Velvet Underworld: Chapter Six: God Hurts Those He Loves

Author's Note: Looks like this project is on the move again. I'd like to say thank you for those people who really waited and anticipated every single update of this fic, no matter how LONG it too. (Might I say, really, really long) Especially people like Valma Jungeta (I hope I got that right, I'm sorry if I didn't) It really means a lot to me that you waited for this fic. Thanks so much!

Anyway, we're here back to Hiroshi's flashback of why he decided to do this. The next chapter we will pan to Weiss and we will find out exactly what Ken had in mind when he did the crazy thing like kidnapping Hiroshi. And, Ryuuichi Sakuma is with them... Hmmmm....

Here it is! The Story Unfolds!

A year ago...

It was the morning after. Hiroshi had been the one to pick Shuuichi up from Eiri's place in his motorbike. They were running a little quick today, since it was only a few weeks before the concert in the second Tokyo Bay Music Fest would begin. Bad Luck, ever since they had pulled the stunt they did during the first time. People soon recognized their real abilities and more things were coming in for them.

Of course, as Hiroshi drove over and made a left turn over at the next block. The impact of yesterday's little accident; he still couldn't get over what had happened just a night ago. He was glad that Mia-chan had gotten away from those men and that he and Shuuichi managed to get out of the whole thing in one piece, which was for sure. But the heavy feeling of him killing someone wouldn't leave him alone. He remembered the feeling of having to aim a gun and shooting the man down, watching him die. It made him sick to his stomach at some point. The fact remains that he was responsible for it, didn't help him anymore.

He tried consoling himself with a few facts. The man was out to kill them, if he didn't do anything – he and Shuuichi would've been shot to death. They brought harm upon innocent people like Mia-chan, that in itself was enough for this sort of justice.

But there was a fact that all his life. He had known this one to be true, killing people was wrong. It was something criminal and punishable by law. He had been taught this by those around him, though he knew society was the one indulging in all these things.

But was it wrong to commit a sin for a good cause?

He shook his head as he stopped the motorbike in front of Yuki's house. He turned off the engine and got off, walking to the door – he politely rung the doorbell.

There was no reply for a few moments, until the door opened and Shuuichi had stepped out, the young boy smiled as he waved back to the inside of the house, to Eiri who might've been inside.

''I'll see you later, Yuki! I'll try to come home early!'' he closed the door behind him and smiled brightly. ''Yo, Hiro!''

Hiroshi laughed as he smiled. ''Well, good to see you're up today.'' He said with a nod. ''You seem happier. Did something happen between you and Yuki-san?'' he tried not to sound a little jealous when he said that. He always had feelings for his best friend and was a little saddened as they it was never really returned that way.

Shuuichi smiled and clasped his hands together. ''We're going to work hard today!'' he said with a laugh as he ran. ''The Tokyo Music Fest is on in a few weeks! And we can't let the fans down!'' he flashed a peace sign, making Hiroshi laugh again. He was happy to see Shuuichi so uppy even after yesterday. Well, he had always been resiliant that way as he remembered.

Both of them, got on the motorbike. Shuuichi held onto Hiroshi from behind as he started the bike and drove off into top speed, towards the N-G building which was only a few blocks away from where Eiri lived.

''Wow, Shuuichi.'' Hiroshi said. ''I'm really impressed with you.'' He paused for a few moments.

''Ah? What do you mean?'' Shuuichi asked him.

''I mean about last night. Usually, some people would still be traumatized over it.'' he paused again before he continued. ''You had a gun aimed to your head and you had people actually shoot at you. I'm surprised you can even talk.''

Shuuichi smiled and shook his head. ''Uhm.'' He sighed and looked up. ''I did it because someone was in trouble. I'm glad that Mia-chan is okay and all. Think of what those men would've done to her if we didn't come in time.''

Hiroshi sighed and nodded as he looked ahead. ''Sou da na.'' he glanced at Shuuichi before turning his eyes back to the road yet again. ''You really are a good person, you know?''

Shuuichi laughed again. ''Anyone would've done the same.''

''No, not really. You're the only one crazy enough to pull a stunt like that.''

''But... you're a good person, too Hiro.''

''Ah? Ore ka?''

''Uhm.'' Shuuichi nodded. ''You helped Mia-chan, too. And you helped me, most importantly.''

Hiroshi paused and closed his eyes for a moment. /A good person.../

''Even if... I killed someone?'' he wasn't able to hold the thought in. Even Shuuichi was surprised at the monotomous tone that his best friend now had.

''Hiroshi...''

There was a few moments of silence before Shuuichi put a hand on his forehead, Hiroshi glanced at him once.

''Shuuichi...''

''Don't think like that, Hiro.'' Shuuichi said with a smile. ''You killed that person for a reason. You didn't do it out of ill will or anything like that.'' He nodded. ''You saved us.''

''Saved you?''

''Whether you killed someone or not... I don't care. You're my friend and you saved us out there, you did a good thing, it always will be that way to me.''

Hiroshi smiled as he looked on ahead. He drove a little faster than the usual. To hell with the world, he thinks. As long as one important person would think that way, then that's all that really matters, isn't it?

And they went on their way.

They arrived at the building around past nine. The two made their way into the building, greeting everyone who passed them by greeted them warmly, some even cheered them on to work hard for the coming Music Fest. Hiroshi noticed how Shuuichi moved so energetically towards the music room. The truth was, even he felt better himself. What his best friend had said really did help him.

They passed by the main hall where the vending machines, waiting areas and television sets were. Shuuichi looked up and looked over to Hiroshi.

''Gah, I have to get a drink first. Do you mind waiting a while?'' he asked.

''Go on ahead, Shuuichi.'' Hiroshi said with a grin. ''Remember, you're the leader. You get to decide when we move.''

Shuuichi smiled and ran towards the vending machines, Hiroshi again looked out the window and paused to gather his thoughts for a moment. He looked and watched the busy city and it's people through the glass windows, the day seemed lovelier to him today, he was unsure why exactly – but right now, he didn't care he was happy. He should just hold onto it while it lasted. After all, happiness was fleeting. It would come and leave again, might as well hold onto it while you could.

Suddenly, he heard a canned drink fall to the ground and a surprised scream come from Shuuichi. Hiroshi's eyes widened and turned around.

''Shuuichi?'' he asked.

He ran to his best friend, who was looking at the television set, with his wide purple eyes in shock and in disbelief as he took a step back.

''Shuuichi! What is it?'' Hiroshi asked.

''Sou na...'' Shuuichi trailed off. He pointed to the television screen. ''Mia-chan ga...''

''Eh?''

Hiroshi looked up to find Mia's picture flashed on the screen, with the voice of the reporter.

''Kurogane Mia was found dead inside her home, with her mother and father and her two younger sisters this morning. The neighbors had reported mist and smoke coming from inside the house around six in the morning to six thirty. It had been too late when someone called the authorities to save them. According to reports, it had been poisonous gas which had been located to have come from poisonous smoke bombs thrown into the house while the whole family slept. Investigations are still being held and still the authorities have no leads on what happened.''

''Mia-chan...'' Hiroshi trailed off, he suddenly looked up and frowned. ''They got to her after all... ''

''Are you saying that the same people? –'' Shuuichi looked up at him.

''I wouldn't know anyone else who would be able to pull this off.'' Hiroshi answered as he shook his head.

There were a few moments of silence, before Shuuichi fell on his knees. Hiroshi's eyes widened as he looked at him.

''Shuuichi? –''

Shuuichi had his eyes shut tightly, his hands to his sides as he clenched both his fists. Sobs were starting to escape his lips as he looked down.

''It's not fair...'' he whispered tearfully. He started to sob more now, he could hear it clearly coming from him. ''Why did they have to do that to Mia-chan?!'' his cries were becoming uncontrollable as he clenched his fists even tighter.

Hiroshi closed his eyes, almost bitterly as he heard Shuuichi's words.

''She didn't do anything wrong!''

After that, the mood had completely changed.

That morning, Shuuichi worked and practiced, but he was not very enthusiastic about it. He got easily distracted and it didn't help that everyone was pushing him too hard. There were times that he looked like he was about to die, or at least that he was about to crumble into a million pieces. Hiroshi noticed as well and was the one most concerned about him. Sakano was, too. But it was the fact that Shuuichi wouldn't mention why he was that way.

The night came soon and it was time that the two of them left N-G. They were riding in Hiroshi's motorbike to Eiri's house where he would drop Shuuichi off. There were no words exchanged between them for a long while.

Until Hiroshi broke the silence.

''Shuuichi...'' he asked. ''About this morning...''

Shuuichi looked even more down than he did when Hiroshi mentioned it. ''I just – don't understand...'' he said softly. ''What did she do wrong? Why would they want to hurt people this way?'' he trailed off again into a few more moments of silence.

Until he spoke again. ''It's just not right...''

''I know it isn't, Shuuichi.'' Hiroshi said as he made a left turn. ''But what happened to Mia-chan – it's not your fault.''

''I was so happy that she got away from them! I was so happy that she wasn't hurt!'' Shuuichi said again. ''It didn't have to be this way... It's not fair!''

There was a long pause between them, Shuuichi closed his eyes.

''There was no point...'' he said. ''There was no point if this was going to happen...''

Hiroshi paused and spoke in a cool tone.

''Do you really feel that way?'' he asked.

''She's dead...''

''But you saved her... even just once, you did.'' Hiroshi said again. ''You gave her a chance to live. Even if it was just for a few more hours.'' He glanced back at him.

''Shuuichi... You can't save everyone. It's not your job to do something like that – I know it's painful to accept. But, it's true. You saved her once – and that meant enough for her. Wherever she is... I'm sure she'll always remember what you did for her. She had a chance to see her family again, to be with them one more time...'' he paused. ''Shouldn't that be enough?''

Shuuichi's eyes widened slightly as Hiroshi stopped the bike over at an empty street curb. Hiroshi removed his helmet and got off the bike, he turned to Shuuichi.

''If she were listening –'' he said looking up the sky. ''I'm sure that – she wouldn't blame you for what happened either.''

With that, the lead vocalist smiled a bit and got off the bike. He stood beside his best friend and both of them looked up at the sky, the beautiful bright sky where the stars twinkled.

''Do you think... she's up there?'' Shuuichi asked.

''I don't know, Shuuichi... But wherever she is...'' Hiroshi paused and closed his eyes as he took a deep breath. ''I'm sure it's better than down here...''

''Hiro...''

Just then, they heard a few sounds from a far. Both of them paused to look up as they thought it was cars driving from a far. They even chose to ignore it then, looking back up at the clouds and the skies, keeping peacefully quiet.

''Should we go then?'' Hiroshi asked with a grin. ''Yuki-san might be waiting for you.''

''Uhm! We wouldn't want him to miss me too much!'' Shuuichi said, brightly now.

''That's better...''

Just then, a bullet suddenly flew in between them. Hiroshi winced as he got grazed slightly across the shoulder, Shuuichi screamed as he fell on the ground and looked up. Hiro, however had managed to back away and stay on his feet.

''Hiro! – Those are! –''

Suddenly, more gunshots came. Hiroshi ducked them and grabbed Shuuichi's hand, both of them running away from where the shooting came from.

''What's going on?!''

''It's them!'' Hiroshi said loudly. ''It has to be!''

Just as they ran away – carlights suddenly brightened and lighted themselves towards them. They saw black cars blocking their way – They both took a step back as men emerged from them, dressed in the black suits and holding their guns.

''Did you think we were going to forget about you two?'' one of them asked with a snicker.

Shuuichi frowned as he glared at them. ''You're the ones who killed Mia-chan!''

''Yeah, we got that bitch good. After all, we couldn't have them spreading the news to the authorities now, could we?'' he aimed his gun at them. ''And it's the same with you two.''

Hiroshi grabbed Shuuichi's hand as they decided to head for the grassfields.

''RUN!'' Hiroshi cried, trying to duck himself and Shuuichi away from the bullets as they came for them.

A bullet had managed to hit Hiroshi's leg as he was not fast enough. He cried in pain as he was stumbling but he pushed Shuuichi ahead as far as he could.

Shuuichi stopped himself from running and looked back. ''Hiro!''

''Go, you idiot!'' Hiroshi called as he winced again. ''You're the one they're after! Go to Yuki-san's house! Hurry!''

''Hiro!'' Shuuichi frowned and started to run back towards him. ''I'm not leaving you behind!''

Hiroshi was about to yell back in protest, when his dark blue eyes widened as he suddenly saw someone from behind Shuuichi.

''SHUUICHI! LOOK OUT!'' he called.

But it was too late. Shuuichi had been hit from behind the head with a gun, he winced and cried out in pain as he fell to the ground. Hiroshi's eyes widened as he tried to get up, but winced again as his leg injury was beginning to worsen.

''SHUUICHI!'' he called. To his horror, men were gathering around them. He tried to get up again, but to his surprise guns were aimed at him. He looked up to see about five men surrounding him, one of them had moved and started to kick him repeatedly.

He was in pain, but he could hear – the only thing he could hear was the men who were around Shuuichi, laughing as he started to beat him up, kicking, punching him, striking him with anything. Shuuichi was crying as he tried to get up and struggle against them.

''SHUUICHI!'' he glared at the men who surrounded him as they kept their guns aim, Hiroshi could see where the men with Shuuichi were a few steps from them. They backed away from him – Hiroshi was horrified at the sight of Shuuichi covered in blood and bruises. His eyes widened in anger as he was able to push himself up.

The men panicked and started to go at him

He grabbed one by the collar, knocking him down on the ground. Another one tried to attack him, he kicked him back -- making him crash into the other three. He looked up and started to run towards Shuuichi.

''Shuuichi! Shuuichi! Shikaishiro!''

''Hiro! Abunai! --Ah!''

He suddenly stopped, his eyes widened as there was a stabbing feeling of pain that went through him -- He cried out in pain as he fell to the ground, the wound on his side -- bleeding, he slowly looked up. Hearing the men laughing -- as the surrounded him again. He looked up angrily.

''YAMERO! SHUUICHI! SHUUICHI!''

He was crying out in pain, struggling to fight back -- He watched in horror as they laughed.

''K-Kisama-tachi... Let him go! Let him go! SHUUICHI!''

They all backed away-- Hiroshi gasped, his eyes widening. As he saw Shuuichi, weakly lying on the ground -- bruised and bleeding. One of them aimed a gun at his head.

''Yamero! Yamero! Dame! Shuuichi!''

Shuuichi looked up. His eyes half opened -- as if he accepted it. He closed his eyes tightly and screamed in his loudest voice.

''RUN! RUN AWAY! HIRO!''

Gunshot...

His body started to shake, he could hear unbelieving gasps escaping his body. The men were starting to back away from the body, his eyes filled with hot and bitter tears as everything was slowly going into blur, as the tears cleared from his eyes after they fell, he saw it. Shuuichi's battered body with a bulletshot through the forehead. He made a gagging sound as then he shut his eyes tightly.

''No...No...No... NO!'' he repeatedly gasped.

He heard a clicking sound and there was gunfire, a bullet went right through the right side of his chest, a little close to the shoulder. He spat and coughed out blood as he let out a cry of pain. The men around him started to run back to their cars.

His dark blue eyes looked up, his vision slowly darkening. But from a far, he could see where the bullet came from. A car was there, the window rolled down. A man was aiming a gun at him – dark brown hair and gray eyes. He smiled, charmingly as he pulled the window back up. The cars began to drive away from him, and soon there was silence.

Hiroshi looked at Shuuichi's dead body as he slowly started to reach out to him. His eyelids were closing slowly, slowly and a heavily feeling draped over him as he whispered.

''Shuuichi...''

It had been a few hours and Shuuichi had not yet come home. Eiri was working on his deadline as he didn't have any plans to sleep. It was due in fourty-eight hours and he had to finish it in time. Or else his publishers would've panicked yet again.

Of course, the project wasn't the only one keeping him up. He glanced at the clock and saw the time. It was five minutes past three in the morning. And Shuuichi wasn't home yet. He consoled himself earlier by saying that he was probably doing overtime because of the music fest. And he could shrug it off and turn back to work. But the truth was, he was kind of getting worried. Shuuichi worked late, but would come home around past twelve.

Eiri fought the overwhelming urge inside of him to call N-G and ask where he was. He was never like that, he never did that. If he did, Shuuichi might get carried away and start acting all 'stupid and loud' again. He shook his head and sighed as he got up, picking up his empty mug of coffee, to refill it in the kitchen.

As he headed towards there, the whole room which was quiet was suddenly rattled by the telephone ringing. He sighed and rolled his eyes yet again. He knew that it might've been Shuuichi calling to say that he was going home. But even though he felt sligthly annoyed that someone would call him past three am in the morning, he felt relieved. He walked over to the phone and uncharacteristically answered it.

''Hai?'' he asked in his usual, dry tone.

''Yuki desu.''

There was a long silence. And he felt irritated. He had just gotten interrupted from work by a stupid prank caller. He was hardly in the mood for games or jokes. Not only was he annoyed at this nagging feeling that something had gone wrong, he also was annoyed at the fact that someone would waste his time and at the thought of his publishers bothering him yet again.

Again, he asked in a more stern and cold tone.

''Yuki desu. Nan desu ka.''

''Yuki-san...'' the voice trailed off.

He recognized the voice. He knew that it was Hiroshi, why would he be the one calling? Just then, his heart pounded slightly hard on his chest. The thought of him being right about something gone wrong could've been true and it slightly scared him.

''Hiro-kun? What do you want?''

There was a long pause of silence. And it made Eiri's heart beat even more, though he was trying his best to remain very calm about it. He sighed, his hands wanted to shake so badly. But he stopped himself and continued to regain his composure.

He scowled and sighed. ''Look, are you going to tell me or not? If you are then just spit it out.''

''Open the television, Yuki-san.''

This did not make it any better...

''Do it, Yuki-san.''

''Can't you just tell me?''

He picked up the remote and opened the TV. There it was, the news.

Shindou Shuuichi -- Lead singer of Bad Luck was found dead in one of the back alleys. He seemed to be injured and beaten up badly before getting shot through the head...

His mind went into a total blank. The words of the reporter echoed through his mind over and over. He tried to shut his eyes and open them again. Hoping that he would be dreaming, inside, he was still hoping that this was some sort of joke. But it was real. He felt real pain, he had the overwhelming urge to break down.

He heard Hiroshi's shaky voice through the receiver as he continued.

''I -- I wanted to tell you -- a little later. But this news couldn't wait any longer. --''

''Who did this?'' his voice was rough.

His voice was starting sound angry -- as he found that he was starting to feel angry.

''Who did this?'' again.

'' Some men attacked us and --''

''Us? You were with him?''

He frowned, clutching the handle of the phone.

''What happened? Tell me... I have to know!'' his voice was shaky and desperate, though now, he didn't care.

''Y-Yuki-san... gomen nasai...''

He turned off the TV. Shaking his head, he sat down and gripped the phone even tighter.

''What the hell happened? Tell me who did it!''

''I don't know who did it -- But I remember what he looked like.'' he paused. ''Yuki-san... gomen nasai.''

He hung up before he could even finish, at that moment – he was angry, so angry that he could've killed someone. He clenched his fists and sank down to his couch. For a few minutes, he was breathing heavily – tears were stinging his eyes. Tears of anguish, bitterness and hatred – that's what they were. He knew them, he had these not so long ago...

But they were also tears of regret.

The frown from his face disappeared. Being replaced by a saddened expression that he never showed to anyone. He bowed his head down and ran both his hands through his hair.

''Shuuichi...''

After a few moments, again – the phone rung. He was ready to ignore it as the tears fell from his eyes. But the ringing became louder and louder to his ears, as if they were taunting him. Slowly they began to fill the whole room. Eiri let out a bitter, heartbreaking cry as he picked up the phone and answered roughly.

''I told you! Whatever you say won't bring him back! Leave me alone!''

But there was an unusual response. There were the static television sounds were heard, as if there was a disturbance where the call was coming from. The voice wasn't clear, but it was female and it was slightly panicked, calling and yelling even.

''Get...out! Your...No time...Now!...''

Eiri's eyes widened as he then answered again. ''Who the hell is this?''

''No...Now... Get out!...still can...now!''

His house then went into explosion. If you stood outside of it, you could see the slightly massive flames and the random objects fly about as it was damaging. It had wrecked a few houses beside it, and there was nothing but mere silence, distant screams and the cackling of the flames.

TSUZUKU