Riding Life's Currents
Chapter 8
By Kiyoko
April 23, 2003
The cool night air blew at Kira's platinum blonde locks ruffling up hours of work. Annoyed, she tried to bat at the fluttering wind with no success. Next to her Jordan shifted her weight from left to right. The curls piled at the crown of her head bounced cheerfully with each movement.
"Where are they?" Kira complained loudly. Her slightly tinted cheeks became more flushed as the minutes passed. The corner of Jordan's mouth curved upwards while patting Kira softly on the shoulder.
"Cool down, they'll be here soon," she explained. As if on cue Toshiro, Aya, and Lavender strolled around the block laughing loudly. Noticing the duo waiting for them, the trio picked up the pace reaching them shortly. Together they headed into the plain glass door. A non-descript hallway led them to a larger pair of double doors. Smiling cheekily at the girls, Toshiro pushed open the door. Dim lights greeted them as they entered a lavishly decorated room. Two more double doors were located on the other side of the room with an air of importance. In front of the door stood a rather imposing man who's head nearly grazed the ceiling and had plenty of muscle to spare. Unfazed Toshiro strolled up to the man and took his large hand in his own.
"Evening Harold, all right," Toshiro said to the man. 'Harold' straightened the sleeves of his suit then replied; "Four girls, I'm impressed" a dashing grin appeared on Toshiro's face.
"Well what can I say? I have a way with the ladies." Lavender burst out laughing, clutching her stomach for emphasis. She walked up to the double doors purposefully, but before entering she gazed at Toshiro over her shoulder, "If that's so, then you're paying, "winking at her cousin she added, "Evening Harold"
Pushing the doors open with little effort, a rainbow of colours burst from inside pouring swirling light into the room. Music accosted Kira's ears and she felt her chest moving with the bass of the music. Following Lavender's example, the girls followed her into the energetic room. Dazzling multi-coloured lights moved in random patterns, while sweaty pulsating bodies twirled in the heart of the room.
Toshiro slipped in a moment later sliding his arms around her petite waist. Bending down, he gently caressed Kira's neck with his lips and began kissing the sensitive flesh. Heat rose in her stomach causing it tingle in a way that was beginning to feel all too familiar. Her arm rose over her shoulder curling it around his neck. Her hand ruffled the fine hairs at the base of his skull pulling his head increasingly closer. Uncurling her arm from his head, he cupped her hand in his.
"Lets find a table," Toshiro screamed over the blaring music and loud crowd. He pushed through the huge throng of people dancing wildly, pulling Kira protectively behind him. The deeper he moved into the noisy depths of the club, the quicker his responsibilities and worries melted away into oblivion. All he felt was the bass of the music and the girl's hand that he cared for greatly. Finding a large, square table surrounded by squishy couches and chairs Toshiro throwing off his black jacket haphazardly he plopped down pulling Kira down into his lap. Jordan, Aya, and Lavender followed suit shrugging off their coats.
"What do you want to drink?" he asked, his breath tickling her ear issuing a slight giggle in response.
"Um, what are you getting?"
"Guinness" Kira made an odd face, then smiled, "I'll have that too."
"Are you sure? I'm not certain…" she cut him off abruptly, "I'm sure" Kira crossed her arms beneath her breasts signalling her stubbornness on the issue. Toshiro sighed and Kira slid off his lap onto the soft couch below.
"Anybody else?" the rest quickly relayed their orders to Toshiro and Lavender gracefully rose to her feet to accompany him to the bar.
"Can I get two pints of Guinness, a cosmopolitan, a midori sour, a jack and coke, and a Smirnoff Ice?" The short woman silently admired the man in front of her before nodding, and then turned away.
"I see you're taking my advice to heart," Lavender said while brushing a stray lock of hair out of her face.
"If I'm going to be trapped in a cage for the rest of my life, I might as well have fun until then," Toshiro took in a deep breath then let out a quiet sigh, "My time with her is precious. I need something to remember, some hope that my life isn't a set path in front of me." The young prince glanced through the crowd and sought out the figure of his space princess. The stars had sent her from the sky, a gift he could fail to measure. He wondered where her life would go after this. Toshiro knew he'd never see her again, not after he was married. Could the gods have placed a worse curse upon his soul? He thought not.
"Are you ok?" Lavender asked shaking Toshiro out of his daze.
"Yeah, I'm fine," he turned to the bartender, "put it on my tab."
***
Kira watched as Toshiro and Lavender pushed through the crowd, his blue hair visible like a light in the distance.
"What would your father say if he saw you now?" Jordan asked grinning like a maniac.
"If I cared for his opinion, I wouldn't be here." Kira shifted her weight to remover her coat, "I'd rather not talk about it and you ought not have brought it up," she replied focusing her attention away from the braided-haired girl. Aya stirred uncomfortably in her seat.
"I'm going to the ladies room," she announced quickly and made a b-line for the restroom.
"Why do you do that Jordan? You know I love my father. Why did you say that in front to Aya?"
"Secrets only make matters worse, keeping who you are a secret won't help anything," Jordan explained. Kira faced Jordan, anger etched on her ivory face.
"For once someone is looking at me, not my bank account. I'm sorry if I want him to like me and me alone." Jordan met Kira's icy stare with one of her own. She sat up with her elbow on her knees and leaned in toward the other girl.
"Listen Kira Winner, I don't want to see Toshiro hurt. He's my best friend; I love him more than you could ever know. If I could pick anyone to take care of him, it's you." Kira's eyes softened and reached out a slender hand to rest a top of Jordan's.
"If you love him so, why aren't you with him?" Kira asked. Jordan slowly looked away and began to open her mouth to answer, but a glass was shoved into her free hand.
"Drink," Toshiro said and grinned down at her. She returned a half smile, but couldn't stop the chill that went up her spine. He sat down next to Kira handing her the pint of black gold. She stared down into the glass giving it a funny look.
"Hope you like chewing your beer," Lavender jeered from across the table. She returned a curious glance before studying the thick head of white foam at the top.
"Actually it's a stout," Toshiro retorted bringing the dark stout to hips lips before chugging the first quarter of the glass. Lavender rolled her eyes at him 'men'! Kira steadily brought the pint up to her lips and tentatively took a large sip. The bitter flavour hit her taste buds with extreme force. Shaking her head and trying to eliminate the bitter taste in her mouth she pushed the pint away with intense vigour.
"UGH! How can anybody drink that, let alone enjoy it?" she said disgusted, then looked over to find Toshiro had already drunk half his pint. A look of pure horror crept onto her features when she realized he could actually drink that vile stuff. Digging a hand into his pocket, Toshiro pulled out a chilled bottle of Smirnoff Ice, popped the red top off, then handed it to the horror-stricken girl beside him. She quickly realized that he knew she wouldn't enjoy the Guinness and bought her a back-up drink. Insulted, she yanked the bottle out of his hand and drank silently beside him.
"Lets dance." The group finished off their drinks carelessly dropping the glasses and swayed methodically toward the crowded dance floor. The young prince pulled Kira toward him, wrapping his arms securely around her bare back just above the curve of her dress. In turn she trailed her slim arms around his neck, locked them behind his neck, then smiled seductively up at him. At first Kira had difficulty moving her hips in sync with his and it was obviously the first time she attempted that sort of dancing. Slowly their bodies melted together, their hips swaying to the erratic rhythm of the music. The heavy beat sent the couple into a deep, foggy trance, a world where only the music and one another existed.
Toshiro could feel Kira's chest rising softly with every breath. Closing his eyes slowly he enhanced his feeling of touch and became highly aware of the petite girl he held so tenderly against him. Burying his head deep in her neck, he felt every strand of her silky tresses brush his head. The extreme increase of heat caused the flush in her cheeks rise. Tilting her head back, she allowed better access to the pale flesh of her neck. Suddenly she felt a warm sensation as his tongue roamed smoothly around her neck. Toshiro's arms tightened, pulling her closer, crushing her hips to his. Dizziness took over all her senses while she clutched the boy in front of her for support. Kira drowned in the moment, savouring his every touch as if it was his last. Abruptly the warmth radiating from her front disappeared as Toshiro pulled away, but left his hands firmly planted on her hips.
"Are you ok?" he asked, concern swirling around his blue depths.
"I'm just a little flushed, that's all. I just need some water." Toshiro moved to follow her to the bar, but she raised a hand in protest.
"I'll be right back, I'll be gone but a moment or two," she smiled broadly then turned and began to make her way toward the bar.
A hand reached out and snatched his arm into a tight grip. Lavender pulled her cousin toward the dancing trio bringing the dazed boy back to reality.
"My turn," she grinned pulling him to her," you sure don't waste anytime getting to business do you?"
***
Kira ducked, twirled, and swerved her way to the bar avoiding all possible contact with anyone. Reaching a hand up to her neck where Toshiro's lips had been, she couldn't help the wide grin spreading across her face. Every moment with him was like a dream, although that little buzz of fear surrounded her heart because with every dream comes the heartbreak of waking up to realize nothings changed. Conscious of the wrinkles in her dress, she lowered her hand to smooth the slight wrinkles in her pristine, light-blue dress. A short woman on the other side of the bar with pouty lips and big startling eyes suddenly noticed her and walked over.
"What can I get you?"
"Just water thanks." The woman let out a little sight of frustration before shoving a few ice cubes in a glass with tiny water stains. She hated free drink customers.
"Can I buy you a drink?" Kira jumped slightly and turned to address the person hovering a little too close for comfort over her shoulder. She breathed in the faint scent of cigarette smoke mixed unpleasantly with some sort of cologne. Dressed in a creased, black, leather jacket leaning lazily against the wooden counter. When he sluggishly approached the bar she was the first thing he noticed. With platinum blonde curls styled to perfection and the light-blue dress with the open back was enough to set any man on fire. And he was used to obtaining what he desired one way or another.
"Thank you for the kind offer, but I already have drink," Kira replied looking uninterested. Why couldn't a guy leave her alone for one day!
"C'mon just one drink?" he persisted, admiring the way her dress rested a few inches above her knee.
"No really I'm alright." Kira shook her head to emphasize the fact she indeed did not want him to buy her a drink. Obviously not receiving the hint the man continued to hover around her.
"What's your name?" he asked gently, he loved girls that played hard to get. Kira glanced hopefully toward the dance floor eager to find an escape.
"Kira," she replied attempting to look indifferent.
"That's a beautiful name," he complimented her then picked up her hand and before she had a chance to protest, the man lightly kissed the back of her hand, "and sweet too," he added then grinned down at her. Quickly pulling her hand away, she wiped the hand off with her dress.
"My name is Vander, will you at least dance with me?" he said then reached up with a callous hand to caress her bare shoulder.
***
Toshiro soon began to notice Kira's long absence. Murmuring that he'd be back, he moved skilfully through the dense crowd purposefully toward the bar. He broke through the last barrier of people in front of the bar just in time to see a tall man place his hand on Kira's bare, tantalizing shoulder. He felt as though a fire blazed through his body as he watched the man touch her. 'Calm down this probably isn't what it looks like.' Taking in a deep breath of sticky-hot air, he noticed Kira roll her shoulder back shrugging the offending hand off. Relief washed over him in sweet warmth. He strolled toward the bar, but whom he saw stopped him dead in his tracks when he recognized the man talking with Kira.
The trademark black, leather jacket and slicked back hair said it all. If Kira had any idea who that man was, she would shrink away with fear, but then again if she discovered who he was and what he had done, he reaction could be similar. Vander Worster achieved the worst reputation of all his slimy crew. He had even killed a guy, but was let off because of a lack of evidence. Toshiro had entered numerous fights with him with victories mostly on his side, but with a thicker stature and taller height, Vander clearly had the advantage. ' I'll kill him' he thought as he twisted his expression into an icy glare and cruel grin then walked briskly behind Kira, grabbing her around the waist. Startled, she looked over her shoulder, soft curls brushing against his tan cheek.
"I guess they let anyone in here these days," Toshiro spat at him drawing Kira closer to his body. Confused Kira scrunched up her eyebrows, there was no need to be rude.
"Toshiro!" she scolded elbowing him in the ribs, "There is no need for such behaviour."
"I see you have girls fight your battles now, I always knew you were weak," Vander laughed then sneered maliciously. Kira, realizing that she missed a huge piece of the picture, decided to remain silent.
"Hardly, and I see you can't keep a girl to save your life, but that's barely surprising." Vander's hands clenched into tight fists, his knuckles turning a sickening shade of white.
"So how much did you pay this little number to be your whore for the night?" Vander retorted. Kira's face flamed with rage and Toshiro could feel her stiffen beneath him.
"Don't talk about me as though I'm a piece of property your asshole! Not only are you disgusting, but you lack any sort of charm any sane person would find even vaguely pleasant!" Kira screamed back at him straining against Toshiro's ever tightening grip, "Now get out of my sight before I do the feminine race a favour and dispose of your putrid carcass from this earth!" Slowly backing away during her little passionate rant, Vander realized that this girl was crazier than he was. He would deal with Toshiro later, on his own terms.
Expecting a full out battle to occur, Toshiro let out the breath he was holding and released the vice-grip he had on Kira.
"Your mouth is going to get me into trouble one of these days princess and I don't know whether to run or hide," he teased noticing the wild fire in her eyes and deep flush in her cheeks.
"I don't always have my brothers around to protect me, empty threats is all I have as a defence," she explained, and then melted into his welcoming embrace. He held her close then affectionately kissed the top of her head. Forgetting the pint of water she ordered, they headed back to the dance floor for an intoxicating and exhilarating evening of dancing.
A/N: There are you all happy!!!!!! Thanks to those who pushed me to write this chapter, I couldn't have done it without you. Hopefully this will quench your thirst for a while. I'll try hard to post the next chapter soon; however, I have finals coming up and a million essays to write. Please r&r! Any questions e-mail me.