Thankful Meeting

Hey all, it’s me. Sorry for the long wait. School is out for the semester and I couldn’t get to a computer. Anyway, it’s chapter 8. Hope you all like! :) :)

Chocho-- what do you mean too short? Well, I suppose compared to yours they are.

Isirius-- Thank you! Hmmmm… break the guy’s nose huh? I’ll keep it in mind.

Yana-- All in good time my friend!

Youko-- Thank you so much!! I’ll keep going, no worries.

Nekosune-- Wow, I’ve never been to any Disney place. Sucks huh? OMG, peanut butter oatmeal cookies and cake. I love cake! I think I’m drooling.

Amethyst--Don’t worry, the romance will come.

(Tedious as it is don’t forget, “word” = spoken, ‘word’ = thoughts)
(Oh, I got the title of this chapter from listening to Poison’s greatest hits album.)

Chapter 8:: Every Rose Has its Thorn

Yuki walked down the stairs and out into the parking lot, reaching his car and making a move to open his car door. Atari made his way closer to Yuki and pulled out the syringe. Just as Yuki opened the door, Atari lunged forward. Seeing this out of the corner of his eye, Yuki turned around and grabbed a hold of Atari’s arm and twisted it, making him cry out in pain. Atari dropped the syringe to the ground just as Yuki brought his other hand back in a fist and swung it forward right into Atari’s face. Atari put his hand to his face and yelled out as he flew to the side. Yuki, still holding onto his wrist, then twisted the arm some more and brought it up against Atari’s back. Taking a hold of Atari’s hair, Yuki pulled the guy’s head back with a sharp jerk.

“Who the hell are you and what the hell do you want?” Yuki asked angrily into the guy’s ear. When Atari didn’t answer, Yuki pulled on his arm a little more. “You better start talking before I break this arm off of yours.”

Atari simply clenched his teeth, not saying a word. ‘How did this scrawny guy manage to take me? Akuma is going to kill me for this.’

“I could easily pick up that needle and shove it into your throat. So unless you have a death wish I suggest you answer my question!” Yuki let go of Atari’s hair and put his arm around Atari’s throat, putting pressure on the guy’s esophagus. “I hope you don’t think I’m joking.”

His air supply going thin, Atari chocked out, “Alright, alright.” Yuki lessened his hold but didn’t let go. “I was paid to take you and some other guy out.”

“Some how I doubt that’s all you know. Keep talking.”

“I don’t kn...” Atari began but Yuki cut him off by tightening his hold around Atari’s throat.

“Don’t even think about lying to me.” Yuki said loudly into the guy’s ear.

Atari shut his eyes for a moment and opened them saying, “A guy named Akuma Shoyu asked me to take out two people.” Atari swallowed then continued. “Eiri Yuki and Hiorshi Nakano. He’s going to send me the money tomorrow morning.”

“This guy give you a reason why he needed these two taken out?”

“No, he wouldn’t give me an answer even when I asked. I assumed they were in his way somehow. That’s usually the case.” Atari said trying to clear his throat. “I already took out that Hiro guy. Man was a wimp.” Atari started to laugh.

Yuki tightened his hold on the guy’s neck to stop him from laughing then asked, “Where is he?”

“Geez man, I have no idea. Some parking lot that was empty at the time. I guess it was a couple of miles from that deli store. Now that I answered your questions, you mind letting go of my arm?” Atari chocked out using the last of his breath, his face going red.

Yuki let go and shoved Atari forward. Atari stumbled, regaining his breath and started to turn around as Yuki swung his fist right into the side of Atari’s head, knocking him unconscious.

******

Shuichi was lying on his side facing the window, watching the sky turn shades of orange and red.

Akuma walked back into the room and over to Shuichi’s bed. He placed a hand on Shu’s head, brushing away his hair.

Shuichi moved away from his touch but when Akuma put his hand back, Shuichi quickly turned onto his back, smacking Akuma’s hand away. “Don’t touch me!” He yelled.

Akuma looked surprised for a moment then took Shuichi into his arms, embracing him. With Shuichi yelling and shoving at him, Akuma said soothingly, while holding down Shu’s head to his chest, “It’s all right now. I’m here for you. There’s no need to be scared, I’ll take care of you.”

Shuichi pulled his head away and managed to get his arms free. He hit Akuma across the face and yelled in his face, “Leave me alone you bastard! I want nothing to do with you!”

Akuma put a hand to his cheek and wiped away some blood from his lip. “I’ll forgive you for that one. But only because you’re upset.” He said pleasantly, turning his head to face Shuichi. Akuma then quickly grabbed Shuichi’s chin in his hand and said angrily, “But don’t forget that I’m the one in charge here. You try anything else and I’ll have to take care of that boyfriend of yours myself instead of having that flunky do it.”

Shuichi’s eyes widened and he mumbled with a voice full of fear, “What are you talking about?”

Akuma let go of Shuichi’s chin and sat back on the bed. “Oh, that’s right. I never told you did I? I’m sorry to say that I asked a friend of mine to take care of him and that nosey band mate of yours. What was his name?” He said calmly letting a wicked smile fill his lips.

Shuichi sat there stunned and asked quietly on the verge of tears, “What?”

Akuma chuckled as a tear began it’s decent down Shuichi’s face. As his laughter settled down, Akuma wiped away the tears with his fingers and cupped the side of Shuichi’s face. “But don’t worry yourself. I’m sure they’ll be dead before they wake up from being knocked out.” Akuma then leaned forward, so he’s almost nose to nose with Shuichi. “Don’t think about calling them. It’s a wasted effort and as for the police, don’t bother. They won’t believe you.” Akuma kissed Shuichi lightly and left the room.

Shuichi sat there shaken then wiped at his mouth and dried his tears, wiping his face clean. He sat there, just staring off into space.

*********

Yuki was driving down the road trying to find the parking lot that Atari had mentioned. Up ahead Yuki saw an empty lot and started to slow down. When he pulled into it, Yuki saw a man sitting on the ground, leaning against a motorcycle, passed out. He pulled his car into a space, three spots away and got out. Yuki stood there a few seconds and shook his head. “What a moron.” He mumbled and walked over to Hiro.

When he approached, Yuki squatted down in front of him. He saw the needle in Hiro’s hand and gently picked it up and set it aside. “So this is Shuichi’s guitarist? I can’t believe he let some weakling knock him out. Hey, can you here me?” Yuki tried to wake Hiro up without success and then stood and got the keys out of the bike. Once Yuki put them in his pocket, He bent down again and picked Hiro up, throwing him over his shoulder. Yuki walked back to his car and managed to open the passenger side door and lowered Hiro inside.

Yuki closed the door and walked over to his side and got in. Starting the car, Yuki looked over at Hiro and said, “Well I suppose I need to get you to a hospital huh?” Yuki sighed and rolled his eyes, then mumbled as he drove off, “I still stay you’re a dumbass.”

*********

Shuichi looked around his hospital room and saw the crutches against the wall near the door. Shuichi pulled back his covers and slowly slid out of bed. He got his robe out of the closet and limped over to the crutches. When Shuichi managed to open the door, he made his way out in the hall. ‘Maybe a walk around the hospital will help.’ Shuichi thought as he walked over to the elevator and pushed the button, waiting for the car to arrive.

*^*^*^*^*^

Yuki pulled up outside the hospital and parked. He got out and carried Hiro into the ER and up to the window. “Excuse me ma’am. I need some help with this guy here.” He asked the nurse on the other side.

She looked up and saw Hiro and called a doctor as she rushed out to help. When she came thru the door she had a doctor, another nurse and a bed with her. “Here dear, put him on this.”

Yuki set him down and stepped back. The doctor asked, “What happened to him?”

Yuki just shook his head and said, “I don’t know. Some guy injected him with something. Some kind of poison I guess.”

As they wheeled him in thru the door another nurse came over and lead Yuki to the waiting room and sat him down. She was an old lady with sad, gentle eyes and asked, “Now dear, I’ll need some information about the man you brought in okay? Can you tell me his name?”

“Hiroshi Nakano, that’s all I know pertaining to him personally. I found him in a parking lot passed out.” Yuki pulled out the needle he had found in Hiro’s hand that he managed to carefully wrap up and handed it off to the nurse. “This is what he was injected with. I found it next to him on the ground.”

When the nurse left to bring the needle to the lab, Yuki just sat on the chair for a while, thinking. A minute latter, he looked up and stared out into the hall. Just then someone walked by and Yuki had to do a double take. “Can’t be.” He whispered. Yuki got up and jogged out into the hall. There, walking down the hall was pink haired kid in a bathrobe, walking with crutches. Yuki ran down the hall and put a hand on the kid’s shoulder when he caught up, and asked, “Shuichi?”

Shuichi turned his head as Yuki walked around to his front. Shuichi’s eyes widened in shock and his mouth hung open. “Yuki? What? Aren’t you? I can’t believe…” His bottom lip started to quiver and tears began to fall. He then dropped his crutches to the ground and threw his arms around Yuki in a tight hug.

Yuki held him close and smiled. “You’re finally awake.” Yuki whispered into Shuichi’s ear.

Shuichi pulled back and looked into Yuki’s eyes. “What happened? Akuma told me you were dead. I didn’t know what to think.” He asked wiping away a stray tear.

Yuki let out a small chuckle and answered, “Yeah right. Like anyone could possibly take me out.” His voice softened and grew quieter as he continued, “But your friend wasn’t took smart. Didn’t bother to watch his back.” Shuichi started to panic but Yuki quickly said, “Don’t worry. I’m sure he’ll be fine. I brought him here a little while ago.”

Shuichi sighed and set his forehead on Yuki’s chest. “Are you sure?” He looked up to see Yuki smile and nod. Shuichi smiled softly back and asked shyly, “Um, Yuki? I hope you don’t mind but, I changed the name of the person that can take care of me when I get out, to you. Is that alright?”

A little surprised Yuki thought, ‘I guess he’s finally ready to leave that guy.’ Yuki smiled some more and gave Shuichi another hug, holding him close and said, “Of course that’s alright.” When he pulled back, Yuki asked, “Are you ready to leave?”

“Now?” Shuichi asked surprised.

Yuki grinned and laughed, saying, “Yes, now. How about I go check you out and you go get dressed and gather your things from your room. Then we can check up on Hiro before we leave.”

“You mean it?” When Yuki nodded, Shuichi leaned forward and gave Yuki a long, deep kiss, bringing his hand thru Yuki’s hair. Yuki explored Shuichi’s mouth with his tongue, holding onto the back of his head with his hand and the other around Shuichi’s waist. Shuichi pulled back looking dazed and smiled brightly. “I think I might need help with the getting dressed part.” He said timidly, a light blush coloring his cheeks.

Yuki laughed and said, “No problem. I’ll help you get dressed and then I’ll check you out as you gather everything you need, okay?”

Shuichi smiled and nodded and led the way to his room.
*^*^*^*^*^*^*^

SORRY, gotta end it there.
I’m afraid that I think it might be almost done.
I know, it’s sad.
I’ll try to make it a little longer but without drawing it out too much.
But hey, don’t fear, another story is coming soon.
It’s already in the works.
I won’t tell you what it’s about just yet just that it takes place after the manga/dvd.
HASTA LUEGO! (That’s basically ‘see you later’ in Spanish.)