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I embrace the torn rose to my chest
And fall into the crimson sea...




Take after take on his latest tune.
For some reason, Hayato felt there was something missing with this one. He had managed to lay down three tracks tonight, and had even rehearsed one of the songs he planned to perform at the Charity Event.
Yet...this song just...wasn't...hitting it.
Figured it'd be a love song he got hung up on.
Ah...love.
Speaking of....
Hayato knew of Shou's rehearsal habits. It wouldn't hurt to go check in on Shou again...and..Naoko, especially. See how they had liked the little snack time he had brought in for them.
Turning off the machines after everything was saved, Hayato locked up the studio he had been using and headed down the stairs and around the corner toward the studio Shou had been working in.
As he walked down the hall, he took note that it was unusually quiet. Almost dead quiet.
Perhaps...they had all gone home already?
Hayato was still full of energy, being a night owl already. Not to mention the fact that he had napped the day away, pretty much.
He almost turned around and went back upstairs...but he heard a faint tinkling sound...a...piano?
Hayato's heart skipped a beat. As a matter of fact, it felt as if it paused for a long while, though it didn't.
Picking up his stride, the vocalist hurried down the hall until he reached the door.
No mistaking it...that was Naoko playing.
As he opened the door, he was pleasantly surprised to find it was Naoko...all alone.
"Naoko...my precious kitten. You stayed late just for me, ne?" he smiled as he closed the door behind him.

I embrace the torn rose to my chest
And fall into the crimson sea...




"Oh Naoko...such a harsh tone. You wound me..." he made a pouting face, slowly walking toward the piano where he leaned over, propping himself up on his elbows on top of the instrument.
"Did you at least enjoy the snack I brought for you all during practice? I certainly had you in mind. Brought your favorite sparkling green tea." he smiled, letting his eyes close for a moment as he enjoyed the music.
"You play more beautifully now than I have ever heard you play before, Naoko. Why is that? Have you really practiced that much in the last few years?" the vocalist mused, voice rich and deep, haunting, almost.
"I...I really do miss you..." he blurted all of a sudden, sounding completely sincere and...and somehow, innocent.

I embrace the torn rose to my chest
And fall into the crimson sea...




Hayato's eyes widened as he heard Naoko bite back at him with such harsh words. This was so unlike him...Naoko had always been so sweet...and submissive.
Really, he was taken very much by surprise. It hadn't been that big of a deal at the party the other night, but Naoko had been in a building with so many other people. Now, he was alone in a huge studio building, with little else than the fat old night guard on campus to defend him.
Bravery among many was one thing...but being all alone...that wasn't like the Naoko he knew.
"N...Naoko..." he whispered. For some reason, it bothered him to hear the pianist talk of sleeping with another man. It made him angry, of course...but deep down, he actually felt a twinge of pain.
On top of that pain, though...there was rage. If given the chance and the ability to get away with it, the vocalist would kill Ryuukaze in a heartbeat. As far as Hayato was concerned, nobody was worthy of Naoko but him.
And on that same token, Naoko didn't deserve anyone else but him.
"Hn...so, you wasted all the nice things I brought you? They weren't poisoned or anything, you know. You really can be paranoid sometimes, kitten. I honestly just wanted you all to have a treat. I can be nice, you know. And...for the record...I have never once tried to kill you. That's ridiculous. I...I really..." he stood and walked around the piano, pushing the bench Naoko sat on back with his foot, moving the pianist with it, "...couldn't live without you..." he gushed, reaching out quickly and taking Naoko by the shoulders, lifting him easily and pulling him into a kiss.

I embrace the torn rose to my chest
And fall into the crimson sea...




This was starting to make Hayato angry. Really, he couldn't make heads or tails of the situation. It was so...out of control...for him. The one thing Hayato was accustomed to most was being IN control...though lately it seemed that luxury was quickly slipping away from him in every aspect of his life, and that made him angry.
Gritting his teeth, Hayato forced back that anger as he spoke, "Yeah...I remember it. I remember all of it. It seems like YOU are the one who forgets..you loved it. You loved every moment of it. Matter of fact, it wouldn't surprise me if you have that brat Ryuukaze do it to you as well. Do you? I didn't want you dead. I wanted to get you off!"
In a way, he was telling the truth. A...half-truth, at least. He hadn't wanted to kill Naoko, but he certainly had wanted him to submit to him, and he really enjoyed the things he did to the blond. He knew it got him off more than it did his lover, but the things he did, the pain he inflicted...it was all because he loved Naoko so very, very much.
Hayato took a step back, looking down at the floor.
"Over me? Really?" he murmured.
"Well...I'm not over you, Naoko. I love you. I'm going to prove that to you. I'll never let you go, my kitten."
Silently, he slid onto the piano bench beside the blond.
Silently, he took Naoko's hand and raised it to his lips.
Silently, he kissed the back of that hand, then the palm.
Silently, he let his hand wander up to the back of Naoko's head.
Silently, he took a handful of the blond's thick hair.
With a chuckle, he twisted his fist into the locks, pulling Naoko's hair tight.
"Can you really, really tell me you don't love me anymore...at all?"

I embrace the torn rose to my chest
And fall into the crimson sea...



If Hayato had had his way, he would have backhanded Naoko right then and there.
If he had had his way, he would have thrown the pianist to the ground and taken him right then and there.
If...if he could...he would prove to Naoko that he was better than Ryu, or any other man or woman, for that matter.
Right now, however, that was not an option. Hayato was painfully aware of that.
"I...I...I see." he managed, his voice trembling with rage that he was trying to hide.
"You...are so stuck up and foolish sometimes, kitten. In all honestly, I think you are just hiding your own feelings from yourself. You do love me. You must. That is how it is, and how it is meant to be." he hissed, slamming a hand down on the piano keys, making a loud, harsh noise.
No...there was no way that Naoko didn't love him. The man was just being stubborn and stupid, as always.
He'd break him of that, soon enough.
But something Naoko had said.
Sai...his brother. Hayato had nearly forgotten. Naoko had a brother. Hm. That could be useful.
"Mark my words...you will be mine again, Naoko." he stood, smirking.
"Perhaps I just need to go ahead and have a talk...with Ryu. And..with Sai as well. Make them understand how much I really do love you."
And by 'make them understand', he meant 'make them suffer because of'.

YAMADA HIRU...HAMU-KUN

Attack of the Killer Hamu!

It was very late when Hamu-kun got up from his secret project in a far room of the Studio and slipped out locking the doors behind him. He stretched his sore fingers and finally decided that he should take his own tiny nap before Shou had returned on site at the studio. Certainly, by now Shou would be fast asleep in the cradle...limo. That really was the only sane way to get him to bed if he weren't at home. Shou was just a little to restless at times.

As his feet pitter pattered quietly along, Hamu-kun checked rooms to make sure that people were gone. Sleep was important for all of them if they were to succeed in this insanely stupid feat with one Superstar short! But as he was walking he thought he heard a noise and paused to listen. Voices in the studio? Shou couldn't be back already then who???

The voices became louder and then he realized who was in the room and what was being said. And then, out of the blue, the piano was struck hard. At that point Hamu-kun opened the door with a loud bang, one he hoped would scare the crap out of the two.

"Yes, Shou-sama will be quite anger considering how long its going to take to Re-tune! Are you trying to put us behind schedule, Hayato-san??" he said with a firm harsh voice that filled the room as he strode over to the two of them. "Hayato-san, I've heard just enough of this conversation to know that YOU should not be here. If I catch you here threatening Naoko-san or anyone else on Smash's books, you will end up in Matsumoto-sama's office. Do you understand, Hayato-san??"

Hamu-kun tilted his head and waited for the man's response his body posed to handle any stupidity that might come his way. Being aptly prepared to call security or throw the man out on his own if he didn't leave immediately. Of course, this incident just frustrated Hamu-kun a slight bit since he had just gotten a text from Shou not long before to put the studio on 'no visitors' because of Naoko stress due to Hayato. That stress seemed to be well founded.

"Naoko-san, I believe you are suppose to be getting some rest right now because..." he glanced at his watch, "In a short time, Shou-sama will return from his drive and will be ready to start on the next stage of production. So please come with me to the dorms." Again he waited for Naoko to come forward before addressing Hayato again.

"I'm rather shocked at your inappropriate behavior and ill use of Smash's property. From this moment forward, Studio #5 will be under a No Visitors policy while Shou -sama's Charity Event rehearsal is underway. While Shou-sama appreciated the donuts, he cannot have his band members stressed beyond the rehearsal work. You should understand and respect this, Hayato-san as we are all members of the same label. " Hamu-kun never gave an inch edgewise for Hayato to take advantage because it seemed like Hayato was one to look for weakness.

From there, he waited for Naoko and made sure the musician was with him when he left. There was no If, Ands, or Buts as far as Hamu-kun was concerned.

I embrace the torn rose to my chest
And fall into the crimson sea...




"Me? Sick and twisted? You must think you're speaking into a mirror, Naoko. And I never said I would touch anyone. I've no intention of harming anyone, like you seem intent to assume." he spat back. It was quickly building up to a fight between the two of them. Mostly, because Hayato felt that the pianist wasn't listening to him. He didn't intend to touch anyone, other than Naoko. However, it was all based on the vocalist's definition of 'touch'. '******** up', 'threaten', 'harass', and 'have his way with' were not included in the word 'touch'.
But, of course, there had to be some interruption.
Always, with the damned interruption!
Naoko was a lucky kitten...
Eyes wide and innocent looking, he turned to Yamada.
"I...I apologize for the piano...but things aren't as they seem!" he protested. After all, he hadn't actually threatened Naoko or anyone else. Naoko had twisted his words.
All that had gone on...was a spat between ex-lovers. Easily enough said that Hayato was more the victim.
After all, Naoko had been putting words in his mouth, Naoko had 'mental issues', Naoko had a history of troublesome behavior. Hayato just wanted to love to poor little blond, and protect him.
Such was the logic of Hayato.
"If you want me to stay away, then very well. I'll be gone. For the record, though...I want you to have a great performance, Naoko. I want it for all of you. I'm...sorry." he bowed his head and walked toward the door, stepping around Naoko and Shou's lackey...er...assistant.
Silently, he walked down the hall.

Hn...it's just fine. Hayato thought. After all...come the Charity Event, I can have all the fun I want, per Matsumoto-san's agreement.

Besides, nobody had said anything about him staying away during the event, either. He would have to pop into the dressing room for a visit, it seemed.
If...he could remember who's dressing room was who's. That was the worst part during events like that....

"Hope it's a big limo..." Akihiko teased, carefully putting an arm around Izzy's waist, allowing the man to lean against him as they started toward the door. "If you could help get Chiyou downstairs, I'll have the limo wait for you to get your bag, Mici-kun."
As the headed to the front desk on the floor, and waited to get the young musician a wheelchair, Narcissus found himself sighing.
"And here," he whispered to Izzy. "I thought we might get a moment alone... no such luck, ne?" the musician asked with a half smile. "Still... I guess there's time for that later..."
Of course, he'd rather it not BE later.
It wasn't really Narcissus that needed to be with Izzy... the man knew it was the other way around. Right now, Izzy Lucky needed someone he could trust and rely on and, while perhaps the musician wasn't the best choice...
He was a choice.
Before long, they were in the limo. Akihiko had made sure that Izzy was sitting comfortably beside him. Though... perhaps half leaning on the musician was a better depiction, since the young Koyasu didn't want Izzy sitting on his own yet.
Chiyou was laying on the seat across from them, where, no doubt, Michi would soon sit as well.
"So..." Akihiko whispered, one arm around Izzy comfortingly. "Did you have some good dreams while I was away?"