One moment in time

By Stunstar

Chapter 3: Only the tip of the iceberg

Ray was wandering aimlessly about the streets of Tokyo. He had declined Lee's offer of driving him home by saying he needed to think. His earlier conversation with Lee and Mariah was still resounding in his head. He couldn't believe that no one had informed him of Kevin's death in all these years. Mariah had explained to him that on the aftermath of Kevin's death they had been shocked nonetheless and also the fact that Ray had just moved into Japan and contact between them had been minimal, the chance to let the news slip hadn't been appropriate and then it seemed awkward to bring it up after so many years of its occurrence. But then when Ray had mentioned Kevin they had decided it was high time they informed him.

Mariah also told him that Kevin's death had been due to a nasty fall down the stairs. The police had ruled it as an unfortunate accident and that was all they knew of it. The lack of information troubled Ray but there was nothing one could do. Another thing that troubled him was his lack of emotional response, he was shocked and he had felt a slight pang of sadness but that had been it. He assured himself that the lack of emotions was due to the fact that he hadn't had any contacts with Kevin in years.

It was getting dark now as he continued to walk. Even with the recent revelation his feeling of being watched didn't leave him. He looked around, he was walking along one of the main streets and it was bustling with people and activity. Everybody seemed busy in his or her own world and didn't even spare him a second glance. He shook his head and continued walking.

Passing by a bookstore he paused for a second. Then making his decision he doubled back and entered the bookstore. A small tinkle of a bell could be heard as he stepped inside. A middle aged man seated at the counter gave him a cursory smile.

"What can I do for you?" he asked politely setting down the magazine he had been reading to tend to his customer.

Ray ran a hand through his hair wondering what the man would think of his request, then taking a deep breath he asked, "Do you have a book on house plants?" He had absolutely no interest in house plants.

The man nodded and stepped from behind the counter and went to a particular shelf and came back with a few books. "Here, we have a variety of them maybe you should take a look at them and see which one suits your interests the most." Ray nodded absently and picked the nearest book without even glancing at it. The book shop owner gave him a strange look.

"And I was wondering if you had some kind of a book on, um, stalkers?" Ray ventured feeling slightly ridiculous. Seeing the man's strange look he gave a nervous smile. "Well, it's not for me. You see it's for a niece of mine who is doing research."

The man nodded and disappeared behind a shelf. Ray released the breath he hadn't realised he'd been holding and knew that the man probably hadn't bought his lame cover up.

When the man came back Ray took the book from him and then pretending to examine the book on house plants he said, "I'm sorry, this doesn't seem to be kind of book I'm looking for." With that said he paid for the book on stalkers and thanking the man left. Ray pretended not to notice the curious glance the book shop owner was shooting his way.

Once outside Ray slipped the book into the outer pocket of his coat. He wondered if that little stunt had sent him over the brink of his paranoia. Suddenly to him it seemed his life wasn't as normal as one would think. He wondered if there really was something to be scared of or he was just being silly.

Losing himself in his thoughts, without realising Ray found himself walking down a shadier part of town. The lights here didn't have the twinkling warmth of the main streets but seemed to be leering at him. The pale lights seemed to cast ghostly shadows that seemed to come alive. It was more or less deserted.

Pulling his coat tighter around himself Ray started walking faster.

A wolf whistle caught his ears. "Say, babe, goin' my way?" someone called.

Ray groaned inwardly, his long hair always caused a lot of people to be mistaken. He only walked faster but his sharp ears caught the footfalls which also seemed to be gaining speed.

"Hey, don't run. I promise I'll give you a good time. I don't bite – actually that depends." Loud laughter followed that statement. Ray rolled his eyes despite the apparent danger the situation could lead to. He swore the pick up lines were getting cheesier by the day. Some part in him longed to retort, to see the look on the guy's face when he found out Ray wasn't a 'babe'. But he knew that that would be the most foolish thing to do. It was a fundamental rule in such situations – never provoke.

He kept walking, he knew that if he followed the road straight then turned left he would arrive at the park. And once he crossed that park he would be in the comforting familiarity of his neighbourhood. He never made it that far as a hand suddenly jerked at him and pulled him into a nearby alley.

"You led me on quite a chase there. You are a fast one." Ray could feel the man's fetid breath on his face and even in the gloom of the alley he could see the rough, roguish face of his pursuer.

Then the man backed a small step as he studied Ray. "By God, you are a fucking guy!" he exclaimed.

"Well spotted," said Ray acidly before he could control himself.

The man's shocked expression altered and he grinned. "Well that should be something new I can experiment with and you are certainly good looking enough for it. Let's just say your gender is a mere technicality."

"Ooh, big word," said Ray scathingly.

The next instance he was slammed against the wall with his arms twisted to his side. Ray hissed in pain as his back collided sharply with the wall sending a thin fire of pain shooting across it.

"That's it! I'm through with words," the man said harshly his face inches from Ray.

"I was surprised you could string so many at one go in the first place." Ray secretly wondered if he had a death wish; what had been thinking, retorting like that?

"I'm through with your cheek," the man growled and like an angered bull he lifted the huge hands which had so far been trapping Ray's and placing them around Ray's neck he squeezed. Ray gasped as he felt the hands blocking his windpipe. He used his own hands trying to claw the man's hands away. But the man held on steadfast despite the blood oozing from the desperate scratches Ray's sharp nails made in them.

'This is it,' Ray found himself thinking as his vision swam. Everything was blurred and a fog seemed to fill his brain and wipe his vision completely as he slipped into nothingness.

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Ray felt a dull pounding in his head. He shook his head to clear it but instantly regretted his decision as the pounding worsened. He blinked several times to clear his vision. The throbbing in his head finally subsided as Ray steadied himself. He was still in the same alley leaning against the same wall. For a moment Ray stood confused.

Where was his attacker? Why wasn't he dead – as far as he knew lack of oxygen did that to people, didn't it? He felt completely exhausted and his arms ached. Had he been dreaming it all? That couldn't be true. He touched his neck and could clearly feel the bruises that the man had left while squeezing his neck.

Suddenly a groan caught his attention. He looked around for the source and suddenly felt his heart stop. His attacker was lying a few feet away. Ray could barely see him in the lack of light. Cautiously he moved closer and gasped. The man was writhing on the floor. There were long gouge marks on his face and he lay in an awkward manner on the floor clutching his arm.

As Ray watched horrified the man moaned in pain, "…bastard, I'll get you for this…no good fucking son of a bitch."

His arm was clearly broken and from the looks of it he had been kicked in the groin. Ray staggered back as the alarming intensity of the sight hit him. Somebody had done this to this man –why? To save Ray?

Ray had no idea what was going on. Was it possible somebody had heard the scuffle and come to his rescue? But if so then wouldn't they have stayed to help him? Then Ray felt a tremor go through his body at one frightening thought – could it be the work of his stalker?

With all these thoughts racing inside his head Ray backed out of the alley his eyes still glued on the writhing man in the far end. Once out of the alley Ray looked around to see that the entire street was deserted, whoever had come to his aid had done well with their disappearance. Staring at the man in the alley again Ray wondered if he should help the guy. He dismissed the idea just as soon as he thought of it. The man had tried to kill him there was no way Ray was going to help.

With that thought in mind Ray did the first thing he could think of – run.

He turned and ran as fast as he could and he swore to himself he wouldn't stop running till he reached home. Emerging from the silent street Ray found the park looming ahead of him. He ran in through one entrance and cut across it knowing that that was the fastest way to home and relative safety.

A few people were scattered about the park, some walking enjoying the cool evening breeze others relaxing listening to the soothing tinkle of the water fountains. Ray had time for neither. He turned back once out of instinct to see if anybody was following. It was then that he ran head long into somebody coming in the opposite direction. He would have fallen if the person hadn't grasped his arm at the last moment.

"Are you all right?" the person asked. Ray nodded and not even bothering to see who the person was he apologised and ran again.

He didn't stop until he reached his apartment. He fumbled with his keys and nearly dropped them twice in his hurry to enter what he considered a safe sanctuary. Finally getting himself in he closed the door, locked and bolted it and stood with his back against the door breathing deeply.

Not bothering to switch on the hall lights he made his way towards his bedroom in the dark, trembling from head to foot ignoring Driger's mewls of welcome. After the events of this evening he wanted nothing more than to take a hot shower and sleep. And hopefully when he woke up it would just be a passing nightmare. He wished.

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Kai Hiwatari was highly pissed. Or so he appeared most of the times. Being the grandson of Voltaire Hiwatari was the biggest reason. And then there were reasons like the daily hassles and life itself that caused the young twenty six year old lawyer to despise any and everything around him which in turn caused him to have a virtual 'stick up his ass' as Tyson Granger liked to term it. Tyson was another one of his ever impending problems. Kai due to some reason (after a lot of thought he considered it due to some possibly unforgivable sin in his past life) had been saddled with the young twenty two year old apprentice fresh out of law school.

Tyson if given the opportunity to prove himself was a quick learner, he was kind hearted, a general nice-guy and did very well in his field. But Tyson at first glance could fool anyone into thinking he was a bungling, clumsy, laidback, loudmouthed and stubborn individual. Even after his thousandth encounter with Tyson, Kai saw no reason to change any of those adjectives.

One of the reasons why Kai couldn't stand Tyson was his ever present cheerful aura not to mention his insatiable appetite and never ceasing need to talk. Kai by nature was reserved. What made him a brilliant lawyer was that he gave things a lot of thought, which he preferred to do in silence. He analysed the situation and handled it with tact. Tyson on the other hand solely depended on lung power and force. Kai remembered many of those petty trials he had let Tyson handle. With his over enthusiasm and zealous spirit Tyson had won those trials, of course, but Kai wondered vaguely if the judge ruled in his favour only to get Tyson to shut up.

Then there was his grandfather; Kai didn't necessarily hate him he merely disliked him and went out of his way to be outrageously rebellious. There was a time when he had respected his grandfather but that was before he realised he was a megalomaniac who wanted to raise him to be one too. The reason he became a lawyer was because his grandfather had been dead against it. There was always an ever present battle of wits between the two and as Kai grew older and more independent it only fueled his rebellious nature.

That was basically Kai Hiwatari's life in a nutshell.

Now Tyson when he first heard that he would be an apprentice to Kai Hiwatari he had been ecstatic. Kai had made name in the world of law the moment he had stepped into it and that wasn't because he was the grandson of such a famous person, he had done it all on his own. But as Tyson worked with Kai he found that he was in the company of one crabby, grouchy ice block of a person who seemed to despise everything around him and didn't care enough to string two words together – except when he was in court – after all what kind of a lawyer would he be if he kept his mouth shut?

And when Tyson couldn't stand it one day he stormed into Kai's office and slammed his hands on the table.

"I have a question to ask you Kai," said Tyson eyes blazing, "you have made it clear that you don't care about any person on this planet as far as I know and yet you took up defence law. Why in the world do you want to defend people when you don't even care for humanity in general?"

Tyson took a deep breath after such a speech waiting for his answer. Kai looked at him with icy calmness and said, "Next time, knock before you enter, Granger."

And Tyson hadn't been able to get an answer out of him yet. He didn't stop trying until Kai gave him a glare which clearly read stop-asking-useless-questions-if-you-want-your-balls-intact. And Tyson had shut up.

In actuality Kai wasn't even sure if there was an answer to that question but he wasn't going to ponder over any such basically worthless question put forward by Tyson. Who cared why he did it as long as he did it well?

It looked as though there was nothing on earth that could make Kai happy. He had everything and yet he lacked something. Emotions were for the weak his grandfather had once told him. And that had stuck. And it seemed that he wouldn't really feel anything at all. It seemed that nothing could deviate Kai from his routine, nothing could entice him, nothing could make him curious, make him want something, he had nothing to strive for.

And then Kai Hiwatari met Ray Kon.

That day had begun as one of the worst days of his life. He had overslept and altogether messed up his daily routine. The traffic had been particularly vindictive and by the time he reached the firm he was sure he was going to kill someone. And as it happened his day only got worse as he faced a stricken Tyson who claimed to have misplaced a very vital and confidential envelope regarding an imperative case. It would have been disastrous should it have fallen in the wrong hands.

They had then scouted the other departments where Tyson had been just in case they happened to find it and all the while Kai's blood pressure was rising. When their search turned fruitless and they were returning back to his office to check there again was when he first saw him. He looked about to collapse and on instinct Kai reached out and caught a hold of him before he fell. Just as he did that the person straightened up and muttered he was fine.

All through the rest of the encounter Kai couldn't take his eyes off the ebony haired male whose name he found was Ray Kon. His selflessness impressed Kai and as he walked him down he was also amused by him and vaguely curious. Kai wasn't normally one to pay attention to looks but he had to admit Ray was extremely good looking and exotically so. He also noticed the slightly pointed tip of his ears as well as the sharp canines when he grinned. His eyes were what captivated Kai the most, they were a clear topaz and yet they seemed to be hiding something.

Kai was never one to let his mind dwindle on one person but for some reason Ray grabbed his attention and held it. And he was determined to know more about him.

Later that same evening Kai was going over some case files when his secretary, Lily, told him his grandfather was on the phone.

With an air of fatalism about him Kai lifted the receiver. "Yes?" he asked simply.

His grandfather's deep voice resounded through, "Kai, I'll be seeing you at dinner tonight. Seven P.M. don't be late." And then a click and steady dial tone told Kai his grandfather had hung up. He slowly replaced the receiver in the cradle frowning as he did so. His grandfather always had an authoritative way about him, ordering Kai, demanding something be done; no questions asked.

A part of Kai wanted to openly defy his order but he decided against it. His grandfather never asked him to have dinner unless he had something of importance to talk about.

At 7 P.M sharp, as ordered, Kai arrived at the Hiwatari mansion in his dark black Chevrolet Optra which was just as much a woman magnet as Kai himself; not that he cared. He parked his car and walked up the front steps towards the door which was promptly opened by the butler. The old butler's face lit up as he saw Kai who now only came there on occasion having moved out years ago when he had been studying law.

"Welcome, Master Kai. Your grandfather is waiting for you."

Kai nodded in acknowledgment and traced the familiar path past the ornate living room into the equally magnificent dining hall. His grandfather was seated at the very end of the long table. Kai sauntered over to his grandfather and inclined his head in a form of perfunctory respect.

Voltaire Hiwatari nodded and Kai took the seat next to him. Dinner was a quiet affair and Kai wondered if his grandfather would ever get to whatever it was he wanted to say. After the dessert had been cleared away Voltaire stood up regally.

"Let's go to my study. We can talk in leisure there."

Kai walked behind his grandfather and closed the door of the study behind him.

"Did you have any matter of importance to discuss with me grandfather?" he asked coolly but politely.

Voltaire regarded him for a second as he settled down in his high-backed chair gesturing for Kai to take a seat as well. "Kai, I've heard you've been taking up cases of plebeians when you should be working at our conglomerate. You are a Hiwatari, you are heir to one of the most far flung business empires in the world and here I find you walking in and out of dusty court rooms defending people below you when some of them can't even bring themselves to pay for your services. You know I don't approve of this Kai; besides, people are talking."

"I've never been one to bother about peoples' opinion and as far as I remember neither have you grandfather," Kai stated leaning slightly forward watching his grandfather closely for his reaction.

Voltaire frowned. "What you are doing is not befitting the status of a Hiwatari. This field will get you nowhere!"

Kai sat back crossing his arms. "I never said I was working for status. And as far as recognition is concerned I have made quite a name in this field. Is there anything else or may I be excused? I have lots of work to do, concerning my cases." He was deliberately goading his grandfather and waited patiently for him to say something.

Eyes still fixed on his grandson Voltaire moved one hand towards the drawer and opening it he took out an envelope. He shoved it towards his grandson.

Kai watched the envelope skid across the polished surface of the desk and stop in front of him. "What's this?" he asked, eyes flipping back to his grandfather.

"Take it. It's an invitation to join our convention to be held next week. All my managers and other important staff will be there to discuss business propositions. I want you to come and see exactly what is expected of you when you join me. Realise this Kai, you are a Hiwatari and I want you to take the family business seriously considering you are my only heir. I will allow you to play with your law and your cases when you want something to pass time. But this is your real future. Think over what I have said Kai and take that"-he gestured at the envelope-"with you. You may leave. Goodnight."

Wordlessly Kai got up and pocketing the envelope he left knowing his grandfather's eyes were following him throughout. With quick strides he walked out and got into his car and making a sharp turn drove down the long driveway past the gates and out into the streets. Once outside the Hiwatari premises Kai gave vent to his bottled rage and resentment at his grandfather's authoritative ways by ramming on the accelerator and going at breakneck speed.

By the time he reached the exclusive block of apartments where he lived he had cooled down considerably and somehow managed not to get a ticket. Parking his car in its allotted space he walked towards the elevator.

Kai lived in a luxurious penthouse suite on the twenty third floor of one of the city's most exclusive high-rises. Opening the door to his haven Kai tossed his keys aside into a little wicker basket kept on a side table beside the door. He removed the envelope from his pocket and looked at it disdainfully before throwing it carelessly on the coffee table.

He took a shower and changed into a fresh pair of beige coloured pants and a dark blue V-necked full-sleeved sweater and after an impossible battle with his hair he left to take a long walk in order to cool down.

He walked along familiar streets, weaving amidst throngs of people thinking about what to do. He was angry at his grandfather for expecting him to be there for the convention - of course he wasn't going to show up. He wasn't all that bothered about the family business anyway and who was his grandfather to scorn at his career? He liked what he did or at least it was better than being under the manipulative thumb of his grandfather. He crossed a street and entered a park. He realised he had strayed very far from home having walked unaware of his destination.

The park was fairly crowded with people doing their own things. There was an air of serenity about it. Walking past a placidly tinkling water fountain he momentarily stopped to gaze at it when somebody ran headlong into him. He caught the person before they fell and when they looked up his eyes widened in recognition.

Looking completely different from their previous encounter Ray Kon looked as though he were running from the fright of his life.

"Are you all right?" he asked. Ray nodded but he didn't even look at Kai as he mumbled an apology and ran again. Kai stared after him; never had a person piqued his curiosity as much as Ray did at that moment. He looked away when the retreating figure disappeared around the corner. His eyes cast down for a moment and something on the ground caught his attention. He bent down on one knee lifting the small blue coloured paperback.

'Ray must have dropped this,' he thought He turned back once but Ray was long gone. He turned his attention back to the book turning it so he could see the front cover.

'Stalkers-?' Once again Kai looked back in the direction Ray had disappeared and then turned to the book again. What in the world was Ray doing with a book on stalkers?

'Curiouser and curiouser,' thought Kai to quote Alice.

Seeing no chance of catching up with Ray, Kai pocketed the small book. He realised he had walked enough for the night and took a cab home.

Reaching home he flopped down on the couch and resting his feet on the coffee table flipped through the paperback. He couldn't help but think about Ray. First when he met Ray, he had collapsed; then he seemed normal and now he had been running as though somebody were chasing him. And what was with the book? Did Ray think he had a stalker? Did Ray have a stalker? The lack of answers to the multitude of questions frustrated Kai. He wanted to meet Ray. He wanted to talk to him, get to know him. He stared at the small book and realised now he had an excuse to do so.

He tossed the book onto the coffee table and it landed next to the envelope. Rubbing his hands over his face Kai sat up straight and reached for the envelope. Languidly he opened it and as he scanned it sat up straighter.

This is a formal invitation to attend the business convention organised by Voltaire Hiwatari of Hiwatari group of companies on the 15th of this month. It will be presided over by Mr. Hiwatari himself to discuss all forms of business matters and propositions.

Your presence is required.

Timing: 10A.M onwards.

Venue: Hotel Monsieur Oliver's

It was the last line that caught Kai's attention having skimmed over the rest. Somewhere in the recesses of his mind a memory drudged up and he heard Tyson's voice… you're not the Ray Kon? The chef who works at Monsieur Oliver's?

With a small feeling of elation Kai let a light smile creep across his face as he fingered the envelope absentmindedly. Ray was the head chef at Monsieur Oliver's and that was where the convention was being held.

Kai stared at the envelope as he stretched back and settled more comfortably on the couch. It looked like he was going to attend the convention after all.

Tbc…

A/N: I had more planned for this chapter but then when I reached this point I had so much more to type I realised it would be too long and as it is I'm taking one heck of a time with this story. If I were to make it longer I would never have finished it. But I'm trying my best what with other fics. More Kai/Ray up! Stay tuned and meanwhile please review!