To The End

Disclaimer: I don’t own Gravitation or any of its characters. Gravitation belongs to Maki Murakami, I’m only borrowing them temporarily for entertainment purposes. I don’t make money off this. I just love the characters and enjoy writing.

A/N: Hope the last chapter didn\'t tease too much. Thank you everyone for reading and reviewing.

Reviews:

TricksterGoddess: I\'m glad you gave this story a chance and I hope you continue to enjoy the story as much as you have. Here\'s another chapter for ya. ;D

Albi: Well, you\'ll have to find out what happens in the end, but I\'m sure there\'s a few other surprises here and there for you.


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Untogether
Week 7
Day 43 of Eiri’s absence


Hiro glanced down at his digital watch. It was five minutes to noon. He wondered if Shuichi would be late for the meeting Sakano-san had arranged. Hiro had called Shuichi that morning to make sure the singer was up and moving. Shuichi had sounded in good spirits and assured Hiro he would be at the studio on time. Although Shuichi had been on time in the recent weeks, there was no telling when the singer would go back to his usual late self.

“Seems like Shuichi is back to being late as usual,” Suguru sighed.

“Now, now, he still has 3.25 minutes,” K replied, with confidence in his voice.

Hiro looked across the conference room. Sakano-san was pacing back and forth, mumbling about Shuichi never taking any meeting seriously. Suguru sat across the table from Hiro. The keyboardist was sifting through sheet music and looking bored. K stood behind Suguru’s chair, leaning against the wall. A small smirk tugged on the blond’s lips as if he was amused by a thought. Hiro leaned back into his chair, letting a long breath escape his lips. He knew he should have picked up Shuichi. The pink haired boy had an uncanny knack for getting distracted, especially when there was something more important he should be doing.

The conference door opened, directing the entire room’s attention to the new occupant. “Sorry I’m late,” Shuichi said. He closed the door and took a seat next to Hiro.

“Finally!” Suguru replied.

“Actually, he’s right on time,” K pointed out. “Good morning, Shuichi.”

“Good morning,” Shuichi yawned.

Hiro smiled and patted his friend’s back. “Rough night?”

Shuichi shrugged. “Class ran late last night and then I couldn’t sleep.”

“Can we get to work now?” Suguru interrupted, his voice expressed his annoyance with the delay.

“Yes!” Sakano-san said, a smile gracing his lips. “We have quite a few details to go over, and seeing as Shuichi decided to skip last week’s meeting, we need to get him up to speed.”

Shuichi waved his hand in dismissal of the comment made to him. “I trust Suguru and Hiro’s decision on a single. Besides, I wasn’t feeling well. You would have sent me home because of my whining anyway.”

Hiro blinked. Shuichi’s words were true, but the guitarist was surprised by how adult his friend sounded. Instead of spilling tears and apologizing until his voice was horse, Shuichi had taken responsibility for his absence. “Shuichi…” Hiro said, his voice trailing off.

“What?” Shuichi asked sounding a little annoyed. “It’s true. I would have whined and Suguru would have threatened to quit because I was a crybaby. Sakano-san would have had a melt down and K would have sent me home.”

Suguru looked shocked. “You know, he’s probably right.”

“Anyhow, what song did you guys decide for the first single?” Shuichi asked curiously.

Sakano-san let out a soft groan and answered, “Every way.”

It was Shuichi’s turn to look surprised. “But you hate that song Sakano-san. Why would you want it to be a single?”

“He was out voted,” Hiro replied.

“But… but why? I don’t understand” Shuichi whined.

Hiro laughed softly. So much for the new Shuichi, he thought. It seemed that the singers new found seriousness was short lived.

“Because it’s the best decision from a business point of view,” K said, breaking his silence.

Shuichi looked confused. “How can it be the best decision? I cried through the whole song and Sakano-san hates it.”

“I don’t hate it,” Sakano-san replied, moving to sit in the chair at the head of the conference table. “At first, I didn’t think it was a good choice to even put it on the album. However, I had a chance to hear all the songs and how they fit together on the album. Plus, the song has sort of grown on me.”

Hiro smirked. “I think it’s his favorite, he just won’t admit it.”

“It’s not!” Sakano-san snapped, his face a bit flustered. The producer then blushed. “I’m still uncertain if it’s a good idea to release it first, but K can be persuasive.”

“It’s one of the best songs on the album,” K began, moving forward, next to Suguru. He leaned over, placing his hands on the table, his eyes set on Shuichi. “This album isn’t Bad Luck trying to get attention and get its name out there. You’re no longer amateurs, it’s professional material.”

“Professional?” Shuichi whispered, his voice revealing his disbelief.

“K is right. We all put our all into this album. The three of us have grown so much as a band and as artists,” Suguru explained.

“We all believe that this song is the best way to show our fans just how much we’ve matured. That we’re not afraid to take chances and try something different,” Hiro added.

Shuichi stared in thought. Hiro placed a hand on his friend’s shoulder. “You said you trusted us, right?” Hiro asked.

Shuichi looked to Hiro and nodded slowly.

“Great!” K smiled, standing straight up. “Now, both Sakano-san and I feel it’s best to get things in motion quickly.”

Hiro watched Sakano-san who had been relatively quiet for a while. Their producer looked serious. “Sakano-san?” Hiro questioned.

“It’s been a while since your last album. Fans are hungry for new material. I want to give them what they want as soon as possible,” Sakano-san explained.

“Which means?” Shuichi asked.

“It means the single is already in the works. Tomorrow you have a photo shoot for the cover as well as for the album,” Sakano-san answered.

“So fast? When do you plan to release the single?” Suguru questioned.

“Ah, well we’re already promoting Bad Luck’s new single release,” K started, holding up 2 fingers.

Suguru’s eyes widened and Hiro felt his stomach tighten.

“Two weeks from tomorrow,” The American finally finished.

“That’s insane!” Suguru exclaimed.

“Bad Luck’s first album was pushed out fast. We feel it’s best to take the same course of action and get this one into the fan’s hands as soon as possible,” Sakano-san replied, the nervousness of his voice audible.

“That’s right. Bad Luck fans are already pre-ordering the new album,” K added.

Hiro felt overwhelmed and by the small whimpers coming from Shuichi, Hiro knew his friend was feeling the same.

“How does Seguchi-san feel about this?” Suguru asked.

“Seguchi-san trusts me and if you know what’s good for you, you will too, Suguru,” K replied, his hand brushing the handle of this magnum.

Suguru’s eyes widened, “Of course I trust you. It was only a question.”

“Good,” K smiled, relaxing his hand. “Oh, there’s one more thing.”

Hiro looked up, he felt a lump of fear form in his throat at the sight of K’s large smile. “What else?”

“I have booked a concert!” K said, his face still gleaming.

Shuichi stood, pushing his chair back violently. “A concert?” he repeated enthusiastically.

“Yes! It’ll be a great way to introduce the new single,” K answered.

Hiro could see Shuichi tremble next to him. “When is it?” Hiro asked, almost afraid to hear the answer.

“Next week,” K replied still smiling.

Sakano-san stood up. “When did you plan on telling me?”

K laughed. “I just did.”

Hiro thought Sakano-san looked like he might pass out, but instead their producer just sat back down slowly into his chair.

“At least it’s a week we can practice,” Suguru mumbled.

“That’s the spirit!” K cheered.

Hiro smiled, Shuichi seemed to be gleaming and trembling with joy. His friend definitely appeared to be excited about the upcoming concert. Maybe this is what Shuichi needed to keep his mind off Eiri, Hiro thought. For his friend’s sake, Hiro would be excited too, even if the speed of everything seemed like professional suicide.

Hiro stood up next to Shuichi. “This will be awesome!” he shouted.

Shuichi grinned and hugged Hiro tightly. “This is the best news! We’re going to rock!”

Hiro laughed. It was great to see his best friend happy again.

“Let’s practice!” Shuichi shouted, racing out of the conference room.

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8:21p.m.

“Thank you for dinner,” Tatsuha said, following his older brother into the hotel room.

Tatsuha looked around the hotel room. The entire living space was colored bright beige. To his left was the entry way to the bathroom. Tatsuha took off his shoes and passed it, following the short hallway that spilled into the large room. On his left lay two twin sized beds separated by a walnut colored end table. The table bore only a small red lamp and a white phone.

In the far left hand corner a comfortable blue love seat set; and in front of it was a small round table. A single chair was pushed against the other side of the table, opposite the love seat, completing the furnishings on the far wall. The only window in the room filled the middle of the far wall, but the drapery hung to make the window look like it filled the entire length.

To the right of Tatsuha sat a walnut colored desk and chair, simple in form and function. Eiri’s laptop and a small brown bundle lay upon it. Next to the desk, in the corner was a simple walnut dresser complete with TV on top.

Eiri grumbled, leaving Tatsuha to shut the door behind them. The older man took off his shoes and walked into the small sitting area, taking a seat in a chair. He pulled his cigarettes out from his jacket and lit one, placing the rest of the pack on the table in front of him.

“You must really be lonely to invite me to visit and take me out to dinner,” Tatsuha continued, moving to sit in the sofa facing Eiri. The monk pulled a cigarette from his own pack and lit it.

Eiri glared at his brother a moment, taking a drag from his cigarette. “You have something for me.”

Tatsuha raised an eyebrow. “Do I?”

Eiri growled softly. “Don’t play stupid with me, Tatsuha.”

Tatsuha smirked. He had wondered how long it would take for his brother to ask for Shuichi’s letters. The younger man had purposely kept hold of them to see if his brother would ask for them or if he would have to force them onto the writer.

“I figured you would have asked for them first thing,” Tatsuha pressed, wondering if his brother would disclose anything that he was feeling.

“I was hungry, it wasn’t on my mind,” Eiri said, turning his head away from Tatsuha and taking another long inhalation of smoke.

Tatsuha sighed and pulled the envelopes from Shuichi out of his jacket. He slid the letters across the small table that separated his brother from him.

Eiri turned back to face Tatsuha, scooping up the letters with one hand and quickly flipping through each numbered envelope. “This is all?”

“You expected more? He still writes one a day for you and you want more?” Tatsuha replied, knowing full well what his brother desired.

Eiri snorted. “You’re just as thick skulled as he is.”

Tatsuha could tell his brother was irritated. He wondered if he had struck a nerve. Tatsuha smirked, wanting Eiri to ask for what he wanted. “What else do you want, brother?”

Eiri glared at his younger brother. “I know you took pictures of him. You told me. Now give them to me,” Eiri spat.

“Oh, you mean these?” Tatsuha asked, retrieving the photos from his jacket. The monk held them out and felt Eiri snatch them from his grasp immediately.

“Ass,” Eiri hissed, looking down at the photos.

Eiri flipped through the photos one by one. The first was a picture of Shuichi and Ryuichi smiling, arms around each other. The next one was of just Shuichi. The pink haired singer was holding up a crayon written message. The words read, “I miss and love you, Eiri.” Shuichi was smiling widely. “Where were these taken?”

“Some were taken at Ryuichi’s apartment. Shuichi and I went to visit him,” Tatsuha explained. “The last three are from your apartment.

Eiri reached the photos from home. The first of the next group was Shuichi sitting awkwardly on their couch. The other was Shuichi looking sad in what looked to be their kitchen. “He looks upset,” Eiri said softly.

“We were talking and I think he was feeling really lonely. He really misses you. That’s how he looks a lot of the time,” Tatsuha replied.

Eiri looked up from the photos a moment to watch his brother speak, before studying the last photo. This one was a picture of Shuichi in bed. His small fists gripped the sheets tightly and a pained look was easily seen upon his unconscious face. “What’s this?”

Tatsuha stood briefly to get a look at the picture, before sitting back down. “I took that one when he was sleeping. He woke up shortly after that screaming your name.”

Eiri looked up, his expression cold. “What were you doing in our bedroom when he was sleeping?”

“I knocked and knocked when I got to the apartment, but he didn’t answer, so I let myself in. I called out, but when I didn’t hear anything I just sat in the living room,” Tatsuha shrugged. He had been worried at first, but had figured the singer had gone out for groceries. “Then I heard him call out your name and I found him in the bedroom. I thought you’d like that picture. Afterwards, he became restless and I woke him up. That’s when he screamed out for you.”

“Must have been a great dream,” Eiri smirked.

“It was a nightmare. You left him again,” Tatsuha replied dryly.

Eiri looked shocked, then took a last drag of his cigarette, putting it out in the try on the table. “He looks fine.”

“He trying hard for you, but he’s hurting.”

Eiri put the photos and letters on the table. He sat quietly as Tatsuha finished his cigarette and punched it out into the ashtray.

“I have something else for you, brother.”

“Eiri looked up. “What’s that?”

Tatsuha took a small piece of folded paper out of his jean pocket. “Ryuichi called me before I left for here. He told me that next week Bad Luck is having a concert. This is the information, just in case,” Tatsuha said, handing the note to his older brother.

“In case what?”

Tatsuha studied his brother a moment. The writer had dark circles under his eyes. The monk could tell Eiri hadn’t been sleeping well. Tatsuha hoped that this last bit of information might ease the blond in some small way. “In case you want to see him.”

Eiri snorted but took the note, stuffing it in his jacket harshly. “Why would I want to do that?”

“Because you miss him. I know you do, so don’t deny it. It might do you some good to just see him.”

“I can’t see how it would do any good,” Eiri snapped, turning his head away from his brother again.

“Maybe you can see first hand how he is. Maybe you might realize that you actually miss him more than you’re admitting to anyone.”

Eiri was silent as Tatsuha watched, waiting for any response from his brother. The writer gave no answer, leaving the monk disappointed.

“I don’t know why I bother,” Tatsuha sighed, standing up.

Eiri still sat quietly, making no movement. “Come, don’t come, do what you please. You always do anyway,” Tatsuha added.

Eiri stood up and walked away from his brother. “This has nothing to do with you Tatsuha, so just let it be,” he said harshly.

“Shuichi is my friend and you’re my brother, so it does have to do with me. I want you both happy and you’re both happiest when you’re together. I can see it in both your eyes.”

“I’m working on it,” Eiri sighed softly.

Tatsuha shook his head. “Good, and you should start with some sleep. I’ll leave and check in with you in about two weeks. Unless I see you at the concert.”

“Tatsuha.”

“Yes?”

“There’s a small package on the desk, will you get it for me?”

Tatsuha nodded and complied with his brother’s request. He walked to the desk across the room and retrieved the package wrapped in brown paper and returned to where his brother stood. “Here.”

Eiri took the item. “You’re going to the concert, right?”

Tatsuha nodded.

Eiri took a pen from his jacket, writing directly onto the brown paper before handing the item back to Tatsuha. “Give this to him afterwards.”

Tatsuha let a small smile form on his lips. “I will.”

“Thank you,” Eiri said turning away from his dark haired brother.

Tatsuha left his brother, staring out into the night, the small gift tucked under his arm.