Author's Note: I'm so incredibly sorry it's so short, and after so long, too! GOMEN NASAI! I'm soooo horrible! It was just pointed out to me by a friend (coughMANDIcough) that I even had a story up! And even with 'How Much Longer', too… I've really got to get my act together!
Thoughts
--Song--
Disclaimer: I do not own the song 'Break Down Here' by Julie Roberts.
Chapter 3
"Hero"
--Mile marker 203--
"Katsu! Katsu, please, open up!"
Kuwabara's eyes flickered open at the sound of fists pounding against his door. The voice sounded urgent. Kuwabara jumped to his feet from his position lying on the couch where he must have fallen asleep, hurrying to the door.
"What is it?" he demanded, facing the terrified looking man on the other side.
--The gas gauge leanin' on the edge of E
I'll be danged if the rain ain't pourin' down
Somethin' smokin' underneath the hood--
The man trembled. He was at least a foot shorter than Kuwabara, pudgy, with muscles that didn't even begin to compare to Kuwabara's, but did not seem the least bit intimidated by the larger man's sudden appearance. Instead, he glanced nervously around as though someone were following him. "There-- there's a gang down town. They're destroying everything… I don't know if they followed me… I saw them… they chased me… I… Katsu, you have to help, they're attacking people…"
--It's a-bangin' and a-clangin' and it can't be good
It's another 50 miles to the nearest town--
Kuwabara looked slightly confused, but sprang into action nonetheless. "Where are they?" he asked urgently, grabbing his jacket and closing the door behind him.
"I don't know, they were just… all over the place. Stores, houses… they're destroying everything!" the man mumbled.
--Everything I own is in the back in a Hefty bag
I'm outta cigarettes and I'm down to my last drag--
Kuwabara growled, shoving the door to his house open again. "Stay inside, lock the doors and windows. Only open them for me when I come back. Got it?"
The man nodded, still shaking. "Why? Are they that dangerous, Katsu?"
"It's nothing you need to worry about. I'm sure I can take care of it." Kuwabara stared off at the town, locating the youki of the gang members. "As to why… they would probably have no problem killing you."
--I'd sure hate to break down here
Nothin' up ahead or in the rear-view mirror
Out in the middle of no where knowin'
I'm in trouble if these wheels stop rollin'--
The man's trembling increased and he hurried into the house, proceeding to lock the doors as he had been ordered.
Kuwabara raced downtown, watching the shadows of the buildings carefully. You never know what would jump out at you, after all.
But there was nothing there. Not until he got to the very centre of town did Kuwabara see even the slightest hint of movement. And when he did, he almost wished he hadn't.
--God help me keep me movin' somehow
Don't let me start wishin' I was with him now
I've made it this far without cryin' a single tear
I'd sure hate to break down here--
Almost an entire block had been lit on fire, trees knocked down in the middle of the street, signs littering the broken sidewalks, a couple dead, mangled bodies draped across even more unconscious ones.
Kuwabara sighed. This was some gang riot. It had obviously gotten out of hand pretty fast. Police crept through the shadows in an attempt not to be seen so as to better sneak up on the unsuspecting gang; several of the bodies were their comrades.
--Under fifty-thousand miles ago
Before the bad blood and busted radio
You said I was all you'd ever need--
They obviously weren't going to make the situation any better. If anything, they would start a shootout. The last thing the town needed after something like this was more casualties from either side.
The chief of police strode boldly to Kuwabara without regard for the fact that he had just revealed their location. "Katsu, glad you could make it."
Kuwabara nodded. "Yeah, me too. Look, call your men back; they'll only do more harm."
The Chief shook his head. "I can't do that. We must apprehend these men, dead or alive. I'm sure you understand."
--Love is blind and little did I know
That you were just another dead-end road
Paved with pretty lies and broken dreams--
Kuwabara frowned slightly. "I understand That if they don't get out of there now, they'll be killed. I understand that if they're not gone by the time I get over there to sort this out, I won't have time to tell the difference between your men and the gangsters in the fight."
"Are you threatening me?" the Chief inquired incredulously.
--Baby, leavin' you is easier than bein' gone
I don't know what I'll do if one more thing goes wrong--
There was a pause as Kuwabara considered his options. "No… merely warning you of the consequences of this course of action."
--I'd sure hate to break down here
Nothin' up ahead or in the rear-view mirror
Out in the middle of no where knowin'
I'm in trouble if these wheels stop rollin'--
"I see."
"Look, sir, I can handle this. Trust me."
"…Fine." He motioned for his men to retreat, giving Kuwabara one last glance before he himself moved back to the end of the street.
(A/n: I'm not so good with fights, by the way, so I'm skipping to the end results… If you really want it, though let me know and I'll figure something out and redo it.)
--God help me keep me movin' somehow
Don't let me start wishin' I was with him now
I've made it this far without cryin' a single tear
I'd sure hate to break down here--
"See, I told you I could handle it," Kuwabara stated proudly, watching as the gang was hauled away in the backs of several police cars.
The police chief grinned. "I never doubted you, Katsu. You're a real lifesaver; a hero to our town." He looked around, shaking his head at the extent of the damage done. "Any idea what would make them do something like this?"
--I'd sure hate to break down here
Nothin' up ahead or in the rear-view mirror
Out in the middle of no where knowin'
I'm in trouble if these wheels stop rollin'--
Kuwabara stuffed his hands in his pockets. "That gang wasn't from around here. From what I know about gangs in general, they were probably just trying to cause some trouble. You know, make another gang angry. Maybe get some revenge, gain some territory."
The chief glanced at the man beside him suspiciously. "You seem to know an awful lot about gangs."
Kuwabara shrugged. "There were a lot more where I came from. You have to know your way around them, or else you get caught in the middle of a war."
"Sounds like you had it tough."
--God help me keep me movin' somehow
Don't let me start wishin' I was with him now
I've made it this far without cryin' a single tear
I'd sure hate to break down here--
"It wasn't so bad, I guess. I had some great friends and a pretty good job. There was this girl more beautiful than anyone you'll ever see, and she was sweet, and caring, and helpful, and completely selfless. I got good marks in school, once I started paying attention instead of trying to always be better than my friend. My sister was pretty cool, even if she did tease me a lot," Kuwabara explained, staring into the distance.
"So… why'd you leave?" the chief asked curiously.
With a shrug, Kuwabara started walking slowly back to his place. "No matter how wonderful they were, they never really appreciated me. Never took me seriously. I couldn't live with that, so I came here."
"Hey," Kuwabara tapped the man-from-before's shoulder. "You can go home now. It's safe."
--It's to late to turn around
I'd sure hate to break down here--
The man nodded, closing the door behind him. "Thank you, Katsu," he whispered gratefully.
Kuwabara responded with a tired wave, heading to his bedroom and flopping down on his comfortable bed. He felt, as always at times like these, his eyes welling with tears he refused to shed.
I do not miss them…
--Mile marker 215--
Author's Note: Once again, I appologize profusely for the shortness! Please review anyway!
Amaya