Switch Chapter 18

"Sakano-san," Suguru started carefully, "Don't you think you should slow down on those pink drinks?"

Sakano looked over at Suguru idly…only there seemed to be two of him. None of the less he was glad the younger man decided to tag along with him this evening. That was fine, it was better then being alone in this foreign and strange country. "But I like the umbrellas that they come with, they're so cute—and they go up and they go down," he said atypically in a happy tone, demonstrating the little umbrellas.

Finding this place was close by; they'd decided to make a pit stop—a fancy lounge bar.

Suguru face-faulted. "You're drunk!" he cried, "I thought those things were alcohol free?"

"You mean they're not?" Sakano questioned indignantly with a goofy smile and took another sip of his tasty Bahama Mamma—a colourful slushie drink that was hot pink, green and yellow. It was too late he was already feeling the effects of the alcohol. "I'm hungry lets go check out one of those famous buffets you always hear about, I'm starving!" Sakano pushed himself from the bar stool and sank straight to the floor in a heap. He giggled.

Oh man, Suguru thought looking embarrassed. He was going to have to stay with the producer just to make sure he didn't hurt himself or get into trouble. "Maybe some food will help you out, ok let's go eat something," the keyboardist suggested. He reached down and helped haul Sakano back up to his feet. Seeing as there were so many restaurants, bars and lounges, it wasn't hard to find one of Las Vegas's famous buffets. Suguru wasn't sure by the smell if all the food was full of grease or not. Hopefully they'd have something edible, he thought wrinkling his nose distastefully.

"Do you think they sell those drinks here too?" wondered Sakano with a tiny slur, taking in the large place full of people and food.

"No more drinks!" hollered Suguru, "You've only had three and already you're hardly able to stand. Maybe you shouldn't drink anymore?"

Sakano looked at Suguru and saw his mother and waved his hand with a huff. "But I feel good! I just had to get my footing. You want to ruin my fun!" he whined. "You always ruin my fun! I'll never be a success to you will I!" He ran off ahead and began to pile his plate with anything he found.

His mother! Geez, was Sakano a delusional drunk? Suguru, frowning deeper now, followed the semi-drunk Sakano. Sighing, he went to find some food at the buffet as well and both of them found a table. He began to pick at his food and watched with dismay as Sakano literally scarfed down his meal.

"All you can eat for one price!" Sakano garbled over a mouthful of food. He beamed at this as if it was the first time in history he'd ever heard of the concept.

"It all tastes the same," Suguru complained and said he needed to use the washroom. He excused himself. He wandered off looking for the restroom and spied Tohma and Yuki, with a trailing Ryuichi walking in the opposite direction. Wasn't Shuichi looking for Yuki? He wondered for a moment if he should go tell the writer that, but shrugged. Meh, it was Shuichi's problem, he thought and watched them head for some elevators.


Ryuichi followed Tohma around, feeling incredibly bored and dying for some action. He didn't know why his long time friend decided to leave the show early and check out the casino. And now it only seemed as if Tohma wanted to go back to his room with Yuki…that was dull. He stood with them near the elevator and looked around. A pretty mutli-coloured moth floated near by, "Ooo Kuma, look at that…let's follow it," Ryuichi suggested eager to play and spoke loudly enough for only his plushie friend to hear.

The singer, distracted and enticed by the colourful bug, slunk off quietly. He didn't tell Tohma or Yuki that he'd left them behind; he simply followed the pinkish coloured moth as it floated along merrily. Before he knew it, he'd been led outside the hotel. Ryuichi stood under the glow of a million light bulbs and squinted in hunt for the moth. Oh! There it was! He wandered off down the street, his senses being torn away from the bug to view all the colourful flashing lights on the Las Vegas strip. Ooo pretty…

Wandering after the moth, he came across another brightly lit place, music and carnival sounds filled the air. Twinkling neon lights and sparkles beckoned him inside. Ryuichi forgot about the moth and realized he'd entered a circus. It was an indoor circus and a casino/hotel and simply named Circus Circus.

This he concluded was heaven on earth! Clutching his Kuma he ventured further in like a child seeing his first circus. There were tigers and trainers, acrobats swinging from one end to the next, men eating fire and clowns! Oh joy! But what caught is attention the most was the carousel restaurant.

As he trotted over to play someone stopped him, "Fill out a ballot? You could win!"

Eyes lit up with mischief Ryuichi readily nodded and filled out a ballot for everyone on the trip. He filled out three for himself. Dropping all the ballots into a box Ryuichi took off to find the carousels' perfect horse.

Oh why didn't Tohma and K book a room at this place? It was much more fun here than that stuffy hotel.


Back at the Bellagio…

Shuichi and Hiro split ways on the forth floor. His best friend was positive that 'his' Yuki would be there waiting for him. But Hiro had his mind on other things. For one, he had a feeling when he opened his hotel door, K would be here. Before entering his room he took a deep breath and ran a hand through his hair.

He crossed the threshold.

The room was dark except for a table done up with candles and dinner…but no K. Hmm, Hiro strained to find him but no such luck. He smirked at himself about how silly he felt that he was being watched. Sort of like a game of hide-and-seek. Hiro began to walk around the room, peeking around things. "K I know you're in here. Is this why you left the show early, to surprise me?" Hiro called out.

A few lengthy moments passed before K spoke.

"If you calmed down and don't kick me out, I thought we could have dinner. And if you'll let me, I thought we could talk," came K's female voice from the recesses of the room. He stepped out from the shadows near the curtains at the far end.

Hiro's eyes found the movement. He looked K over still wearing that mobster business outfit from the fashion show. He had to admit it was sexy and he had a hard time tearing his eyes from the peek-a-boo game with K's cleavage. "Unless you give me a reason to kick you out, you can stay," Hiro said coolly trying so hard to keep up the smokescreen. But he was surprised to hear that K wanted to talk. Maybe that was all they needed to do after all. "How'd you get in here by the way?"

K waved his hand nonchalantly. "Oh, I have my ways," he said smoothly about breaking into the hotel room. "Let's eat dinner before it gets cold. It's been a busy afternoon, I'm starved," K added and went to pull out Hiro's chair. He waited for Hiro to sit before he sat across from him.

Looking over at yet another beautiful set up, breakfast this morning and now dinner by candlelight, Hiro gave K one of his nicest smiles. He couldn't help it; it was as though everything he'd wished for was coming true—K had done a complete three-sixty. Now, only he was the one that had the power to end this façade and let K know that he knew the truth. But he couldn't be so weak, just a little longer. After all K had put him through a lot, Hiro wanted to make sure K was serious. "You really have been spoiling me K. The guitar, breakfast and now dinner," Hiro mentioned spotting wine on the table.

"Oh, so you did find the guitar," K said reaching out for the wine and pouring Hiro and himself a glass. He handed the wine to Hiro, purposely holding the glass long enough so the guitarists' hand would have to brush his own.

Soft brown eyes lifted at the contact, gawd he wanted K so bad. But not yet! Hiro took the glass and was about to take a sip.

"Wait…we should make a toast," K offered holding out his crystal goblet.

Alright, Hiro didn't mind a toast, "What should we toast to?"

"To following your heart," K said without hesitation, "To living life to the fullest."

"To following your heart," Hiro recited.

They clanked glasses and took a sip, watching each other tentatively.

Silence followed that toast as both tucked into their dinner. It was delicious, cooked by some world class chefs in the hotel. Grilled salmon all topped with beautiful greenery and a lovely creamy sauce. There was fresh bread and dish with olive oil and balsamic vinegar for dipping. Plus a dessert that was layers and layers of phyllo pastry filled with chocolate and topped with a chocolate icing.

It was sinfully good.

Daringly K held out a tiny piece of pastry on his fork mischievously for Hiro to take. He said nothing only urged the younger man to eat it.

Hiro smirked and thought he shouldn't play into K's game. But still he couldn't stop his mouth from inching forward and helping himself to the pastry. Lips wrapped around the fork and he let K feed him. He sat back with a tiny blush and a small chortle.

K too sat back satisfied and sipped at his second glass of wine, "Pretty good eh?"

Nodding Hiro wiped his mouth with a napkin, "It was very good, thank you."

"No, no, thank you Hiroshi," K said in an earnest voice. "I like your outfit by the way. It's very, very hot." K admired Hiro's naked chest under the long coat.

That caused Hiro to blush a little more. "Well yours is very, I dunno, sexy, it sorta makes me think of a stripper or an eccentric artist or something. But you know I really should kick you out for making us do that fashion show by the way." Hiro spoke teasingly.

K howled laughing at that. "But you won't because you really don't want me to leave do you? I think I even know why you kicked me out and got angry at me." It was time to talk. No more games, K thought. Sometimes you had to just take the bull by the horns.

"Enlighten me then." Hiro was very curious to hear this.

"Because I took advantage of you," K said simply and without hesitation. He stood up and wandered to the other side of the table and straddled himself over Hiro's lap, looking sincerely into his eyes. "I'm really sorry…all I could think of was myself and finding out how to return to being a man again. In the process I completely took advantage of you. I finally understood that all I really need is you. I think I always did, I just didn't know it. I honestly wanted to believe that you only had a crush on me…you know why? Because I was terrified…yeah me, the crazy American was terrified. My divorce really hurt, I just gave up on everything really. I didn't really think that anyone would want to love me again. Does that sound stupid?"

Touched by all this Hiro's heart practically melted in his chest. He hadn't expected something like this. "No Claude, it's not stupid…not at all. Maybe I shouldn't have pounced on you that way in your office that night. Only…" Hiro cast his eyes aside, "…I've had feelings for you for so long and I just didn't want to wait anymore. That night felt right to me. I'm sorry too. Maybe if I hadn't done that you never would have…"

"Sshh," K went softly, holding Hiro's head between his feminine hands. He leaned in quickly to hush Hiro with a kiss, before he could finish that sentence. Gently he pressed harder, sighing a little as emotions flared up inside just from the simple touch. Slowly Hiro's hands threaded into his hair and down his back, he was shaking. K held onto Hiro tighter, trying to sooth and comfort him, kissing with the sweetest care.

But K pulled back his lips barely half an inch from Hiro's, "Hiro if this didn't happen to me…I'd have never been given the gifts I have today—you being one of them. I needed the kick in the ass." K chuckled, "Anyways, that night in the office, you really shocked me…I wasn't ready. But then the other night I saw it. I actually realized I thought about you every hour of the day, and that I needed you. It took me so long to see what was right in front of my damn face! But the night you kicked me out I wanted to say that I…"

Knock knock!

Both heads swung towards the door.

"HIRO! It's me Shuichi, open the door! Please!"

Damn it! Hiro frowned visibly. Finally they were talking! K was spilling his guts and now this? For a moment he felt as if this whole charade was so close to finish. Hiro wanted to know what K was going to say!

"Its alright we'll talk later, go check on Shuichi," K urged Hiro, he climbed off his lap.

Sighing, Hiro begrudgingly went to answer.

Shuichi launched himself in the room, he looked panicked.

"Don't tell me, Yuki was not in the room?" Hiro droned, looking at Shuichi irritably. Any other time he would do have done anything for his best bud. But he HAD to come now of all times.

"Yeah, Yuki wasn't in his room and he promised we'd spend the night together. Just the two of us being tourists in a foreign land," Shuichi said poetically with a dreamy sigh. But he also noticed Claudia, who was now sitting on the edge of the table, crossed legged and smoking a cigarette. "Ohh…OHHH!" he went vivaciously, understanding Hiro's tetchiness. Shuichi ran to Claudia and dropped to his knees before her. "I know if anyone can find Yuki it's you. You have K's genes; you can sniff him out right? Please help me find Yuki?"

"Shuichi!" Hiro cried embarrassed at Shuichi's lack of discretion.

"No, it's alright Hiro," K said giving Shuichi a wink. "Actually this could be fun…I say we go hunting!" cheered K. He was kind of touched that Shuichi still held so much faith in his better male half. He chuckled and dropped the smoke into the now empty bottle of wine. K got off the table and pulled Shuichi to a standing position, "Did I ever tell you that K taught me all of his tricks?"

The singer beamed. "I bet Yuki's been kidnapped by aliens. Or worse a crazed gambler sold him to the slave market to pay off a loan shark," Shuichi rambled.

Hiro gaped at his friend. Where did he come up with this stuff? "How do you know about loan sharks?" Hiro questioned astonished.

"Too many movies," K said easily and left the room. He urged Shuichi and Hiro to follow to his room next door, "I need a few things."

Hiro and Shuichi stood at the doorway of Claudia's room as she dug into a duffle bag. Hmm why didn't Hiro notice this bag before? But out came a rope with a hook on it, night vision binoculars, ski masks and a handgun. There were also a few devices Hiro never seen before, nor did he know their names. "Geez now I know why you couldn't afford a new apartment," Hiro quipped. This was the toys K must have meant in that note last night.

K only shrugged with a coy smirk on his face. He handed both Hiro and Shuichi the masks and binoculars. "I have an inkling about where to find our dear Yuki-san," he said. He'd seen Yuki with Tohma earlier before he slunk off to Hiro's room to prepare for dinner. It never occurred to him that they might still be in the hotel. K wasn't stupid he knew those two had a hidden secret past. He didn't know what that past contained, but he noticed that Tohma dotted on the novelist. It was a pretty sure bet he was at Tohma's penthouse. But K also knew Tohma well enough, that if he just went knocking the little man would just ignore him or shoo him away. K smirked; his way would be much more fun anyways. "I hope you guys aren't afraid of heights?"

"Anything for Yuki, I'm your puppet!" Shuichi exaggerated.

Looking questionably at Shuichi, Hiro then gave K a dry look. "Doesn't Tohma have the penthouse? How to do we get in?" he wondered.

K gave Hiro an appreciative nod for figuring out where Yuki probably was. "Well in every building there are roof exits or fire escapes. Of course the penthouse will be above the fire escape…that's what the rope is for. You two can climb right?" K asked as he led the way.

Shuichi and Hiro only looked at each other skeptically and followed.

Entering the stairwell and marching up the stairs, Hiro felt out of breath by the time they reached the top. "Shit, why didn't we take the elevator?" he pondered out loud.

"Good question," K said thoughtfully. "Either way we're here." He cut the alarm and pulled out a pick lock and jimmied the door open.

Outside on the roof they stood on a large platform that consisted of the fire escape, a helicopter landing pad and other hotel functions like antennas. Hiro wondered, "Claudia, how did you know which door to take…or is this even the right side?"

"The master of deduction speaks again," K chimed amused and pulled a folded paper from his inside pocket. He handed it to Hiro.

The guitarist unfolded the large flimsy paper. "Blueprints!" Hiro clamoured and looked at K with wide eyes. "Do I even want to know how you got this?"

K shook his head 'no' quietly. Just because he was a woman didn't mean he still didn't play by his rules. Hiro seemed to forget but just because they were on vacation of sorts, didn't mean he didn't take all the precautions ahead of time. Knowing thy enemy kept you alive!

"Ooo I knew you could find Yuki!" Shuichi cheered and looked around. "So what's next?"

K pointed up a wall. Both younger men took in the large wall from where they stood, they could see some potted plants at the top. The penthouse was about a story up. Not too far, and about a yard or two from the penthouse edge was a ledge all around it. Once they got to that point they could stand and pull themselves up. Waving for some space K launched the grappling hook up and secured it to the railing. He tugged on it to make sure it was steady. Wasting no time he climbed up the rope and was glad he didn't need the night vision binoculars, or the ski masks. Of course it was always better to be prepared.

Hiro and Shuichi struggled up after him and jumped onto the small ledge two yards below the penthouse railing. Looking down they went white with fright. So instead they looked up only to spot K and receive an eyeful under his skirt.

Ack! Hiro's cheeks burned crimson, he looked over at Shuichi who was blushing as well. "Hey, don't look there!" he bawled and swatted at Shuichi indignantly. Thank goodness K wore underwear. Men's underwear at that...

"It was right there, I couldn't help it," whined Shuichi, trying to keep his balance as the desert air whipped at their faces and hair.

"Will you two, shut up!" K hissed from above, oblivious that his cute rear was on display. "Oh bingo the target is spotted." K came down and stood on the little ledge where Hiro and Shuichi were. "Yuki is in the hot tub with Tohma…"

Shuichi gasped.

K smirked and finished, "It's not like that. They're just talking, Yuki looks bored. But go on little man…go bust their party," K encouraged happily. "I'll wait here in case you need back up. But I'm sure you'll be alright. Viva Las Yuki!"

Shuichi was up the rope and over the railing like a bat out of hell! From the spot where K and Hiro stood they heard, "YUKI!" They sniggered when they heard Tohma's surprised, "How did you get up here?" But K was sure he heard 'Claudia' mentioned and gave Hiro a goofy smile.

"Well I'm in shit later I'm sure of it," K offered in a whisper to Hiro. "But we better get the hell out of here. Come on."

"I'm sure they'll work it out. Hopefully Tohma goes easy on Shuichi though," Hiro mentioned on the way down.

"Oh I think Tohma got enough of Yuki's time this weekend to be fair. A man like that could have any girl he wanted this weekend I bet. Even a showgirl, mmm, wanna go see them now?" K asked Hiro excitedly.

Hiro chuckled at K's face over the mention of showgirls. "Why don't we stroll and finish that talk…I think we need to have it. Don't you?"

"Hmm, yeah you're right. There is so much and so little I want to say," K said with sneaky double meaning.

Snickering at K's comment, Hiro decided to toss all idea's of game play out the window. Fuck waiting for K, he'd said enough. He didn't want to wait any longer, K was his he could feel it in his heart! As they entered back into the stairwell Hiro dropped the equipment and pulled K too him fiercely. "I want you right now," he demanded urgently and claimed K's sweet mouth in a kiss.

They kissed with frenzy—heated up from adventure and reclamation. Arms wrapped around each other, hands roaming and tearing at each other like animals. Tongues met, tasting, licking and slurping.

"Fuck Hiro," K moaned into the kiss, his body alive and vibrating with tangible want.

Hiro said nothing, only urging K to turn around and yanking those slender hips out. Hiro ground himself against K's ass, groaning fervently.

"Oh yeah so dirty Hiro. I love it!" K declared in pleasant surprise.

Make up sex is the best!

Purring eagerly Hiro lifted K's skirt and yanked down those men's underwear that taunted him a few minutes ago. He undid his belt and unzipped, pulling out his aching hard on. Spitting into his hand he wet himself up and practically slammed himself into K's already damp caverns.

Right there in the stairwell of the Bellagio, they fucked. They fucked out all their recent harsh words, wrong doings and misunderstandings. No matter what they were drawn together like the pieces of a puzzle. They knew it now.

Hiro rejoiced at every orgasmic cry K gave to each hard animalistic thrust he delivered. Wetness poured down K's legs as he got the best make up sex he could ever remember. Whining with pure pleasure as he climaxed, "...ahh yeah! Don't stop!" K cried hands plastered to the wall in front of him.

Feeling K quiver and his female body squeeze on him Hiro cried, "I can't hold back I'm gonna…" Hiro panted and bit back his words as he came. "Unnn!" he grunted and clung to the back of K's body, panting.

After the delightful quickie K fixed his skirt and pulling up his drawers. He turned around, catching his breath. "You really took my "little words" comment seriously," K said and laughed contentedly. He sighed still feeling the post-sex euphoria.

Fixing his clothes Hiro smiled naughtily, "I just thought we wasted enough time already."

"Man you got that right," K muttered, feeling revved to go now. "Let's hit the town. We'll get drunk, gamble, watch a show and I dunno but lets go!" he hollered happily. He actually giggled and took Hiro's arm. Hiro picked up the gear and K led him down the stairs and together they got to the forth floor…they needed their monies and perhaps a wash up.

But as they opened the stairwell door and started down the hall two tall security guards yelled, "You two stop right there!"

Hiro and K halted and looked at them wide eyed.

"Oh crap, they must have spotted something on their cameras," K exclaimed and thought quickly. He wasn't about to get caught now. Looking around for an escape he saw only one. Grabbing onto Hiro's hand, he ran for the laundry chute and pulled it open. "Hiro jump in," he urged.

Only Hiro looked at K like he was insane, "What! I can't jump down that!"

"Trust me, it's a laundry chute, all the blankets and sheets go down here. You'll land softly. Or if you'd rather get arrested by these goons…be my guest," K told him as the security got closer.

Thank goodness it was a long hallway.

The guitarist looked from K to the guards and decided he didn't really want to get arrested. Aww crap how did stuff always end up crazy with K? If only they'd tried to get Tohma to open up the normal way instead of K's ridiculous way. "You promise this won't hurt?" he wondered nervously.

"Naw, it won't hurt. Now go!" K cried and practically shoved Hiro down the chute.

Hiro's long winded cry echoed down the hotels laundry chute.

K stood looking amused at the guards, time to haul ass. He ran back into the stairwell and flew down the steps in his high heeled boots. Booyah! He was getting pretty good at this, he thought and headed for the bottom. Knowing he had to catch up with Hiro again, he aimed to find the laundry room. With the guards close on his heels he had to act fast. Maybe a change of clothes?

Hmm, K looked around frantically, he had no idea which way was the laundry room. He burst through a set of double doors and found himself in a kitchen. A bunch of chefs and cooks looked at him in surprise. "Sorry," K muttered and ran through the kitchen and out another set of double doors. In another small hallway, he looked at doors hoping to see 'Laundry' or something like that. But there was nothing! Shit! He was so distracted that he didn't see a group of women and literally bumped into one.

"Samantha! I told you the next time you were late that I'd can your sorry ass!" a woman with a clipboard growled at him.

K blinked confused, "Are you talking to me?"

"Shape up girl. Your smart mouth won't get you far in this town. Now get in there and get in costume. One more stunt like this and you're out!" cried the woman with a shocking mass of frizzy black hair. She shoved K into a room and he tried to protest.

"You have the wrong person. I'm not Samantha," K explained carefully unsure about this odd woman. "I really need to find…" K looked where he was, "…someone."

Oh my gawd!

Everywhere he looked, there were legs in pink stockings, butts barely covered with lace, boobs, sparkles and feathers. Acre upon acres of tall high heeled goddesses were bending, sitting, talking and doing things that only men could dream of. The sweet air itself vibrated with energy and fantasy.

K was inside a showgirl change room.

"Stop dawdling girl and get changed. We have a show to do in twenty minutes!" she hollered.

It made K jump, this woman was worse than any drill sergeant. A few girls looked at him but shrugged, they didn't care who he was and K found his head spinning. He couldn't go on stage, he wasn't a dancer! But he looked towards the door, if he stepped out there he'd run into those guards. Grr. Looking back into the change room he thought he had nothing else to lose. He asked the nearest girl for help getting dressed like she was.

"You're new right? Its just nerves don't let it get to you," she said nicely and led K to a chair. "First you need to put on the make-up."

Mommy!


Ryuichi didn't think he ever wanted to go back home. What for when everything he dreamed of existed in one place? It was like a playground that never got boring! Or that's what he thought as he sat on a carousel horse, licking his third vanilla ice cream cone with rainbow sprinkles in the last two hours.

"Yeehaw!" he cheered and patted his pink bunny that rested contently in the neck of his shirt.

The only thing that was wrong with this picture was that he was getting lonely. Everyone was at the other hotel. They should all come here, he thought with a smile. He got an idea. He'd go back and find someone and bring them here. Then they could spend the whole night eating ice cream and riding the carousel.

Sprinting off the horse and jumping off the still moving ride, Ryuichi headed back to the Bellagio. The world was spinning, he chortled at the effects of his equilibrium being set off course due to an overdose of carousel riding. All that going round and round made him dizzy. Still it was the most ultimate fun. Giggling he went back the same route that the moth had led him and stumbled back into the spiffy Bellagio hotel once more. He looked around half expecting to find someone right away.

There was no one. Hmm maybe Tohma would like to come, he wondered and decided he'd go fetch his long time friend. But as he wandered through the hotel someone started calling him. The suave singer turned to look and he broke into a grin. "Suguru!" he cried. Yes! He'd drag Suguru to the circus they didn't spend nearly enough time together, he thought and ran over.

"Ryuichi I'm ashamed to say this but I really need your help," Suguru sighed and pointed towards the pool.

Hmm, Ryuichi squinted as he tried to see what the little keyboardist was pointing at, "What's wrong? Oh, you want to go swimming? Yay! I should have come back sooner!" he bellowed and sprinted towards the pool and began to strip down to his skivvies. They could go to the circus after swimming.

Suguru ran after Ryuichi, "Wait! No it's…"

"Watch out bellow!" cried Sakano, surprising both Ryuichi and Suguru. Completely naked he shouted, "Cannonball!" and jumped into the pool holding his knees and splashing both Ryuichi and Suguru with a plume of water.

"It's Sakano-san…" Suguru muttered dryly, spitting out some water, his hair plastered to his forehead. He had hoped that dinner would have helped the producer. But when he'd returned from the washroom, Sakano had vanished. Suguru spent a whole hour looking for the man, cursing the grumbling the entire time. He found him alright, found him guzzling down more drinks and smashed out of his proverbial tree. This "vacation" was turning into his worst nightmare! "He's drunk and acting like an ass! I need to get him to his room," the keyboardist explained tiredly.

All smiles, Ryuichi squealed happily at the jubilant Sakano. The man really knew how to let go, Ryuichi was ecstatic! He'd been hoping to find someone to play with all evening. Yippee Skippy! Ryuichi didn't think Sakano was doing anything wrong even if he was drunk. Tossing Kuma to Suguru he jumped into the pool, utterly naked as well.

Grabbing the plushie that got tossed into his face, Suguru wavered in his dilemma. He sighed, geez well that was no help. Thanks a lot Ryuichi! He grumbled and looked at Kuma with a frown, "Can't you talk some sense into your master, hrmph." But out of nowhere Hiro came barrelling into sight, or at least it looked like Hiro for a second. Yes it was him, dressed in a chef's uniform, heading straight for him. Suguru propped a curious eyebrow at this, only he didn't react fast enough and Hiro crashed right into him—the force sending the younger man into the pool with a splash.

Hiro hadn't been paying attention and landed on his arse. He shook the stars from his head and looked around bewildered. Phew, no one had followed him out here. Boy he was going to kill K for that laundry chute stunt. Not only was it the scariest thing he'd ever done, but a bunch of chambermaids smacked him with a broom at the other end! They thought he was a robber. He ran and found a closet full of chef uniforms. Thankfully he borrowed one and put it on—hiding his real clothes in an empty locker—because the security seemed to have lost his trail.

"Yay Suguru joined us!" Sakano cheered and hiccupped loudly. He giggled.

Distracted by the voices Hiro stood up and looked out over the pool. He startled. Holy hell, was that Sakano? AND Ryuichi? Blinking stupefied Hiro broke into a grin, "Well what do you know?" He looked around and saw clothes strewn all about, teehee, skinny dipping. But as he smirked and forgot about avoiding security guards he caught a glimpse at Suguru. "I'm sorry about that pal, I was kind of avoiding someone," Hiro muttered and held out a hand to the lad.

Suguru took Hiro's hand and looked him over. "Why are you wearing a cook's clothes? Your hair's a mess…is everything ok?" he wondered and dripped water sadly all over the place.

"Oh it's nothing to worry about," Hiro said and gave Suguru a crested eyed grin. "I err borrowed these clothes from the kitchen. Don't ask why really. Say have you seen Claudia around?"

The keyboardist shook his head 'no'.

"Damn," Hiro muttered.

As they stood there Sakano and Ryuichi declared that it was time to play naked tag!

Whaaaat! Hiro and Suguru watched with crimson cheeks as both grown men hauled naked ass into the Bellagio.

"Oh my gawd we have to stop them!" cried Suguru.

Hiro numbly nodded and grabbed their clothes from the edge of the pool. What the hell was wrong with Sakano? Never in his wildest dreams could one picture him acting this way. As he stood looking around next to Suguru, he gave the boy a look filled with confusion.

"It was the Bahama Mamma's," Suguru said painfully.

"Right…" Hiro muttered.

As they searched frantically, sure that security would be called any minute, Hiro and Suguru saw Tohma, Yuki and Shuichi. They facefaulted. "The boss can't see Sakano and Ryuichi like this," warned Hiro.

"What's the difference their flashing the entire hotel!" Suguru pointed out.

True. "Is Ryuichi drunk too?" Hiro wondered.

"Not that I know of," Suguru said.

"HIRO!" cried Shuichi, he came running over.

Hiro scratched at his head nervously, "Heh, Shuichi what are you guys doing here?"

Shuichi looked all happy, "Yuki is taking me to dinner and a show."

"And I'm looking for Ryuichi or Noriko. Have you seen them anywhere," Tohma asked politely as he caught up with Shuichi.

Suguru and Hiro looked at each other pensively. "Oh no, we haven't seen either of them," both of them went.

Tohma studied them oddly. "Well ok but please tell me…" Ryuichi flew past them, "…if you see him." Tohma blinked for a second. "Oh dear…"

Sakano cried, "I know where you are Ryuichi…this time I'll catch you!"

Everyone stood frozen for a moment and watched the two bare men charging past.

"That wasn't…" Yuki stumbled.

Tohma murmured, "Sakano?"

"AH HAHAHA!" Shuichi laughed it up.

"Look they went through those doors!" Hiro exclaimed and they all darted off to put a stop to drunken Sakano and silly Ryuichi.

The whole group was after the two naked idiots. Actually so were a few security guards. Damn, they were going to get thrown out of this hotel Hiro thought if they didn't get to them first. Grumbling even Yuki was dragged along by Shuichi. Only Shuichi mentioned that it would be awesome if they had a camera. Tohma perked up at that and smirked, he produced a tiny digital camera and handed it to Shuichi.

"Since someone dressed as a chef decided to play James Bond with what's-her-face tonight…I need some worthy blackmail and diversion," Tohma offered and twittered amused.

Hiro blushed, knowing for sure that Tohma blamed him and K for bringing Shuichi to crash his penthouse party. Phew, at least he wasn't sore about it. Actually this was the first time Tohma was among them during some serious mayhem. Hiro smiled, well if the president could deal with it, so could he.

"But it doesn't mean you guys are getting off scott free for this. I want Sakano and Ryuichi put to a stop," Tohma ordered, sounding all authoritative.

Hiro took it all back.

As soon as they got to the set of double doors, Noriko came flying out. She looked a little miffed, ok a lot miffed and stood with her hands on her hips. "You guy's…what's the meaning of this?" she demanded vociferously. "Oh don't look at me that way. Who gave Ryuichi drinks? Why are those two morons running about naked? You're lucky I caught them and have them hidden…I think security is looking for them," she complained.

Hiro looked down guilty about the security. It was his and K's fault that they were milling around.

"Come on in here, some show is about to start. It's a good place to lay low for a few minutes," Noriko told them.

Feeling compelled to obey the feisty purple haired woman, they all followed her into some elaborate dinning hall. It was a theatre dinning hall with a stage at one end. It was a fairly large room with round white clothed tables and six chairs. In a few spots there were those booths with squishy benches and backs. Noriko led them to one of those tables. Huddled low in the seats was Sakano and Ryuichi; both flinched when Noriko yanked them up by their ears.

Chuckling, Hiro imagined she'd given them both a good swatting. But her glare at him shut him up quickly. Still feeling uneasy about security Hiro shuffled closer to Shuichi. His best friend gave him a puzzling glance. "Did I ever say, I love this fashion show outfit Shuichi…very rockin'," Hiro babbled strangely.

"Well at least I'm not wearing a chef's uniform…why are you in that by the way?" Shuichi looked on amused. He took Ryuichi and Sakano's picture and then Hiro's.

Hiro frowned at the camera. "I'll tell you later," Hiro mumbled and handed Ryuichi and Sakano their clothes. The two of them quickly dressed and Suguru handed Ryuichi his Kumagoro.

"Well Ryuichi let's put this behind us and enjoy the rest of the evening hmm?" Tohma suggested. "And Sakano you're cut off, someone order coffee for that man." As he talked the show started and he noticed it was Vegas showgirls. "Well now this might make up for a crappy evening," he mused and grinned stupidly. "Since we're all together, I should let you know that you guys did a splendid job on the fashion show. It was really a great idea. Maybe NG should integrate a little more too—"

Bright eyed, Ryuichi sat up and pointed at the stage, "K-san!"

"Sssh Ryuichi," Tohma insisted and continued, "—we could have a whole new department set up at NG headquarters." But no one was listening. "Huh?" Tohma looked over to see everyone gaping at the showgirls. "Oh come on you act like you guys never saw something like it before. We're in the music business," Tohma said with a chuckle and looked over at the show. Wait a minute, he noticed the one clumsy showgirl and squinted to get a better look. "Is that? Nah that couldn't be…is it?"

"Claudia!" gasped Shuichi and he stood up to clap and laughed raucously. "She's got balls man…wooo go Claudia!"

"Why do you keep calling him that!" Ryuichi wailed and bonked Shuichi on the head with Kuma playfully.

Yuki yanked Shuichi down to shut him up. "So your manager moonlights," he quipped. What a bunch of idiots, he thought.

Hiro ignored the chatter behind him and turned at the edge of the seat to gape at K. How the hell did he end up on the stage with showgirls? His eyes were transfixed to all the pink lace and bare legs accentuated by super high silver coloured strappy shoes. Up his eyes went along the lacy bodysuit, built perfectly for pushing up those breasts. And then there were the feathers! Hiro couldn't help but stare at K's behind when he turned around to shake a peacock like set of pink tail feathers all fanned out. And to top it all off there was a band of pink plumes on his head.

K was right showgirls were hawt! Hiro began to chuckle loudly.

Wrapped up in this event that was going down in history, Hiro was surprised when a girl approached him, she bent to talk. "Hey I recognize you from the fashion show. I bet this is a disguise so you don't get noticed right? Eeee! Is it ok if I join you?" She sat on his lap, inviting herself and snapped her bubblegum. "Is this your group of friends? They're all so hot. But I like you, mmm baby let me invite you to my room. What do you say?"


This was worse then learning to fire a semi-automatic handgun! K couldn't keep up with these chicks. He just kept thanking god that he hadn't fallen on his face yet in these monstrous shoes. How could women walk in heels this tall? What the hell did he want to look like the Eiffel Tower for! He was tall enough, he whimpered as he kicked up his legs and turned about in a jump and waggled his behind.

The other girls were throwing daggers at him. He was screwing up their mojo. K was sure they were going to gang up on him after this. Crikey! But he tried his best, he wasn't a quitter and he had to keep out of sight from those security guards. So he gave it his all, it was only a one time deal. Grinning at what some men would never get a chance to see, K revelled in his showgirl locker room moment. It fuelled him enough to continue dancing around. Suddenly the girls lay on the floor on their backs in a row. K scrambled to do the same, he blushed when he realized he had to lay there and open and close his legs repeatedly. He giggled in a naughty way. Boy, well, he wanted to see the showgirls hadn't he?

Standing back up all the girls stood in a row arm in arm, K took hold and did the can-can with them. But as he did this, he faltered when he noticed Hiro all in white in the audience and a girl on his lap. Cringing he noticed the whole bloody gang was here! He whimpered some more. Maybe they didn't notice him…gawd he hoped so. But as Ryuichi and Sakano pointed at him and visibly laughed, he knew they'd seen him. Aww man! Although he couldn't worry about that, instead he watched some girl cozying up to Hiro. K huffed on stage. No one puts their hands on his man!


Everything happened so fast. Hiro caught sight of the stage only in time to see K jumping off of it. He was headed straight for them.

"Uh oh, here comes K-san," Ryuichi chirped and everyone looked over.

Sure enough Claudia marched up to their table and yanked the girl off Hiro's lap. "Take your hands off him. He's mine," he told the woman coolly. K stood placing his hands on hips, peacock tail standing proudly behind him.

The woman with long fiery red hair, a tight fitting red cocktail dress and high heeled sandals looked surprised at him for a moment. Then she looked at her dress, "Oh! You bitch you tore my dress!" she cried inspecting a seam. In a fit of rage she slapped K right in the face.

Flinching a little, K narrowed his glittery rhinestone accented eyes and shoved her back. "You don't know who you're messing with, step off tramp!" he hissed.

Shuichi snapped pictures and giggled.

That was it! The girl launched herself at K. They crashed to the floor as the girl yanked on his hair. K shrieked in pain and grabbed a fistful of red locks of his own. In a matter of seconds it was an all out catfight! Hair got pulled, nails left a few reddened paths and teeth marks got placed. A feather got tossed into the air; Hiro caught it and stood watching unable to believe what was going on. He had to stop this! Finding bravery he leaned in and grabbed K off the other chick. Yuki being the next strongest person there jumped in and held back the strange girl.

Struggling until he realized it was Hiro holding onto him, K was riled to go, "Lemme go! I want to feed her my fist!"

The group watched in shock but Hiro demanded, "That's enough."

"Geez, what is your problem?" the other female asked K brusquely.

"I LOVE him! That's my problem!" K hollered heatedly, "I love him…" He felt Hiro let go.

"Pfft, whatever I'm outta here. I don't need this," the chick said and marched off fixing her hair.

Forgetting everyone K spun around and studied Hiro carefully. "That's what I was trying to say earlier and the night you kicked me out. Haha!" he blasted. "It feels so good to say it! I love you Hiro! I luuurrvve Hiro!" he sang. "HAHA!" K pulled Hiro close and pet a hand over his hair, "Say something man."

Stunned by K's display and casting an odd look at the company watching them, Hiro sighed. "Really you were going to tell me that the night I yelled at you? Oh K…I feel worse now. I know about the attack by the way."

A surprised look came over K's face but he waved a hand serenely, smiling down at Hiro, "Forget it. Sometimes things have a way of working themselves out. Just tell me you love me…again. This time I promise not freak out," he said with shinning blue eyes.

Hiro didn't have to think twice, "I love you…I always have."

They leaned in to share the sweetest and softest kiss.

Tears began to run down K's cheerful face when he pulled back, "Man, I'm acting like such a woman it's not even funny," he said and laughed at himself and daubing at his tears.

Hiro chuckled and used the back of his thumbs to dry K's eyes. "You're such a funny woman K," he teased.

Everyone else listened and observed this as if they'd entered the Twilight Zone. Hiro was calling Claudia 'K' and they were declaring love after a heinous catfight and kissing as if they forget the world. Oi? What the hell was going on? The show itself had come to an end and the director came directly to tell K that he was fired!

Giggling, K shrugged and said, "I'm not really going to miss it. I can't dance worth beans. But I'll never forget their change room, not ever." K sighed dreamily and drooled, holding Hiro closer.

Tohma looked puzzled at Claudia, "Can someone please explain what is going on? Claudia why are you talking like that? I swear sound just like your brother."

"Speaking of brothers," interrupted a voice.

Frances and Ralph appeared but only for K to see.

"Ack!" K said in shock, letting go of Hiro. The two gods floated just above the table top. "What are you two doing here?"

Everyone looked at each other and then at Claudia who was apparently talking to herself. They all looked at Hiro as if he had an explanation. He shrugged casually and said, "She does this sometimes, heh."

"Well numb nuts, if you'd rather stay a woman we'd understand dude,"Ralph chortled and coughed a little.

Frances patted Ralph on the back and said, "Forgive Ralph's poor tact. You sir have achieved your goal. You've followed your heart to the extent that proves beyond a doubt that you have repented."

Ralph declared, "Dude that means you can be a man again. Wasn't it so simple? We knew it all along. Geez you can be SO thick, do you know that?"

Frances gave his brother a swat to the head. He sighed and said, "Well we've had more then enough time to repair your old body. So we can take back this woman's soul and body now that you have earned yourself a miracle." He tapped at a consol and a piece of paper popped out. "Here, this is a coupon, just present this upon returning to heaven…you know in about forty or such years. You'll get ten percent off all heavenly expenses. This is for all the trouble."

K reached out and took the coupon idly. It took a moment to realize what they were saying. "I passed! For real? You guys aren't pulling my leg again?" K asked quickly. He couldn't believe it!

"No," Frances started, "We're not teasing you've earned it. I'm impressed. You know that you do have a choice to stay female though. I mean if you'd rather not return to being a man, that's your choice. Think over it carefully now."

Think about it? K cast a look at Hiro with an unsure face. Being a woman with him was so amazing—being a woman period was amazing. He never would have thought of it before. He had friends that he would lose right? And the sex, geez the sex was divine! But he wanted to show Hiro that he could love him just as much as a man, it was meant to be that way. K felt in his heart. Plus he wanted to see his son again, he couldn't do that as a woman, it wouldn't be the same. It was a given, "I want to be a man," he said resolutely.

"So buddy thanks for the show, it was the shiznit!" Ralph howled and received a glare from his brother. "Right well before I get smacked again, here you go." Ralph took a long haul on his blunt and blew the smoke at K which didn't seem to stop. It billowed and twisted around K like a snake, until it completely engulfed him. Then poof! It was gone.

And so were the gods.

There was a moment of utter silence. K regarded everyone who gazed at him like they'd seen a ghost. "Would you believe it if I told you?" he muttered with a goofy grin. Oh his voice! K felt at his throat similar to the way he had when he'd first heard Claudia speak. It was his real voice! And yet somehow it sounded so strange…

"K…" Hiro murmured in astonishment and stood gaping at him. "So they came to change you back. Man…" He chuckled, "I almost can't believe it, but I saw it with my own eyes."

"What is the meaning of this?" Tohma broke the silence for the group. "You're supposed to be dead. How…what the hell just happened?"

"See it was K the whole time! I told you." Ryuichi nodded and grinned at K. "He's Lightning K, invincible," the singer mentioned, remembering many of K's stories.

A few perplexed glances got tossed Ryuichi's way. But they all returned to K, waiting for an answer.

Sighing, K decided he'd actually try and explain what happened to him. They had a right to know. Thankfully they'd got to witness the magic or they'd never believe him at all, K thought. And the crowd in the theatre broke out into applause, thinking they'd just watched the coolest special effects Las Vegas had to offer.

K gave them a crooked grin and a hefty double thumbs up.

"You know you're still wearing the showgirl outfit," Yuki pointed out and made a face.

Looking over himself, K realized he looked like a transvestite. Things were bulging in all the wrong places! He covered himself with his hands and blushed. But a long white chef's coat got draped over his shoulders. K pulled it closed—only his tail feathers poking out—and looked aside to see it was Hiro. He smiled at him in huge thanks.

Incredibly stunned, Tohma asked, "This is unbelievable. So what are you going to tell Judy and Michael?"

K grinned, "Don't worry I have a plan. I'll just say daddy had to fake his death and take a top secret mission all in order to save the world!"

Everyone looked dryly at each other.

"Well, this has been the craziness night. I can't take anymore of this," Suguru said in shock. "After tonight I question all motives in life..."

"Welcome back K-san!" Shuichi clamoured. "All this time I thought you really were K's sister. Are you sure you can't bring her back?"

K laughed and shook a fist at Shuichi teasingly, "Why you little…"

"I knew that Claudia was too good to be true," Yuki muttered and huffed with amusement.

"Yeah, it makes me wish I really did have a sister," K said eagerly.

"I was being sarcastic," Yuki reminded him.

Regaining good spirits all around, Sakano slurred, "That was the coolest show on earth! K you're a comedian."

K studied the producer. "Is he drunk?" he asked in amazement.

Everyone nodded painfully.

K chuckled. "Well guys, sorry about everything. Thanks though for all the lovely flowers at my funeral." He laughed at their shocked faces. "Really though I'm sorry," he added more seriously.

"We have to talk when we return to Japan K," Tohma told him in that authoritative voice again. "I don't like that you duped me but…I also understand why you did it. I'll help you get your things back together."

Oh wow. "Thanks Tohma you rock man!" K declared.

Tohma smiled, "I probably owe you a few favours anyways." He thought to let the penthouse incident slide. Dying was probably enough punishment for K, he thought with a shake of his head.

While they were talking, no one noticed the security guards that had finally caught up with them. With no where to run this time, everybody found themselves literally kicked out of the Bellagio hotel. Only allowed to go and gather their things, they did so and changed clothes and stuff. Now everyone stood outside watching the fountains twirl back and forth, up and down.

"So do we go home already?" Shuichi wondered sadly.

"I know where we can go!" Ryuichi offered excitedly. "There's the coolest hotel I ever seen, just down there." He pointed towards Circus Circus.

"And just how do you know about that?" Noriko demanded.

"It's a secret," Ryuichi sang with a smirk and took off to his favourite place on earth.

Tohma wasn't about to argue and decided to follow Ryuichi. He told everyone to follow. "But please guys…let's not get kicked out this time, ok?"

Everybody saluted Tohma with a grin except Yuki who groaned. It just got worse and worse, didn't it?

Hiro and K stayed back and let everyone go ahead of them. Shuichi turned around to call for Hiro, but stopped and smiled. He'd leave them alone for a moment and took Yuki's hand as they headed for the new hotel. They stood watching each other silently for a moment, their luggage set next to them.

"For some reason I feel a bit shy…like I don't know you," Hiro said softly, his heart racing.

K had his hands in the pockets of his new jeans and replied, "Believe me I almost feel the same way—not only with you but myself. Suddenly I'm a guy again. I'm happy but I think I'm going to miss being a woman too."

"I have to admit that I'll miss her too, but it's the man I fell in love with," Hiro said taking a step closer, eyes locked onto K's.

"Hiro…" K whispered and also took a step closer, "I'm so lucky I didn't lose you. I was so stupid."

"I was stupid too but it's all over with now, let's not think of the mistakes we made," Hiro suggested and reached up to pull K down to him, he stood on his tippy toes. "You're much too tall again," he teased airily, feeling K's hands smooth around him to pull him against his body and hold him. It felt so good.

K nudged his lips against Hiro's tentatively, touching as if for the first time. Only that lasted for a moment as both wrapped their arms around each other and kissed deeply. And when the long kiss ended they heard a whistle. K and Hiro looked down the street to see Ryuichi waving at them. They pulled apart and K took Hiro's hand, "It's not over Hiro, it's only just beginning."

A/N: I know this was a very looong chapter. But it all belonged in this one chapter because everyone had to have a little action Gah so many people to write about and intertwine that this chapter was tough to do! But it was so fun to write lol. If you ever get a chance to try a Bahama Mamma I highly recommend them XD They are the bomb! You really wouldn't know you're drinking alcohol haha! The ones I had looked like Sakano's hehe. Since K's becoming a woman wasn't very technical, neither was his returning back into a man. I thought that the whole group ought to see it tho, explaining everything to them so K wouldn't come out looking like a complete jackass lol. Only to Judy and Michael i guess XD but then Michael is a child and believes Daddy is Ultraman lol. Well one more chapter to tie it all up Sorry this has taken so long...but I've been studying for a test. I hope you enjoy!

Reviewers: Much love goes to you! Thank you so much for the wonderful comments! --hugs to you all--