Sorry to keep you waiting!
Anyway, here's the next part for you. I'm not sure how happy I am with this bit, but I'll go with it anyway! Keep checking back for the next chapter! Enjoy.

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Ping.....ping....ping.....crash...

It was silent in the apartment that the boys shared. Well, almost. Nino's DS was clutched between his hands, a game in full swing. Ohno peered curiously over his shoulder watching the events unfolding on the screen with a frown on his face.
"Oh-chan....you're distracting you know."
"I know. But I like to watch."
"So you say...but do you have to be so close?"
"Does it bother you?"
"Only because my mind wanders Oh-chan."
Ohno giggled and resumed his watching of the game, this time a little closer, resting his head on Nino shoulder. Nino paused for a brief second, swallowed hard and tried his best to concentrate.
Jun was immersed in a book. He'd been reading the same one for what seemed like months now, not really getting anywhere. Still, he persisted, and today he'd at least managed to read a couple of pages. It was tough going though. The book may well have been a classic but it didn't make it any good. Putting the book down he looked up toward the large windows that gave a view of the busy city below. His view was obscured though. Aiba was pacing constantly in front of them, peering down at the ground, checking his watch, pacing some more. He'd been doing the same thing for what seemed like hours. Paying no attention to anything except whatever lay within his own mind.
"Aiba." Jun finally said into the near silence. "Will you stop? You're going to leave a track at this rate."
Aiba eventually stopped and silence filled the room once again. A few moments later a crack of lightening lit up the evenings sky. The thunder boomed around them and the rain came down hard. All four boys looked up and out the window as the city became blurred by the tumbling rain. Aiba drummed his hands on his sides, glancing at his watch again. 5:50pm already.
The three others came to the window and all peered out.
"I love storms." Ohno stated. Jun stared up into the sky where the clouds were black as ink. "It's been building to this for days. It's been so uncomfortable. After this it'll be better."
"It's been building up to this for days...after this it'll be better."
The words echoed in Aibas mind as he stood staring out the window at the world outside. 5:54pm. He would be cutting it fine.

In a sudden move, Aiba darted from the window, grabbed a handful of loose change off the table and threw himself out the front door. It slammed behind him, the sound of his running footsteps echoing back along the hall.
The other three went back to what they had been doing before. Jun back to his book and Nino and Ohno back to the DS. None spoke for what seemed like long, long minutes. Ninos gaming was already well underway when Ohno finally spoke.
"He'll get wet. He never even took a coat."
"I don't think he'll even notice." Jun said, not looking up from the pages of his oh so boring book.


Aiba fumbled for the money and handed it clumsily to the taxi driver. It was all he had, and this was as far as he could go.
"Thank you." He said as he closed the door and took off at a run down the street. The rain soaked him within seconds. His hair was dripping in his eyes, and his t-shirt was soaked through to his skin. Water dripped off the bottom of his shorts and down into the inside of his shoes. He felt none of it though. He had to run, he had to be quicker, had to get there!
He ran and ran; people staring at him as he wove his way through the emptying streets. He didn't care though, he knew where he had to go, and he didn't care what he did to get there.
Eventually, just as the rain was beginning to ease he arrived at the airport. He darted through the crowds, his eyes desperately scanning the boards for the right gate number. He hoped and prayed he wasn't too late. He couldn't wait another 3 weeks or more. What he was doing now was taking all his courage, he wasn't sure he could do it again.
Gate 13. That was it! He took off at a run again, dodging passed people and apologizing all the way. He was passed caring if anyone recognised him. Right now he wasn't Aiba Masaki the idol, he was Aiba Masaki the man who was desperate to make things right. Finally, he skidded to a halt at gate 13. It was quiet. A dozen or so girls loitered giggling near the far wall, and two men in black suits were huddled together at the other end. Aiba felt his heart sink. He was too late. He was too late! He'd missed his chance. He'd screwed everything up again!
Feeling hopeless, Aiba sunk down into one of the seats, water dripping off him and pooling on the floor. He let out an anguished sigh and looked around helplessly. Sho had gone to China, and he had no idea what that meant for them. Was there even a "them" at all? Aibas eyes scanned the almost empty waiting area. If only he'd left sooner, if only he'd had the courage to act...If only...
The men in the black suits parted for a second. A flash of white. An achingly familiar body, hair that cried out to be touched, and lips that could melt a heart in a second.
"Sho!"
Aiba yelled, forgetting where he was as he sprung up from his seat and the puddle that he'd made. Everyone looked around, including the man in the white t-shirt and black jeans. His eyes fixed Aiba in a gaze that he couldn't read, but Aiba knew he had to seize this moment or he'd regret it for the rest of his life.
"Sho!" Aiba took a few tentative steps forward as Sho also walked towards him. It was frighteningly quiet in the waiting area. Even the girls weren't giggling anymore.
"Sho...Please hear me out, okay?"
The two men stood together in the almost deserted waiting area. Aibas heart pounded in his chest. He was doing the right thing wasn't he?
Sho nodded, his arms folded firmly across his chest. Defensive, Aiba knew.
"I can't begin to tell you how much I hate myself for everything I did, the way I acted and the things I said. I'm so sorry for hurting you. I...I...I was so scared. I didn't know how to feel and I tried to run from it. In fact...I'm still scared Sho, more than you can know."
Sho's expression seemed to soften then. "You hurt me. More than you know...But...I've hated this Aiba-chan. Us...the fighting. We've never fought, ever. On the beach...." He paused, a flush of color rushed to his cheeks. "That night on the beach...." He didn't get a chance to finish, as Aiba rushed in and said softly,
"Made me realise that I love you, Sho-kun."
Silence.
"It frightened me, that's why I did the things I did. Because I was scared. I know it's not an excuse. I...I love you, and it frightened me, hell, it still does. But I'm not running from it anymore Sho. I want to see what that love is like."
Long moments passed, the two men standing alone in the hall. Sho finally broke the silence in a voice that wavered a little, like he was fighting something back.
"I was so angry with you. For what you said....for what you did. I was scared too you know. I'd wanted you for so long that it seemed almost like a dream. I was frightened that my happiness would be taken away. It was too much to hope for."
"I'm so sorry for everything Sho. I've been an idiot."
"We both have."
Silence again. This time, it was broken by Sho giggling.
"Look at the state of you Aiba-chan. Did you not even wear a coat?"
"Huh?" Aiba looked down at himself for the first time since he'd left the others in the apartment. "Ha...I guess not."
Water still dripped from his soaked clothes onto the floor around him. His hair was a mess, and water ran down onto his face. Staring with eyes as bright as diamonds, Sho lifted a hand and so gently wiped the water from Aibas cheek. Aiba felt his skin burn under Sho's touch. His eyes closed for a second, wanting to remember the feeling and finally accepting everything that he was.
"Sho?"
"Shhh. I forgive you Aiba-chan."
Tears welled in Aibas eyes, falling freely to mix with the rain water. It was like someone had lifted a weight from his shoulders, like he could finally breath again. He stared at Sho, more certain than he had ever been that he was doing the right thing. Closer...closer...
With his heart feeling like it was about to burst out of his chest, Aiba gave himself willingly to the kiss. The feeling of Sho's lips on his felt so right. He slipped his arms around his waist and held him tightly. He'd never loose him, not now.
"You're okay with this?" Sho said quietly as he pulled back from the kiss.
"More than okay, Sho. I'm still frightened, but I'm with you...so how can anything bad happen?"
Sho smiled just as the first flash went off. Suddenly the room was filled with shouts and high pitched squealing and screaming. What the hell? Sho frowned, disentangled himself from Aiba and peered over his shoulder.
"Oh...CRAP!"
Behind them, the dozen or so girls that had come to wish Sho off were beside themselves. Cameras were going off all over the place and they were staring open mouthed. Their names were being shouted, and people were yelling "Aiba and Sho just kissed!" and "Are they going out?!"

Sho was already tugging at Aiba to follow him, and quickly. The two men in black suits were also quickly coming to their aid but not quick enough. "Aiba-kun...That might just have been the stupidest thing we ever did!"

yay!! aiba ady made a move...so will they be another chapter comin out? i hope this story will have a happy ending story...

Gahhhhhh I LOVE THIS!!!

I really should have been checking the fanfictions more!!! The Aiba sho pairing is my favorite. I'm so excited to find out what will happen next, but I'm so glad Aiba admitted he likes sho

The beginning was awesome. How aiba (and the reader) didn't know what had happend. And when he/we found out aiba's fear jun's angry reaction and sho ignoring him. It broke my heart but made it so much sweeter when aiba finally confessed, soaking wet from the rain I might add, which was a very nice touch (and very nice to imagine) XD.

ok end of spazzing comment lol
looking forward to more

wah I didn't realize this was updated because I guess I didnt comment the first time I read it but WAH! Poor Sho-kun and of coures Aiba-chan being scared XD

But uh-oh! Publicly kissing hahahaha Can't wait to read on XD

Thankyou for all your lovely comments guys! They make me all fuzzy inside. Seriously, they make writing so much more of a pleasure when I know people enjoy it.
I'm glad the rain part was appreciated! I had such vivid images in my head when I wrote that, how his hair would be all hanging in his eyes etc...Distracting when I'm trying to write!!

Hopefully I'll be able to post again in a few days. I'm super busy at the moment, and haven't had a chance to sit and write for what feels like ages!! Hopefully though, the next chapter should be up soon, it just needs some finishing touches! Sorry to keep you waiting.

Ah~ I finally finished reading and I must say ...
I loved this!

The ending was super cute by the way. ♥

And take your time with all the future masterpieces.
I'll be looking forward to them~

WAH!

how did i not see this fic before??!!! (i was probably wrapped up writing my own sakuraiba fic)

but omg omg omg!!!! Aiba finally made a move!
....but in a public place....bleh! i was wondering where all the people went when you were writing the whole kiss part then a few sentences later the people come back to view.

meh, i can't wait for you next update! *is still wondering how never read this before & puts topic on watch*

Ah!! Gomen, gomen! I've read your story yesterday and didn't leave a message. *baka me*
I loved your story!!!
I'm really into the sakuraiba pairing. And you made a great
plot for them.
Looking forward to the next chapter. ^^

Final chapter!
I was actually going to have this end quite differently when I originally planned it out, but...I guess things change! I suck with endings generally, so my apologies for this being the weakest of all the parts I've put up. I hope you still enjoy it though. Closure at last for Aiba and Sho.
I've got more fics planned, so keep your eyes peeled!

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The sun had just begun to rise over the Beijing skyline as Aiba woke to what seemed like a new life. In the panic at the airport, he'd run with Sho to the plane. By the time they'd got there they were both laughing and out of breath. Their management had been so angry at them that for what seemed like hours that neither Aiba or Sho could get a chance to fight their own corner. No doubt by now it would be all over the newspapers back in Japan. It would only be a matter of time before they would have to go back and face the music. Despite everything, Aiba felt a sense of strange exhilaration, what they'd done was so dangerous for them, but it was exciting because it was so risky. They couldn't change it now. A brief lapse of concentration, getting caught up in the moment and they'd laid everything on the line. Only time would tell now.
With a smile, Aiba snuggled closer to the man who's bed he now shared. He'd learned now, not to think to much on it, just to go with what felt right, what he wanted. Right now, Sho felt right.
"You awake Aiba-chan?" Sho ran a hand over the other mans head, feeling his hair beneath his fingers.
"Mmmmmm...sort of."
Aiba shifted his weight, draping his arms over Shos chest. "I don't wanna get up."
Sho laughed as he linked his fingers with Aibas. "Well sorry sleepy head, but you're going to have to. I'm here to work remember, not just....um..."
Aiba opened one eye and peered up at Sho, a sly smile on his lips. "Not to...what?"
"Oh shutup, you know what I mean!"
"No, no...I don't think I do."
"And I think you do...your memory cant be that bad can it?"
Aibas mind flickered back over what had happened when they'd arrived at Sho's hotel the night before. The memory made his skin tingle and his heart race. A blush crept up his cheeks and he rolled away from Sho to hide it, and the other reactions that the memories provoked. Aiba grunted and ran a hand through his own hair. "You know I have a bad memory..."
"I'd say it's working just fine Aiba-chan. Too well maybe."
Laughing, Sho heaved himself from the bed and stretched. "I'm gonna shower and then I've got to go. It's only a few days until the opening ceremony and I've got a ton of stuff to do. Will you be okay here?"
"Yeah...I'll amuse myself." Aiba dragged himself from the bed, the sheets fighting with him like they always did. Naked, he pulled back the curtains and peered out across the city. It was an amazing view. In the distance he could see the stadium and already people were filling the street below. He could stare out across the skyline for hours if he let himself.
"Well, I'm showering."
Aiba mumbled something and Sho shook his head, knowing that Aiba would be lost in the amazement of being in a new country for hours. Even if he was naked. Sho paused, burning the image of Aiba silhouetted by the window to his memory. He felt his heart speed up as he pulled himself away. "Yeah..showering..." he mumbled, "...big bathroom..."
Aiba was still staring out the window watching the world wake up and go about its daily business. How long would he stay here with Sho? He had commitments back in Japan, things he couldn't just ignore. And then there was the storm that was waiting for them when they got back. The media would be out to kill them. For now though, he decided a couple of days in China couldn't hurt though. Through his thoughts he heard Sho speak, something about showering and a big bathroom. What? What did it matter if the bathroom was big or not? Sho really was quite strange sometimes. Aiba turned from the window just as Sho left the room.
"Eh?"
The penny dropped and all thoughts of the country beyond the window left him. In a couple of leaps Aiba had thrown himself across the room and was hastily following Sho out the door. "Really? You could get lost in there then. Or worse, you might get lonely. I better come with you."
They were already wrapped in each others arms before they got to the bathroom.


Ring...ring...ring...
Aiba fumbled for his phone. He was sat outside the olympic stadium watching the world go by. The ringing got louder as he struggled to find the phone. Where was it?! Deep in his pocket he found it and grimaced as he saw who it was. He couldn't ignore the calls anymore. He'd already ignored 4, he couldn't really run any more. Reluctantly, he flipped the phone open.
"Hey Jun."
He was greeted with such a shouted flurry of words that he pulled the phone away from his ear and contemplated hanging up again. grimacing, he inched the phone closer, waiting for Jun to blow himself out.
"....crazy? You think you could get away with something like that in public?! Good god Aiba are you that damn stupid? The media here are going crazy, they're saying all sorts of things. Did you give Sho's career any thought at all? None of us can step outside without being hassled about where you are and what you're doing with Sho. What are you doing with Sho anyway? Where are you?"
Aiba carefully put the phone all the way back to his ear. "I would have thought that what I was doing was kind of obvious. And so is where I am. Don't worry, I'll be home tomorrow evening. We'll get everything sorted out."
"Oh, just like that huh? Aiba do you any idea what you've done. Couldn't you just wait until you were in a private place?"
"No."
"Well sometimes a little self control is a good thing Aiba. Damn, have recent things taught you nothing at all? How is Sho? I can't reach him on his phone."
"He's fine. He's working though so I guess he's got it switched off. I'll tell him you called."
Aiba flopped back onto the grass and sighed. He knew he should be worried about what he had done, what they had done. But here and now he just couldn't find it in him to care. Right now his world revolved around Sho. Him and Sho were the only ones to exist.
"Aiba-kun..." Jun sounded tired and worried. "I'm pleased for you, we all are. It's about bloody time, but...there is one hell of a mess here. You need to come back and help us smooth everything over. I expect Johnny-san will call you today. You better answer to him."
Aibas reality suddenly smacked him in the face. They'd kissed, in public. And from the fans point of view, he'd then run off to be with Sho in Beijing. It wasn't far from the truth, but still...
"Okay. We...we probably should have been more careful but...I can't take back the past, and I wouldn't want to. But I'll be home tomorrow, okay?"
Jun was silent, and in the background he could hear voices. He recognised Nino and Ohno and he felt a rush of affection for all his friends. He'd been an idiot recently, but they'd put up with him. Now he needed to help them deal with the second mess that he'd caused. Suddenly the phone was passed to someone else, and Ninos voice came through to him.
"Aiba-kun?"
"Hey Nino."
"Are you happy? You've been so strained recently...are you happier now?"
"I'm very happy, Nino."
"Good. Then we're happy too. It's tough sometimes, to admit what you really want. Some people never do."
"Thank you.I'm not sure what will happen from now, but I'm willing to see..."
"We're behind you Aiba. Even Jun! Ohno is already thinking of reasons you might have kissed Sho. You know, reasons that don't include you jumping into bed with him."
"Nino!"
"What? It's true isn't it?"
"Well yeah...but...still, you don't have to actually say it."


Aibas arrival back in Japan was met with a sea of reporters and fans at the airport. Again and again he was met with the same questions, and again and again he gave no comment. He simply smiled and carried on his way. He was given a warning from his management as soon as he was back. Meeting after meeting, each one was a dressing down from someone. By the time he'd been back for one day, Aiba was exhausted. Sho phoned late that night, and just hearing his voice pushed all the worries away. Talk of olympics and the fun that Sho was having took his mind away from their problems. It would only be another two weeks and Sho would be home at long last. In his mind, Aiba was counting the days.
Two days later, Aiba was once again called into a meeting. This time though, the rest of Arashi were there too, and even Sho was there on the phone. Several men in dark suits sat across a huge table. Their expressions were set to fiercly serious, and Aiba found himself suddenly terrified. Was this it? Was this where he was to be told that he and Sho were fired? That they'd disgraced the Johnnys name and image? He stared down at his shoes, ashamed of his own behavior for the first time. The others all seemed worried too, each glancing nervously at each other.
"Aiba-san..." The middle of the suited men finally spoke and the tension in the air went up noticeably
"Yes."
"What you and Sho did was both reckless and unnecessary. You've brought scandal to everyone who works under the Johnnys name. You understand this?"
"Yes sir." Aiba felt his chest contract as he waited for the worst. On the phone line, Sho was silent.
"And you also Sho-san, you understand that these actions will not be tolerated?"
"Yes sir." Shos voice was weak and quiet. Aiba could imagine him sat on the floor of his hotel room, so alone, so desperate.
"Neither of you will engage in such public displays of affection again, no matter what happens in your personal lives."
Aiba looked up, a frown on his face.
"Sir?"
"We have ways of dealing with these things, but we will not do it more than once. Your reputations may be damaged permanently, and your futures are uncertain. For now though you both still have your positions within Arashi, but know that you are being watched. What you did was beyond stupid and I cannot know how the fans will react. We may have silenced those who were present to the incident, but rumor does not go away so easily. Be careful. Now if I'm not wrong, I believe you have rehearsals to attend to."
All four men bowed deeply as they left the room. Aiba was in shock as Nino slapped a hand across his shoulder "Hey...don't look so scared. It's over."
"But how? How did they do it? People were there, they saw...and why didn't they sack me, us even?"
Jun stopped in front of them and turned around. "Aiba-chan you're so naive sometimes. Anything can be made to happen if you have the money. People can even be made to be quiet for a certain amount. And as for not sacking you and Sho, you're lucky. Every damn fan in the world is going to be watching you now though!"
"They paid people to be quiet?" Aiba was shocked, to the point where he couldn't organise his own thoughts anymore. His head was a mess of emotions again. He wasn't sacked, that was good, right?! But...but people had been intimidated into being quiet. How was he going to deal with that? He felt numb to his core as they all walked back to the apartment. Was it really all okay?

3 months later and everything had completely blown over. Most people had begun to forget about the rumors. Johnnys had done a very good job of making those who had claimed to see the pair seem like liars, and making the photos disappear or seem like some kind of photoshopped wishful thinking. Arashi were back to work like normal, and everything seemed to be going well for them one again. They had never been so popular. Fans brought the cd's and magazines, and all over the world people watched their tv shows. Every now and then they would cause a stir in some way or another, be it Ohno and Nino grabbing each others body parts, or the others clowning around. That was just what they did, they were friends first and a group second most days. Aiba had managed to push thoughts of the people who had been silenced to the back of his mind. It had been a necessary evil. For now his life went on, better than ever now he had Sho by his side. When he looked back at things that had happened he wasn't embarrassed anymore. He loved Sho with all his heart, and now he could be honest with himself he knew he always had. The group was closer than ever, and requests for work poured in. It seemed that everything they touched turned to gold.
Even the ratings for VS almost doubled when the final episode aired. In the joy of winning the final game the boys had celebrated like they always did. But fans have hawk like eyes, and Shos hand on Aibas backside didn't go unnoticed. Nor did the look of longing that Aiba gave him, or the fact that they always stood next to each other these days. But...it was just fan-service though... wasn't it?

im glad everything worked out for them. but im sad its kinda short, but a good ending is a good ending.

i look forward to your next story

I love when they woke up and how you alluded to what they did the night before <33333 and then in the bathroom XD

I really loved this story from the first chapter I'm sad its over and I hope you write this pairing again sometime in the future

*ya~y* A good ending!! I would have been mad if you had written a sad ending
Anyway.. It's really a good fic. *nods* And I hope you'll write another one soon.

I like it so much!!!!

Great final!!! Arigatouuuu