A/N: Hi! This is the next to last chapter - Wow! I planned to finish this before the new year but it turned out much longer than I expected. Also, this chapter has some violence in it so you've been warned.
Have fun reading!
Hitoshi sighed as he closed his phone then looked around him and sighed again. He was currently in an interrogation room at police headquarters. The place was bland, white walls, white tiled floor, basic wooden table and chairs. He wasn't really under arrest but he had been questioned thoroughly. Ralph Grazer had sent a lawyer along with him and it was because of that lawyer that he'd been allowed to call his family and warn them to leave town before they were besieged by reporters and TV crews. Marcy had done a real number on him and despite what they'd told the police in the beginning, they had to check out these accusations against him. "That bitch." He said quietly then sat back and crossed one long leg over the other. His foot swung in agitated circles.
Thankfully Sasaki had also come with him and had been in contact with the company trying save his job. If Jupiter thought this bad press would hurt him, they'd drop him like a hot potato. But of course there was Ralph as well. Hitoshi hated the fact that he would end up owing so much to the arrogant American but if not for him, Hitoshi figured he'd be in a cell now instead just confined in a room bland enough to send him into a coma.
"They should have found it by now. As much as I dislike being here, I'm more worried about what's happening with Aine! What's the plan?! I want to be there to help!" Hitoshi's foot kicked high into the air and he practically jumped out of his chair to pace. At this rate he would miss everything!
The door opened and his lawyer then Sasaki entered. They didn't look worried but a little tense. "Have a seat Takayama-san, we have lots to discuss.
"He's alive? You're sure? Sakuya's alive?!" The Master had received a call from Yuuka and wanting to touch base with her after the loss of Atsuro, he quickly agreed to her request to visit. He'd been flabbergasted when he entered her room to see Yuki, Santa, Atsuro and Towa. Luckily there was a nurse on hand as he sort of forgot how to breathe. After some oxygen, several hugs and several tissues full of tears did he finally believe what he was seeing – his young friends were alive and not ghosts come back to haunt him.
"Yes. Everything that happened, the attacks on Miya, Yuuka and Maria followed by the bombings at Jupiter was all done so that Marcy could get her hands on Sakuya. And now she's coming to kill me, probably at the Cradle after the memorial." Aine spoke from her spot by the window. "We wanted to let you know so that you'll be careful. We don't anyone else we love to be hurt by her." She had to smile as the older man looked embarrassed at her words. "You're part of Lucifer too Master. You were there long before I was. You were there even before they realized how good they were together. We'd been sitting here trying to figure out how to draw her out so that we can save Sakuya and then you suggested the memorial to . The timing was perfect. Because of you, all this will end soon." Aine went to him and hugged his neck.
Again they were all crowded into one room. Yuuka in the bed, her leg elevated. Towa and Santa were in wheelchairs. Atsuro, Kai and Miya were on a rug on the floor while Maria sat in a chair, Yukihiko asleep on her lap, Yuki next to her and the Master in the last chair. He cleared his throat and wiped at his eyes as Aine pulled away.
"I love you guys too. You keep an old man young." He said looking at them all one by one then blinked. "Sakuya's a prisoner. And of that American no less! I mean I didn't warm to her but I'd never have believed her capable of anything like this." It blew his mind really but when he looked at how close to death his young friends had come and all of it could be attributed to that brassy, too out-spoken woman – he had to believe. "So what do you want me to do?" The Master took Aine's hand and without words promised whatever she would ask of him.
"Nothing Master. Absolutely nothing." Yuki said then smiled as the man's mouth dropped open.
"What?" Master blinked. "I don't understand."
"We want to catch her red-handed so to speak. We're going to let Marcy hang herself." Santa spoke up. "Because we think she'll attack Aine and Ralph at the Cradle, we wanted to let you know in case things got out of hand…and give you a chance to refuse. You could call this memorial off and we could come up with another idea…" Santa trailed off with a pleased smile when the older man shook his head.
"No way. I didn't know about you or Sakuya but the timing does seem perfect. No the show will go on and we'll bring our boy home." Master was emphatic as he patted Aine's hand. "Do what you have to do and catch this girl. Get her some help!" He shook a finger at Yuki who nodded. Things were in motion.
"Put cameras everywhere and make sure they're wired for sound. Of course we may have to do some editing before we turn them over to the police." Ralph told Yamaguchi, the head of his security firm. "Neither Father or I want Grazer Media involved in this scandal if we can help it." He sat back in his chair more than ready to have this business over with.
"Maybe you should just let us take care of the woman Grazer-sama. Think of all the people she's killed. We could take revenge for all them, not just our men." Yamaguchi was what some would call a typical Japanese man. He was short in stature with a rather stern face and closely cropped hair that was just turning gray. Yamaguchi's ancestors were samurai and the warrior light of his clan shone in his eyes.
Ralph studied the man and nodded. "I would prefer that as well but the higher ups at Jupiter Records would like to have someone to blame, to put before the press and say 'this woman is responsible!' Foolishness." Ralph mumbled. "If…if things get messy, I'll allow you to do things your way." He told the older man who nodded, bowed and quietly left the office.
It was the next morning after the announcement of the memorial. Aine and Lucifer had met with the Master early this morning and had just called to tell him things were all confirmed. Many deliveries had to be made to the Cradle today – food, toiletry supplies, musical and electrical equipment. The business would be busy all that day and most of the next up until the show started. That's why he needed the Master's approval for one hour this morning to setup all the cameras and microphones to catch Mary in the act of trying to kill them.
They expected Mary to take full advantage of the craziness that would be at the Cradle for the next day and a half to possibly sneak in and set something up or just to scope out the place. His people had speculated that Mary could attack the car like what had been done to Yuki's wife but Ralph was certain Mary would want a face-to-face with him and Aine. She wouldn't be able to resist rubbing it their faces everything that she'd gotten away with everything and especially for what she may have done to Sakuya. They would take extra precaution on the way to and from the Cradle but Ralph was sure that whatever happened the next night would happen inside that club.
"Sakuya, you're a strong man. I know that first hand but if she's raped you…how will you and Aine get over it?" Ralph inhaled sharply. Mary liked sex – a lot. For a while there, that's what he'd liked most about her. "I can't imagine she hasn't touched you, it's been days since you've gone missing Sakuya. Hold on little brother, with any luck will find you sometime tomorrow." Ralph felt his stomach twist with anxiety.
On his desk were numerous reports on Mary's activities before she disappeared. Paper trails had been all but nonexistent, well except for the clothes she seemed to always be buying. Those she paid for with the corporate account that she'd gotten from Jupiter. And so, they had hit the streets of Tokyo. Rupert and Ralph Grazer were bold business men and were not afraid to deal with people on both sides of the law. So far the police had very little to offer so Ralph's people had gone to the Yakuza. It hadn't taken very long for someone to recognize Mary's description and then have it confirmed by showing a picture of her. The thing was, Mary had been very careful in her dealings with the Yakuza as well. Basically she only contacted them when she wanted to buy things off the black market. Mary had paid top dollar or yen for the C-4, grenades and the ammunition used in the attacks on Jupiter and Lucifer. The people she'd used on the other hand were complete wannabees. Mary dealt with those young men who wanted to be Yakuza but were more punks than anything else, good only for thieving and hurting people weaker than they.
Ralph was shocked at the amount of C-4 she'd bought and wondered where in the hell she'd learned to use it but then most things could be learned today if you spent a couple of hours on the internet. He also saw she bought a canister of some kind of gas. He didn't know what it was but he was going to warn everyone to be extra careful, there was just no telling what else she would do. Feeling pain behind his eyes, Ralph stood up. Mizuki was with her brother so he didn't have her around to distract him from all this insanity. "I think I'll go to the gym, maybe get one of the guys to spar with me." Ralph wanted to work off some of his nervous energy.
The night had brought him nightmares which Sakuya tried with all his might to deny the fear they'd brought. Takayama rotting in prison for crimes he never committed. The accusing stares of Aine's grieving parents. Ralph smiling sadly at him as he slowly bled to death. Aine covered in blood her arms reaching for him and Marcy laughing as she repeatedly raped him or led him around on a collar and leash for the world to see her new pet.
The shit of it was, she had bought a collar for him with freaking spikes on it. She said something about some role-playing with him as some rough biker guy and her, the seduced innocent. CRAZY! But that wasn't all. Some of that other stuff she'd bought – things he had no use for but had submitted to her putting a few of them on him just so she would answer his questions about what she'd done to Takayama. Sakuya wondered if his shame would ever go away.
"I just made him the prime suspect that's all." Marcy had told him as she painted his nipples with edible paint. "Started a few rumors on Lucifer websites and planted some evidence in his house. Actually I'm surprised the police moved so quickly but then you are a hot property lover! They want to catch the person who's taken Sakuya from Japan!" She'd sat naked on his hard thigh as she painted then leaned in close to taste her work.
Sakuya had flexed his hands. He had enough give in those chains to wrap his hands around her neck. She could be dead so easily and then it would all be over. Only his desire to see Aine again had kept him from strangling her. Sakuya had hoped that this would be all she would put him through, it was not. She'd turned around to sit in his lap and leaned back against his chest. Then she'd given him a bottle of liquid and told him to make her cum with his hands. She wasn't tormenting his body but still he had no wish to touch hers either.
"What are you going to do tomorrow?" Sakuya asked. He didn't think about what his hands were doing. He'd had sex with many women before Aine. Sakuya knew what women liked and had given it to them. His heart had never been involved. He'd shared his body but his feelings had been his own. It was what he was doing now. There was only one woman he had ever made love to and Sakuya prayed he'd get the chance to love Aine again.
"Oh a few things, nothing…oh Sakuya right there!" Marcy had hummed then hissed in pleasure. Her head rested on his shoulder, her legs thrown up over his as his hands slicked up and down her nakedness.
"Don't hurt anyone else." Sakuya had stopped his hands.
"What?" Her gray eyes opened to look up at him.
"You killed too many people last time. People who just happened to be in the same building with us! Don't do it again! I'll be…I'll do whatever you want me to if you promise me that. Only…only Ralph and…her. Don't kill anyone else or I swear I'll fight you in any way I can. You won't get anything from me or Rupert Grazer!" Sakuya's eyes had grown cold with his vow. His voice was soft also reflecting coldness.
Marcy had remained quiet as she stared into his eyes. After what seemed like minutes she looked down and took one of his hands that had fisted against her stomach. She opened it then slid his hand down her stomach to the place where she most wanted to be touched. "All right. I will kill only Ralph and Aine – as long as no one else gets in my way. They seemed to be spending a great deal of time together anyway; it should be no problem to get them alone." She took his other hand and placed it on her breast. "Maybe they're doing the same thing we are now." Marcy smiled. "Finish what you started Sakuya and promise me that when I come back after killing that bitch and bastard that we'll make love. I feel you hard beneath me and want you inside me but I've decided to wait until Aine is dead. Make me feel loved tonight and I won't kill anyone else then it will be just you and I. Two more days Sakuya and we will make love. Promise me." Marcy twisted around a bit to see his face.
Sakuya remembered her face. It was a beautiful face, classic lines almost noble but there was so much madness beneath the surface. It swirled there in her eyes; it twisted at the corner of her lips. Still he could see she would keep her word if he gave her his. Sakuya gave her his word then with only his hands, Sakuya gave her intense pleasure.
Now it was morning and he was again alone in the house. Sakuya had been grateful for this morning's sponge bath to rid his body of her smell. The coffee was also a welcome gift. Breakfast wasn't fresh since she'd just heated some of the food she'd bought and frozen. Marcy hadn't the time to cook since she needed to get into the city to buy a few things for Ralph and Aine's destruction – her words.
You won't destroy them, at least I pray not for if you do – I'll kill you myself. I told you a lie. It's amazing, I'd put my past behind me. I was a bastard through and through. I always lied to women. I even lied to Yuki and the others sometimes, it was natural for me. But then she changed me. I no longer felt the need to hide my true self from everyone but along comes Marcy and it all comes back like I'd never changed. Aine you have to stay alive and find me! Find me! No…even if no one ever finds me, make sure you live, my love. Sakuya lay on his side. He couldn't speak out loud for he knew the cameras were recording him. It sickened him to think they had been recording what happened last night but he couldn't worry about that. No all he could do was will his woman and brother to survive. He was going to do nothing but watch the news and wait. It was all he could do.
"Yuki? Could I talk with you a moment? I understand you'll be using the Master's office during the live." Ralph beckoned the band leader away from the phones then led him out to the hospital garden to be sure they had some privacy.
Yuki knew that Ralph was already aware of all the plans they'd made regarding where he and Atsuro would be during the memorial so this little meeting must mean that something had happened. "What's going on Ralph?" Too much had been going on for them to remain formal with each other.
Ralph looked Yuki over. The bandages had been removed from his head and he was looking better if pale from spending so much time indoors. "I thought I should talk to you first before letting the others know. This was delivered to my office at the TV station an hour ago." He pulled an envelope out of his pocket and passed it to Yuki.
Yuki moved his shoulders. It was almost a twitch. His burns were healing and they were itchy but he couldn't scratch them. Yuki adjusted his shirt for the millionth time that day and took the envelope from Sakuya's brother. "Is it bad?" He asked as he pulled out a glossy photo and a handwritten note.
Ralph didn't answer and finally Yuki looked at the picture first. His hand began to shake at the image it portrayed before it stopped suddenly. Breathing fairly hard, Yuki took one last look, tore the picture into pieces then slipped them into his pocket. He would burn them just as soon as he could.
"No one else needs to see it. I wish I hadn't and dammit to hell I wish he weren't suffering through it!" Yuki wanted to punch something but knew he'd just injure himself then half to explain why. "She's…she's just plain sick!" He paced for lack of being able to punch something. "At first glance it looks like they're enjoying each other but I know Sakuya. That look on his face, I've seen it before when I first met him. He was dead inside, just a kid and already dead inside. His mother, her world, how he had to survive – it had killed his soul. Marcy is killing him. I don't know how she got him to touch her but any fool could see he wasn't doing it because he wanted to. He's bound to the bed – GODDAMN CHAINS!" Yuki kicked at a chair as he fumed.
Ralph was sick, physically sick. It wasn't only what Sakuya was going through now but a few short years ago, he himself had chained Sakuya to a wall and doped him up to get his brother hooked on drugs. It had been a stupid vengeful thing to do when he'd learned he wasn't Rupert Grazer's only son and heir. Their father had set them against each other and Ralph had been desperate to maintain his position in the family though it was never in trouble since Sakuya had wanted nothing do with their father. He'd learned that eventually but not before making his brother suffer mentally and physically and listening to Yuki now just piled on more guilt for all his ignorant and selfish actions. He wanted to throw up, his stomach was churning so badly but Ralph just clenched his fists and endured the pain. "The note, read the note."
Yuki looked up at Ralph in confusion. He'd forgotten all about the note in his rage over the picture. He looked down and saw that his hands were empty then searched the ground and had to walk a few feet to pick it up from where it had drifted under a bush. Yuki looked at Ralph who was pale and stiff then tried to calm his heart before focusing on the words written on the page. He couldn't afford to have Marcy so enrage him that he couldn't think. This could be their one and only chance to save Sakuya.
'My dearest Ralph, You announced to the world that I was dead. Shame on you! Did you finally figure out it was me Mary who was making your younger brother into a star? Took you long enough you bastard! Bet you thought you'd never see or hear from me again did you? But never mind that, when Sakuya and I make our reappearance back home, the publicity will be colossal. So thank you! As you can see, I have him. We are one now. My new lover has decided that I'm all he needs but he wishes to part ways with that child Aine civilly so that she'll stop whining after him. Oh and we could see each other again as well, dearest Ralph. Won't that be fun? We know about the memorial. Sakuya's amused by the idea, well he's glad that his band mates will be remembered so well but it doesn't concern him. He has a brighter future than hanging out with a bunch of musicians. Bring the girl and we'll meet you after the show. We'd like for this to be a private chat. Make sure you're alone or people will die. See you there! Marcy.'
Yuki was silent as he read the note several times. He'd recognized Marcy's bold scrawl. "So she wants to guarantee that you and Aine will be there and alone. Marcy has every intention of killing you at the Cradle and I'm sure Sakuya will be nowhere around. She probably thinks you'll show the letter and photo to Aine, trying to hurt her and get her hopes up at the same time. The bitch may be crazy but she's just shy of genius too. Sadly for her, Marcy doesn't know we're alive and that will make all the difference!" Yuki looked up at the late afternoon sky. They still had over twenty-four hours before things resolved themselves for good or ill. "Don't let her take your soul Sakuya, hold on brother." There was enough blue in that sky to remind him of Sakuya's eyes when he was happy like when he was on stage or simply holding hands with Aine.
There was a dry laugh from Ralph. It was low and totally devoid of any humor. "I realize that when you were speaking, you didn't mean me any pain. For whatever reason you, all of you have forgiven or forgotten the things I done to you and Sakuya. In many ways, I'm no better than Mary." Ralph tugged at his tie, found a chair and sat in it. His legs were splayed widely. Ralph threw the expensive tie away from him for it was cutting off his air. Elbows on knees, he cupped head in his hands. "With every word out of your mouth, especially that last line – I felt a knife in my chest just like the one Mary stabbed me with long ago. I've been no kind of brother to Sakuya. I had wealth, privilege and money, any damn thing I could ask for except maybe my father's attention and Sakuya had nothing. When he finally came into his own and gained my father's attention, I showed up to make him pay for it. I interfered with your – Lucifer's success, I drugged him, I tried to steal Aine! Ookochi or Grazer, his life had been all but hell and the people closest to him – mother, father and brother made that hell for him. If anybody should suffer or die or lose their souls, it's us. Ha! I wonder if I or Father even have souls!" The pain was surprising in its intensity. Ralph didn't know, hadn't known that he was capable of feeling it!
Yuki looked away from the blue sky to the tortured media mogul. They'd wondered that themselves over the years whether Sakuya's family had souls too. His mother had rightly been heartbroken after the rape but then she'd taken out all her sadness and pain on the innocent Sakuya – a half Japanese, half American child who was from the moment people saw his eyes, was going to be persecuted. Sakuya's father had all but ignored his existence until he'd shown up on the top of the music charts in Japan. It was then and only then that he'd felt Sakuya was worthy of his attention but not his personal attention. No all he'd done was pit one brother against other and Ralph had been blind to Sakuya and all he'd gone through just so he could maintain the role of first born and heir. Not one of them seemed to have a heart or soul. It was like when God gave out hearts, they were in too much of a hurry to get one that did more than keep one alive. They left before the emotion and love could be added. But now at least, one of them was starting to feel.
"No I didn't say those words to hurt you but I'm glad they did." Yuki smiled when Ralph looked up. The man had tears in his eyes. "It means you care now. Whatever went on before with you and Sakuya or between you and your father about Sakuya seems to be done. That anger, resentment or whatever, it looks like you've let it go and now see a young man with a bruised heart and enough love for thousands because he's got that. I saw Sakuya's potential back in that piano bar where I first saw him play. He wanted love – to be given it and to give it to someone but he didn't really believe in it. Slowly he began to trust us, share himself but the love really began to show with Aine and then the fans began to feel it when he performed. It's an amazing thing to see, someone sharing their love with strangers and it be as real as what's between a man and woman or a parent and child." Yuki moved to stand before Ralph.
"Sakuya's gotten to you. Sure, Aine had something to do with opening your eyes but Sakuya's your blood and you care. You care Ralph Grazer more than you do about being heir to a fortune or you couldn't cry like this and I'm glad for it because now I know for sure, you'll do anything to save Sakuya's life. You were going through the motions of saving him but that could have been to save your company from bad press but now…I trust you now Ralph." Yuki held out a hand felt a few of his fears lessen when he clasped Ralph's damp hand.
"Love. It's been sadly lacking in my life too but that's changed recently with Mizuki and now I guess with my little brother." He sounded a little incredulous and scared but happy too. "I will save him or at least prevent anyone else from harming him. He'll come back and you guys will dominate the music scene across the world and I bet soon after that if not before, he and Aine will be married. I want him happy Yuki, not that ghost or zombie that was in that photo but truly happy and with Aine. If nothing else, I should be able to make that happen for Sakuya." He stood in order to look Yuki in the eye and they had an understanding. No more words were needed, as men they had said what needed to be said and all that was left was action.
"About Marcy…we don't agree with what Jupiter wants." Yuki said quietly voicing his and the rest of the band's feelings about what should happen to Marcy. His dark eyes went almost black. If given the chance, any man could kill and Yuki wasn't above forgetting about the law, not with this woman.
"Understood. I've had this discussion with my people. Should the opportunity present itself…Mary will disappear forever." Ralph squeezed Yuki's hand and the two nodded.
"Okay then, let's go tell everyone that Marcy has invited herself to the memorial. She'll find out later that it's not for Lucifer but for herself!" Yuki and Ralph walked shoulder to shoulder. They had a common goal and one desired outcome. Some would call it justice, others would call it murder and the end result would return a man they cared enough for that many would judge their cause righteous and without fault.
The Cradle was surrounded. It was expected to be wall to wall sitting and standing. It would be the place to see and be seen and of course to hear great music. Outside, the street had been blocked off because the fans had shown up in force. They were Lucifer fans, Jesus fans, fans, Neon fans, D-Element fans, Feel fans and just fans of music. Rules of capacity were going to be ignored. The police was there, fire and ambulance too but no one was expecting trouble. This was an event to celebrate the lives and music of the band called Lucifer.
Though the event wasn't scheduled to start until eight in the evening, fans and reporters began arriving four hours earlier. In another two hours the bands began to arrive and as time crept closer to the main event, other bigwigs in the music, TV and movie industry began arriving. It was in the last fifteen minutes before eight that the main guests arrived. Out of a black stretch limo, Ralph Grazer, Tokugawa Kyo, Todo Maria and Yukimura Aine exited the car.
Aine was the last to leave the car. Already there was a hush over the crowd as the others had left the limo. Her arm like Maria's was still in a cast. Both women had been unsure of what to wear. They were supposed to be saying goodbye to their loved ones but at the same time this wasn't a solemn occasion. Lucifer was a rock band and so were most of the people performing tonight. Maria had chosen to wear a dress designed by Trio who was also there. It was formal and modest colored black and white. She bowed to the crowd then turned to Aine.
She had to blink at them, there were so many. Aine was used to the crowds but always in the past they had been focused on Lucifer or Sakuya but now it seemed that she held their attention and it made her already nervous stomach jump. Normally like Maria, Aine wore dresses but today she wore a pant suit. Black slacks, white but sparkly camisole top with a black jacket that also sparkled. Aine wanted to convey her sadness but also that this was an event to be enjoyed. The staring eyes and expectant hush told her that they expected her speak and she faltered for a moment.
Aine bowed. "Umm…" Her voice was a whisper so she cleared it then stepped away from the vehicle. "I want to thank you all for coming. Your love for Lucifer and your support during this time has meant the world to me and the other Lucifer families." She held a hand out for Maria. "You honor Lucifer by being here. I ask you to please never forget them." Holding hands the women bowed again to thunderous applause, chants for Lucifer and each band member and well wishes for the families of Lucifer.
With happy tears, the women led the way inside. TV cameras were set up in strategic places and caught their entrance. The group was met by the Master who escorted them to a table directly in front of the stage. He kissed each woman's cheek then went up on stage.
"It was timing. It was talent. It was magic that first time those boys stood on this stage to sing." The Master paused blinking rapidly. "It wasn't a great performance, not yet. That came later but their potential filled my small club. They worked hard and traveled Japan to hone their skills and gain even more fans. When Lucifer finally got signed to Jupiter Records, it was a dream come true and they grew too big for the Cradle yet they never forgot me. Often they would come to see me sometimes to play, sometimes just to visit an old man. Those boys were good to me, helped me when I needed it and brought me lots of business without asking for anything in return. …Honestly I'm at a loss at what to feel. They weren't just a band but friends, practically family and it hurts that they're not here anymore." The Master withdrew a handkerchief and wiped away his tears. "I won't forget them – Yuki, Santa, Towa, Atsuro and…Sakuya. The best way I know to keep them alive is their music. And so I will give the stage to their friends who came to honor them, to play the music that Lucifer created and touched us all!" The Master bowed and walked off the stage. stepped out first and without speaking began to play.
Sakuya was so on edge that his body hurt. Tonight, this day, hours from now and it would all be over – one way or another. He'd just been bathed yet again. Marcy had been giddy all day long. When she'd returned the night before she seemed pleased like a cat that'd just gotten a fish he wasn't supposed to have. And she wouldn't tell him what she'd done only that she'd invited Ralph and Aine to die. Sakuya had been trying to figure that out all night and still was.
Of course he'd lost some time last night. There were hours he just couldn't remember nor did he want to. She'd come at him again with the intention of him pleasuring her and she him. Sakuya had gone through the motions. It had seemed too risky to put her off by refusing so he did what she wanted and endured her attentions. He may have even climaxed but he did not remember. To get through it, he'd played the piano in his mind. Sakuya had composed a piece that would never be heard by anyone but himself and he called it Hell. It was a thunderous piece that would beat inside one's mind, leave the ears ringing and generally make all conscious thought impossible. When he came back to himself Sakuya felt her get up from the bed to use the bathroom and he'd turned over and feigned sleep and thought of Aine. Now he felt everything, love for her, an ache for her and a wish that Aine live and be happy. Since music was in his blood and fueled his soul, a new song formed in his mind that conveyed everything he felt for Aine. Sakuya wanted to play it for her and see her child-like wonder and that smile that was all his. He didn't get much sleep that night for he was composing and praying.
Sakuya had expected to spend this day alone waiting in terror but he was not alone and that tension he'd had the night before only got worse. Marcy had come in all smiles and helped him use the bathroom then brought them breakfast which they ate as they watched the morning news. He didn't speak and she didn't seem upset by his silence. On the contrary she kept a running monologue about the things they would do once they'd gotten to the United States.
After breakfast she'd bathed him and had disappeared for about half an hour but now she was back carrying several large shopping bags. Finally he spoke to her.
"What's all that?" He inched back in the bed so he could sit upright.
"Ah! He speaks!" Marcy laughed at him. "For someone who sings for a living, you sure do keep quiet. Now that I think about it, you haven't sung for me." Dressed in tap pants and matching bra, Marcy put her hands on her hips and shook a finger at him. "We'll correct that when I return! After we make love, you'll sing to me as I lay cuddled in your arms." Marcy hugged herself thinking of what was to come. Sakuya would truly be hers then!
Sakuya coughed. His throat, his voice, his body was rejecting the idea of singing for her. He slapped a hand against his chest then reached for some water.
"You okay?" Marcy approached the bed as Sakuya seemed to get choked on the water. "Don't tell me you're going to be sick again!" She backed up worriedly not wanting to be near him if he was going to throw up.
Sakuya lifted his head to the ceiling to hide his quick smile. He would love to get sick all over her! Blinking away tears and repeatedly clearing his throat, Sakuya held up a hand. "…Okay. I'm…fine." Several breaths later he could speak again. "The bags?" He asked again and pointed.
Marcy watched him for several more moments but when all he did was stare at her, she decided he was going to be okay and her smile came back. "Clothes! You'll need something to wear when we leave Japan. I got your measurements and picked up a few things. I've got you a gorgeous suit for you to wear and some polo shirts and slacks! While your rocker image is cool, you need to look more like a professional since you'll be doing more movies and TV programs then later stepping into Ralph's and your father's positions. Oh I did get you one casual outfit, a disguise for you to wear when we leave this country." She spoke without thinking as most selfish people did. In talking about the way he dressed and saying 'this country', she'd insulted Sakuya in his taste in clothes and Japan.
Sakuya took another long drink of water to keep from snarling at her. He was more than surprised that she was still here and not off to the city to plot Ralph and Aine's demise. He got scared for a moment thinking that she'd already done something but no, they'd watched the news and Aine and Ralph were still alive and unharmed or so the reports said. As Marcy carried on about the clothes she'd bought, Sakuya wondered what Takayama was doing.
It seemed he was still being held under suspicion for the things found in his house. As to what those things were, the police would not say. It worried Sakuya what would happen to his producer because the fans could be vicious. Already his home had been vandalized and people had shown up at his parents' house hurling threats but apparently they had gotten away or were holed up inside too afraid to face the wrath of rabid fans. It was ridiculous for anyone who knew Takayama to suspect him. If the man wanted to hurt Sakuya, he would do it professionally for that was where Takayama excelled. In many ways, Takayama and Ralph were a lot alike. Takayama wouldn't resort to such violence not when he could destroy Sakuya through what he loved – music. He could also separate he and Aine fairly easily, he'd done it before by preying on their weaknesses as a couple.
"Look Sakuya!" Marcy had been unaware of Sakuya's worried thoughts. The clothes were laid out over a chair and some now hung in the wardrobe. She dug through yet another bag and brought out some sheets. They were pearl pink and pure silk. "Wedding Sheets." Her voice was hushed as she held them in her arms. "Well that's what I call them." Marcy laughed as a light blush stained her cheeks. "Of course these are for tomorrow. We'll consummate our love finally. I'll buy more for our actual wedding night. It will be like saying vows don't you think?" Marcy had walked forward to sit on the end of the bed still holding the sheets close to her heart.
"Tomorrow? I thought…it would happen tonight." Sakuya was confused. She'd seemed so excited yesterday and had run off to the city but now she didn't seem to be in any hurry.
"Anxious my love?" Marcy smiled at him. "I'm going to wait until after the memorial is over and that could last until midnight or so according to the news. So it will be late or very early before I can come back to you. I'll wake you with kisses…" Marcy's eyes got really bright and she scooted closer to him and touched Sakuya's thigh. "I'll take off the chains! We'll bathe together; I'll change the sheets and we'll make love as the sun rises on our new future! Sakuya our life together will begin tomorrow!" Marcy leaned down to kiss his thigh then lay her head there.
Sakuya's leg jumped slightly. I have to spend the whole day with her?! She's going to try and kill my woman and my brother tonight and I have to play lover with her all day?! I don't know if I can! The water bottle in his hand crackled as he squeezed it tightly. Marcy was rubbing her face against his thigh, alternatively kissing it. Will she demand more sex from me? I'll lose all sense of time if she does. As it is, I think I'm losing my mind. I'm forgetting who I am, who I was with her, with them! Will I cease to be Ookochi Sakuya before this day is over?
~mg~
As it happened, Sakuya was in a fog when Marcy finally left. At first things had been alright but as the day wore on, that changed. Somehow the woman had gotten her hands on some movie scripts. Marcy had summarized them and told him which parts she thought suited him best then made him rehearse with her. That farce had lasted a couple of hours then they had lunch and they again watched the news shows and music channels for information on the memorial. Once lunch was over, Marcy disappeared for a couple of hours but she didn't leave the house.
Sakuya tried to rest as he heard her moving about for he knew she wasn't done with him and the anxiety had his heart beating way too fast. All too soon, Marcy was back.
"Whoo! I've been working around the house and worked up a sweat!" Marcy grinned at him then tilted her head. "Sakuya let me see you sweat." Her laugh sounded in the room. "You don't have much room but I'm sure you can find some way to exercise. Come on, let me see that hard body move!" Marcy moved to the window and leaned against the sill.
Sakuya looked at her then down at the bed. She'd more or less confirmed that she was recording what he did when she was away. Those exercises had been a way to move his stiff muscles and relieve his boredom but now he had to do so in order to excite her. While for the most part it would keep her hands off of him, Sakuya wondered what would happen after.
Marcy had licked sweat from his chest and other places. She'd then bathed him again then applied some lotion. She'd taken great care to touch every single inch of him and his mind left leaving his body at her mercy.
There had been a few quiet hours while she'd napped lying on top of him and he stared at the ceiling. As twilight fell, she rose to go fix them dinner or rather heat it. Sakuya had no idea what he'd eaten or if he really had. Again she left him but not the house for another two hours and when she returned she was dressed all in black. Tight black jeans showed her curvy hips and lean thighs. She wore a black turtle neck shirt and a short black jacket as well.
"Why black? I thought they were expecting you?" Sakuya listened to himself speak and was shocked at how lifeless his voice was.
"Never you mind about the details! You just have to wait for me to come home Sakuya. Now where's the remote?" Marcy picked it up off the bedside table and turned it from a silly soap opera to one of the music channels. It was now seven o'clock. "They can't get inside but I figured one of these stations would show what was happening outside. Let's watch!"
And they did watch as guests poured in, each one famous in some way come to say goodbye to Lucifer. The amount of people or rather fans there was amazing. None of them would get to see the live but that didn't matter. They just wanted to be there. Right before the live show started, a stretch limo appeared and once more the two on the bed leaned forward, more intent than moments before.
Aine looked beautiful, vulnerable, sad and hopeful. It was just she and Maria who had shown up. There was no explanation why there was no one there to represent Atsuro, Towa and Santa but speculation was ripe as far as the reporters were concerned.
Marcy's features grew hard as she watched Aine speak and then how the crowd responded to her. God she makes me so sick! Playing miss goodie-two shoes! That girl is just a parasite living off other people. I can't stand people who depend on others to take of them. If left on her own, I bet the bitch would die because she doesn't have a clue how to take care of herself! "Ugh, you must be glad to be free of her!" Marcy looked up at Sakuya only to see him lying back with his eyes closed. "That's right Sakuya, don't look. You don't need to see or think of her anymore." Marcy changed the channel.
But Sakuya had looked. He'd taken her in like the earth did rain after a drought. He soaked her appearance into his retinas then closed his eyes to better cherish her voice. Aine. Aine. Aine. DON'T DIE! Aine… He didn't hear Marcy speaking the nonsense that was always falling from her lips. Sakuya ceased to care and focused only on that last image of Aine.
Marcy shook him until his blue eyes looked up at her. They were kind of vacant and that made her angry but she didn't have time straighten him out now. Actually she supposed this was to be expected since the girl would be gone for good now. By the time she reached the city and then the Cradle, the concert should be practically over. It looked like Sakuya was finally facing the fact that his dependent little friend was as good as dead.
"You can grieve but it better be over the moment I step back into this house Sakuya. I promised not to kill anyone else but if you can't look at me now, at me – I'll kill them all!" Marcy stood with hands on her hips.
Blue eyes snapped up to look at Marcy. "I'll be waiting…for you. Come back…soon." Sakuya's mind found the words and his eyes filled with life for several minutes. He accepted her pleased kiss and even returned her wave as she left and then willed his being to Aine, that she would feel him and his love. Just in case this was the…end.
There was a live feed in Aine's hospital room. Though they couldn't be there, weren't supposed to be alive, Towa and Santa had to see it. Actually they were impressed by a few of the songs performed by their friends and competitors. It wasn't that they did the songs better but added something of their own to Lucifer's songs making them unique.
Even though they watched, they worked as well. They were still contacting realtors hoping to find out where Marcy was holding Sakuya. There had been no sightings of Marcy on the streets. She hadn't bought anything from the black market since right before the bombing.
Before Aine and Maria had left, Hitoshi had called to wish them luck. Of course everyone was relieved that the police didn't really suspect him not since the evidence against him had proved to be planted.
It had been Kyo's idea as a way to watch their backs for the photographer didn't trust Marcy not to try and hurt them even now. In his studio and at Takayama's house, he'd set up cameras, motion detectors and it had paid off. Those cameras provided the proof that Takayama was being framed. With those incriminating pictures, the police had gone another step further and located the source of the rumors started on the internet. They'd found the coffee shop and people who'd remembered Marcy and it was Marcy though she'd been in disguise. Hitoshi and Sasaki were now helping the police in trying to locate her, all the while making sure they learned nothing of what was to be going on at the Cradle that night.
Nobody involved wanted Marcy caught and locked up. That had happened once and it hadn't worked. If were possible, Marcy wouldn't leave the Cradle breathing.
"This is so damn frustrating!" Santa exclaimed. "I'm making phone calls and sending emails but my fingers keep tapping to the music. I want to be there – playing but WE HAVE TO FIND SAKUYA!" His conundrum was felt by his friend.
"I know. Time is running out. If – when Yuki and Ralph get that…woman and if she doesn't talk – we won't know how to find him. If we can't locate him first…" Towa trailed off. He looked up at Santa and both shared a moment of sick urgency. Yuki had told them of the photo. They hadn't mentioned it to the women but kept it to themselves. The Sakuya in the picture was familiar to them. Better than anyone else, they knew that besieged Sakuya and what he'd suffered. They did not want him to suffer that kind of pain and loneliness again.
"We'll get him back. We'll get Sakuya back!" Santa stated firmly, squaring his shoulders. He meant more than rescuing Sakuya from Marcy but his soul from oblivion.
"We will." Towa nodded and went back to typing. Neither acknowledged the girls' stares. Yuuka, Miya and Kai were there too. Yuuka had been unable to attend the memorial with her leg. Miya preferred helping her lover Towa since he was more or less bound to the wheelchair for now and Kai of course was supposed to be dead.
The memorial had been going on for a little over an hour. The cameras set up in the Cradle gave them views of not only the bands but the crowd as well. Their bodyguards were watching the crowds looking for any hint of Marcy. Atsuro and Yuki could also be seen in the Master's small office watching the live on a laptop or pacing.
"Yes, yes we sent you the email. Do you have some information on the woman in the photo?" Miya quickly got to typing searching for this woman's name. They'd sent her Marcy's photo two days ago and never received a reply and her office had been closed up tight. "YOU HAVE SEEN HER?! YOU TALKED TO HER?!" Miya got so excited that her voice got really loud gaining her the others' attention. "Umm, I sorry for yelling at you but please tell me what you know." Her hand shook as she took notes.
Kai ended her call quickly and ran out of the room to alert the bodyguards while Santa and Towa crowded closer to Miya.
"You're sending a list of the houses you showed her? Right now? Thank you. I promise you someone from Jupiter Records will contact you tomorrow about compensation for this information. You've helped more than you know! Thank you!" Miya disconnected and blinked rapidly as tears formed. She tapped on her computer then took a shaky breath as she got the email. "Here! Here! I've got the list!"
"How come it took so long for her to call?" Yuuka asked as her good leg jiggled and she brought up the information on her laptop. She immediately went about checking to see if the houses were vacant or occupied. "At least it only ten houses." She whispered trying to be positive but that was a lot of houses to check in three hours.
"A retreat at a temple! No cell phones or email!" Miya was busy typing too. "These two are in the city!" She printed out the addresses and two men in suits left the room at a run. "BE CAREFUL!" Miya yelled. Enough people had died.
"Eight more. Hold on Sakuya." Towa said.
"Yeah kid, don't give up on us!" Santa ran a hand through his hair as a phone rang in his ear.
~mg~
Almost two hours went by as they called and the bodyguards searched. Five houses had been bought and already occupied by legitimate residents. Three others were still empty. There was no phone or electricity active at those places nor had there been any sign of occupancy. That left two.
"She'd want privacy. Once she had Sakuya, Marcy wouldn't want to chance anybody finding and taking him from her." Miya said.
"But she's a city girl. I don't see her being in the country with any stores or action around. Marcy likes to see and be seen." Yuuka countered. "It's got to be the one on the outskirts of the city. Its close enough for her to have her creature comforts and far enough away to be private." She looked up at Santa who was pacing. Towa sat curling his long hair around a couple of fingers.
"No, I don't think so. This house in no longer on the market. No sooner than Marcy saw it that the owners changed their mind. They're Americans, the house is like ones built in America – full of the things she's used to. These people are rich and what Marcy didn't have, she could buy. I mean the house is supposed to be sitting empty for half a year. It's isolated and as far having action…she has Sakuya for that." Miya said hesitantly then dropped her gaze. She wasn't stupid, she had a damn good idea what was happening to Sakuya. "Besides there have been absolutely no sightings of Sakuya. I think that if he were in the city and knew help was close by, he'd try and get someone's attention or to escape. We need to go to the one in the country and we have to go now. Aine needs to know he's safe. Look at her!" Miya pointed at the wall screen.
Jesus was performing and Tomoyuki was singing Belong. The man had a way about him that touched you with every syllable he sung and it was no different now. This was an important song for Aine and Sakuya. Currently the girl was clutching Maria's hand and crying into the woman's shoulder. Suddenly she looked up with tears running down her face. Her lips moved and Sakuya's name fell from her lips. Aine tried to smile through her tears but it didn't last.
"Santa? The country house." Towa said gingerly standing up.
Santa moved to help him. "Yeah, let's get going." He wrapped an arm around his friend's waist then looked to Yamaguchi-san. "Please send a team to the other house but we're going to the house in the country. Don't worry we won't get in your people's way but if Sakuya's there, he'll need us." Santa was respectful but determined.
"As you wish Nagai-san. I will inform Grazer-sama." Yamaguchi bowed.
"Don't. Not yet. We'll call you when we find him. No need to get their hopes up if we're wrong." Towa suggested. "She's in enough pain as it is." Everyone knew who she was but neither Towa nor Santa looked at the screen. Seeing Aine cry once was enough.
There was an intermission mostly for Aine and Maria's sakes. The Master escorted them back to his office where Atsuro and Yuki were hiding. Ralph along with one bodyguard stepped outside to make a call and find out how the others were doing.
"Come here." Atsuro said and pulled Aine close. The girl was shaking. He stroked her hair and back.
Maria breathed deeply of her husband's scent. Yuki was here, right here in her arms. He was solid and warm and alive. She'd felt Aine's pain and could imagine what if would feel like to not know where the man she loved was or how he was doing and she probably would have collapsed out there instead of be brave and even smile through her tears. "This is so hard Yuki; she shouldn't have to go through this."
Yuki had kissed her the moment she was close enough. Most of the bruises were fading, still visible but not as bad. There had been questions about how she'd gotten hurt but they'd given no official answer. They just let the reporters speculate. It was more important to be together and look for Sakuya. They could give answers later when they were safe again.
"I'm okay." Aine said as she lifted her head. "Tomoyuki put his all into that song but truthfully all I could see was Sakuya when he sang that song for the first time." Aine let Atsuro hold her tighter, she needed it. "Besides, I'm not the only one. We've all suffered by what that woman's done." She stood on tiptoe to kiss Atsuro's cheek then pulled away.
It was easy to let them take care of her but Aine needed to stand on her own two feet. She had to be strong enough to get through this because it was possible she would never be with Sakuya again. Without Sakuya, she would probably lose Lucifer as well. Not because they would abandon her but because it would be too hard to be with them and the reminders they brought. Aine looked at them and the wounds they still carried. Each of them had been hurt infinitely worse than she and though she knew Yuki and Atsuro were there to take Marcy down, Aine planned on doing it herself. She wasn't sure how that was going to happen but she was going to try.
"I should fix my face; I don't want Miya mad at me." Aine found a smile then moved to sit down at the desk and opened her small purse.
The three of them looked at each other. Aine was pulling away from them. They could feel it. If they didn't rescue Sakuya and he was forever lost to them then they would also lose Aine.
"Aine…" Yuki started towards her but the door opened. It was Ralph. "What is it?" He moved instead towards the blond man.
Ralph's mood had improved. It was easy to enjoy the music if you didn't focus on who the music usually came from. It has surprised him how much he missed the sound of Sakuya's voice. He knew his brother's music but it had more of an impact on him than he thought. With each performance, though done in Sakuya's honor, he just wanted his brother up there knocking the rest of them off the stage. "A realtor called. She knew Mary. They're getting some information from her. Hopefully it will lead them Sakuya!" Ralph looked to Aine hoping to see her smile but she didn't.
I can't get my hopes up. If I let this distract me then I won't be ready when Marcy shows up. There's no way that I've given up on you Sakuya. I feel you in my heart and I'm never letting go. Just help me through this night and then I'll turn Japan upside down to find you! Sakuya… She been wiping away her tears and touching up her eyeliner when Ralph came in and had frozen when Ralph entered and told them the news. Aine nodded quietly and finished her makeup. "That is good news. We'll have to keep Marcy busy then so they have time to find Sakuya. Excuse me; I have to use the ladies' room. They'll want to finish the live soon." Aine moved to leave the office but Yuki stopped her.
"We won't give up on either of you Aine. You and Sakuya are our family." Yuki held her chin making sure she was looking at him.
"You are everything we could want in a brother Yuki." Aine said and smiled the truth was in her eyes. "I love you and so does Sakuya though it embarrasses him to say so." She took the hand holding her chin and kissed it then quietly left the room.
"She didn't really respond to what you said." Atsuro said. "If we can't find him, bring Sakuya home – she's gone." He lay both hands against the desk, head hanging low.
"Then we'll find him." Maria said. "Ralph – do we need more people. My family, friends will gladly help. And Oto-san, knows many actors all over Japan, there are people who would help, we just have to ask." She moved to Ralph who now looked worried instead of excited as he had a minute ago.
"She's right. My father, well he has almost as much influence as you do. We can definitely get more people searching." Yuki rejoined his wife and taking her hand in his.
"I'll contact Yamaguchi and see if he could use the help. Is she going to be okay?" Ralph turned to look at the door Aine had just closed.
"She will be when she and Sakuya are back together." Atsuro said and looked at his watch. "A little over two more hours before that witch shows up. What's the best way to kill a witch?" He slapped a fist into his palm.
It was approaching eleven o'clock as three sedans traveled outside of Tokyo. They were burning up the road for underneath the hoods of those cars were the best engines money could buy. Yuuka was the only one being left out. Miya and Towa, Kai and Santa were in one of those cars heading hopefully for Sakuya.
They'd done some checking. The phone had been turned off but the house had a security system. The power was on and with a contact at the power company, they found out there had been an increase in the watts the last two weeks. Sakuya had to be in that house.
Finally they drew close to the house. It appeared to be unoccupied except for a faint light from a window upstairs. Towa and the others waited in the car as the ten security people checked the grounds. Once they were assured they were alone, Sanosuke came over to talk to them.
"There's no car in the garage but we did hear faint sounds from a television. It's unlikely that Marcy would have someone helping her but it's possible there is someone in the house watching him. Of course we could be totally wrong and we're about to burst into someone's home and scare them to death." The man sighed.
"No he's here, I just know it." Miya said urgently. "We checked, we called the owners and the house should be empty! No other family in Japan, no friends checking on the place. Please…" Miya was in the passenger seat, Kai had driven.
"Hey look man, if you don't want to, just get the door open and I'll go in." Santa said opening the backdoor.
"Take it easy, we're going in." Sanosuke patted Santa on the shoulder. "I just wanted you to think of all the facts. If we make a mistake, this is going to look bad for all of us." He saw the determination, hope and worry on the four friends faces. "Yeah. Okay wait here. Like I said there could be someone dangerous inside or having experienced Marcy's deviousness before, there could be some traps waiting for us. Don't come in until we give you the all clear. Got it? I mean it. Neither of you should even be here as it is, I won't be responsible for getting you hurt even worse than you are now." Sanosuke's training showed then. He looked ready to throw both men in the trunk and leave them there while he and his men took care of business.
"We'll make sure they don't do anything stupid and you be careful too. We don't want anyone else to die." Miya was also out of the car and touched Sanosuke arm gently.
"Deal. I'll call your cell. Stay. Here." Sanosuke looked at the four of them then nodded before running to join his team at the backdoor of the house. The other five were going in through the front.
~mg~
Sakuya wanted to pace. He'd already yelled out, not for someone to help but to curse Marcy. It was all he could do. There was no more coverage of the memorial at the Cradle since the cameras couldn't get inside. He'd switched between the local news and the music channels all evening. His skin was too tight because his nerves were threatening to burst out of him. Every so often he would pull on his chains and jerk his feet but they didn't give any more than they were supposed to. When he wasn't doing that, Sakuya was watching the clock. It was now fifteen minutes to midnight. "Aine. God Aine I changed my mind. Run, run like hell! I don't want you to die! Ralph take Aine and run!" Tears left his eyes as he knew neither his lover nor brother would do that. Both would face that psycho and there was nothing he could to stop it or to save them.
"DAMMIT!" Sakuya flopped back against his pillows and lay there. The lights flickered then went out completely then the television cut off. He jerked upright. "What the hell? Is she back? It's too soon!" Sakuya couldn't breathe. If she was back then that meant Aine was dead. "I'll kill her." He whispered. Sakuya stared at the door waiting.
At first he heard nothing then several gunshots sounded out. Sakuya's heart jumped as he smelled gunpowder then men cursing. A rescue? "HEY! UPSTAIRS! HELP ME! HELP ME! I'M TRAPPED UP HERE! SOMEBODY HELP ME!"
"SAKUYA?! HOLD ON, WE'RE COMING!"
Sakuya wiped his face as he tried to control his breathing. "They're here." He looked at the clock but it had stopped working – no power. "Aine – come on guys. What's taking so long? Oh the gunfire. What did that bitch do? YOU ALRIGHT?! ANYBODY HURT?"
"IT'S SANOSUKE SAKUYA! JUST GIVE US A MINUTE. LOOKS LIKE SHE SET SOME TRAPS. DO YOU KNOW WHERE YOU ARE?"
"JUST UPSTAIRS. THERE'S ABOUT A MILLION LOCKS ON THE DOOR." Sasuke had to stop and think. It was a rush to believe that he was about to be free again and if they hurried, they could get to Aine. "HEY SANOSUKE, HURRY – I REALLY WANT OUT OF HERE!" Sakuya gripped the sheets in his hand.
"ON OUR WAY MAN. WE'RE COMING!"
Sakuya closed his eyes. He'd never been much for God or religion but since this nightmare, he'd learned at lot about prayer. It was what he was doing as he waited to be rescued.
There were more curses and thumps as the security people moved through the house. Sakuya heard them on the stairs but suddenly there was a loud popping noise then a hissing as if something that was under high pressure was being released.
"What's going on?!" Fear tightened his belly as someone screamed. "Now what? GO BACK! JUST…GO! YOU'RE ONLY GOING TO GET HURT…LEAVE ME!" The tears came back and he ripped the sheets in frustration and disappointment. Marcy had booby trapped the house in case he tried to escape or somebody entered it.
He didn't get a response but heard them leaving the house. Sakuya gave up. He didn't want to hear anything or see anything. Not true. He wanted to see Marcy one last time because he was going to make sure she never hurt another living soul.
The lights came on but Sakuya was still holding his eyes tightly closed, he didn't notice. Footsteps on the stairs, lots of them.
"GO THE FUCK AWAY BEFORE SOMEBODY DIES! SHE'S NOT GOING TO LET ME G-GO!" Sakuya screamed.
Following his tortured yelling was the sound of wood being smashed and broken. A metal tool of some kind was tearing the door down.
"Sorry no can do Sakuya, your friends are pretty insistent on getting you back. In fact," There was the bleep of a phone. "Come on in guys, the way is clear." Sanosuke entered the room kicking wood and broken locks out of his way.
Sakuya gasped and slowly lifted his head. There at the foot of the bed was Sanosuke smiling at him. He was wearing black, a Kevlar vest and holding bolt cutters. "…Sano?" His chest rose and fell.
"How about I cut you lose?"
"Sakuya!" Santa called.
"Sakuya!" Miya implored.
"Sakuya!" Towa yelled.
He was shaking as he heard familiar voices calling out to him. Sakuya kept blinking trying not to cry as Sanosuke cut the chains from his arms and then his legs. Just as soon as he was free Santa ran into the room.
"…Hey kid." Santa saw the tears Sakuya was shedding. The pink room was secondary. He took in the cut chains, the bolts on the wall, in the floor. "You should take care not to be kidnapped by crazy women, you know that?" He was at bed then sat on it and took Sakuya into his arms. "We're here Sakuya. I got ya." Santa held the dark head against his shoulder.
Miya entered next and covered her mouth. It was pretty room if all you were doing was decorating for a young woman but this was sick for grown woman. She saw the sexual toys on the vanity, the posters of Sakuya in the bathroom, the bedpan. "Sakuya sweetie?" She got on the bed opposite Santa and stroked her hand over Sakuya's back. He was crying like a baby and it sort of scared her. "You okay?" She leaned forward to hold him from behind.
Towa entered the room with Kai's help to see Sakuya crying in Santa and Miya's embrace. He was naked to the waist, covered by a pink sheet. Anger flared in him. Yuki had told him of the restraints but to see them. He's been chained to this bed and was…did she rape him?! "Are you hurt Sakuya?" He pulled away from Kai to join the rest of them.
Kai cried too. Sakuya was safe. "Thank you Sanosuke." She said the man who stood watching over them.
"Yeah. I'm just glad he's okay. It was a bitch getting in here. Four men hurt." Sanosuke shook his head. "She really is crazy isn't she?"
Sakuya had taken Towa's hand but hadn't let go of Santa but he lifted his head. "Aine! We have to get to Aine!" If anything he held tighter to his friends. "She going to kill them – Aine and Ralph."
"Hey shh." Miya said. "They're ready for her. Kai call them and let them know we got Sakuya." She scooted off the bed. "We need to find him some clothes. The police should be arriving any minute. We need get him out of here."
"Right. I'll leave a man behind to explain things but it will be better if Sakuya isn't found here. We'll try to remove any evidence of just who was held here." Sanosuke said as he made to leave the room.
"There are cameras in here." Sakuya's voice went dead. "She recorded…me. You've got to find them." He wouldn't look at his friends.
"I'll take care of it Sakuya, promise." Sanosuke assured before leaving the room.
"Thanks." Sakuya whispered then looked at Santa. "So you survived. You look terrible." He smiled sadly at the bandage on Santa's head then looked at Towa who was painfully holding his side. Sakuya frowned. "What is it? What happened to you?"
"Gunshot wound but its healing." Towa wasn't going to hide anything from Sakuya. He'd been through enough without them trying to baby him.
"I'm sorry. It's my fault. She wanted me but…why didn't I see it?!" Sakuya pounded the bed but stopped when Towa groaned.
"Oh shut up. Marcy's a certifiable nut! And none of us saw it." Santa took Sakuya's face.
"Speak for yourself idiot. We saw it from the start!" Miya said but without any heat. She was back at the bed with jeans and a shirt. "Help him get dressed."
"Wait." Kai approached the bed. "Hey there rock star." She leaned down to kiss his forehead. "Yuki's on the phone."
Sakuya's hand shook so badly that Kai had to help him hold it. Yuki was the big brother, Sakuya's father figure. His voice cracked as he spoke into the phone. "Yu-ki?"
Midnight came and went. The show went on until one and even then, few wanted the night to end. It ended only because the bands had played until exhaustion. They played one at a time and sometimes together. Patrons made requests and there were a couple of encores but finally the Master and Daisuke called it a night. Reluctantly the crowd began to leave. It was only because they saw how tired Aine and Maria looked that they left then. Ordinarily after such a good show, people would have stayed to drink and remember Lucifer but the women looked stressed and people thought that maybe it had been too much for them.
Aine and Maria personally thanked all those who had performed. It was hard to convince them to leave but finally at two am, Aine saw Maria, Kyo and the Master off in the limo. She stood at the back door of the Cradle. There was one SUV outside with two men in it. She and Ralph were to ride back with them. Aine waved at them and they returned the wave before starting the car and driving away. She looked around once more then went back inside leaving the door slightly ajar.
Yuki and Atsuro were in the office. Ralph was waiting for her backstage and together they went to the dressing room. It was the same room that had been used for the movie. It was small and intimate, a nice place for a private chat with a crazy woman.
Ralph watched Aine sit herself before one of the makeup mirrors. It was the same place Sakuya had sat when filming for the TV drama. He was about to speak but Aine beat him to it.
"I left the door open. I know she said she'd get in on her own but I didn't want to make it difficult for her. The security guys drove off too so when she shows up, she'll just find you and me. Are you ready Ralph?" Aine looked up at him in the mirror. "What is it?" She turned around to look at him, something had happened.
Ralph had taken a call from Yuki as Aine had been saying goodbye to the others. He had wanted to talk to Sakuya himself but Sakuya was already on his way back to Tokyo. When she'd come back he was trying to think of a way to tell her. Sakuya had wanted them to call it off, this meeting with Mary but with him safe, Ralph didn't see the need. This would end within the freaking hour! They would go through with it but Ralph decided that it was best to tell Aine about Sakuya, it would ease her mind greatly.
Ralph stepped forward with a smile and stroked her face. "Aine…Sakuya is…"
"Mine. Howdy boys and girls!" Marcy stood in the doorway. "Or should I say boy and girl? Nice of you to empty the club for me." Marcy looked around behind her confirming they were alone.
"Long time no see Mary. I'd hoped to never see you again." Ralph saw a small duffle over her shoulder but her hands were empty - easy. He took two steps towards her.
"Stop. Get real Ralph, like I'd let you get close to me!" That quickly she pulled a gun on him and waved him back. "And the name is Marcy. Mary Lockhart is dead."
"Where's Sakuya?" Aine said standing also walking forward. She pushed aside Ralph's arm as he tried to protect her.
Marcy laughed as she stepped into the room. "You can't really believe I would bring him do you? I'm glad you sent everyone away. I promised Sakuya you two would be the only ones I'd kill. So I hope you don't make a liar out of me for if anyone else shows up – my killing them would be self defense!" Marcy looked around the room and smiled. "So did you enjoy the concert? Everyone should have a little fun before they die." Everything was just as she planned.
"Why my brother? Dammit Mary – Sakuya is innocent! He lived in Japan for God's sake! He had nothing to do with what happened between us. Sakuya's still a kid – not even twenty! What you're doing is kidnapping and ra-!" Ralph was about to say rape but broke off suddenly and looked at Aine.
Marcy scowled. "Not rape but love! I love Sakuya. And you're right, he had nothing to do with the shoddy way you treated me – you and your bastard father! I fell in love with Sakuya's music and then the man himself and he is a man! He is a man from his shiny black head to his large manhood down to his feet! Sakuya is a man who knows how to make love to this woman!" Marcy looked at Aine. "He's a wonder in bed. I bet you couldn't keep up with him! Did you like the picture of us in bed? What? Nothing to say?" She asked when Aine just looked at her condescendingly. "Stop looking at me like that!" Spittle flew from her mouth.
"A woman who has a man's love doesn't need to brag about it. A woman who has a man's love doesn't need to kidnap him or destroy people and buildings! If you and Sakuya did anything it was sex. Just sex, no better than what a whore does with a john!" Aine spoke in a low voice but with a lot of feeling. Anger made her body stiff; her small hands were balled into fists. "Are you trying to make me jealous? Of what? You? Ha! Sakuya had sex long before I met him. Sex with women who meant nothing and who were nothing. Just – like – you." Aine looked her up and down and found Marcy sadly lacking.
Gray eyes flashed and a flush spread over Marcy's face. Her hand came up to point the gun in Aine's face. "Whore? Whore?! Who are you to talk bitch? You slept with all them – Yuki! Santa! Those other two! I bet you even slept with Takayama! How else could a no-talent child like you get away with writing lyrics for a band like Lucifer? It's a wonder you aren't diseased from all the sleeping around you've had to do to get where you are! God – why am I even talking to you? Sakuya's waiting on me. We're going to celebrate your death by making love. LOVE! He loves me! Sakuya's got heart unlike you Ralph! You two deserve each other!" She waved the gun at each of them. "She's stupid enough to think Sakuya loves her and that lying on her back and spreading her legs will get her what she wants. And you Ralph – you're as selfish as they come; thinking money and power will get you everything you want! But I've got the power now and money. Soon I'll have more when Sakuya takes over your company. Don't worry about dying and leaving your father all alone. Once that old pain in the ass makes Sakuya his heir, your father will be joining you." She removed the duffle from her shoulder and threw it Ralph. "Pick it up."
Ralph glared at Marcy for a minute then picked up the duffle then opened it. Inside was a hair dryer. "Are you going to style our hair?" He arched a brow at her.
"Shut up! You sit down where you were before." Marcy told Aine. "And you plug that in next to her. DO IT!"
Aine and Ralph looked at each other. She was looking a little manic so they did as they were told. Aine sat and looked in the mirror at Marcy. Ralph pulled out the hair dryer and got a good look at it. The cord was frayed.
"You were such the little helper Aine. Always made sure there was plenty of water bottles in the dressing rooms. Look there's one right there next to your hand. Open it Aine. What are you waiting for Ralph? Plug it in and turn in on!" Marcy yelled cocking the gun.
"Crazy bitch! You won't get away with this. My brother is more like me than you know. He plays to win Mary and while you've had the upper hand for now, Sakuya's got an ace up his sleeve." Ralph smiled as he plugged in the hair dryer frowning at how lose the plate was then made a show of turning the dryer on.
"Yeah, me! I'm his ace and I'm going to make sure he makes it to the top. It's time he stopped playing musician and go where the real action is – TV and movies. He'll easily reach more people with those dazzling blue eyes of his. Being half Japanese just adds to his appeal – women like the exotic look in men." Her mouth quirked up on one side as she thought of Sakuya's sexy looks.
Aine shook her head. "You know nothing about him. Yes Sakuya can act. He's good at most things he tries but he lives for music. He loves composing, singing, playing piano and guitar. He's even good behind the scenes, mixing and putting the tracks together. Music is Sakuya's love, it's what makes him happy. He'll never be happy acting Marcy. Pretending – he spent most of his life doing that, he won't do it for a living." She turned now to look at Marcy.
Marcy shook her head. "Shut up! I know Sakuya and he'll do what I need him to do! He'll gain fame and recognition from acting then in a few years take over Grazer Media. Once the two of us are established and accepted in the company, he can go back to playing musician! Look his future isn't your concern." She took a breath. "Just lay the open bottle down then pick up the dryer. You're going to have a little accident." Marcy took another breath then calmed down.
"What about me?" Ralph asked. "Your little trick here won't affect me." He said standing up.
"Of course it will. Frayed cords are a fire hazard. She'll be electrocuted and you'll burn to death when the dryer catches on fire. You'll die much too quickly for my tastes but at least it will be as painful as possible. Look at it this way Aine, Lucifer – the devil and your friends are waiting for you. Now pick up the dryer and turn it on for real! You shit – like I couldn't tell you didn't turn it on!" Marcy wrapped both hands around the gun. "Maybe I will shoot you. A bullet hole will be the last thing they'll look for on a burnt corpse!" She braced her feet and smiled at Ralph.
"Hold on!" He raised his hands up. "I just have one more thing to say…to Aine." Ralph looked down at her. "Aine?"
Aine was angry, very angry. "No. No! You stupid, crazy, manipulative bitch! You won't force him to live a life he'll hate! He die a slow death leading that kind of life. No, he'd kill you first! You'd take away his friends, his brother and his music and expect him to stay with you?! Please!" Aine picked up the hair dryer.
"Aine no! Don't! Wait – SAKUYA'S SAFE!" He yelled out. Ralph thought Aine just might kill herself just so that Sakuya would do whatever it took to finally get rid of Mary.
Both Marcy and Aine looked at him but he only had eyes for Aine. "It's true, I swear. Santa and Towa – they found him. They're on their way back now. Sakuya's coming for you." He smiled as her eyes widened.
"Sakuya." Her chest rose and fell. He's safe! Sakuya! Thank God…oh my heart, its warm again. My heart felt like a block of ice in my chest. "You sure? Ralph…" He held out his phone. There was a picture on the small screen, Santa and Towa with a solemn Sakuya between them. Aine smiled. "My Sakuya."
"What the fuck? No that's impossible! They're dead! They Are Dead!" Marcy stamped one foot. "It's a trick! You're trying to trick me! You just had a memorial for them! Funerals are being planned! SHOW ME! SHOW ME THE DAMN PHONE!" Marcy saw the ease on Aine's face. The girl was happy.
"Its' over Marcy. You did kill some people but Santa, Towa, Atsuro and Yuki all survived and not too long ago they found Sakuya. Take a look." He held the phone out so she could see it. Ralph watched her face change not only in colors from pale to burning red but also in expression. She may have been upset before but now she looked like a person strung out on drugs – deranged. Ralph stepped back and closer to Aine as Marcy screamed, aimed the gun and fired.
~mg~
The limo had returned with The Master, Kyo and Maria. They had headed back to the hospital but then Towa called. They went back to the Cradle and were waiting outside for Sakuya. The SUV was back and the guys inside it told them that Marcy was there. Crowded around the vehicle, they watched what was happening in the dressing room. It was just as the gun went off that two cars screeched around the corner. The cars hadn't stopped moving when the doors flew open.
Sakuya fell to ground, not used to walking again but was up quickly. "AINE?"
"Let's go man – Marcy just fired her gun!" Kyo grabbed Sakuya around the waist and following behind the armed guards ran into the Cradle.
There were shoes clattering against the floor as Yuki and Atsuro ran for the dressing room. Out of the supply closet, behind the bar, from behind some large equipment other armed men appeared and ran for the dressing room. Kyo, Sakuya and Sanosuke were on their heels with the rest bringing up the rear.
Ralph was holding his arm as blood poured out of it from the gunshot wound. He was down on one knee looking up in amazement at Aine.
The hair dryer was on the floor where Aine had dropped it. In her hand was a telescoping rod, the same one Maria had used during her attack. Aine had used it when Ralph had taken the bullet for her. Marcy's wrist had been broken and she'd dropped the gun. She was now holding her broken appendage, crying and cursing Aine as everyone tried to crowd into the small room.
"AINE! AINE! LET ME THROUGH! AINE!!!" Urgency filled Sakuya's voice.
"I'M HERE! SAKUYA!" She whirled towards the door looking for her lover but only saw several men who were dressed for combat. The men backed off quickly and there was her man. "…Sa…Saku…Sakuya…" Aine dropped her weapon and took heavy steps to the one who held her heart.
"Ai…my love. Aine." Sakuya's steps too were a little slow but both were moving towards the other and they found each other.
Sakuya took her face and Aine grabbed his waist. Blue eyes dropped wet tears as he stared down at her. His hands traced her ears, lips and chin. They threaded through her hair. Aine slid her hands over his chest, around to his back and over his arms.
"Aine." Sakuya whispered his body trembling.
"Sakuya." Aine breathed his name staring into his dear face.
Finally their lips met and both gasped. It was real. It wasn't a dream. Their lover was there touching them. They hadn't lost each other. They pulled back to smile then clasped each other again and kissed passionately like it was the last kiss they would ever have but truthfully if was the beginning of a lifetime of kisses.
Marcy's pain grew. It traveled from her wrist, up her arm, tightened like a vice around her heart then up into her skull. "Let him go! Lethimgo, lethimgo, lethimgo!" Her words were screamed and said so fast that they ran together. "Mine! He's Mine!" Marcy gasped and rose to her knees. She ignored the guns pointed at her as inched forward. "You – love – me. ME! YOU. LOVE. ME! SAKUYA STOP IT! STOPIT! STOPIT! STOPIT! ITS NOT TRUE! IT CAN'T BE TRUE! YOU DON'T LOVE HER – YOU CANT!" Marcy shook her head sending her reddish-blond hair flying. A few strands got caught in her tears.
Arms still locked about each other, Aine and Sakuya turned to look down at her. Gone was the too proud woman. She was no longer arrogant and superior to all and everyone. Marcy had been broken by the couple and the emotion they shared.
"But it is true." Aine said softly then looked up at Sakuya.
"It is so very true." Sakuya looked down at Aine and kissed her eyebrow.
"We do love each other." They said together then kissed again.
"Sakuya, Aine – come on. Somebody help Ralph." Yuki said blinking happily. Sakuya was back. His family was whole once more and Lucifer would rise again.
She watched as the couple turned to leave. They didn't even look at her. She was nothing to them. It was happening all over again. The man she wanted was leaving, choosing someone else over her. Marcy looked at Ralph who was smirking at her. No. No way. Not this time! He'll die! Somebody has to pay for my pain!
The water bottle had been knocked to the floor when Ralph had been shot. The hair dryer was still plugged in. Ralph stepped in that water as he was helped to his feet. She shouldn't have been able to move that fast. It was too dangerous to take a shot when Marcy was so close to Ralph. But he was saved by Aine and Sakuya. They pulled him away just as Marcy's hand wrapped around the hair dryer and turned it on.
Aine didn't watch but Ralph and Sakuya did. So did Yuki and Atsuro. Her body danced against the floor as electricity poured through her body. From the wall there was a loud pop followed by smoke then fire. Somebody quickly put out the small flame but it was too late for Marcy. She died quickly but painfully.
"I want nieces and nephews to spoil." Ralph said. He was on the floor between Aine and Sakuya. They both held him but never let the other go. "Hurry up and become a world famous rock star little brother and make an honest woman of Aine." He grinned up at Sakuya.
"Always giving orders. Are older brothers always so damn bossy?" Sakuya also found a small smile.
"So I've heard." Aine said making an effort not to look at Marcy. "Of course being the big brother, you should go first and set a good example. I'm sure Mizuki is waiting for you to propose."
"M-marriage? Me?" Ralph looked shocked at the idea and was rewarded with laughter from them. Laughter in the face of death, in its very presence. Aine and Sakuya looked at one another again. The love was still there as it always had been. It had been tested and had proven stronger than madness. "Yes, it's true." Ralph whispered as they kissed behind his head. "I'm still bleeding here!" He said pointedly to more laughter.