Hunted

Those looks made Kiyoshi uneasy. He didn't have to see Kyun's eyes to know he was being watched; he could feel it. There was no way he could tell his friend off for it, though. Now and then, he'd have half a mind to walk out on them and try to find someplace else to stay, but that was a ridiculous thought. Kyun was a nice guy who'd walk to the end of the world for him, and indeed his best friend. A few glances shouldn't change that.

At least this month, he wouldn't let Kyun pay the rent on his own. A grand was a lot of money to compete with, though, so he'd better get right to it. Soon he was in an arcade - the only one he knew of where he could find people willing to take bets. Like his Korean friend, that was how he found his money; not entirely unrelated to the fact that Kyun had introduced him to doing so.

After two hours of playing, he had accumulated over fifty bucks of winnings, and was about to leave when a shadow fell over him. Soon there was a large hulkish man blocking his path with a scrawny man at his side. Nothing subtle about those two. And there was definitely nothing subtle about the devious smirk directed at him from the big one. The scrawny one, though, only treated him to a blank fish-like stare.

"Hey fella. I see you did well for yourself tonight, but we're imposing a new tax on people betting. Let's say... 95% of your winnings?" The big one took another step closer and eyed him from head to toe. "You're cute, so I'll give you a discount. 90%."

Just his luck. First that Rick fellow, and now this guy? Kiyoshi glanced quickly around the premises; there would be no Kyun or Luo, but even Takuya was better than nothing. People around them seemed to shy away - so much for community responsibility. He frowned and took a reluctant step backwards, wondering whether he could outrun the guy if he tried.

The big guy signaled to his partner, and soon the scrawny one had skirted around to stand behind Kiyoshi, flicking a lighter on and off with his thumb. Was that a threat, or just idle movement? It was hard to tell with a stare so blank. When the big guy spoke again, he was beginning to move closer. "Now, now, what's this hesitation about? Give me the money and I'll work out the difference for you." He held up two fingers. "Scout's honour."

After taking a good look at the guy's face, Kiyoshi let their eyes meet. Caving would be the act of a coward, so that was out of the question. But he needed to remember the guy as well as he could; they might have to ask around a bit, so a good description was important. Trying to put up a confused expression, the Japanese stroked his chin with his hand. "Who are you, Mr. Taxman?"

"Sure, that's it. But I'm multi-purpose. You see, if Mr. Taxman doesn't get paid his dues, he becomes Mr. Repo-man, and nobody wants that." He made the move to step even closer, but something distracted him. The guy turned sideways to reveal a short redhead standing there with his arms crossed. "What the fuck are you doing, kid? Can't you see I'm busy?"

"Get your eyes checked, dickwad, I'm not a fucking kid, and you don't look busy. You just look like a couple of ugly bear fucks getting hard from bullying." The redhead walked around to stand beside Kiyoshi, a pair of big brown eyes glaring holes into the big guy. "If you can pull your emu-fugly face out of your ass long enough to back the fuck away, maybe I won't hurt you."

Well, the guy walked and talked like a Kyun pissed out of his mind, but he was a lot smaller. Than Takuya too, but that didn't seem to bother him. Kiyoshi was starting to worry a bit on the guy's behalf, but started to fish out his cell phone as he watched the big guy's face turn from confusion to amusement. "You'll hurt me? You? That's so cute. You've made your point; you're braindead and blind. Now run along and play so us men can get back to business."

"Just because I'm small, doesn't mean I can't nail your blimp ass onto the ceiling, motherfucker!" The little guy didn't flinch or budge in the slightest as the large man's hands balled into fists. The redhead smirked and tapped his foot impatiently. "You gonna hit me? Well, what are you waiting for, you fucking coward? Make my day!"

Kiyoshi liked that guy. So much, in fact, that he wished he could take the punch instead of him - if there was one and just one coming. In reality, he'd just have to let the guy do his thing; if presented with an unguarded groin, he knew what to do. His finger had already triggered the speed dial, but he'd have to see whether the situation allowed for talking.

Sure enough, the man swung his arm right for the redhead's face, but the fist was only met with air. A deep growl came from the monster, only to halt as he seemed to notice something. Someone was approaching from the left. A man in a white blazer with a lilac-coloured fedora sitting atop a head of long blond hair. He wasn't hurrying to the scene; strolling was more like it, and the big guy didn't seem happy at all about it.

"Great. Now who the fuck are you?" The bear signaled for his partner, and soon the scrawny guy with the lighter was at his side with the redhead going back to stand next to Kiyoshi. "The toothfairy?"

As the newcomer reached them, a not-so-amused smile pulled at his lip. "Not quite. Not that you really deserve an introduction after you've been so brutish toward these cuties, but I'm Leandor Vilmiss. Charmed, I'm sure."

It seemed his lack of faith in fellow citizens had been grossly misplaced. Oh well. The Japanese was happy to be wrong about that bit. Lifting the cell-phone to his mouth, he mumbled quietly, "I'm at the arcade, a huge brute wants to tax me." It was quickly returned to his pocket, and he watched the newly arrived with interest, still with half a mind to make a run for it, but feeling too responsible for the redhead to just disappear like that.

"'Charmed' is not exactly the word I'd use." The big guy seemed even less happy than he did when the redhead had been taunting him. He straightened up, as if hoping his size would intimidate their new addition to the situation, but it didn't seem to be working. "This has nothing to do with you, Vilmiss. Beat it."

"Actually, this does have something to do with me. You see, this is my playground, and you, sir, are an eyesore. Now, I typically try not to involve myself in such meaningless skirmishes, but when you start getting violent with one of my most adorable friends, I simply cannot ignore that." He took out a rainbow cellphone, and pressed the speed dial. "I'll just call Carlos Mancini and see if he can clear this little problem up. I hope you don't mind."

The man's eyes widened, but he hesitated, seemingly giving Leandor a careful once-over. Once he apparently decided it wasn't a bluff, he held up his hands. "I don't want any trouble with a Mancini. We can come to a conclusion without any more help."

Was that one of those Mancinis? If so, that was potentially a good sign - depending on what either of these guys were planning. The phone call he had snuck in was perhaps not the best of ideas, though; he really didn't want to get them all in trouble over this. Those two 'taxmen' would've worked out, but if people kept joining the situation at this rate, there would be about twenty people around by the time they made it there.

The button was pushed and Leandor held the phone to his ear as he continued to speak to the big guy. "Unless if the conclusion means you walking out of this building within the next minute, I'm afraid I'll have to call my dear Carlos. He would very much like to know about some brutes taxing people unfairly."

The redhead rolled his eyes and glanced at Kiyoshi. "He thinks he's so fucking clever just because he knows a gangster. I could have taken this guy without his help."

"I get the hint." With an annoyed sigh, the big guy started backing away. "We're leaving. Come on Jyotis, we've overstayed our welcome here." That said, he turned around and started toward the exit, with the scrawny guy following close behind.

Looking at the short guy next to him, the Japanese was unsure how to take that. Eventually he smirked; better be friendly with the guy after the risk he just took for him. "I'm sure you could. He would have deserved it too." Seeing the guys had finally left, he breathed a silent sigh of relief. "Thanks, man. I'm Kiyoshi."

"I'm Nele." The redhead smiled and gave Kiyoshi a greeting-style pat on the shoulder. After a moment, he frowned and glanced over to find the blond chatting away into the phone about what happened. "Would you take off that stupid pink hat, you fucking pansy? Who do you think you are, a pimp?"

Leandor's chattering paused and he faked a pout. "What do you mean, stupid? This is what all the cool reporters wear in the movies, and it looks good on me. Lilac's my colour, now shush Thumbelina. I'm on the phone."

Another roll of the eyes and then the redhead's attention was back on Kiyoshi. "You're not busy, are you? I need to get away from that troll, so let's go get some drinks. I'm dying for some rootbeer."

The pat had made him a little uneasy, but the Japanese shrugged it off as he gave a weak smile. "You know, I made a call and have friends coming... I'll have to stick around and let whoever comes know I'm ok. If you'll wait a bit, the rootbeer's my treat."

"Yeah, okay. I can wait..." Nele gazed thoughtfully into space and then glanced back toward his friend, before making a sweep of the rest of the room. "But I don't need to be treated. I'll pay for my own drink. I'm just glad my pal over there hasn't tried to pounce on you yet."

Comfort was starting to set in again, and Kiyoshi leant against the closest machine as he made a show of considering Leandor for a moment. Then his eyes were quickly diverted to the two Koreans hurrying into the premises, and he fixed them an apologetic look - Luo was clearly going to be mad at him over that messed up hair, though. "Hi guys... I got a bit of unexpected help. Sorry about you coming all the way here for nothing..."

Luo quirked a brow at him and looked around. "Who from?" When his gaze settled back on Kiyoshi and Nele, the Japanese nodded casually over at the redhead. After gazing blankly at him for a bit as if his attention was elsewhere, the taller Korean made a vague smirk. "You've got to be kidding me."

Nele narrowed his eyes and stepped forward. "What the fuck is that supposed to mean? Nobody's kidding; I could have shoved that freak's peanut balls up his gigantic nose if I got the chance."

Doing his best to fix his usually spike-haired friend a silencing look, Kiyoshi quickly spoke up. "Good for him he got away in time. Want that rootbeer now, Nele?"

The Koreans looked at each other, then smiled amicably at them. Kyun took a small step forward, addressing Kiyoshi. "Rootbeer? Sounds good! I - " He finally registered the Japanese's gaze, and smiled sheepishly. "... am going home. Coming, Luo?"

The redhead quirked a brow and gazed curiously at Kiyoshi. "Don't want your friends to join us? Just the two of us then, that's fine with me. I understand completely. No way in hell would I let that perverted fairy, Leandor, come along." He smiled over at the guys and offered a wave. "Nice meeting ya, 'Luo'."

A quick smirk was headed their way before his friends was out the door. Kiyoshi turned to the smaller guy, then started casually in the direction of the cafe in the next room.

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This is a collab, written together with Chlover. You can find her author profile here: http://original.adult-fanfiction.org/authors.php?no=26260

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Passing_Breeze: Well, here's what happened! :O Welcome as our first reviewer for this story, we're glad you like it! And... Julian being a whore? Hmmm... maybe, maybe not ;-)