Secret Garden, Chapter Two
Title: Secret Garden
Chapter: 2/ 49
Beta:none
Pairing: GacktxYou
Rating: PG13
Genre: Drama, Mystery, AU
Warnings: Gore, Drinking, Language
Disclaimer: Plot and and original characters are my own. Gackt and Co. belong to themselves.
Summary: Under the cover of night a killer is stalking Shinjuku’s underground and leading an improbable pair of allies on a depraved game of cat and mouse.
You, who had been about to reply, paused, blinking in surprise at the other man's words. “excuse me?”
The pale man smirked, turning his eyes from You, to pick up his glass.
“I thought so.”
You groaned, silently berating himself for having been so easily had. How had the man guessed in the first place?
The detective cleared his throat, unsure of how to proceed. He had no reason to suspect the man of being connected with the crime, aside from the words of the boy. But, even if the man wasn't connected to the crime, maybe...just maybe, he would know why the victim had been in, what was supposedly his turf. Perhaps he would have seen the boy, or know of someone who might have.
Once more clearing his throat, You finally spoke. “I'd like to speak to you about an incident that occurred last night.”
“An incident?” Gackt inquired, the honey tones of his voice edged with laughter. He took a sip of the clear liquid in his glass, the ice cubes clinking against the crystal as they shifted. “Of what sort?”
You propped an elbow on the counter, leaning his lanky frame against the bar, as he dug one hand into the inner pocket of his coat. The detective withdrew a sheet of folded paper from his jacket pocket. On it, was printed a copy of the photograph that had been e-mailed to him. You unfolded the paper, it was a snapshot of the as of yet, still unidentified victim.
He didn't hand the other man the photo immediately, waiting to watch the other man's reaction as he spoke. “...a death.”
Ever so slowly, Gackt turned his head back to stare at You, one delicate eyebrow arched in question. “..a death?” the pale man echoed.
“A murder to be precise. A young boy was found this morning-
“I don't know anything about it” the man cut in.
“If you could just take a look at this photograph..” You replied, offering the sheet of paper to Gackt. The man sighed, swiping the the sheet from You's grasp.
“I don't have the faintest..” the mans words trailed off, as he examined the picture. He seemed,
You realized, almost transfixed by the face that stared up silently from the page.
“...Perhaps in better light?”
“No” the reply was sudden and sharp, coming almost before You, had finished speaking. The man thrust the flimsy sheet of printer paper back into You's hand. His eyes, now that he had finally torn them from the image of the dead boy, were averted, staring intently at the polished marble of the bar.
“You're sure you've never seen him before”, You prompted, unable to completely keep an edge of disbelief from his words.
Gackt had already picked up his glass and was once more sipping his drink. He lowered the glass, shaking his head softly. Swallowing with a slight grimace, he turned his eyes back to You. “No...I meant that more light was unnecessary...I did know the boy or rather I was acquainted with him.”
“You are?” the detective was floored. He'd never expected the other man to admit it.
“Yes” Once again that amused smirk was tugging at the corner of the other man's lips. Although You noted, it seemed a little strained this time. “But, I'm afraid detective, that I can't see what help that would be. I had met him and even worked with him on a few occasions. But I haven't a clue where he lived, or even his proper name, so...” the man shrugged turning back to the apparently far more interesting subject of his drink.
“What do you mean, worked with him?”
The smirk was full fledged this time. “Sometimes, my clients like to errr... multi task.”
You groaned, he should have kept his mouth shut and just taken his best guess.
“and when was the last time you two worked together?”
“Last night.”
You nearly gagged on the lungful of air he had just inhaled. “You worked with him last night?”
The man turned his dark painted eyes back to You. “I'm sure thats why his two little friends sent you in my direction. It was them I assume? The two boys he works the same street as?”
“I'm afraid I really can't discuss that.” Tucking the folded printout back into his pocket and removing his note pad, You slid onto the vacant barstool next to the man.
“So could you explain to me exactly what transpired last night?”
Gackt was in the proses of lighting a cigarette. He glanced over at the detective, a low chuckle escaped his slightly parted lips, accompanied by wisps of smoke. “Transpired? What...transpired...?” He shook his head in amusement, “Well lets see...I needed a second person last night, so I called Koji and told him I'd come pick him up around eleven. When I got their he was waiting for me with the other two...” The man paused to inhale a another lungful of smoke. “We got to my client's apartment around...nearly midnight, I suppose. We were at it for around two hours . Koji took a cab when we were done. That was the last time I saw him, when he was getting into the cab. I headed back to my own apartment after that.”
“and who, was your client?”
This question garnered an amused snort from the blue eyed man, “I'm afraid I really can't discuss it.”
“Sir...this is a murder investigation. I could care less about what you do for a living, I just want a name....”
His only answer was the rhythmic pounding of the music through the clubs sound system as he watched the other man silently smoke.
You had to admit the mere sight of the man had, had him frazzled since first laying eyes on him. This was hardly the delicate rent boy or worn down, sleazy hustler he had been prepared for.
There was something about the mans features, the delicate chin and nose, the large lips, the high set of the cheeks bones, that reminded You of foreign actresses he had seen. Then there was that body, under its layers of silk and animal skin. He didn't look at first glance as if he'd be very strong, his frame, although well muscled had that same clinging air of feminine curve and flow. But You had the feeling that man would be a force to be reckoned with in a fight.
Aware that he not only been staring for sometime now, but had also still failed in gaining a reply from the man, You pointedly cleared his throat. “I really do need a name. Especially if you hope to be eliminated as a suspect.”
Gackt spared him a sidelong glance at this, exhaling a cloud of smoke in the detective's general directions. “And I really can't say. I like my hide in its current form.”
“He doesn't have to know it was you who told me...”
The moment the words left You's lips, the other man had a hand clapped over his own mouth to stifle his laughter. Vaguely hysterical laughter, the detective's noted. Perhaps the man was a little unhinged mentally.
“Oh he'd know, alright.”
“If you're afraid to-
But the detective's words were cut short by the electric chirp of a cell phone.
The other man twisted around his chair, his fit-like laughter suddenly halting and reached a hand into the pocket of the long coat that was draped over the back of his chair. He extracted a thin white cell phone, snapping in it open and pressing it to his ear with a distinctly business-like flourish.
“Good evening?” You noticed immediately, that mans voice had risen several octaves to a softer more feminine tone.
There was the garbled sound of conversation from the other end. Gackt listened silently, his already pale skin seaming to drain of what little color it had possessed, at the sound of the other's voice. “Tonight?” he, asked into the phone after the line had finally quieted. This question was met with another long burst of noise.
“No, no of course its not a problem...the usual place?....Okay...okay...I'll be there in twenty.” The man snapped the phone shut, slipping it back into his pocket and turned back to the bar, dropping a few bills onto the counter. “I'm afraid I have to go.” He slid off the stool at those words, quickly pulling on his coat. He was surprisingly tall, only a few inches shorter than You, was himself.
“I hope you find whoever it was, that killed that boy,” he finally looked at You then, really looked at him, for the first time since he had been shown the boy's photo. The detective couldn't help but be taken aback by depth of emotion in the other mans eyes. “I mean that you know,” he added adjusting the collar of his jacket, “Nobody should die so early in life, when they've barely had the chance to learn what life is.”
Burying his hands in his pockets the man swept passed You.
He paused a few feet away, turning back to look at the taller man one last time, a mischievous glint in his eyes. “Detective? Lose the belt next time!” That having been said, he turned again and headed for the front doors, at what was almost a jog.
His belt? All the detective could do for a moment was stand there, a heady sense of confusion buzzing around in his brain. Shacking his head, You re-buttoned his own jacket, and pausing to pocket one of the cigarette butts the man had left in the ashtray and quickly followed Gackt out.
If he made it outside in time, he might be able to get a license plate number.
He didn't, or rather, it was impossible to make out the plate number of the sleek black bike as it sped past, throwing up a spray of chill water in its wake. Cursing, the detective pulled the collar of his blazer, tighter around his neck and watched as the glow of the bike's taillights faded and disappeared into the distance.
“Serves him right if he breaks his neck,” You grumbled under his breath, turning to duck into his own car, before anymore freezing droplets of rain could make there way down the back of his neck.
⇐ back next ⇒
______________________________
And so it begins. *laughs* Be forewarned that I think there should be a chance for character development, first. None of this business of everyone going at it like rabbits in the first chapter. So, you're going to be waiting around a while for that sort of thing. Other than that...well, leave a comment if you've read it, so I can know what everybody thinks.
Chapter: 2/ 49
Beta:none
Pairing: GacktxYou
Rating: PG13
Genre: Drama, Mystery, AU
Warnings: Gore, Drinking, Language
Disclaimer: Plot and and original characters are my own. Gackt and Co. belong to themselves.
Summary: Under the cover of night a killer is stalking Shinjuku’s underground and leading an improbable pair of allies on a depraved game of cat and mouse.
You, who had been about to reply, paused, blinking in surprise at the other man's words. “excuse me?”
The pale man smirked, turning his eyes from You, to pick up his glass.
“I thought so.”
You groaned, silently berating himself for having been so easily had. How had the man guessed in the first place?
The detective cleared his throat, unsure of how to proceed. He had no reason to suspect the man of being connected with the crime, aside from the words of the boy. But, even if the man wasn't connected to the crime, maybe...just maybe, he would know why the victim had been in, what was supposedly his turf. Perhaps he would have seen the boy, or know of someone who might have.
Once more clearing his throat, You finally spoke. “I'd like to speak to you about an incident that occurred last night.”
“An incident?” Gackt inquired, the honey tones of his voice edged with laughter. He took a sip of the clear liquid in his glass, the ice cubes clinking against the crystal as they shifted. “Of what sort?”
You propped an elbow on the counter, leaning his lanky frame against the bar, as he dug one hand into the inner pocket of his coat. The detective withdrew a sheet of folded paper from his jacket pocket. On it, was printed a copy of the photograph that had been e-mailed to him. You unfolded the paper, it was a snapshot of the as of yet, still unidentified victim.
He didn't hand the other man the photo immediately, waiting to watch the other man's reaction as he spoke. “...a death.”
Ever so slowly, Gackt turned his head back to stare at You, one delicate eyebrow arched in question. “..a death?” the pale man echoed.
“A murder to be precise. A young boy was found this morning-
“I don't know anything about it” the man cut in.
“If you could just take a look at this photograph..” You replied, offering the sheet of paper to Gackt. The man sighed, swiping the the sheet from You's grasp.
“I don't have the faintest..” the mans words trailed off, as he examined the picture. He seemed,
You realized, almost transfixed by the face that stared up silently from the page.
“...Perhaps in better light?”
“No” the reply was sudden and sharp, coming almost before You, had finished speaking. The man thrust the flimsy sheet of printer paper back into You's hand. His eyes, now that he had finally torn them from the image of the dead boy, were averted, staring intently at the polished marble of the bar.
“You're sure you've never seen him before”, You prompted, unable to completely keep an edge of disbelief from his words.
Gackt had already picked up his glass and was once more sipping his drink. He lowered the glass, shaking his head softly. Swallowing with a slight grimace, he turned his eyes back to You. “No...I meant that more light was unnecessary...I did know the boy or rather I was acquainted with him.”
“You are?” the detective was floored. He'd never expected the other man to admit it.
“Yes” Once again that amused smirk was tugging at the corner of the other man's lips. Although You noted, it seemed a little strained this time. “But, I'm afraid detective, that I can't see what help that would be. I had met him and even worked with him on a few occasions. But I haven't a clue where he lived, or even his proper name, so...” the man shrugged turning back to the apparently far more interesting subject of his drink.
“What do you mean, worked with him?”
The smirk was full fledged this time. “Sometimes, my clients like to errr... multi task.”
You groaned, he should have kept his mouth shut and just taken his best guess.
“and when was the last time you two worked together?”
“Last night.”
You nearly gagged on the lungful of air he had just inhaled. “You worked with him last night?”
The man turned his dark painted eyes back to You. “I'm sure thats why his two little friends sent you in my direction. It was them I assume? The two boys he works the same street as?”
“I'm afraid I really can't discuss that.” Tucking the folded printout back into his pocket and removing his note pad, You slid onto the vacant barstool next to the man.
“So could you explain to me exactly what transpired last night?”
Gackt was in the proses of lighting a cigarette. He glanced over at the detective, a low chuckle escaped his slightly parted lips, accompanied by wisps of smoke. “Transpired? What...transpired...?” He shook his head in amusement, “Well lets see...I needed a second person last night, so I called Koji and told him I'd come pick him up around eleven. When I got their he was waiting for me with the other two...” The man paused to inhale a another lungful of smoke. “We got to my client's apartment around...nearly midnight, I suppose. We were at it for around two hours . Koji took a cab when we were done. That was the last time I saw him, when he was getting into the cab. I headed back to my own apartment after that.”
“and who, was your client?”
This question garnered an amused snort from the blue eyed man, “I'm afraid I really can't discuss it.”
“Sir...this is a murder investigation. I could care less about what you do for a living, I just want a name....”
His only answer was the rhythmic pounding of the music through the clubs sound system as he watched the other man silently smoke.
You had to admit the mere sight of the man had, had him frazzled since first laying eyes on him. This was hardly the delicate rent boy or worn down, sleazy hustler he had been prepared for.
There was something about the mans features, the delicate chin and nose, the large lips, the high set of the cheeks bones, that reminded You of foreign actresses he had seen. Then there was that body, under its layers of silk and animal skin. He didn't look at first glance as if he'd be very strong, his frame, although well muscled had that same clinging air of feminine curve and flow. But You had the feeling that man would be a force to be reckoned with in a fight.
Aware that he not only been staring for sometime now, but had also still failed in gaining a reply from the man, You pointedly cleared his throat. “I really do need a name. Especially if you hope to be eliminated as a suspect.”
Gackt spared him a sidelong glance at this, exhaling a cloud of smoke in the detective's general directions. “And I really can't say. I like my hide in its current form.”
“He doesn't have to know it was you who told me...”
The moment the words left You's lips, the other man had a hand clapped over his own mouth to stifle his laughter. Vaguely hysterical laughter, the detective's noted. Perhaps the man was a little unhinged mentally.
“Oh he'd know, alright.”
“If you're afraid to-
But the detective's words were cut short by the electric chirp of a cell phone.
The other man twisted around his chair, his fit-like laughter suddenly halting and reached a hand into the pocket of the long coat that was draped over the back of his chair. He extracted a thin white cell phone, snapping in it open and pressing it to his ear with a distinctly business-like flourish.
“Good evening?” You noticed immediately, that mans voice had risen several octaves to a softer more feminine tone.
There was the garbled sound of conversation from the other end. Gackt listened silently, his already pale skin seaming to drain of what little color it had possessed, at the sound of the other's voice. “Tonight?” he, asked into the phone after the line had finally quieted. This question was met with another long burst of noise.
“No, no of course its not a problem...the usual place?....Okay...okay...I'll be there in twenty.” The man snapped the phone shut, slipping it back into his pocket and turned back to the bar, dropping a few bills onto the counter. “I'm afraid I have to go.” He slid off the stool at those words, quickly pulling on his coat. He was surprisingly tall, only a few inches shorter than You, was himself.
“I hope you find whoever it was, that killed that boy,” he finally looked at You then, really looked at him, for the first time since he had been shown the boy's photo. The detective couldn't help but be taken aback by depth of emotion in the other mans eyes. “I mean that you know,” he added adjusting the collar of his jacket, “Nobody should die so early in life, when they've barely had the chance to learn what life is.”
Burying his hands in his pockets the man swept passed You.
He paused a few feet away, turning back to look at the taller man one last time, a mischievous glint in his eyes. “Detective? Lose the belt next time!” That having been said, he turned again and headed for the front doors, at what was almost a jog.
His belt? All the detective could do for a moment was stand there, a heady sense of confusion buzzing around in his brain. Shacking his head, You re-buttoned his own jacket, and pausing to pocket one of the cigarette butts the man had left in the ashtray and quickly followed Gackt out.
If he made it outside in time, he might be able to get a license plate number.
He didn't, or rather, it was impossible to make out the plate number of the sleek black bike as it sped past, throwing up a spray of chill water in its wake. Cursing, the detective pulled the collar of his blazer, tighter around his neck and watched as the glow of the bike's taillights faded and disappeared into the distance.
“Serves him right if he breaks his neck,” You grumbled under his breath, turning to duck into his own car, before anymore freezing droplets of rain could make there way down the back of his neck.
⇐ back next ⇒
______________________________
And so it begins. *laughs* Be forewarned that I think there should be a chance for character development, first. None of this business of everyone going at it like rabbits in the first chapter. So, you're going to be waiting around a while for that sort of thing. Other than that...well, leave a comment if you've read it, so I can know what everybody thinks.