"Don... don't tell him..." Katsu hissed as he shivered, fingers trying to grasp at the blanket but failing miserably. There was just pain in his joints, mainly his hands and feet since there were more bones. But his spine and ribs ached as well and quickly the young man shook his head. "I can't move..." Azriel whispered. "Wasn't... wasn't your fault, Kaito-kun." he then spoke, looking to the man beside him. "I ******** up..." In truth, it didn't look like anything were outwardly physically wrong with the bat. But if someone looked beneath his shirt, well... Ishihara's handiwork would've been plain... in the form of very small almost eraser sized circles. They were on his hands and feet as well, though it was harder to see them because the bat's extremities were bright red with cold. The shark had special torments for those who crossed him... and never before had Azriel ever thought it were possible to be in so much pain that not even a single ounce of pleasure could be garnered from it.
"I'm calm because I'm used to it." Akihiko replied with a half smile. "You'll get used to it too." With his hair finished, Narcissus stood, stretching his arms up over his head and bending at the waist. He was trying to loosen any kinks before the show. His blue gaze however flickered over to Yammi. Oh the musician understood quiet easily that his guitarist was worried. The entire band was, though they weren't showing it. Perhaps they had a reason to be... Deep down, that was part of why Akihiko was trying to be so calm. He knew the trouble he'd caused... but the young tiger knew also that he'd get through tonight and the next two evenings without incident... that he'd make it up to his band and his friends and his lover... Narcissus would work hard... and he would make it up a thousand times over. Eventually however, the musician's gaze was distracted by his manager. "I think you look better than alright." Akihiko said with a smirk and a wink, walking over to grab a bottle of water. So many bodies back stage made it a bit hot after all... He had been about to say something else when suddenly Izzy was gone. Narcissus couldn't help but wonder what Shou wanted... and his curiosity was even more piqued when Nikki disappeared as well. He was so focused on the door that when Michi said anything... well, it took a few moments to realize his friend was talking to him. "In front of?..." but then Akihiko laughed. "Mmmm it should be quite easier to please fans than me. They're hardly as picky. Besides... they can tackle you to the ground and rip your clothes off without getting in quite so much trouble as I would." he teased with a wink.
Posted: Tue Apr 02, 2013 2:52 pm
The Club
Magic and Madness
In the midst of all the heat, little Ko finally woke up with sleep eyes. He pulled himself out of the cot and peeked out into the dressing room before glancing down at the costume all laid out for him. "Oh...wow! I get a costume too!" Suddenly his face lit up and as he tried to figure out how to put it on.
Michi smirked then tugged on his coat, "Yeah...they wouldn't be nearly as picky as you. Hah! I doubt I'd let the fans get that far. I know when to make a haste departure in the midst of hungry women. You however are a different story."
Then the young man glanced over to Ko, "Hey kiddo, let us help you with that!" Ko was trying to tug the coat on straight over his head without unbuttoning anything. "Come on Narcissus...before he pops the buttons."
Michi got up and hurried over the boy grabbing the coat before the kid got stuck and pulled it off. "Akihiko will help you figure out the pants while I get the coat ready. This is a really cute costume. You're going to look like your Uncle Shou!"
Ko giggled, "YAY! I get to be a star tonight!"
Meanwhile, Izzy and Nikki were still in Shou's dressing room. The designer had not come out either for awhile. Yammi had started pacing as the time grew near for the opening of the show. "Hey, is the Tot going to be ready on time? Who's handling his makeup?" asked Yammi as he walked over and picked up the boy's shoes to undo the buckles for Ko's feet. They were more like Mary Jane style shoes rather than traditional Japanese or Chinese shoes to go with the costume. But they were a smarter choice for a boy of 8 years old.
KAITO
"Crap....ok I won't tell Hiroki-san but..with you looking like this he's going to figure out something bad happened. Ok...ok.. I got to think." Kaito looked at those marks then looked up to the ceiling for a moment then made some decisions
"You've got little burns so no oils. You're cold. So lets get you into the bathroom and see if you can handle steam first. Then, if you can a warm bath to loosen up those muscles and get you warmer. Then, after that...gee..I wish we had a chiropractor...or someone who did acupuncture or nerve therapy. I can't really call Smash and ask for one for you like this. They'd ask questions. How the heck are you going to go to the event tonight like this without everyone guessing you've been through hell?" Kaito lifted Katsu off the ground and carried him up to his room then gently into the bathroom and sat him on the toilet.
"Gloves..." Katsumi whispered, just trying to focus on not falling off the toilet while his friend hurried. "Won't see... he won't see them... don't... don't piss him off, Kaito-kun..." In truth, the bat's voice was hoarse, scratchy... far from melodic. He'd screamed and screamed... but that basement was sound proof... and it hadn't made Ishihara stop or hesitate. Curling in arms in front of his chest, Azriel just tried to make his hands stop twitching... to get some sort of comfort from the pain in his hands. "Just get... get me warm... I'll be fine..." the young man spoke, dark eyes closed as he shivered. "I've... I've had worse..." Okay yes this was true... he had felt more pain than this before. But never for the sole purpose of giving pain. At least with the doctor it had been an experiment... there had been a reason to it... This... This had been torture... plain and simple.
Akihiko sprang into action... quite literally grabbing Ko up and hoisting him into the air, twirling around with the boy. "You.... need to let us show you how it's done, chibi." the young Koyasu spoke with a smile before letting the boy down. Carefully he began explaining HOW to put the clothes on. "Makeup?" Narcissus glanced over to Yammi. "Why would he need that? I don't even know why he needs a costume since he won't be seen but..." the musician shrugged, looking back to Ko and smiling slightly. "Too bad too... you'd be a perfect little heartbreaker." he teased before pointing at Michi. "Might give Michi-kun a run for his money with the ladies one day." Of course Akihiko was joking because the man knew for a fact that Tanaka would turn heads. Just as Izzy would. They would be instant stars... It made Narcissus smile just thinking about it. "Don't worry, Yammi-kun. He'll be dressed and ready. I'm more worried about Shou-san being on time."
Posted: Tue Apr 02, 2013 4:49 pm
The Club
Magic and Madness
Ko laughed as Akihiko hoisted him in the air then smiled brightly as he was put down. " "Of course I need make up!" Ko answered, "Uncle Shou's wearing make up! You're wearing make up. I want to wear makeup!" He grinned up at Akihiko as he followed instructions with Michi helping him along.
Michi would have let the boy do it himself but their time was growing shorter. "Ok kiddo, before we put the pants on run to the restroom. You won't get many breaks on stage."
The boy scampered to the potty while Yammi set down Ko's shoe by the pants. "So if he does have to pee, we need someone close by watching the Tot. He's going to be behind a curtain so how the heck are we suppose to know if he needs something?" asked Yammi as he leaned back against the wall.
"Also, since he can't see me at all, he's totally just listening for my cue behind that curtain. We had the Ohayou tech make some custom ear monitors for Ko on the fly so he's hearing just our music. They probably don't fit perfect but we can take care of it later. Yeah, I know those are normally for arenas but I didn't want him to get caught up in the crowd music and forget his job." Yammi obviously cared a bit about the kid's performance even if he were a grumpy b*****d right now.
Michi smiled, "I hope he's ok back there. Takagi-san is going to be watching you all night Narcissus, who do we assign to Ko?"
Then Yammi tilted his head and grumbled, "Shou-san will be ready. He's a crazy but he ain't tardy. You worry about yourself tonight." The guitarist turned away and walked off heading towards the bathroom himself.
Right now, Yammi needed more proof that Narcissus would be ready to go than Shou. Shou hadn't once missed his marks as far as Yammi was concerned. In fact, today the Smash star was suppose to be just a fan not suddenly becoming their headliner then demoted to the distraction before Narcissus. Yeah Yammi was still feeling foul and it would take him awhile to see things differently.
Ko hurried back in his long coat just as Nikki and Izzy were coming out of Shou's dressing room. "I'm back! Time for the pant and shoes! Then makeup!"
"Makeup?" Nikki said as looked over at the boy. Oh...yes, I suppose we should put a little something on that adorable face. He walked over and pulled out a smaller case. It wasn't the standard star make up. He opened it and revealed a bit of normal lip glosses, blushes and such. "Why don't we use these. I'll make you look perfect in that little costume."
Ko looked at the makeup, "Hmm...that's not like Uncle Shou's makeup." Obviously the boy knew a little more about make up than Nikki realized.
Izzy then piped up, "Well, Ko-kun you're already wearing an outfit kind of like Shou's but Nikki is going to give you make up like Akihiko tonight. Would you like that? Then you can be like both of them at once!"
Ko's eyes lit up then he looked at Akihiko, "Can I do that Akihiko-niisan?"
KAITO
"Uh...I have no plans on pissing off Ishihara You. I'm like wanting to be way off his raid. Sucks that he knows my name. This is as bad as having the Doctor's....silent guy knowing who I am. Shoot. I don't want either of them interested in me." complained Kaito as he filled up the bath then turned to undress Katsu. The hot steam circulated around the room and everything started to warm up with moist heat.
"Ok now let's get you in the tub. Yeah you probably have had worse in the past but today's pain ain't yesterday's memory yet. We have to get you walking." said Kaito as he lifted Katsu up and carefully set him into the tub inch by inch. He wasn't nearly as strong as Hiroki but he didn't drop Katsu. Although he knew that he'd be feeling this later because he wasn't a weight lifter either.
Once he got Katsu into the water he sat down to the side of the tub, "So...you want me to go get you a hot tea? Can you take any sort of pain killer?"
"Yuuji will watch Ko-kun." Akihiko spoke seriously, looking at both Michi and Yammi like they had grown a second head. "Michi-kun's set is first, mine is last. I'm more than confident that my friend can watch me when I'm on stage. Actually..." "Actually I'm going to stick YOU where I can see both you and the kiddo." Takagi spoke, walking up with a clipboard. "Until you're ready to go on, then I'll hand the watching over to Tanaka-san." Yuuji spoke with a smile, seemingly knowing exactly where people will be and when. Thus the clipboard. Akihiko smirked, "And thus you have everything mapped out, ne? Ko-kun, if you have any problems tonight, Takagi-san will be right there in case you need anything. Now... the makeup..." he stared at Ko for a long moment, wondering how to go about this. Luckily, Nikki saved him. "Of course you can have makeup like mine!" Narcissus smiled, helping to finish getting the boy dressed. "We'll have to wash your face really good afterwards though. Otherwise you'll have makeup all over your pillow. It'll be icky." he said, glancing over to Izzy and to Shou. Everyone seemed pretty much ready... And the sound from the club was starting to reach even into the dressing room.
Suddenly, Katsumi was clinging to Kaito as his feet touched the water. He half screamed as the sensations of hot and cold mixed. The burn spots hurt too... in fact, they soon took over as the worst pain in the forefront of the bat's mind. He didn't need heat on burns... but he DID need the heat on his feet and hands. Finally sitting, it took some time for Azriel to get his hands in the water, knowing it would hurt. But the shivering soon stopped and the poor man's muscles began to unclench slowly. "Don't leave..." he whispered, taking one of Kaito's hands and pulling it under the water, holding his friend's fingers within his own gently. "Mmmm... Shizuka knows everyone's names... just like Ishihara." of course Katsu didn't need to fully explain that he was talking about #2. "You almost threw up on the shark, Kaito-kun... that might've pissed him off, you know..." the bat spoke, turning dark eyes on his friend, a ghost of a smile on his pale slightly blue lips.
Posted: Tue Apr 02, 2013 6:05 pm
The Club
Magic and Madness
"Alright, I can watch you after my set. I'll just switch hats from.....hey wait. You were having me sing some back up vocals weren't you?" Michi asked as he buckled Ko's shoes. "I can watch you from back up vocals but you might not see me if I need to get your thumbs up as to how your feeling."
"I'll watch him from the side." Izzy added as he pulled over a chair for Nikki to do Ko's makeup. "Then if something needs to be said he can cue me and I can cue you." Izzy was going to make sure things got done. He didn't want any mistakes. "I'm not going to be on stage with Narcissus...at least I don't think so." He glanced over at Akihiko just to make sure.
Meanwhile Ko crawled into the chair and Nikki got to work. He was happy that he was going to look like Akihiko tonight. "I'm ok with sleeping on makeup if I have to." Ko answered. "I'm a pro!"
Shou laughed as he walked out of the dressing room fully garbed in the first costume. He really did look like something out of Japanese Legend and Michi drew a breath as he looked Shou over.
"Wow....that's really cool. I don't think I could pull off a costume like that on stage." complemented Michi as he slipped over to take a closer look.
Nikki laughed as he put a light blush on the boy's cheeks. "That is not your style Michi-kun. Stick to your hot sexy trendy look. It suits you. Not many men can pull off true Visual Kei like Shou-san."
Izzy glanced towards the door to the dressing room as Jaz walked in. "The club is filling up, and there's a heck of a lot of people. I don't think we lost anyone tonight. At least, it doesn't look like it. Could be that most are wondering what the surprise is. Maybe some are taking a guess?"
Shou laughed, "I wonder what will be more of the surprise in the end." Then he glanced at Ko, "now you follow what Narcissus said....Takagi-san will help you out. If you need to go to the bathroom, try to do it in between sets. The best time will be when the apology is playing, I think....that's right?" He looked over at Narcissus to verify. "Other than that, follow the music list and Yammi's cues for Michi and Izzy. On my music, just remember that on the second song I need a long intro from you. Ok?"
"OK!" Ko gave Uncle Shou the thumbs up not really nervous at all.
"Well I guess we are all ready?" Izzy asked as he watched Ko get the finishing touches of gloss and light eye shadow before glancing to Narcissus and Michi. "You have any thing to say before we start, Narcissus?"
KAITO
"Hey....Um.. I'm not going anywhere if you want me to remain right here. I can get you tea later." said Kaito nervously as he prayed Katsu was going to be able to handle the tub while he settled Katsu in.
The hot water felt good on Kaito's hand but inside his head he was fretting about a few things. They still were like pets at times. Powerful people above them pulling the strings. Still this seemed better than the Pit...far better than that place.
"Shizuka...? Uh...ok." Kaito hadn't a clue who that name meant but he could only guess in the context of the conversation that it might have pointed to #2. Although, Kaito would NEVER express such familiarity with that monster.
"Yeah well...um.. I rather him not thinking of my name in the forefront of his mind." Kaito wanted to be obscure. Someone that had to be thought of awhile before he was a memory in either man's head. Not like today when he had...." Oh crap! Don't remind me of that! I can't believe I almost puked all over him. I could have hit his head with the rice ball that came flying out."
He fretted and smiled a little trying to make a very tiny joke at the end. But on the inside, he certainly feared the idea of hocking a gooey rice ball on to the back of #1's hair. "So...um...you're going to the club tonight. How you going to manage it? You might want to stretch those muscles or something. I could do a massage maybe?"
Kaito checked his watch, "Mm....you still have some time I guess. But I can imagine you want to be there before the club fills up? I heard at the party last night that it was going to be jam packed. Big club but an older one. Two stages, one long bar, and a some tiered seating that's not really a second floor but sort of tables seating above the crowds so you can see the stage while drinking. Must have been a cool club in it's prime. Wonder what its like now." Kaito was trying to fill the air with words to get Katsu's brain off the pain he must have been in.
Dark eyes closed as Katsumi tried to relax. He didn't let go of Kaito's hand however, instead stretching his arms and legs as best he could. Electricity straight into the joints hurt like hell... and he'd be damn sore for a while. But it wouldn't be lasting... and it wouldn't be very visible. The bat had suspected he'd be strangled... but the shark had surprised him with a torture even he hadn't felt before. "My body seems to be everyone's toy lately..." the vocalist whispered before looking to Kaito seriously. "I've never been the spectator at a club before... well, at least not a club like this. It will be fun. Besides... Asato-kun will be there. He'd think something wrong if I didn't show up when I promised I would." sighing, Katsumi's grip on Kaito's hand tightened slightly. "I'll be fine as soon as my hands and feet thaw out. I'll be able to walk. My muscles just seized up... I did, after all, get out of the basement under my own strength." Then again, it had been the last of it he could muster at the time. The bat laughed softly, "Don't worry, Kaito-kun. You did nothing wrong and you haven't done anything wrong and if something happened to me... well... I'd expect you to seek out Asato-kun for help for yourself. Freed men should'nt have to know imprisonment once more."
Akihiko blinked at looked at Michi for a moment, "Wouldn't being on stage with me be watching me?" he asked, but of course when Izzy spoke up that he'd take up the torch, everything was settled. The important thing was Yuuji's attention was on his son. To Narcissus, that was far more appropriate. "So," the young tiger clapped his hands together, completely ignoring the quip about Shou being a visual kei master... After all, Akihiko liked to think he could pull the same thing off, minus the mask. His music simply hadn't been able to tell a fantastical story lately... songs that hit closer to home, right now, needed to be expressed. "We're all dressed and ready and the instruments have been tuned. We have..." "Five minutes til you need to be in your opening places. Three minutes after that til curtain." Yuuji spoke up, glancing at his watch and then the clipboard. "Exactly... Michi-kun... Ruki... you'll both do fine. Don't be nervous. Let the energy from the crowd feed your performance. They WANT to hear you. Shou-san... you still have my thanks for doing this on such short notice." the young Koyasu added, looking to his rival. "I look forward to watching you work your magic this time. Yammi, Jaz, guys... I'll make this failure of mine up to you all. Just wait. Ko-kun..." those blue eyes focused on the boy. "Soak in this experience and remember it forever. Years from now, you'll be asked what your first performance was like... I want you to be able to say that you were helping your uncle Shou. Everything will be fine, minna-san. Have fun, play and sing and dance your hearts out. Afterward... drinks are on me." but then he pointed to Ko. "Milk for you though." he added with a wink.
Posted: Tue Apr 02, 2013 8:27 pm
The Club
Magic and Madness
Everyone seemed to listen to Narcissus and their excitement started to show. The band expected so much and it was obvious in their eyes. Would Narcissus pull through or would Shou have to save things once again? Yes, those questions would be answered by the end of the night.
Shou just nodded and smiled, he didn't add anything to these statements because he knew that Narcissus had to gain back so much he had lost in his band and friends. He knew his presence could overwhelm and that wasn't needed here. Everyone was on edge a mix of eagerness and tension filled the room until it was broken by the boy.
"But I want BEER!" Ko cried out as he pointed at Akihiko. "A big beer with froth!"
Shou bopped Ko on the head, "No beer. But...I bet that the bar can make a milkshake. And that's a lot better than beer."
Ko blinked, "Oooooooooh....Chocolate milkshake?"
Yammi nodded and growled pulling a cigarette out, "Lots of chocolate, Tot. Now lets all get out there and ROCK the House!" His voice raised as his fist filled with a lighter pumped the air. Turning quickly, he exited the room with the rest of the band in tow.
Michi was soon to follow trying very hard not to think about what he was getting into."I'm going to do great." he said with mixed confidence. He was sure he'd do fine as long as he didn't think.
Izzy glanced at Shou and smiled, "Thank you again Shou." Then he looked back at Narcissus, "You're going to be backstage for awhile so take notes about our performances so Michi and I can improve, ne?" He wanted a kiss for good luck but...there wasn't much time.
"You're welcome, my friend." answered Shou softly before he gracefully departed to the backstage with Ko holding his hand. He wanted to watch Ko play even though he couldn't take a peek at the audience from the edges of the curtain. He knew he shouldn't be seen before his opening. He'd have to watch from the backstage camera. He'd stay back far enough just so he could watch Ko!
KAITO
"Yeah...well, umm..You're not a toy. Not any more." Kaito said seriously back. He still had an inner hope that they'd have a new life free of the monsters from below one day. "I think...you need someone as strong as...Ishihara You to protect you. So they can't just come in and do things like this anymore." Of course, things like that would take time because men like that were hard to find.
He squeezed back as he listened to Katsu. "Ok...well...yeah but just be careful. Clubs can get really wild. You'd be better off getting a table above the crowd than down in the pit. We could look the club up on the internet if you want. I wonder if your tickets are for seating or pit. Did you get lucky?"
"I worry a lot...I worry about you...about me...about doing my job right so you look good on stage when I finally do become a real stage manager. I wish I could see the backstage while this event is going on but I don't think they'd let me." he sighed and pushed his fingers through his hair with his free hand.
He didn't want to comment about freed men and imprisoned ones. He knew well enough that without serious protection running to Hiroki if something happened to Katsu...well..he doubted he'd last long. So instead he smiled and said, "I can pick out some clothes for you when you're done with the bath. I'll make sure you look hot."
"Not any more... heh..." Azriel started laughing at this, though the sound was quiet. "You want to know a secret, Kaito-kun? Something that ONLY Asato and I know?" turning slightly, Katsu quite literally pulled his friend into the large bath. He kept hold of Kaito's hand even so, his once frozen fingers gently stroking those he held. Leaning over, the young man whispered softly in his friend's ear. "My real name... is Matsumoto Katsumi." he paused, letting that information sink in. "You're right, of course, dear Kaito-kun... I need someone as strong as the shark. But the shark belongs to my father and obviously holds no love for me. Asato-kun isn't that strength... you're not that strength... but I'll have it. One day, I'll make my own empire... and when I do... you'll be there, won't you?" The bat's dark eyes focused intently on his friend, searching... hoping... Kaito was the first person he'd pulled from the PIT. There would be more... many more who were loyal like, hopefully, Oreo soon. He would build a network around himself bit by tiny bit... and eventually someone strong would be there to stand in front of him. "Come with me tonight. I've got seating which means I've a table reserved for two and I can't be seen with Asato-kun just yet in public. Shou-san is singing... I'm sure you'll enjoy it." Yes. It was only right that Kaito know. He lived here... he was Katsumi's only friend... and he understood the workings in the vocalist's mind more than anyone. No, the young man didn't love Kaito as he did Hiroki... but maybe it was a different sort of love? "You'll need to pick out clothes for the both of us." Azriel added with a slight wink, trying not to dwell on his pain. He'd take something when he crawled, probably quite literally, out of the bath.
"No beer for you!" Akihiko said with a smile, tapping Ko on the end of the nose, mindful of his makeup. "But yeah... a chocolate milkshake with whipped cream and a strawberry on top." "Why not a cherry?" Yuuji asked, already helping usher everyone out. The musician shrugged, "I personally like them better. Ko-kun's decision I suppose." he winked to the boy. Everyone was going to their places... but Narcissus grabbed Izzy before he could slip away. "Oh, I'll take mental notes." the young tiger whispered before claiming his partner's lips in a deep kiss. Thankfully, no one was left in the dressing room to see it aside from Nikki... and... well... Akihiko didn't care if he saw. "You'll do better than you think you will. You and Michi-kun both. If you start feeling nervous... just think about little Ko-kun back there playing! He's tiny and he isn't nervous at all!" the young tiger spoke with a smile and a wink. "Knock'em dead, Ruki." Narcissus whispered before releasing his manager and heading out the door as well.
Posted: Tue Apr 02, 2013 9:58 pm
KAITO
"A secret? Well...I...Oh..." SPLASH! He fell into the bath and was soon soaked, "Katsu...man...my PJs!" He looked like a moron soaked to the skin with his PJs plastered to his skin.
"WHAT!!?" That secret almost sent him flying straight up out of the tub. "No way! Seriously?" His voice became but a whisper too as the young man sank back into the water trying to sort those words out.
"Yeah..I'll be there. You're my friend. Where else would I be? But where are you going to get that kind of strength? I mean your...dad..." That word seemed really odd in the context of the two men involved. "He's got all the power in the dark places of this town. And yeah, Ishihara You I doubt would ever work for you. How...can you build an empire here?" His voice continued to be a whisper as if someone might hear them.
"Um..sure I'll come with you. Wow...that would be really fun. Thanks for the invite." Kaito smiled and started peeling himself out of the soaking clothes. "I guess I should get a real bath then, ne?"
Kaito kind of felt like Katsu got the bad end of the stick. His father was a real monster. How could one ever break away from that? But now he kind of understood why the older man had given Katsu some small breaks. Not really enough as far as Kaito was concerned. And why the heck was Katsu living in the Pit in the first place?
He started scrubbing himself and looked over at Katsu, "Even though I'm curious, I'm not going to ask for the in depth info about why you ended up where you were and how all this happened. Since I really can't protect myself from people like Ishihara You, it's probably safer that way." It wasn't that he didn't want to know, he just knew that they didn't have many cards in their deck to pull if something happened while Katsu was trying to figure out how to build an empire.
"Long story short, without making you a liability... my mother died and my father couldn't stand the sight of me after that apparently." Katsumi replied as if it made perfect sense. "You know, this is my second bath today..." Okay so maybe he didn't need the bath. Just the warmth. Especially with the comforter still in the dryer and all. "But, and this might interest you... he's given me control over levels 1-4. What better place to start an empire, hmm? Cull the brilliant ones in the darkness and bring them to the light, just like you." Azriel winked, watching as Kaito scrubbed himself down. "No, Ishihara won't work for me... and I won't soon forget what he did to me today... nor that Izo allowed it." Maybe that was what pissed the bat off more than anything. He had thought he was giving some well needed information to his boss... and it had turned around and bitten him in the a**, all because he woke the spider! It didn't make the young man feel any more at ease about the next day's coming surgery... and then he remembered that his friend had no idea. "I um... I'll be gone for a while starting tomorrow. Fixing my head." Katsu tapped his temple with a black nail. Thank the gods his hands were working right again, though they still hurt like a b***h. "So... I'm afraid you'll have the place to yourself. I don't know how long I'll be... hopefully nowhere near as long as before. Just keep all of this a secret between us, ne? Don't let Nishikawa or Takatori know either... I can't believe they just let Ishihara do as he pleased..." Then again... who wouldn't let someone, on Izo's order, have a go at anyone the spider so chose? "You'll be alright, won't you? When I get back I'll start working on my next tour too so you'll definitely be busy by then, Kaito-kun."
Posted: Wed Apr 03, 2013 8:12 am
KAITO
Kaito listened to the tale and wasn't sure he even wanted to know that much but then again, he was Katsu friend and probably things were still a shock for Katsu. Letting those things out to people he trusted was nature and healthy.
So while scrubbing his head with shampoo, he was surprised again to hear that he was given control of the upper levels of the Pit. Then pondered it's meaning. "That's just strange. He gives you control of 1-4 but still sends Ishihara-san here. He's given you a small chunk of power. So he has to trust some part of you." It surely confused the young man as he stuck his head under the water to rinse out the soap.
Once he surfaced again he laughed, "So you're in charge of Soto-san now! How's he taking it. Pissed? I mean shoot you worked under him for awhile. I always worked under him. Glad to stay off his bad side too. Well, he's not nearly as bad as some of the guards but yeah. That must be awkward to have a former pet become your boss."
"Wait...you're going down there....." Kaito's face paled with the thought. That was one place he NEVER wanted to go for any reason. "So you're not taking your bodyguards?" His heart was pounding a bit faster as he picked up the soap and scrubbed his skin. "Hmm...maybe you need to do what Shou-san does and hire your own bodyguards. Just so you have some muscle that isn't going to...mm...turn there backs when Ishihara-san shows up. I mean I can understand those two backing down, if you're not paying their paychecks. But then what's the point of having them if they aren't going to protect you from internal crap too?" He tried to find other conversation to fill the space because he didn't want to think too deeply about Katsu's pending surgery.
"I...I'll be alright here. But I'll be worrying about you." Yeah...what if Katsu didn't come back. What would he do then? Where would he go? He'd go to work...he'd pray that they'd keep him as an employee and hope they'd forget he ever worked in the Pit. At least, that is what he hoped would happen; to become obscure and just another 'normal' human once more.
Katsumi tilted his head to the side, thinking. "Seeing how I'd become Izo's favorite bedtime fling lately, I thought maybe that was why he trusted me. So believe me, yesterday when he told me the truth, when I read him to cement the truth... I thought that maybe I'd destroyed the trust he held in me." one black nail lifted from the water. Luckily his hands had returned to their normal pale color, though there were still little burn marks with tiny needle holes in the middle of them. Katsu tapped the nail against his chin. "But I think he wants me to be worthy of his empire one day... though I'd much rather take his empire by force with my own." The bat thought back to learning the truth... to what he had told Izo then... The spider saved him... the spider loved him... the spider cared... the spider wanted to make things right... "All my pain..." Katsumi whispered brokenly, staring up at the older man. "All those nights left screaming... alone... frozen with fear and cold... wondering when he'd come again... wondering if I'd die this time... wanting to die... surviving... thriving in the darkness... pissing off that p***k because I SURVIVED..." the young man shook his head in shock. "What have I become, Matsumoto-san? What have you made me into? I see people happy... free of the fear I felt... people who have little kids that play in the snow and try to catch snowflakes on their tongues... I... I should have been one of those children... I knew nothing but pain and you abandoned me... But you saved me from hell... a hell ruled by your own hand... Devil is a better word for you than Spider." Katsumi took a quick breath, stopping his sentence least he break down again. "I hate you... but I love you. This..." for a second he tried to pull away, but the young man truly didn't have the strength to fight Matsumoto's grasp in those seconds. "I'm the son of a monster... Asato was wrong... I... I am a monster... A twisted perversion of life... You didn't want me... You're no better than Koyasu Aki... If he made my mother throw me away... you just passed me off at the easiest convenience... You were hurting and you threw me aside. Would that you had just killed me..." But then Katsumi laughed softly, some strength returning to him, the sound eerie and half mad. "But you didn't... and now you want me to prosper and live and have everything I never could. You give me Asato and a beautiful home and adoring fans to listen to my nightingale songs... but it's all the same, isn't it? Just another cage... My body has made you so much money..." one of Azriel's hands wrenched itself free, grasping hard at Izo's wrist and forcing the man's hand down to touch the side of Katsu's towel clad inner thigh. "I hate the PIT... I love the PIT... just as I hate and love you. In that hell I learned how to survive and how to find pleasure... I owe who I am to that abyss. I owe who I am... to you... To a father who forsakes his son for his own madness." Katsumi shook his head, his eyes never leaving Izo's own gaze. "Don't think this changes anything, Matsumoto-san... I'll not call you father... because whatever was my father died a long time ago it seems." Laughing again, Azriel wrenched his other hand from the spider's own, but instead of pulling away, he drew himself closer. Lithe fingers moved behind Izo's head, fingers tangling in the older man's shorter wet hair. "You're my master. That will never change. Even if I fall into hell again... least I'll know destroying a child's innocence won't be what denies me entry to heaven." he whispered before pressing forward, his lips claiming Izo's in a sudden rough kiss. It was all true, of course. He wouldn't call Izo "Father" unless it were to mock the title. He loved and hated the man both. The young vocalist wanted nothing more than to take the spider's empire for his own... But did he want to kill Izo? Maybe... maybe not... To the sadistic bat... it would be far more entertaining to toss the man into the darkness from which Azriel had risen... and see how he survived. Kaito's voice however drew Katsumi from his thoughts and he smiled. "No, Soto-san isn't pissed. Least he didn't sound it. I told him that he's to proceed with his renovations. I want life to be less like hell for the pets. If they slip up, they fall into hell and learn never to slip up again. After all, while the lower floors are horrible, the upper ones were hardly nice either. I want to change that... Some people I want to pull from the PIT to work for me altogether, like I did with you. Granted I don't intend for my house to become a dorm... but it will take time." For a moment, the bat moved as if to get out of the bath... but he winced and decided to stay sitting. His legs still felt like painful jell-o. "I'm going to start paying Takatori and Nishikawa's salaries so this doesn't happen again. As for my surgery... well... unless I want to be writhing on the floor in pain, I'll have to get this done. Asato-kun will be with me some of the time... and Izo has promised that I wouldn't be alone..." his voice trailed off, suddenly thinking on that notion. Why did he feel that Ishihara might be at his side too when he woke up? That really didn't make the young man feel any better... though he DID have faith that the shark wouldn't kill him. Dark eyes flickered to Kaito and the bat smiled. "Look. If you don't hear from me, seek out Asato-kun. He'll be getting messages from me. I'll make sure to remember to text you too." Yes, he would make his friend think everything was going to be fine. Deep down though, Katsumi was worried. Would Izo keep his promise? Was today a warning? Was the spider saying that even the son could fall from grace?
Posted: Wed Apr 03, 2013 10:21 am
NIGHT IN THE CITY
The Club Comes Alive!
The stage was set, the cocktails were flowing, and the club was hopping. A pre-show was going on provided by one of Jaz's crew doing a DJ job while Jaz let the Premonition System run free with the music. Right now they only used the new lighting within the club giving the perception of a normal stage set. The second stage was notably dark because no one expected it's use. The people that were standing close to that old stage thinking they had poorer seats would be amazingly surprised come show time.
Michi had sweaty palms as he stood backstage seeing the band members gearing up. He was feeling a little insecure behind the heavy curtain that separated him from the fans.
Yammi walked over to Michi and patted his shoulder. "You'll do fine. Hear all those people. Many of them are going to be pretty loose with booze by the time things start. So just think of it as a dance party and you're singing in the midst of it." He checked Michi's ear pieces. "Ok...those look good too. Now, once the curtain rises we're a go. I'll hit the strings and you take off ok?"
"Yep...ok...I'm ready." Shoot...was he? No time to think about it now because it was do...or die. He turned back to the curtain and popped his neck.
While Michi was contemplating his future, Ko climbed into his seat then tapped his toes down to reach the pedals at his feet. He turned on the system and the large keyboard set lit up around him; the video screen with the song list and music was near by even though Ko didn't really need the music anymore. He knew the songs. "I'm ready!" he called out and looked back at Yuuji and Shou with a bright smile on his face.
"Ok...well listen for your cue, Ko. Yammi is going to start soon." encouraged Shou as his smiled back.
Out in the audience there were many celebs especially from the music industry. Rukuro and Crystal had secured a table on the second floor that hovered above the main floor. They had a few guest with them from Genki and Nihon Record Labels. It was like a get together of old friends as they drank and awaited the start of the show. Goshiro of Go sat with Matsumoto Izo at a table not far from the other group with a couple of political figures Several models and actors from different industries gathered on this floor and it appeared that after realizing how elite the second floor had become, bodyguards were set at the bottom of each set of stairs heading up to it to make sure that no one would go up that didn't have tickets.
Suddenly the lights went down in the club giving the band their warning. And Yammi glanced at the group one more time before hitting the first notes. It was a go!
Michi took one deep breath as the curtain started to flow away to the sides. The lights hit him in the face as his voice flew forward as his body started to move. As he sang he remembered the deep emotions that had led to this song's creation. Things he wanted to say to Akihiko, things he'd never say to the man. But he could say all of it in music. As his body flowed with the song, he started engaging the crowd more. His fears disintegrated as the crowd started dancing in the pit with him.
As Narcissus expected, with the women, Michi was a sudden hit. Pop music that could be dance too with wild abandon.
In the back behind the curtain, Ko's fingers flew with precision adding rifts of his own to compliment Yammi's on the fly while coordinating with the drummer. Yammi's band was totally on even though the music wasn't what their forte was in. The boy licked his lips as he listened to Michi's voice making small adjustments here and there to compensate for the new star's range. Ko was having fun and Shou could see it as he watched the boy play upon Shou's keyboard. Ah...Shou would give that keyboard to Ko after this. Better than returning it to the storage...the young child had a future in music.
Oh, Just Shoot For The Stars If it Feels Right Then Aim From My Heart If you Feel Like And Take Me Away Make it Okay I Swear I'll Behave
You Wanted Control So We Waited I Put On a Show Now I Make It You Say Im a Kid My Ego is Big I Don't Give a s**t
And it Goes Like This Take Me By The Tongue And I'll Know You Kiss Me Till You're Drunk And I'll Show You All
The Moves Like Jagger I've Got The Moves Like Jagger I've Got The Moves Like Jagger
I Don't Need To Try To Control You Look Into My Eyes and I'll Own You With The Moves Like Jagger I've Got The Moves Like Jagger I've Got The Moves Like Jagger
Maybe It's Hard When You Feel Like You're Broken And Scarred Nothing Feels Right But When You're With Me I'll Make You Believe That I've Got The Key, Oh!
So Get In The Car We Can Ride it Wherever You Want Get Inside it And You Want to Steer But I'm Shifting Gears I'll Take it From Here
And it Goes Like This Take Me By The Tongue And I'll Know You Kiss Me Till You're Drunk And I'll Show You All
The Moves Like Jagger I've Got The Moves Like Jagger I've Got The Moves Like Jagger
I Don't Need To Try To Control You Look Into My Eyes and I'll Own You With The Moves Like Jagger I've Got The Moves Like Jagger I've Got The Moves Like Jagger
When the point that the woman would have started singing, they had prepared to put in the voice from the girl who had sang with Michi from America, and right when that was about to happen, just to give Michi a breather in his dance, the lights suddenly shifted to the second floor. The same sexy girl, Kayla, with bright blonde hair pointed down at Michi singing from a borrowed mic. Michi was surprised but not Jaz. He had secretly been working this out with Ishi Rukuro not long before the show. Kayla was close to the stairs that wound down to the stage. So as she sang, she made that descent meeting Michi at the bottom. They flowed into the dance; one they had practiced several times in the States. Very unexpected and if Michi hadn't that moment while she sang he might not have had enough time to get it together. It changed the way Michi moved but he had practiced this song so many times with her that this change only brought out the original feel to the song.
You Wanna Know How To Make Me Smile Take Control Own Me Just For The Night And If I Share My Secret You're Gonna Have To Keep it Nobody Else Can See This
So Watch An Learn I Won't Show You Twice Head To Toe Oooh Baby Rub Me Right
But If I Share My Secret You're Gonna Have To Keep it Nobody Else Can See This
Up on the second floor, Rukuro and Crystal high fived each other as their peers laughed. "Michi look shocked for a moment but he recovered nicely. You really didn't tell him Kayla was coming?" asked Genki's Chairman.
"No we didn't. Michi needs to learn fast how to handle things like this. He did admirable for as nervous as he is. Narcissus is doing a fine job instructing him, I think." answered Crystal as she gazed down at that sexy tempting boy.
Goshiro smirked as he glanced at Izo, "So MeKA brought over one of their famous vocalists to support the first act. Interesting...very interesting." His fingers tapped the table with the music calculating the fans' response. Hard not to be enticed by a hot sexy American idol dancing with a vibrant young Japanese buck. Yeah a point for MeKA. They were insuring that this show would be one not to have been missed even if Narcissus was a no show.
Izo said nothing as he stared at the new star below. A small comet that still needed shining but one day, the boy was going to really take off in the Pop market. An area that was sometimes more difficult to sustain because it always was a flow of youth. Yes, he'd have at least a few years of popularity and with smart guidance....he might be able to jump into a more sustainable area like rock. Izo frowned slightly because he still was a little surprised that the physical therapist turned out to be more than just a fluke.
And it Goes Like This Take Me By The Tongue And I'll Know You Kiss Me Till You're Drunk And I'll Show You All
The Moves Like Jagger I've Got The Moves Like Jagger I've Got The Moves Like Jagger
I Don't Need To Try To Control You Look Into My Eyes and I'll Own You With The Moves Like Jagger I've Got The Moves Like Jagger I've Got The Moves Like Jagger
As the song was closing, Michi and Kayla were well into the grove seriously engaging the audience with flirty moves and fun. Maybe that was all Michi needed; someone there beside him to get him in the groove. It was a real ice breaker.
Behind the stage, Izzy smiled brightly from far enough back to talk to Narcissus, "I didn't expect my Aunt and Uncle to do that..."
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OOC: Couldn't find the Japanese Lyrics but Michi sings in Japanese for this song. However, I did find a Youtube video vocaloid singing in Japanese. LOL. Just didn't take time to write down all the lyrics.
Again, Kaito listened and agreed. Things would start small but eventually Katsu had to build an empire of sorts. They had to be able to protect themselves....Then Kaito paused, "I wonder....I wonder if your father is trying to show you how vulnerable you are. Right now, you and I are sitting here thinking about how things need to head to keep this from happening again. Seriously, do you think he's trying to tell you something?"
Kaito didnt' know Izo very well, but he knew his own mother. Sometimes tough love was the only way to learn. Although this wasn't the same as the tough love he knew. Then again, he never lived in an extremely difficult life until he fell into the Pit.
"Ok...I'll keep that in mind and contact Hiroki-san if I don't hear from you." Kaito pulled himself out of the tub and grabbed a towel leaving Katsu more room to spread out. "I'd go with you, but....I don't think it would be safe for me to be around the Doctor." Kaito knew that the doctor's warning was so true. If he went into the Pit again, he wouldn't survive. That was certain. The doctor didn't like his prey being taken away. Didn't like his failures released to the world. Kaito feared that man...feared his assassin. Afraid that the snake would come in the night and kill him. But so far, that had not happened. For that he was thankful.
He pulled the towel around his waist then walked into Katsu's closet and started pulling out some black sexy leather pants. "So you want a loose top tonight? Or something tighter? I'm thinking leather on your butt."
