Chapter Two

Escape

Instincts had kicked in instantly for Sousuke. He'd not trained, not worked out every single day for his timing and reflexes to be off and in a heartbeat, he had Tachibana to the floor, his own body covering him for protection. His job was always about putting his own body in the way and Sousuke knew that all too well – after all, he'd been shot before. He was just glad that the idiot who tried to shoot him had been a delusional fan of a swimsuit model and not a good marksman otherwise the shot that had penetrated his arm might've gone somewhere else.

Time stood still for a moment as Sousuke assessed the situation he was in. Or maybe it was due somewhat to the distracting presence of Tachibana underneath him. He'd pushed him down so that Tachibana was on his front, his head in the rough carpeting and Sousuke covered him over his back and he could feel the strong muscles hidden under that suit and the soft wisps of his brown hair. It was damn distracting but only for a moment as Sousuke regained composure and did some quick calculations.

The gun had fired but Sousuke was aware that it hadn't been fired at them. It had been fired at the ceiling, the sparks from the strip lighting above telling him that and it was probably just to cause panic and alarm which told Sousuke that he'd got Tachibana to the ground in time for him not to recognised straight away. Using that to his advantage, Sousuke moved so his mouth was close to Tachibana's ear and he spoke softly but firmly.

"You are going to follow me and do everything I say. If you want to live." There was a small noise in confirmation and a move of head. "To the stairs."

Sousuke rolled off the body underneath him and got to his feet in a swift motion. Tachibana was on his feet too within a moment and Sousuke let himself be mildly impressed as it was clear he at least worked out and took care of himself and that was probably going to keep him alive. Or give him a good chance to survive this.

"Go!" Sousuke instructed as he needed to follow, glancing then to see they'd been clocked and he found a man with a gun in his vicinity, turning to fire in their direction and without any thought, he kicked out, grabbing for the gun and pulling it out of the man's hands.

There was a hint of surprise in the other man's face and it was clear that these kidnappers, killers or whatever they were had not expected any resistance at all in getting to their target. It seemed Sousuke was spoiling their day. He smirked as he kicked hard at the man's knee and he crumpled and Sousuke kept the gun, following after Tachibana.

Huh. He was a fast runner as he'd already got to the stairwell door and Sousuke had to catch up, watching as he ripped it open with force and began to run to the ground floor.

Sousuke had a car – a fast car but he doubted whether they would be able to get to the parking lot to retrieve it so they'd had to rely on just running into the streets and hoping. Getting a cab or a train or a bus. They'd work it out from there and Sousuke growled. He'd had a plan – pick up his target, to the safe house, sitting on his ass and watching over Tachibana. Not this.

"Get to the lobby," Sousuke shouted and Tachibana made a "yes" noise as he continued down the floors at a breakneck speed and their pace only seemed to increase when there was sound of more gun fire.

He may've been sure that these guys weren't too good at their jobs but still whoever they were, they were still dangerous and Sousuke needed to get Tachibana somewhere safe as soon as possible. Even if that meant altering his plan.

Taking steps a few at time, risking some jumps, Sousuke overtook and flashed a small smile. "I go first. I'm here to protect you."

They were nearly at the lobby door and Sousuke knew that if these guys were clever they'd have gone down the elevator and waited at the bottom of the stairs. That's what he'd do. He only hoped that they hadn't quite clocked Tachibana and realised who he was as they made their exit. Hope. Stupid word as Sousuke was about plans and precision. Not about hope.

Sousuke shoulder barged at the door, opening it wide and fast, glad that this move knocked a heavy with a gun hard – hard enough for him to not be able to respond to them. Another man was to Sousuke's right and he grunted and levelled a punch at the guy's stomach, winding him and despite the fact both men were armed, he figured they'd been told to collect Tachibana just as he had. It indicated that they didn't want him dead, alive probably to torture and interrogate and so that was at least some useful information from the whole botched extraction.

With a glance towards the other man, Sousuke indicated towards the glass doors and Tachibana ran, Sousuke only taking one moment to survey the men on the ground – they had no identifying marks on their black uniforms, nothing to say who they were so he only kicked one hard and turned to follow Tachibana.

The Iwatobi Corp. building was in a busy area and as Sousuke stepped outside the rushing traffic whistled past him. And he saw Tachibana had paused, waiting for him and some action. He couldn't believe that the guy already trusted him – they'd had one conversation and run from gunmen and that was all they had thus far. But Sousuke saw in those green eyes some kinda faith, he guessed, and it was faith he wasn't sure if he deserved.

The day was overcast, the clouds grey and Sousuke saw the busy traffic in front of the building and ran into it.

He heard a shout of "no" or something of the like as he hit the hood of a car but the action had been calculated and the traffic was moving slowly so he would only have a bruise as the car stopped after hitting him. Sousuke glared at the man who was swearing at him, showing the gun and he motioned to Tachibana to get in.

There was a pause then in Tachibana as Sousuke opened the driver's side, pointing the gun threateningly and making the man get out, afraid. Sousuke could hear screams and shouts and panic but all he was focused on was getting them in the car and away and when the driver got out, he only pushed him aside and got in. Tachibana finally decided to join him and ran around to the passenger side as Sousuke revved the engine and once he was securely inside Sousuke gunned the accelerator, spinning the car around to drive in the opposite direction. Into oncoming traffic.

"What -? Stop! This is the wrong way!"

No other words followed from Tachibana's mouth as Sousuke drove from the building, cars honking as he drove the wrong way, even driving on the sidewalk and people diving away from the vehicle. Sousuke noticed that Tachibana was holding tight to the seat, his fingers white as he clasped the fabric and he smirked at his response.

Finally, Sousuke spun the vehicle in a different direction and joined traffic at the correct side, joining some cars that were slow moving but moving and he looked over to see Tachibana was no longer holding on quite so tight. Though he still looked shocked.

"What did I do?" Sousuke said. "Saved your ass is what I did."

Tachibana only let his mouth open slightly and Sousuke let a small chuckle escape his lips as he looked forward, thinking then of somewhere safe to hide until he could find out some more information from his employers.