Ch 1: An Angel Flies With Broken Wings
Ryo
sighed glancing at the crumpled piece of paper he was holding. He was new in this town and he
couldn’t seem to find the apartment he was to stay at. Ryo had long dark red hair that was
tied loosely into a ponytail. His
bangs feel around his face sometimes hiding his dark blue eyes. Glancing at the paper once more, he
continued down the street, a small cat at his heels.
Even though he was only 18, Ryo was out on the streets wondering, never staying at a place for more than a month. Everywhere he went, someone always got him into trouble causing him to get put back on the streets. His only companion was a small gray tabby kitten that had followed him from one of the cities he had visited.
“Oi, Kaze,” Ryo smiled, bending down to scratch the kitten behind the ears. The kitten purred happily as he picked her up and bundled her into his jacket, since it had gotten chiller.
Dark clouds loomed up ahead and a chilly breeze swept through the air. Ryo started running now, holding Kaze clutched tightly against his chest. Rain began to splatter the street in fast, heavy drops. Cursing slightly, Ryo dodged into a run down apartment building.
“We’ll stay here until it passes, okay?” he whispered to Kaze, who meowed softly in reply. Ryo wandered up to the counter and tapped the bell lightly. The small ring echoed through the, what appeared to be, empty building.
The floorboards creaked and someone, or something, seemed to be coming towards them. A shadow appeared in the doorway, and Ryo jumped back a bit surprised not having expecting anyone to live here. An elderly man walked up to the counter, leaning slightly to his left. The man had a dirty gray mustache that curled ever so slightly at the tips and the top of his head was almost completely bare. His wrinkled skin seemed to sag off his face, and he had small beady eyes.
“Hullo,” the man greeted Ryo gruffly. He coughed and then continued. “Is there anything I can help you with?”
“Uh?” Ryo blinked realizing he meant him. “Oh yeah…” he reached into his pocket to fetch the crumpled piece of paper, then handed it to the elder man. “Do you know how I can get there?”
The old man nodded, then smirked slightly at him. “As a matter of fact, this is that place. And I, Homura, am the owner,” he replied wheezing a bit.
“Really?” Ryo questioned. When the old man nodded he continued, “There is supposed to be an empty room here I can crash at.”
“Hai, right this way.” Homura motioned for the young man to follow him. Ryo was lead up a creaky old staircase, and into a dark hallway. The only light was a dim over head light that flickered on the verge of burning out. The old man stopped in front of a door at the end of the hall. “I must warn you, it’s not that big,” Homura coughed.
“Anything will be just fine,” came Ryo’s flat reply. Nodding, Homura dropped the key to the room in Ryo’s hand then trudged off down the hall. He unlocked the door then pushed it open. The room was pitch black, except for a small light that was coming in from one of the other doors.
“Oh great,” mumbled Ryo squinting to try and see. His stumbled his way through the darkness, running his hand against the wall. Finally he brushed across what he was looking for and flicked on the light switch.
The room was empty except for a tall wooden bookcase leaning against one of the walls. Gray paint, cracked with old age, covered the walls and the ceiling. Ryo glanced around and saw that there were two closed doors opposite of each other. Walking over the threadbare carpet, he grasped one of the knobs. Kaze peaked out curiously from in his jacket, then leapt to the floor with a soft thud. Ryo pushed the door open, and scanned the room. It seemed to be a bedroom, a bed being the only thing in it.
“Eh?” Ryo blinked, looking down at Kaze who had begun to meow in a warning tone. The hair on her back was standing on its ends and she was glaring at the bed. He took a closer look at the bed and noticed a dog curled up at the bottom of it. “A…a dog?”
The dog’s ears’ twitched as it lazily got up stretching and then it stopped dead in its tracks, seeing the cat and him. Ryo and Kaze dashed out of the room, the dog at their heels barking its head off. Kaze practically flew to the top of the bookcase as the dog continued to bark and growl at Ryo.
“Sano, what’s wrong?” a voice asked. The other door opened and a guy stepped out wearing nothing but a towel. He was a bit taller than Ryo, appearing to be in his early twenties. Long black hair fell down to his lower back, and he had pretty green eyes resembling that of a cats. He glanced over and spotted Ryo. “What are you doing here?”
“Um…well,” Ryo hesitated eyeing the stranger. He felt a blush rising to his cheeks. “I’m staying at this place…in this room…Homura said…”
“That can’t be,” the guy cut him off. “I’m the one Homura gave this room to.”
“But!”
“Even go ask him.”
“Fine, but you come with me…maybe we can straighten this out.” The guy nodded then turned swiftly and went to go get dressed.
Ryo sighed sitting against the wall. “Great…does this mean I don’t have a place to live again?” The dog, Sano, had finally quit barking and wondered over to sniff Ryo’s hand. Sano was a big German Shepard, and had a black patch of fur surrounding one of his eyes. Still a bit nervous of the dog, Ryo stretched his hand out slowly to pat Sano’s head.
The door opened and Ryo looked up to see the guy walk out pulling his hair into a ponytail. Trying not to be to obvious, Ryo studied him noticing his tall slender body. The guy was wearing tight black jeans and a black shirt that fit snugly. He cursed silently to his cheeks which were once again beginning to burn pinkish, and adverted his eyes.
“Um, excuse me sir?” Ryo spoke up hoping to find out more about this handsome stranger.
“Yes?” the guy replied showing no sign of expression on his face what so ever.
“What’s your name?”
“Shinto,” the guy smirked slightly, seeming amused by the question. “Well let’s go talk to the old man.” Ryo nodded and followed him downstairs leaving Kaze and Sano upstairs.
Homura looked up from the counter when the two entered the room. “Hello,” he greeted hobbling over to them.
“Uh, Homura,” Ryo decided to speak up before Shinto could. “I think you made a mistake with the room you gave me.”
“Eh? What do you mean?” Homura blinked looking from him to Shinto then back to Ryo.
“Well I have already occupied that room,” Shinto stepped in a bit annoyed.
“Ah…I see, well then…” Homura pondered, “You’ll either have to share the room, or one of you has to leave.”
“Hm…” Ryo murmured thinking.
“Go get your damn cat and leave,” Shinto demanded. Ryo blinked his mouth hanging open.
“But…” Ryo protested and then seeing it was no use, went to go get Kaze.
“I can’t believe him,” Ryo muttered standing outside of the old building. It was still raining though it had let up a little bit. Kaze meowed softly wrinkling up her nose as a drop of rain hit her in the head. Sighing he bundled his jacket around him and Kaze, then looked for any place at all that would shelter then for the night.
He had only wandered a few feet away when he noticed an alley. Ryo shuddered slightly. Allies had always given him a bad feeling, like someone or something was watching him. Kaze’s ears perked up and she got a wild look in her eyes as she jumped out of his arms.
“Kaze…?” Ryo blinked, she had never acted like this before. The kitten turned to look over her shoulder at him then took off in the direction of Homura’s place. “Hey Kaze!” he called out after her, wondering what had gotten into her.
Ryo took a step to go after her when without warning, someone grabbed him from behind. He gasped spinning to see who it was, but was knocked off his feet. Landing hard of his face, Ryo struggled to roll over but was stopped by a nasty kick to his lower back. Tears were beginning to sting his eyes as someone roughly tied his hands behind his back, continuing to keep him pinned on the ground with their foot. Ryo bit his bottom lip to keep from whimpering as he was pulled to his feet. The last thing he saw was two shadows before a fist connected with his face and he was sent falling into darkness.
Ryo opened his eyes slowly. He tried to glance around but his vision kept fading in and out so he just sighed closing his eyes in defeat.
“Is he still out?” a voice asked from somewhere nearby.
“Hai,” came the reply from another.
He licked his lips to find the taste of blood. ‘Kuso!’ Ryo thought to himself. ‘I have to get out of here somehow…’ A shadow appeared over him, and he remained completely still hoping to lead them to think that he was out. Whoever it was kicked him roughly a few times trying to wake Ryo up. Ryo grunted slightly and looked up to see a tall muscular man towering over him.
“Hey boss, he’s awake!” the man shouted over his shoulder. Ryo noticed that they seemed to be in some sort of empty warehouse. He was tied to one of the support beams, and at the moment there seemed to be no way of escape.
A few other big muscular men appeared and Ryo’s eyes shifted through them trying to find the one that was their boss. The “boss” was anything but what he expected. A tall, slender man came forward making his way through the crowd. He had short blond bleached hair and wore a swishy smile on his face.
“Hi there cutie,” he grinned at Ryo. He smiled admiring his capture before he turned to his group and said something that Ryo couldn’t’ quite catch.
‘Oh great’ Ryo though. Just another problem to add to his others. Two of the men came over and one of them untied him. As soon as Ryo was untied the other man grabbed him around the waist and Ryo was hoisted over the guy’s shoulder.
He couldn’t see really well where the guy was taking him for he was partially hanging upside down and the blood rushing to his head was causing him to get dizzy again. Ryo closed his eyes and listened to the heavy thuds from the guy walking.
When he opened his eyes he saw that they were in some type of bedroom. The guy tossed Ryo onto the bed then pinned his arms to his sides. “Hey Sakeme!” the guy shouted, “get the rope!” A moment later another man thudded in with a coil of rope slung over his huge arm. Together they tied Ryo’s hands to the head board and his feet to the base board. Even struggling with all his might, he could not escape the hold they had on him.
They finally finished then left the room leaving Ryo alone. He fought against the ropes that bond him. Realizing that the more he struggled the tighter the ropes seemed to get, he stopped and fell silent. The “boss” slid into the room and went straight over to the bed Ryo was bound to.
“Hello again.” The evil fool laughed whole heartedly. He took Ryo’s chin in his hands and turned Ryo’s head first to the right then to the left as if examining him. “Oh my, I haven’t even introduced myself,” he said letting go, “I am Tsumiki.”
Ryo grunted. What did he care what the guy’s name was? He just wanted to leave and find Kaze. He glared as Tsumiki leaned forward.
“And who might you be?” Tsumiki whispered in Ryo’s ear. When Ryo didn’t respond he pulled back pretending to look hurt. “Oh, what’s wrong, do you not like me?” Tsumiki’s goofy grin turned into an evil smile. “Well then I’ll just have to change that.” He climbed onto the bed and went nose to nose with Ryo. Smirking he rested his hand on Ryo’s hip. “You’re going to regret not answering me.”
Ryo’s eyes widened in fright as Tsumiki leaned in for a kiss. He jerked his head to the side trying to avoid it. Tsumiki however grabbed tightly a hold of Ryo’s hair, yanking it painfully to keep his head in place. Their lips met and Ryo felt angry tears come to his eyes. Why was he so helpless? Why did his first kiss get taken by…by this jerk!? Questions ran through Ryo’s head as he still painfully tried to pull away.
Tsumiki thrust his tongue through Ryo’s tightly sealed lips. Ryo’s stomach lurched, him beginning to feel sick. Tears flooded his eyes as he felt Tsumiki’s cold, clammy hand penetrate an area he wished to keep private. Tsumiki pulled back and slid his hand out of Ryo’s jeans. He smiled, pleased with himself, and retrieved a whip from the bedpost. “Now the real fun begins,” he growled stretching the whip between his two hands.
Ryo hugged his knees closer to himself, a few tears still lingering on his cheeks. After Tsumiki had the fun he had wanted with Ryo, he had thrown him outside in a nearby alley. Pain shot through Ryo’s back at where the whip had left its marks. He closed his eyes trying to ease the pain and his hurt pride. It started to rain lightly, and Ryo buried his face into his knees. He wished there was a hole somewhere in which he could crawl into to and curl up. His hair fell over his face, but he didn’t bother to move it; his mind and body felt weak and helpless. Ryo’s last thoughts were wondering what was going to happen to him as he drifted off into an uneasy sleep.
Ryo was startled awake by the warmth of the sun on his skin. His body was numb and suffering from pain, but he managed to urge himself to his feet. He was still nervous in the alley, though it looked more pleasant in the daylight. Trudging out of the alley onto the sidewalk, he winced the sun burning brightly in his eyes. He turned so the sun faced his back and began walking aimlessly, having no clue at where he was.
The buildings around him seemed to stretch to the sky, making their way towards the sun. Though it was warm out, he shivered as he tried to stay as far as possible from the people rushing to get to work. Ryo glanced up and down the street to try and see anything at all that looked familiar. He stopped to gander at himself in a store window. His hair was ratted and messy, looking like it hadn’t been washed in weeks. Ryo’s face had a few blood stains covering it and his eyes had dark bags under them. The clothes he was wearing didn’t look much better. His shirt was ripped and battered, his jeans about the same, with stains splotched all over them. It was no wonder that people walking past were beginning to eye him strangely.
Sighing, he stuffed his hands into his pockets and continued walking. He kept his head down trying to avoid the mummers and nasty snickers of those going past. His stomach growled warning Ryo that it needed something to eat, but when he searched his pockets not even a penny was to be found. Ryo brushed into someone and stepped aside quickly mumbling his apologizes.
“It’s you again,” an oddly familiar voice replied. Ryo glanced up then quickly adverted his eyes at seeing Shinto. “What the hell happened to you?” Shinto questioned, looking Ryo up and down.
“Nothing…” he replied nonchalantly, trying to step around Shinto.
“It doesn’t look that way.” Shinto blocked his path waiting for the truth. Ryo studied a bug scurrying along the sidewalk to a small crack in the side of a building. “Hey.” Shinto reached out to touch Ryo’s shoulder. Ryo’s eyes widened in fright and he darted out of Shinto’s reach. He looked like a deer caught in the headlights standing there shaking and hugging himself.
Shinto’s serious expression gave way to a worried look. Lightly he grabbed Ryo’s wrist and led him to a food stand, noticing his stomach growling. “Oi, can I have two hotdogs, please?” Shinto asked pulling out his wallet.
Ryo was standing obediently next to Shinto when heavy footsteps walked up to him. With his goofy grin, Tsumiki stood placed in front of him. Panic took control of Ryo as he backed up right into Shinto, who had his attention directed towards the man cooking.
“What are you doi…” Shinto stopped seeing Tsumiki leaning towards Ryo. He tried to run but Tsumiki quickly grabbed him, placing a kiss on Ryo’s lips. Tsumiki released Ryo who feel to his knees in tears. Turning to leave, he was stopped by Shinto.
“Oh? Shinto-kun it’s you,” Tsumiki’s voice wavered slightly.
“Leave him alone,” Shinto growled, narrowing his eyes.
“Oh my, I’m sorry.” Grinning slightly, Tsumiki continued, “I didn’t know he was your toy.” With that, he turned and strode off not waiting for a response.
Shinto looked down at Ryo who was still on his knees, hunched over, his shoulders trembling. His eyes softened as he bent down and scooped up Ryo gently into his arms. Ryo’s matted bangs fell over his eyes and he was biting his bottom lip so hard it was beginning to bleed. Eyes closed, Ryo felt the warmth around him and relaxed leaning his head against Shinto’s chest. Ryo’s trembling ceased and Shinto couldn’t help but smile slightly.
Ryo opened his eyes to find himself face to face with Sano. The dog barked happily and began to lick his face, seeing that he was okay. Shielding his eyes from the wet sloppy kisses, he tried to sit up. As soon as Ryo began to move the pain reappeared in his back. He cried out, unintentionally, and gritted his teeth against the pain.
Shinto appeared in the doorway. “Be careful,” he warned walking over next to the bed. “How did you manage to get involved with Tsumiki anyways?”
“Why…do you know him?” Ryo asked almost in a whisper.
“Hai, we actually used to be really good friends. I was in a gang with him until I decided to clean up my own life.” Ryo nodded slightly and Shinto went on after observing him. “What did he do to you anyways?” he asked, “You look like crap.”
“Nothing,” Ryo replied coldly. What was he supposed to tell Shinto? That he was weak and had been defiled? Shinto narrowed his eyes. “That concerns you anyways,” he added on quickly.
“Well I have to go pick up some groceries so you stay here and rest.” Shinto walked to the door.
“I’ll be out of here before you get back…”
“No, I’ve already talked to Homura and agreed to let you live with me temporarily.” Ryo blinked looking slightly surprised. Shinto turned and left quietly. Sighing Ryo climbed out of bed painfully and dragged himself to the shower.
The water was cool against his skin making him feel slightly refreshed, as he ran his hand under the faucet. Ryo quickly stripped his clothes and got in. He closed his eyes letting the water run over his face. The water stung his back causing him to wince. Running his fingers through his hair, Ryo reached outside of the curtain and grabbed a bottle of shampoo. After he finished fighting with his hair for shampooing and conditioning, he climbed out dripping wet. A towel was folded neatly on the counter. Hoping Shinto wouldn’t get mad, Ryo used it to dry himself off then draped it over his shoulders.
He had just slipped on his pants, when he heard the door in the other room open and Shinto’s voice. Not wanting to wear his ripped up shirt, Ryo walked out shirtless with the towel still around his shoulders. Shinto glanced over at him, “Shouldn’t’ you be resting?”
“I felt dirty…so I took a shower…sorry,” Ryo explained.
Shinto nodded as he continued to unload the few things he had bought. “Are you hungry?” Realizing that was a stupid question since he appeared to haven’t eaten anything decent in a few days he added, “I’ll start dinner.”
Ryo nodded slightly and not sure of what to do next, followed Shinto who grabbed a few items out of a small freezer Ryo didn’t remember being there. Shinto must have gotten it recently. Shinto spun around quickly, catching Ryo by surprise. Ryo stumbled backwards and tripped over the sleeping Sano. Sano took off towards the bedroom, and Ryo let out a yelp as he hit his back against the bookcase.
“Eh?” Shinto blinked. “You should be more careful.” Ryo nodded in reply, then the two of them walked down to the big kitchen. Standing off to the side as Shinto cooked, Ryo sighed staring at the floor and let his mind wander. Shinto looked over his shoulder and saw Ryo is a daze. He wondered across the kitchen and waved a hand in front of his face. Ryo snapped back into reality and blinked staring face to face with Shinto. Blushing, he just stared into Shinto’s eyes.
“What ‘s your name anyways…?” Ryo blinked, looking at Shinto slightly confused.
‘Ah’ he remembered, he had never really introduced himself. “My name…is…Ryo,” he stated softly.
“Ryo, hm?”
Ryo clutched the blankets tightly around him shivering slightly. Shinto had insisted that he have the bed, since he after all was the one living here. He rolled over. His back to the door of the bedroom. The flat pillow was beginning to make his neck ache. Curling up, he sighed heavily and closed his eyes trying to reach sleep.
Ryo awakened awhile later, this time to something warm and pleasant. Taking a quick glance he realized that he was no longer on the cold floor. He glanced down to see arms wrapped lightly around his waist. Shinto was holding him from behind and sleeping soundly. He could feel a blush rising to his cheeks. Did Shinto know he was doing this? How did he get on the bed to begin with? Shoving his thoughts aside, Ryo drifted off into one of the most peaceful sleeps that had ever found him.
When Ryo awoke, Shinto was gone from the bed and the covers were tucked neatly around him. He shoved them out of the way and made his way towards the bathroom. The sound of running water reached his ears, and he realized that Shinto was in the shower. Sighing he made his way over to Sano who was sleeping curled up in front of the door.
“Hey there Sano,” he whispered quietly stroking the dog’s head. A knock made him advert his attention to the door. “Great,” Ryo muttered walking over answer it. He opened it and his heart did a leap to his throat. Tsumiki was standing there dressed in tight jeans and a loose fitting cream colored shirt.
“Oh?” Tsumiki blinked, “doesn’t Shinto live here?” Ryo nodded his voice caught in his throat. “Well, I’ll just wait for him then.”
“Why…do…y…you want Shinto?” Shinto stammered.
“Can’t I talk to my ex?”
“Y...your ex?!” Ryo couldn’t believe his ears, Shinto used to actually be with this guy? Well at least he now knew Shinto did like guys.
“Yes,” Tsumiki said. ”We were very close too…until that tragic incident that is…”
Curiosity struck Ryo, he just had to find out more. “What incident…?” He urged to know more about Shinto and his past.
“Hmm…” Tsumiki pondered then smiled at Ryo, “Well Shinto-kun might not want you to know…” Ryo’s eyes pleaded him so he sighed and gave in. “We belonged to the same gang, we were alternatives of the boss’ first hand man in case he ever fell through. Of course Shinto-kun and I never believed that would happen. One day though, I’m not sure why it happened, but he managed to get the boss mad and was shot.” Stopping to catch his breath, Tsumiki saw Ryo listening very intently. “The boss called Shinto and I to him and explained that one of us was going to get promoted. We felt a bit heavy hearted that only one of us was getting promoted, but we promised each other to be happy for whichever one of us got the spot. Well my dear Shinto…”
“That’s enough!” Shinto stormed over to Tsumiki. “What are you doing here?”
“Oh Shinto-kun!” Tsumiki draped his arm around Shinto’s neck, “I wanted to ask if you would meet me for dinner tonight.”
Shinto growled shoving Tsumiki away, “Get off of me, will you?”
“Please?”
“No I will NOT go anywhere with you.”
“Oh you’re no fun, fine how about you? Tsumiki turned to a startled looking Ryo.
Before Ryo could reply, Shinto cut in, “Haven’t you hurt him enough, besides I’m already taking him out tonight.” Ryo blinked. “Right?” Shinto sent a glare only Ryo could see and Ryo nodded quickly.
“Really?” Tsumiki gasped slightly holding a hand over his mouth.
“Er…Ryo are you ready?” Shinto asked turning his back to the idiot. Ryo nodded and Shinto quickly grabbed his jacket. Tsumiki stepped out into the hall and Shinto grabbed Ryo’s wrist pulling him down the stairs and eventually outside.
“Hey, you’re hurting me!” Ryo complained, trying to twist away from Shinto.
“Shut up!” snapped the reply, causing Ryo to wince. “Sorry…” Shinto quickly apologized, seeing the reaction. Ryo didn’t say anything, he just drew circles on the concrete looking down. Suddenly Shinto lifted Ryo’s chin and stared him straight into his eyes. “Why do you always seem somewhat afraid of me?”
“I…I’m not,” Ryo stuttered trying to glance away, but he couldn’t’ escape the stare. He cursed to himself, knowing he was blushing and that Shinto would probably notice.
“Hm…?” Shinto raised an eyebrow stepping back. “You’re blushing,” he stated.
“I’m well aware of that,” Ryo grumbled, trying not to look at Shinto.
“You’ll regret liking me, so don’t,” Shinto growled slightly turning to leave.
“Wha…” Ryo stopped, Shinto had already disappeared.
