Well, here it is, chapter 10. I'm sooooooo sorry that it took so long. Last week was tech week for the musical at my school, so I was there until 9 at least every night that week. Then we had 3 shows over the weekend and school has been busy too. Otherwise this would have been out sooner…the things I will do for drama… Anyways…
Disclaimer: I don't own it! But you know what I do own? A lot of chopsticks! Well I do…
Papier-mâché EmotionsBy: Meg-chan
Theo was sitting by an open window, his thoughts wandering. He had a plan of some sorts set out in his mind. There was only one problem with it though. He had the trap set but he wasn't sure on how to trigger it. He continued to stare out the window, his eyes every now and then sliding in and out of focus. As he sat, a slim, masculine figure proceeding down the street at a steady speed.
~*~
Houjun walked on, letting his worries and problems drop like leaves in the falls of New England. The thoughts that clung on were memories of that one night they had spent together, and fantasies of similar situations that could have been. Houjun smiled to himself, as the memories and thoughts played over and over in is head.
Houjun looked up at his surroundings for the first time in some miles. He knew vaguely where he was. He remembered an old park further along the way that he used to frequent when he was younger. He had spent many a day there running around with a young Hikou, playing in the sand or swinging on the swings. That was the place where he and Hikou had first met in fact. Houjun continued on, walking in the direction of the park.
When the young artist reached the park, he sat down on a bench and looked around. It hadn't changed at all since he was young. As his eyes scanned the area, they presently fell upon his hands. He held them up in front of his face, looking at every curve and line. The human hand really is an amazing thing to behold if you look at it the right way. Looking at his hand reminded Houjun that while the park was the same he had changed immensely over the years. The proof of it was all right there in his palm and fingers. If he had done the same thing 12 years before, the hand he would have seen would have been soft and un-blemished. The hand of a child. Now his hand was larger and defined with muscle and bone, and age. He was no longer a child; he now had pains and memories that had brought him crashing into reality.
Though Houjun had changed, was the change for the better? He knew he wasn't considered normal by any standards. First off he had blue hair. He dressed in all black and his art was his only passion. Not to mention that he was gay. Was he really happy with the way things had turned out?
He thought this over to himself for a while. He thought of his friends, his distant but loving relatives, and all his teachers over the years that had supported him. Were they all worth the change? Houjun smiled to himself "Of course they are." He was happy with who he was. He would never choose to be any other way or anyone else. All he knew was the person he was inside. That was good enough for him.
Houjun stood up from the bench and walked over to where the sand box had been, if he remembered correctly. When he found it he sat on the edge, his back to the street. He began tracing pictures in the sand, pictures of memories of his past in this place. A warm comforting feeling crept throughout his body as he smiled contently.
~*~
Theo had sat watching from the same window as this all happened. He saw Houjun enter the park that was across the street from his house. His chance had come. He knew who Houjun was, everyone did. He recognized something else about him now though. Theo knew the look that had been in his eyes when Genrou had snapped at him. It was a look of betrayal and a broken heart. His bait had arrived. Now he had to obtain the bait and lay in wait.
Theo stood and walked to the bathroom and opened the medicine cabinet. He had known from time spent locked in the bathroom with his sister that nail polish remover did a number on the brain. They had been looked in there so long that smell had knocked him out. He grabbed the bottle and a washcloth and walked out, closing the door behind him.
Theo stood in the middle of his driveway, staring across the street at the young man with his back to him. He slowly opened the bottle and doused the cloth with the foul smelling liquid. A breeze blew and ruffled his overly large t-shirt as he made his way silently across the deserted avenue. When Theo made it to the bench Houjun sensed something and quickly turned around. The larger boy was already upon him and the artist had no time to react. The cloth was pressed against his mouth and nose, the fumes stinging his eyes and nose. Theo straddled the slim man, one hand pinning his hands down and the other firmly planting the cloth on his face.
Houjun's mind was a blur. What was going on? Terror spread through his body as he caught a view of the man on top of him. His mind quickly flashed to thoughts of Genrou. Did he have anything to do with this? Or worse, had they got hold of him as well? The last thought on his mind before he passed out was a prayer for the fire-haired youth's safety.
~*~
Genrou was seated on his bed in a pair of boxers with peace signs all over them. A sketchpad was propped up on one knee and a yearbook on the other. He had spent the last hour staring at Houjun's picture. He had set out with the intention of drawing the quiet young man's picture, but all that was on the paper in front of him was an oval that would have become his lovely face. Genrou had always loved sketching portraits, but he had no idea how to put such a sight on paper. If he even tried he felt he would ruin it. He was jerked out of his trance like state by a scream up the stairs. "GEN!!! PHONE!!" He hadn't heard it ring, but went quickly to pick up the receiver. "Hello?"
"Hey Gen, how are ya buddy?" The last word was dripping with bitter sarcasm. Genrou wracked his brain trying to place the voice.
"Theo? Is that you?"
"Yeah it's me. Listen, I got someone here I think ya might be interested in. He's about 5'9" and he's wearin' a black sweater."
Genrou voiced his confusion "What?"
"Oh yeah, he's got blue hair."
Genrou's eyes widened in fear. Theo was obviously talking about Houjun. Genrou knew the twisted way that Theo's mind worked. He also knew what a bigot Theo was, and a semi-intelligent bigot at that. Not a good mix. There was no use trying to hide or deny anything. If he didn't do anything god only knew what could happen to Houjun. It could be the Matthew Shepard story all over again, and he would never let that happen if he had any way of stopping. "What the fuck have you done to him you fucking bastard?!"
"Oh, nothing. He's right next to me. Unconscious, but next to me nonetheless. Is something wrong?"
"Where the hell are you?"
"The old warehouse on 109. Why, are you coming to visit us? I'll be waiting." There was a click as Theo hung up.
"Shit, shit, shit!" Genrou knew he had to do something, but what that something was, he frankly had absolutely no idea. At this moment that didn't matter anymore. He had to help Houjun in any way that he could. He dressed hurriedly and ran out the door. He hopped into his car and drove off without looking back.
~*~
Genrou entered the warehouse and looked around, letting his eyes adjust to the dark. Once he had his bearings he noticed a figure in a chair in the middle of the room. He ran quickly to the young man whom he immediately recognized as Houjun. The artist was awake and fine, but still a little groggy. Just before Genrou could reach him, the larger and more muscular Theo stepped between them from out of the shadows. "I always knew you were a freak." was all he said.
"Back off asshole. You touch one hair on his head and I will fuckin' break yer neck."
"Ooooh, I'm sacred. Just try. Once I get finished with you I'm free to do the same to him and get on my way. And the world will be a better place for it. If it weren't for people like me, you fags would overrun the planet."
As these words rolled so effortlessly off Theo's tongue and sank into Genrou's skin rage over took him. He lunged at the older boy, ready to strike. But Theo was ready, and his longer arms allowed him to make contact first. Genrou fell to the floor, a pain shooting up his back. He heard a cry escape Houjun's lips as he watched in horror. Genrou stood up, remembering why he didn't like to fight, but this time he had a reason, and nothing was going to stop him.
The things that had won Genrou his place on the soccer team, his speed and agility, could also help his here. He ran full speed at Theo before quickly sidestepping him and turning just in time to kick him hard in the back. Theo fell momentarily but quickly stood up again. He used his brute force to inflict some heavy damage upon the smaller man. They followed a similar pattern for some time. Finally, it looked as though the next hit would be the winner. "I'm surprised you did this well, ya fuckin' homo."
Genrou snapped. That was all he needed to send him over the edge. His vision blurred and shapes ran together and things turned red. It brought new meaning to seeing the world through rose tinted glasses. "Shut up you ass!! You have no idea what you are saying. I love this person and nothing you will ever say can change that. Like you would ever know what love is." He snuck under the other man's out stretched arms and struck him hard in the soft spot right bellow his rib cage. Theo keeled over, and didn't get up this time.
Houjun, who had remained silent through the altercation and was now fully aware of what was going on, called out to the red head. "Genrou, are you alright? Do you need help? Should I call an ambulance? Oh god."
Genrou walked over to the chair where Houjun was still tied and slowly undid hi bonds. As they fell to the floor, the fiery man fell with them, his flame slowly fading. Houjun stood quickly from the chair and ran around to him. He cradled Genrou in his arms looking at him with fear in his eye. "Houjun…I just want ya ta know that I'm sorry fer what I said the other day. I never meant it. What I just said now, to Theo, that's what I really wanted to say, but I was scared. Can you forgive me? I'm so sorry…"
Houjun looked at the other man with tears welling up in his good eye. "Of course I can forgive you. To you hear say those words is enough for me, you needn't apologize to me."
Genrou looked up at him adoringly. A weak smile played across his bleeding lips. "Fuck I don't deserve you…" Before he had a chance to say more, Houjun leaned over and softly brushed his own lips to those of the man in his lap. As they parted, Genrou smiled serenely, then his head lightly fell on to his shoulder. Houjun stared, to scared to move. "Oh god, not now, you can't do this to me again!" He quickly pulled out his cell phone and called an ambulance. He told them exactly where they were and then hung up, waiting.
On a thought, he dialed Hikou's number, knowing his friend would be asleep at this hour, but it was important. Hikou answered and Houjun quickly relayed the situation to his friend.
"Oh god Houjun, I'll be right there."
"Hikou, why don't you bring Kouji too? Please? And hurry, I don't like being here alone like this."
"Just hang on Jun. I'll be right there."
Houjun felt his spirit lighten a bit as he heard the old nickname. It always made him smile, the same way Hikou did. He looked down at his newfound love in his lap. The read head was breathing, but it was very shallow, still, he was breathing. Houjun took a deep breath and tried to relax while waiting for the paramedics to arrive.
Well, that's the end…
What? No! Not of the story, just the chapter you bakas… So what did you think? I hope this made up a little for the long wait and the lack of action in the last chapter. I'm not sure how long this is going to end up, but it won't be ending too soon I can promise you that. Thanks for reading, and PLEASE review! They make me so happy and encourage me to write more!! Thanks!!