A/N: I'm sorry! I'm terrible sorry for the delay! I wanted to update before but I really don't have much time…I have not forget about this fic,…your support, review, it's greatly appreciated!
Warnings: AU, OOC, unbetaed.
Chapter 4: Don't worry me too much.
Kise stated in front of the shadow of the statue conformed for the black two angels. It was nostalgic somehow. It had passed time from the last time Kise's eyes have wandered for that strain black texture. He really shouldn't be here. He really shouldn't stay here seeing this statue in the entrance of one of the zones. It just was so fucking annoying to have fear. It makes him want to beat the shit out of something or someone…
Kise followed the shadow through dark streets filled with more shadows and different smells that certainly were awful. He could see sometime some persons walking far and looking with their eyes to the windows of the poor buildings, he tried sometimes to catch their pace and ask for guidance, but he always fail 'cause he couldn't shake the memory, the threat of the shadow walking far away from him.
He didn't know where he was but he have a vague idea that he was walking to the south all this time and maybe if he try hard he could find the way to come back but - Heck, he still wanted to know who the shadow was, to where it was walking so fast. He wanted to know.
He was aware trying to be a smart kid and find the damn shadow for once but then he found another black wall in front of him. Another dead end. Great. He snorted shaking the stinky air, snap his fingers and turn around annoyed that he have wasted time when the skin around his knees choke against something spiky and hard that cause him to fall to the front, his nose going straight against the ground.
"AW Heck!" Kise cursed lifting his head off the ground and stroking his damaged noise to erase the pain "What the hell it's doing a rope of prongs here," He started to get up eyeing the sudden infamous rope when an empty echo at his side make his head jerk fast to the origin of the sound. A massifmanwith largehandsand thicklegs was heading to him. Kise apart his hands from his nose to the front and narrowed his eyes. He didn't have a good feeling about this.
The man approaches him and staying three steps far from Kise, the man tilted his head. His nasty red hair tilting to his ear hiding partially a scar.
"I haven't seen you before," the man talk "You are not from here," It wasn't a question. And Kise was dirty enough to pass for one of the humans living in here.
The man takes a step stroking his chin "Well, well, of course – such a fresh flesh I will see it from miles."
Kise frowned and cross his arms. What the hell? Flesh? Who the hell was this man calling flesh here?!
"I just hope that you were not calling me flesh," Kise muttered bravely.
"What, you feel offended? You definitely are not from here," The man gave a smirk.
The man took another steps to the little boy in front of him. Kise didn't move although his legs wanted to back off but he didn't care about what his legs wanted. He couldn't show fear. Not now. He had never before had to deal with a situation like this. He just could trust his common sense and the velocity of his legs. Kise frowned.
"Stare it's rude." His voice came annoyed enough to hide the tremble in his lips at the end.
He couldn't take his hazel eyes away of the man, he couldn't believe or understand at all the sly deliberate eyes running up and down for his body. He remember his Mom told him about all kind of persons, perverts and assassins. Bad persons. Persons who against he could do nothing.
Kise's elbows choke against the dirty wall and then he notices that he was stepping back too form the moment the man began to stare. He look to the sides looking an exit. He just have one exit to the right, but something big gripped his chin make him gasp from his mental plans and look horrified up for a second.
"Leave me alone!" Kise voice came strong fixing his gaze in something defiant. He have to get the hell out of here. His mom. He have to see his mom. Screw the shadow. Screw this man.
The man smile softly not retiring his fingers. His another hand stroking thoughtfully his beard "What a pair of eyes we have here. I like you kid."
Kise spat right to the man's face. The man's hands pinning Kise's shoulders instantly to the wall, Kise struggle with his legs and arms trying to fight the unwelcomed approaching on him. His not so strong legs prepared for situations like this tried to kick hard everywhere.
"Release me! You freak! Get off me!" Kise screamed feeling fear in his stomach. The man laugh, an horrible laugh while Kise keep struggling hopelessly, his back burning for the constant rough friction against the wall.
"You are helpless!" The man exclaimed with a smirk in his voice. Kise frowned and bow his head to bite rough one of the man's hands in his arm. The man give out a muffle surprised gasp between his laugh, then he narrowed his eyes mischievously, both his hands jerking up to strangling tightly Kise's pale neck. Kise groaned and move his hands up to the hands cutting the air of his throat.
Kise try, he was desperate trying to kick, to punch, to scratch, to hurt in any way the man's arms around his neck. His panting become more erratic, the man was too much strong for him! He feel that in some moment his neck literally will break and that was a feeling he wanted to shake.
His eyes become blurred, his nails were burning the man's arms skin.
"N..o…." Kise gagged. The man find himself crying again with laugh.
"N...no" Kise feel dizzy. His life couldn't finish just like this. No. He have to stay. He couldn't let his mom alone! No! He...he couldn't this way...no...Kise couldn't but his body was giving up, his legs, his arms, his lungs, his voice without life… the only thing still with life were− his eyes. His stare defiantly once more. Rebellious against his destiny. Against this horrible man and the death behind those hands. He feel suddenly proud and arrogant in the moment. As arrogant as a kid of ten years can be. He might have my life but not a single beg in my eyes.
The man stop to laugh staring back just so instantly Kise thought that. The dirty hands stroked down to the collarbone. Kise gagged still.
"I swear you are just like him!" The man frowned and release a bit the neck "But the difference remains that he is a little bastard and you are not."
Kise coughed and panted letting his head bow to the front, feeling the sweat of his hair soaking his brow, his nose inhaling sharply what he could, oh god, the air, the air was a bliss to his tortured lungs but in an equal quality it was an abomination too. How putrefied the air could be?
Kise almost forget the hands. One sliding down to grip one of his shoulders and another making pressure between his thighs. The hazel eyes flew open, his mouth making a moan for the hard grip between his thighs.
"Bastard! What the hell are you doing?! Get your hands off me!"Kise yelled with lack of oxygen.
The man low his mouth to Kise's ear "Now Now," the man whisper husky "Don't be so noisy. It's not like you will remain virgin with the people that I'm going to seal you soon," Kise's hands clenched, the man licked the ear in front of him, so tempting and innocent "But let's forget about they, I will taste first the merchandise. We have to prove to they that you come from a top quality. Don't you think kid?"
Kise's mind shut off.
"NO SHIT!" He denied shaking his head fervently fighting with his fists "NO!" He denied screaming this time when the scream was cut off for a fist hitting twice his stomach. Kise felt his knees tremble and before he knew his body fall almost unconscious to the ground.
The man sigh and kneel to take Kise's weak body from the ground.
The kid have great white skin.
He might stay dirty now but underneath that the man was sure it was pale pure skin untouchable. The man lick his lips helplessly starting to smell the kid's blond hair...oh so soft...the injured neck...oh so pale...the man look to the upper chest under the scholar shirt...
"Fresh flesh." the massif man though again. Oh lord, I told you. The man chuckle when he notice Kise's one tear of blood rolling down for the flushed cheeks.
Kise only could think over and over in his mom, in his dad. Help. Help me.
Suddenly Kise fall into the ground for a second time, his eyes grimacing for the pain in his back and neck. Kise sit frowning cheering his legs to get him up fast. He unexpectantly heard the screams of pain behind his back from the man. Kise hurry and get up a bit unsteady. Then he turn and gasp surprised when he saw a kid pounding furiously with a hot rod of iron the man's back over and over in successive waves of tens. Kise froze shocked seeing the blood and the furious eyes full of rage from the kid over the man. He couldn't help but shuddered when the kid stop suddenly some time after and look up straight to him.
He maintain the stare.
But when something cold touch his arm Kise jerk to the side reflexively breaking the stare. His eyes feeling alleviate. Then he discover that that "something cold" was a small hand hanging in the air. He look startled asking himself in what moment this other kid had appear at his side. Big blue eyes were studying him in silent. The small kid reach once more for Kise's arm. Kise stepped back evading the hand debating if he should run but the answer came when he saw those eyes and feel an inexplicably trust.
"Come with us," A firm voice say softly "Please, we will show you the way out if you want."
The man scream with horrible pain once more. Kise turn his head but was stopped when the kid with big blue eyes rise his fingers fast to Kise's cheek stopping him to look. Kise turn to the kid insecure and confuse with blood in his hair.
"Don't." The kid whisper.
The blue eyes remain peacefully don't letting Kise look to another place. The seconds passed like years.
Kise's heart knew something was wrong. That man was evil, was the worst shit who deserved worst but still he was being killed at his back for god's sake!
The cold fingers transmitted warm but the eyes were unblinkable and they were murmuring a silent forgotten lullaby…
'...Serene...Be serene...benign...stay benign...'
Kise clenched his hands at his sides. What I should do? I want to run. To do something. I don't want to hear more of anything.
The blond hair was being caressed gently distracting the mind from the screams.
Kise closed his eyes.
'...Serene...Be serene...benign...stay benign...'
Kise open his eyes and smile.
"Long time huh?"
Two big blue eyes were staring gently at him covered slightly for long locks of a pale blue hair "Kise kun I'm happy that you are fine."
Kise turn his head to his side and smile lovely at the boy "Kurocchi but if you have not changed a bit!"
"You have not changed too." The answer came fast and softly.
The blond mess his hair grinning "I'm taller now, but you- except for your hair- it's more long you know- you are the same! Don't be so serious with me Kurocchi," Kise pouted childish.
Kuroko smile a bit. Old habits never die. Kise could pout still at him. And for a moment Kuroko space out remembering old times. Six- seven years before...things have changed a lot...he could still hear the smiles...the jokes…but the smiles couldn't keep the rhythm for so much longer.
"...and you know," Kise commented "You should be grateful to me," Kise paused for a moment, Kuroko pay attention "You are the only one I still call with this suffix."
"Really? Should I be grateful?" Kuroko teased.
Kise chuckle "Of course you should! I'm really happy to see you!"
Kuroko make a step and tilted his head looking inside Kise's eyes "That person doesn't want you here."
Kise stop to chuckle and froze.
"I don't... want… neither to be here but..."Kise bit his lip "Kasamatsu san had a match in the C-zone, I'm kinda worried..."
Kuroko look away to the statue and sigh.
"I know. He wants the best, the better for you Kise. You are the one that is constantly worrying him. He comes to me to talk ab−"
"He comes?" Kise cut off with uneasy eyes.
"Yes. Two days ago." Kuroko make a pause and look to Kise's eyes again "You have to know that he arrangement that game for you. And you know why. Don't make your friends go to the danger in vain."
Kise feel a stab of pain in his chest. He stare down feeling guilt and embarrassment eat him up. He wasn't doing this again right? He couldn't be acting wrong...he definitely couldn't let something happen again. He feel shame. How much time have passed since the last time he received straight words from Kurocchi? Such famous quiet words that make him flush for how straightforward they were. But he understand. He understand better than no one that Kurocchi wanted only good things to him. He was like Kasamatsu san. Both acted in their own ways for his own good.
Kuroko will never betray him. He was just the best friend you could wish for. Kise wished for a moment that he could embrace his friend and repose his head in Kuroko's shoulder like when they were kids in old times. But time has passed. And he didn't have the right. And then he have Kasamatsu san to do that. His sempai to comfort him- so selfish like that sound- and make him smile even in the times he wished stay alone and he acted like shit.
Kise look up a bit shyly "I'm sorry Kurocchi, for worrying you too." Yeah, I understand.
Kuroko smile and the smile reach his eyes.
Kise blushed for a second remembering he wanted to hug this friend of his. But he shake the feeling and walked towards Kuroko. Maybe in another time. Once at his front he ask with new burning eyes "Where is Kasamatsu san?"
"So? Decide fast, you are with us or not?"
The loud words startled Kise who open his eyes and look with horror the blood tinted in the face of the kid who was beating the man before, and now was eying Kise and the other with blue eyes.
Kise swallowed and look for some kind of words to say. But he found nothing. He didn't have many options. He couldn't choose in this moment to stay alone again. He really didn't want to walk alone. And although so part of his mind was yelling that this kid was dangerous another part was telling him to be practice and see that he was being saved. Kise look to the wall and see some movements of maybe another persons near. Bad or good people? He look to the dangerous kid. A question pops up in his mind.
"Are you the shadow?" He just simple asked not knowing why he was asking that suddenly.
The kid walk with abrupt steps to him until Kise could see the pair of eyes clearly with the moon's light. He notice then two details. The kid has eyes of different colors. And he has red, stunning red hair.
The red-haired kid laugh dramatic "This time I will admit that− I was the one –who− attracts you here. But−" He pointed to the other one "The shadow, that's Kuroko okay? Don't confuse me," The kid said smirking signaling then to Kise's chest with the iron rod "I'm the king of the kids, the king of the streets. To you, I'm Akashi."
-o-
Kise run faster for the street evading people, while his mind was remembering the last words Kuroko had told him before say good bye.
"Kurocchi you know this guys who are playing against Kasamatsu?"
Kuroko nod "Yes, and I do not like them," Kuroko show me a disgusted look "They don't know how to lose Kise. They definitely are horrible, but more than that, it's the chief behind them."
I sigh "Do I know these guys?"
Kuroko shake his head "No, they come after you left,"
I couldn't help my eyes showing a guilty expression "I'm sorry Kurokocchi. But, I don't regret my leaving."
Kuroko frown analyzing the blond's words "Maybe not,"
I look to the door in the wall who will direct me to another street and to the place who should stay my sempai. Kuroko look to my face intently. I take a deep sigh. One more question.
"And, how's Akashi?"
Kuroko see to the door "Like always."
Kise stop breathlessly staring to the playfield. Nobody was there and that was strange. He look around finding some guys smoking happiness. Smiling a bit too much. Kise walk with the feeling of desperation treating him for the edges of his mind.
"Kasamatsu! Kasamatsu san! Kasamatsu! "Kise call. No answer. "Hayakawa!"
Five minutes passed "Dammit!" Kise cursed. They were not here anymore. Two kids were playing cards on the road. One boy with long hair laughing his lungs out staring casually at Kise. Kise choose to go and talk.
"You," He stop in front of the boy "Do you know who I'm talking about don't you?"
The boy narrowed his eyes "Sorry, I have something in my throat that doesn't leave me talk too much."
Kise sigh impatient "God. You are not using that with me. I need to know, I need my answer."
The boy laugh "Screw you! And your fucking answer!"
Kise make a move to grip the boy's shirt but seeing the silver shine he waves the boy's hand roughly and before the boy could breathe again Kise have his back pressed to the wall, the knife in some part of the ground. The two kids taking fast his cards to run. The laughs of the others happy-boys stopping a bit.
"So, where are they?! Answer!"
The boy's respiration go loud, the boy was just fooling around, didn't want problems "S-sorry dude! t-they walk some blocks down with s-some other guys! I don't know more! I swear!"
Kise released the boy's arms , he saw true in those eyes "Thanks" he said before starting to run again in the direction the boy's head signaled him.
Kise almost gasped when in his run he saw in a corner the brown hair and the bushy eyebrows in a battered face unconscious. A couple of women eyeing a bit the guy.
Kise run and diligently take Hayakawa's face between his hands "Wake up! Hayakawa open your damn eyes!"
Kise shake so hard the face that the eyes couldn't evade the command and finally the voice came out "Kise…?"
Kise inhaled deeply "Yeah, now, you feel some bond broke?"
Hayakawa blinked and shake negatively his head standing up with the blond's help "Not that I think. I can wark you know!" (1)
Kise felt the shove, Hayakawa stubbornly standing up alone, breathing hard.
"Those imbecire guys! They don't know how to rose! I wirr clush then! I still have file inside of me!"
Kise sigh but he couldn't help smile a bit for Hayakawa's speaking problem and his hell of enthusiasm "They probably beat you too much in the brain," Kise snorted.
"The herr? Why you say that fol?" Hayakawa grimaced leaning his shoulder against the wall.
"You are in pretty bad shape now to go beating someone, don't interrupt me," Kise talked seeing the state of Hayakawa's body "I need you to wait here while I get to Kasamatsu, I assume you don't know what happened to him?"
Hayakawa frowned badly "You can't go arone! Don't be a molon with me! No, I dunno to whele Kasamatsu goes! Arr was so fast! But I-"
"Fine. Then you wait here. I'm fucking serious," Kise pointed with a glare "You wait here while I'll be back."
Hayakawa didn't like the idea. But Kise was already running again.
It didn't pass much time when Kise hear one scream and saw a body falling to the ground.
"Kasamatsu san," He muttered feeling his eyes twitching.
He didn't notice that his feet were covering the distance in a second and that his fist react fast straight to the guy's chest. Just one punch in the heart. Enough to kill if it was good localizated and very strong. And it was strong enough.
Kise turn to the other guy, he kick him in the guts, the stomach and finally in the jugular.
Kise turn fast to see the other two guys. One run, the other not. The one who stays have a knife.
"What, feeling strong for that?" Kise signaled "Oh," Kise move his hand down his pocket "But look," He played with his fingers "I have a knife too."
The guy waved impatient in the air. Kise didn't move. A slight scratch tinted red Kise's left cheek. Kise smirk.
"A gift for you." Instantly he avoid the agonizing tries and buried the knife with fury in the guy's leg. The guy scream and Kise took off the knife not before causing more damage.
"Go! Now!" Kise screamed.
The guy dissapear. Kise frowned and feel the blood from the knife wetting his fingers. He open his lips a bit and breathe all what he could. He have to calm down. His eyes blinked when they saw the body of the first guy still on the ground. He stepped back, his nails clenching in one of his arms. I- I need to calm down.
"Hey, smartass,"
Kise turned stunned. Kasamatsu was trying to get up with the help of the wall, one of his eyes narrowing with a nasty scratch over his eyebrow, his lip wet with blood "Help me, please?"
Kise gasped and jump to his side. Without thinking his arms run around Kasamatsu neck. Kasamatsu froze in the act. Since when…since when Kise had not embrace him? The blond was breathing hard and painfully burring his head in Kasamatsu's damaged shoulder. Kasamatsu grimaced silently. His arms going up to embrace Kise back. Thank god he was supporting his back to the wall. Kise was really hugging him hard.
The closed hazel eyes feel like watering. His heart feeling more peace. His breath more steady. Jesus. Don't worry me too much. If…if something had happened I don't know what I would have done.
Kise feel the caress in his hair various times before he obligated his eyes to open up, his mind to work again. Then he notices. He…what- what was he doing? Kise blushed and jerked away with much force than necessary. His eyes wide and his arms froze at his sides. Kasamatsu moaned.
"Be more careful won't you? You can't hug a person and then throw it away like that 'kay?"
Kise blushed to his ears "I- I didn't…I- how could I? I'm sorry." Kise voice sound flustered. Kasamatsu smile.
"Don't be sorry and - don't blush…For God's sake!"
Kise look down missing the softly blush in one of his sempai cheeks. Then Kasamatsu chuckle.
Kise look up shyly when Hayakawa's voice startled both "Pail of Idiots! Can't we go now?! We don't want the night catching us hele!"
Kise was about to scream for his negligence to Hayakawa who recklessly choose to not stay calm, when Kasamatsu's voice came first than him.
"Why the fuck you are moving like that whit your leg in that state! You want to screw your leg so bad? ASSHOLE!"
Kise's eyes focus in Hayakawa's leg. God. It was worse. It was bleeding awfully.
"What happen?! You were not like that when I found you!" Kise snapped angry.
Hayakawa scolded "Can't we tark about this ratel?! I want to go! Ret's go Prease! I can't stay carm in this prace!"
Kasamatsu glared. Kise sighed. At least both his friends were 'fine' and with energy enough to glare each other. Taking a deep breath Kise mess the sweat of his hair a little before talk.
"Kasamatsu san later you will talk to him but now…let's go back."
Hayakawa grin wildly "Yeah, ratel you two can hug each othel again."
Kise feel his cheeks blushing again. Oh no. He saw that. Kasamatsu snorted.
"You are a little bastard. We definitely will talk later. L-a-t-e-r. Pronounce well for once."
Kise smile. Hayakawa fumed and Kasamatsu smirk.
"Clap, clap, clap"
Kise looked to his left stopping his smile. Someone was clapping?
"Am I interrupting the fun?"
Kise's fists closed with rage. A tanned tall guy was staring at him with his arms crossed and that fucking annoying smirk. Kise feel his neck suddenly empty.
The thief has returned.
(1) Yeah, well remember that Hayakawa have this funny speaking problem, if you don't remember he pronounce an L instead of an R and viseversa.