“What’s the matter, Reita? Are you afraid of a little bet?” Ruki joked as he leaned up against the bar.

“No,” Reita replied with a glare. “I’m just afraid of you.”

The day had been typical for the GazettE- interviews and photo shoots to celebrate the release of their new single. Though it sounded simple, it was a grueling schedule. They were all relieved when the day was done and they could relax at their favorite bar.

Ruki and Reita, nearly at the point of intoxication, had been discussing their costumes for Miyavi’s Halloween party that would take place that weekend. Neither of them had committed to an idea, and Ruki thought that perhaps a little wager might help them out.

“You can do it, Rei-Rei. It’s just a harmless little bet. The winner gets to pick the losers costume for Miyavi’s party. It will be fun.”

“Forget it!” Reita groaned. “You’re mean and spiteful, and you would choose the worst costume in the world for me to wear and make fun of me all night.”

“So you’ve already admitted defeat…and you don’t even know what the bet is. I didn’t think you were such a wimp.”

Reita groaned at Ruki’s taunting. He always knew right where it hurt the most - his testosterone. Clenching his fist, he pounded it on the bar. He hated to give into Ruki’s taunting, but he knew it would only get worse if he didn’t cave soon. “Fine. You want me to act like a man, we play a man’s game. If you can drink more than me, you win. First one whose head hits the table loses - and the winner gets to chose the loser’s costume.”

“Then be prepared to lose, Cher!”

“Same to you, Garden Gnome! Perhaps one of the seven dwarfs? But then again, Asshole isn’t one of them!”

Kai approached the bar, his face confused, his eyes wandering. “Hey, guys. Have you seen Uruha and Aoi anywhere?” he asked. “I was with them just a second ago.”

Ruki looked at Kai with a sarcastic face. “Seriously, if you don’t know by now, I don’t think we should tell you.”

“Seriously?” Kai asked with a shake of the head.

“Seriously. You know that Uruha gets slutty when he’s drunk, and he’s probably giving Aoi a blowjob in the bathroom. It happens all the time…but I don’t know why I never get one. It’s always Aoi.”

“Ever thought that maybe he likes Aoi even when he isn’t drunk?” Reita argued.

Ruki shrugged. “Like I care. I just wanna get my cock sucked every now and then. I’m totally getting him trashed at the party so he’ll disappear with me in the bathroom.”

“Enough!” Kai shouted as he put his hands over his ears. “Can we not talk about this anymore?”

“You’re the one who wanted to know where they were.”

“That didn’t mean revealing your future plans of evil!”

Reita raised his hands to stop all conversation. “Okay, bet is on! No more talk! Let’s just drink!”

The bartender brought Ruki and Reita their first round of shots. “Keep ‘em comin’!” Ruki commanded. “We’ve got a wager going here.” He turned to Kai. “Do you want in on it…though you will have to drink more than just apple juice.”

Kai shook his head. “I want no part of whatever it is you’re doing,” he said plainly. “I learned my lesson when I had to wear a burlap sack in the city at night.”

“Hey, I remember that,” Uruha said as he and Aoi joined their friends at the bar. “I still need to post those pictures on the internet.”

“What!” Kai shouted, his face instantly turning red.

“Did you brush your teeth?” Ruki teased as he looked at the tall blonde. Uruha just ignored him.

“What’s going on here? You’re kind of attracting a crowd,” Aoi informed them.

Ruki smiled as he noticed a small group of people surrounding them, their eyes on the two shot glasses. He could see the anticipation in their eyes - and he was always up for entertainment.

“I see. They’ve come to see how our little bet is going to play out. Everyone loves a good drinking contest.”

Uruha jumped up and down as he clapped his hands. “Yeah! I do love a good drinking contest.”

“I don’t know why,” Aoi teased. “You’ve lost every one you’ve ever been in.”

“But they’re still fun.” He leaned on Ruki’s shoulder. “I don’t know why you think you have a chance. Reita can out-drink anyone.”

“Let’s just wait and see, okay Hoover?”

Uruha rolled his eyes. “You’re just mad it wasn’t you.”

“Drink, Midget, or forfeit!” Reita shouted. “Kai, be our referee, okay? You’re the only one of us sober enough to make a decent ruling.”

“Whatever gets this over with.” Kai motioned for Ruki to take his shot. “Okay, ready…drink!”

The two took their shots and set their glasses upside down on the counter. The bartender brought them each another.

“This is suicide,” Uruha said as he shook his head. “Ruki doesn’t stand a chance.”

“I wouldn’t say that,” Aoi objected. “I mean, he can hold his own.”

“But he’s smaller than Reita.”

“Size isn’t everything,” Ruki said as he took his second shot.

“I’m sure that’s a motto that you live by…and what you tell your one-night stands, but I really think you’re out of your league here. I know Reita better than anyone, and I can tell you that he can go on for hours.”

“Wanna join our bet, hot stuff?”

Uruha raised an eyebrow. “So there’s a wager involved. That makes it more exciting. What’s the stakes?”

“The winner gets to pick the loser’s costume for Miyavi’s party,” Reita explained.

Uruha banged his hand on the counter. “Excellent. Count me in. I’m betting on Reita to win.”

Aoi did the same. “Then my vote goes on Ruki.”

Uruha looked at Aoi strangely. “Seriously? You really think he can win this thing?”

“I think I wanna choose your costume,” Aoi said with a sly smile. “I wouldn’t mind seeing you a little more feminine.”

Uruha shook his head. “You’re a sick man, Aoi.”

“And after the party, we can use it for something a little more…playful.” Aoi traced a finger from Uruha’s chin to his chest. “I can’t wait to get you home on Halloween night.”

“You seem to think I’m losing.”

“Pay attention here, fellas,” Kai ordered. “You’ve got something riding on this. One, two…drink!”

The contest went on for hours, the residents of the bar crowding around to watch Reita and Ruki take shot after shot. The two participants were drained by this time, their bodies shaking, their eyes locked, each of them waiting for the other to give up. Stubborn in their pursuit for glory, they continued on, their rivalry growing in intensity. They both knew that they couldn’t handle much more without passing out, but until it happened, there was nothing breaking up their heated competition. Nothing.

Uruha and Aoi were both watching in anticipation knowing that they had just as much to lose as the participants themselves. Uruha cheered on Reita while Aoi hyped up Ruki adding to the tension of battle between the two.

The bartender gave them their next shot, each of them surrounded by empty shot glasses. Sweat poured down their faces, their hands shaky as they took their drinks.

“Had enough?” Ruki slurred practically incoherently.

“Why? Are you tired?” Reita mocked, practically in the same state.

“Okay, ready?” Kai asked, his voice weary. He had a difficult time keeping himself focused for much longer let alone Ruki and Reita. He was tired, and the bar had stayed open way past closing time. He hoped someone caved soon so he could go home. Thank goodness they had the next day off. “One, two…dr-”

He didn’t have to continue. Ruki and Reita both hit the table hard, the alcohol from their shot glasses spilling on the floor.

“Who was it!” Uruha shouted. “Who won?”

“It looks like they both hit at the same time,” Aoi said. “I guess it’s a tie.”

“Oh no, it isn’t,” Kai announced. “I was on top of the whole thing. One of them hit the table before the other. The winner is..."

_______________________________________________________________________________________________________

Author's Notes:  Who!  Who is it?  You'll have to wait until Halloween to find out.  We promise not to disappoint!  This thing is hilarious - at least WE think so.  LOL!  So enjoy all of the Halloween fun!

 Part Two