The Gun and the Guitar
Chapter 7: The BIG Misunderstanding
Kyoto Hall was packed with screaming fans. Everywhere you looked; there was security staff; hall personnel and stage crew, all were wearing headpieces and mumbling into their sets. Three of the top bands were playing here tonight. This was a major live show—no one in their right mind wanted to miss it! And tonight was going to be extra special; Nittle Grasper had their new song and Shuichi was going to do a duet song with Ryuichi.
TV stations, radio stations, the press, music magazine journalists, they were all here as well. All made sure to capture moments of the musicians arrival, doing small interviews and live television spots. People ran around like mad crazed fiends, the air buzzing with excitement and energy.
But K stood calmly at his post, his back against a wall, arms crossed, watching as everyone bustled about, cursing and hollering…it was nothing unusual. The major part of his job was done, now he only had to make sure everyone else did theirs. Backstage, was reserved for the talent and the people affiliated with them. It was a beautiful set up, dressing rooms and a lounge, there was even catered food displayed on a buffet table for them—Amp Records provided everything! Bad Luck was in the process of getting ready, Nittle Grasper hung out in the lounge and ASK was performing and nearing the end of their set.
Tohma approached him, spiffed up in his show gear, a tailored black number with an iridescent vest, his hat.
K gave the man a thumbs up. "You're looking sharp, ready to kick some butt?"
"I'm always ready," the shorter blond said with assurance.
K smiled, "Have a great show tonight, Tohma." Tohma was one person he never had to worry about, never, the man was a music genius.
"So, do you think Bad Luck is really ready for greener pastures, K?" Tohma was talking of their 'big plans'.
"Of course, it'll be refreshing for them and for you too."
"It is exciting," Tohma agreed.
"WOO! LET'S ROCK THIS PLACE!" Sakuma came out of his dressing room shouting. He was ready to go sing his heart out.
K eyed Ryuichi, gone was his bunny, gone was the childish looks. He was all business now… looking very dashing in his opened white dress shirt and tight low-riding cream-coloured snakeskin pants. Ryuichi knew this game better than anyone. "Make them crazy, kid," K told him.
Ryuichi nodded.
ASK finished their set and returned backstage, flushed and sweating. They cheered and congratulated themselves, and celebrated with beers. It was the first fifteen minute break between bands, so the crowd could refresh and get ready for the next act. Some with fans with backstage passes were able to come in and meet some ASK members. But that was off in a special area so that Nittle Grasper and Bad Luck wouldn't get mugged by fans before their performance.
When it was Nittle Graspers turn to rock, K watched them file through the stage door and heard a thundering roar from the crowd seconds later. Man, he loved this part! But his eyes darted towards Suguru's dressing room door when Sakano came bursting out, looking frazzled.
"Hey, I'm sorry! I didn't mean break a leg literally!" he whined.
Suguru yelled at K, "Keep him out of here, he's making me nervous!"
K pointed a gun at Sakano, "Sit and stay."
Sakano sat on a couch quickly.
K would have liked to have been able to hang out in Hiro's dressing room, it wasn't as if he couldn't find some excuse, but he was really needed out here. It wasn't like he didn't trust the security measures, but he just felt better keeping an eye on things himself…besides hanging out in Hiro's room wouldn't be very professional. And speaking of the devil in black pants, Hiro came out of his change room. He looked punk'ish tonight in a black sleeveless t-shirt, the front printed with some silver images and black bands on his wrists. K smiled at the worn-looking black and white Converse shoes on his feet. It was simple, but it was hot on him. K noticed his hair was a little wilder now after a stylist had gotten to it and his eyes more deep with light make-up accentuating them. He was looking right at him….damn, he looked good.
Hiro winked at K and flounced into a soft chair in the lounge, waiting for his turn to perform. He wore a mischievous face, he felt restless—the hype of tonight made him feel like stirring up trouble. Hiro wanted K's eyes on him, to stay on him, so he sat back, legs opened daringly; he put an elbow on the arm of the chair and placed his chin on his fingers nonchalantly. He could just go over and talk to K, but this was much more fun.
"Hold that pose!" cried a photographer who came out of nowhere and snapped Hiro's picture. "That was hot, thanks!"
Hiro grinned victoriously at K.
K wore an amused look as Hiro stared his way…just sitting there taunting him. Hiro was playing on the fact that people around were so oblivious, but how could they know? Playing along, he pretended to look busy and elsewhere, but he couldn't stop his eyes from going back to Hiro. The guitarist just smiled at him. K had to smile too…Hiro could be so cocky sometimes, a flirt.
Woo! K couldn't wait for later. Actually he couldn't wait until they got back to Tokyo, maybe Hiro would stay over at his place, and he could make him dinner or something nice.
A breath later Shuichi and Suguru came out of their rooms, full of energy and excitement. K watched Shuichi bounce around in his flashy long purple jacket over a black tank top and shiny black leather shorts, unable to sit still and peeking at the fans talking to ASK. Suguru sat across from Hiro, tapping his fingers on his dark green pants and stopped to fix a button on his black shirt.
K didn't know how long he stood there under Hiro's visual examination before Nittle Grasper bid the audience goodnight, but he knew they were finished when the crowd's cheers reached a certain pitch.
Shuichi ran past them like a blur to the stage door to peer out at Ryuichi blowing kisses to the fans. Weee! It was his turn!
Tohma and Noriko began to return backstage, but Ryuichi stayed out there and held the microphone back to his lips, he announced Bad Luck.
Hiro and Suguru jumped out of their seats and dashed to the door alongside Shuichi. What?!
"Eeyah! He's early!" Sakano wailed.
Concert personnel went berserk…what happened to the fifteen minute interval?! Everyone had to bustle to get Bad Luck's stage program going before they got up there. K's handset began crackling with urgent voices, but he only chuckled. Leave it to Ryuichi to take matters into his own hands, what fun!
"Was he supposed to do that?" Suguru questioned.
"I don't think so," Hiro said and laughed.
Ryuichi looked in the direction of the stage door, "Well, come on guys get your asses out here!"
The crowd laughed and roared.
Bad Luck looked back at K.
"What are you waiting for? Go on!" K exclaimed.
"Wooo!" Shuichi cried and darted off towards the stage. Hiro and Suguru ran after him.
Shuichi arrived upon the hot stage—Ryuichi tossed the microphone his way and gave him a boisterous high-five before leaving it. The fans went wild. Hiro and Suguru caught up and took their places, their hearts thumping with sheer excitement as they stood in front of so many screaming fans.
"KYOTO ARE YOU READY TO RAWK!!" screamed Shuichi and tossing a fist to the air.
The crowd cheered so loud it shook the place.
Shuichi nodded at Fujisaki and Hiro and they jammed. They played like the stars that they were. Fujisaki beamed and played his synthesiser, totally into the music. Shuichi sung his heart out and danced around putting on an awesome show. And Hiro made his guitar sing like wind as he rocked to the beat.
K and Sakano, as usual, watched from the side of the stage, proud of their band in action. K found himself feeling supremely happy at the moment, a soft smile on his lips. Bad Luck was playing their butts off.
"This is the one moment where I feel relaxed," Sakano mentioned to K.
K grinned at him, "I told you that you worry too much."
"So, should we tell them about the big tour tonight?" Sakano suggested.
"Hmm, I thought we could do something like that, yea," K responded with some thought. "It'd be a nice way to top off the night."
"I can't help but feel a little nervous, what if they don't like it?" Sakano exclaimed now fiddling with his tie.
K sighed at the human tornado, he wouldn't live to see fifty if he didn't relax once in awhile. "I think they will, if not, I'll have them kidnapped in their beds and sent there by freight." K laughed manically at his own joke.
Sakano was now wringing his tie; he knew how capable K was of that statement.
K slapped the other man on the back and laughed. Nothing was better than this; he thought and resumed watching his sexy Hiroshi and the rest of Bad Luck. But his smile faltered, Hiro noticeably wore a strange look on his face. What was up? K then realized he was looking at something in the crowd. Hiro was so distracted that he almost tripped over a speaker. K held his breath, but Hiro recovered quickly, not missing a beat. Concerned, K turned on his heel and stormed out to backstage and ran down a hall. He pulled open another door which led to a security pit which had an elevated view; he grabbed binoculars from the nearest guard.
"Hey!" the guard shouted but yelped when a gun was pressed to his neck.
K peered over the audience with the binoculars. Hmm, he couldn't see anything, there were so many people. He was just about to give the binoculars back when…his eyes settled on her, Ayaka. Hrmph...
Suddenly K felt a little covetous. He should have expected the girl to make some sort of appearance while in Kyoto. But he'd forgotten all about it since he was too busy messing with her boyfriend. He wondered what she wanted, because from what he gathered from Hiro, things weren't so good between them. K gave the binoculars back to the guard and holstered his firearm.
The guard rubbed his neck and watched Bad Luck's maniac manager leave his post.
"Is everything alright?" Sakano questioned worriedly when K returned.
"Yeah, no problem." K stuffed his hands into his pockets, thinking.
Bad Luck's set went by so fast; it seemed they'd just gotten out here when they neared the end of their set. And K was so wrapped up in his thoughts, that he didn't notice Ryuichi coming their way.
"It's duet time!" Ryuichi cried.
K jerked his head around, "That's right. It's almost that time."
The last song ended and Shuichi cried into the microphone all out of breath like, "We have something new for you tonight! Do you guys remember…Ryuichi Sakuma?!"
The crowd began to scream.
"That's right!" Shuichi taunted the fans, "Ryuichi and I want to sing a song for you!"
Sakano plugged his ears as Ryuichi strolled back on stage, the screaming was so loud.
Shuichi and Ryuichi put an arm around each other's waist and clamoured into the microphone, "We Are like One!"
The fans went absolutely crazier—if that was even possible. The lights on the stage went dark and the crowd eventually came to a hush. A soft pink light broke open above them, casting a warm glow on the singers, creating a mood.
Soft instrumental began; Suguru's soft version to his new sound, and Hiro rhythmically strumming his guitar. Shuichi began to sing the first verse,
A beat of your heart, the fire in your soul,
Consumes my mind, my thought, makes loving you're my goal.
Your whispers are like drum beats; your touch makes my world quake,
You make it crumble, shift, move and shake.
Only if to love you, my world would be ok,
Only if to love you, please take me away.
You are my everything…all my thoughts and dreams.
You've left footprints,
Stepped right into my heart, please take my hand.
Only if to love you, my world would be ok,
Only if to love you, please take me away.
My tears are you tears,
Your fears are my fears,
We are like one…
Shuichi's voice trailed off and Ryuichi began to sing the verse Yuki wrote…
There is a sound; it's my heart pounding,
The chaos in my life, crashing,
But when you are near, shattered are my thoughts and fears,
In my changing world.
We are like one, don't ever leave me.
We are like one, let's walk this road together.
Angry tears, deep wells sp black and empty.
One sharp piercing light, the warmest touch, it was you!
That single ray of hope, a dream you placed in my soul.
We are like one, don't ever leave me.
We are like one, let's walk this road together.
Shuichi and Ryuichi looked at each other; it was their moment, the spotlight to share together! It was their utopia, and they sang the last chorus together…
We are like one, don't ever leave me.
We are like one, let's walk this road together.
We are like one; take my hand my love!
We are like one…
We are like one.
The song faded and Ryuichi and Shuichi hugged each other. Then they bowed to the crowd, laughing and smiling. They let the crowd cheer and throw presents on the stage. The rest of Nittle Grasper and Hiro and Suguru all joined them up front and bowed too, thanking the crowd for a wonderful night.
It took a long time before they left the stage. Everyone was sweating and panting with exertion and excitement. Backstage, they laughed and popped open champagne. Fans with backstage passes got to come by and visit them. Everyone was busy signing autographs and getting their pictures taken with fans.
"To a very successful night," Tohma said with glee and held out a glass of champagne to Sakano.
"THEY LOVED THAT SONG!" Shuichi cried still alive with adrenaline.
"And I loved it the most," Yuki said softly smiling at his super star lover.
The backstage fans all stopped to ogle this moment, squealing at a pitch only women could achieve.
"YUKI!" Shuichi screeched, crushing him in hugs, "This song was the best thing that ever happened to me, ever!" The pink haired singer continued to cling to Yuki.
"Well, now since everyone is in good spirits. I have really Big News!" K announced. But no one was listening, the din in the room continuing.
BANG! BANG!
Everyone was startled quiet and stared at the man with the smoking gun.
"Ha, ha! That's better. Now then, NG Records, Sakano and I have made big plans for Bad Luck and Nittle Grasper. We've all decided it's time you guys got a shot at real fame, internationally. We have many venues set up for you to visit; the first being—"
"WHAT?! WOOOO! You can't be serious, this is too cool!" Shuichi said.
"Where are we going first?" Hiro wondered, completely surprised. K had mentioned 'big plans' but this wasn't what he expected. How cool! He looked at Shuichi excitedly.
K chuckled, "Well, I was getting to that point. We'll land in Toronto, Canada first, just as they are starting their International Film Festival," K explained.
Everyone blinked at him.
Sakano jumped in, "It'll be good for you to meet new talent, get a feel for things. We're not just going to play music; we are going to make a name for you there. There's going to be videos made, and new stages to play on—"
"And parties…" Tohma offered.
"Awesome…" Hiro and Shuichi said together.
Ryuichi jumped in on the conversation too, "And, I'm coming too!
Tohma sighed amused, "They know that already." The president was looking at them with interest. They all seemed excited, this was a good sign. "Apparently there is a growing demand for Japanese music overseas…and I want NG to branch out."
Each member of Bad Luck all stared at Tohma.
"So, we get to learn some new theories and technique's…I'm all for it!" Suguru claimed happily, always looking for new devices to perfect his craft.
Tohma smiled at his cousin.
"YAY! Won't it be fun, Kumagoro?" Ryuichi cheered happily to his plushie and everyone laughed.
That was when the media around them all began thrusting microphones into their faces and asking for more details about this 'tour'. But Tohma proclaimed that a public statement would be issued from NG live in a few days.
"Wow, this is exciting," Hiro said to K, giving him an eye-crested grin. Just as he was about to go over to the man, he heard his name being called. He turned around.
"Hello, Nakano-san," spoke Ayaka with her soft voice.
"Ayaka-chan…" Hiro said quickly with surprise on his face. He felt guilty that he'd forgotten she had come to the show…
"Oh, are you alright?" she asked with concern, smoothing her hands over a long coat that she wore over a long pink dress.
"Uh…fine. So, you came…I…I wondered if you would," Hiro stammered, unsure what he was supposed to say to her in front of everyone, especially K.
"I live in Kyoto, remember?" she said frowning slightly and added, "Actually, I came to talk to you…do you think we can we go someplace?"
"…Sure." Hiro put down his glass of champagne, cast a worried look at K and then at his band members. Butterflies swirled in his stomach. "Well, I guess I'll be seeing you guys later."
Everyone watched them leave and K caught a glance from Yuki, he shifted his eyes away.
No, big deal, so Hiro was going off alone with his girlfriend. That's right, Hiro's girlfriend! He sighed and wondered what they were going to do. No, no! He shouldn't go there, wouldn't. Still, he was looking at the door from which Hiro left when Shuichi tapped on his arm
"So tell us more about this tour, I'm all excited!" he clamoured.
K suddenly felt a bit irritable, like there was a static cloud hanging over his head. He didn't like feeling this way and he was no longer in the mood to talk about their tour. His right eye was twitching; his trigger finger felt bored…what if he followed them? Ok, he couldn't very well do that! He sat down in a comfy chair and forced himself to get a grip; he began to explain some of the things they'd be doing on tour and whatnot.
"Yuki, will you come too?" Shuichi asked with fear in his voice, he didn't want to leave him behind for so long!
Yuki sat quiet for many moments. He so saw this coming! He groaned. "I'd have to work something out with my publisher—maybe they have an international office that I can contact. Let me look into it, ok?" he said to Shuichi surprisingly, who now launched himself on him once more.
Everyone was shocked to silence. But Tohma smiled.
Only K groaned loudly at this, feeling obstinate and restless. "Oh great, Yuki is coming? Who could have predicted that in the stars?" he moaned rudely. Yuki narrowed his eyes at him, but K just stared coolly back. And now everyone's eyes were on him, K got up abruptly and announced, "You guys don't need me around now…I'm going back to the hotel, enjoy the party." Without waiting for replies he grabbed his coat and left hastily.
He just needed to get out. The cold, night air nipped at his nose and bit his cheeks, but K didn't really feel it. Maybe he was overreacting, maybe Ayaka had a good reason for being here, he thought. But still, he couldn't stop this feeling of juvenile jealousy.
"I'm glad you agreed to leave that coffee shop and come here to talk, it's more private," Ayaka explained taking a seat on the edge of Hiro's bed in his hotel room. She kept her coat on.
Pursing his lips, Hiro had wondered why she wanted to come here. He had a sinking feeling. "Why, what's on your mind?" he asked nervously and blushing lightly because she was sitting on the bed where K had fucked him last night.
Ayaka was watching him with concern, "I'm sorry if I'm making you uncomfortable."
"No, no it's alright," Hiro said softly, stuffing his hands in his pockets. He just wanted to get this over with.
"Well," she took a deep breath, "I'm getting married."
Hiro eyebrows shot up, "What?!"
"I'm sorry. I should have told you why I wasn't calling anymore, or visiting you. It was really wrong of me," the long brown-haired girl said. "I…I just can't see my future with a man who spends his life on the road, surrounded by screaming girls, and who is always so busy. Too busy for me..."
Hiro didn't know what to say. In some weird way he was relieved, but in others he was hurt by her words. It hadn't been that bad finding time to make a call or well, ok so he couldn't visit her as much as he might have liked. Suddenly, he didn't feel so guilty now when he decided to mess around with K. But he didn't want to argue, in fact, he felt free now. He smiled at the woman deemed the 'Kyoto Beauty' and said, "I'm happy for you, really, it's ok."
Ayaka gave a huge grin, she knew Hiroshi meant that and she got up to give him a hug. "I'm sorry again," she said in a hushed voice.
"I'll always love you…but, as a friend," Hiro said thoughtfully and hugged her back.
"And, I'll always love you, too," she replied and stepped back. "Well, I've taken a lot longer than I thought. Someone is waiting for my return tonight, I should be off. Good luck Nakano-san…the show was great."
K wandered into the hotel and rode the elevator up to the top floor. He walked down the dimly lit hallway, with his hands stuffed in his jacket pockets. When he passed Hiro's hotel door, he glanced at it and frowned. Just as he was about to move along, he heard voices coming from Hiro's room.
Ayaka and Hiro were here!?
K halted, no he shouldn't…like fuck he thought and leaned against the door to eavesdrop. He caught the few jumbled words between them.
"I'll always love you..." mumble…mumble.
"…love you always too…"
Why that two-faced little shit!
K grit his teeth angrily and stormed off to his room. He had heard quite enough! How…could he? How could Hiro go around saying 'I love you' to every Tom, Dick and Sally? K leaned against his room door and counted to ten, something he didn't do very often. He should have known better, what could Hiro possibly see in him anyways? Hiro didn't mean anything when he had said 'I love you' to him. It really was just something that came out in the heat of the moment. He ought to go over there and give Hiro a piece of his mind, but he didn't. He couldn't. He'd been right about his fear all along, a fear he had been ignoring…Hiro saw him as nothing more than some wild fling with an experienced old man.
A door outside, opened and closed. It came from Hiro's room!
K held his breath as someone walked past his door talking out loud. He heard Ayaka's voice, "I still can't believe he asked me to marry him." She sounded so happy.
Before he could stop himself, K pulled out his magnum...
The lamp on the nightstand got blown to bits.
So did the clock radio.
Argh! This is what he got for letting himself get so attached so quickly! Fuck! He needed to get out of this room! He knew he should calm down—that he shouldn't be overreacting like this, but he couldn't stop. It was like something inside of him just clicked, as if the timer of the bomb hit zero.
He. Was. Mad!
Hiro heard the gun fire and wondered if K was murdering someone. He opened his door to see K leaving his room. The man looked pissed, his face etched with fury. He'd never seen K so riled up before. The blonde didn't look at him and strode off down the hall, sliding bullets into his gun.
"K?!" Hiro cried, but the man didn't stop.
"K!!"
Everytime Hiro called his name, K only felt more furious. At the end of the hall he kicked the stairwell door open and disappeared down the stairs.
Another heavy door clicked shut behind him.
K had just gotten to the slushy streets from a fire exit of the hotel when Hiro, came flying out of it a second later.
"K! Please stop, what's wrong?!" Hiro pleaded.
That's when K whipped around and pointed his gun at Hiro's head. "Don't fuck with me right now, Hiro!"
Hiro's eyes shot open, "I…I…"
The rest of Bad Luck and Nittle Grasper were returning to the hotel after the party. They were crossing the street when they heard K yelling and then saw him pointing his gun at Hiro.
"What's going on!?" Shuichi cried. "K, stop that!"
Slowly, K replaced his gun to its holster. He cast his hostile eyes on Shuichi, "It's nothing. Just leave me alone…" K said coldly. With a swish of his blond hair, he turned and walked away.
Everyone stood there as K strode off.
"What's got his panties in a bunch?" Noriko muttered.
Hiro watched him go. What the hell just happened?! If there was something wrong, why couldn't K just talk to him? Did something bad happen after he'd left Kyoto Hall with Ayaka? Was it personal? Maybe something to do with his family? Dammit! Feeling the wet slush seeping through his socks, Hiro shivered. With a heavy sigh, he watched K until he disappeared. Everyone else had entered the hotel and was now waiting for him to come inside.
"Don't worry, K's just PMS'ing or something," Noriko said and chuckled evilly at her own joke.
Hiro ignored Noriko. No, it was something else he was sure of it. But being too cold to stand around here waiting…Hiro reluctantly followed his friends inside.
A/N: K is such a dolt XD And he gets even worse sorta in the next chapter...poor Hiro. But don't worry after the angst things will get better I promise!
Reviewers: I haven't done this yet, but some of you have left wonderful comments and I want to respond.
Kayakun: I'm so happy you found the story funny and are enjoying it. The real test though, comes with the next few chapters as something really scary happens...I'm really hoping the readers don't kill me XD
RitsukaVanilla: As I mentioned to Kayakun...yeah dramatic events for this chapter, and chapter 8 AND 9. Posting those chapters always makes me nervous lol. -hugs- I'm glad you're enjoying the fic!
kel: Oh I will keep writing hun not to worry -squish- I've never abandoned a story yet XD Of course this fic is already written, but I do admit it takes a long time to edit these chapters...I've changed so much about them. Thanks so much for you comments...I'm glad you feel it more realistic. I tried not to make it to slow, in fact I felt that in the later chapters of this fic it went sort of fast. I'm not sure...I just didn't want to draw it out endlessly, but get to the point in a fun way. Smut, fluff, angst, more fluff, smut and then more fluff! XD
Wolffan: Aww thanks hun! And YES! Human. K as a human and not some pervy manager etc. He's a person too lol. Eeee! He's my favourite and then Hiro too! Actually it's funny...I sort of disliked K at first...I'm not sure why. I loved Hiro first, but then K grew on me...he was funny, dynamic and plot mover. After I read the manga I totally loved him, the books gave him so much more personality than the anime. So then it became K and then Hiro. Wee! Then I put them together and the rest is history lol! Congratulations on graduating soon!
