"Ash, are you coming?", Eiji called out to him impatiently. Ash sighed, grabbing his bag and throwing his backpack over his shoulder. But not before glancing around nervously, automatically checking if someone had followed them here or had been watching them from any direction. Better to be safe than sorry. He wanted to believe Eiji that everything was fine, but he couldn't help double checking. He wouldn't repeat his mistake and let his guard down around Eiji again...
Max and Ibe had insisted on driving them to the airport and saying good bye to them. Eiji and the two of them were already heading to the entrance of the airport. Of course not one of them had even bothered checking the areas for any danger. Typical. They spent more than one year with him, were threatened, kidnapped, nearly tortured, got shot or hurt and had learned absolutely nothing from those horrifying experiences. They still acted like completely naive tourists that were sad their little sightseeing trip to the Big Apple was over. He couldn't believe how carefree they still behaved after all the shit they had been through because of him. He secretly wished he could feel so relaxed, but his harsh life had taught him better. For him peace was an illusion that made him suspicious, a bubble that would burst into nothingness when he was slacking off only for a second. His whole body had tensed up as soon as he got out of the car, his smart mind expecting an attack at any moment. Everything just went too smoothly for his taste until now. It was too easy. Or was it?
Eiji called out to him impatiently. Again. He had insisted they'd leave early because this time he intended to catch the plane. But which idiot went to the airport two hours before a flight?, he thought to himself, silently grumbling. It gave his enemies only more opportunities to attack them.
An airport was the perfect place to do so, a wide and open space without any obstacles to hide behind as cover. It was the perfect opportunity as well since he didn't carry a weapon for once. The mere thought sent shivers down his spine. He gripped his bag a little harder than necessary, looked around one last time, then walked towards them.
While heading towards them, he thought back to his conversation with Eiji about leaving New York. Eiji had asked him if it was hard for him to leave New York. But it really wasn't, he had realized. Although he himself had been half-surprised by his quick response.
"No, it's not. New York has never been a real home to me, it was more like a living hell on earth or a constant battlefield. I won't regret leaving here. Only horrible things have happened to me while living here."
Except for meeting you.
To be honest he was just relieved and grateful to be able to leave this city. And go someplace where no one knew him, his dark past and his connection to Dino and his syndicate. Of course, he'd miss his gang, especially Alex and all those dumb idiots like Kong and Bones that had been more of a family to him than anyone else. But his gang would be safe with Alex as the new leader. And he certainly wouldn't miss being a gang leader, that was for sure. He had only become one to protect himself and others close to him. He wouldn't miss the cruel and violent world of warfare and crime.
He had always wished for a normal life similar to Eiji's. A life where you didn't need a gun or a knife. Where you were able to live in peace, instead of just surviving from one day to the next. Where your biggest problems were that you missed the last bus, what to cook tonight or which college to choose. He had always envied Eiji because he grew up in a peaceful and quiet world like this with a loving family that actually worried about him. He had always dreamed of living in an ordinary world where people were working normal 9-to-5 jobs, raised their kids and lived freely without any real danger threatening their daily lives. Where guns and sinister incidents like violence, rape and murder stayed in the fictional world of crime series like CSI New York.
"Ash, come on. We have to find our check-in counter.", Eiji said, pulling him out of his daydreaming, taking his wrist and leading him into the airport. When Ash started to look around again, always on guard, Eiji looked at him. "Everything will be fine. I promise.", he said, turning around to him. Eiji's self-confident smile made him relax a little.
After they had checked in their luggage, it took them some time to find the right security gate. That's when Ibe and Max had to say goodbye to them. Ibe was working on an article together with Max at the moment and wouldn't fly back with them. Ash thanked Ibe and asked him to see his photos of New York someday. Ibe smiled at him and nodded. Then he slowly placed a hand on Ash's shoulder. "Ash, not everyone gets a second chance in life. Don't let it go to waste. Try to enjoy your new life and live the life you've always wished for. And take care of Eiji for me. He went through a lot, too.", Ibe added , a worried look on his face while turning to look at Eiji. "I will, I promise.", Ash replied honestly while following his gaze to the spot where Eiji talked cheerfully to Max and said goodbye to him, oblivious to their gazes.
"Eiji, take good care of my son", Max said with a grin on his face. "He needs someone to look after him. And to tell him what an insufferable idiot he is sometimes.", he added, gripping Ash's shoulder lightly after he had walked over to them. Ash flinched a bit at the unexpected touch, then gave him a dirty look.
"Go to hell, old man!", Ash grumbled irritatedly.
"You know, kid, after everything I've been through with you, hell will be a relaxing walk in the park for me.", Max replied nonchalantly, smirking at him. "Told you to stay out of it.", Ash sneered back at him. "Your fault for not listening."
Eiji just grinned at both of them. "Don't worry, Max, I can handle that stubborn idiot." Ash just stared at him, feigning annoyance. "Which side are you on?", Ash complained to him, crossing his arms defiantly.
"Ei-chan, do you have a minute? I want to talk to you about something before you leave.", Ibe asked Eiji. He promised Eiji he'd come back in a few weeks and explain everything properly to his family. And that he had told his mother over the phone that he had been shot when mixed up in a mugging gone wrong and he should stick to that story. Eiji just smiled sadly at him. "Do you really think my family would believe it if I told them the truth? They would tell me to look for psychological help because I lost touch with reality." Ibe just smiled back at him, relaxing slightly. "You're probably right. Sounds like a thriller, a gang movie or a murder mystery."
Apparently they both wanted to give Ash and Max the chance to talk alone, since they walked a few meters away from them before continuing their conversation.
Max turned to Ash, suddenly a sad look on his face. Or was that concern? Ash couldn't really tell.
"So this is goodbye, huh?", Max said, suddenly sounding like a concerned parent. "Take care of yourself, Ash. And listen to Eiji, alright? And don't be so stubborn all the time and talk to him. He'd do anything to help you, ok?"
"Yeah, I will.", Ash answered honestly, never stopping to watch his surroundings carefully.
"Ash, you and Eiji will be both safe in Japan. You deserve a happier life. So make the most out of your new life, ok? This is your second chance, kid.", Max assured him.
Ash's eyes had softened a bit, but there was still a shadow of worry lingering behind. Running a hand through his hair, he replied "I'll try my best." Max smiled at him. "If you're with Eiji everything will work out. You'll see."
That made Ash actually smile. "Yeah, I know."
Ash wanted to say something else to Max. He was the main reason he was still alive after all. Without his incredibly fast reaction and his arrangement with that private hospital he wouldn't have survived. However, he was here. Still alive. And at the airport. A new life ahead of him. With Eiji by his side.
He looked away from Max, avoiding his gaze. He had never been good at things like that. Emotions. He had only learned to suppress them, ignore them. Never to express them or how to react to them. So his smart mind just drew a blank when trying. Damn! It seemed so easy when Eiji did that. He always said what he was feeling without thinking twice.
But not mentioning to Max how grateful he was would be more than rude after all he had done for him. Thankfully Max had noticed his hesitation as well. "What is it, Ash?"
That made Ash finally look at him, resolve returning to his green eyes. He sighed dramatically, realizing a mere "thank you" wouldn't cut it this time. Not by a long shot. But he had not the slightest idea what else to say.
"I wanted to tell you something before I leave.", Ash began, hiding his clenched fists in the pockets of his jacket, his eyes flickering nervously while looking away from him again.
"Thank you. For ... saving my life... And getting me to that hospital." Then he looked straight into his eyes. "I probably wouldn't be standing here without your help..." Max stared at him, eyes widening, completely astonished for a moment, but then his features softened considerably and a warm smile started to spread across his face.
Damn that old man, he can't look at me with such a caring expression. Only Eiji is allowed to look at me like that...
Before he knew it, a silent tear ran down his face. Seeing that, Max put his arms around his shoulders and slowly hugged him. After a moment of hesitation, Ash clumsily hugged him as well.
"You'll be fine, Ash. Enjoy your new life. And try to forget the rest. I know that won't be easy for you, but remember that you're not alone. And I'm not just talking about Eiji, you know.", Max assured him. That last sentence made Ash slowly pull out of the hug and look up at him, a confused expression crossing his face.
"I'll be in Japan in a few weeks. Together with Shunichi. I'll be seeing you then.", he explained, grinning.
"And don't you dare not meeting with me or I'll make sure to drag your sorry ass off myself.", he told him threateningly, smirking at him.
Ash just rolled his eyes dramatically. "Whatever you say, old man...", Ash said stubbornly. But then he looked up at him again, half-smiling. "Thanks, dad. For everything."
"Have a safe trip, kid."
After Max and Ibe had left, Ash and Eiji went through security just fine, so Ash's new documents really were foolproof or the real deal. He could see the relief overwhelming Eiji's features when he got through security without any difficulties. He could basically see the tension and the worry running away from his face, his whole body finally relaxing. Eiji's way too honest face was always so damn funny it made him smile and relax instantly, only feeling a tiny bit guilty for worrying him. Eiji probably hadn't been worried that his new passport wasn't genuine, but instead that he would bring anything with him in his carry-on baggage he wouldn't get through security. Like a knife or any other sharp object.
Eiji had explained to him the security regulation at the airport and what he could and couldn't get through security screening. He had been completely shocked that Ash had never heard of those rules to pass security before. But since Ash had only flown on Dino's private airplanes, he had never been forced to go through any security gates. He didn't understand those ridiculous rules at all, but apparently you couldn't bring any sharp objects in your carry-on baggage. Ash had pointed out to Eiji that those rules were absurd. If he wanted to kill someone he would, with or without stricter security rules. Hell, he could just strangle someone with his shoe laces or his belt, he didn't necessarily need any sharp object. If security only knew what his hands were capable of, they would never let him pass through security. He was a deadly weapon himself after all.
Eiji had just stared at him, giving him an exasperated look. But he just loved teasing Eiji and seeing all his honest emotions playing one after another on his face. It was fucking hilarious. Eiji had explained to him that he could only bring knives or anything like that in his suitcase, but not in any carry-on baggage. And that he had to get his weapon registered and checked in together with his bag before taking it on a flight. Ash had grinned wickedly at him. "Yeah, that conversation will be really entertaining:
Good afternoon, I want to register my illegally obtained .357 Magnum with a filed off serial number for which I don't even have a gun license or a permit." Ash couldn't help but smirk at that comical scenario.
Eiji had just stared at him wide-eyed for even considering that. But Ash had just been messing with him. He never wanted to use a gun again in his life. That was all in the past. But he did have a knife in his bag he had checked in. Because you never knew...
Ash was looking at a book store's window while Eiji checked which way the gate was they had to go to. They still had to kill time because boarding time was only in one hour. Ash wasn't really looking at the books for once, he was trying to distract himself from all the possible worst-case scenarios he had come up with that would prevent him from leaving at the last second. He had automatically checked all escape routes and emergency exits already. He just wanted to board that damn plane as fast as possible. Without any obstacles or danger preventing that or endangering Eiji or anyone else.
He just stood there, trembling at the mere thought, his hands clenched into fists while his penetrating gaze was burning holes in the book store's window. He was about to look for Eiji when he saw a familiar reflection in the window and felt a sudden movement behind him. One that didn't belong to Eiji. But to someone else he knew only too well. Who moved much too silently to be an ordinary tourist. Standing there in his extravagant Chinese clothes, he had made sure he was the center of attention. But the vicious gleam darkening his eyes and the dangerous aura surrounding him assured that people stayed a good distance away from him. Some of his bodyguards were standing some meters away, hiding efficiently in the shadows, practically invisible.
Ash turned around at lightning speed, facing his opponent, his eyes turning hard and emotionless, flaring up dangerously.
"So Ash Lynx is really still alive, huh?", Yut-Lung began, standing there with crossed arms and a smug look on his face.
Before Ash had the chance to think of a witty reply or even understood what was happening, Eiji had moved in front of him in a protective stance, asking confidently "What do you want from us?", glaring coldly at the Chinese.
Ash was momentarily paralyzed, unable to move, staring at Eiji's reckless behavior in complete disbelief. For Ash it felt like a déjà vu. Reminding him too much of the moment when Eiji pushed him out of harm's way, taking the bullet for him. The situation now was exactly the same. Only without the gun. Eiji putting himself in front of Ash without a moment's hesitation. Despite knowing he could protect himself. He had never seen such a terrifyingly cold glare on Eiji's face before, mixing in with utter determination. Seeing such a hardened expression on Eiji's face shocked him more than anything else. It sent a chill down his spine.
"So your favorite pet is protecting you now? Pathetic.", Yut-Lung spat viciously, throwing a death glare towards Eiji. Who didn't even flinch and stared right back.
That made Ash wake up from his stupor at last, moving in front of Eiji. "What the hell do you want, little girl?", he demanded coolly.
"And how did you know which flight we would take?", Eiji added curiously. "Sing –"
"I have my ways. I don't need Sing's help for some easy task like that. That idiot doesn't even know I'm here. Naturally, I have enough connections and a tightly knit network to find out when you two leave the country.", he answered snidely.
Ash grew more and more impatient. "This is the last time I will ask nicely. What the fuck do you want? Kill us?, he asked nonchalantly. "You should have done that the last few months. I was a really easy target.", he added, his cold voice dripping with sarcasm. "But that's not the reason you're here, is it?"
"No, I don't wish to kill you anymore, Ash.", explained Yut Lung calmly. "You're not a cold-blooded and lethal lynx anymore, but a mere pathetic little kitten. I was only interested in you as a worthy rival, an equally strong and smart opponent. But now that the Lynx got domesticated, you aren't worth my time.", he added with a sneer spreading across his face.
"I'm sure you'll find another toy to play with...", Ash added teasingly. "But that still doesn't explain why you took all the trouble and wasted your precious time just to come here.", Ash mocked him. "Just get this over with. We don't have all day.", he complained while looking at his watch. "As you know we have a flight to catch.", he reminded him, his green eyes darkening ominously.
"I just wanted to see with my own eyes that you're really still alive.", he replied indifferently, shrugging. "And I wanted to see your shocked face. And that was totally worth it.", he taunted him.
"And what will happen now? You're gonna shout it from the rooftops?", Ash asked, a smug look on his face, knowing perfectly well that would never happen. Not as long as Sing was there and had him wrapped around his little finger.
"I won't gain anything from telling anyone.",he confirmed Ash's assumption. But after a moment a frosty smile crossed his face, making his eyes glow threateningly.
"I just wanted to make sure you really leave New York for good. As long as you stay in Japan and won't interfere with my business here in NYC, I won't tell anyone you're alive. But if you come back, things will change.", Yut Lung tried to intimidate him, a self-satisfied look on his face. "The same goes for your pathetic little pet here.", he concluded, glowering menacingly at Eiji who glared back as intensely.
Ash really wished he could wipe that arrogant look off his pretty face, but he was way too smart to fall for Yut Lung's provocation. Even Eiji saw what he was trying to do. "People have already noticed us.", he whispered to Ash. He looked around, realizing that Eiji was right. Fuck. The last thing he wanted to do was to cause a commotion and draw attention to himself.
"Why the fuck would I ever come back here? I'm officially dead. Thanks for being the errand boy for my new documents by the way.", he challenged him, a wicked grin playing on his face. Yut Lung's posture stiffened while glaring at him with unhidden disgust.
"I just want to get the hell outta here. So you worried your pretty little head over nothing.", he assured him. "So take your goons back to your fancy little mansion, drink a glass of champagne and keep getting on Sing's nerves.", he suggested, an ironic smile dawning on his face. Before Yut-Lung had the chance to react to that, Ash continued quickly.
"And do me a favor and never come to Japan. That country is too small for the both of us. And if you have to keep living on the same planet as me, I want to have at least 5000 kilometers of safe distance between us.", Ash finished seriously, his voice mildly threatening.
Yut-Lung smiled icily at him, head held high.
"So glad we agree on that. I'll see for myself that you're really boarding that plane. Trust is good, control is better. So I'll be going now. Sayonara. I also hope we'll never meet again."
And with a final arrogant sneer at them, he tossed his black hair, turned around and left where he had come from, his bodyguards discreetly following him. Ash watched him intently with narrowed eyes until he rounded a corner and disappeared from his sight.
"You think he'll keep his promise?", Eiji asked, concern flooding his face while standing next to him. Ash didn't answer right away, he was trying hard to control his temper. And miserably failing. Ash suddenly turned around, facing him, pure anger dominating his face, his green eyes burning brightly.
"What the fuck, Eiji? What the hell were you thinking? Standing in front of me? I can protect myself, goddammit! What if he had attacked you?", Ash shouted angrily.
"I still would have done the same." Eiji said stubbornly, completely unimpressed by his outburst.
"And then what? Smile him to death?"
"I never think that far ahead. That's your super power, not mine. I just wanted to protect you. That's all.", he simply said, his features radiating pure honesty.
Ash just smacked his head in frustration. "Goddamn, Eiji, you're the most stupid and reckless person I have ever met. Stop doing crazy things like that. And that frighteningly cold look on your face...", Ash added, avoiding his gaze. "Fucking scary.", he admitted reluctantly.
"So the infamous gang leader Ash Lynx is scared of me?" Eiji asked, teasing him, trying to lighten up the mood.
"Damn, why am I even trying? You've never listened to me before..., he sighed in resignation. " You can be a completely hopeless and stubborn idiot sometimes, you know that?", Ash scolded him, but he couldn't hide the hint of a smile flitting across his face.
"Too bad then that you decided to spend your life together with that idiot in Japan.", Eiji said, grinning mischievously. Ash ran a hand through his blonde hair and groaned. "Must have been the painkillers that made me agree to that..."
"Come on, let's stop arguing and grab something to eat. Thanks to Yut-Lung, we don't have much time until our flight is called. And we still have to find the right gate.", Eiji changed the topic, showing him a small café a few meters away.
"I'm not hungry.", Ash said stubbornly, avoiding his gaze while crossing his arms.
Eiji just rolled his eyes, then glared at him fiercely.
"Unfortunately the world doesn't only revolve around you." Because I'm hungry. And you wouldn't have said that if you had tasted the food on airplanes. Those meals will make you wish for natto.", Eiji explained and burst out laughing when he was seeing the pure horror and disgust reflected on Ash's face.
Was airplane food really that bad? Surely, Eiji was exaggerating, right?
They quickly found a table at the café where Eiji convinced him to eat something. Ash immediately refused, but Eiji reminded him sternly that he hadn't eaten anything all day, giving him a determined stare. He knew that look. When Eiji looked like that it was pointless arguing. So Ash sighed dramatically and finally gave in, too exhausted to fight with him. While he was still eating, Eiji talked endlessly about the flight and all the things they would do in Japan, but Ash wasn't really paying attention for once. He was still tense and worried, watching the huge crowds of people around him suspiciously. Still, listening to Eiji talking so excitedly, looking at his brown eyes shimmering with pure happiness calmed Ash down and made him finally smile. Maybe Sing was right and sometimes good things just happened. Even to him?
After boarding the plane it took them a while to find their seats. Since their plane was a so-called Jumbo Jet, many people were trying to find their seats and trying to put away their personal belongings. Eiji noticed that Ash was nervous because people were constantly touching him accidentally when trying to find their seats or the flight attendants were moving past him to ensure all the overhead compartments were used and shut correctly. Eiji sighed in relief when they finally found their seats and they could escape all the chaos around them.
Ash took the seat by the window and was looking out of the window to distract himself. But that didn't work for long. Eiji could practically feel the nervousness radiating off of him. His eyes were darting frantically around to find the nearest exit or escape route as he always did.
Eiji had completely forgotten that this flight had to be his first time on such a big airplane. With so many people. All of them possible enemies targeting him. And with no means of escape. No wonder he was so anxious. He should have expected that. He could have punched himself for not considering that at an earlier point.
To Ash it had to feel like a prison with no means of escape if someone attacked them. The windows were impenetrable and Ash had to be scared and feeling locked up and completely helpless since he wasn't even allowed to bring a gun. Or any other kind of weapon. He saw him instinctively reach for the spot where his gun normally would have been. That move wasn't lost on Eiji. His whole body had tensed up and was practically screaming to get out of that iron death trap, probably wondering what he would do in case of a sudden attack... his hands were clenched into fists so tightly they were shaking and his knuckles had turned white from the effort.
Eiji placed his hand on Ash's trembling one. "Ash, slow down, ok? Everything's fine. We're safe. I promise." He looked sadly at Eiji. "Sorry, I can't help it. I do that automatically, as if on autopilot."
Ash tried to explain himself, still trembling slightly.
"I know and I don't blame you after all you've been through. But please try to relax, ok?", Eiji tried to calm him down.
After a moment he finally nodded, leaning back and closing his eyes. He was relaxing slightly. It was a start, at least. Eiji tried to relax as well and closed his eyes.
But when they were about to lift off Eiji felt a firm hold on his hand. He opened his eyes again and looked at Ash in surprise. Who stubbornly avoided his gaze and looked the other way out of the window. Stubborn brat, Eiji thought, slightly irritated. But then he noticed that Ash's hand was trembling again and he tightened the grip on his hand.
When they were finally in the air Ash's grip slowly loosened and his head drifted slowly to Eiji's right shoulder, sleeping soundly. Eiji couldn't help ruffling his blonde hair, but Ash was so deeply asleep he didn't notice at all. But he finally wore a relaxed expression on his face for once. And the tension had completely left his body. That idiot really slept right through the whole flight, his body finally catching up with the exhaustion from lack of sleep. And from worrying and overthinking things these last few days.
Eiji just woke him up a few times when meals or drinks were served and to convince him to get up once in a while to relax his legs from sitting all the time.
When he woke him up the last time, Ash just groaned "Eiji, can't you let me sleep for once, goddammit?", a still drowsy expression on his face. His whole composure radiated sleepy. It was cute. Until he began to talk. In a grumpy voice. And with a frown on his face.
Eiji just smiled at him anyway. "Turn around and look out of the window.", he simply told him.
"Why?", he mumbled, still half asleep.
"Just do it, Ash! You will regret it afterwards.", Eiji insisted.
"Fine." He reluctantly turned around to the window. Then his mouth fell open in surprise, his green eyes lighting up when seeing the dawn of a new day. And the biggest city he'd ever seen. "Is that ... Tokyo? We're ... here?", he asked in astonishment, turning back to Eiji, suddenly wide awake.
"Yeah, we are, sleepy head." The grumpy look returned. "Stop glaring at me like that, grumpy cat. Honestly, how can you sleep for 14 hours straight? The Lynx is really not more than a cat. Wild or not. Only waking up to eat, drink or walk lazily around.", Eiji teased him. "Though I have to admit your sleeping face is kinda cute." Ash frowned at that, asking worriedly "Didn't you sleep at all?"
"Don't worry. I did.", he reassured him. "But not 14 hours...", he teased him again. "I'll never hear the end of that, will I?", Ash asked, smirking at him. "No, never.", Eiji said, laughing.
So what's that tall tower over there? Ash asked to change the topic. "The Sky Tree Tower. It's a broadcasting and observation tower and the world's tallest tower." Eiji explained proudly.
Ash still looked at the bird's eye view of Tokyo in amazement. "Compared to Tokyo New York looks more like Cape Cod to me... I can't believe how huge Tokyo really is... Japan looks so small on a map...", he said, looking down like a little child with wide eyes glued to the window.
"You look much better now. You're not as pale anymore.", Eiji said, relief washing over him.
Ash just smiled at him, happiness sparkling in his green eyes for the first time. "You worry too much!", he replied, messing up Eiji's hair before facing the window again. "Thank you, Eiji."
Eiji leaned over to the window and showed him some other sights you were able to make out from the airplane. Ash just looked at all the sights Eiji pointed to and listened intently, completely relaxed for once while looking at Tokyo and all the skyscrapers and towers in fascination.
When the airplane shook due to some turbulences and Ash could see the runway closing in, he suddenly gripped Eiji's hand again. Since he refused to look at him, being the stubborn idiot that he was, he couldn't see Eiji's grinning face. Eiji just put his other arm around Ash's shoulder, whispering in his ear "日本へようこそ – Welcome to Japan"