�m lying to myself, aren�t I?�

�And I don't want the world to see me
'Cause I don't think that they'd understand
When everything's made to be broken
I just want you to know who I am��

During the intermission Ryuichi looked at Shuichi in a way that clearly said goodbye. Not the forever kind of goodbye, but the kind that said he was giving up.

�So this is why he was avoiding me. He knows that I don�t love him and he� he isn�t going to pursue me anymore. He wants me to have what he knows he can�t give me. Can I fix it? Wait� what do I want to fix?�

The course repeated twice, �I just want you to know who I am��

As the music faded Shuichi got up and walked out. He leaned against the wall just outside the studio. Their little love affair was over before it had begun. He couldn�t really say that it bothered him, much. Not that part anyway. Hell, he wasn�t even disappointed. In fact, relieved was more like it. The next time he saw Ryuichi it would be purely as friends. �But what brought this on?�

What did bother him was to know that Ryuichi felt that way. Ryu loved him enough to� �to what? To not love me? No that isn�t right. He loves me enough to let me go.�

When he heard the door next to him open he expected Ryuichi or even Tohma, but it was Noriko. She didn�t say anything at first as she leaned next to him against the wall. After awhile, �He loves you.�

Shuichi wasn�t startled that she said this. Noriko and Ryuichi were every bit as close and Ryu and Tohma. Not to mention that Noriko was known few being brutally honest. �I know.�

�He wanted to be with you, but you still love someone else. For him, it is more important for you to be happy.� She put her thumbnail between her teeth and chewed on it thoughtfully. �It would be a shame if his sacrifice was for nothing.�

With that she pushed away from the wall and walked back into the studio. All Shuichi could do was watch her leave. When the door was closed he too pushed off the wall and headed to his own studio. �It�s a fucking conspiracy,� he grumbled.

He entered the studio still grumbling. Suguru and Hiro were talking while Hiro tuned his guitar. They both looked up when the door closed behind Shuichi.

�Hey, what�s wrong,� Hiro asked flipping his hair behind his shoulders.

Shuichi was quick to change the subject. �Nothing important. Where�re K and Sakano?� He stripped off his coat and dumped his bag in an empty chair.

�They had some kind of a meeting. You know them. There is always something to do.�

Suguru humphed and hit his lover on the head. �They have a meeting with the producer of Beatific. It is one of the newer music shows. They are setting up an appearance for us. They want our reemergence to be a big deal and showing up on a show like that will get our name back out there quickly. The fact that they are doing everything in their power to keep it a secret will also help.�

Shuichi was secretly glad to have the two men back on his side. It wouldn�t have been the same without them. Like Hiro and Suguru, K and Sakano had avoided long term projects. When Tohma approached them, they both jumped at the chance to be involved with Bad Luck again.

�So, are you two ready to see if we still have it?� Shuichi�s smile was infectious.

Suguru smiled back, �I tried to keep the beat a little darker to go with the lyrics. There isn�t nearly as much synthesizer as what I am used to, mostly strings and drums, but it should flow well.�

Shuichi nodded. �Yeah, and thanks for that. I am working on some lighter lyrics, but it is going to be difficult to completely revamp my new style.�

Hiro waved him off. �Don�t worry about it. We were both far too overcritical before. The newer style suits you. Just because they aren�t as upbeat as what we are used to doesn�t mean that they wont go over well. I for one like them.�

�Thanks. Now, lets get some work done.�

Suguru typed a few commands into his keyboard and then counted off the beat. Hiro picked up the cord and the music flowed smoothly from fingers and then lips. It was like they hadn�t been apart at all.

��Can you help me I'm bent
I'm so scared that I'll never
Get put back together

Yeah, you're breaking me in
And this is how we will end
With you and me bent��

Shuichi�s smile was huge as the music faded. It was still rough, but it was going to be perfect. He was broken out of his joyful musing by a slow steady clap from the door.

�Rick?� Shuichi was nonplused. �What the hell are you doing here?�

Rick laughed at his friend. �Our crazy producer decided that Seven Sins should relocate. So here I am. Everybody else should be here in a few days.�

Shuichi felt relief wash over him. He crossed slowly to his friend and hugged him. �Thank you and I�m sorry.�

Rick rubbed his back in a soothing motion. �Hey, I�m the one who made such a fuss about it. I�m just happy to see you smiling, Neo.�

Shuichi laughed and pulled back. �I�m surprised you didn�t faint. I was a royal jackass.�

A throat cleared behind them and Shuichi jumped back from Rick. He turned to his band mates and smiled sheepishly. �Hey guys this is Rick. He is one of the members of Seven Sins and a good friend. He doesn�t speak Japanese.�

Hiro crossed and held out his hand. He spoke in heavily accented yet perfectly understandable English. �It is very nice to meet you, Rick. I am Nakano Hiroshi. Everyone calls me Hiro.�

Suguru stood next to his lover and held out his hand. His English was considerably more broken. �Fugisaki Suguru. Nice meets you.�

Shuichi had to resist the smile. It was nice to finally be better than his friends at something. Especially Suguru.

Rick took each of their hands in turn. �Rick Davis.�

Shuichi turned to his band-mates. �I know we just got started, but I would like to talk to Rick for just a little while. Do you guys mind?�

They both shook their heads and Hiro smirked at him. �Just don�t be gone too long.�

*
~English ~

Shuichi took Rick down to a small courtyard frequented by smokers. After pulling a smoke of his own out and lighting up Shuichi sat down on a bench and patted the seat next to him.

They were both silent for a few moments before Rick spoke. �You guys sound good. Granted I came in about half way through and I didn�t understand a word of it.�

Shuichi chuckled. �I�ll translate it for you some time.�

They fell back into silence. It was weird not to be able to just fall into conversation with Rick. �So, I take it that I have you to thank to talking the band out of rebelling.�

Rick looked over at his friend and smile derisively. �Oh yeah. They were all just thrilled by the idea of you joining another band and forcing us all to move to Japan.�

Shuichi winced. �I know. I feel bad for doing it. I am being selfish to want to keep both Seven Sins and Bad Luck.�

Rick waved him off. �Don�t worry about it. They will get over it soon enough. Besides it is not like we will be here permanently.� Rick shrugged. �We are still an American band. We will tour and play in the states. We will just be here when we are gearing up and recording. It is not like it is a bad then to be able to record at one of the best studios in the world.�

Shuichi took a long drag from his cigarette and held it for a few seconds before slowly letting it out. �Yeah,� he said softly. He cracked his neck and turned a little more serious. �Were you guys able to decide on the vocalist. All three of them were very good.�

Rick shook his head. �Nah, they kept comparing them to you. Frankly when you have worked with the best in the business it is hard to lower you standards.�

Shuichi blushed brilliantly. �Yeah but you guys still need a new singer. It will be impossible for me to stay with both groups.�

Rick chuckled and patted Shu on the back. �Don�t worry about it, Neo. I already talked to Seguchi. We will make it work. You can keep singing with both groups.�

Shuichi looked both startled and upset. �Are you two planning on working me to death?�

Rick let out a loud guffaw. �Now what good would that do us? You are going to record with both bands and the tours will alternate.� Shuichi was still unconvinced. �Look, Seguchi thinks that both bands have a strong enough following that the fans will be more than willing to wait for us. Seven Sins will tour America for a month at a time with two or three tours a year. If we do another world tour then we will take Bad Luck with us and just slow things down enough so that the tour dates can coincide.�

Shuichi threw his hands in the air. �And you just decided this without asking me?�

Rick smirked. �You�re the one who told Seguchi that you wanted to keep both of us.�

Shuichi groaned. �Me and my big mouth.�

*

The first song was Iris by the Goo Goo Dolls and the second was Bent by Matchbox 20.

So? Too much? Not enough? There�s more to come.

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No Escaping Fate