Disclaimer: I don't own Digimon. I don't own the songs Still Dre by Dr.Dre, 8 Miles and Running by Jay-Z, Marshall Mathers and Rabbit Run by Eminem either. ::bitter sigh::
I WANT TO EXPLAIN! I actually have something to explain about being late with that chapter. First, chapter 6 is not PERFECT. I had to redo it many many times and it takes a long time. Secondly, I'm in England now. Hey, it's London I'm talking about! It's FASCINATING! I'm studying in a college. I'm not glued to my laptop, you know. Anybody from London, btw? ::grin:: So, maybe I'll even improve my English... heh...
Thanks to all my reviewers, I love you guys! And I love my beta-reader Trickster too! She's really wonderful, but she's so far away from me now, I MISS YOU! Here's the next chapter. I don't believe that I started another long long fic.. This chapter has 16 pages in .doc, ohmygod!
Burned Vamp, I'll try to make you happy. I'm really really sorry that I can't give you Series now ::cries::
takuya, thanks!
Mimi, wow! ::blushes::
Another World, yep, everything's kawaii and I give you more Ken-chan to hug. Ken deserves a hug! (he also deserves a kick in the butt ::grin::)
KendoSakuyamon, you're right about Kami ::wink:: Are you reading my mind? Scary...
VestqueX, I know my story isn't very original from the point of view of relationship, but I'll try to improve, heh...
The Dance: Chapter 6
by Wormmonsoul
Soon.
Too soon. He only met their opponents, the Crackers gang, a week ago. Tonight was his first time at the Challenges and he was worried like hell. As Ken roughly described it, the Challenges were a dance battle between two dancers. You have to win all challenges before you are admitted to the Game. If you lose – you become a slave. There are no judges. If the crowd likes your dancing over your opponent's, you win. The rest, Ken said, you're going to find out when we get into the club.
His mom was very happy to let him stay a night at Ken's apartment in Shinjuku. Of course, her son hid the fact that, instead, he was going to dance in a club. But she made him promise that he would be in time for school tomorrow morning. Moms tend to believe that stuff.
The last week was a training hell for him. Hiroshi taught him the break dance. Junpei and Shu told him about the rules, the dancers, and about the Game. Shu even tried to teach him to smoke. Daisuke's confidence boosted up a notch.
"Hey, Dai, want a drink?"
Daisuke looked owlishly at Junpei who slurped his beer out of the can. He shook his head and Junpei passed the beer to Ken.
"Relax," Ken said out of the corner of his mouth. Daisuke's eyebrow twitched.
The Schwarz were standing in front of a shabby underground club, waiting for Hiroshi. People moved in and out of the basement and the music roared when the door was open. It was pitch dark in the street. Daisuke had never been in this part of the city but his gangmates were quite familiar with it.
Throwing a glance around, he noticed that Junpei had already finished his beer and was smoking nervously. If you consider his past, you'll know why Junpei didn't feel at home with Challenges.
Junpei noticed Daisuke's stare. He leant closer and whispered, "Don't pay attention to all the things they're gonna say about me. K, Spaghetti Legs?"
"Don't call me that!"
"Don't call you what, Spaghetti Legs?" Hiroshi came up with a grin. "I could hear how your knees trembled two streets away!"
"Fine, let's go," Shu stomped his cig and walked across the street to the basement door. He, like the rest of the Schwarz, was dressed in black. Junpei even dyed his hair black (and shocked his teachers, no doubt, that he looked normal, for a change).
Daisuke took a deep breath. Here goes...
"Daisuke." Ken's voice sounded hollow; he pulled him back. "It's not late yet to quit..."
"Ken, what are you talking about! I'll stick with you till the end," Daisuke said bravely. "It's just a challenge, right?"
Ken smiled. "Yeah." Then he leant forward and kissed him on lips. Daisuke opened his mouth and tasted the bitter warm sheen of alcohol on Ken's tongue.
"Wish you luck," Ken said.
Hiroshi, Junpei and Shu were waiting for them at the door, their jaws on the floor after they saw them kiss.
"Is the entrance free?" Daisuke asked worriedly.
"Course not!" Shuichiro held out his hand. "Fifty bucks."
"What?!"
"Shut the fuck up," Ken sighed and Daisuke felt stupid for buying Shu's joke. Ken pushed the door open and pulled Daisuke inside.
You know I just don't get it
Last year I was nobody
"Oh shit. Hello, Eminem, again!" Shu muttered by his ear. Daisuke was too stunned by what he was seeing to respond.
The basement was crowded. A good half of people was sitting or lying on rags on the floor, talking, smoke puffing out. Gangs grouped together. They were mostly young boys and girls. People were swaying to the rough striking beat of the song.
People were different; some looked so intimidating that Daisuke would rather go to the other side of the street if he saw them coming his way. Punks with wild-coloured hair, rockers in leather, rappers in baggy sweatshirts, goths with heavy piercing, and many others were eyeing anyone who stepped into the club.
The biggest crowd circled the scene in the middle of the room. In the clouds of smoke Daisuke saw two guys breaking there. He could tell at first glance that the smaller of the two was a failure. His attempts at the break caused roars of laughter from the spectators.
"Kick this shit off the scene!" somebody screamed when the small guy fell down in the middle of a jump. Daisuke ran down the stairs and turned to see where everybody was but some punk with pierced lip crushed into him.
"Get the fuck outta the way!" The punk shoved him and headed for the exit. Daisuke grabbed the wall. Two steps from him a group of Bboys took turns to show off their flips on a rag, not giving a damn about what was happening on the scene.
A white powdered hand glided over Daisuke's spiderweb torso. He found a gothic dressed girl before him.
"Nice top." She leant on his shoulder and blew a heavy cloud of smoke into this face. It sure like hell wasn't cigarette smoke. Marijuana, perhaps.
Daisuke muttered thanks and slipped away into the crowd where he thought the Schwarz disappeared.
Someone grabbed his trousers and he turned around with an angry retort but it was Ken.
"Where the hell you think you're going?!" Ken shouted over the music. "Follow me!"
It turned out that Junpei and Shu had already occupied a nice corner and were waiting for them. Ken and Daisuke slumped to the floor.
"Hiroshi's gonna show them suckers!" Junpei winked. "You'll see."
"Hey, Junny! How's your husband doing? How're children?" some hairy guy cried to them halfway across the basement. Junpei waved to him, turned to Daisuke and made a face.
"Sucker," he said.
"Hey, Jun, looking for a new master?" smirked another guy. He saluted with a bottle of beer to Ken and Shu. "Come on the scene, they won't buy if you don't show your pretty face!" he laughed.
"Thanks for the advice," Junpei muttered.
Daisuke grew uncomfortable by Junpei's side. Everybody seemed to know him, and his former masters might be around. The dirty remarks drew the attention of other dancers which was so humiliating that Daisuke couldn't imagine how Junpei could stand it. The slave boy was smoking and chatting with Shu, blocking everything around him.
"Ken! Hi buddy!"
Daisuke immediately turned and looked at the lanky guy who clasped Ken's hand and landed on the floor by his side.
"What's up? How come you're here out of all places?"
Ken gestured to Daisuke and back at the lanky guy. "Dai, this is Danger, a fucking great dancer. Dai's a rookie in Schwarz." Ken locked his eyes with Daisuke's and his eyes said, 'Don't challenge him NEVER!' The brown-haired boy nodded and shook Danger's hand.
"Hiya."
"Hiya yourself," Danger said. "You're big news here. Everyone wants to see how good you are. Tao told us. Your partner, right, Ken?"
Ken nodded and Danger sniggered into his fist. Daisuke blanched. He decided that he hated both Tao and this guy.
"You're dancing today, Ken?" Danger asked.
"Not really. It's just my night out with the gang."
"Hey, slaveboy, where's your master?" Danger asked Junpei when he finally noticed him. "Go find him. And gimme that, you little bitch!" Danger grabbed Junpei's bottle and took a generous swing. The boy sprang up and headed away. "And go get me cigarettes!" Danger shouted at his back. "Move your ass, fag!"
Junpei turned. "Alright!"
Ken gave Daisuke another warning look, aware that the redhead wouldn't like the way the dancer treated the slave. Daisuke took the hint and turned away to the scene. For some reason Danger reminded him of Veggiemon and Daisuke hated Veggiemon.
I'll never be a slave, he thought. I'd rather break my back dancing but I'll never become a slave to a person like Danger. All these dancers are just a bunch of perverts and criminals who jump at the chance to use some helpless creature, and to do cruel things because it makes them feel good. How can Ken or anybody love it here?
Shu tugged on his sleeve. "I'll go piss. Come along? Nothing's happening anyway."
Ken mouthed Go to him.
Hoping to cool off a bit, Daisuke moved out with Shuichiro. In the street they passed a group that surrounded a guy who looked vaguely like Junpei. The guy fell to his knees and they kicked him in the stomach.
"Shu, what are they doing?!" Daisuke asked.
"Who cares what they do to their slaves. There is worse punishment, so consider this one lucky."
"Worse?"
"Classic - they fuck the slave. No lube and stuff. No real body damage but it makes dancing hell."
Shu turned to the wall. Daisuke slammed his fist against the wall in frustration. "Look, I don't get it. Is it a place for dances or a slave market?!"
"Very funny. Laws don't work here, Dai, so you'd better watch it that you didn't become one of them. Or you won't be able to take part in the Game."
Yes, the Game. What were the Schwarz saying about the Game?.. Winning the Game is the dream of any gang in Tokyo. Win the Game an' you can piss down on anyone. Some are in for power and money, some for privilege. The Game is where they do all the crazy stuff - sex, drugs, liquor. You can find anything there, all kinds of people...
Is it really so good? Daisuke thought. What if winning this Game is more that Ken can bite?
When they returned to the club, in the smoke and poor light Daisuke saw Hiroshi climb on the scene.
"Okay, you bastards! Let's get the party started!" Hiroshi shouted. The crowd stirred.
"Oh naw... He's gonna dance IT again," Shu muttered, bored. Daisuke on the other hand was fascinated. He had never seen Hiro dance in public.
"Dance IT?" he asked as the Eminem's Rabbit Run played. Again.
"Kami's last dance. He recorded it and he's trying to master it."
Several heads turned to them at the name of Kami.
Otherwise, everybody was focused on the scene, like predators closing on the prey. Seemed like everyone wanted a juicy challenge. The burgundy-haired boy imagined himself in Hiroshi's place and an ugly shiver walked up his spine.
Hiroshi was a sight. He seemed one with the song. Daisuke wasn't the only one who secretly admired his dancing. His movements responded to the beat, the muscles of his naked arms worked sharply as if he was a puppet tied with strings to the melody, doing magic combos. Evil gleam disappeared from the eyes, and some guys grinned and said, Master!
Daisuke moved through the crowd to Ken and Danger. The latter had a nasty grin on his face directed to the scene.
Suddenly, in the basement buzzing in excitement, something caught Daisuke's eye. A person in a black beret and a long black coat was watching him. He had been watching for a while now. He looked like a serious kind of guy. Maybe he wanted to challenge him? It was risky.
I'm afraid, but why am I afraid?
Why am I a slave to this trade?
Sign not to spit to the grave
Real enough to route you up,
Want me to flip it?
I can whip it any style you wantHe glanced at Ken. To his horror he saw the genius sipping smoke from a suspicious cigarette. His jaw went slack.
"Like Hiroshi's dance, Dai?" Ken asked and reached out to slam Daisuke's jaw home.
"Yeah."
"Yeah my ass," Danger growled. "He stole the frigging dance and everyone applauds. Hey ho, great frigging Hiroshi!" he finished with a sarcastic smirk. "My ass, he's so gifted. First prize, for hell's sake."
Daisuke gave him a dark look. Hiroshi was his pal, after all. The guy snorted and leant back on the wall.
"Frigging anyone who had the video could dance like that," Danger grumbled.
"Even you?" Daisuke said.
"Wanna bet?" Danger turned and noticed Daisuke's hesitation. "What are you, 'fraid?" he raised an eyebrow. "My ass, I thought Ken said you're a dancer."
"So I am," Daisuke answered hotly. "Wanna see?"
Danger made a bored face and turned away.
He was a dancer... yeah. Daisuke slipped back into his memories when Ken taught him the dance. He showed him parts that were the easiest to memorize but didn't let him hear the music yet. After what Demo had done to him, Ken was extra secretive.
"Music is of no importance," he said.
They started to practise the tango parts. It wasn't anything complex, several maneuvers, classic bends, how to whisk his partner around the dance floor, but Daisuke didn't feel at ease with the tango. First it was too cheesy to dance face to face with Ken. Dai was giggling for no reason and remembering the old movies with homos dancing the tango.
He couldn't tell whether it made Ken furious or simply frustrated.
"Dancing is dancing," he said to Daisuke with a tired sigh. "There's nothing funny. You have to know the routine, that's all. Get your head out of the gutter, Dai!"
"But we're supposed... to do it on the scene! With people looking!"
"So what? When you get there you'll understand that nothing matters except how you dance. By the way, your moves are too sudden for the tango. You have to learn to be more plastic."
"Like a girl," Daisuke giggled. Ken bonked him on the head.
Daisuke snapped out of his reveries as the Rabbit Run ended.
"You sissies, wanna beat me?" Hiroshi shouted, eyes sparkling. The crowd in one move stepped away. The dancer sprang down, unchallenged, and went to his party with Junpei in tow.
"What a triumph, Kami-wannabe," Danger greeted him sarcastically. "Now you're the king of this dusty hole."
"You have to give out notes with the word sarcasm written on them cuz your voice doesn't give a clue," Hiroshi said and grinned. Then Daisuke witnessed the strangest thing for this night when the two guys kissed with mouths open.
"Shu, what's got into Hiro?" he whispered viciously.
"That's standard greeting for the Gamers," Shu piped on his cigarette. "It's like, you know, they say there's no rules in the Game, so what the fuck. If you have guts, french a guy. Shocking, no? Get used to it or they will think you're a sissy."
Standard... greeting...
"Ken will have to do that too?" he asked in a lost voice.
Shu hummed in a way of 'sure as hell'. Ken rolled his eyes at the redhead who was flaming with jealousy.
The Challenges started as a pair of dancers climbed on the scene. Daisuke's excitement was growing thicker every minute. He scanned the crowd for possible threat and to his shock noticed the dancer in the beret eyeing him again, and it gave him creeps. Luckily, Junpei stood up and barred the guy from the view.
"The loser becomes a slave, right?" Daisuke asked the DJ.
"If the winner wants so, yes," Shu said. "And if the Challenge is going under Game rules. Before you challenge someone you have to make it clear – if you're 'in' the Game, or 'out'."
"Are there many slaves around here now?"
Shu nodded and pointed to a fellow who was fiercely groped by the wall while a guy was sucking his face off. Then he pointed out another slave, who was copying the moves from the scene until his master kicked him in the shins and shouted something furious at him. The mahogany-haired boy felt sick.
Yesterday Shu gave him tips about slaves and masters and Daisuke asked how the slave could set himself free. Just in case.
"One. Challenge his master and win. Two. If his master loses a Challenge slaves are automatically free."
"Who made up all these rules?!" Daisuke said angrily.
Shu shrugged. "Those who started the Game. Long time ago, there were two dance gangs but they are practically legends now. I've never even heard of anybody seeing them."
"Too bad," Daisuke frowned. "I'd smash their heads with my own hands if I met them."
A slim girl in jeans appeared on the scene. She started to dance to I Saw You Dancing. Daisuke knew that song because two years ago he borrowed the CD from Taichi and forgot to give it back. He turned to a group of dancers by the wall. His eyes registered the break moves, in his mind he repeated them, he remembered them, he knew he could do them. Hiroshi would teach him break anyway but he might surprise his teacher.
Everyone was watching the girl. Something in her made Daisuke want to know how to dance like this. He usually got this feeling around Ken. Sort of a tingly inspiration. He shivered.
"What the hell, now it's Queen-wannabe," Danger said.
"Yeah, that's her favourite song, huh?" Hiroshi laughed.
"Who's Queen?" Daisuke asked automatically.
"She's the best girl dancer on the Game," Ken said. "Moves like a snake. By the way, there's a rumour that she came back to win this Game now that Kami's out."
"He was her bad luck. She came second to him two times," Shu added.
"And I've heard, they were fucking away like rabbits since they met on the Game. She's such a hottie with her TM red long hair," Junpei stuck in.
"Shut your frigging kisser, slave," Danger snapped and Junpei winced. "For you, Kami spells god, got me?! And if I were you, I would WANT to be a girl, so that the Queen could win you and set your miserable ass free, as she does to slave girls."
"Wow," Daisuke said. "She's cool."
"She's our rival," Ken said sharply. He pointed to the girl. "Hey, Daisuke. What do you think, if she challenged you, who would win?"
"She," he answered. "Cuz she's a girl. Cuz so many guys are watching."
"Idiot," Ken sighed. "Will you fucking believe in yourself like you used to?"
"I try to be realistic."
"Reality is something you can change," he said. "Let's go find you a challenge."
Daisuke's heart sank.
They ripped through the crowd to the scene. Somebody flew into Daisuke and almost knocked him off his feet. Curses showered down on them. Daisuke found before his eyes the small guy, who had been dancing a horrible break when the Schwarz came into the club.
"Hey, what's up, newbie?! Get a damned room!" the shorty swore.
"It's you who's sleepwalking here," Daisuke retorted.
"Not when I'm dancing!!" he cried and his face reddened.
"Oh I noticed... Better take some private lessons first."
"You bastard! Wanna get on the scene and see?!"
"Is this a challenge?" Daisuke asked. His heart was suddenly going boom.
"You wanna back out?" the shorty shouted.
"I'm not the type to back out," the mahogany-haired said, already feeling sorry for this kid.
"I hope you do the break? Good."
With a sinking feeling Daisuke watched the midget climb on the scene.
"It's a piece of cake, Dai," Ken smiled.
"I know," he mouthed. All the same his stomach was doing flip flops as he climbed after his opponent.
As he looked down into the smoke and hungry eyes of the crowd, he was blinded for a second. But like Ken said, the music played and nothing else mattered.
The shorty thought himself to be the next Michael Jackson. Too bad for him because nobody, Daisuke included, shared his opinion. He could do a little Moonwalk but that was all, and even newbies like Daisuke wondered how on earth he got into the Challenges. When Daisuke did the windmill, he knew he could do it. When the chibi guy span around, a couple of times he nearly went over the rim though his rage compensated for his clumsiness.
Predictably enough, the shorty lost. Ken nodded with approval. It really was a piece of cake, and it made Daisuke feel stupid for being afraid of the challenge, at the first place. Anyway, dancing even against a weak opponent wasn't an easy task. Ken said that a challenge was a dance you have to invent and perform on the spot. Daisuke was choosing from all his practised patterns but he knew just a few of them. He wasn't sure he could do another challenge.
At the same time, he had no doubt that they would challenge him tonight, for real. Who would it be?
Daisuke landed on the floor near Ken, panting tiredly. Several guys patted him on the shoulder and clasped his hand but before he could say anything, Ken dragged him away to their corner.
"It was easy, Die," Hiroshi wriggled his eyebrows.
"Yah.." he grinned.
Shu pushed a bottle of beer to him. Only then Daisuke noticed that he was holding something in his hand. Pills. Pretty blue-white pills. Probably mint sweets. He put his palm to his mouth. Ken's hand covered it at once.
"What do you have?" Ken said sharply.
"What? Ah, I dunno. Somebody musta given me."
"Give me," Ken suspiciously scanned the crowd.
"What's up?" Junpei said. "Gee, ecstasy! Someone likes you, Die!"
Daisuke's hand started to shake. Nervously, he grabbed the beer and made a huge swing. Who and why would do that?! It was DRUGS, for hell's sake!! He glanced around the basement but he couldn't catch anyone's eyes, not even his stalker's.
"Dai, you hafta be careful with this stuff here," Ken said.
Daisuke had a bad feeling about this. If drugs were so easy there was a lot of drugged people and it meant trouble. There were no officials here who were supposed to keep an eye on drug dealers.
People could do practically everything. In the corner a guy was shagging the gothic girl who he met earlier. Several guys turned and watched the show but most were interested in the action on the scene.
If he wanted he could french-kiss Ken right now without ticking anyone off. Whoa... what a great idea! Daisuke took a drink from the bottle. It was risky. He drank more beer.
His arm went around Ken's shoulders and pulled the boy to his side.
"Dai, what is it?" Ken shook his hand off. The soccer player nuzzled his neck. His arms went around Ken's neck and he whispered, eyes locked on his half-parted mouth.
"Wanna kiss you..."
"You're drunk."
Daisuke caught his lips in a rough kiss. Ken responded half-heartedly. The Chosen leader didn't care as long as he had the access to the inner heat of his mouth. When he touched his tongue he always thought he could faint.
"Daisuke!" Ken barely managed to get away. The brown-haired boy grinned before noticing that many people in the club turned and stared at him with killing eyes.
"Now you're in trouble!" Junpei slapped his shoulder cheerfully. "Ken's popular here. As in, a lot tried to snog him but they all lost! He's Mister Hard to Get. And you... you just frenched him like this with everyone's looking!!!"
"Good going, Spaghetti Legs," Hiroshi hissed.
"Spaghetti Legs AND Iron Balls," Junpei sniggered.
"Shut up your slave, Hiro," Daisuke snapped. The guy jerked back.
"If you weren't my pal, Die, I'd challenge you for that," Hiroshi said quietly.
Burning with shame, Daisuke turned his back on the leader. Ken's MINE! he wanted to shout. He met Danger's creepy glare. As the popular expression goes, if a look could kill... Daisuke would be lynched alive. In a flash Daisuke understood everything and a vein popped on his temple. That bastard... that bastard had been making moves on his Ken all along!..
"Wacky breaking," Danger informed Daisuke wryly.
"Oh really?" he leant forward. "You think you can do better?"
"You mean against five simple moves that you know?" the guy snorted.
"Hey!" Ken pulled them apart. "What the fuck's got into you two?"
"We're having a very informative conversation," Danger said. "Which is about to come to an end cuz I found out that this pussy is not in my style cuz he doesn't have enough spunk to challenge me," he mocked. Ken grabbed Daisuke's shoulder to hold him back.
"So tell me, Ken. You're giving him for dancing with you?" Danger asked. "I figured you would, one day or another. I just thought you'd pick someone who CAN actually dance."
"Shut the fuck up," the genius and Daisuke said at the same time.
"You want a fucking challenge?!" the redhead added.
"Are you in the Game, baby?" Danger whispered with a smirk.
"You bet."
A split second later he understood what Danger meant but it was too late to change the rules. Daisuke was in the Game and if he lost, Danger was going to make him his slave. IF. He hated to admit but Danger had good chances. Ken's grip went slack.
"I knew it would happen," he sighed.
In an instant they were by the scene, including Ken and Hiroshi.
"Okay, everyone knows the rules," Hiroshi said. "You lose, you become a slave, you can't take part in the Game. Clear?"
Daisuke jumped onto the scene. He was sick already of this club.
The song played and Danger started to dance. He had been watching Daisuke all night. That little fellow had a potential. But that was all he had. What did Ken see in him?! Why take him as a partner when he could have anyone, including Danger?! For a price, of course. Ken would be such a perfect slave. Why the hell he let this kiss just drop?! After when Danger once kissed Ken he got a knee in his balls, a Challenge and a name Fag!.
Still, still doing that shit, nigga, right?
Oh for sho', check me out
It's still Dre Day, nigga, A.K., nigga
Before I chrome the lot, can't keep it home a lot
Cause when I frequent the spots that I'm known to rock
You hear the bass from the trunk when I'm on the block
Daisuke winced. One glance at Danger and he knew it would be impossible to win against him. He danced at Hiroshi's level. But it was more interesting that way.
They say rap's changed,
They want to know how I feel about it
Maybe it had to do with the fact that he was a bit tipsy but Daisuke didn't allow any thought of losing. It was just a damned dance.
If you ain't up on pace
Dr. Dre is the name, I'm ahead of my game
Still, puffing my leafs, still fuck with the beats
Still not loving police (Uh huh)
Still rock my khakis with a cuff and a crease
Still got love for the streets, repping 213
Still the beat bangs, still doing my thang
Since I left, ain't too much changed, still
He had already picked the most interesting routine out of those he knew, when it was his turn to dance. After the first challenge Daisuke learnt to plan his dancing strategy. He counted on inspiration. He didn't know his limit, he wasn't afraid to overdo it. He had only one chance to beat his enemy and he had to take this chance now.
I'm representing for them gangstas all across the world
Still hitting them corners in them low low's girl
Still taking my time to perfect the beat
And I still got love for the streets, it's the D-R-E
He threw all his energy into this first move. Backflip. A few moments of relaxing with six step. He couldn't win with advanced moves but he could win with the impression that he could theoretically do better than Danger.
Since the last time you heard from me I lost a friend
Well, hell, me and Snoop, we dipping again
Daisuke whirled around in the headstand, first two hands then just one. He was growing tired but it was no time to relax. He flipped on his feet, found Ken's eyes in the crowd and threw his screaming body into another move.
Still, I stay close to the heatAnd even when I was close to defeat, I rose to my feet
My life is like a soundtrack I wrote to the beat
Treat rap like Cali weed, I smoke till I sleep
Wake up in the A.M., compose a beat
And just as he couldn't dance anymore he remembered a great move. He hadn't practiced it, he had only seen it this night for the first time. It was too dangerous but he didn't care if he wouldn't be able to scramble up from the floor.
I bring the fire till you're soaking in your seat
Danger's weak point was obvious. He was relaxed, counted on his reputation and that's why his movements were lazy and inaccurate. Daisuke's were sending waves of shock into the public. He had to keep that wild rhythm just a couple of more beats.
It's not a fluke, it's been tried, I'm the troop
On the scene Daisuke flipped backwards. Because he was pretty obviously exausted, his backflip looked like a fall. Ken started. Daisuke kicked up, went over his head and landed splat on his back. Ken's jaw hit the floor. He did a Suicide! The crowd cheered.
Daisuke jumped to his feet, grinning, and danced freestyle, throwing offensive moves in Danger's direction... Who was stupefied. Daisuke went down on his hands and did the turtles just for the sake of moving. He was winning the dance with this suicide move.
I'm representing for them gangstas all across the worldIt was Danger's turn to dance. There was no time left for him to show off. He swore. That frigging jerk had captured the public's attention. It was extremely difficult to switch the crowd's support back to Danger!
It ain't nothing but more hot shit
Another classic CD for y'all to vibe with
Whether you're cooling on a corner with your fly bitch
Laid back in the shack, play this track
Ken shouldered his way to stand by Daisuke's side of the scene. The dance wasn't finished but the victory was already his. He couldn't help grinning.
I'll break your neck, damn near put your face in your lap
Try to be the king but the ace is back
Danger tried to do his best combinations but he spent too much energy in the beginning of the dance. No time to recharge. He misstepped and crushed on the scene. Furiously he sprang up. He made a mistake. A dire mistake. It would cost him the victory.
So if you ain't up on thangsThe mahogany-haired boy started dancing again. Everyone's eyes were on him. But Daisuke couldn't shake a feeling that everybody was staring at him, waiting for a mistake. He couldn't make mistakes now. He hurt all over but he wasn't going to give up. He had already won.
No stress, no seeds, no sims, no sticks!
Some of that real sticky icky
A little weed, put it in the air
Daisuke grinned and gave Danger a finger.
For you's a fool D.R.
The song played out. Danger couldn't outdo him and lost. Daisuke went crazy with excitement. Even when he sprang down into Ken's arms he couldn't stop laughing. He fooled Danger! And he won!
Won!
He passed the Challenges!
Daisuke pulled Ken in a bear hug. Hiroshi joined them. Danger came up looking like he was ready to kill.
"So?" he asked.
"Oh fuck off, sucker," Daisuke said. "I don't want a slave. And don't you fucking lay a finger on my Ken."
Danger and Ken exchanged glances. "Daisuke," the genius sighed, like he was a hopeless fool.
"Yeah, fuck off outta here!" It was the voice of the chibi dancer. He appeared out of the crowd, swaying like a drunk. With a start, Daisuke noticed that his pupils were dilated. He was on drugs. It was bad, very bad. Something was about to happen here and he didn't like it.
Danger slowly turned to him. "Excuse me? Did I hear you say something?"
"Yeah, I said something, maggot. What, you no like? How about we get on the scene?" the chibi said.
"Let's get outta here," Ken whispered hurriedly and pulled the mahogany-haired boy into the crowd.
Daisuke turned his head and saw the shorty climb on the scene. He mentally cheered for him.
Ken gave Daisuke beer and the Schwarz started their little party in the corner. Except that Daisuke was worried sick for that kid. A huge crowd gathered around the scene and he couldn't see anything. When the music ended, Daisuke jumped to his feet. Ahead, people shouted in excitement. And then came the cry of the kid, "No! I don't want to be a slave! Please, no!!!"
Daisuke gave a wide-eyed look to Ken and pushed through the crowd to see. The shorty, his face as white as a sheet, followed Danger off the scene, begging him all the way. "Please, I'll do anything! Please! Don't make me! Please, let me go, I'll do anything for you..."
Danger sharply turned and struck him on the side of his face.
"Follow me," he said and went out into the street. The guy scuttled after him, smearing his tears with his shaking hand.
Now it was bad. Daisuke froze on the spot, his stomach curling on itself in a disgusting way that made him want to vomit. The little guy didn't deserve it. He turned to go ask Ken for help and suddenly found himself face to face with his stalker in the beret.
"Well, Daisuke.. Die.. hello," said the stranger.
Daisuke took a step back. He wasn't sure but this voice... The tall guy raised the visor.
"Mamoru-sempai?!" the brown-haired said in shock. He was the soccer player from the last year of Odaiba High, Hashimoto Mamoru. Daisuke wasn't particularly friends with him but he heard lots of good things about Mamoru-san, as everyone from the team called him. Relief washed over the boy.
"I'm Aquila from Soma here," Mamoru said.
Soma was another gang's name. Somebody from Schwarz mentioned that they had seen Daisuke hang out with guys from Soma before he joined the gang. They probably saw him play soccer in the Park with Mamoru because their team trained there sometimes.
"Yeah.. hi." Daisuke darted his eyes to the side and saw Ken coming up.
"First time at Challenges? Didn't know you dance," Mamoru said. He looked at Ken. "Ah, Genius."
Ken nodded coldly. No friendship lost between the two, Daisuke thought.
"So, what brings you here?" he said, hoping to ease the tension in the air.
"I came to see the Genius's partner for the Game."
"So... I'm quite a celebrity here!" Daisuke nervously grinned.
"Quite," the guy agreed sullenly. "You're good. I want to challenge you."
Daisuke didn't even have time to process the last sentence as Ken spoke up. "He's OUT the Game."
"No, it's okay!" the brown-haired grabbed Ken's shoulder. "It's okay. I accept. He's my friend.. Genius."
Genius. It felt strange to call him by that name. At least, Ken didn't pick Kaiser as his nick.
"He's not like Danger," Daisuke said quietly. "Don't worry." Of course, Mamoru's challenge came as a surprise but it wasn't anything scary.
"Fine," Ken said finally. At this moment, Junpei showed up to find out what was the big deal with Aquila and to say that they must move out of here before it gets dirty. The two boys ignored him. Junpei was always worried.
"Why do they call you Genius, by the way?" Daisuke grinned.
"Oh you know..." the indigo-haired smiled. "I look a lot like that Ichijouji kid from TV."
"What, you didn't know?!" Junpei asked. "We even call him Ken, cuz that's the name of that stuck-up smart jerk, you know. I wonder what's your REAL name is, Ken..." he grumbled.
Daisuke tried to keep a straight face. Ichijouji Ken pretending to be Ichijouji Ken, huh?
It felt like things were looking up. It was already late, and this challenge would be his last for today. He was tired.
Aquila cast off his black coat and revealed his leather trousers and a shirt. He gave a sign that Daisuke should dance first. Usually they danced until chorus ended, and even if Daisuke didn't know the song, he could wait for the signal to stop.
Yeah, Renegades is back
M the B the sick,
It's Young, Freeway, 8 Miles, let's go
Daisuke didn't know how tired he was until he started breaking. The moves just didn't go as planned.
8 miles and running, got my 7th album droppin'
And my 8th album comin', feedin' a thousand growlin' stomachsHe gathered his will. Even if it was just Mamoru he had to do his best. Wasn't it just one damned surprise that one of his soccermates was a dancer as well? It sure is a small world. When and how he started dancing in a gang? How did he know Ken? Was he at the Game? So many questions. Daisuke whirled around and did the freestyle. Aquila must have had a nasty shock when he saw Daisuke in the club, and when he just ran away with Danger's challenge.
But I can rewind the calendar back, back when it was now or nothin'
People said I would amount to nothin', that I had talent for nothin'
Said I would succumb to violence or be silenced by your gunmen
I could just hear the folks now, "He got what he had coming"
And just imagine that a month ago Daisuke had no idea how to do the break. Now he was going to rise as far as the Game itself. A lot happened to his life in this month. He was fighting again and it gave him a thrill.
Now that my eighth album's comin' everybody's smilin' Wantin' something, claimin' that they done something for himAs long as he was teamed up with Ken, he had a purpose. Daisuke grinned and put everything he had into action. After all, he had to live up to his genius friend's (and maybe lover too!) standards.
'Bout how hot my rap performance was before I was who I was
Claimin' that they threw it up before I threw it up
His moves were sharp and trained, almost perfect. He was breaking a sweat to make them as perfect as he wanted them. Mamoru said he was good. Who knows, what if he could win the Game too? Maybe if he asked Mamoru to help him improve, the guy would give a hand. They were good pals on the soccer field.
You what? Where was you before I blew this up?
I didn't see you in the courtroom when everybody was suin' us
Maybe he would even tell the other Chosen that he found Ken and that they danced in a gang. Miyako would be squealing in delight while Hikari and Takeru would just freeze on the spot in disbelief, and Iori would shake his head, like You're desperate, Daisuke-san. But he should tell Taichi first. Daisuke wanted as many allies as possible. He could start with Mamoru. First, convince Ken that the guy was good.
I didn't see you in all black when everybody was suitin' up
Back on the block, gettin' it in, there wasn't no you with us
Daisuke suddenly realised he was enjoying this. He kept going with the challenge, completely concentrated on victory.
8 miles and running, got my 7th album droppin'
And my 8th album comin', feedin' a thousand growlin' stomachs, Free
6 miles and running, got my fist strip poppin'
And my first album comin', feedin' twenty growlin' stomachs
Aquila stepped forward and Daisuke sprang back to watch his opponent. The guy was instantly a magnet to the eyes of the public. His first combo left Daisuke with impression that he was airborne and he could dance without touching the ground. The basement came alive with whistles.
6 miles and running in the Pontiac
Six thousand eighty six, trans might shift while the engine run
Anyone tell ya rider give me one more chance
Hear them smokers screamin' "One more gram"So I'ma bring 'em one
Holy shit. Daisuke's heart sank. Of course, he expected Mamoru to dance better than him but this was too perfect. He was no match for him. The brown-haired ran his eyes down on the crowd and found Ken. The genius had a pained expression on his face.
Most of ya heartless and self-centered like "Me Shaq and me Shaq"
Set up ya brother cuz you jealous nigga
Fuck. Daisuke flew into panic. Aquila was playing it rough. In case he wins and it sure looked like it, Daisuke, who agreed to be in the Game, would become... He wiped the sweat off his forehead. What was Mamoru thinking - that Daisuke was Michael Flatley or what?!! Or was it his original purpose to put Daisuke down to nothing?! The boy ground his teeth furiously.
The heat back, like you never left
I ever rep, cops watch every step
Six miles and running dodgin' every trap
Daisuke frantically thought how he could counter Aquila's dance. To start with, was there even a better way to do the break? He was going to bust with rage and kick Aquila's ass for that challenge. Like hell it was a friendly battle. Like fucking hell. Daisuke nearly shoved the dancer off the scene when the chorus ended and his part began.
Back when nobody would found he had talent, nobody would sign me
Nobody believed in me, nobody but mommy blindly
But how can she deny me? Me being the youngest runt
To come up outta her tummy, she got nothin' but love for me
For the love of god, he couldn't lose. He had Ken and the Game at stake. Forget what Hiroshi taught him, it was just a pile of crap. He would do the dangerous moves that he saw tonight, every frigging one of them, even if it was his first time. Who needed him if he couldn't take a risk?!
When niggas would want me, the industry shunned me
That's why I'm takin' all the industry's money
Revenge is sweet honey, we run this
Oh please, just a bit more music. His hands were slipping, which was bad. Daisuke tried to catch his balance in the headstand and fell on his shoulder. His head connected hard with the floor. In a moment he was back to his feet and dancing again, but his vision was swimming.
We can see our 8 milesNo, it just can't be... Daisuke heard Aquila shout 'move it' through the thick thudding wall of blood in his ears and the crowd started to cheer when the dancer came back on the scene. The brown-haired slowly turned and saw the guy finish the dance while his freedom was slipping through his fingers.
8 miles and running, got my 7th album droppin'
And my 8th album comin', feedin' a thousand growlin' stomachs, Free
6 miles and running, got my fist strip poppin'
And my first album comin', feedin' twenty growlin' stomachs
Daisuke sprang down from the scene in a kind of a daze. Ken clutched his shoulder. He was mumbling something heatedly but Daisuke was in his own little world of nightmares and didn't hear a word.
He lost a Challenge. The thought was blood-curdling. Everything in him rebelled against it - he simply couldn't lose, he wasn't the type to lose, he was the Chosen child and he always won!
Except that he lost and there was nothing doing about it however wrong it sounded.
Aquila picked his coat lazily and came up to them.
"Was a great dance, Die," he said. "Sorry you lost. To tell you the truth, it was your fault to even think that you can get in the Game. So it's not like you must be disappointed or something, that you do not qualify."
"Yeah.." was all Daisuke could say. He was full of bitterness. That Mamoru betrayed him was just another stressing fact.
"Genius, stop fucking glaring at me," Aquila continued. "You can take Dai back, I don't need a slave. Besides, you let Danger go, it earned you a bonus point, Die."
"Danger?" Daisuke echoed. Suddenly the guy grabbed the front of his shirt and shook Daisuke.
"You really think you can keep Danger as a slave? He would be your slave for 5 seconds and he'd win his freedom back in a flash. You just got lucky this time." he said. "And one more thing. Ken's in love with Danger. If you hadn't noticed." He stepped back and smoothed the collar on Daisuke's shirt. "Well, I made my point. See you, Die."
He left and Daisuke stared into space, too shattered for words. Ken's in love with Danger?! What the fuck?
"Dai, I wouldn't ever let you be a slave," Ken said frantically. "I would win you back right away."
"Are you nuts? You can't risk it. You must be on the Game," Daisuke said in a hollow voice.
"Then it would be Hiroshi... Fuck, Tao would win you back if I told him!"
"Fucking don't want Tao as a master," Daisuke grinned weakly. Ken looked like he needed to see that grin.
"Fucking shut up. You had me so scared!"
Hiroshi grabbed his shoulder and force-lead him into the corner, ignoring the despicable leers directed to Daisuke.
"Die, you okay?" Junpei asked.
"Course, he's okay," the DJ said. "Have a beer."
"What do you understand," the slave boy muttered viciously. Daisuke gulped down the beer trying to block everything for a few precious moments that he needed so that he could come to terms with his failure.
Okay, I lost. So what? I'll have another go. I'm going to train harder. I'm not worthless, I'm da man! I only lost once...
I don't want to dance anymore.
Ken tugged on his sleeve as the Schwarz moved out of the club. The street was dark and the air was cool on his burning face.
I LOST OKAY I ADMIT IT?! he screamed to his struggling self. Stop rubbing it in and subject me to psychological trauma!
"Should've left when I told ya," Junpei said as the four of them were walking along the street. "I have the sixth sense about these things."
"And what your sixth sense tells you NOW?" Hiroshi roared and swung a blow to his shoulder. "Why don't you SHUDDUP?!" Junpei stoically took the blow which made the gang leader sincerely ashamed of his actions.
"Why didn't you dodge?" he asked.
"I thought you wanted to punish me," Junpei muttered and looked away.
"Typical slave reaction," Shu commented.
"Oh fuck... Come on, Jun, hit me back!"
"No way."
"Come on, it's okay..."
Daisuke felt a little better. He fell behind the trio, only Ken stayed by his side.
"Why did Aquila said that?" the soccer player asked suddenly. "You and Danger?"
"Forget it," Ken said lightly. "It's not what you think."
"And what do I think?" Daisuke said carefully.
"You're jealous."
"Hell, yeah."
"When I just got into the gang, I was looking for Danger," Ken said with a sigh. "I heard he was good. I wanted to challenge him. I did and I won. That's all there is to it. It's not my fault that Aquila thinks different. Or that Danger thinks different. They're both from the Soma, so they're both fucking jerks."
"That was all?" Daisuke asked.
"That was all. We kissed only once."
"WHAT?!"
Ken rolled his eyes and muttered, "It wasn't my fault..."
"He likes you," the brown-haired hissed. The genius shrugged his shoulders.
"It's his problem. Not interested."
"Ken... I like you too."
Ken stopped and pulled Daisuke into his arms.
"I told you I won't let anyone lay a finger on you," he said.
I won't let anyone lay a finger on you either, Daisuke thought. He swallowed hard. But I can do very little for you now that I failed. Forgive me, Ken.
After several moments of uncomfortable heavy silence, they parted and went to catch up with the guys.
:::xxxxx:::
Daisuke, numb from weariness and stress, sat down, landed his elbows on his knees and gripped his head in his hands. It was early hours of morning and he didn't sleep a wink, and more important, the Challenges didn't go as smooth as they should have gone.
The Schwarz were facing the glowing sky on the top of a small deserted hill in dusty suburbs of Tokyo. Rusted garbage was everywhere, and the tin cans of Cola and Asahi beer rattled in the wind.
Shu and Junpei were smoking the last cigs from the Marlboro pack. Ken and Hiroshi were practicing break moves at the foot of the hill. It was cold.
The dawn was close.
Daisuke thought about school that came with the new day, about the game of soccer the coach had planned for this afternoon and he didn't even have the strength to imagine how he would carry on through this tiresome day without falling somewhere dead asleep.
The challenges left him with despair. He had done too little to become a good dancer. He lost. He wasn't ready for the Game.
It's a miracle they didn't make him a slave. All the same, he was emotionally destroyed. He was fighting despair.
And the Game was close. He panicked at the thought. If only he could buy a six months' worth of time! Ken will never forgive him if they lose.
"I've always been a klutz," he muttered.
"You're okay," Shu puffed through his teeth.
"Them damn bastards play it hard, that's all," Junpei nodded.
"Aquila went to Challenges as if it was the Game," Daisuke said darkly. "And the Soma were right to show off. It shut up the most of dancer wannabes, me included."
"You still have a month ahead," Junpei said. "A coupla dozen more challenges and you're ready."
Daisuke pressed the knuckles of his fingers to his mouth and watched Ken. He was dancing patterns under Hiroshi's command with complete abandon. Of course he was disappointed and tried to fight it in the only way he could – by self-improvement.
Hiroshi was clapping to the rhythm. The claps echoed at the top of the hill. The brown-haired watched how Ken moved flawlessly.
He has a chance in the Game, Daisuke thought. He clenched his teeth hard. If only he's alone.
"Cheer up, Spaghetti Legs! I have the feeling we'll make it!" Junpei said with fading conviction.
Somewhere deep in the city the clock struck half past five in the morning. The train clattered behind the housing complex towering in the milky haze.
Daisuke bit his nails. From the top of this hill he could see dozens of high-rise buildings. At night it didn't seem so depressing.
"Ken, that's enough," Hiroshi said. "You have school, remember? You must rest."
"I don't give a fuck!" Ken answered breathlessly.
Junpei picked an empty can of Cola and threw it down the hill where it banged and rolled and finally struck a wheel of a bike with a shrill metallic cry.
Daisuke fell back and stared at the sky with a single star. Ken would never look at him in the same way. What a great start to their relationship. He failed in Ken's eyes.
Whatever will happen to us? Will he ditch me? Will he try to find a replacement?
I suppose I deserve it. But I don't want that to happen. Ken's mine.
"We only have to beat Crackers, that's all," Junpei said.
There must be a way out of this situation. There must be. I won't make it on my own. Neither will Ken. Paired dance is meant for two. I must find some help. I don't care if I have to beg on my knees.
The sun was rising.
Hiroshi came up and Junpei gave him his cigarette.
"The situation is pretty bad," Hiroshi blew a cloud of smoke. "You do realize it, do you? Ken's the only one competent for the Game now. But he'll lose. There's too much even for him to take."
"You do know," Shu murmured as he buried the cigarette with his heel, "what happens if Ken loses in the Game?"
Junpei stopped kicking cans.
Something cold and slimy settled in Daisuke's stomach. He remembered the boys in the basement. Slaves. The hysterical kid crying at Danger that he didn't want to be a slave, please, no!
You're literally fucked up if you lose.
"It's not fair," the auburn-haired boy said dully. "He shouldn't lose." Suddenly he flew into rage. He grabbed Hiroshi's shirt and shook the elder boy. "Why the fuck did you let him get into that damned Game?!" he shouted furiously. "Damn you all!"
If the Crackers win, they would sell Ken to Demo, Tao, Danger, Aquila and everyone who's willing, just to humiliate the popular violet-haired dancer. If Ken becomes like Junpei, it would ruin his life.
Daisuke shoved Hiroshi away and looked down at Ken, who finally stopped for a rest. Ken gave him a tired grin. He tried to smile back.
Ken... a slave. No, he couldn't smile.
I swear, I'll help you, Ken.
There was only one person he trusted completely and believed him to be able to make any miracle come true, but how Taichi would help him, he had no idea.
tsuzuku
a/n Yep, next chapter is more fun! And it's almost ready. Heh heh heh... Chu!