Fic: Hotel California (SH/KK), (R) (1/1)
Title: Hotel California
Author: Saitaina
Characters: Saguru Hakuba, Kaito Kuroba, Aoko Nakamori, Akako Koizumi, Konosuke Jii, Vodka, with mentions of Gin, Keiko Momoi and Ginzou Nakamori.
Rating: R
Warnings: AU (kinda), Character Death, language, m/f sexual content, m/m sexual content, blood/gore.
Disclaimer: Not mine, they belong to their original artist.
Summary: When escaping your demons, the best thing you could wish for is forgetting what you're running away from.
Notes: Based on the song "Hotel California" by The Eagles. You can get the song here if you wish to listen to it while you read. This is again part of "Finis", one of thirty (30) fics exploring death through Saguru's eyes, previous part of "Finis" can be found here.
Hotel California
Welcome to the Hotel California
Such a lovely place
Plenty of room at the Hotel California
Any time of year
You can find it here
-"Hotel California" by The Eagles
Saguru stared out the window at the rain lashing the road, lightning striking the ground in front of the convertible, forcing him to swerve, nearly running the small sports car into a ditch. He cursed softly and edged around the smoking spot in the ground before pulling his car up to the side of the road, stopping it and throwing it into park. He rested his forehead against the steering wheel, tasting his heart in his throat as he struggled to get control of his shaking nerves.
That latest strike had been too close. He was a fool to be out here in this storm, but it was his only chance to return home, the darkness shielding him from the demons following him. He took a deep, steading breath, glancing back over his shoulder at the darkly stained asphalt before putting his car back in drive, carefully backing away from the ditch before returning to the road proper, heading back on the winding old highway that he had chosen to make his escape on.
He managed to make it a few more miles before the night and the storm started effecting him again, starting to nod off before being jerked back awake again with each flash of lightning and rumble of thunder. His stomach matched the rolling of the sky, hunger and nausea warning with each other. He ran a shaky hand over his face, tasting the blood from his palm. He glanced down at the dark brown covering his hand, gagging slightly. His car shuddered, rolling over rocks as it drifted from his distracted driving, aiming for a ditch again, before Saguru got control over it, cursing in French this time.
He glanced up from his driving after steading the car back on the road and his eyes narrowed at the sight of light, twinkling between the trees and flashes of lightning. He licked his lips, eyes traveling down to the radio clock the merrily twinkled three am in it's sickly green numbers. Decision made with a yawn, he slowed his car, and soon turned onto the rutted dirt road that came up on his left. He followed the winding path towards the growing lights, another yawn catching him by surprise as he finally approached the lit building, staring up at the Spanish styled hotel, wondering what it was doing all the way out in the middle of no where, in the middle of Japan.
He pulled his car into a slot, slipping out of the convertible and locking it before glancing around, shivering as rain poured down on him, soaking him in an instant. He passed by a Mercedes, running a finger lightly over the water and mud covering it, shaking his head as he headed for the large wooden doors.
He glanced around the doors for some sort of bell or buzzer, finding only a leaf covered brass knocker. He shrugged and reached up, rapping with the metal handle hard, listening to the sound echoed through the thick doors. There was a long pause, and Saguru was just about to rap again when the door creaked open. A brown eye peered at him through the crack before it opened further, revealing a woman with the longest, richest black hair he had ever seen, dressed in a conservative white night gown. She smiled, a quirking of blood red lips and stepped back, opening the door wider, silently inviting him in. He took her up on her invitation, shoving his hands into his pockets, trying to keep his shivering at bay as he moved past her, turning to watch as the woman pushed against the door, having to use most of her weight to close it.
"Welcome to the Hotel California," she said, her voice deep, rich, and it wrapped around him like a warm flannel blanket before echoing down the empty hall. She picked up a small candlestick from ledge waving her hand in front of her, gesturing with the candle. "Shall we?" She offered and Saguru nodded, falling in step behind her as they walked. "I apologize for the lack of lights, our electricity went out a few hours ago. But most everything is in working order if you don't might the darkness." She gave him a smile over her shoulder and Saguru felt a chill for a completely different reason.
"I hope I'm not disturbing you," he said, glancing around him, taking in everything, though avoiding the portraits and paintings whose eyes seemed to follow him.
"Not at all, we are always happy to have guests," she replied, and the pair entered a large courtyard. It was shaped like a square, the building surrounding it on all four sides, framing the small rows of flowers and herbal plants, which themselves framed a beautiful, marble and cement fountain. Saguru stared at the fountain, watching the water as it poured endlessly out of and around a statue of a woman. He watched the woman's face, seemingly crying as the water spilled down it, the statue seemingly staring back at Saguru. He turned away and jumped, startled by the appearance of another woman, this one a pale, wisp of a girl, her hair in shambles around her head, her own long white gown tangled and slightly torn in places.
"Welcome to the Hotel California," she said, and her voice was wispy, a bare and blank tone that caused Saguru to take another look at her, curious as to if she was really there or a exhaustion induced hallucination. "Such a lovely place..." She mused, turning in a circle around her, before facing Saguru again. She tilted her head up, staring into his eyes before reaching a pale hand up, placing it against is cheek, gently brushing her thumb over his skin. Her touch was ice cold and Saguru raised his own hand, covering hers, wishing to will what little warmth he had inside him to her. "Such a lovely face....you seem familiar....do I know you?" she asked, tilting her head.
Saguru looked questioningly at the first woman whom looked back sadly, the candlelight flickering in her eyes. "She has amnesia," she said softly. "Doesn't remember anything but the name of the hotel...and him." The woman turned towards the courtyard and Saguru's eyes followed as he slipped off his jacket, trapping it around the smaller girl next to him, pulling her close, trying to warm her up.
Standing on the second tier of the fountain, somehow keeping his footing despite the water flowing over his white loafers was a man, staring up at the moon. Saguru blinked, then rubbed a hand across his eyes, sure he was hallucinating this time, but no, when his hand returned to his side and he opened his eyes, the man was still there, brown hair fluttering in the rain and wind, cape swirling about his legs.
"There's a man standing on the fountain, in a white tuxedo," he said, as if he no longer trusted his eyes (or hearing since he hadn't heard the man approach).
"Quite." the woman with the candle said before gathering one side of her nightgown in her hand. "Let me show you to your room." Saguru nodded and went to release the amnesiac girl only to find his arm empty. He tuned back towards the courtyard, the only place he could see that she could have gone, and he found her sitting on the first tier of the fountain, leaning against the second, her head resting against the man's calf.
Saguru shook his head and followed his guide, traveling after her as she climbed a set of stairs before pausing in front of a doorway, gesturing to it. "Your room," she said, giving him a bow and the candle stick before vanishing back down into the darkness of the stairwell. He watched her go before pushing open the wooden door of his room. He glanced at the Spartanly furnished room, setting the candle on the small table by the door. He yawned heavily, eyes growing heavy as he leaned over, blowing out the candle, watching the smoke curl up around the crucifix on the wall before stripping off his tie and vest, tossing them in an absent pile in the corner along with his shoes and socks, almost falling onto the bed as he moved closer to it. He roused himself enough to flip over and unbuckle his belt before falling back onto the bed again, wincing at the hardness, pulling his pillow closer. Sleep started to claim his mind as voices drifted up to him through the slightly ajar balcony doors, soft sinking along with merry splashing from the courtyard below.
--
There was a scream and a shower of blood, staining the floor, the walls, covering him. It was thick, choking. He was drowning in the blood, watching it poor into his mouth, covering his sight in an ugly red tinge. Another scream sounded, this one thick and gurgling, choked off before it was ever fully completed.
Saguru jerked awake, gasping, sweat staining his body. He pushed the blanket off his body and lowered his legs over the side of the bed, running a trembling hand over his face and through his hair. He swallowed thickly and gagged, trying to control his breathing as he lowered his head between his knees, struggling not to remember the feeling of the blood from the dream coating his throat.
Another scream sounded, but this one so different then the one of his dream, this one high and merry. He raised his head, watching the sheer curtains of the balcony door fluttering in the soft breeze. Standing, he started unbuttoning his shirt to get cool air on his skin. He opened the glass door fully and stepped out onto the balcony, looking down at the courtyard. He watched as the three he had first met danced their way around the fountain, their laughter and giddy screams floating up to him.
He glanced at his watch, noting the time of five am before leaning on the stone railing, the curious spectacle drawing his attention. His eyes first found the pale girl, who was laughing and chasing what appeared to be bubbles around the fountain, her thin nightgown and brown hair twirling around her as she skipped, laughed and danced to the flute being played by a gray haired man in the shadows of a tree. She looked so...happy. And childlike. Saguru wondered what had happened to her, to take her memories away, but wondered if it was really important? Did she really need her memories, if she could currently laugh so freely?
His attention was drawn to the man chasing her, doing some odd things that looked almost like cartwheels and flips as he ran after the girl, not trying to actually catch her, but more like he was joining her in some bizarre dance. He had lost his cape and shoes somewhere, now running around barefoot and in that strange suit, looking as wild and crazy as the girl, but far from as free. There was something almost desperate about the man, as if he were pushing himself, forcing himself to have fun, to enjoy himself, and Saguru wondered about him as well. What made him so desperate, so frustrated...so bound?
What invisible monster was chasing the man, that made him run so?
The sweet, soft sounds of a harp started and Saguru's attention drifted from the man to a bench in the corner furthest from him. The dark haired woman was seated now, playing the harp, causing the sadly sweet sounds. He watched, enthralled as she carefully plucked at the glimmering strings of the golden instrument. He leaned further out, as if trying to hear better, watching those long finger gliding over the strings. The flute matched the melody, tugging at Saguru's chest, a lump forming in his throat. There was a soft fluttering, and then a gentle, sweet voice started to sing. Saguru couldn't hear the words clearly enough to hear them, but the sounds were full of longing and regret. A tear started to slip down Saguru's cheek as he shifted his weight, hopping up onto the edge of the balcony, pulling his pipe from his pocket, a pouch of tobacco following. He filled the pipe and lit it, smoke curling from his lips as he looked back down at those below him.
The girl was the one singing, now dancing a strange, spiraling dance in the moonlight, her arms raised over her head as she danced with an invisible partner, though it seemed almost to Saguru as if she were dancing with the wind itself, the way it twisted and spiraled around her. The man, her chaser was sitting on the fountain, one of his legs drawn up to his chest, his arm wrapped around it, the other resting casually by his side, twisting something that glimmered over and over again in his hand, a long chain flowing around and through his fingers like water. He watched the girl, his face closed off, though a small smile played on his lips as he watched her dance.
The sweet smell of rain and roses floated up to Saguru as he took another drag from the pipe between his lips, the spicy scent of burnt wood and spices adding to the sweetness. His eyes drifted and he allowed them to close, simply listening to the song and music, almost swaying to the intoxicating melody, his nightmares forgotten in the darkness of his room.
--
Saguru was awoken by the church bells ringing out over the hotel. He groaned, shifting, burring his face into his pillow before finally managing to drag himself upright, blinking blearily at his pocket watch, groaning as he fell back into the pillows. He had only been asleep for an hour before being so rudely awoken.
He heard shifting in the corridor, people moving past his bedroom and curiosity got the better of him. He glanced at the door before standing and pulling his pants and shirt back on, sliding his feet into his shoes as he opened the door, still trying to button his shirt with sleep slack fingers. He poked his head out of the open door and watched as the man in the white suit passed, his arm around the young girl, their conversation held in lower whispers then Saguru could catch.
He finally finished buttoning his shirt, following the pair as they headed through the halls towards the courtyard, their steps mirrored on the ceiling of the halls and rooms by the reflective glass panels above them. He wondered curiously at their existence before the thought was driven from his mind as the threesome moved through the courtyard and into the south wing. There they were met by the darker woman, the elderly gentleman, who was glancing continuously at his wrist watch before looking around almost as if waiting for something. The woman smiled at Saguru and offered her hand which Saguru accepted as they stepped into the room from which the bells were emanating.
There was a small chapel inside, dominated mostly by the large crucifix and a long kneeler below it. The others took spots at the kneeler as if the spots were reserved solely for themselves and Saguru followed after a moments of hesitation. He bent his head, folding his hands in front of him, and suddenly he felt an overwhelming sadness. He raised his head, tears sliding down his cheeks as he stared into the bleeding face of Jesus above him, the pain radiating from the statue enough to force Saguru to close his eyes, bowing his head again.
A small hand reached out and covered his own. Saguru turned his head and looked at the small girl next to him, before resting his head on hers, both bowed in silent prayer to a god that had seemed to have abandoned them.
--
"Please, allow me to stay another night," Saguru said softly. He dug in his pocket, finding his wallet after a moment and opening it. He raised the woman's hand and up ended the wallet, allowing coins and bills to spill into her palm. "Just one more night and I will leave you,"
The woman smiled and took Saguru's hand, holding it tightly as she turned her palm over, spilling the money back into the blond's hand. "You are always welcome here," she said and stood on tip toes, kissing his cheek. "For however long you wish to stay." She pulled her hand back and gathered the skirts of her long black dress, heading for the stairs again. She paused on the second step, before looking back at Saguru, something in her eyes and face that the blond couldn't understand or even come close to naming. "Just...don't get trapped."
Saguru let her words flow around him before he took a step closer, brushing her hair from her face, tucking it behind an ear. "Are you trapped here?" he asked and she smiled before turning away, heading down the stairs. Saguru watched her go before staring down at the money in his hand, frowning slightly.
He put the money away in his room, locking the door as he left, following the path the woman had taken down to the banquet hall below. He found the others already gathered, sipping from glasses filled with a rich red wine, laughing and talking loudly, as if they were gathered for a Saturday evening dinner party, rather then strangers in a guest house. He took the last empty seat, smiling at the woman from earlier before looking across him, catching the eyes of the man in the white suit, feeling a sudden rush of heat across the back of his neck as those deep blue eyes examined him.
"Well, I believe introductions are in order!" The woman said, smiling softly at Saguru as his attention returned to her, and he felt a cool calmness slip over him, quieting his nerves. "My name is Akako, I am the mistress of the Hotel California."
Saguru dipped his head in greeting, raising it as the man on his right spoke. "Most call me Jii," the elderly gentleman said, sitting on Akako's other side and he gave Saguru a warm, welcoming smile. "I have been a guest here for fourteen years."
"Fourteen years?" Saguru questioned, almost disbelieving, but the man simply nodded, returning his chair to all four legs as he took a sip from his wine glass.
Saguru swallowed the sip of water he had been taking but choose not to comment, instead turning his attention to the pair across from him. The man in the suit stared back at him, leaning slightly on the table, not speaking. Instead it was the girl who spoke up, giggling. "I've been here AGES," she said with a giggle that trailed off into a frown, her eyes distant, out of focus. "I don't know who I am."
"Her name is Aoko." The man said, not looking at the girl, instead looking at some spot over the group's head on the wall. "And I am Kaito."
Saguru watched the man before leaning his head on his arm, his eyes now level with the Kaito's. "Do you know her?" he asked, and Kaito's eyes moved from the wall to Saguru's, something passing across the face before being hidden away. The man didn't reply, simply raising up and looking at Akako. "Where are they?"
The way Kaito said the word, made Saguru question who 'they' were, and he turned to Akako, who shook her head slightly at him. "They are taking dinner in their room, Kaito, as always."
Kaito made an odd sort of nodding motion before sitting back in his chair as the doors opened and two maids started setting dinner on the plates before the guests, arranging everything just so. Saguru stared down at the misshapen, lumpy gray mess that was his dinner before glancing around at the others who had started eating. Their movements were mechanical, instinctive and unreal. Food was not important to these people, it was just another routine to go through.
Saguru took a breath before digging his fork into the mass on his plate, watching it quiver on the tongs for a moment as he moved the fork closer to his mouth. He took and bite and was overwhelmed by the sheer blandness of the meal. There was nothing inside it. No taste, no texture, just a sheer, empty canvas.
He took another glance around at his companions who were still diligently moving through the motions of eating and suddenly he felt unreal himself, as if he had become trapped in a painting or story. There was no life in the group around him, and as he continued to eat, with each bite he put past his lips, he could feel the life draining out of him.
--
Saguru was heading back to his room after a night spent in the courtyards, watching the others dance in the moonlight while he sipped the champagne Akako had offered him. His hand rested on the handle to his bedroom door when his attention was distracted by a low groaning from down the hall. He tilted his head slightly, curious at the sounds before following them down the hall, pausing outside a set of double wooden doors at the end.
He read the name plate set into the thick wood, declaring the room was the "Captains Quarters". He heard the groaning again and he gently pushed open the door, poking his head inside, concerned someone might be injured. What he found however, was quite different.
Akako rose above the man laying beneath her, his darkly tanned skin beautiful against the pure white sheets. She made another low sound, moving rhythmically as she drew one of the man's hands up her nude body to her mouth, sucking a finger into her mouth, causing the man to groan, body arching slightly. She smiled down at him, sliding the finger free from her mouth and bending her body over his, keeping their torsos from touching as she lowered her lips into a kiss, her eyes sliding to the side as their mouthes connected, watching Saguru in the doorway.
Her eyes slid back to her partner's face as she pulled back from the kiss, still moving her body over the man's as their hands clasped. The man wrapped his other arm around her waist, sitting up as he followed her lips, capturing her in another hungry kiss, holding her body tightly against his.
Saguru slipped away from the door, closing it behind him, leaning against the wood, ears still listening for the sounds coming from the bedroom behind his back. He swallowed, tilting his head back, loosening the top buttons of his shirt, feeling overheated from such a brief scene. He took a deep, shaking breath before pushing off of the door, heading back towards his room and slipping inside, unbuttoning his shirt fully and opening his balcony doors to allow in cooler air.
He leaned against the balcony railing, shirt wafting around him in the breeze, watching Aoko below him as she absently wondered through the roses, absently snipping one or two with a long pair of shears.
He wasn't sure how long he stood there, watching the girl below, long enough it seemed for her to gather three very large bouquets in her arms. He was startled from his watching by a pair of arms sliding around his waist. He turned, opening his mouth to speak, only to have another mouth slid over his, tounge invading deeply. He groaned in spite of himself, pressing against the body next to his, allowing the man pressing against him to lead as he followed him back into the room and towards the bed.
He could smell Akako, intermixed with the spicy scent he had discovered earlier that evening as having belonged to Kaito. He opened his eyes, staring into the rich blue eyes above him, reaching out to wipe away a trace of Akako's deep red lipstick before pulling Kaito's mouth back to his, pressing his body up against the smaller man's as his bare chest was caressed, slender fingers sliding down his pale skin.
Kaito was gone by the time the church bells rang in the morning and Saguru didn't go looking for him, instead searching out Akako to escort her to the chapel, watching as she coated her lips with the blooded colour Kaito wore to his bed. He took her arm, smiling as he complimented her rich purple dress.
--
It was easy, to fall into a pattern. The outside world became more distant as Saguru got used to life at the hotel. At dawn he would rise to the tolling bells, dress, escort Akako or Aoko to the chapel and pray. He would then breakfast with the girls, listening to Aoko's chatter about whatever dream she had the night before, and thanking her for the bouquet of flowers that appeared in his room every morning.
He would take lunch in the courtyard with Jii, listening to the man's stories, the sweet sounds of his flute, and always sharing a fresh bottle of wine, the vintage and vineyard never repeated. Saguru wondered once, where Jii always got the different bottles of wine, but wondering was part of the past. Now he simply enjoyed it.
At night, he would watch the four in the courtyard, sometimes from his balcony, sometimes from the edges of the courtyard itself, but he always watched, never joining in on their nightly ritual. And in the earliest of morning hours, he would wait for Kaito, resting in his bed until the other man came from Akako's chambers, wrapping his arms around Kaito's nude body, surrendering to the siren call of those blue eyes.
Days soon turned to weeks, weeks easily blending into months, and, as with all expanses of time, Saguru forgot. He forgot the stormy night, he forgot the nightmares, he forgot Akako's warnings. Instead he remembered, he remembered the soft, sweet touch of Aoko's hand in his, her bright giggles as they spun around the main ballroom to Jii's flute. He remembered the feeling of Akako's hair, spread across his bare chest as she slept. He remembered Kaito's deep voice, alluring voice caressing every word as he read to them from the seemingly never ending library, the rich, fruity wine as it washed over his lips and tounge, tainting the memories of those nights in red.
And eventually, as the year drew to a close, the weather growing colder and wetter, he joined them in their moonlight, bare footed and bare chested as he chased Aoko around the fountain, splashing after Kaito, grabbing that annoying red tie and jerking the man close, staring into the moonlit face, a dizzy feeling sweeping over him as he echoed the smile on those pale pink lips before capturing them, wrapping his arms around the slender body, falling completely into the hotel's snare.
--
Saguru yawned deeply, following Kaito into the other man's bedroom, rubbing his neck. It was nearing time for their afternoon rests and Saguru could feel sleep tugging at his brain, whispering for him to give in and fall asleep. To distract himself, he glanced around the bedroom, taking in the royal purple and gold furnishings, everything made out of what appeared to either be velvet or silk where there wasn't wood or metal. He raised an eyebrow, running a finger over one of the golden lamps, wondering if the small inset gems were real, though knowing they were more then likely fakes.
He turned his attention from the richly appointed room, taking a seat on the edge of the bed as he watched Kaito behind a silk curtain, stripping off this suit. "How come you have the luxury while I have the monk's quarters?" he asked, amused. He laid back on the bed, almost sinking into the pillow like softness. He curled on his side so he could continue watching his lover's silhouette, smiling at the way the shadow moved behind the screen.
"We get what best fits us," Kaito said simply, stepping from behind the screen and laying on the bed with Saguru, the silk of his pajama's causing him to slide a bit against the also silk sheets. Saguru smiled and kissed Kaito softly, wrapping his arms around the other man. "Then I guess I'll be forced to spend more time in your room, hogging yours." he teased, his eyes slowly drifting closed as sleep once again made itself known to Saguru's brain.
Kaito smiled and tilted his head up for another kiss before snuggling against the larger man, curled in Saguru's protective embrace.
There was a scream, loud and strong, causing both Saguru and Kaito to jerk awake, their head's hitting the other as they moved at the same time. Kaito cursed, holding his temple, wondering for a moment what had awoken the pair before another scream sounded.
"AOKO!" Kaito yelled and went running, grabbing something metallic gray from his dresser as he went. Saguru followed, a knife sliding from his sleeve into his hand as the pair ran through the hall, down the stairs and into the west wing where Aoko's rooms were.
They were joined hallway through the west hall by Akako and Jii, both carrying weapons of their own. The scream was too panicked, too fearful for anyone to be standing there empty handed. Kaito tried the door, before pounding on it, begging Aoko to open it. After another scream, this one causing Saguru's ears to hurt with the volume, Kaito started kicking at the door. He managed to make it shudder but not much else. Saguru pulled the man back, then nodded to the door from their positions across the hall. Kaito nodded and there was a silent count to three. Their bodies slammed into the door and it shook, wood giving way. They did it a second time and the door flew open, spilling the pair into the bedroom.
Blood dripped heavily across the floor, cooling in a large puddle next to the bed, spreading from the body of a man, crumpled in a corner of the room. Akako immediately ran to the body, ignoring the fact her feet left small bloody footprints as she ran through the blood.
On the bed itself, lay Aoko, her blue eyes staring sightlessly at the ceiling, her brown hair turning a dirty rust colour from the blood soaking into the strands. Her chest was torn open, knife visible between her ribs, silver handle glinting in the candlelight, white nightgown torn and shredded. Kaito slid as he ran towards the bed, his knees making a hard cracking sound as he collapsed to them, grasping at her pale, lifeless hand. He pressed the hand to his cheek, sobbing softly as he called her name, desperate for her to answer.
Saguru took in the scene before him, bile rising in his throat, burning and as thick as the smell of blood around him. He stumbled from the room, retching just outside the doorway, holding onto the wall as he emptied his stomach, his own tears filling his mouth. His hand clenched, nails scraping against the wall, skin splitting as the rough stone cut into his flesh.
He felt a hand against his back, rubbing in slow, gentle circles and he turned, looking up into Jii's saddened brown eyes. Saguru swallowed, wiping his mouth on his sleeve, sniffing for a moment before allowing Jii to help him back into the bedroom. Saguru squeezed his eyes tightly shut, not wanting to look at the scene again. He only opened his eyes when Akako stared to speak, though her words were mumbled, his brain unable to clearly process what she said. He gathered the gist, the name of the blond ("Gin, yes like the drink Kaito"), and the fact that there was a guest missing from the gathered. A man by the name of Vodka, the only other guest in the hotel.
The foursome left the room, grouping outside the door as Kaito closed and locked the scene away. They looked at each other for a moment before moving on some silent order, heading down the hall. They started their search in a meticulous fashion, stopping outside each door, each darkened alcove. Akako and Jii would stay in the hallway while Kaito, followed by Saguru entered the dark room or space, searching for the missing guest.
They made their way through the west and south wings by dinner, and paused only long enough to get drinks of water before moving onto the north wing, and then into the east when nothing was found. The foursome stared up the stairs that lead to the east wing proper, each wondering, each dreading what they would find. Unless Vodka had left the hotel, the east wing was the last place for him to be.
The east wing, where most of their rooms were, where they had lived most of their lives at this hotel. They glanced at each other before silently venturing up the stairs, each clutching their weapon tighter in their hands. They started with Saguru's room, moving quickly in the barely furnished room before moving down to Jii's, and then onto Kaito's where Saguru and the other man had been just hours before.
Closets, laundries and bathrooms were all searched and finally the pair stood outside Akako's bedroom, staring at the last unopened door in the hotel. Kaito swallowed audibly before pushing open the heavy double doors, only to be shoved back as the sound of a gun echoed in the hall. Saguru and Akako ran up to Kaito, standing over his body as they stared into the room. Saguru's knife was tucked away as he raised the gun Kaito had dropped, staring down the sight into the room, aiming at the large man standing next to Akako's torn apart bed.
Akako stood next to Saguru, just slightly behind to stay out of his range, her sword crossed in front of her body as if it would protect her. The pair moved by silent signal, stepping slowly into the room, their eyes trained on the man who watched them with wild, feral eyes.
There was a sharp, singing sound and a small silver knife went flying over Akako's shoulder, embedding itself in Vodka's shoulder. The large man howled in pain, reaching for the throwing knife as Saguru fired off two shots, eyes widening in surprise as two playing cards embedded themselves in Vodka's chest and stomach. Saguru heard the sound of someone moving behind him and he shifted, keeping Kaito's gun on Vodka as he turned to look over his shoulder, making sure Vodka didn't have someone helping him who was now sneaking up behind Saguru. But all he saw was Kaito, shifting his body, inching up the wall. Kaito looked up at Saguru, holding his side as he tried to stop his wound from bleeding. He made an odd nodding sound, as if giving Saguru permission for something, before his eyes widened, looking past Saguru.
Saguru turned, cursing the distraction as he was slammed into by Jii, both landing hard on the ground. The pair struggled to untangle themselves and return to the fight, wincing as Akako screamed a battle cry, throwing herself at the large man. "Akako!" Saguru yelled and shoved Jii back from him, raising the gun and firing off three shots, attempting to give the girl cover as she whacked at Vodka with her sword, lacking any form or balance, though her rage made up for it.
Vodka roared in pain as the sword slid through his meaty stomach and he lashed out with his arm, sending Akako flying. The woman slammed into the wall and crumpled into a heap, blood slowly pooling around her head.
Jii gave a cry and threw himself into the fight, dodging Vodka's swipes agilely as he waited for an opening to stab the man while Saguru kept cover with the gun. Jii moved in for a hit, Vodka's chest wide open, but just as he was about to land his blow, a white hot pain erupted in his lower abdomen and he stared at the sword sticking out of his waist, watching his own blood coat the hilt before he fell back off the blade, body thrown as Vodka jerked Jii around.
Saguru watched the old man fall, raising his eyes to Vodka, staring down the sight as the man turned, hammer cocked down, the sound echoing in his ears as his finger tightened on the trigger. He could hear Kaito calling his name from behind him, begging for him to retreat, and as Vodka turned fully, insane eyes staring into Saguru's, suddenly it wasn't Kaito's voice he heard, but Keiko's, his wife as she pleaded for him to spare her.
His hand grew limp as he stared at the brunette woman he had shared his life with, the deep red stains on her nightgown clinging to the flesh underneath, making her look weak and thin. She raised her bloody hands in front of her, shielding her body, still screaming, still begging forgiveness, for his mercy. The broken bloody body of their son lay at her feet, Ginzou's sightless blue eyes staring up at his father's, once golden hair now a thick red from the gaping wound to the back of his head.
His hands started to tremble as he raised his gaze back up to his wife's, a cry escaping him as he stared at the gun in her blood soaked hands, pointed back at him. He heard a gunshot and suddenly he gasped, blood spraying out before him. Kaito gasped, holding chest, staring at Vodka for a moment before collapsing forward. Saguru stared at the body at his feet before raising his head, just in time to see the barrel of Vodka's gun adjust it's position, aiming at Saguru. The blond raised his own weapon, squeezing down on the trigger.
The resounding echo of an empty chamber was followed by a clean shot and Saguru's body suddenly met Kaito's as he threw himself forward, desperate to avoid the bullet heading his way. He didn't' pause as he scrambled backwards, first in an odd crab walk, then flipping over to a crawl, managing to make it to his feet as another shot sounded. He threw himself down the stairs, sliding down several before stumbling to his feet again, stones cutting into the bare soles of his feet as he threw himself across the courtyard, dodging to the left as rock and grass exploded.
He refused the urge to look over his shoulder, to see where Vodka was, already knowing the man was too damn close as another bit of stone exploded, cutting into the side of Saguru's face and hands. He threw Kaito's useless gun away as he burst through the doors to the north wing, sliding across the marble entry hall, leaving a bloody stain behind him as he shoved open the outer doors.
He ran for his long sitting convertible, smacking into the door as he shoved his hand into his pant pocket, searching desperately for his keys as his hand scrambled at the handle. He screamed in frustration as he came up empty handy, keys upstairs, gathering dust in his room. He spun around in a circle, glancing around him, desperate for something to defend himself with, something to use to escape the madman whom he could hear in the entry way.
He spotted the Mercedes next to his car, and then spotted something much better, the keys, hanging from the ignition of the luxury car. He threw himself across the hood of the Mercedes just as the front doors of the hotel opened and gunfire rang out. He knelt for a moment, gathering his bearings before grabbing a large rock and using it to smash out the driver's window of the car. Gunfire rang out again as he managed to get the door open and he hissed as a bullet grazed him, throwing himself into the car. He shifted over and turned the keys, shoving the gear shift into reverse before slamming his hand on the gas.
He closed his eye, desperate to remember what he knew of the front of the hotel, using one hand to blindly steer while the other pressed on the gas, gunfire slamming into the car. Using what little of the rear view mirror he could, he managed to somehow get the car facing the dirt road and heading down it before he felt safe enough to bring the car to a stop and sit up, foot going to the gas as he started speeding down the winding road, now able to see where he was going, ignoring the glass cutting into his skin as he fled the horror behind him.
--
The black Mercedes slowed as it made the last turn in the road, stopping for a moment, seemingly hesitating before crossing the last mile to an empty slot next to a rusting blue convertible. The car idled for a moment, before finally dying a slow, rumbling death. The driver's door opened, and first a long, polished staff of wood touched the earth, followed by a pair of feet clad in shining black loafer's.
The driver closed the door, pulling his sunglasses off as he looked up at the decaying building before him. Taking a deep breath, the driver started to walk towards the splintered doorway, his steps slow, un-even, but as sure as they had ever been. He pushed open the door, remembering once when it had been heavier, before stepping into the entry hall, skirting the dark brown stain across the marble and the tarnished brass casings littering the floor.
He made his way across the entry hall, the sounds from his footsteps changing as he moved off marble and onto stone, before finding their way across dead grass. The footsteps stopped, halfway across the courtyard, and the driver looked at the bleached white fountain before him, reaching a hand out to touch the side of the second tier, tracing the name carved into the pale stone, making a cross over his face and body before continuing on it's path to the west wing. He headed slowly up the stairs, moving carefully over chipped, cobwebbed steps, grasping the fractured railing desperately, before finally making it to the top of the stairs.
Here he paused again, staring down the shadowed corridor, his hand resting on a wooden door where another, dark brown hand print rested. He brushed the stain with his fingers before allowing his eyes to travel down the hall where an open door awaited him. He turned away from the familiar door next to him and continued on the path of the hall, small clouds of dust raising into the air with each step he took. He entered the opened doorway, glancing down at the gray skeleton next to his feet before turning his head and finding it's expected pair, curled against the wall, tatters of dress clinging to the slender shoulders and frame.
Pushing his long white ponytail over his shoulder, the man moved across the room to the window, resting his body against the edge, staring up at the sky above him. "Think I could get a bottle of 1787 Chateau Lafite?" he asked the echoing silence and a brittle laughter met him in the darkness.
"We haven't had a bottle like that since 1989." the voice answered. An elderly man stepped out of the shadows, giving the stranger a bow. "Welcome to the Hotel California. You're always welcome here, for however long you wish to stay." he said, making his way over to the man at the window, resting his head on the thin shoulder, arms wrapping around the man's waist. "You can check out any time you like," he added softly.
"But you can never really leave." Saguru added, resting his cheek against the top of Kaito's head, white bangs falling forward to cover his eyes, shielding the tears in them.
Fin
Author: Saitaina
Characters: Saguru Hakuba, Kaito Kuroba, Aoko Nakamori, Akako Koizumi, Konosuke Jii, Vodka, with mentions of Gin, Keiko Momoi and Ginzou Nakamori.
Rating: R
Warnings: AU (kinda), Character Death, language, m/f sexual content, m/m sexual content, blood/gore.
Disclaimer: Not mine, they belong to their original artist.
Summary: When escaping your demons, the best thing you could wish for is forgetting what you're running away from.
Notes: Based on the song "Hotel California" by The Eagles. You can get the song here if you wish to listen to it while you read. This is again part of "Finis", one of thirty (30) fics exploring death through Saguru's eyes, previous part of "Finis" can be found here.
Hotel California
Welcome to the Hotel California
Such a lovely place
Plenty of room at the Hotel California
Any time of year
You can find it here
-"Hotel California" by The Eagles
Saguru stared out the window at the rain lashing the road, lightning striking the ground in front of the convertible, forcing him to swerve, nearly running the small sports car into a ditch. He cursed softly and edged around the smoking spot in the ground before pulling his car up to the side of the road, stopping it and throwing it into park. He rested his forehead against the steering wheel, tasting his heart in his throat as he struggled to get control of his shaking nerves.
That latest strike had been too close. He was a fool to be out here in this storm, but it was his only chance to return home, the darkness shielding him from the demons following him. He took a deep, steading breath, glancing back over his shoulder at the darkly stained asphalt before putting his car back in drive, carefully backing away from the ditch before returning to the road proper, heading back on the winding old highway that he had chosen to make his escape on.
He managed to make it a few more miles before the night and the storm started effecting him again, starting to nod off before being jerked back awake again with each flash of lightning and rumble of thunder. His stomach matched the rolling of the sky, hunger and nausea warning with each other. He ran a shaky hand over his face, tasting the blood from his palm. He glanced down at the dark brown covering his hand, gagging slightly. His car shuddered, rolling over rocks as it drifted from his distracted driving, aiming for a ditch again, before Saguru got control over it, cursing in French this time.
He glanced up from his driving after steading the car back on the road and his eyes narrowed at the sight of light, twinkling between the trees and flashes of lightning. He licked his lips, eyes traveling down to the radio clock the merrily twinkled three am in it's sickly green numbers. Decision made with a yawn, he slowed his car, and soon turned onto the rutted dirt road that came up on his left. He followed the winding path towards the growing lights, another yawn catching him by surprise as he finally approached the lit building, staring up at the Spanish styled hotel, wondering what it was doing all the way out in the middle of no where, in the middle of Japan.
He pulled his car into a slot, slipping out of the convertible and locking it before glancing around, shivering as rain poured down on him, soaking him in an instant. He passed by a Mercedes, running a finger lightly over the water and mud covering it, shaking his head as he headed for the large wooden doors.
He glanced around the doors for some sort of bell or buzzer, finding only a leaf covered brass knocker. He shrugged and reached up, rapping with the metal handle hard, listening to the sound echoed through the thick doors. There was a long pause, and Saguru was just about to rap again when the door creaked open. A brown eye peered at him through the crack before it opened further, revealing a woman with the longest, richest black hair he had ever seen, dressed in a conservative white night gown. She smiled, a quirking of blood red lips and stepped back, opening the door wider, silently inviting him in. He took her up on her invitation, shoving his hands into his pockets, trying to keep his shivering at bay as he moved past her, turning to watch as the woman pushed against the door, having to use most of her weight to close it.
"Welcome to the Hotel California," she said, her voice deep, rich, and it wrapped around him like a warm flannel blanket before echoing down the empty hall. She picked up a small candlestick from ledge waving her hand in front of her, gesturing with the candle. "Shall we?" She offered and Saguru nodded, falling in step behind her as they walked. "I apologize for the lack of lights, our electricity went out a few hours ago. But most everything is in working order if you don't might the darkness." She gave him a smile over her shoulder and Saguru felt a chill for a completely different reason.
"I hope I'm not disturbing you," he said, glancing around him, taking in everything, though avoiding the portraits and paintings whose eyes seemed to follow him.
"Not at all, we are always happy to have guests," she replied, and the pair entered a large courtyard. It was shaped like a square, the building surrounding it on all four sides, framing the small rows of flowers and herbal plants, which themselves framed a beautiful, marble and cement fountain. Saguru stared at the fountain, watching the water as it poured endlessly out of and around a statue of a woman. He watched the woman's face, seemingly crying as the water spilled down it, the statue seemingly staring back at Saguru. He turned away and jumped, startled by the appearance of another woman, this one a pale, wisp of a girl, her hair in shambles around her head, her own long white gown tangled and slightly torn in places.
"Welcome to the Hotel California," she said, and her voice was wispy, a bare and blank tone that caused Saguru to take another look at her, curious as to if she was really there or a exhaustion induced hallucination. "Such a lovely place..." She mused, turning in a circle around her, before facing Saguru again. She tilted her head up, staring into his eyes before reaching a pale hand up, placing it against is cheek, gently brushing her thumb over his skin. Her touch was ice cold and Saguru raised his own hand, covering hers, wishing to will what little warmth he had inside him to her. "Such a lovely face....you seem familiar....do I know you?" she asked, tilting her head.
Saguru looked questioningly at the first woman whom looked back sadly, the candlelight flickering in her eyes. "She has amnesia," she said softly. "Doesn't remember anything but the name of the hotel...and him." The woman turned towards the courtyard and Saguru's eyes followed as he slipped off his jacket, trapping it around the smaller girl next to him, pulling her close, trying to warm her up.
Standing on the second tier of the fountain, somehow keeping his footing despite the water flowing over his white loafers was a man, staring up at the moon. Saguru blinked, then rubbed a hand across his eyes, sure he was hallucinating this time, but no, when his hand returned to his side and he opened his eyes, the man was still there, brown hair fluttering in the rain and wind, cape swirling about his legs.
"There's a man standing on the fountain, in a white tuxedo," he said, as if he no longer trusted his eyes (or hearing since he hadn't heard the man approach).
"Quite." the woman with the candle said before gathering one side of her nightgown in her hand. "Let me show you to your room." Saguru nodded and went to release the amnesiac girl only to find his arm empty. He tuned back towards the courtyard, the only place he could see that she could have gone, and he found her sitting on the first tier of the fountain, leaning against the second, her head resting against the man's calf.
Saguru shook his head and followed his guide, traveling after her as she climbed a set of stairs before pausing in front of a doorway, gesturing to it. "Your room," she said, giving him a bow and the candle stick before vanishing back down into the darkness of the stairwell. He watched her go before pushing open the wooden door of his room. He glanced at the Spartanly furnished room, setting the candle on the small table by the door. He yawned heavily, eyes growing heavy as he leaned over, blowing out the candle, watching the smoke curl up around the crucifix on the wall before stripping off his tie and vest, tossing them in an absent pile in the corner along with his shoes and socks, almost falling onto the bed as he moved closer to it. He roused himself enough to flip over and unbuckle his belt before falling back onto the bed again, wincing at the hardness, pulling his pillow closer. Sleep started to claim his mind as voices drifted up to him through the slightly ajar balcony doors, soft sinking along with merry splashing from the courtyard below.
--
There was a scream and a shower of blood, staining the floor, the walls, covering him. It was thick, choking. He was drowning in the blood, watching it poor into his mouth, covering his sight in an ugly red tinge. Another scream sounded, this one thick and gurgling, choked off before it was ever fully completed.
Saguru jerked awake, gasping, sweat staining his body. He pushed the blanket off his body and lowered his legs over the side of the bed, running a trembling hand over his face and through his hair. He swallowed thickly and gagged, trying to control his breathing as he lowered his head between his knees, struggling not to remember the feeling of the blood from the dream coating his throat.
Another scream sounded, but this one so different then the one of his dream, this one high and merry. He raised his head, watching the sheer curtains of the balcony door fluttering in the soft breeze. Standing, he started unbuttoning his shirt to get cool air on his skin. He opened the glass door fully and stepped out onto the balcony, looking down at the courtyard. He watched as the three he had first met danced their way around the fountain, their laughter and giddy screams floating up to him.
He glanced at his watch, noting the time of five am before leaning on the stone railing, the curious spectacle drawing his attention. His eyes first found the pale girl, who was laughing and chasing what appeared to be bubbles around the fountain, her thin nightgown and brown hair twirling around her as she skipped, laughed and danced to the flute being played by a gray haired man in the shadows of a tree. She looked so...happy. And childlike. Saguru wondered what had happened to her, to take her memories away, but wondered if it was really important? Did she really need her memories, if she could currently laugh so freely?
His attention was drawn to the man chasing her, doing some odd things that looked almost like cartwheels and flips as he ran after the girl, not trying to actually catch her, but more like he was joining her in some bizarre dance. He had lost his cape and shoes somewhere, now running around barefoot and in that strange suit, looking as wild and crazy as the girl, but far from as free. There was something almost desperate about the man, as if he were pushing himself, forcing himself to have fun, to enjoy himself, and Saguru wondered about him as well. What made him so desperate, so frustrated...so bound?
What invisible monster was chasing the man, that made him run so?
The sweet, soft sounds of a harp started and Saguru's attention drifted from the man to a bench in the corner furthest from him. The dark haired woman was seated now, playing the harp, causing the sadly sweet sounds. He watched, enthralled as she carefully plucked at the glimmering strings of the golden instrument. He leaned further out, as if trying to hear better, watching those long finger gliding over the strings. The flute matched the melody, tugging at Saguru's chest, a lump forming in his throat. There was a soft fluttering, and then a gentle, sweet voice started to sing. Saguru couldn't hear the words clearly enough to hear them, but the sounds were full of longing and regret. A tear started to slip down Saguru's cheek as he shifted his weight, hopping up onto the edge of the balcony, pulling his pipe from his pocket, a pouch of tobacco following. He filled the pipe and lit it, smoke curling from his lips as he looked back down at those below him.
The girl was the one singing, now dancing a strange, spiraling dance in the moonlight, her arms raised over her head as she danced with an invisible partner, though it seemed almost to Saguru as if she were dancing with the wind itself, the way it twisted and spiraled around her. The man, her chaser was sitting on the fountain, one of his legs drawn up to his chest, his arm wrapped around it, the other resting casually by his side, twisting something that glimmered over and over again in his hand, a long chain flowing around and through his fingers like water. He watched the girl, his face closed off, though a small smile played on his lips as he watched her dance.
The sweet smell of rain and roses floated up to Saguru as he took another drag from the pipe between his lips, the spicy scent of burnt wood and spices adding to the sweetness. His eyes drifted and he allowed them to close, simply listening to the song and music, almost swaying to the intoxicating melody, his nightmares forgotten in the darkness of his room.
--
Saguru was awoken by the church bells ringing out over the hotel. He groaned, shifting, burring his face into his pillow before finally managing to drag himself upright, blinking blearily at his pocket watch, groaning as he fell back into the pillows. He had only been asleep for an hour before being so rudely awoken.
He heard shifting in the corridor, people moving past his bedroom and curiosity got the better of him. He glanced at the door before standing and pulling his pants and shirt back on, sliding his feet into his shoes as he opened the door, still trying to button his shirt with sleep slack fingers. He poked his head out of the open door and watched as the man in the white suit passed, his arm around the young girl, their conversation held in lower whispers then Saguru could catch.
He finally finished buttoning his shirt, following the pair as they headed through the halls towards the courtyard, their steps mirrored on the ceiling of the halls and rooms by the reflective glass panels above them. He wondered curiously at their existence before the thought was driven from his mind as the threesome moved through the courtyard and into the south wing. There they were met by the darker woman, the elderly gentleman, who was glancing continuously at his wrist watch before looking around almost as if waiting for something. The woman smiled at Saguru and offered her hand which Saguru accepted as they stepped into the room from which the bells were emanating.
There was a small chapel inside, dominated mostly by the large crucifix and a long kneeler below it. The others took spots at the kneeler as if the spots were reserved solely for themselves and Saguru followed after a moments of hesitation. He bent his head, folding his hands in front of him, and suddenly he felt an overwhelming sadness. He raised his head, tears sliding down his cheeks as he stared into the bleeding face of Jesus above him, the pain radiating from the statue enough to force Saguru to close his eyes, bowing his head again.
A small hand reached out and covered his own. Saguru turned his head and looked at the small girl next to him, before resting his head on hers, both bowed in silent prayer to a god that had seemed to have abandoned them.
--
"Please, allow me to stay another night," Saguru said softly. He dug in his pocket, finding his wallet after a moment and opening it. He raised the woman's hand and up ended the wallet, allowing coins and bills to spill into her palm. "Just one more night and I will leave you,"
The woman smiled and took Saguru's hand, holding it tightly as she turned her palm over, spilling the money back into the blond's hand. "You are always welcome here," she said and stood on tip toes, kissing his cheek. "For however long you wish to stay." She pulled her hand back and gathered the skirts of her long black dress, heading for the stairs again. She paused on the second step, before looking back at Saguru, something in her eyes and face that the blond couldn't understand or even come close to naming. "Just...don't get trapped."
Saguru let her words flow around him before he took a step closer, brushing her hair from her face, tucking it behind an ear. "Are you trapped here?" he asked and she smiled before turning away, heading down the stairs. Saguru watched her go before staring down at the money in his hand, frowning slightly.
He put the money away in his room, locking the door as he left, following the path the woman had taken down to the banquet hall below. He found the others already gathered, sipping from glasses filled with a rich red wine, laughing and talking loudly, as if they were gathered for a Saturday evening dinner party, rather then strangers in a guest house. He took the last empty seat, smiling at the woman from earlier before looking across him, catching the eyes of the man in the white suit, feeling a sudden rush of heat across the back of his neck as those deep blue eyes examined him.
"Well, I believe introductions are in order!" The woman said, smiling softly at Saguru as his attention returned to her, and he felt a cool calmness slip over him, quieting his nerves. "My name is Akako, I am the mistress of the Hotel California."
Saguru dipped his head in greeting, raising it as the man on his right spoke. "Most call me Jii," the elderly gentleman said, sitting on Akako's other side and he gave Saguru a warm, welcoming smile. "I have been a guest here for fourteen years."
"Fourteen years?" Saguru questioned, almost disbelieving, but the man simply nodded, returning his chair to all four legs as he took a sip from his wine glass.
Saguru swallowed the sip of water he had been taking but choose not to comment, instead turning his attention to the pair across from him. The man in the suit stared back at him, leaning slightly on the table, not speaking. Instead it was the girl who spoke up, giggling. "I've been here AGES," she said with a giggle that trailed off into a frown, her eyes distant, out of focus. "I don't know who I am."
"Her name is Aoko." The man said, not looking at the girl, instead looking at some spot over the group's head on the wall. "And I am Kaito."
Saguru watched the man before leaning his head on his arm, his eyes now level with the Kaito's. "Do you know her?" he asked, and Kaito's eyes moved from the wall to Saguru's, something passing across the face before being hidden away. The man didn't reply, simply raising up and looking at Akako. "Where are they?"
The way Kaito said the word, made Saguru question who 'they' were, and he turned to Akako, who shook her head slightly at him. "They are taking dinner in their room, Kaito, as always."
Kaito made an odd sort of nodding motion before sitting back in his chair as the doors opened and two maids started setting dinner on the plates before the guests, arranging everything just so. Saguru stared down at the misshapen, lumpy gray mess that was his dinner before glancing around at the others who had started eating. Their movements were mechanical, instinctive and unreal. Food was not important to these people, it was just another routine to go through.
Saguru took a breath before digging his fork into the mass on his plate, watching it quiver on the tongs for a moment as he moved the fork closer to his mouth. He took and bite and was overwhelmed by the sheer blandness of the meal. There was nothing inside it. No taste, no texture, just a sheer, empty canvas.
He took another glance around at his companions who were still diligently moving through the motions of eating and suddenly he felt unreal himself, as if he had become trapped in a painting or story. There was no life in the group around him, and as he continued to eat, with each bite he put past his lips, he could feel the life draining out of him.
--
Saguru was heading back to his room after a night spent in the courtyards, watching the others dance in the moonlight while he sipped the champagne Akako had offered him. His hand rested on the handle to his bedroom door when his attention was distracted by a low groaning from down the hall. He tilted his head slightly, curious at the sounds before following them down the hall, pausing outside a set of double wooden doors at the end.
He read the name plate set into the thick wood, declaring the room was the "Captains Quarters". He heard the groaning again and he gently pushed open the door, poking his head inside, concerned someone might be injured. What he found however, was quite different.
Akako rose above the man laying beneath her, his darkly tanned skin beautiful against the pure white sheets. She made another low sound, moving rhythmically as she drew one of the man's hands up her nude body to her mouth, sucking a finger into her mouth, causing the man to groan, body arching slightly. She smiled down at him, sliding the finger free from her mouth and bending her body over his, keeping their torsos from touching as she lowered her lips into a kiss, her eyes sliding to the side as their mouthes connected, watching Saguru in the doorway.
Her eyes slid back to her partner's face as she pulled back from the kiss, still moving her body over the man's as their hands clasped. The man wrapped his other arm around her waist, sitting up as he followed her lips, capturing her in another hungry kiss, holding her body tightly against his.
Saguru slipped away from the door, closing it behind him, leaning against the wood, ears still listening for the sounds coming from the bedroom behind his back. He swallowed, tilting his head back, loosening the top buttons of his shirt, feeling overheated from such a brief scene. He took a deep, shaking breath before pushing off of the door, heading back towards his room and slipping inside, unbuttoning his shirt fully and opening his balcony doors to allow in cooler air.
He leaned against the balcony railing, shirt wafting around him in the breeze, watching Aoko below him as she absently wondered through the roses, absently snipping one or two with a long pair of shears.
He wasn't sure how long he stood there, watching the girl below, long enough it seemed for her to gather three very large bouquets in her arms. He was startled from his watching by a pair of arms sliding around his waist. He turned, opening his mouth to speak, only to have another mouth slid over his, tounge invading deeply. He groaned in spite of himself, pressing against the body next to his, allowing the man pressing against him to lead as he followed him back into the room and towards the bed.
He could smell Akako, intermixed with the spicy scent he had discovered earlier that evening as having belonged to Kaito. He opened his eyes, staring into the rich blue eyes above him, reaching out to wipe away a trace of Akako's deep red lipstick before pulling Kaito's mouth back to his, pressing his body up against the smaller man's as his bare chest was caressed, slender fingers sliding down his pale skin.
Kaito was gone by the time the church bells rang in the morning and Saguru didn't go looking for him, instead searching out Akako to escort her to the chapel, watching as she coated her lips with the blooded colour Kaito wore to his bed. He took her arm, smiling as he complimented her rich purple dress.
--
It was easy, to fall into a pattern. The outside world became more distant as Saguru got used to life at the hotel. At dawn he would rise to the tolling bells, dress, escort Akako or Aoko to the chapel and pray. He would then breakfast with the girls, listening to Aoko's chatter about whatever dream she had the night before, and thanking her for the bouquet of flowers that appeared in his room every morning.
He would take lunch in the courtyard with Jii, listening to the man's stories, the sweet sounds of his flute, and always sharing a fresh bottle of wine, the vintage and vineyard never repeated. Saguru wondered once, where Jii always got the different bottles of wine, but wondering was part of the past. Now he simply enjoyed it.
At night, he would watch the four in the courtyard, sometimes from his balcony, sometimes from the edges of the courtyard itself, but he always watched, never joining in on their nightly ritual. And in the earliest of morning hours, he would wait for Kaito, resting in his bed until the other man came from Akako's chambers, wrapping his arms around Kaito's nude body, surrendering to the siren call of those blue eyes.
Days soon turned to weeks, weeks easily blending into months, and, as with all expanses of time, Saguru forgot. He forgot the stormy night, he forgot the nightmares, he forgot Akako's warnings. Instead he remembered, he remembered the soft, sweet touch of Aoko's hand in his, her bright giggles as they spun around the main ballroom to Jii's flute. He remembered the feeling of Akako's hair, spread across his bare chest as she slept. He remembered Kaito's deep voice, alluring voice caressing every word as he read to them from the seemingly never ending library, the rich, fruity wine as it washed over his lips and tounge, tainting the memories of those nights in red.
And eventually, as the year drew to a close, the weather growing colder and wetter, he joined them in their moonlight, bare footed and bare chested as he chased Aoko around the fountain, splashing after Kaito, grabbing that annoying red tie and jerking the man close, staring into the moonlit face, a dizzy feeling sweeping over him as he echoed the smile on those pale pink lips before capturing them, wrapping his arms around the slender body, falling completely into the hotel's snare.
--
Saguru yawned deeply, following Kaito into the other man's bedroom, rubbing his neck. It was nearing time for their afternoon rests and Saguru could feel sleep tugging at his brain, whispering for him to give in and fall asleep. To distract himself, he glanced around the bedroom, taking in the royal purple and gold furnishings, everything made out of what appeared to either be velvet or silk where there wasn't wood or metal. He raised an eyebrow, running a finger over one of the golden lamps, wondering if the small inset gems were real, though knowing they were more then likely fakes.
He turned his attention from the richly appointed room, taking a seat on the edge of the bed as he watched Kaito behind a silk curtain, stripping off this suit. "How come you have the luxury while I have the monk's quarters?" he asked, amused. He laid back on the bed, almost sinking into the pillow like softness. He curled on his side so he could continue watching his lover's silhouette, smiling at the way the shadow moved behind the screen.
"We get what best fits us," Kaito said simply, stepping from behind the screen and laying on the bed with Saguru, the silk of his pajama's causing him to slide a bit against the also silk sheets. Saguru smiled and kissed Kaito softly, wrapping his arms around the other man. "Then I guess I'll be forced to spend more time in your room, hogging yours." he teased, his eyes slowly drifting closed as sleep once again made itself known to Saguru's brain.
Kaito smiled and tilted his head up for another kiss before snuggling against the larger man, curled in Saguru's protective embrace.
There was a scream, loud and strong, causing both Saguru and Kaito to jerk awake, their head's hitting the other as they moved at the same time. Kaito cursed, holding his temple, wondering for a moment what had awoken the pair before another scream sounded.
"AOKO!" Kaito yelled and went running, grabbing something metallic gray from his dresser as he went. Saguru followed, a knife sliding from his sleeve into his hand as the pair ran through the hall, down the stairs and into the west wing where Aoko's rooms were.
They were joined hallway through the west hall by Akako and Jii, both carrying weapons of their own. The scream was too panicked, too fearful for anyone to be standing there empty handed. Kaito tried the door, before pounding on it, begging Aoko to open it. After another scream, this one causing Saguru's ears to hurt with the volume, Kaito started kicking at the door. He managed to make it shudder but not much else. Saguru pulled the man back, then nodded to the door from their positions across the hall. Kaito nodded and there was a silent count to three. Their bodies slammed into the door and it shook, wood giving way. They did it a second time and the door flew open, spilling the pair into the bedroom.
Blood dripped heavily across the floor, cooling in a large puddle next to the bed, spreading from the body of a man, crumpled in a corner of the room. Akako immediately ran to the body, ignoring the fact her feet left small bloody footprints as she ran through the blood.
On the bed itself, lay Aoko, her blue eyes staring sightlessly at the ceiling, her brown hair turning a dirty rust colour from the blood soaking into the strands. Her chest was torn open, knife visible between her ribs, silver handle glinting in the candlelight, white nightgown torn and shredded. Kaito slid as he ran towards the bed, his knees making a hard cracking sound as he collapsed to them, grasping at her pale, lifeless hand. He pressed the hand to his cheek, sobbing softly as he called her name, desperate for her to answer.
Saguru took in the scene before him, bile rising in his throat, burning and as thick as the smell of blood around him. He stumbled from the room, retching just outside the doorway, holding onto the wall as he emptied his stomach, his own tears filling his mouth. His hand clenched, nails scraping against the wall, skin splitting as the rough stone cut into his flesh.
He felt a hand against his back, rubbing in slow, gentle circles and he turned, looking up into Jii's saddened brown eyes. Saguru swallowed, wiping his mouth on his sleeve, sniffing for a moment before allowing Jii to help him back into the bedroom. Saguru squeezed his eyes tightly shut, not wanting to look at the scene again. He only opened his eyes when Akako stared to speak, though her words were mumbled, his brain unable to clearly process what she said. He gathered the gist, the name of the blond ("Gin, yes like the drink Kaito"), and the fact that there was a guest missing from the gathered. A man by the name of Vodka, the only other guest in the hotel.
The foursome left the room, grouping outside the door as Kaito closed and locked the scene away. They looked at each other for a moment before moving on some silent order, heading down the hall. They started their search in a meticulous fashion, stopping outside each door, each darkened alcove. Akako and Jii would stay in the hallway while Kaito, followed by Saguru entered the dark room or space, searching for the missing guest.
They made their way through the west and south wings by dinner, and paused only long enough to get drinks of water before moving onto the north wing, and then into the east when nothing was found. The foursome stared up the stairs that lead to the east wing proper, each wondering, each dreading what they would find. Unless Vodka had left the hotel, the east wing was the last place for him to be.
The east wing, where most of their rooms were, where they had lived most of their lives at this hotel. They glanced at each other before silently venturing up the stairs, each clutching their weapon tighter in their hands. They started with Saguru's room, moving quickly in the barely furnished room before moving down to Jii's, and then onto Kaito's where Saguru and the other man had been just hours before.
Closets, laundries and bathrooms were all searched and finally the pair stood outside Akako's bedroom, staring at the last unopened door in the hotel. Kaito swallowed audibly before pushing open the heavy double doors, only to be shoved back as the sound of a gun echoed in the hall. Saguru and Akako ran up to Kaito, standing over his body as they stared into the room. Saguru's knife was tucked away as he raised the gun Kaito had dropped, staring down the sight into the room, aiming at the large man standing next to Akako's torn apart bed.
Akako stood next to Saguru, just slightly behind to stay out of his range, her sword crossed in front of her body as if it would protect her. The pair moved by silent signal, stepping slowly into the room, their eyes trained on the man who watched them with wild, feral eyes.
There was a sharp, singing sound and a small silver knife went flying over Akako's shoulder, embedding itself in Vodka's shoulder. The large man howled in pain, reaching for the throwing knife as Saguru fired off two shots, eyes widening in surprise as two playing cards embedded themselves in Vodka's chest and stomach. Saguru heard the sound of someone moving behind him and he shifted, keeping Kaito's gun on Vodka as he turned to look over his shoulder, making sure Vodka didn't have someone helping him who was now sneaking up behind Saguru. But all he saw was Kaito, shifting his body, inching up the wall. Kaito looked up at Saguru, holding his side as he tried to stop his wound from bleeding. He made an odd nodding sound, as if giving Saguru permission for something, before his eyes widened, looking past Saguru.
Saguru turned, cursing the distraction as he was slammed into by Jii, both landing hard on the ground. The pair struggled to untangle themselves and return to the fight, wincing as Akako screamed a battle cry, throwing herself at the large man. "Akako!" Saguru yelled and shoved Jii back from him, raising the gun and firing off three shots, attempting to give the girl cover as she whacked at Vodka with her sword, lacking any form or balance, though her rage made up for it.
Vodka roared in pain as the sword slid through his meaty stomach and he lashed out with his arm, sending Akako flying. The woman slammed into the wall and crumpled into a heap, blood slowly pooling around her head.
Jii gave a cry and threw himself into the fight, dodging Vodka's swipes agilely as he waited for an opening to stab the man while Saguru kept cover with the gun. Jii moved in for a hit, Vodka's chest wide open, but just as he was about to land his blow, a white hot pain erupted in his lower abdomen and he stared at the sword sticking out of his waist, watching his own blood coat the hilt before he fell back off the blade, body thrown as Vodka jerked Jii around.
Saguru watched the old man fall, raising his eyes to Vodka, staring down the sight as the man turned, hammer cocked down, the sound echoing in his ears as his finger tightened on the trigger. He could hear Kaito calling his name from behind him, begging for him to retreat, and as Vodka turned fully, insane eyes staring into Saguru's, suddenly it wasn't Kaito's voice he heard, but Keiko's, his wife as she pleaded for him to spare her.
His hand grew limp as he stared at the brunette woman he had shared his life with, the deep red stains on her nightgown clinging to the flesh underneath, making her look weak and thin. She raised her bloody hands in front of her, shielding her body, still screaming, still begging forgiveness, for his mercy. The broken bloody body of their son lay at her feet, Ginzou's sightless blue eyes staring up at his father's, once golden hair now a thick red from the gaping wound to the back of his head.
His hands started to tremble as he raised his gaze back up to his wife's, a cry escaping him as he stared at the gun in her blood soaked hands, pointed back at him. He heard a gunshot and suddenly he gasped, blood spraying out before him. Kaito gasped, holding chest, staring at Vodka for a moment before collapsing forward. Saguru stared at the body at his feet before raising his head, just in time to see the barrel of Vodka's gun adjust it's position, aiming at Saguru. The blond raised his own weapon, squeezing down on the trigger.
The resounding echo of an empty chamber was followed by a clean shot and Saguru's body suddenly met Kaito's as he threw himself forward, desperate to avoid the bullet heading his way. He didn't' pause as he scrambled backwards, first in an odd crab walk, then flipping over to a crawl, managing to make it to his feet as another shot sounded. He threw himself down the stairs, sliding down several before stumbling to his feet again, stones cutting into the bare soles of his feet as he threw himself across the courtyard, dodging to the left as rock and grass exploded.
He refused the urge to look over his shoulder, to see where Vodka was, already knowing the man was too damn close as another bit of stone exploded, cutting into the side of Saguru's face and hands. He threw Kaito's useless gun away as he burst through the doors to the north wing, sliding across the marble entry hall, leaving a bloody stain behind him as he shoved open the outer doors.
He ran for his long sitting convertible, smacking into the door as he shoved his hand into his pant pocket, searching desperately for his keys as his hand scrambled at the handle. He screamed in frustration as he came up empty handy, keys upstairs, gathering dust in his room. He spun around in a circle, glancing around him, desperate for something to defend himself with, something to use to escape the madman whom he could hear in the entry way.
He spotted the Mercedes next to his car, and then spotted something much better, the keys, hanging from the ignition of the luxury car. He threw himself across the hood of the Mercedes just as the front doors of the hotel opened and gunfire rang out. He knelt for a moment, gathering his bearings before grabbing a large rock and using it to smash out the driver's window of the car. Gunfire rang out again as he managed to get the door open and he hissed as a bullet grazed him, throwing himself into the car. He shifted over and turned the keys, shoving the gear shift into reverse before slamming his hand on the gas.
He closed his eye, desperate to remember what he knew of the front of the hotel, using one hand to blindly steer while the other pressed on the gas, gunfire slamming into the car. Using what little of the rear view mirror he could, he managed to somehow get the car facing the dirt road and heading down it before he felt safe enough to bring the car to a stop and sit up, foot going to the gas as he started speeding down the winding road, now able to see where he was going, ignoring the glass cutting into his skin as he fled the horror behind him.
--
The black Mercedes slowed as it made the last turn in the road, stopping for a moment, seemingly hesitating before crossing the last mile to an empty slot next to a rusting blue convertible. The car idled for a moment, before finally dying a slow, rumbling death. The driver's door opened, and first a long, polished staff of wood touched the earth, followed by a pair of feet clad in shining black loafer's.
The driver closed the door, pulling his sunglasses off as he looked up at the decaying building before him. Taking a deep breath, the driver started to walk towards the splintered doorway, his steps slow, un-even, but as sure as they had ever been. He pushed open the door, remembering once when it had been heavier, before stepping into the entry hall, skirting the dark brown stain across the marble and the tarnished brass casings littering the floor.
He made his way across the entry hall, the sounds from his footsteps changing as he moved off marble and onto stone, before finding their way across dead grass. The footsteps stopped, halfway across the courtyard, and the driver looked at the bleached white fountain before him, reaching a hand out to touch the side of the second tier, tracing the name carved into the pale stone, making a cross over his face and body before continuing on it's path to the west wing. He headed slowly up the stairs, moving carefully over chipped, cobwebbed steps, grasping the fractured railing desperately, before finally making it to the top of the stairs.
Here he paused again, staring down the shadowed corridor, his hand resting on a wooden door where another, dark brown hand print rested. He brushed the stain with his fingers before allowing his eyes to travel down the hall where an open door awaited him. He turned away from the familiar door next to him and continued on the path of the hall, small clouds of dust raising into the air with each step he took. He entered the opened doorway, glancing down at the gray skeleton next to his feet before turning his head and finding it's expected pair, curled against the wall, tatters of dress clinging to the slender shoulders and frame.
Pushing his long white ponytail over his shoulder, the man moved across the room to the window, resting his body against the edge, staring up at the sky above him. "Think I could get a bottle of 1787 Chateau Lafite?" he asked the echoing silence and a brittle laughter met him in the darkness.
"We haven't had a bottle like that since 1989." the voice answered. An elderly man stepped out of the shadows, giving the stranger a bow. "Welcome to the Hotel California. You're always welcome here, for however long you wish to stay." he said, making his way over to the man at the window, resting his head on the thin shoulder, arms wrapping around the man's waist. "You can check out any time you like," he added softly.
"But you can never really leave." Saguru added, resting his cheek against the top of Kaito's head, white bangs falling forward to cover his eyes, shielding the tears in them.
Fin