A/N: I intend to finish this fic in one or two more chapters, but we'll see how it goes, more chaps may be written.
A/N 2: Unrelated to the fic, but one of my family's cats is named Echo.
Caution: Language, violence
Disclaimer: I don't own Gravitation, "Southwest airlines", Graceland, The Civil Rights Museum, or information from the site: grandcanyoncvb travel-tips /
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Chap 5: "Echo"
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After that terrible experience, Shuichi was glad they would soon leave Tennessee; he never imagined encountering such hatred.
He felt older, as though he better understood life. Making love with Eiri night into morning surrounded him with comfort, affirming his wish that they never would part.
Waking with ideas for another novel instantly racing through his mind, Eiri turned and such notions were replaced as Shuichi ran his fingers through blonde locks, "Good morning".
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"Flying from Tennessee to Arizona the ride will be fairly short, about three hours and fifteen minutes" Tohma informed everyone.
"That doesn't sound short, besides I don't wanna go to any more parts of the USA, rather go to South America, at least there we could buy some fresh-grown stuff, or get in the middle of a drug war".
"Hiroshi you better watch your mouth", Noriko cautioned with a glare.
"...Southwest Airlines now boarding"
"Come on you two we don't have time for this" Shuichi chided, putting an arm around Eiri and making his way toward the designated line of passengers. The young singer hadn't stopped reflecting on his encounter at Graceland, and lessons of the Civil Rights Museum.
Peering down, the blonde squeezed his boyfriend's hand as they entered first class.
On the plane Hiroshi complained "Why do I have to sit next to her again?" During this trip he had come to dislike the older woman. "I agree, Tohma why can't I sit next to you?"
"Ukai-san you can sit next to Sakano-san"
"No" commented the young keyboardist without looking up from his book.
Chuckling, "Well then, you could trade someone for a seat in coach if you like". Scoffing, his lavender-haired friend sat beside the annoying guitarist.
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Weaving between excited fans, Tohma led the group to a helicopter. "Since the plane ride was so short, we'll head straight to The Grand Canyon for our next concert". With a few grumbles, they climbed on.
Shuichi managed to shake away the tension in the pit of his stomach. "Look, look Shu!" Ryu shouted, pointing at the glorious rocky slopes below, aglow in the sunlight of noon. "Shiny shiny na-no-dah!"
Speaking low, Eiri took his brother-in-law to the side, "Are you sure it's safe? What if there's a wildfire, there have already been twelve in the past two months". He had been on-edge since the fight in Tennessee, and being informed about the death-threat (the only member of the group aside from Tohma, and Mr. K who knew about it). Protecting himself was one thing, but Americans could be quite... crazy.
"We're taking every precaution"
"Could the rocks fall down?!" Kumagoro questioned from just behind them; it wasn't eavesdropping when it came to Ryuichi.
"We won't be using louder speakers, because there's a natural echo in the canyon" Tohma assured, adding "And K-san will take care of any wildlife should it attack".
The band manager held out his American No 2. Cheytac .408 caliber sniper rifle. "Only the best firearms here". With a smirk he added "We will need to watch out for rattlesnakes though".
The helicopter pilot and several paid assistants brought out coolers filled with plenty of water, and natural citric fruit juices for all present, as well as salted meats, first aid packs, and other survival gear.
They also banged nails at locations marked on a map, wrapping rope around each. This area referred to the band's area.
Ryuichi passed around sunglasses, and caps marked either "Nittle Grasper" or "Bad Luck".
"Ryu you can't wear the Bad Luck hat" Noriko stated. "Why not? It's to protect Ryu against sunburn na-no-dah!" Kumagoro told her. "Oh never mind" she took out her keyboard and began to set it up.
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"You sure you're cool enough wearing that?" Hiroshi asked. "I'm fine" Eiri replied.
"You should take after your boyfriend" Suguru mentioned, said singer was dressed in his usual low-cut top and short shorts.
While the author appreciated such clothes on his cute boyfriend, they weren't his style, "I'll pass".
"Hey you're one to talk" Hiro said to his ever-professionally clad band-mate. "I'll be fine" the boy said with a glare.
"Suguru-san take off that black shirt, otherwise you'll faint again" Tohma told his cousin, recalling a Hawaii vacation when they rushed to the hospital. Blushing he did so, with Hiro laughing to his left.
Even the CEO and author were wearing short-sleeved shirts.
Shuichi spoke with his boyfriend and convinced him to change out of his dark blue pleated slacks.
Climbing into the helicopter, Eiri couldn't remember the last time he wore shorts, but he hated seeing Shuichi cry. If worrying his sensitive boyfriend less would prevent tears, he'd dress down.
After drinking some water, Tohma said "Let's finish setting up, the show begins in half an hour, and I already see fans coming down".
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As the June sky sent out scorching 90degree rays, water was like heaven. They owed their fans, so during the show assistants sold 20 ounce bottles of water and juice to the crowd for 75cents (plus 25cents for a second bottle).
Between songs, each band member was sure to drink enough to soothe their burning throats. At one point near the middle of the show, Shuichi was too pumped up to realize he'd skipped several "replenish instances".
"Shuichi!" his lover's delightful voice called from the front of the crowd. Looking over he saw Eiri point to a bottle of water. "Oh yeah", he picked up one of his bottles and quickly gulped down half of it.
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As the crowd roared, all of the Grand Canyon echoed with the popular beats from Japan in the dimming light of sunset.
Out of the crowd began the sound of "boos" from several voices in all directions. The bands continued, not allowing it to faze them. Approaching his solo, Shuichi walked toward the front of the crowd, reaching out to the excited extended hands.
Suddenly a noise much like that of a single thunderbolt rang through their ears. Eiri rushed to Shuichi and dove to the ground.
All was silent for a moment, then chaos erupted. The crowd ran away from the pop-stars back the way they came from.
Tohma looked at Mr. K on the hilltop above. Raising a hand from his hot sniper, he gave a "thumbs up", then pointed at the only man left where the crowd had been. All noise was gone, but for the man holding his leg and screaming in pain. One of the homophobes shot a warning shot, and Mr. K also sent out a "warning shot"- a bullet in the offender's leg to ward off anymore of such behavior from the locals.
"Is everyone unhurt?" Tohma called out, paying special attention to Eiri and Ryu.
"Is it okay to get up?" Noriko asked with a quivering in her voice. "Yes Ukai-san, K-san and his comrades are handling it". As the friends stood, everyone was glad to see none of them were harmed.
Half the team of assistants were Claude Winchester's friends from the U.S army special ops. Their current job was to interrogate then dispose of the shooter. They would be paid handsomely for that, and also for the capture of the other people who were involved.
Unsteadily they hurriedly gathered their instruments, and other items and put them back into the helicopter. Eiri never took his arm from around his boyfriend.
The pilot turned to them, "See, I took care of a wild animal, like Mr. Seguchi said I would".
"Excellent work K-san".
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End of Chap 5
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A/N: When I initially learned about the apparent high prejudice in Arizona, I decided that I never want to live there, or attend school there, as previously intended. Plus research revealed even more about it, sheesh Arizona...
*Note: I don't support gay-bashing, prejudice, or racism. I also don't support the purchase, or usage of any illegal drug or substance, or any use of firearms.