When Worlds Collide

Kisaki unfolded his legs and stood, quickly crossing the small expanse to the practice stage.

"Enough." he said gruffly. "Hide-zou, go ahead and try it your way, once." The brunette smirked, but quickly turned away when the redhead's eyes narrowed. Kisaki turned his head toward the vocalist, sighing slightly. "And you, stop being so argumentative. What's gotten into you lately?"

"Trust me," Ruiza piped up under his breath, "he's like this a lot." Asagi threw him a look, then shrugged, turning back to his microphone.

"I swear," Kisaki groaned, "you'd think I was your manager." He patted Ruiza on the shoulder, then resumed his seat against the wall across the smallish room. Hiroki counted off the time, then started the song at a faster pace than they had previously played it. Kisaki had to admit that he liked the song much better this way. Asagi would not be pleased.

The door to his immediate left opened and a tall figure stepped tentatively inside. Kisaki did not pay much attention until the man stepped forward a few paces and he caught site of the familiar black and blue head.

"Toshiya?"

The bassist turned toward him, nodding, a slightly sheepish grin on his face.

"I got your note." he said, looking down at the sunglasses in his hand. "Our live tonight is on this side of town anyway... and Kaoru told us we really don't need to be there until 5, so he said it would be fine." The redhead raised a surprised eyebrow and Toshiya quickly shook his head. "No, I didn't tell him what I was up to, no reason to..." he blushed suddenly. "He just thinks I'm running around, seeing the sites around L.A. while I still have the chance." He looked at the watched hanging around his thin wrist. "I know I'm a little early," his eyes drifted toward the stage, "but I really wasn't sure how to get ahold of you, and since you said you were going to be here until noon, I thought..."

The door opened again and Toshiya stepped out of the way to allow two shorter, younger men to enter. Rame stopped suddenly, nearly forcing Tero to run into him, as he recognized the standing bassist beside him. Kisaki mouthed 'not now' and waved a hand to shoo the confused members of Vidoll away before patting the empty seat beside him.

"Have a seat." he said. "After D's done, perhaps we can catch lunch?"

Toshiya nodded, grinning broadly. "Sounds good."

---

As Ruiza carefully set his guitar down into the hard case laying on the floor, Asagi knelt down beside him and poked the blonde in his side.

"You weren't kidding." the vocalist said, nodding to the two men seated across the room, the newcomer giggling at something Kisaki had said.

"Nope." The guitarist snapped the case shut, then paused, resting his elbow on one knee. "I still don't think it's a good idea for the two of them to be hanging out, bad blood and all, but I guess Kisaki's... curious."

Asagi cocked his head to the side slightly, narrowing those false red eyes he enjoyed so much. "he's kind of attractive," he mused, "in a goofy sort of way." Ruiza glared at him and the vocalist chuckled, grinning. "What?"

---

Toshiya sipped his coffee as the waitress sat their sandwiches on the table before them. His dark eyes were fixed on the man sitting across from him until Kisaki looked up and Toshiya quickly darted.

"What is it?" the older man asked.

"Nothing." the other said, then hesitated. "It's just... it's odd to finally have met you, after so many years of hearing about you." He shrugged. "I still find it kind of hard to believe that someone who seems so nice could rile up my friends so much."

Kisaki sighed. "I'm sorry if you think I intentionally mislead you." he paused, the his own coffee cup halting half way to his mouth. "I did not expect to run into you, or anyone I might know personally, and quite frankly, I wasn't sure how you would react if you knew who I really was."

The younger man shrugged, fingering the napkin in his lap. "I was certainly.. surprised when Shin and Die convinced me that you were that Kisaki." He eyed the other man curiously. "They spotted you at the concert, by the way."

Kisaki nodded solemnly. "I was pretty sure at least those two had, especially when Die practically dragged you backstage." He set his cup down with a sigh. "I'm sure they weren't very happy that I was there..."

"Well, Shinya and Die are the only ones that I know of that saw you." Toshiya chuckled softly. "I'm pretty sure we all would have heard it by now if Kyo has spotted your red head in the crowds last night."

Kisaki grinned, somewhat forlornly and crossed his legs under the small table. "I'll bet." He turned his head, smile fading as his eyes drifted off elsewhere.

"Hey," Toshiya leaned forward, tapping the other man on the shoulder to get his attention. Kisaki's head snapped back around and the other man smiled. "They don't speak that badly of you, at least, not in a very long time. Die didn't think Kyo or Kaoru would be too happy to see you, but seriously, it's been nearly 10 years!." He looked down at the neglected meal before him. "People change, right?" he said, his voice dropping low. "People learn from their mistakes."

Kisaki regarded him silently for a moment, then grinned. "Of course they do." He cocked his head to the side slightly. "What time do you have to be at the venue?"

---

Toshiya rushed into the concert hall, breathing hard, bass carelessly flung over one shoulder. Kaoru stood up as the bassist murmered breathless appologies.

"And where have you been all day?"

Toshiya bit his lip. "I told you I wanted to sight see a little." he snapped, a bit crossly.

"Yes," Kaoru said, "but you also promised you would be here on time. It's now," he looked down at his watch, "half past 6pm!"

Toshiya sighed heavily, hands pausing on the neck of his beloved bass. "Gomen, Kaoru-kun. I just... lost track of time, I guess. I won't let it happen again."

Kaoru's face softened slightly. "It's ok. I know these past few weeks have been tiring, and we would all love to just relax for a little while, but we just have this last live to do." Die opened the Kaoru's guitar case sitting beside him on the floor and handed it up to the standing man. "In a couple of days we'll be home and can take a much needed vacation."

"Speaking of which," the bassist said, clearing his throat, "when exactly do we leave tomorrow?"

Kaoru offered a hand to their other guitarist and helped Die to his feet. "We have to be at the airport no later than noon, so if you want to squeeze in any more sightseeing, you better make it quick." He narrowed his eyes, one hand planted on his hip. "But do not be late."

"I promise." Toshiya said quickly. "There are.. a few things I'd like to see while we are here still."

Kyo crossed his arms over his chest, eying the bassist closely. "What is it that you want to see so badly?" his dark brows frowned. "Or is it who? Have you found some silly fangirl to hook up with?"

"No! Nothing like that." Toshiya couldn't help as his eyes darted toward Die and Shinya, the drummer now standing behind the guitarist, before returning to the suspicious vocalist. "I just uh.. hear that the LaBrea Tar Pits were nearby and I'd really like to see them."

"Whatever." Kaoru shrugged his shoulder. "Go out and do what you want tomorrow, but make Sure you are back at the hotel by 11am." He yawned and shook his head, brown and black locks dancing across his shoulders. "I have a meeting with Free Will early in the morning, then Shin and I have that interview with some american rock magazine at 9:30."

Toshiya nodded and picked up his bass, avoiding the drummer and the guitarist's eyes as he walked passed them toward the stage. Shinya exchanged a worried glance with Die, then followed his other band mate, a tired sigh escaping his lips.