A/N: Yeah, in this story I explored and made up stuff for K's past. I used what I gained from the net and improvised. His past really comes into play in the second Part.

The Gun and the Guitar

Chapter 4: Ready, Aim, Fire!

By the next day most of Bad Luck's equipment was set up inside the enormous Kyoto Hall. It was a huge theatre-style building, which could easily seat over a thousand people. Everything had to be up and ready to go for tomorrow night. Nittle Grasper was already there, finishing up their stage rehearsal when Bad Luck walked in to start theirs.

Their eyes widened as they caught the final part of Nittle Grasper's last song. Ryuichi Sakuma was so good! He was always good...never removing himself from his song until it was over.

And when that happened, he became like…

"HIYA SHUICHI!" Ryuichi screeched in his playful Kumagoro voice. He jumped off the stage and walked over all tall and suave, though his face was etched with glee.

Shuichi was enthusiastically waving. "You sound so awesome! How was the rehearsal?"

"Great! Hey, do you think we could sing together? I want us to SING?! " Ryuichi exclaimed happily as he skipped behind Shuichi and plonked his pink plushie on his shoulder.

Kumagoro nibbled on Shuichi's ear, he giggled. "I would love too! Could we do it now?" Shuichi asked. He totally idolized Ryuichi, but as of late he'd long become his own musician.

The rest of Bad Luck stood watching.

"Not now Ryuichi," Noriko cut in when she joined the group.

Ryuichi looked at his purple-haired band member and pouted. "Aww…why not?"

Tohma joined them too, looking cool and professional in his pinstripe vest and that Boy George-styled hat of his. He said, "You need to save your voice for tomorrow, let's not overdo it."

That was the final verdict.

Sakano leaned over to Hiro and asked, "I wonder where K took off to?"

Hiro had been wondering that himself but figured the man was doing whatever band managers did. But he was surprised he didn't at least tell Sakano, he was their producer after all. "I'm sure he'll catch up with us," he offered.

As if on queue K opened the big double doors to the concert area and walked in. He was wearing his long trench coat, snow dusting his hair and shoes wet with slush.

"Tohma," K acknowledged his boss first. He felt Tohma study him a little longer than necessary. Hmm, he had probably figured out that Shuichi had overheard the lyrics to Nittle Grasper's new song. K knew he was trying to figure out now if he knew. He played his perfect poker face.

"HA! I heard Bad Luck's manager was actually late getting to Kyoto," Noriko squealed, taking the opportunity to annoy K. She knew how much K hated tardiness.

"Why you…" K growled and shook his first at the smarmy woman and Nittle Grasper's manager.

Laughing, Noriko couldn't resist teasing her rival manager and added, "And I heard that Hiroshi was stuck with you," she looked over at Hiro sadly, "You poor thing."

Hiro looked dumbstruck. "I…err, well, it wasn't that bad," he stammered.

K ignored the woman and asked Tohma, "So have Amp Records decided what the band order is yet?"

"Of course ASK is going to be the opening act," Tohma replied and continued coolly, "But, I'll never understand how Bad Luck got the last act and put us in the middle." The president of NG Co. and keyboardist for Nittle Grasper levelled his accusing green eyes on K.

K just shrugged. Sometimes one had to play dirty.

A few weeks ago…

"I don't think I can put Bad Luck after Nittle Grasper for the last act," spoke the president of an even bigger record label than NG, they were located in Osaka. Amp Records was HUGE and promised NG good contacts and even future gig's for all bands associated with it. They were also the ones hosting the winter concert in Kyoto.

K was sitting across from the man in his glorious modernized office. He was an older gentleman, dressed smartly in an expensive Gucci suit. His hair was salt and pepper coloured, and he was also a foreigner. Lucky enough to have gotten a chance to actually talk to the man, K now found he was itching to change the man's mind by force. But he restrained, instead he played his trump card.

"I see you wore the red beret once upon a time, Mr. Carson," K mentioned looking over at framed photographs of the man's former 22nd airborne unit. They talked in English.

Mr. Carson smiled at that, "Yes, that's right I was part of Petawawa's now disbanded airborne unit."

"A Canadian," K offered knowingly, "I could tell by your plain fatigues." He laughed softly and added, "I heard you guys were a crazy bunch."

This made the older man chortle heartily. He said, "Well, you could say that. We were the only ones crazy enough to parachute over a Columbian drug ranch in the middle of the day."

K chuckled and shook his head, "That is crazy."

"So, how do you know so much about this stuff?" wondered Mr. Carson.

Placing his hands in his lap, K looked the man straight in the eye, "After I got out of boot camp in Fort Irwin, I got assigned to intelligence, became a Sergeant. Later, I went mercenary…Columbia is one hell of a place." He didn't mention that he'd gone further in his training and education, landing a job with the Secret Service. It wasn't smart to play all your cards at once.

The president eyed him carefully and softened by a ten fold. "So, you've been there, have you?"

K nodded and retold a story of how he and his best friend, Ark, a name he barely ever mentioned, did a two man rescue mission in Columbia.

"He saved your life…that's very honourable of your friend," the man said with deep thought. He was watching K more intently now.

K shook the old memories from his mind, they did bother him sometimes. He had been so young and reckless. He went to get up, "Well, it was very nice talking to you. But I need to get back, thank you kindly for your time."

Just then the president jumped to his feet and said, "Look, I'll put your band into the last spot, NG can bite my ass."

Bingo! K laughed at Mr. Carson's last comment. "Ha, ha, right, everyone knows not to mess with the red berets. Especially old vets like you."

They shook hands.

K's tactics had worked, and it paid off.

Hiro stepped forth. "Look, either way the fans are getting three great bands in one night. I don't see the problem," he said and wished they'd start their rehearsal already. Hiro shot a look at K…all he wanted was to get this over with so that maybe they could spend some time alone.

"That's right we'll all rock the town tomorrow night!" cried Shuichi, who was now getting hugs from Kumagoro as Ryuichi happily agreed with his fellow vocalist.

Tired of the conversation, Ryuichi complained. "Kumagoro says he's hungry and wants sushi and crispy rice and chicken, ooo, ooo, and don't forget ice cream."

Everyone sniggered.

"I guess we'll be seeing you guys then, good luck with your rehearsal," Noriko stated and hauled Ryuichi off Shuichi.

Tohma followed his band members, leaving Bad Luck in the Hall alone. Suguru and Shuichi ran up on stage, Sakano went to take a seat in the front row. But before Hiro could take off, K held him back by the belt loop on his jeans with a finger. He whispered, "I want you…"

A knowing smile came upon the guitarist's young face. "Me too…" he said, before running up on stage, throwing a glance back at K.

K gave a small wave and took a seat next to Sakano.

Sakano murmured, "I hope things go alright tomorrow."

"You worry too much my friend," K muttered distantly. He was to busy watching Hiro, and he watched him a little differently now. He was enjoying the way the stage lights shone on his hair, the way his clothes clung to his body. K saw how precisely Hiro's fingers moved over his guitar, swiftly and confident. Mmm…and how those fingers felt on him.

K sighed and began to twirl a lock of his hair.

Sakano heard the tall blond sigh loudly, twirling his hair. "Everything alright, K?" asked Sakano earnestly, adjusting his glasses and running a nervous hand through his jet black hair. Maybe K was stressed out or something? But he barely noticed because he was the one normally freaking out.

"Mmmhmm," murmured K.

Blinking, Sakano just shook his head and turned back to watch the rehearsal.

Much later after sorting out all the kinks for tomorrow night, everyone sat down to dinner at the hotel. Everyone was fairly quiet as they ate since they worked so hard for the last twenty-four hours. Being a number one band took a lot of effort and energy.

But Hiro wasn't tired enough to stop his foot from brushing over K's under the table. Or at least he hoped it was K's!

K sat perfectly still, sipping his tea after dinner, pretending to look calm. Hiro, the sneaky devil, was teasing him with his foot. K was taken aback! He never thought Hiro could be so audacious in public, which of course, sanctioned new respect for the young man. K was tempted to remove a shoe and wiggle his toes back in more interesting places, but K resisted. What if Hiro made a sound and they got noticed?

Wait, what was he thinking?!

Tit for tat man! Hiro was teasing him, be damned if he didn't tease him back. Feeling devilish himself, K slipped off his shoe. Then he gazed over at Hiro from across the table, taunting the brunette.

Hiro blinked back at him with wonder.

K laughed, causing everyone to look at him.

"Err...just a joke I heard on T.V the other day," K threw out quickly, smiling and sipping his jasmine green tea.

"Ooo! I have a joke," Shuichi announced from across the table and starting telling a funny, "'A cowboy and a biker are on death row, and are to be executed on the same day. The day comes, and they are brought to the gas chamber…'"

Under the table, K's toes found the warm soft place between Hiro's legs.

Hiro yelped, surprised by the sudden contact

"HIRO! I'm not finished yet!" barked Shuichi, but he continued, "'The warden asks the cowboy if he has a last request, to which the cowboy replies, 'Ah shore do, warden. Ah'd be mighty grateful if yoo'd play 'Achy Breaky Heart' fur me bahfore ah hafta go.'…'"

Hiro was too busy glaring at K for making him outburst like that, rather than listening to Shuichi makes hilarious attempts at hick slang. But K only smirked back mischievously. Wanting a little revenge, Hiro slipped off his own shoe. Casting a cautious look around at his band mates he wiggled his foot up K's pant leg.

K choked and spluttered on his tea.

"K!" whined Shuichi wondering why they were responding to his joke at the wrong parts. Sighing, the singer continued the joke, "'Sure enough, cowboy, we can do that, says the warden.…'"

Completely taken up in his play with Hiro, K took out his magnum and started to clean it with a cloth from his pocket, wringing his hand around the barrel suggestively. Hiro's eyes widen.

"…'He turns to the biker, 'And you, biker, what's your last request?'…"

Hiro was just as nimble with his toes as he was his fingers, he watched K clenching his jaw as he rubbed up along his inner thigh. His toes crept over K's pants and pressed into an area that wasn't so soft anymore...

K's knee suddenly thumped the table, shaking everyone's drinks. "Heh, sorry I had an itch," he muttered urgently. Oh, gawd he was so turned on by this!

"…'The biker says, "That you kill me first.'"

BANG!

CRASH!

Everyone in the restaurant jumped or screamed when the gun fired. The bullet struck the edge of a curtain rod and sent the drapes crashing to the floor next to Bad Luck's table.

People walking by on the street stopped to stare and point inside the restaurant, their faces lit up with recognition of Bad Luck.

"Oops…" was all K could manage. Wow! That was some orgasm!

"Dammit, K!" Sakano cried, popping some antacids. "What the hell did you do that for?!"

Hiro sat, both feet now firmly planted on the floor, his eyes wide. He sketchily looked around. He couldn't believe K had done that! Did he just…? At that moment Hiro couldn't stop a burst of giggles. He laughed heartily with his hands on his belly, and then pointed at Shuichi who was clearly miffed at having his joke completely ruined. "That was so funny!" cried Hiro, who hadn't even heard a word of it.

"I think I'm going to bed," grumbled Suguru, completely aggravated by this, he got up and left in a huff.

"I am too, my heart can't take anymore of this nonsense today," Sakano complained and bid them goodnight.

K and Hiro watched them leave.

But Shuichi didn't leave, he turned his glare on K. "WHY DID YOU HAVE TO RUIN MY JOKE?!" He hollered and grabbed K by the scruff, shaking him.

Hiro laughed harder, oh man this was great!

K clamoured how sorry he was, but soon his apologies turned into a fit of laughter. The whole thing was just too funny!

Shuichi let go and sat down in a sulk, "What's with you two? You guys are acting so weird. And since when do you clean your gun at the dinner table, K?!" asked the band leader hotly.

"He just likes playing with things," Hiro quipped and added, "Hey, does anyone want some dessert?"

"I do," K said glancing up at Hiro with a wink—mmm, Hiro pie.

Hiro shot a worried look at Shuichi to see if he caught that wink. But "Ice cream!" was all Shuichi shouted. Guess he didn't, thought Hiroshi gratefully.

"I'll take mine to go, order whatever you guys are getting for me. I'll be right back," K claimed and got up. He quickly put on his trench coat to hide the damp spot on the front of his pants.

Shuichi and Hiro turned to watch K talking to the restaurant owner and paying for the bill and damages he'd caused. They also placed their dessert order, deciding to make theirs 'to-go' as well.

Settling violet eyes on his best friend, Shuichi commented, "You know Hiro…you seem really happy lately…like really happy. One could almost say, giddy."

Hiro shrugged, he imagined he did look pretty happy as of late. "I guess so."

"I know this look Hiro, it's like me when I met Yuki." How could he ever forget the most amazing day of his life!? Shuichi watched his friend carefully.

Hiro forced himself not to gape. Maybe Shuichi had more foresight than he gave him credit for. But he stayed quiet, swirling a straw around aimlessly in his empty glass of soda.

"Gah! You're so secretive!" yelled Shuichi, "Don't you want to talk to your best friend?"

"You wouldn't understand," Hiro said quickly and blushed. Damn…

Shuichi beamed when Hiro blushed, he was hiding something! "Did you meet someone new?"

"Maybe," Hiro said.

"So that's it!" Shuichi jumped up and launched himself on Hiro happily.

Hiro sat there calmly, used to Shuichi as he threatened his air supply with excited hugs. "Can you stop this now?"

Shuichi loosened his hold and sat back in his seat. "How can you be so cool, when you are in love?"

Hiro's eyes shot open! What?! His face burned hotly now…was he in love?

"Oh, am I talking too much? I promise I'll stay cool." Shuichi hated to piss off his best friend. Sometimes just mentioning the wrong thing in the 'love department' with Hiro had him barking at him, and in an uncomfortable headlock.

K returned and both looked up quickly.

K saw the funny looks on their faces, "Did I miss something?"

Bolting up from his seat, Hiro declared, "Nothing at all...I'm err, going to my room now."

"But our dessert, Hiro," Shuichi reminded him.

A waiter rushed over with three bags holding their ice cream sundaes.

Grabbing his own goodie bag, K said, "Great! I'm going to my room. You two should go get some rest, that's an order."

Hiro nodded and managed to blush even hotter now, he wasn't going to his own room and he knew it. He avoided looking at Shuichi who at least darted off towards the elevator.

When everyone got into the elevator they stood quietly in a row.

Shuichi side-glanced Hiro from the right and K's eyes glanced from the left. Hiro whistled and looked up at the ceiling, wondering if he could escape through the hatch. What was beginning to feel like the longest elevator ride in history—the doors finally opened at the top floor. And when they got to their respective rooms, Shuichi turned to wave bye to Hiro.

Hiro waved impatiently back, stalling and waiting for Shuichi to go into his room first. But Shuichi just stood there! Grr, what was he waiting for?

K just chuckled airily and entered his room.

Hiro watched K's door shut. He turned back to his friend, "Goodnight, Shuichi," Hiro said. He sighed, it seemed he had no choice but to go in his room and wait a few moments.

On the other side of the door, he listened for Shuichi's door to click shut. And when it did, he exited his room silently with his dessert in hand and wandered over to K's. He was about to knock lightly, but it opened before his knuckles hit the wood.

There K stood naked, eating some of his ice cream sundae. He placed the spoon in the dish and hauled Hiro in by his shirt. "Took you long enough," he quipped.