"J-J-Just run!" I screeched.
I outstretched my arms in front of him as a willing sacrifice for the two wolves in front of us. Light-headed with warm liquid trickling down my face; I could've collapsed at any moment, but I had to hold my ground—giving up was out of the question.
"What the fuck do you think you're doing Kiteyama?" Tatsu shouted at me.
I stood my ground and glared into the green-eyed pursuer in front of me—not daring to let up even an inch.
"Kiteyama, stand down or it will be tenfold worse for you!" Rafael warned through his gritted teeth. The snarl-like tone laced with his words told me he meant business—I was in deep shit.
No matter what I did, my punishment was already set in stone. I didn't have a way out of this, but the innocent male behind me did. Why wasn't he running away like I told him to? What could a guy like him—that barely even knows me—hope to accomplish against them? My previous thoughts kept repeating over and over again in my head; this was my fault—Hitsugaya didn't deserve this.
He had to get out of here.
"Hitsugaya! Go now befo—"
Bang.
-x-
-Three Hours Earlier-
"You look nervous."
"Shut up, Sano."
He laughed that snide laugh of his anyway, and continued to wipe down my table.
"I can't help it; your facial expression is hilarious. I've never seen you actually act like a female before—a high school one at that."
"You know, I've still got the right-hook of a heavy-weight champ; I don't mind giving it a go for you." I growled.
"There's the demented she-male we know and love! I was afraid we'd lost you!" Sano laughed as he stuck the rag in his pocket.
"Sano, just shut the fuck up and get me a beer." I glared.
"Hai, hai, Aki-Aki," He chortled.
"Kami, give me strength to restrain my ring hand from colliding with his face."
I exhaled as he walked away, and once he was a good distance I opened up the window and lit my paper-wrapped tobacco stick.
Me? Nervous? Yeah, right. I think that if anything this would be classified under anxiety. I'd never actually had the pleasure of determining whether or not someone was an asset; I didn't even really know how to begin with it. Was I supposed to blatantly ask if he'd like to join a crime organization?
'Hey, you look like you can't beat the shit out of people—wanna work for the biggest gang in the district next to the Yakuza?' Yeah, that would totally work.
I took a puff.
I had to be cautious; what if this guy was an under-cover cop or something? I could get into some serious shit over this. I needed to choose my words wisely, and overall proceed with a smooth, easy-going tone—two things I wasn't the best at.
At 20:58 on the dot, the glass double-doors opened; the tall, pretty-boy walking in.
They say you can tell a lot about a person based on their movements and mannerisms—if that were the case then this guy was far beyond in actual class than all the other males I've come into contact with. His stride was confident, smooth and without fault; his posture was straightened, yet just a smidge of a loose-ness eased his shoulders. This guy had his shit together—that much was apparent. If he worked in the corporate business world I'd assume he'd have a higher-up position that involved management of the lower peons. He looked fierce and collected, yet something about him seemed off to me—like something was beneath that façade that not a lot of people picked up on.
All that from a three-second strut to the table? Well damn.
"Yo." I greeted.
"Yo." He greeted back as he slid into the side of the booth he occupied last night.
Before either of us could say any more, Sano came by the table to see if Hitsugaya needed anything and to drop off my beer. Sano turned to look at me as he slid the beverage my way so he could slyly pass judgement that only I could see. Why I still came to Mameha's with this bo-zo here to torment me was beyond me. I subtly glared at him, and he smirked before walking away. The bastard was gonna give me shit for this later—that much was assured.
"Tell me about yourself, Kiteyama," Hitsugaya broke my train of thought.
I looked back over to him to see him gazing out the window. I took the opportunity to display a disgruntled facial expression briefly before he turned to look at me. This guy really was something else; he was the straight-to-the-point type, and I couldn't say that I hated that about him.
"My, my, someone's interest in me seems to be pretty fierce. Before I delve into the topic of my inner workings, I'm wondering—why is it that you seem so intrigued by an asshole like me?" I smirked.
If he was going to be straight-to-the-point, then I didn't see any reason why I couldn't be toward him either. I had my reasons for interest in him, but he'd never once said exactly what his interest in me was. Curiosity was getting the better of me at this point, and as much as I had actual business to attend to, peeking inside this guy's mind was too intriguing to pass up.
Sano came back with Hitsugaya's green tea, and after he took a sip, he responded to me.
"You seem familiar; I'm trying to determine whether or not we've met before."
So there's a couple of flaws with his answer that I immediately picked up on. One, if I were a normal adult female, I would've already pointed the same question back at him, and he would've had his answer. Two, no person in their right mind would care enough to stick around longer than a few minutes to figure it out; he would've asked me last night rather than wait almost an entire day. Three, the answer seemed too simple to be the real case; I'm no detective, but I can spot when someone is only unveiling the tip of the iceberg.
"I see," I responded as casually as I could. "Well, I don't remember ever meeting you before; that dyed white hair of yours sticks out like a sore thumb—I'm sure that I'd maybe remember that at the very least."
"It's not dyed actually—it's my natural color. You're right; if you did know me from before you would've known that at the least." He replied.
I cocked an eye.
"Not dyed, huh? Well the color suits you." I complemented.
Wait a minute.
"Is it my Kami-damn time of the month or something?" I grimaced internally at my own behavior and steeled myself by taking a drag of my cigarette.
"Thanks for the complement," Hitsugaya smirked before taking hold of the tea cup.
"So, still uncertain? Want me to answer your questions or are you satisfied with my response to your original inquiry?" I prompted.
"Not quite," he began. "Although it is an indicator, I'm still left with an unsettled feeling."
Well, here goes nothing.
"Kiteyama Akinoyo; age 26 probably; hair black, eyes lavender; 157.5 centimeters; current residence the Hayamatsu District. I've lived in Hayamatsu as long as I can remember—I've never actually left the city before, so I'm rooted here unfortunately. My favorite things are cigarettes, beer, foul-mouthed conversations, Sugi Trees and onsen. Granted I've never been to a legitimate onsen, but one can dream." I took a drag.
As soon as I finished my explanation I realized that it was a bit of a mouthful. I couldn't say I wasn't a bit embarrassed.
"What do you mean 'probably' when it comes to your age?" He asked.
Well, he was the quick witted type—I couldn't say I wasn't surprised he picked up on that tidbit.
"I mean I think I'm 26. I don't really know." I answered.
He took a moment to assess my statement. It definitely was confusing, but then again I was a pretty confusing person.
"Adopted?" He questioned.
"Memory-loss actually." I smiled.
He cocked an eye at me and I continued.
"I don't remember anything from before five years ago aside from my name. Who the Hell knows just who I was before." I took a drink. "I really hope I was as much of a smart-ass as I am now though—that'd be ideal." I smirked.
I'd gotten over the curiosity about my past life long ago. 'I'm living in the now, and that's all that I should be focusing on,' is what I keep reminding myself any time my mind wanders to the topic. I don't have the time, nor the opportunity to really go digging into the past regardless. Focusing on something that I have no control over is literally an emotional waste of time.
"Kiteyama," Hitsugaya broke my train of thought—something he evidently was making a habit of. "May I ask about your first memory?"
Okay. Um. What?
I chuckled.
"So inquisitive aren't we, Hitsugaya?" I smirked.
He didn't say anything; just stared at me with a look I hadn't seen before. It surpassed curiosity—concern perhaps?
"My first memory isn't one I'm particularly fond of to say the least. I'd rather not delve into the topic if you don't mind." I flicked the ash from my cigarette. "I answered your question, now answer one of mine,"
I took a deep inhale of my cancer stick, and exhaled the smoke out through the screen.
"How long have you been fighting?"
"Excuse me?"
"Don't play dumb, Hitsugaya. The way you flung that guy off me," I looked into his teal orbs in seriousness. "You're a fighter, am I wrong?"
He looked right back into me with those fierce eyes of his, and I fought back the quiver they made me want to give.
"Kiteyama, what does that have—"
"Listen, there's a reason why I invited you out this evening." I interrupted. He didn't take any offense, but let me continue. "I'm looking for someone of physical strength that's in for some good pay—you look like you can fit the bill."
The look he shot was inquisitive, but ultimately looked concerned again more than anything else.
"Hitsugaya, I happen to be someone who looks for muscle for a certain organization. If I deem someone suitable, I'm to inform the organization for possible recruitment if the said someone is interested." I took a quick drag before continuing. "How much do you make at your normal job?"
Hitsugaya took another sip of his tea, and looked me right in the eye as he asked his next question.
"How did you get that bruise on your arm?"
I blinked in confusion. It took me no longer than two seconds to realize just what he was talking about. Rafael's grip on me this morning—the bruise that wrapped around my forearm from when he grabbed and threw me was the least of the injuries I worried about.
I took my arm off the table, and settled it in my lap.
"Pay it no mind," I quickly, yet as collected as possible stated as I looked out the window.
"This organization you're referring to; tell me, just what kind of organization is it?" He questioned.
"A prosperous one." I answered.
"Kiteyama," Hitsugaya began, leaning forward in his seat just a fraction enough to get my attention. I looked back at him to see him completely focused on me.
"Are they the reason why you wince every time you take a step?"
I couldn't help but gulp at the intensity of his question. His deductive skills were impressive, but I couldn't blatantly tell him the truth. I had to get him to join the organization, not resent them.
"Again, pay it no mind." I quickly looked away.
"Why do you hesitate?" He pressed. "Why stay with an organization that harms you, Kiteyama?"
This wasn't good. This wasn't good at all. He was getting under my façade, and more importantly diving into the wrong end of the pool when it came to joining the organization. I had to stop this before he—
"Kiteyama, you're in danger aren't you?"
I stopped and literally just stared at him. What the Hell was this guy? Why the fuck did he seem to care so much? I mean, yeah, technically I was always in somewhat dangerous circumstances, but nothing ever happened unless I deliberately fucked something up. Yes, clients would get violent from time to time, but it was nothing that I wasn't used to or couldn't handle.
As I thought about his words, it became clear to me then and there that Hitsugaya wasn't cut out for this line of work. The fact that he cared about the well-being of anyone said that much alone. Sure, he probably could fight and he probably could take someone down with ease, but that unwavering desire to help someone—not someone, a lowly whore like me—was going to get him killed in this line of work.
My bracelet beeped loudly before I could say anything else. I lifted my left wrist up—the bruise he pointed out purple and screaming—and saw that the light on my bracelet was yellow. I had a client.
"Great," I whispered under my breath.
"Sano! I need the bill!" I called.
"What's going on?" Hitsugaya asked.
"Duty calls." I held my bracelet up to him. "Hitsugaya, listen; forget about what I said earlier. A guy like you is too much of a Prince Charming type to get yourself involved with scum—I was wrong about you, and in this case it's a good thing I was. Do me a favor—forget you ever met me."
Sano set the bill on the table, and I immediately set the coins on the tray provided. He took the tray before walking away, and I stood up with the glass of beer and took a deep breath.
"Our little game was fun while it lasted," I smirked before I chugged the beer and set the glass on the table.
As soon as my hand left the tempered glass, my wrist was seized delicately. I snapped my head at him, and he didn't once waver his gaze.
"Kiteyama, you don't have to do this. There's always a way out; you don't have to let yourself be subjected to cruelty."
For a brief fraction of a second, something sparked within me that made my breathing hollow. The way he'd said those words; so confident and assuring, like what he said was the truth and could actually happen. His gentle hold on my wrist, as if he could provide the security and salvation that I once yearned for more than anything. But It was too late for that kind of naivety for me. Those feelings of hope I locked away behind a steel door long ago, and I wasn't about to let myself even think about opening up that door again. Hitsugaya made the doorknob slightly jiggle with his kind words and gesture, but I wasn't about to unlock that door. He could twist the knob, and knock all he wanted, but there was no way in Hell I would let myself fall into that false sense of hope ever again.
I smiled as I rose my hand out of his grasp.
"You're gonna make one lucky girl incandescently happy one day with that caring personality of yours, Hitsugaya; the last train leaves out the slums in an hour—don't miss it."
I turned away from him, and without another glance back exited Mameha's and walked down the sidewalk.
That was too close for comfort. I hated that I had a client to attend to, but at the same time I was grateful for the call. I hadn't let anyone make me feel that close to a human being in a long time—it was dangerous. Thoughts of escaping this Hell-hole of a lifestyle I live were literally hazardous to my mental health.
I slowed my pace for a brief moment.
"Miyuki…is this what you—"
"Stop it right fucking now." I scolded myself aloud.
I shook my head and picked up the pace to get to the rendezvous point.
I didn't have time to think about her…I didn't want to think about her. She brought nothing but sad memories…I couldn't afford to let myself fall here.
-x-
"You like that, don't you bitch? You can't tell me you don't like that,"
It took every ounce of restraint I had in me to not to rip this guy a new asshole with vicious sarcasm.
"I don't like it—I love it," I fake-moaned as my body shifted with his thrusts.
This new guy wasn't too surprising compared to all the others I've endured so far. He was into the dominant role as most were, and man-handled me accordingly. I was up on all fours with him hunched over me and plowing into me from behind. I could feel the sweat from his ballsack as it slapped against me with each audibly wet thrust; I was honestly impressed with the control of my gag-reflex these days—had it been a few years back, the wet smacking sound would've made me throw up all over the hotel's bed sheets.
He continued like a jack-rabbit on a hot day, and any form of pleasure that could've possibly trickled into me was lost at the rapid way he reamed me. It had been a full 30 minutes and I could tell this guy wasn't going to last very much longer. Here came the part where I had to perfectly time my fake orgasm—I'd developed the action perfectly over the years that the actual execution took minimal effort at this point.
"Faster, faster," I exhaled in a moan. A little encouragement never hurt my chances of ending things faster.
He complied, and picked up the pace as he himself moaned like a fucking cow. I continued the moaning and added some squealing along with gripping the pillows in a quick, and slick action. Here came the final act: heavy breathing, seizure of my unrestrained breasts beneath me, and cut off breaths from the two of us.
There it was.
He finished.
It was over.
Thank Kami.
He exhaled with satisfaction, and slowly retracted himself out of my—now throbbing—vagina. He got off the bed, and slipped off his provided condom; throwing it immediately into the trash. He immediately went to the bathroom as I took a tissue to clean my genitalia off. I threw away the disgusting tissue, and gathered my clothes off the nearby coffee table to begin dressing myself.
By the time I was done with getting on my pants and boots, he came out and sat next to me on the bed, leaning toward me and drinking me in with his eyes.
"Onee-chan," He called.
"Hai, Aniki?" I responded with the most painfully sweet voice I could muster.
"How much is it for you to take that off?" He asked.
I looked over at him with an innocent smile.
"To take what off, Aniki?" I asked pleasantly.
"This," He rested his hand on my corset.
Taking my corset off was forbidden to all my clients. Each one at one point or another asked for it off, but I lied and told each of them that part of the program was that the corset stayed on—which of course was a lie. They technically were allowed to have every inch of me in whatever fashion they wanted for the right price, but I wasn't about to tell them that. I only offered a handful of services, and that was it—no 'ands, ifs, or buts.' I didn't want to show anyone what was under my corset. Hell, most of the time I myself didn't like looking at it.
"Unfortunately the taking off of this corset is not allowed by the services, Aniki; if the rule ever changes I'll be sure to give you a call first," I winked and giggled like a high school girl at him.
"Aw, that's no fun, Onee-chan," he border-lined pouted.
All men were such fucking babies. Seriously.
"Aww, don't be sad Aniki! I'll make it more fun for you next time!" I straddled his lap and put his hands on my still naked breasts in an effort to make him forget about it—it worked.
"Oh, I can't wait." He grinned, moving my breasts around in circles beneath his palms.
I giggled for added effect before getting up and putting my bra and shirt on. Once I fished getting dressed, he gave me the money, I said the usual phrase along with the bow, and then I left the hotel room.
Rafael met me as soon as I got to the bottom of the staircase, and fell into step with me immediately. I took the cash out of my pocket and inserted it into his pocket.
"40 this time—basic. 80% chance he'll be a regular." I told him.
I took out the cigarette pack from my purse and readied myself to light the stick between my lips with my lighter.
"I see; good job, Kiteyama." He said.
I was surprised to say the least; Rafael never complemented me for any reason. I thought that especially after this morning he would treat me differently, but I guess I thought wrong.
"You have another new client right now, Kiteyama. Be sure to make him come crawling back for more." Rafael grinned.
I took a deep drag of my cigarette and turned the corner with him toward the other hotel. In all honesty I hated new clients. A new client meant that Rafael would wait for me in the shadows outside until I was finished. I liked taking my sweet time walking back to the rendezvous point rather than spending more time than I wanted with this steel-toed-boot-wearing fuck next to me. But I guess racking in new regulars was a bonus—it made me look better than all the other whores within this shit-show company.
We approached the hotel, and Rafael took out the key to the room from his pocket.
"Room 206. Nothing requested specifically." He said as I took the key he dangled in front of me.
"How many minutes until he arrives?"
Rafael looked at his watch.
"Four minutes. He already has a key."
"Got it." I walked past Rafael and started up the stairs to the room.
It didn't take me long to find it, and I immediately went in and went straight to the bathroom. I loved it when there weren't any special requests beforehand; I didn't have to rush to put on an outfit, and I could spruce myself up a bit before the client got there. On top of that, I didn't have to do too much foreplay—it was a quick and simple fuck most of the time. The only downside this time was that I didn't get to take a quick rinse—poor sap; he'd get sloppy seconds.
I swished some of the minty travel-sized mouthwash I kept in my purse and spit it out. I applied a little bit of tinted, rosy-colored lip gloss the regulars found to be pleasant, and then wiped off any smeared makeup from under my eyes. I sprayed some lightly scented body spray, and as I did I heard the front door's deadbolt unlock. I quickly took off my boots, pants, and peacoat to go for the 'sexy-shirt-only' look, and left them folded on the counter.
This was it.
Showtime.
I looked at myself in the mirror, and took a deep breath. My lavender eyes looked dull and my overall facial expression seemed drained. I grinned as hugely as possible to make my mopey facial features come back to life, and then dropped myself down to a small smile before exiting the bathroom.
My smile was immediately wiped off my face in one foul swoop as soon as I stepped through the doorframe.
Hitsugaya sat on the bed, and he rose to stand as soon as I emerged from the restroom. He inspected me, and a faint trace of a blush spread across his face as I tried to comprehend just what the fuck was going on.
What was he doing here? Why did he—
"Kiteyama," He broke my train of thought.
I let the bathroom door close slowly behind me. I balled my fists and looked toward the ground with my own blush of embarrassment threatening to heat my cheeks. I…I didn't want him to see me like this. I didn't want him to really figure out just who I was. I didn't want him to know that I was a common whore. A part of me wanted to pretend that to him I…was just a regular, decent human being.
"You're such a fool."
I switched my emotional self-destruction dial quickly, and twisted it to the 'wing-it' mode.
"So, you've come for some entertainment, ne?"
I walked over to him and sat on the bed adjacent to him. He turned around to look at me, and I began to unbutton the cuffs of my sleeves.
"Kite—"
"So what'll it be, Hitsugaya?" I interrupted as I began to unbutton my blouse.
"A hand-job is the cheapest. It's about 10,000 Yen and lasts 15 minutes. Next is a blow-job for 20,000, then basic sex is about 40,000 depending on how far you want to take it. If you want to go further you—"
Hitsugaya stopped me by taking hold of my hands and halting me from taking off my fully unbuttoned blouse any further. He was kneeled in front of me, and looked me dead in the eye before pulling the fabric that had revealed my naked shoulders back onto me properly.
"I'm not here for that, Kiteyama." He said as he took his hands off me and looked away with the faintest trace of a blush from how close he was to me. "Button your shirt up, and put your pants back on—there's no need for you to reveal yourself to me."
Well.
Baffled didn't quite cover the emotion I felt.
An adult male refusing to have sex with me when I deliberately made myself readily available…just what kind of creature was Hitsugaya Toushirou?
I scoffed.
Since I didn't really know how to handle what was happening, I immediately went into my fallback emotion—anger.
"If you're not here to fuck me, then just what the fuck do you want from me Hitsugaya? We already figured out that you don't know me from before and that I don't remember you—what more is there?" I buttoned up my blouse.
As soon as I stopped talking, he walked over to the bathroom and came back out with my pants and boots. I finished with the buttons on my blouse and hunched forward with my elbows on my knees, Hitsugaya turned back to look at me, albeit reluctantly since I still didn't have pants on.
"Kiteyama, I know exactly what happened to you five years ago. I want to help you get out of this rut you're in, and I want to help you return back to where you belong."
I heard my own heartbeat in my ears.
It couldn't be true…he…he was lying.
I shook my head fiercely. I couldn't let this happen; I couldn't escape this Hell I drowned in—it was impossible. Hitsugaya was unravelling me in a way no man had ever done before…and I couldn't let him continue.
"Hitsugaya, unless you're here to have sex with me, you have to leave and you have to do it now. While it's kind that you want to help me, I am beyond help. You're going to get yourself hurt if you continue this. Either fuck me, or leave now. If you stay any longer then they will demand payment, and when payment isn't received, they'll come after you, and they will hurt you, Hitsugaya."
I got up and stared him down with the most stern demeanor I could muster.
"What's it gonna be?"
He stood up and looked down right back at me. I didn't waver, and held myself together the best I could.
"Neither." He responded.
Emotion washed over me as that locked steel door in my mind sounded loudly with knocking from within. Hitsugaya prompted hope to seep from the cracks of the door, and I couldn't let it escape at all costs.
I pushed him away from me, and tried to regain control of my breathing—to no avail.
"Just who the fuck do you think you are? You think I need you to save me like I'm some Kami-damned damsel in distress? This isn't a fucking romance novel, Hitsugaya—I don't need anyone. I don't need your fucking help. I've been doing just fine—I can fend for myself like I always have. I've never had anyone fucking help me, and I'm not going to fucking start now!"
I was steaming. I hadn't been as emotionally angry like this since Miyuki. Hitsugaya was ruining me; the emotions he caused just by his presence alone was bad enough, but now he offered salvation? He was breaking through my walls with every word that left that fucking convincing mouth of his.
"You call that splotchy hip of yours 'doing just fine?'" He zeroed in on it.
I scoffed loudly and turned around to put on my pants. I'd had enough. I couldn't do this anymore. I couldn't be here any longer. I zipped up my boots and put on my coat.
"You don't belong here, Kiteyama; you—"
"Get out of here now if you value your life, Hitsugaya. Don't you dare fucking follow me." I cut him off with a growl.
"Kiteyama—"
I stomped past him and slammed the door behind me.
I quickly ran down the stairs, and in no time at all, Rafael ran up to me as I fast-walked down the sidewalk.
"Kiteyama, what happened?" He asked.
"He didn't want the services—he's going to leave the room right now." I quickly said.
"What do you mean he 'didn't want the services?' What the fuck did you do?" Rafael shot at me angrily.
"I didn't do anything, Rafael, he just didn't want the services!" I retorted with more anger than intended.
Shit. I was still flustered. This was bad—he wouldn't believe me.
"Bullshit, Kiteyama! You know that it's against our policy to let clients just go like that!"
I didn't slow my pace. I didn't want Hitsugaya to catch up to us. I had to get as far away as—
"Stop right now, Kiteyama!"
Rafael grabbed my bruised wrist and tugged me to a halt. I sucked in air to stifle letting out a yelp as I looked at him with a relentless glare that matched the one he gave me through his shades.
"Tell me what the fuck happened right now, Kiteyama." Rafael threatened.
Before I could even say anything, a fist collided with Rafael's face, and he went flying to the ground. Although shock overwhelmed me, I traced the direction the fist came from to the person it belonged to. Hitsugaya stood in Rafael's place, and I did the only thing I could think of for his sake.
I grabbed his wrist and bolted.
"Kiteyama!" Rafael screeched at me.
"Fuck fuck fuck, what do I do now?" I panicked.
"What are you doing Kiteyama?" Hitsugaya questioned behind me.
"You need to get out of here now! Follow me and I'll get him off your trail!" I frantically said through pants.
Hitsugaya quickly ran by my side, and I sprinted as fast as I could down the alley and turned the corner.
"You're a fucking bakayaro, Hitsugaya! Why the fuck did you follow me?" I shot at him.
"I couldn't let you go back to get beat again, Kiteyama; you don't deserve to be treated like that!" He retorted.
"Fucking moron!" I raised up my wrist. "See this bracelet? It's a tracker that I can't take off—I can't escape them even if I fucking wanted to! There's no hope for me, Hitsugaya! I'm a lost cause!"
"You're not, Kiteyama; don't give up hope on yourself!"
He looked ahead at where we were going, and all I could do was stare into the side of him. He was so confident; so sure that everything would be okay. So sure that I could leave this place with him. He was so optimistic…yet my pessimism was still too strong to let his good intentions take the wheel.
"Kami-fucking-damn you, Hitsugaya," I muttered. "Turn here!"
We made a quick left and came upon a metal fence. I quickly scaled up it, and once Hitsugaya made sure that I was over it, he quickly climbed up and over it; jumping down to the ground next to me and continuing to run by my side.
We ran for another five minutes before coming up on a dead end.
"Fuck!" I grunted, looking around.
The intersection was under unforeseen construction, and a massive truck literally blocked the only other exit. I looked around like a frantic mouse for an exit and couldn't see one. With my damn tracker, it wouldn't be long before Rafael found us. I didn't care about the beating I'd receive at this point, I just wanted Hitsugaya to escape before they hurt him. Hitsugaya didn't deserve to get mixed up in this, I didn't want anyone to get killed over me. I had to get him out of here at all—
"Kiteyama!" Rafael shouted.
"Fuck!" I quietly whimpered.
He was around the corner—the echo of his voice told me I had less than a minute to figure something out. I ran up to the truck to see if there was a way I could possibly break into it. There was a small opening to the side of it that would allow one person to squeeze through at a time.
"Hitsugaya!" I waved him hurriedly. "This is the only option; go through here now! Get out of here while you still can!" I urged.
"I'm not leaving you here to get beat, Kiteyama; you're coming with me." He ordered sternly.
"How many times do I have to fucking tell you? Get the fuck out of here!"
"There you are!"
"Fuck!"
I turned around quickly to see Rafael casually walk up to us with Tatsu by his side, a cat-like grin painted across his face since he finally cornered his two mice. Tatsu looked thrilled as well; it'd been a while since he'd helped Rafael pummel anyone to my knowledge—he looked like he was a thrilled child that just arrived at an amusement park.
I glared at the both of them as they crept closer to us. Hitsugaya's presence was still behind me. Why didn't he just listen to me? Didn't he value his existence?
"So tell us, Kiteyama, just what the fuck are you trying to do here?" Rafael began. "Why on earth would a whore like you be harboring someone who hurt your keeper?"
I tried my utmost to not gulp at his tone. Rafael was having fun with this—which meant that he was going to get off on the beating and rape sure to come.
"He didn't know what he was getting into; he saw a female being man-handled and misunderstood; he didn't mean it." I tried to explain.
"Didn't mean it? That cross punch of his says otherwise, Kiteyama! Regardless of the intent, no one gets away with hitting me, ever." Raphael smirked.
Shit. They weren't gonna let it slide…Hitsugaya had to make a break for it, and he had to do it now.
Suddenly, Hitsugaya sprang at the two of them with a speed I was hardly able to even follow from the surprise. He went straight for Rafael first, and when Tatsu came at him to get him off Rafael, Hitsugaya quickly countered by dodging the initial grab. As Hitsugaya push-kicked Rafael right before his knife came in for a slash, Tatsu reared up his brass-knucked fist.
Hitsugaya wouldn't be able to counter Tatsu in time—he was outnumbered.
He was going to get hit.
I..had to…
I sprinted forward, and pushed Hitsugaya out of the way—Tatsu's brass-knuckles scrapping clear across the side of my head in a blinding strike.
"Kiteyama!" Hitsugaya shouted.
Hitsugaya went for a high-kick to Tatsu's face, and successfully connected the blow with ease.
I was hunched over in pain, holding my head. Stars clouded my vision, and I felt like passing out. I walked out of the direct line of fire, and tried to control my shaken pants.
"Kiteyama!" Hitsugaya was by my side, studying my wound and gripping my shoulders to keep me up. "What were you thinking, Kiteyama?" He scolded gently.
Through my quivering jaw, I managed a small smirk.
"Y-You could say 'thank you,'" I chuckled lowly.
"Bakayaro," he muttered back.
I grinned at him; the eye on the wounded side of my head closed from the pain, making it look like I was a kid about to give a sappy thumbs-up.
I pushed him gently toward the exit, and before I could say anything, the movements from behind us made my adrenaline spike; stiffening me up like a board.
I turned around to see both of the handlers on their feet and facing us. If they were pissed before, they were livid now. The grins on their faces before had turned into clenched, gritted teeth as they both closed in on us. This was it, no more games—they were coming in for the kill.
I pushed Hitsugaya toward the exit before stepping in front of him.
"J-J-Just run!" I screeched.
I outstretched my arms in front of him as a willing sacrifice for the two wolves in front of us. Light-headed with warm liquid trickling down my face; I could've collapsed at any moment, but I had to hold my ground—giving up was out of the question.
"What the fuck do you think you're doing Kiteyama?" Tatsu shouted at me.
I stood my ground and glared into the green-eyed pursuer in front of me—not daring to let up even an inch.
"Kiteyama, stand down or it will be tenfold worse for you!" Rafael warned through his gritted teeth. The snarl-like tone laced with his words told me he meant business—I was in deep shit.
No matter what I did, my punishment was already set in stone. I didn't have a way out of this, but the innocent male behind me did. Why wasn't he running away like I told him to? What could a guy like him—that barely even knows me—hope to accomplish against them? My previous thoughts kept repeating over and over again in my head; this was my fault—Hitsugaya didn't deserve this.
He had to get out of here.
"Hitsugaya! Go now befo—"
Bang.
My eyes shut so tight it hurt. Time seemed to slow as the after-shot high-pitched ringing dominated my senses and vibrated through my chest.
Did they shoot me? Did they shoot Hitsugaya? I was too scared to open my eyes to look.
I heard a faint mumble, but I couldn't make out the words. It kept repeating itself over and over again, getting louder each time.
"Oi!"
I felt someone grab my shoulders.
My eyes shot open, and my heart raced with the panic delayed prior from the shock. I couldn't see anything at first aside from blurs. I blinked more and more through my staggered breaths, until finally one color above every other one displayed itself in front of me. The color that I couldn't get enough of at that moment; the color that promised so much for so little; the color that invited the steel door within me to unlock, and creak open just fraction.
"Kiteyama, stay with me!" Hitsugaya shook me.
I grinned as I felt myself lean forward.
"My hero," I slurred.
Darkness fell upon me, and I let it consume me.