8-9-3

 by Shannon

Part Four

            “Hurry up Kyo!” Toshiya called behind him as Kyo lagged.

            “Shut up!” Kyo yelled flipping him off.

            Toshiya was so excited he was almost skipping down the street. He hadn’t been off work let alone out with Kyo in nearly a week and it had been killing him; now he was free and hanging with his best friend, how much better could it get?

             “Come on we’re almost there then you can sit and eat.” Toshiya smiled waving at Kyo.

            Kyo caught up to the bouncing Toshiya, and glared at him. “You sure you’re going to be able to sit for very long? Looks like you’ll explode if you do.”

            Toshiya rubbed his lower lid with his middle finger. “Oh I don’t know,” he said with a long sigh, then grabbed Kyo’s wrist and pulled him along behind.

            Kyo pulled his hand out of Toshiya’s and folded his arms across his chest as they reached the door to the restaurant the younger boy had been dying to try. “My boss said this is the best place for Italian. You ready?” Toshiya asked and pulled Kyo in.

            The bell on the door jingled annoyingly and Kyo glared up at it, he definitely wasn’t happy, and probably wouldn’t be until he got some food into his system. A waiter bowed to them and led them to about the middle of the floor, sitting them at a booth; laying menus he asked if they wanted anything to drink. Toshiya ordered two cokes and sat back taking in the atmosphere as the waiter walked off.

            Kyo hated it, with all its stupid red and white checkerboard table cloths, annoying opera music at too high a volume and the other jabbering customers. His gaze lifted to Toshiya’s eyes and was surprised to see the other glaring at him.

            “Don’t ruin my fun you big grouch!” Toshiya hissed.

            Kyo rolled his eyes and uncrossed his arms to flop open his menu.

            The waiter returned placing the cokes on the table and asked if they needed more time to decide. Toshiya nodded and he walked away again.

            “What are you getting?” Kyo asked with a mental sigh as all the prices were reasonable.

            “My boss says to try the spaghetti and breadsticks, but some of this other stuff looks good; Alfredo with shrimp; crusted chicken lasagna. What do you think?” Toshiya looked up.

            “Makes me wonder where the pancreas pescatore is.” Kyo giggled. Toshiya glared. “Oh alright, you get what you want, I’ll get the spaghetti and we’ll share, sound good?” Kyo asked leaning up to take a drink from his glass.

            “Sounds good. Close your menu so he comes back.”

            Koji recognized the plates on one of the cars as he pulled into the restaurant’s parking lot. “One of your fathers Kobun is here; you want to go somewhere else?”

            “No, screw it, they probably already know we’re out here, you now how much like vultures they are. We’ll make a subdued appearance eat and get the hell away from them all. What time is it anyway?”

            “It’s going on 6:00”

            “How the hell did we spend that much time in a mall?” Die asked rolling his eyes. “Oh well if it’s six it doesn’t matter where we go we’ll be spotted. It’s my own fault for hanging out with all of them all the time.”

            Koji laughed and parked the car, stepping out and locking it up behind him.

            Die slipped on his sunglasses and pulled up his coat stepping to the walkway that would lead him to embarrassing gestures of kindness from men three times his age.

            “Here we are Shinya,” Kaoru said opening the front door to the restaurant.

            “Don’t we have to go around back?” Shinya asked reluctant to go in.

            “Only when I’m working,” Kaoru said and pulled his shoulder.

            Someone grabbed the door from Kaoru’s hand and he looked up to see a tall bulky man in a clean black suit. Kaoru instinctively pulled Shinya close to him and backed away from the large man.

            “Koji,” a red-headed boy, (Kaoru thought he was young anyway) said as he slapped the big man’s arm. “He didn’t mean to frighten you.” The boy said. “He was just holding the door, please go in.” He waved to Kaoru. Kaoru nodded and pushed Shinya in ahead of him.

            Kyo shrunk in his seat and pulled the menu up in front of his face.

            “Nani?” Toshiya asked. He turned and looked at the men in the doorway snickering as he saw Die standing with a bodyguard. “Oh look Kyo, your koibito is here for you.”

            Kyo kicked Toshiya’s shin and Toshiya smacked his menu slapping him in the face with it. Kyo dropped it just in time to catch Die’s eye as he passed.

            Die stopped at the table. “Kyo, right?”

            Kyo nodded.

            Die looked at Toshiya.

            “I’m Toshiya,” he said nudging Kyo’s foot under the table.

            “I’m Die,” he said taking off his sunglasses and offering a small nod.

            Kaoru wondered if that was the redhead he sometimes heard about, as one of the waiters lead he and Shinya to their table. They were sitting right next to the booth that the redhead had stopped at and Kaoru heard him introduce himself as Die. Die. Sounded sinister if you thought about it right and coming from a Yakuza’s son Kaoru was sure that’s how you were meant to take it.

            “Can I have spaghetti Kaoru?” Shinya asked. “Kaoru?”

            “What, oh yeah, sure you can have spaghetti, you want some breadsticks too?” Kaoru smiled paying full attention to Shinya.

            Shinya smiled as his eyes grew bigger.

            “May I take your order?” The waiter asked.

            Kaoru looked to Shinya. “Spaghetti please, and breadsticks,” Shinya asked a beaming smile covering his face. “I’ll take the mushroom ravioli, and water to drink.”

The waiter nodded and walked away.

            Shinya looked up at Kaoru and noticed he was paying close attention to the booth next to them and the three people talking.

            “Would you mind if I sat here with you two?” Die asked.

            Kyo visibly paled and Toshiya laughed. “Why would you want to sit with the likes of us?”

            “Well to be honest, if I’m with friends all the old men in the corners of this place will leave me alone for a little while.” Die shrugged and flicked his eyes around discreetly looking at all of them poised on the edge of their seats ready to pounce on him.

            “Under normal circumstances,” Toshiya said. “I would’ve agreed, but you see Kyo and I haven’t seen each other for awhile and I don’t want our time to be interrupted, you can understand I’m sure?” Toshiya flashed a white smile, and Kyo stared at his gall.

            “Oh I can understand, Kyo is pretty interesting, I wouldn’t want to steal your time, sorry for bothering you.” Die turned to leave.

            “Die,” Toshiya said. “Kyo and I are planning to ice skate later maybe you’d like to join us then?”

            “I’d like that very much, if it’s ok with Kyo?” Die looked at him. Toshiya nudged his foot again.

            Kyo opened his mouth once; twice. “It’s alright with me.”

            “Ok, when you’re done come back to my table and we’ll work the details. Now if you’ll excuse me it’s my turn to be publicly embarrassed.” Die bowed and wandered to his table with Koji as three or four suits followed him.

            Kyo could’ve killed Toshiya. “You loud mouthed jerk! Why’d you have to tell him that?” Kyo glared.

            “Oh come on, he seems nice, and it won’t hurt you to be nice back. I’ll be there; if he tries anything I’ll kick his ass and forever after believe your instincts.”

            “You’re gonna kick his ass?” Kyo laughed. “You and what army with that beefcake he’s got for a friend?”

            The waiter stopped at their table and took their order wandering off again.

            “I just mean that I don’t think he’s after anything besides getting to know you.” Toshiya said reaching his arm for Kyo.

            Kyo just stared at him, still pissed.

            “Come on Kyo, do this for me and I’ll give you a full rubdown tonight; you know you like massages, especially mine, what do you say?”

            “Fine, but I’ll still hate you until I’ve eaten, deal?” Kyo asked.

            “Deal.” Toshiya grinned.

            Kaoru smiled despite himself and looked over at Shinya. “Oh, I’m sorry Shinya. I should be paying attention to you.” Kaoru said remembering his rightful surroundings.

            “It’s alright Kaoru,” Shinya said, though he was a little hurt at being ignored. “What did you order?”

            “It’s a mushroom, a type of vegetable, well a fungus really, but they cut it up and put it in a pastry casing, kind of like a breadstick with stuff inside of it,” Kaoru said.

            “Wow, can I try it?”

            “Yeah, no problem.” Kaoru smiled.

            Shinya smiled too and began kicking his feet excitedly under the table as he looked at all the different things and people in this place. For some reason he kept staring over at the two next to them.

            The two also young boys both had black hair, one was considerably short while the other was tall and lean; he smiled a lot and Shinya liked that, he had a good smile. Shinya wished he could get to know these two like Kaoru.

            Kaoru was watching Shinya and noticed that he was staring at the boys across from them. Kaoru followed Shinya’s gaze and laughed when the taller boy looked at Shinya and smiled causing him to blush and look away.

            Toshiya felt like someone was watching him, while he enjoyed his time with Kyo. He turned in the direction of the feeling and was greeted by two big eyes almost covered in black bangs. Toshiya smiled wide and the boy looked away. Toshiya turned to the one he was with. “He’s so cute,” he commented.

            “Thanks,” the older one said.

            “What’s his name?” Toshiya asked.

            “Shinya.”

            Toshiya waved. “It’s ok to look at me Shinya, I don’t mind you.”

            Kyo found he was growing jealous of Toshiya’s easy way with everyone, and more jealous that he was talking to everyone but him. He glared a little harder than he meant to at the boys across from them.

            Shinya slowly turned to meet Toshiya’s gaze again and a rose color stained his cheeks prettily as Kaoru watched his nervous friend.

            “I’m sorry for staring,” Shinya said.

            “It’s no problem, is this your brother you’re out with?” Toshiya asked leaning closer.

            “Well he is now,” Shinya smiled at Kaoru.

            Toshiya looked at Kaoru, confused.

            “It’s a long story, but he means that basically I’m taking care of him now.”

            “You’re taking care of him? But you’re so young.” Toshiya said. “Forgive me, what’s your name?”

            “I’m Kaoru.”

            “I’m Toshiya and this, grumpy one here, is Kyo.” Toshiya looked at Shinya, and the boy was shrinking away from the horrible look on Kyo’s face. “Don’t mind him Shinya, he just hasn’t eaten yet.” Toshiya patted Kyo’s foot with his own and moved his eyes trying to get Kyo to say something.

            Kyo rolled his eyes and sighed looking at Shinya. “Don’t worry kid; I’m only half-demon.” Kyo smiled.

            Shinya stared wide eyed and moved to the chair on the other side of the table, closer to Kaoru and farthest away from Kyo.

            Kaoru put a warm hand on Shinya’s shoulder, and leaned into him. “He’s only kidding, he’s not demon at all, I can tell, he doesn’t smell like one.” Kaoru sniffed the air.

            Shinya sniffed the air and caught the familiar scent of breadsticks and spaghetti. Dinner had arrived; forgetting his worry of Kyo, Shinya looked hungrily at his food as the waiter placed it before him.

            Toshiya laughed as he watched Shinya’s expressions. “You’d think he’d never eaten before,” Toshiya said to Kaoru.

            Kaoru smiled at Shinya and motioned for him to start eating then looked at Toshiya. “Well he’s not used to it that’s for sure.”

            “What do you mean?” Toshiya asked.

            “Why don’t you sit with us?” Kaoru asked. “I don’t really want to talk across a table to you about Shinya.”

            “Hmm.” Toshiya thought for a moment then looked at Kyo. “Is it ok Kyo?”

            “Die might want to sit with us too,” Kyo said flatly.

            “Oh you’re right.” Toshiya looked to Kaoru. “Can we meet after dinner? Kyo and I are going to ice-skate, maybe you could join us, and we could talk?”

            Kaoru thought of the wonderful opportunity to show Shinya something new and readily agreed.

            “Alright then, one big group of skaters; but for now we’ll eat in peace.” Toshiya smiled.

            Kaoru nodded and turned back to Shinya watching him devouring his plate of spaghetti. “Remember not to eat too fast.” Kaoru smiled.

            Shinya looked up then straightened himself in his chair, taking his time with his food.

            Die rolled his head over to Koji and groaned as the theme from The Godfather, began to rumble out through the speakers. It seemed like hordes of Kobun were trying to get his attention, though in reality it was two or three, extremely annoying gentlemen that wouldn’t leave and tried to pay for Die’s food, again and again. Die nearly banged his fists on the table to make them shut up, but as luck would have it, Toshiya and Kyo saved him from that fate.

            Toshiya stood at the edge of the table and sighed. The Kobun looked at him briefly then went back to their insisting. Toshiya knocked his fist on the table. “Excuse me gentlemen but you are taking away from Die’s day out with his friends.” Toshiya threw on an easy smile, and again Kyo just stared at his nerves; it was truly amazing that he could nearly man-handle these suits but in a fist fight he balked.

            Die cleared his throat and the Kobun reluctantly left with wishes for his father and messages of greetings.

            “We managed to pick up two more for a group skate, I hope you don’t mind?” Toshiya asked.

            “No I don’t mind, are you ready to go then?” Die asked.

            “Yup.” Toshiya smiled.

            Die slid his way out of the booth followed by Koji and walked out of the restaurant, leading the way, which he hated.

            Once outside Kaoru lit a cigarette, Toshiya stepped closer to him and practically begged with his eyes. Kaoru smiled and handed the smoldering stick to Toshiya; he took it gratefully and pulled a long drag. “That’s smooth, hits the spot ne Kaoru?” Toshiya breathed out and passed the stick back. Kaoru just laughed.

            “Who are you?” Shinya asked the new red headed boy.

            “You can call me Die. What’s your name?” Die smiled down at Shinya, he was pretty tall for such a skinny little thing.

            “I’m Shinya.” He bowed slightly like he had seen the other men doing in front of Die earlier.

            “Oh god, not you too,” Die whined. “Look kid, you don’t have to bow to me, in fact I kinda get offended when people do, so just hold back that instinct ok?” Die smiled again, a little pained this time.

            Kyo glared at Toshiya for a second then shrugged and pulled a stick from his pack; lighting up he was very aware of the boy, Shinya, staring at him.

            Koji pulled Die away from the others as they were talking and sharing a cigarette. “Die the car won’t fit all of them.”

             “Funny you should bring that up,” Die said. “I was just going to ask you to take the Martin home and round up an economy for me.”

            “Die you know your father would kill me if I came home without you,” Koji said.

            “Well then, isn’t it a good thing that my father is out on business tonight? I think you’d better hurry up though, I don’t know when he’ll be back.”

            “Die, I can’t leave you in the hands of these kids, god only knows what could happen, especially since that little one knows you from the pachinko parlor.” Koji nodded his head at the small group that were laughing and smoking.

            “Koji, nothing is going to happen to me. How long will you be gone? Maybe twenty minutes? Please just go and let me have some time as a kid, you know I don’t get a lot of chance to. Please Koji?” Die stared at the ground.

            “Alright, but take this with you.” Koji passed Die a small butterfly knife and bowed to go.

            “Thanks man, I owe you one,” Die said.

            “You just better be at that damn skating rink when I get back or I’ll kill you myself.”

            Shinya was staring at Kyo, and Kyo was ignoring him as he blew a great puff of smoke through his lips. Shinya swallowed and stepped a little closer. Kyo wondered what the hell the kid was doing and turned to glare at him. “What do you want?” Kyo asked.

            Shinya looked at the ground but didn’t move. “I’m sorry; I just wanted to see how our heights compared. It’s strange to me to see someone older, yet as tell, maybe shorter than me.” Shinya gulped.

            Kyo straightened his back and thrust out his jaw, pulling on an aggressive frown; he moved so that he was facing Shinya and poked his chest a couple of times. “I may be small but I can kill you three different ways before you hit the ground.” Kyo smirked.

            Shinya mustered his courage and stared right back into Kyo’s eyes, with strange feelings that he couldn’t name passing through him.

            “Kyo leave him alone,” Toshiya said.

            Kaoru had been talking to Toshiya and not really paying attention to Shinya. When he turned and saw the boy looking about ready to fight the demon Kyo, Kaoru moved to Shinya’s side and pulled the boy away. “Shinya, we don’t get into fights without really good reason right?”

            Die had been watching Kyo and Shinya, almost hoping they would fight so he could gauge their abilities. Those things, Die thought. Those little things I think are proof that I should get out more. Die scratched his chin and walked calmly over to the huddle of smokers. “Well should we get a move on to the skating rink?”

            What are you trying to do? Kyo thought. Lead us around like we’re your yakuza thugs? Toshiya linked his arm in Kyo’s and pulled him close as they started walking. At least you won’t get Toshiya; he’ll always be my one best friend. Kyo thought as he protectively placed himself between Die and Toshiya, as much as he didn’t want to be around Die, the more so he wanted to keep Toshiya away. Kyo wasn’t entirely sure what was causing him to be so mean, or protective tonight, maybe he didn’t get enough sleep.

            “How much farther do we have to walk?” Shinya asked as he swung Kaoru’s arm.

            “Not too much further it’s just on the other side of that building.” Kaoru pointed.

            “Kaoru, would you carry me?”

            “Sure.” Kaoru laughed, and stopped walking to pick Shinya up. Shinya climbed onto Kaoru’s back and smiled as his new brother picked him up.

            Toshiya stopped the other’s progress to wait for Kaoru and his load, he giggled at the sight of the gangly boy holding tight to Kaoru.

            “He is old enough to walk on his own you know,” Kyo said as he rolled his eyes.

            “I know,” Kaoru replied. “But I like bonding with him and this is how we do it currently.” Kaoru smiled as he caught up with the group.

            “To be honest,” Die said. “I’m kind of jealous, I always wanted a big brother; the closest I have is Koji.”

            “Well you’re a bit big for me to carry, and not nearly as light as Shinya I’m sure.” Kaoru laughed. “But I’ll be your friend.”

            “But you don’t even know me,” Die said a little stunned at Kaoru’s openness.

            “I know, but you get to know people better by being their friend and doing stuff with them right?” Kaoru asked. “And I’m willing to take some time and find out about you, so we’re friends.”

            “Yeah, I’m your friend too,” Toshiya said, leaving Kyo and patting Die’s shoulder.

            Die couldn’t help but blush at the open acceptance. Mostly kids would want to hang out with him to get into the Yakuza, or meet his father, or even just for bragging rights and street cred. But these two at least seemed genuinely interested in Die; the real Die, not the name on the street or the son of a prominent Oyabun, but the honest kid underneath all of that. “Thank you.” Was all Die could manage.

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