The Gun and the Guitar
Chapter 9: The Blonde Inferno
They had the whole week to act like tourists, or so Tohma said, and that's exactly what they did!
Pairing off together or in a group with Nittle Grasper, Bad Luck explored the city. They checked out the Island, the museum, the Eaton Centre and even St. Lawrence Market. They even put their strange Canadian Loonies into the Much Music Speakers Corner booth, and announced to all of Toronto that Bad Luck was taking over the world!
There were even a few people that recognized them and they'd signed some autographs, but generally they felt a freedom they very seldom experienced.
The weather was great! Spring was in the air, it was May and sunny and gorgeous. Blossoms bloomed on trees; birds sang in the trees and big fluffy clouds floated along in the sky. There were wonderful cafés to be lazy at while sipping delectable wonders and yummy things to taste.
The days simply flew by…
Even Hiro seemed to have gotten over his issues after he'd cleaned himself mentally of K. If K could be so cold and heartless, then so could he. Fuck him. He didn't come all this way to mope and cry over something he couldn't fix. Sure it hurt, if Hiro let himself think about it, but there wasn't anything he could do. At least Shuichi and he hugged and made up days ago, the singer coming to him with a cup of hot chocolate with tiny little marshmallows, and proclaiming with big saucer eyes, "A warm hug on a cold day?" He only laughed at that and told Shuichi he was a big suck and that he sorry for being such a tool.
It wasn't so uncommon, they'd fought like that before and they only laughed about it now. Hiro couldn't possibly stay mad at him. It was funny though, Shuichi had asked what happened to the new person he had met and vaguely disclosed about, the night K shot his gun off at dinner. Hiro had told Shuichi that it was over, simple as that.
And tonight, Shuichi dragged him and Yuki out to some theatre show called 'We Will Rock You', a musical inspired by a band named Queen.
Hey, if it was about music then Hiro was all for it!
When the show finished, Hiro and Shuichi were all talk. Yuki followed behind them, listening to their endless dribble about the singing, the dancing, the guitars used on stage, the lighting, the clothes…who they thought sucked and who they thought were talented.
"Ooo, I want a hot dog!" Shuichi declared when they passed a vendor.
"Ok, let's get one," Hiro agreed, he'd never had one of these before.
"Ugh, you guys are actually going to eat that streetmeat?" Yuki beseeched.
Best friends just nodded stupidly, grinning.
Sighing, Yuki was reminded about why he didn't hang out with Shuichi and Hiro that often.
Walking down the brightly lit street, Hiro and Shuichi munching on hot dogs, they entered the Fashion District. Shops full of pretty things filled their vision.
Shuichi stopped in his tracks.
"Wow, look at those boots!" cried Shuichi, his nose and half-eaten hot dog pressed up to the store front window.
Yuki and Hiro wrinkled their nose at the red, shiny, white, lace-up boots, and the mustard that was dribbling down the window.
Shuichi was looking at Yuki, his dog still stuck to the window. "Aww Yuki, I know you like them!" the pink haired singer insisted, "Especially, if I wore them when we…"
Yuki clamped a hand over Shuichi's mouth. "Don't be a brat."
Shuichi just twittered behind the hand.
They continued to walk and Shuichi grabbed hold of Yuki's hand, gladly leaving his half-eaten hot dog behind.
Hiro walked behind them now, looking at the funky clothes in the shops and finishing his food. They strolled in silence along Queen Street, headed for their hotel. When he finished his food, Hiro lit a cigarette and rolled his eyes when Yuki whispered something in Shuichi's ear, the singer giggling afterwards.
That's when Hiro began to feel like a third wheel, when they started the romantic stuff.
He also couldn't help thinking about K either. Why couldn't it be them strolling like this and holding hands? Hiro sighed, it felt so unfair. He took a sorrowful drag off his smoke. He wondered what K was doing right this very instant. He imagined him sitting alone at a bar, drinking some amber coloured liquor on the rocks, tired looking and torn. But suddenly a hot girl appeared and approached K, running her manicured hand over his back, whispering, 'Hey baby what's wrong?' Hiro frowned and sucked on his smoke harder, he dropped the image from his thoughts like a bad music video. That wasn't what he wanted to see! Either way, the man didn't come along on any of their ventures but told them he was busy working.
Working on what?
He really had no clue, he barely saw him all week and when he did he seemed moody. But there were times when they were out touring the city that he thought he saw K's blond head. Hiro felt paranoid; because everywhere he looked he saw blond hair which constantly reminded him of the man. Even when a tire backfired one day, he felt a small thrill that maybe it was K near by firing off one of his stupid guns.
Ok, so maybe mentally cleaning him from his mind wasn't working out so well. But he tried not to let it bother him as much as before at least.
When the time came tofinally work, they were very, very busy. It was the same with Nittle Grasper. They ran around doing all kinds of promos and K had them booked for two live music shows and a live concert at Lee's Palace. Bad Luck was surprised to discover that they had such a large fan following so far from home.
Today they were doing one of those shows on Much Music.
"I can't wait to sing in this city!" Shuichi claimed, buzzing with excitement.
"I know, I wonder what the fans here will be like." Hiro wondered, sitting lazily on the Much Music guestroom sofa and sipping a complimentary soda.
They were waiting for the station manager of Much Music and K to come get them for the show, which was supposed to start at two o'clock.
Sakano's cell phone began to buzz. He looked at the text he got and said, "Looks like you're on in ten minutes, K says he'll be here in two."
"I'm suddenly feeling a bit nervous," Shuichi mentioned. "What if they hate me?"
Hiro sighed, "You're too cute to hate, Shuichi."
"You're just saying that, Hiro."
"Believe what you want then. Say, where's Yuki?" Hiro questioned.
"Working at the hotel, he's got a deadline and he's a little cranky right now," Shuichi told him.
The door opened and in entered K. He was dressed a bit more casual today, black slacks and a light blue button-up shirt. He wore no tie and kept a few buttons undone at his throat.
Hiro spotted his stylish new shoes though…hmm, he'd been shopping. Was it for that woman at the bar, he thought irritably. He looked around at his companions, they were told to dress casual too—be themselves they were told. Shuichi actually wore his shorts and a bright yellow shirt with fake suspenders. Suguru kind of looked like a school boy, in his grey cargos and a simple green top. And he simply wore faded jeans and a white t-shirt and a pair of red sneakers.
"You guys excited? You're about to go on," K stated happily, his hands resting on his lean hips. "There are some fans already gathered outside waiting for you."
Everyone's eyes lit up and then they looked from one another.
"Are you really going to translate for us, K?" Suguru asked eager to get this show started already.
"That I am," K said, "So, I'll be with you guys on television."
"You better not say anything stupid!" Sakano warned.
"What like that Bad Luck's producer has a fetish for sumo wrestlers or something?" K teased, "Just don't cry on set and we'll be laughing."
Sakano turned red.
Hiro snickered at that and Sakano frowned at him, he shut up quickly.
A Much Music station manager came in to tell them they were ready for them.
Everyone gulped. The sudden realization of this hit home and everyone got nervous. Well, everyone except Shuichi he bounced onto the set, eager to see his fans.
"HELLO TORONTO!" cried the pink haired singer in English.
The young male host of Much Music held out his hand and announced, "We happily welcome Bad Luck to Toronto. This is their first international tour." He held out his hand to shake everyone's hand as they took a seat all set out for them.
"All the way from Japan, so how do you like our city?" the VJ asked calmly.
K explained to the guys what the host said.
Bad Luck said they loved it and grinned and waved at the camera and then at the window, where fans looked into from the street. Wow, there were so many girls.
"Cool, they can watch the whole thing live as this airs," Hiro said in astonishment and continued to wave, the fans squealed happily and waved back. He smiled, this was fun!
The first part of the show consisted of a Q and A. The host with his spiky black and blonde hair, punk like clothes and a pierced lip asked the usual stuff. How they started out? What life was like in Japan as a rock star? Where they planned on touring? What the meaning of their songs meant? What they thought about Nittle Grasper being here as well? There were a few clips of them performing live and of some videos in between chatting.
The host then actually turned to K and asked, "And how is it that you ended up their manager, K? Man, is that really your name? You're one of the most reputable managers on the scene, yet you work in Japan."
Surprised, K raised his eyebrows. He wasn't used to being the one interviewed, he replied, "Err, well…it's easy to make great talent famous on this side of the world…Japan was more of a challenge. Bad Luck was a challenge, I saw their potential and I wanted to exploit it." Feeling mischievous, he added, "K is actually the middle initial of my full name, which if I told you…I'd have to kill you."
The show host blinked and Sakano took over translating.
Hiro smiled when he remembered K had used that line on him once, while in bed. Grr, he frowned at forced his attention back to the show. Hehe, this was interesting seeing K on the spot for once. He wondered what else the show host might ask.
"But weren't you also married to the famous actress, Judy Winchester, I hear she's actually gonna be here for the Film Festival in two weeks?" the risky host asked.
Sakano suddenly paled, but he kept translating what was being said to Shuichi, Suguru and Hiro. He understood English pretty well.
"Gee, you guys sure do your homework," K groaned not impressed with this question. But how could he hide it? The tabloids made sure to tell everyone here in Canada and the States about his divorce with Judy. He knew what they would ask next and just said, "Was married to her yes. We have a son, Michael, who I miss and I try visit when I can." K spoke warmly, not daring to look at Bad Luck.
The host sensing some drama went on to pursue Bad Luck's manager. "I guess the life of a band manager is more rewarding than being Chief Executive for the Secret Ser—"
"—we're not here to talk about my life!" K suddenly growled, cutting off the show host immediately.
The host audibly gulped as he eyed the tall blond man. "Ok, ok! We'll be going to a short commercial break," he offered hurriedly.
K pointed at Sakano fiercely when the man began talking to the guys, "Don't repeat that last bit!" he ordered in English.
Bad Luck looked at each other with question.
"I told you not to make a scene on the show, K!" Sakano complained.
K looked incredulous. "No, you told me not to say anything stupid. Hey, don't blame me if they decided to dig their nose in my private life. I thought you looked over the questions before this started?"
"I thought you did too!" Sakano spat.
"I…I must have missed that part…" K murmured sketchily.
"Hey guys, it's cool. No more questions for Bad Luck's manager," the host promised. "Ten seconds…and…welcome back Toronto! We're sitting here with Bad Luck, the wildly popular Japanese band if you're just tuning in."
The rest of the interview went unhitched and Bad Luck performed their most notable song, The Rage Beat. After that the host let a few fans ask some questions. Many of the questions were how did they like the city or if they had girlfriends. The guys giggled and snickered at that.
Hiro, finding the perfect opportunity for vengeance, announced he was very available. The cute foreign girls blushed and squealed. Hiro sat back satisfied.
K couldn't stop himself from gaping at Hiro right there on live television.
Shuichi and Suguru ate up the excitement from the fans. And when the show finished, they spent some time signing autographs. The host claimed the show was very successful and everyone left in good spirits, except K.
He seemed outright annoyed.
The next few publicity appearances went well. They worked hard and even made the front page on a music publication in the city. Being there alongside Nittle Grasper, one paper even claimed on its headline: "Toronto Taken over by A Japanese Music Invasion!"
It gave both bands an excellent feeling. They were more welcomed here than they ever would have thought. After a successful second week it was turning out to be a lot of fun, but it was also tiring, not to mention trying to get over the jet lag.
Bad Luck sat having dinner in a simple looking diner, serving nothing but American food when K declared, "Why don't you guys relax tomorrow, you deserve it. We'll get back to work the next day."
Woo! Everyone cheered and Suguru offered, "Let's go to a club! I want to experience a new crowd, hear new music and maybe pick up some new sounds."
"YES!" Shuichi cried loudly enough to make everyone in the restaurant silent.
Yuki groaned.
"Come dance your ass off, Yuki," Shuichi exclaimed and added slyly, "Or at least you can come watch me shaking mine!" He was roaring to go.
A chorus of laughter flitted around the table.
Yuki turned crimson and sipped his tea, looking up at the ceiling.
"But what club? I was reading a city magazine and there are soo many," Hiro said holding a fork awkwardly. "There's this area called Club District, maybe we could try there."
"There's one called The Phoenix," Sakano offered.
All eyes levelled on him and their jaws hit the table, well, almost. "What?!" they all cried in unison.
"Just check it out," Sakano said frowning at everyone. "What, do you think I never go out? How do you think we find you places to play at etcetera?"
"Well…I…we…" Hiro and Shuichi babbled incoherently.
Suguru shook his head.
Just then Shuichi put on a dubious face. "I dunno, if Sakano went there I'm not so sure I want to now," he remarked thoughtfully.
"Hey! What's that suppose to mean?!" their producer yelled.
Laughing, Shuichi grinned playfully, "I'm just joking, ha, ha." He looked away sketchily.
K spoke up, after sitting there quietly for most of the evening, "Ah, go check it out. Give the man a break; I heard it's one of the hottest spots for new bands to play in. But since its Saturday, it's a nightclub—eight bucks entry."
"Bucks?" Shuichi repeated, "Isn't that some kind of animal?"
"Shuichi, shut up," groaned Hiro.
"But really," the singer continued, "Why would they call it 'bucks' in English?"
"Because, it's what my foot will do to your ass if you don't shut up about it," K offered menacingly.
"Can you get any grumpier?" Suguru complained at K.
K shifted his eyes at Hiro and then at Suguru. He just scoffed.
But Hiro hadn't missed that look.
"Let's meet up for ten o'clock, I'm going to invite Nittle Grasper," Shuichi said ignoring K's mood.
Everyone nodded.
So, that was it, they would check out this club tonight. After dinner, they made off to their rooms to relax and get ready—nightlife in Toronto didn't start till after eleven o'clock anyways.
Hiro stood in his flannel boxers in the middle of his room, wishing he had something new and cool to wear. He really ought to go shopping sometime, he thought. Grabbing one of his flashy blue concert shirts he thought it'd go pretty well with his black leather pants and a pair of biker-styled boots. Satisfied, he hurried to shower and fix his hair.
He was all ready by ten o'clock and opted to leave his jacket behind. Who wanted to bother with a coat check anyways? Picking up his hotel key and glancing at his reflection in the mirror, Hiro left his room and headed for the lobby like everyone agreed on. They were to meet there and then get cabs to the club.
Seeing as he was the first one there, he waited alone on one of the comfy sofas and thought about K at dinner tonight. He got the feeling that K's attitude problem was his fault somehow, like he was blaming him for something, but he was the one that ended things! K couldn't very well blame him. Still, why did he have to act so pissy? His mind went back to the Much Music show again, and he wondered what the show host said to K that got him so riled up. Actually it was pretty funny, the look on the host's face when K yelled at him. It made him laugh and he sat in the lobby grinning at his thoughts.
Then he got pounced, all he saw was pink blur.
"HIRO! What's so funny? Tell me!" cried Shuichi, crushing his best friend.
Hiro shoved Shuichi off and groaned, "Nothing you idiot."
Yuki stood by and looked embarrassed at his spirited lover. "Where is everyone? I don't want to wait here all night," he complained, it was bad enough he was going to some brainless club in the first place.
Chattering voices belonging to Nittle Grasper and Suguru came out of an elevator. Ryuichi, Tohma, Noriko and Suguru were all jazzed up and ready to hit the club too.
"Hi guys!" Ryuichi said cheerfully and looked at Hiro, "Hey, where's K?"
"Um…I dunno," Hiro answered strangely, he cast his eyes away.
"Oh…that's too bad," Ryuichi said, wearing a thoughtful look.
Man, didn't Ryuichi already have it figured out that they weren't together anymore, Hiro pondered.
"So, are we ready to go? There are cabs outside, lets get them," Suguru suggested.
Everyone nodded and went out to the cabs.
They were just about to drive off when suddenly Ryuichi got out of the car, clamouring, "I think I forgot something! I'll meet you there, I promise!"
Shuichi stuck his head out the cab window, "Ryuichi, where you going?!"
"To get K-san!" he answered, disappearing inside the hotel.
In Tohma's cab the driver asked, "Do we wait for him?"
Ryuichi had gone to get K, although he did not know exactly why it was so important. "No…he'll meet us there, and I assume with an armed guard," Tohma mused.
Sometimes stopping Ryuichi was simply futile.
K was fast asleep on his bed, dreaming something so wonderful he didn't even hear his mobile alarm chime.
He was in bed making love to Hiro. It was vastly like that night they spent together in Kyoto, the moonlight bathing their naked bodies. Nothing was spared, he could feel every inch of Hiro's supple skin, taste his sweetness, even smell his scent…it was the most perfect dream.
"I LOVE YOU!"
It was the same cry Hiro had made when he'd said it the first time.
"I love you too!" K repeated over and over.
K bolted awake to the sound of his own voice and his hand down the front of his pants. He yanked his hand out and wiped it on the blankets. Heh, he hadn't had a wet dream in about fifteen years. But he jumped out of bed and grabbed his chiming phone.
Ack! It was 10: 34 pm!
They'd all be at that club by now! He needed to find Hiro, to protect him but dammit! He'd fallen asleep!
K rushed about changing his clothes, the black pants from the other day and a fresh beige coloured button-up shirt, his gun. Hiro didn't know it, but he'd made a point of keeping an eye on him while he enjoyed himself here in the new city. Slipping on his shoes, he smiled, he almost thought Hiro had realized he was watching them, seeing as the guitarist would look back so often. It didn't matter if Hiro was his or not anymore, he needed to do it.
There was a knock at the door.
"K! Open up!" Ryuichi hollered in English.
Huh? K wandered over to the door and pulled it open and Ryuichi shoved him in the chest angrily. Then he stood there looking quite cross at him.
"Oww, what's that for Ryu—"
"Why are you making Hiroshi sad? I know K, I know he doesn't think I can tell, but I can," Ryuichi said curtly. He wasn't bouncy and shiny all the time and he knew something was amiss ever since Kyoto. He didn't like it. "I've been watching you too, don't think you can hide it from me…you're not a happy K-san."
K wasn't sure what to say.
Ryuichi continued softly, "I know it's none of my business, but I heard Hiro tell you he loved you that night in Kyoto, you both seemed so happy. Now you're both sad." Then he clamoured, "Ayaka dumps Hiro and then you do too! How could you do that? Why, K?!"
"Ryuichi, I… What did you say?"
"I'm not in the mood for your games, K. Just tell me the truth. We used to be able to talk about anything, so I'm not leaving until you start talking."
Bewildered, K blinked quickly, "Ayaka dumped Hiro? But I…I thought they were getting married?"
Ryuichi's eyes widened. "Where did you get that idea? I was there the morning Hiro told us about it. He didn't seem that upset, and I thought that was because he had you. Don't you remember the morning in Kyoto when Hiro ran off from breakfast and spilled coffee on Sakano?"
K squeezed his eyes shut, pressing his face into his hands, "Oh man…I'm so stupid…" he mumbled pathetically.
Ryuichi reached out and pulled K's hands down from his face, "How come?"
K looked at him all dressed-up for clubbing, fancy loose shirt, low-riding jeans and some hip belt buckle. "I've really messed things up, Ryuichi." K re-counted what he overheard in Kyoto that night.
"Tsk, tsk," Ryuichi went with a finger sadly, "Eavesdropping and jumping to conclusions. K, I'm so disappointed."
K flinched as if he swallowed a jagged pill.
With a confident grin on his face, Ryuichi said, "Well, don't just stand here; you should go talk to him. Apologize!"
"Yes! Come on!" K grabbed his gun, his jacket and Ryuichi's arm.
Fast, hard rock music pounded in their ears as the musicians danced and drank foreign booze. It was so unlike what they imagined, this place was dark, underground like, it had this old theatre appeal to it with a balcony and wooden railings.
It was great!
Shuichi was admiring the dancers that did their professional moves on stage, they looked sooo cool! Their hair was wild and coloured, knotted and extended…they were diverse. There was a black guy and two Caucasian girls. The people surrounding him were mostly grunge but casual and they were totally enjoying themselves. The one thing he liked the most was that no one bothered them, which gave him the opportunity to sidle up to Yuki provocatively feeling protected in the shadows.
Yuki eyed his lover and pulled him close, kissing him sweetly. He too felt the freedom.
Hiro groaned when he looked over and saw Yuki and Shuichi kissing. They were at it again. Not even five minutes would go by before Shuichi and Yuki played tonsil hockey. It wasn't like he was jealous, but it was as if every happy couple reminded him of what he didn't have. Looking elsewhere, the guitarist glanced at Suguru who having a great time. He was actually digging the music and laughing at something Sakano was saying. With a better look, he noticed they were checking out two girls…Hiro blinked. He found Noriko and Tohma by the bar, swinging to the beat and sipping pink Cosmopolitans.
Hmm, everyone was enjoying themselves except him; he swigged some of his beer.
A blonde head caught his attention, but when he looked closely it was only some tall chick with her hair in a ponytail. Why didn't K come out tonight anyways, they were all invited. He wondered if K danced, now that would be kind of funny. He sighed and sipped from his fourth beer, he felt buzzed but who cared, right? Maybe tonight was a good night to get a little smashed.
Just then someone tapped his shoulder. Hiro spun around, his eyes landed on a really hot guy with raven black hair, short but tousled. He wore a black sleeveless shirt, showing off nicely muscled, tattooed arms.
"Hey buddy, can I bum a smoke off you?" he asked.
Hiro only understood smoke and buddy. He caught on and smiled as he handed the man one. Then the guy winked at him and bent to talk into his ear because the music was so loud.
"You're cute. Thanks!" he said and wandered away.
Thankfully the darkness hid his blush. Hiro grinned despite himself and wondered if the man was hitting on him. He wondered if he should follow, but when he looked around, he couldn't see the guy.
Oh well…
Laying eyes on his best friend, he noticed Shuichi and Yuki groping each other. Hiro decided right then and there he'd had enough of this place. He didn't really want to stand around like a wallflower, so he drained his beer, set it on a table and left. He exited the building and into the cool night air.
Hmm, maybe he'd just walk for a bit, clear his head before he went back to the hotel. Besides, the stars were out.
A strong hand pulled Shuichi off of Yuki; he began to complain until he realized it was K with Ryuichi. His face lit up, "Yay! You guys made it!"
"Where's Hiroshi?" K demanded, unable to spot him anywhere nearby.
"Ahh, I dunno, maybe he went to the washroom or something," Shuichi offered, looking around, "I thought he was right here."
K took off and searched the club from top to bottom. Hiro wasn't anywhere! When he got back to the group he told them that Hiro wasn't in the club. Panic now set in his stomach. He felt it, Hiro was in trouble. K hadn't felt this sort of dread since the time…
...fast breathing rushed over his cheek, hot and sour. Even as the blade was pressed to his jugular the blonde mercenary thought about his captures' bad breath. He forced himself not to swallow, the motion only making the blade bite into his skin.
"You think you can just waltz in here you filthy American pig. I'll take your head and everyone else's that came with you," spat an evil voice filled with greed.
"Just give us our man and you'll never see our faces again," spoke the blonde, wincing as the blade pieced another layer of skin. He glanced over at his target, the prisoner, who was on the balance of unconsciousness.
"Do I seem stupid, American? Your man is almost dead. He gave us the information about the next shipment," the foreign voice sneered.
"You're lying," offered the mercenary who was soaked head to toe in sweat and griped with dread. He could hear his own blood pounding in his ears, his senses heightened in his dire need for survival.
"CLAUDE!!" shouted a familiar voice, causing his filthy captor to loosen the blade by a fraction. In a flash, K yanked a gun from his ankle and shot into the arm holding the knife to his throat. The guy began screaming in pain.
There was a thud, as something got thrown their way.
"Ark! Get down!" K yelled as he heard a familiar sound and a moment later a grenade shook the frail wooden shack.
Ark had dodged the blast, scrambling through the jungle brush towards the main building that held their target, one of their own men. He had gotten there just in time to see a man lying on the floor with a shot arm, pointing a gun at K's back with his good one.
K was untying the prisoner.
Ark shot the man point blank through the head.
K spun around at the sound of the shot. He looked from the dead criminal to his long time friend—a look of relief visibly on his face. "Thanks," he muttered, picking up the prisoner and tossing him over his shoulder.
Ark smiled, "No thanks required."
K blinked the memory away as he ran out of the club and into the night again, heart thumping. He looked up and down the street. Hiro must have headed towards the hotel, he thought and went south.
"Hey buddy," spoke a voice.
Hiro spun around only to find that raven-haired man with the tattoos from the club. He blinked in surprise and said in English, "Hello." But he couldn't say that much in English and he doubted that this guy knew Japanese.
The man smiled slyly and walked along with him, smoking another cigarette. "I hope you don't mind if I walk with you for a bit…I admit, I was hoping to see you again. It's too bad you don't speak English."
Hiro eyed him, he couldn't help but blush, what did this guy want? He wished he knew what the guy was saying. Did he want sex? Was he trying to pick him up? It made Hiro feel a bit flirty. The man was good looking so he shrugged and continued to walk. They began to pass homes in an older looking part of the city; they were congested together and only divided by dark lane ways.
It was much quieter around here.
"Mark," said the guy.
"Hiroshi." He understood that much.
"You're very cute," Mark said, letting his eyes rove over Hiro cockily.
Hiro smiled, the man was checking him out. Mark stopped walking. Looking around, Hiro noticed they stood near the entrance of a dark laneway. The guy watched him for a moment before he leaned down and kissed him.
Feeling a need take over him, Hiro kissed back. But Mark wasn't stopping with just a kiss, his hands roamed over his body, grabbing his ass, even moving around to his front and palming his cock.
They kissed again, and this time Mark dug his hand down the front of Hiro's pants forcefully.
Hiro pulled away…this was going way too fast. Kissing and making out was one thing, but he didn't really know this guy. "I'm sorry, but I can't sleep with you," he tried to explain.
But Mark pulled him back and tried to plant a more forceful kiss on him…Hiro pushed him away. "Hey, come on!" he said. An alarm went off and a weird feeling grew in the pit of his stomach.
"I have to get someplace…I'm sorry." Something didn't feel right and all he wanted was to get out of here, maybe this was a mistake. He turned to leave when Mark grabbed his arm and jammed something painfully into his side.
"You could have done this the easy way…make a sound and I'll shoot you, got it?"
Hiro looked down at the gun and then up at Mark with dread and bafflement. From the lane way he heard two people approaching, he flashed his eyes in their direction and saw two men, rugged looking and dangerous. He was shoved in their direction by Mark, into the dark alley as the other two men greeted Mark in English.
They knew each other! This was some kind of plan!
Adrenaline flowed through his veins, but Hiro stumbled as he was pushed again, he fell to his hands and knees but one of the guys picked him up, laughing. In the shadows he smelled the alcohol on their breaths as they hovered around him between the two houses. He could see them a little better as his eyes adjusted, he would have thought they were decent looking, but right now they looked ugly. Their mouths twisted in evil grins, eyes gleaming with threat. His mind raged, his gut twisted, an icy chill of fear gripped him. What were they going to do to him? He looked around for escape, but the gun never left his side.
"Don't worry it won't hurt too much," one of them said and they all laughed.
"No!" Hiro cried, in spite of the gun and tried to run, but one of the men grabbed him. He flailed, kicked and cursed at them to let him go. The man did, but then someone else punched him in the face. Hiro landed hard on his back, sprawled over the asphalt, his nose flaring with pain. He scrambled, crawling and trying to push himself up even though his vision was spinning.
Someone grabbed his foot, causing Hiro to fall and land on his front hard. But he twisted and kicked the face of the man that did with his other foot.
"Fucking little bastard!" cursed a harsh cold voice, spitting out blood and a tooth.
All three ganged up on him and slammed him up against a brick wall. He struggled. Mark sneered, "Look man, we just want to have a little fun with ya…but if you don't stop this shit…I will kill you. Now how 'bout being a nice little boy and just let us have that ass of yours."
Hiro whimpered in fear, oh god no! He couldn't understand all of what they said, but he knew what their body language meant! He knew the words ass and kill. He tried to fight back again but all three held some part of him immobilizing him completely. Throbbing with pain, his nose bloody…
"Please don't!" Hiro begged in his language, "Let me go, I won't tell anyone, I swear!"
Only a round of salacious laughter came from the three.
"I don't know what you're saying, it's all gibberish. I like Asian guys, they're always so pretty," said Mark, licking up along Hiro's slender throat.
Hiro spit in his face.
Slap!
The sound rung in Hiro's ear and his cheek burned. The men continued their assault on him, unzipping his pants and trying to yank them down.
"Fucking leather pants! What, do you think you're a rock star or something?" One of the men laughed with hilarity.
Hiro grit his teeth, looking up at the stars above—utterly helpless. He wanted to scream! But someone clamped a hand over his mouth before he could. Squeezing his eyes shut, he didn't want to look at their faces and struggled again, landing his knee into someone's groin.
One of the men groaned in pain.
"You're fucking dead!" one of the shadowed figures cried.
Hiro's eyes shot open, white pain flashed before them, he glanced down at a knife buried to the hilt in his thigh. The pain was unbearable! He yanked his head from the hand over his mouth and screamed for the only person he thought that could save him.
"K!!"
Still, the men laughed at his torment.
The knife was pulled out and Hiro could taste the salt of his own tears as blackness washed over his eyes from pain. Before him, the man that stabbed him flashed the bloody switchblade in his face reminding him that he was capable of stabbing him once more. Then they turned him around and shoved him against the brick wall again. Hiro felt his cheek scrape over the brick, but he barely felt it. He barely heard buckles and zippers either as they got adjusted behind him, this nightmare continuing.
"Get those pants down," Mark told one of his buddies and then taunted in Hiro's ear, "You'll be lucky if you're still alive by the time we're finished with you—"
"And you'll all wish you were fucking dead by the time I'm finished with you!" spoke a cold new voice in English.
It couldn't be!
"K!!" Hiro cried desperately.
The gang of rapists did up their pants and one said, "Get lost you weekend warrior."
They all laughed, thinking they were so funny.
With an expert aim and fast reflexes, K had enough light to shoot the gun out of the man's hand, making Mark yelp with shock.
They weren't laughing now.
Hiro took the opportunity to get away from his attackers. He zipped up his pants and fled further down the lane way. But the pain caused him to fall. He hit the ground hard, groaning and clutching his leg. He tried to get back up, but he couldn't. All he could do was watch as the three men advancing on K.
K urged them on, holstering his gun, calling them with his hand fearlessly. "Come on, come and get it," he dared them. A man with the knife swung at him, but K dodged it and grabbed him by the shirt and slammed him hard into the pavement. The other two came at him now, and he round-housed one of them; ducked quickly and swept the other off their feet with his leg.
All three lay on the ground groaning.
But K wasn't finished. He stood over the one named Mark, the one that had had the gun and smashed him in the face with his fist repeatedly. K was beyond pissed off, his blood boiled. The knuckles of his left hand skinned, K kicked him in the side for good measure.
"Disgusting fuckers…" he sneered at them all.
But the one who had the knife thought he could still take on this blonde inferno.
"K, look out!" Hiro cried and K spun around.
The gun had come out as fast as lightening and he shot the man with the knife in the foot. K watched the guy fall to the ground, screaming over his wound.
Forgetting about the injured attackers, K ran over to Hiro and whipped out his cell and called 911. "Claude Winchester reporting a 10-89, 10-64 required, and three injured but disarmed suspects also require a 10-64, two blocks south of College St. and Sherbourne. Please hurry!" K said with authority and pocketed the phone.
"Hiroshi…" K started but his voice faded when he took in Hiro's face. His cheek was scraped and his nose was bleeding. "Its ok I'm here now…are you gonna be alright, can you stand?"
"My leg…they stabbed me," Hiro said panting with pain, still clutching his thigh.
What?! K frantically searched over Hiro, but it was too dark to see much over Hiro's black leather pants. He scooped the guitarist up in his arms and hurried back to the sidewalk where there was more light. He set Hiro down so he could sit on the step of somebody's front porch. Immediately, K saw the inky wetness on Hiro's thigh and blood dripping out from the bottom of his pant leg and onto the step below. His own blood drained from his face. He tore off his jacket and yanked off his shirt, he wrapped Hiro's leg with it tightly, hoping to slow the flow of blood.
Hiro was looking at him, he stammered, "I…I thought I was going to die…but you c-came, I can't believe you came…"
K put his jacket back on, feeling his heart slamming against his ribcage. He knelt in front of Hiro, anguish lining his face. Tears began to spill out of his eyes uncontrollably.
"I'm s-so sorry, Hiroshi. I was t-too late," K proclaimed, "It's all my fault."
Hiro watched his strong manager crying. Even over his pain, he reached over and thumbed a tear away, "Please don't cry…."
Sirens cried in the distance.
K took hold of Hiro's bloody hand with his own, "I love so much, I have all this time…I'm so sorry," he repeated desperately.
The paramedics and two cop cruisers arrived on the scene.
"I love you too…I never stopped," Hiro whispered painfully.
A/N: Once again I'm sorry for this...it really is like a soap opera or something XD I promise the next chapter everything gets better and I poured on the fluff tenfold! It was hard to write this chapter the first time I did it and it was tough to re-do it this time.
Thanks so much for your comments! Much love!