Switch Chapter 17

A soft knock came to the door and Hiro murmured something in his sleep. But the knock came again, along with a voice that sang, "Good morning." One brown eye cracked open, maybe it was K. Hiro pushed himself off the bed and dashed to the door, he yanked it open. But it wasn't K. It was some room service guy with a cart with wonderfully delicious aroma's coming from it.

"Good morning sir," said the hotel room service as he pushed the cart past Hiro and into the room. "Don't worry this meal has already been searched and paid for by…" The man pulled out a piece of paper, looking a little frazzled.

Hiro put up his hand to stop the man, he already knew who sent it and 'searched' it. Knowing K he'd scared the poor guy half to death too. "Tat ok tanks," he said in shabby English. The man nodded but seemed to hang around, as if waiting for something. It took a moment for Hiro to remember that the guy wanted a tip. Slapping a foreign bill into the man's hand, Hiro investigated his breakfast. Everything a man could want was here and then some. Waffles, strawberries, croissants, real butter and coffee…there was even fresh cream. Hiro's mouth salivated. These weren't the type of foods he had all the time in Japan, rather rarely in Japan at all. As he poured a cup of coffee, he smiled at this mornings' treat.

"K…you're spoiling me," he said to himself. But still this was delightfully surprising. K thought of something as simple as breakfast, Hiro liked that. It definitely wasn't something he'd been expecting. Actually he wasn't exactly sure what to expect from K, in many ways it made him nervous. He chuckled then he noticed a red calla lily next to the sugar bowl. Hmm, Hiro picked up the flower and smelled it, he chuckled. K and his flowers these days he thought with a grin. But it was juxtapose to K and his guns and baroque ways. Smiling, Hiro dug into breakfast with gusto.

After breakfast and a shower, Hiro was just drying his hair when the telephone rang. Debating on whether to ignore it, Hiro wrinkled his nose in thought and decided he better answer. "Hello?" he said in English. He wasn't perfect with the foreign language but he knew the basics.

"Hiro, it's me K. I hope you enjoyed breakfast?" he asked sounding chipper.

"Oh K! I wanted to than…" Hiro began excitedly but stopped himself, he couldn't say thanks yet. The game, he couldn't give in just yet. "Breakfast was good," he said with little expression. He didn't say anything about the guitar, although he was dying too!

K was silence for a moment and then, "I'm glad you liked it. I wanted you to wake up feeling like a prince. Anyways, come down to the Grand Ballroom for two pm. It's the only job you guys have to do and then you are all scott free, ok?"

There was no mention of the guitar at all. Hiro hrmph'd K was going to prove to be a tough opponent, "Err, alright. What is it that we're doing?" Hiro thought he'd try to find out once more.

"Something fun!" K bellowed and hung up the phone.


After K had advised everyone to meet him in Grand Ballroom for two o'clock…that's what Bad Luck set out to do at quarter to the hour. Since Yuki told Shuichi he'd see him there a little later, he met up with Hiro and best friend's made their way to the ballroom to see what was going on. Suguru met them outside the doors where a bunch of folks—dressed rather richly and some eccentrically—began to amass. The three looked around wondering if they were in the right area. But above the doors was an intricately carved 'Bellagio Grand Ballroom' in hard maple.

"This has to be the place," Suguru said, the rest nodded and overheard…

"Oh I can't wait to see the new Dolce & Gabbana line…plus I hear there is a rock show afterwards," spoke a woman near by.

"I think those Italian designers are adding a little spice to their show for Las Vegas. Seems a little risqué no?" questioned her male companion.

Shuichi and Hiro looked at each other stupefied when they heard this.

Suguru grabbed both their arms and hauled them to a program table and a very noticeable sign behind the couple. "Look it says there is a fashion show going on in here in one hour," Suguru announced and handed them both a program guide.

Bad Luck flipped them open and when they got to the last page, there was their bands' name in bright gold print.

"We're performing at the end of the fashion show? Um…ok," Hiro said perplexed. "Let's go find K…err I mean Claudia. I have a feeling this is all her doing," the guitarist pointed out the obvious verdict.

The group went to hunt down one crazy band manager. They pulled open a set of heavy oak doors and entered the enormous ballroom. Its high ceiling was dotted with beautiful chandeliers and beneath them, was a stage and a catwalk. Seats were arranged all around the stage which were starting to fill up with people. A quick glance around revealed no Claudia but they did find Sakano. He was dressed in one of the finest and most suave suits they'd ever seen.

"Sakano? Wow where did you get that suit? You actually look…cool," Shuichi appraised as he poked at the white corsage on Sakano's jacket.

Sakano seemed to have turned pale and said quickly, "Claudia gave this suit to me, she said this was an 'uppity function' her words. Now don't get upset, I'm sure Claudia did this with all the best intentions…"

"Hiro…guys," K said butting in, seemingly appearing from nowhere. He donned a bright smile and was also dressed to the nines.

Hiro's lips moved to speak but he couldn't produce words. Instead his eyes roamed over K wearing a very elegant and sexy long backless gold coloured gown. All that long blonde hair shimmered like the dress and a very expensive platinum necklace rested—as if it were made for K's neck—around his throat. Hiro's fingers twitched, wanting to touch the inviting mass of hair. He licked his lips and mumbled, "You, you…look…so good…well we're here Claudia." He combed a hand through his hair and tried again. "So what's on the agenda, why are we at a fashion show?"

K smiled like a million yen, "Thank you Hiro," and then clamoured, "Big news! You're going to star in a fashion show and play for everyone at the end," he revealed.

Bad Luck stood staring dumbly at him.

But Suguru broke the silence. "What do you mean 'star'? Bad Luck can't parade around in fashion shows, we're musicians!" Suguru cried.

"But you get to play a song at the end…plus you get to keep one outfit and…" K tried but got cut off.

"You mean walking up and down a catwalk?" Shuichi questioned before the 'keep one outfit' registered. He grinned, "We can keep an outfit? Are they cool clothes? Ooo I wanna go see right now!" Shuichi was ready to turn into fashion diva in a second.

Hiro groaned and knew something insane like this was going to happen. "Oh man, I'm not sure I'm any good at catwalks Claudia." His worst fears were confirmed.

"There's no way I'm doing this…no way!" Suguru cried.

Sakano patted Suguru on the shoulder, "We do have a contract with them. If we break it…NG will pay penalties."

"We won't break it," K said calmly. "Oh come on, I told Tohma about this by the way. He's all for it. I mean think about it, the music industry integrating with the fashion world? It's not just sneakers and hoodies man, we're talking top of the line fashion. Dolce & Gabbana dude. They're famous," K informed. Actually he wasn't going to say but he'd never heard of them until he started hunting around Las Vegas for fashion shows. Once he found out they were here, he spoke to their fashion coordinator and the director of the show. They loved the idea of a Japanese rock band modelling their clothes and giving a small performance. They called it a building block to the fashion world.

"Tohma agreed to this, what is he having a mid life crisis!" barked Suguru and shied away from the looks a few people were giving them.

K noticed they were attracting a crowd and told them to follow him backstage. Reluctantly everyone followed and found themselves amidst a group of stage hands, models getting ready and Dolce and Gabbana themselves.

The male Italian designers beamed when they noticed the Japanese rock band. They stood with fingers on their chins as if making calculations of their modelling tact. "Not bad, a little short but we have tailors at the snap of our fingers. Anything can be altered in minutes," Gabbana informed. "Please hurry and get ready, the show will start soon."

"Just act natural; we want the whole inner city of Japan bursting through when you walk the stage. I wanna hear Tokyo calling my name," Dolce declared eccentrically and his partner nodded. They clicked their fingers and a swarm of make-up artists and tailors zoomed in on them.

Shuichi was practically stripping out of his clothes, eager to play along. As long as he got to sing in the end, he was perfectly happy. And if Yuki showed up to watch him, he couldn't think of a better utopia. Hiro on the other hand grumbled, looking nonplussed and begrudgingly followed another artist.

Suguru decided to hold his ground, with crossed arms he spouted, "No way."

K smiled coyly at the little man and pulled up the side of his dress, from a thigh holster he produced a gun. He held it on Suguru and cocked back the hammer, the whole dressing room gasped. "Don't worry folks, everyday procedure. You know how stubborn talent can get on your nerves?" K mentioned casually.

Everyone nodded with tired understanding and got back to work.

"No respect at all for the artist," Suguru complained.

"Nadda," K said cheekily.

Muttering, Suguru allowed himself to be dragged off by a make-up artist to prepare.

The time flew as everyone got made-over. Hair was styled to perfection, slight make-up to enhance eyes and cheekbones. The fashion show was getting into full swing. It was down to the wire. People ran around like mad, music filled their ears and everyone was given reminders on how to follow the next model out. Bad Luck got a little session on how not to get lost when it was their cue. But since the designers demanded them to be street fresh, they got it easy with really no prep work.

Bad Luck stood, looking spiffy in the first line of men's clothing, suits. K stood looking them over and spoke to Sakano who stood next to him, "They look great hmm?"

"Actually they really do, I hope none of them trip," Sakano said nervously.

K looked stricken, "Don't jinx it." But he chuckled anyways and winked at Hiro, he looked so nervous. Actually they all looked kind of freaked out K noticed and walked over. He straightened Hiro's lapels as one of the tailors groaned that K was putting his fingerprints all over the clothes. K calmly stuck a gun in his face and looked charmingly at Hiro. "You look really good, all sophisticated and that. Don't be nervous, you've done this a million times."

Hiro sweatdropped about the gun and frowned at K, "What, walked a catwalk?"

"No, I mean being on a stage," K informed.

Shuichi watched his best friend and Claudia interacting once again, he smirked. He definitely had to ask Hiro about this later.

Hiro couldn't help but watch K put that gun back into a holster next to his thigh. For a moment he didn't worry about the catwalk, "Its amazing how you find a place for those things at any given time," he quipped.

K smirked, "Its all part of the job Hiro. Now you guys get out there and knock 'em dead!"

"Funny you should be doing this if we are," whined Suguru.

Looking smug K said, "Maybe I am."

They all spun on him, "Really?

He nodded, "Yea it was part of the deal. Or it was as of last night." K looked from side to side, "Actually I told them I was part of the band." K shrugged innocently, "Its something I wanna try…a personal mission. What do I have to lose? Don't ask for details. I have to go shortly after you guys."

Shuichi snorted and laughed, "Just like you said on the plane, follow your heart. I believe that entirely! Whatever makes you happy, that's what I tell Yuki all the time. Nothing means more to me than his happiness."

Suguru rolled his eyes.

Hiro chuckled too and nodded, agreeing with Shuichi. "I hope to god you aren't actually coming out on stage with us later Claudia. What will you play…the triangle?" Hiro joked good-naturedly and started snickering, so did everyone else.

K was happy that they were all getting a good laugh at his expense and forgetting their nerves. "No I have other plans." He winked at Hiro.

"People take your places!"


Tohma insisted that Yuki join him and Ryuichi to the fashion show. Yuki was going to completely bail on the show and make it up to Shuichi later. He didn't care to go sight-seeing and all that crap, he'd have much rather stayed in and wrote his novel. No, instead he at least made the president wait until he got dressed into something Tohma demanded was stylish. Stupid fashion show…what was Shuichi doing in a fashion show anyways?

Ryuichi was in extra hyper play mode, he couldn't even sleep last night—he was so excited. Nobody knew but he spent half the night wandering the hotel and the casino. He showed Kuma everything, and tonight was going to be even better! The only person that wasn't with them was Noriko. Ryuichi recalled last night how his keyboardist really enjoyed those slot machines. In fact before he'd returned to his room last night, he saw her still there around four am. Maybe she was sleeping now? Too bad she was going to miss the show.

All three found a reserved seat at the end of the catwalk. No sooner did they sit then did the show begin to start.

"I can't believe you let them do this," Yuki said to Tohma, looking cool in his blue shirt, the collar on the outside of his black jacket.

Tohma hid a secret snicker, "Why not, it'll be fun to watch Shuichi hmm?"

Yuki scoffed. "Is this for your own entertainment?"

Tohma stayed silent and pointed at the stage coyly in which the first of the male models began to display this year's formal wear.

Ryuichi watched and sucked on Kumagoro's ear happily. "Look at all the sparkly clothes, Ryuichi likes fun clothes." And when Shuichi, Hiro and Suguru walked out, Ryuichi giggled. "Go Shuichi!" he hollered, surprising the audience.

Shuichi dressed in a flamboyant tuxedo beamed and clamoured back, "Hiya Ryuichi!" He also blew Yuki a kiss and giggled all the way back to the dressing area.

Yuki groaned and Tohma put on a pretend smile.

Shuichi, Hiro and Suguru broke the ice on the catwalk. The first time they looked uneasy but as the clothing style changed from formal to casual and then to sporty…they all got into it. By their third walk, Shuichi actually stopped at the end and gave the audience the peaceful V sign with his fingers. He was wearing a fur lined coat and a stripped shirt beneath it, a pair of brown trousers and shoes that looked too sophisticated for the singer.

"I love his coat," Tohma muttered approvingly.

"You would," Yuki jeered dryly.

Suguru was actually smiling at the end of his run, wearing a simple collared shirt and jeans that held a shimmer. And Hiro found he really liked his low riding black leather pants, a D&G gold belt buckle at his waist, and a long floor dusting coat with big black buttons and no shirt underneath. The heels of his kick ass boots clicked as he walked and Hiro found himself playing along with the moment. He knew he was sexy right now and even fingered along the coat, showing off a little. It was a rare moment of self appreciation for himself.

Maybe fashion shows weren't so bad after all.

K watched from backstage with Sakano and drooled as Hiro emanated hotness. He'd never seen the guy put on the act so well, look so confident before. For K it was an aphrodisiac! But before he got a chance to meet Hiro and give him praise, someone grabbed his arm for him to get ready. It was his turn. He was going to do one walk in women's business casual.

It was a trendy outfit, probably not one any woman would actually wear to work, K thought amicably. The style was mobster inspired, with a tight black miniskirt skirt, knee length leather boots—with heels that could stab if he chose to do so. The jacket was double breasted and underneath he wore a red silk shirt that was almost all unbuttoned, with no bra, and a black silk tie around his neck. It hung provocatively between his breasts. On his head was a cool looking black Fedora, with a white band in which all his hair had been piled into. At the last minute K looked longingly at his gun that rested on a table nearby, behind a pair of sleek Ray Bans. They didn't want him to have it on the catwalk, but screw that! K grabbed it before he was due to walk and dashed to the stage.

A few shouts followed his wake but K skidded out onto the catwalk and struck a pose. He kept his face cool and composed, suave like the Mafioso. Halfway down the catwalk he pulled off the Fedora to let his hair spill down all sexily like. Just like they told him too, he played the game well and when he got to the end of the stage, he surprised the crowd by whipping out his gun. He took a gunman's stance and aimed it at the audience and purred, "Bang."

Twirling the gun on his finger he blew at the tip and placed the gun back inside his jacket with a smirk. He waved at Tohma, Yuki and Ryuichi.

"Woohoo K!" sang Ryuichi.

K faulted for just a moment at that and decided it was time to haul ass backstage. Amused he walked back to find Bad Luck all snickering at him.

He laughed too, this was so much fun! "See I told you guys you'd enjoy yourselves. Now in twenty minutes you can sing Shuichi. Show America what Bad Luck is made of," K egged on pink haired singer enthusiastically.

Shuichi nodded eagerly and couldn't wait to perform for Yuki whom he saw out front. He was just about to say and held up his finger to point out…

"Yeah, yeah," everyone went dryly, knowing Shuichi too well. "We know…Yuki," they muttered in unison.

Shuichi beamed.

Twenty minutes flew by and Bad Luck took their stand on the stage before the American crowd. Never having performed for this kind of gathering, they felt a bit nervous. But Shuichi wouldn't let that stop him. No way! Yuki and his idol Ryuichi were here watching him! He could not let them down.

So he performed with every fibre of his soul. He sang a fast paced number for this fast paced crowd, and Hiro and Suguru easily fell into place. They belted out Spicy Marmalade for Las Vegas to remember. For an improv show they all had to admit they'd done really excellent.

After Shuichi sang the last words he looked straight in the direction of Yuki's seat. Only he wasn't there anymore. Neither was Mr. Seguchi or Ryuichi! Wanting to run right at that moment to find and tackle his lover—to rain hugs and kisses all over him—Shuichi was forced to wait as the crowd still gave their cheers. As soon as he could get off stage he hauled Hiro close by his coat. "Did you see where Yuki went!" he asked maddeningly.

Hiro scratched his head, "Na, I didn't see where he went. Maybe he went to the bar with Mr. Seguchi?"

Shuichi whined. "Where's Claudia, I bet she knows." He looked around.

Hmm, Hiro looked around too and Claudia was no where to be seen either. They found Sakano though who was nodding happily at them, "Good work guys. I guess you can enjoy the rest of time to yourselves. Don't cause any trouble now; NG has a reputation to keep. I'm going to go check things out I think." He sighed and wandered off.

"Wait!" Suguru hollered and trotted off after the producer. "I don't want to sit in my room all night, maybe we can check out one of those famous Vegas music shows."

Sakano beamed ok and looked back at Hiro, "Oh Claudia gave me a message…I dunno what it means but she said, 'Tell Hiro I'm waiting.'" The producer blushed about a million shades of red and hurried off, happy to be rid of this insane afternoon.

Hiro also blushed wondering what that message meant. He had a good idea, but with K one wasn't always sure. Shuichi was also looking at him funny and giggling. "Ok, ok Shuichi it's obvious eh? I sorta like our manager…is that so bad?" Hiro questioned and went to pick up the clothes he'd come here with. They didn't have to change since they got to keep there one outfit, and Hiro didn't feel like changing his new duds.

Shuichi walked out of the ballroom with Hiro as they nodded kindly at a few people that praised them for their performance. But they could breathe finally when they made it to the elevator in return to their rooms. "I don't know why you chew my head off everytime I ask you what's going on. You think none of us can tell something's up with you two? But what's the big secret?" Shuichi wondered.

Hiro rested his head back on the mirrored wall of the lift and closed his eyes. He said prophetically, "It's a long story Shu but I have a feeling you'll find out very soon. Something in my gut tells me so."


A/N: I thought what would be most suitable for Bad Luck to do in Las Vegas? A fashion show! LOL! I mean K is already a woman so why not have a fashion show? XD At first I wasn't going to have K in the show itself, but hell why not? So he got put in there too. I looked up the Bellagio http/ gawd this place is huge 0.0 But you can see the Grand Ballroom for yourself if you want...only I put in chandeliers in my fic. Anyways the finale to the Vegas chapters is next...it's a really long chapter--had to fit in all those characters and all their antics -dies-

Reviewers:

LingeringMiseryofSorrow: Teehee --waves that K man flag too-- YAY yes go K-man get that Hirokins! Haha my pet name for Hiro lol anyways THANKS hun for the comment. Don't worry the next chapter will reveal all and the whole gang will be busy lol. Glad you liked Yuki, I know I haven't said much for him but I HAD to bring him along. I do that in most of my fics. Its fun to focus on K and Hiro --drools-- but I have a special spot for Shu and Yuki to. I just can't write a fic about them lol --big hugs!-- thannks for the comments hun.

redrosepriestess: Aww thanks hun for the comments. I hope you enjoyed this chapter and the next two. Oh no worries for not reviewing all chapters pfft lol As long as you're enjoying it..YAY

smile78mtl: Thanks so much hun! It's coming down to the two last chapters. I hope you enjoy them as well. --lotsa hugs--

GravitationInnocence: Awesome I'm touched. I mean everyone needs to hear if their writing is good and stuff. Mine has improved since I first started with fanfics lol so that means a lot! Thanks!

TheAnibee: Thank you hun for sticking with this for so long. All will be well soon you'll see! The next chapter is mayhem lol -hugs!-

the2evils: Oooh yay yes I bet you did like that guitar! I know Hiro's a lucky guy lol. I hope to write more stories but not until I get a good idea. They come randomly XD This idea I got in the shower lol I'm going to post a Kiro fic that I never posted on FF before. I'll do that after Switch is done. Much love!

yaoinut: Many thanks hun! Hope you like the rest of it!