Saiyuki Fic, Industry Rule Number Four-Thousand-and-Eighty, The Grenadine Mix, NC17
Title: Industry Rule Number Four-Thousand-and-Eighty, The Grenadine Mix
Author: Despina_Moon
Rating: Mature (18+)
Pairings: Homura/Zakuro
Disclaimer: I do not own, nor do I make any profit from the use of these characters.
Summary: Long before Homura met Sanzo, Goku and the rest of Lunar Impact, he was in his own band called The War Gods. With success almost in his grasp, he happened to meet a funny kid named Zakuro.
Warnings I wrote it, what do you think? Some sex, for sure.
Author's notes: I wrote this tiny *cough* story for my darling whymzycal, who's constant patience correcting my horrible grammar, terrible punctuation, and awful sentence structure goes above and beyond the call of duty. She loves Zakuro and I hope I managed to do right by him and I'm sorry it took me eight months to finish it.
Much Love to my betas, jedishampoo, moshesque and whymzycal (because everyone should beta their own gift fic. Yeah, yeah, I suck.)
Oh, and here's the original Industry Rule Number Four-Thousand-and-Eighty.
Industry Rule Number Four-Thousand-and-Eighty, The Grenadine Mix- Part 1
Industry rule number four-thousand-and-eighty,
Record company people are shady…
From Check the Rhime by Tribe Called Quest
He knew there would come a time when he would ascend to his proper place as a prince of music. He would have legions of adoring fans who would follow him wherever he went. They would scream out his name and throw themselves at his feet. And he would stand before the chanting, frenzied masses and tell them stories through his music, and they would love him for it and believe everything he told them. All he had to do was endure the present ugliness and indifference, and someday he would become a mighty guitarist and repair the injured land.
"The land was damaged?" Her eyes were big and not very focused, like that of a little child.
Yes, four-thousand-and-eighty was a disastrous plague that deprived people of music. And when people don't have music, they lose hope. You see, the land feeds on hope, and if there isn't any--
"The land dies and then the people die, right, Sho?"
"Right."
Zorro met Homura in his seventeenth summer. At the time, Homura Taishi and The War Gods were personal favorites of his and had an exponentially growing pool of fans. They were flirting with fame and headlining at the local summer music festival. Zorro found The War Gods' complex sound enticing, and he considered them a band to emulate. He was also besotted with a few of their members. In particular, he was fascinated with The War Gods' young singer, Nataku, and of course, the band's keyboardist, Homura Taishi. The War Gods were incredibly polished, and Zorro hoped that one day he might rival them in talent.
In stark contrast to The War Gods, Zorro's band, Provenance, was barely legitimate enough to make it as the opening act. If it hadn't been for Ran's father knowing the promoter and calling in some favors, they wouldn't have stood a chance of getting in.
Provenance played to a mostly empty field without much of a reaction. The truth was, they'd only been together for a couple of months, and they weren't very good. To top it off, they weren't meshing, and Zorro could already see the signs of inevitable collapse. Ran was a bully and his drumming uninspired. Zorro's friend, Daichi, didn't really seem to be interested in a career in music. Etsu, their other guitarist and lead singer, seemed interested in music but not in Zorro or the band. She was pretty good, but she was also of the gothic persuasion--aloof and a little scary.
But today, even with the tiny, uninterested crowd, he had felt it. Playing on the giant stage, music flooding his senses, Zorro'd known he was born to be a rock star. And when they came off the stage, Zorro, smiling and high on adrenaline, thought everyone else felt it, too. Instead, he was completely blind-sided by the punch Ran delivered.
Zorro staggered back and fell on his ass, not daring to catch himself because he was holding his guitar. Rubbing his jaw, he glared at Ran. "What was that for?"
"You bastard," Ran hissed. "What were you doing out there? Trying to steal the show, Zorro? Stupid, dumbass name for a stupid, purple-haired, faggot dumbass!" Ran kicked him in the thigh.
Pain flared in Zorro's leg and he yelped. "Zorro can't help that he's better than you!"
Ran kicked him several times in quick succession. "Stop talking like that!"
"Don’t be a dick, Ran," Daichi complained.
"Shut up, Daichi! You're a little weasel, and I'll pound you, too, if you don't mind your place!" Ran scowled.
Etsu sighed and stepped over Zorro. "Fucking amateurs. I'm officially done with this band."
"What?" Ran snarled after her.
She kept walking, and her dark, red-streaked hair and a thick cascade of torn black lace rippled behind her. Ran returned his glare to Zorro.
Zorro swallowed and kept his mouth shut. Ran was twice his size and Zorro's ribs still hurt from the beating the beast had given him last time. Zorro looked helplessly at Daichi, who looked away. They were both pathetically weak.
Ran grabbed Zorro's guitar and pulled it out of his hands. "Let's see you steal a show if you don't have your guitar, you little prick."
"No!" Zorro scrambled to his feet and threw himself at Ran, jumping in the air to get his precious guitar.
Laughing, Ran dangled the guitar just out of reach, and with his free hand, he punched Zorro's unprotected stomach.
His vision blurred and he crumpled into a heap on the floor of the stage, his heart breaking for his lovely guitar as his consciousness faded. Lovely Grenadine.
That guitar had taken Zorro almost a year of washing dishes and other lowly jobs to buy. It was sweet sounding and a beautiful blood-red. There'd been other, more expensive guitars at the shop, but Grenadine was the one he'd settled on because she'd called to him. She was like a princess who could only manifest her appearance when he struck the right chords. He loved her, but he was too weak to protect her.
"Hey, kid, are you all right?"
Zorro struggled to sit up and looked around wildly. "Grenadine!"
"Grenadine?" A dark-haired man crouched next to him. He had a hand on Zorro's shoulder. "If you mean your guitar, it's right over there."
Zorro glanced over at his Grenadine and breathed a sigh of relief. She was safe, whole, and propped up in a guitar stand. "Did you--"
"Hold still. Let me check your head." The man's voice was low and sultry. He gently grabbed Zorro's chin and pushed his hair away from his face.
Zorro's heart was beating faster than a heavy metal drum solo. The face in front of him was a face he saw every day looking at him from the numerous posters tacked to his bedroom walls.
Warm fingers touched Zorro soothingly and with genuine care; he had to fight to keep from closing his eyes. Plus, Homura smelled nice and he was very attractive for, you know, a guy. Not that Zorro would know about that, because he wasn't, you know, gay or anything. Zorro was very aware of his delicate looks and overall weakness. Ran already called Zorro gay all of the time. If Ran knew he thought Homura was hot--no, he wasn't hot!--Zorro's ribs hurt just thinking about it.
"Yes. I think you're going to live, but you're going to be sore." He pulled back and gave Zorro a lazy smile. "Was that kid a band member of yours?"
"Was." Zorro moved his jaw experimentally and stared at Homura, still wondering how it could really be him. "I don't think there's much of a band, now."
Nodding in understanding, Homura said, "The politics of bands are very harsh, but even so, there's no need for violence against instruments." His eyes were really two different colors, just like in the posters and the magazines. Holding out his hand, Homura said, "I'm Homura Taishi."
"I know," Zorro said as he gripped the warm, dry hand and looked away, feeling his face heat. "You play keyboards for The War Gods."
"Indeed, I do."
"I can't believe you're the one who--it's almost like one of my …" Zorro shook his head, more embarrassed than ever. "You're really good."
Homura shrugged. "I get by."
"Did you stop Ran from wrecking Gren--I mean, my guitar?"
"Of course I stopped him," he drawled, his odd eyes sparkling as if he could look right inside Zorro and see what he was thinking.
"Thank you." Zorro blushed.
"Grenadine, huh?" Homura looked at Zorro's guitar. "You mean like the pomegranate juice?"
"Yes." His mother was very fond of grenadine and tequila. Of course, she was fond of anything even mildly alcoholic.
"Hmm. Well, it is bright red." Homura chuckled. "Clever. What's your name, kid?"
"I am The Amazing Zor--" Under Homura's amused, intense stare, Zorro's confidence faltered. "My name is Zorro."
"Zorro? Like the guy with the sword?"
"Sword?" What was Homura talking about? "No, like the fox!"
Homura laughed as he stood up and held out his hand for Zorro. "Now, that's not so clever. I hope that's a stage name."
Zorro took the offered hand and stood up. "Why?"
Homura released Zorro's hand and turned. "Come on, Foxy, I know where we can get some ice for your cheek."
Grabbing Grenadine, Zorro trailed after Homura, watching the lazy sway of his new friend's hips. Zorro wasn't gay, yet, even the most not-gay guy in the world had to see how ripped Homura was--the guy's body was perfect. Zorro was dimly aware that his jaw hurt and he wasn't sure how he'd get home since his ride had left, but he just couldn't look away from Homura's ass.
Strange.
Zorro followed Homura into a small trailer behind the stage. "Zorro's band only had a tent, not a trailer."
"Trust me, it's not that glamorous since we're sharing the trailer with two other bands." Homura looked over his shoulder and quirked an eyebrow. "Do you often refer to yourself in third person?"
"Um, I'm …"
Homura clicked his tongue. "Relax, I'm not judging you. I think it's an interesting approach."
"Really?"
"Sure." Homura opened a small refrigerator. "You want a beer?"
Zorro had never had a beer before and wasn't too keen on alcohol because of his mother, but he didn't want to appear weak. "Zorro would be … yes. I would."
Homura handed him a beer and nodded toward the small table. "Sit. I'll get you an ice pack."
Zorro noted that the cushions were unnaturally hard when he settled at the cheap and peeling table. He looked around the little trailer, taking in the tattered decor. Outside the window, he could see other trailers, and some were much fancier.
Homura nudged Zorro's leg and slid into the bench seat next to him. Gently, he placed a towel-wrapped ice pack on Zorro's cheek. "That's the spot, right?"
The ice soothed his sore cheek. Zorro stared at Homura and shifted nervously in his seat. "Yes."
Homura grabbed Zorro's hand and placed it on the icepack. He smiled as he said, "I'm not going to hold it for you, okay?"
"Uh, right." Zorro fumbled with the cool fabric and held the pack in place.
"I think you need to ditch the name Zorro."
"What?" Zorro frowned. "What's wrong with my name? I think it's catchy."
"It's been done. Don't you want to stand out, make yourself unique? I don't think Zorro fits you."
Zorro huffed. "You're very full of yourself, Mr. War God."
"Indeed, I am." Homura tilted his head to one side, and a tumble of thick, dark hair fell over his blue eye. His sultry voice became breathier. "You could learn a lot from me about many things, you know."
Zorro swallowed, unable to think up a snappy comeback. The guy was blatantly hitting on him now. At least, Zorro thought that was what Homura was doing. Of course, maybe he was only being teased. The worst part of the situation was that Zorro didn't know if he wanted Homura to be serious or not. He was very, very confused.
"Why are you so red?" Homura smirked. "You're the same color as your guitar."
"I'm--"
Homura sat back with what appeared to be deliberate slowness. After languidly shaking the hair out of his eyes, he smiled. His smile wasn't pleasant; it was more akin to what a predator might do while it waited for its prey to move again. Zorro felt that mismatched gaze move over him, processing his fidgeting fingers, his heated face, the length of his body, taking in every detail. He squirmed with the intensity of Homura's scrutiny.
As if satisfied with mentally and emotionally undressing Zorro, Homura asked, "How old are you?"
"I'm--" Zorro swallowed again. Then he lifted his chin and straightened his back. "I'm twenty-one."
Homura raised an eyebrow and picked up his beer.
Zorro deflated. "I'm seventeen. But I'll be eighteen next month."
"Well, you're almost legal, at least." Homura exhaled and shook his head. "Seventeen. I must be out of my mind."
Before Zorro could ask Homura to explain, the door opened and three men entered the trailer. One had an eye patch, one a cascade of white hair, and the final one was shorter and looked younger than the other two. Zenon, Shien, and Nataku--The War Gods.
Zenon slid into the seat across from them. "Hey. We finished the sound check. It's not great, but it'll work."
"Just like all the outdoor venues we play." Nataku sat down next to Zenon.
Shien sat down on the trailer's couch. "The crowd is growing; I think it will be a fine show."
Homura nodded. "Good."
Zenon tilted his head toward Zorro. "What happened to your fanboy?"
Zorro scowled. "Zorro is no one's fanboy!"
Zenon's lips quirked into a smile. "Oh, yeah, I get it."
Homura gave a lazy shrug and sipped at his beer. Shien shifted his gaze out the trailer's small window and said nothing.
Zorro's face felt as if it was burning and he looked down. He would have gotten up and left, but to do so, he would have had to crawl over Homura. Zorro couldn't add that humiliation to his already smarting ego.
Nataku tapped his hand. "Hey, don't let these guys tease you. Is that your guitar?"
"Yes," Zorro sighed. "But Zorro's band broke up today."
"So that's what happened to you. Band breakups can be brutal." Zenon tapped his cheek. "How do you think I lost my eye?"
Zorro pulled away, pressing into Homura's side. Zenon was a little scary.
Zenon laughed as he shifted his shoulders against the seat and lit a cigarette. Nataku was still staring at Zorro's guitar. "A Telecaster."
"Um, yes."
"That red is a great color."
Homura's low voice practically dripped with innuendo, as he said, "Isn't it? Just like his blush."
Right on time, Zorro's felt his face warm again. He decided it was an uncontrollable reaction to the timbre of Homura's voice.
Zenon made a derisive sound. "Watch out for him, kid. He'll eat a cherry like you for a snack."
"I prefer to think of him as a pomegranate. Bright red, tangy, and begging to be peeled." Homura draped his arm over the back of the bench seat. His knee bumped against Zorro's.
Nataku glared. "Ease up, you guys. Let him out, Homura, I want to hear him play."
Homura stood up and gave Zorro a smile that made him feel undressed. Did the guy do that to everyone--strip them bare with his fascinating, unflinching eyes? Zorro thought that would be a pretty cool talent--that is, if it was happening to someone else. As he tried to wriggle past Homura, Zorro banged his hip on the table.
"Careful," Homura's honeyed voice crooned as he helped steady Zorro with a hand on the small of his back.
"Oh, give it a rest, Homura," Nataku snapped. "You're making him nervous."
"If you say so." Homura released Zorro, sat back down, and put his elbow on the table, resting his chin on his upraised hand. The angle caused his dark hair to fall over his blue eye.
Zorro looked around. "Is there an amp?"
"No, but you can use this--" Shien stood up and smoothly walked to the back of the trailer. He returned with two acoustic guitars and handed one to Zorro. "It's Homura's instrument, and I'm relatively certain he won't mind you playing it."
Behind him, Zorro heard Homura's silky laugh.
"Th--thank you." Zorro swallowed and his chest felt tight, as if squeezed under an immense amount of pressure. The War Gods were asking him to play! Part of him couldn't wait to tell that bully Ran how he, The Awesome Zorro, played for an exclusive audience of The War Gods. Mentally, he shook his head. Ran would never believe him and he'd probably just end up getting another beating.
Also, there was the problem of Homura. He was definitely coming on to Zorro, and he didn't quite know how to deal with it. He studied Homura. His admirer sat at an angle, his elbow on the table and his long, lean legs stretched out and crossed at the ankles. Confidence practically radiated from him. His black t-shirt hugged his toned body like a second skin, and he knew he looked good. If Zorro were gay, Homura was exactly the type of guy he'd be attracted to.
Luckily, he wasn't gay, so he wasn't interested. Not at all.
"What will you play?" Nataku was standing next to him.
"I don't know."
"You know All Night Thing?"
"Yes."
"Let's do it, then." Nataku opened his mouth and sang:
"She motioned to me--
That she wanted to leave.
And go somewhere warm--
Where we'd be alone."
Zorro picked up the melody. Zenon was tapping a rhythm on the table with drumsticks that had magically appeared in his hands, and Shien was strumming his own guitar. Zorro concentrated. Shien was so good, and Nataku's voice flowed through the mingling chords like quicksilver, malleable and beautiful. The music soothed Zorro's aches and humiliations, making him feel whole and strong again. Invincible and mighty enough to endure any of Homura's teasing. His confidence was nearly restored by the time the song ended.
Nataku grinned at him. "Not bad."
"Hey, kid, you're pretty good." Zenon was also smiling. "You'll have no trouble finding a new band."
"Yes." Shien took back Homura's guitar. "I do hope you will continue to play."
Zorro furrowed his brow. "Why wouldn't I? I'm good."
"Yes," Shien agreed. "You are, but much of the time, that isn't enough. Am I correct, Homura?"
Looking over at Homura, Zorro saw that sometime during his performance, Homura had leaned forward, and he now had his elbows on his knees. Homura gave him a sad smile, his flirting absent for the moment. "It's a matter of luck and chemistry. Being good isn't necessarily the key."
"Oh." Zorro felt as if he'd been kicked in the stomach. "But what else is there? Music is what I want to do."
The room was heavy with silence.
"This is depressing." Nataku sighed and then grabbed Zorro's hand. "Come on, let's go watch some music."
"But what about Grenadine?"
Nataku laughed. "You mean your guitar?"
"Yes."
"It'll be fine here."
"Try to be back in a couple of hours," Shien called after them. "We go on at nine o'clock."
"Right." Nataku pulled Zorro out the door with him.
They prowled the festival together, making fun of bands that weren't so good and analyzing ones that were. Zorro enjoyed Nataku's easy, carefree presence, and because he was a well-known guest as a member of The War Gods, they were able to talk to several of the other bands and share stories.
They came around a corner and saw Homura talking to a blond-haired man carrying a bass. They stood very close together, and the bass player was very handsome and very fit. For some reason, Zorro felt a little agitated. Hadn’t Homura just been coming on to him? Was he so fickle that he would quickly toss Zorro aside? Zorro could not believe Homura was--
Nataku was staring at him.
Zorro cleared his throat. "What?"
"You look pretty mad." Nataku chewed on his lip. "You like him, don't you?"
"Me? No way!"
"But I thought--"
"Zorro, liking a man?" Zorro gave a hearty laugh. "I think not!"
Nataku blinked. "Ooookay. Look, I'm not saying you do, but if you did like him, I think you should know he's mostly talk. He flirts a lot, but he doesn’t follow through too often, so just as a friendly warning, try not to take him seriously. He's not a bad guy, but he does like to rattle people. It's a game with him. Sometimes he takes it too far. He has hurt people before."
"Oh." Zorro felt a sudden sense of loss. "Well, that's good, since I'm not-" Nataku was still watching him, and Zorro took a deep breath. "I'm definitely not interested."
"Right." Nataku touched Zorro's arm lightly. "Come on, let’s head back to the trailer now. You can help me get ready."
Nataku's hair needed tying back, but other than that, Zorro was mostly in the way. Nataku stayed close to him, though, making him feel wanted and as if they were actually friends. Nataku seemed lonely, and Zorro could sympathize with that. Zorro received so little love himself.
He reveled in the illusion of friends and belonging and, if he could have, he would have wished for the night to last forever. Instead, he stored each detail carefully, remembering the audience, the songs, their conversations, and the magic in order to revisit the night again. He would translate his time with The War Gods into fantastic stories. Maybe someday he would even share the tales.
After their set was done, Zorro helped them pack up. Zenon drove their van with Shien while Nataku and Zorro rode in a beat-up car with Homura.
Homura was oddly quiet, but Nataku assured Zorro that was how he unwound from a show. After dropping Nataku at his home, Homura asked for directions to Zorro's house. They drove in silence until they reached Zorro's dilapidated building, where Homura parked the car on a side street and shut the engine off.
"Will your family be worried about you?" Homura touched the broken clock on the dashboard.
Zorro tried to laugh, but instead a strangled sound came out and he shook his head. "No. I--Zorro will not have been missed."
"Really? I guess that explains a lot." In the shadows of a street lamp, Homura raised an eyebrow. "Even if it is rather depressing."
"Zorro does quite well, thank you."
Homura looked at Zorro, a dark pain radiated from his mismatched gaze. "We all seem to find our way, don't we?"
Homura's words were melancholy, and Zorro wondered what past trials his new friend had faced. He studied Homura's serious face, his mouth was suddenly bone dry. "Can Zor--can I come see you again?"
"Absolutely." Lifting his hand, Homura touched Zorro's uninjured cheek. He leaned close. Lips touched Zorro's and set a buzzing of nerve-endings in motion. He'd never experienced anything so electric, and when Homura pulled away, Zorro continued to savor the taste lingering on his tongue. He sighed. "I think you liked that."
"Ye--yeah." Zorro's eyes fluttered open to see a smug look on Homura's face.
"We're playing at Pele's Inferno on Saturday. Do you want to come? I can get you on the list as a guest."
Zorro felt his jaw drop a little, and he closed his mouth with a snap. "Really?"
Homura chuckled. "Yes, but you'll have to keep it quiet. And you'll need to go through a side door because you're underage."
"Zorro can do that!"
"I know you can. But there is a catch. There are a couple of things I want in return."
Zorro could hear the tremor in his voice when he asked, "What things?"
"First, I get to call you Zakuro from now on."
"Zakuro?"
"Yes." Homura's eyes sparkled and his teasing drawl returned. "And second, I'll get you into the show if I can get some more kisses from you."
Zorro couldn't look away from Homura. "Zor--Zakuro would like that."
One day during his lonely journey, the musician prince met two new friends. One was kind and gentle and could see the past pain the prince had endured. He smiled and said, "I can sing and I wish to join you in your travels. I can help you heal the tattered world with my voice."
The prince was very grateful to the singer and graciously accepted his help. They set off together to find and fight the growing evil in the land.
"What about the other friend?"
"Mother, don't interrupt, I'm telling--"
"You said there were two, what about the other one? I want to hear about him! Was he handsome?"
"Yes. He was also strong and fearless. A warrior musician who vowed to rid the land of plague four-thousand-and-eighty."
Pele's was a popular place, but Zorro had never been inside because he wasn't old enough. He had several acquaintances who had managed to secure fake IDs and get in, but Zorro didn't know how to get a fake ID. When he approached the nearly hidden and closed door on the side, he wasn't sure he'd gain entrance. For all Zorro knew, Homura might have already forgotten about him.
Not knowing what else to do, he knocked. A tall, thin redhead answered the door and gave him a once-over. "Light purple hair, lanky body." The guy quirked a smile at him. "Are you Zakuro?"
"That's not really my name. Homura--"
Holding up his hand and laughing, the man said, "Say no more. I know all about Homura. You need to watch out for him. Although you are a bit younger than his usual, so he might-- Sorry, never mind."
Zorro wasn't sure how to respond. So he might … what?
"I'm Kougaiji." He opened the door wide and waved for Zorro to follow him. Kougaiji led him through the club, behind the stage, and down a dark hallway. "Oh, and if anyone asks, you snuck in here, right? You'll get us shut down if the authorities catch someone underage here. "
"Right." Zorro wondered what kind of influence Homura had at Pele's Inferno, if he could get an underage kid into a club. His curiosity got the better of him. "Have you known Homura long?"
"You could say that, yeah. We went to school together." Kougaiji turned a corner. "I tried to sing in one of his bands at one time, but I really wasn't into it. This is my mother's club, and I'm much better at running it than singing."
"So, you enjoy music?"
"Of course."
"You like The War Gods?"
"That's a loaded question." Kougaiji chuckled. "They are very good and yes, I like them, but I try not to get attached--bands come and go. Besides, I’m not certain Homura wants to make a life out of rock-n-roll. Well, not in a band, anyway. He has options, and where he goes, Zenon and Shien will undoubtedly follow." He stopped and opened a door. "Here we are. Remember, you snuck in."
"I'll remember."
"Hey, it’s Kou, and the kid!" Zenon bellowed from inside the room.
Nataku said with a smile, "I’m glad to see you. Come on in."
Homura's sultry, unhurried voice slithered around him. "Hey, Zakuro."
"Zakuro?" Shien was leaning against a back wall, half hidden in the shadows. Zorro hadn’t even seen him. "I thought his name was Fox."
Zenon shook his head. "You mean Zorro."
"Correct. Fox." Shien pushed away from the wall. "Homura, have you changed his name?"
"Zakuro fits him better, don’t you think?" Homura was lounging on a beat-up couch, radiating his usual confidence. Zorro admired that about Homura; the guy was incredibly self-assured. Maybe a little of that boldness would transfer to him.
"Good timing, whatever your name is, kid."
"Good timing?" Zorro frowned.
Nataku was still smiling. "My bass is still in the van, and I'm not quite ready. Would you mind getting it for me? These guys won't go."
"Of course Zorro will get your bass!"
Zenon pitched the keys at him. "It's the Ford. Right by the back door. Just come up the stairs. We'll make sure Kou's thugs let you through."
"Right! Zorro will return directly."
Outside, the air was heavy with humidity and he retrieved the bass quickly, wanting to get inside before the coming downpour happened. As he hurried through the crowd, he noticed there was a different kind of humidity inside. He tried to curl his body around Nataku's guitar, shielding it from the jostling crowd. The masses were still buzzing with the fading adrenaline from the last band and the building anticipation of The War Gods' upcoming set. Zorro slipped through and was about to head down the stairs to the dressing room when a heavy hand landed on his shoulder.
"Well, look who's here," a familiar voice, dripping with contempt, said just behind him. "It's the Amazing Dumbass!"
Zorro turned. "Oh, hi, Ran."
Ran was with his equally giant and possibly more stupid friend, Aki. Ran sneered as he asked, "What the hell are you doing here?"
"Um, Zorro was invited by some friends."
"Don't give me that. You don't have any friends. What'd ya do? Sneak in?"
Aki snorted.
Zorro frowned. "Excuse me, Zorro is expected elsewhere."
Ran laughed; it was an evil, ugly sound, and Zorro knew what was coming. His stomach flipped and he quickly stepped back and twisted out of Ran's grip. He sprinted toward the stairs in an attempt to save Nataku's bass.
"Hey!"
Zorro could hear his enemies take up the chase and he pushed himself harder, he would protect the bass at any cost. He leapt down the small flight of stairs, landing awkwardly on his right ankle and giving it a savage twist, but he kept going.
"You're dead, Zorro!"
His ankle buckled and he fell, twisting his body so he landed on his back, saving the bass but effectively knocking the air from his lungs. He was helpless, unable to even catch a breath as he saw Ran and his brute of a friend hover over him.
"Not the bass! Don't hurt the bass!" he gasped as he squeezed his eyes shut and waited.
And waited.
Zenon's voice boomed out, "Hey, now."
Zorro cracked open his right eye and saw a strange vision. Ran was dangling in the air, his feet kicking frantically.
Nataku materialized above him, gently removing the bass from his fingers. "Are you all right?"
"I believe Zorro has an injured ankle, but other than that, he is fine." Zorro sat up and tried to make sense of what he was seeing. Oh, Ran was dangling because Zenon was holding him by the back of his jacket.
"Shien?" Zenon asked calmly.
"Yes?"
"Is that a nail sticking out of the wall over there?"
Shien moved to inspect a spot on the wall. As he stepped away, Zorro saw Aki lying on the floor. He was moving, but in a bizarrely undulating manner. Zorro rolled to his side and squinted, trying to make sense of what he was seeing. Aki was hog-tied and gagged. Two long strands of rope dangled from Shien's hand.
"Why, yes, Zenon. There is a nail, and a rather sturdy one at that. Would you like some assistance?"
"Yeah, he's squirmin' around quite a bit."
Together, they hung the struggling yet strangely quiet Ran by the back of his coat. Zorro got the feeling that this was not the first time they'd done something like this. He could see an amused Homura leaning against the wall in the background. Homura hadn't been involved in the altercation, but there was no question as to who was in charge. Catching Zorro watching him, Homura smirked and pushed away from the wall.
Homura leaned down to offer Zorro his hand and helped him to his feet. Because his legs were visibly shaking, Homura looped his arm around Zorro's waist. "You did good, my fearless, foxy pomegranate."
"He did." Shien smiled.
Nataku grinned. "You were awesome, Zorro!"
Zenon lit a cigarette and laughed. "Yeah, I think he should play at least one song with us."
"Play? You mean, on stage?" Zorro looked at all of them as he relaxed into Homura's hold. "But I don't have Grenadine."
"If you remember correctly, we have other guitars." Shien's eyes seemed to twinkle.
"I even brought the red one," Homura's voice thrummed. "Just in case."
Zorro looked at all of them again. Ran had quit struggling from his embarrassing spot on the wall. He glared daggers at Zorro. Straightening his back, Zorro said, "I will, but be prepared for Zorro to steal the show!"
Ran shouted, "Shut up! Someone needs to get me down right now!"
"Oh, I believe someone will be along to collect you soon." Shien didn't even look at Ran. Instead, he glided toward their dressing room.
Zenon blew smoke in Ran's face. "Or your coat could tear and you could fall." Then he stared to laugh.
"Hey!" Kougaiji hopped down the last two steps, stopping short when he spied the two prisoners. He ran his hand through his hair and exhaled. "Oh, god, Homura, what are you up to this time?"
Homura shrugged. "Bully patrol."
Kougaiji sighed. "Every time you guys play here, something weird happens."
"No, they were helping me." Zorro limped forward. "It's Zorro's fault. They were after me."
"Shut up, Zorro!" Ran's feet flailed helplessly in the air. "I'm so kicking your ass when I get down from here!"
Kougaiji chewed on his lip. "I see. Well, I'll call Doku and have him come down to help me. That should take a couple of hours."
"Hours?!" Ran sputtered.
"Or I'd be happy to call your mommy to come get you. I'd bet she'd love to find out about your fake ID."
Ran closed his mouth.
"No? Well, you let me know if you change your mind later." Kougaiji turned back to Homura. "Are you going on stage? The crowd is growing antsy."
"Hang on." Homura tugged at Zorro's vest. "First we need to get our new band member ready."
Zorro grabbed at Homura's wrist. "What--"
"Trust me," Homura said with a smile.
Zorro blushed as everyone in the room watched Homura undress him. Homura's fingertips were cool as they brushed against Zorro's naked stomach and over his chest in an unhurried gathering of fabric. Zorro shivered as Homura's fingers lifted the t-shirt and curled, somehow managing to caress a bare nipple.
"Mmm. Now," Homura crooned, as his hands guided Zorro's pliant arms. "We just put your vest back on and you're all set."
Zorro opened his eyes, unaware that he'd closed them. He could feel the air circulating around his skin underneath the vest. And he wasn't certain how he felt about being half-naked on stage.
Nataku grinned. "You look good."
"Yes, I think I have to agree. I might even have to borrow that look sometime, if you don't mind." Kou's gaze swept over the others in the room. "Now, could you please go to work?"
Homura motioned toward the stairs. "Shall we, gentlemen?"
Zenon handed Zorro a red guitar and Nataku pulled him along. Zorro limped up the stairs he'd just fallen down and took a turn up another equally small flight that led up a dark stage. Zorro spent the next two exhilarating hours performing with The War Gods, an easy task for him since he knew all their songs by heart. He'd spent many hours at home, practicing their music in front of a mirror, pretending to be part of their band. Being on stage with them was literally a dream come true.
When they finished and Zorro was waving at the crowd, filled with adrenaline and covered with sweat, he saw Etsu, his other former band member, give him an uncharacteristic thumbs up. Still feeling the flood of euphoria, he ran off the stage to talk with her.
She gave him a controlled smile. "Since when do you hang out with these guys?"
"Oh, Zorro just met them at the festival. When Provenance broke up."
Someone patted him on the back and pressed a drink into his hand. He took a sip and gagged; the liquid fire of alcohol burned his throat.
"You sounded good." She stared up at the stage. "Are you joining their band?"
"Me? Oh, I don't think so." He glanced over his shoulder. There were several people on the stage, packing up equipment. Homura was talking to that blond-haired bass player again. "Sorry, I need to get back."
She handed him a card. "If you need someone for your next band, call me."
Zorro blinked as he tried to processes what she said. "Really?"
"Yes." She actually laughed. "Really. You were the only one worth a damn out of Provenance. Well, you and me. So call me."
"Um--"
"For the band, okay?" She frowned. "Not for anything else."
"I wasn't--"
"Hey, foxy Zakuro!" Homura's sultry voice wove through the jumble of noise to reach him. "Get up here and help."
Etsu arched an eyebrow. "Zakuro?"
"Um, yeah, it's a long story." Zorro shrugged. "But Zakuro is what Homura calls Zorro."
"Zakuro." She tilted her head. "I like it. You should call yourself that. Zorro is kind of a dumb name, but Zakuro totally fits you."
"That's what I've been trying to tell him." Homura's voice was silky as he brushed shoulders with Zorro. "And you are …?"
"Etsu." She tipped her head in an almost-bow. "We used to play in a band together."
"Ah." Homura gave her a smile.
It was a very charming smile and, for some reason, it made Zorro angry.
"Look, I gotta go." She glanced toward the exit. "It was nice meeting you, Homura. And Zakuro, call me!" Etsu disappeared into the crowd.
A moment passed as they both watched her walk away.
"She's cute." Homura's voice sounded a bit tight.
"Yeah."
"Are you interested?"
"What?" Zorro faced Homura and his heart skipped a beat. Homura's features were serious, almost as if he were jealous. Nah, that couldn't be. Zorro laughed. "No, Zorro isn't interested. She's too scary. Plus, I don't think she likes men."
"Good." Homura smiled. "Come on, let's go help."
Later, when Zorro placed the last of Zenon's packed drum kit into the back of the van, he could feel the adrenaline rush wear off, and the pain set in. When he stepped down the back stairs to the dressing room, his sore ankle gave out and he stumbled. Homura slipped an arm around his waist and steadied him.
"Whoa, careful," Homura's seductive voice whispered in his ear.
Both arms encircled him now, pulling him back up the step and flush against Homura's body as a huge man with dreadlocks came up the short flight of stairs. Zorro could feel the ripples of Homura's abs sliding along his back. A hipbone jutted into Zorro's ass and his body reacted.
Neither one of them spoke, but Zorro's heartbeat seemed very loud. He felt he should move, but Homura pressed tightly against him felt right somehow. Warm fingers grazed over his naked belly and Zorro's erection pulsed with the touch.
Several voices neared the stairs, so Homura pulled them deeper into the backstage shadows. Zorro let himself be guided in the dark, aware that like a leading dancer, Homura had repositioned them both. Zorro felt his back come up against a wall and then Homura was in front of him, smoothing back his hair and kissing his temple, his cheek, and finally his mouth, with a gentle brush of lips, followed by the soft, wet slide of Homura's tongue.
Zorro wasn't thinking clearly and he opened his mouth, wanting to experience more. The taste of Homura's saliva was slightly metallic and so tantalizing it caused Zorro's taste buds to fizz. Homura's tongue pushed deeper inside as warm fingers traveled down Zorro's unclad arm and under his vest.
There was a burst of aching heat in his groin, an inferno of desire coursing through his nerve-endings. Losing himself to this feeling could be so easy. Homura's foot slid between his, pressing their bodies tightly together. Zorro caught his breath when he realized Homura's erection was a twin to his own.
Homura rolled his hips, sliding his erection alongside Zorro's, digging his hard length into Zorro's sensitive flesh with a quiet moan. Homura's warm breath tingled against Zorro's ear as he said, "Oh, yes, I want you, my little pomegranate."
"Guh. Wha--" Zorro managed to answer. There was an odd buzzing in his ears and his body felt as if it belonged to someone else. He was dimly aware that his pants were open and Homura's fingers were slithering inside his underwear.
"Mmm." Homura murmured quiet, incomprehensible words of encouragement while his fingers encircled Zorro's erection, thumb rubbing against the wet slit.
Zorro's body rocked with the touch. "Uh, wait! No."
"No?" Homura stroked him, Zorro's own flowing desire slicking the contact. Nuzzling Zorro's neck, Homura whispered, "Are you certain you want me to stop?"
"No. I mean yes." Zorro's shoulders dug into the wall as he thrust his hips forward in time with Homura's sliding caresses.
Homura's hand paused, but still squeezed. He pulled his head back, searching Zorro's eyes. "Do you really want me to stop?"
The buzzing in Zorro's head grew louder. He rocked his body, trying to regain some friction with Homura's hand. Zorro was so close and if Homura quit now-- He shivered. "Oh, no, please don't stop!"
Chuckling, Homura gripped him tighter and resumed his strokes. "As you wish."
Zorro sighed with pleasure as he eased closer to his orgasm. He was definitely not the master of his body as his hips bucked into Homura's hand. Anyone walking by could see them if they looked, and somehow that made the experience feel dangerous, exciting, and dirty.
Homura angled close and kissed Zorro, their tongues twisting together.
Zorro was at the pinnacle; his muscles couldn't have been any more tense. He teetered on the edge when Homura bit his earlobe and said, "Next time it's my turn, and I want to come inside you."
That did it. Zorro threw back his head and cried out with his release. He was loud. Very loud. Homura, laughing with what seemed to be delight, kissed him again, quieting his cry.
"Oh, god, Homura! Can't you take your chippies elsewhere to do them?"
Zorro tried to cover himself as he snuck a look over Homura's shoulder. Kougaiji had his arms crossed, but he was clearly amused.
Homura turned as he licked his fingers. "As if you don't do the same thing, my friend."
"Not when Mother is here." Kougaiji shook his head and turned away. "Well, try to keep it down, at least."
Homura watched Kougaiji walk away. "He's such a buzz-kill when his mom's around."
Zorro had managed partially to cover himself, but his body felt heavy and lethargic. Plus, he was kind of wet in places.
"Oh, hey, don't worry about him." Homura's moist hands curved around Zorro's waist as they kissed. "How did you like that?"
He tried to push Homura away, reeling with uncertainty. This wasn't supposed to happen, he wasn't supposed to like it. Zorro's breathing was fast and his voice cracked when he said, "Zorro is not gay!"
"I see." In the shadowy back stage, Homura smirked. "Am I going too fast for you?"
"Um, yes. I mean no." He searched for an answer. "Zorro is not gay!"
"Right. You mentioned that." Homura licked Zorro's ear. "Let's go watch the next band, okay?"
"Um. I'm a little," Zorro waved his hands at his opened pants, "sticky."
"Yes. I see that." Homura grabbed Zorro's hips and folded down to his knees, his tongue dragging against Zorro's stomach.
Zorro moaned and let his shoulders fall back against the wall as he felt his erection stir to life again. "Oh!"
When he was finished licking Zorro clean, Homura stood up. He fastened Zorro's pants and took his hand, dragging him toward the floor. "Come on. Maybe we can dance."
Zorro followed without complaint, wondering about Homura all the while. Was he still hard? Would he be all right? What could Zorro do to help?
Wait, what was he thinking? Right. Zorro muttered, "Zorro is not gay," under his breath. He pulled his hand away with force. This wasn't fair--Homura was treating him as if he were some sort of toy. And what had just happened was wrong. So, so wrong.
Wasn't it?
Homura turned and looked at him. "Zakuro? Is something--"
"I am not gay!" Zakuro thought he might start to cry, although he couldn't understand why. That didn't make any sense. In fact, very little of what he was feeling made any sense to him. He remembered random, vicious beatings, not just from Ran, but there had been others as well. He remembered black eyes, bloody noses, and sore ribs, all for suspicion of being gay. If he actually was gay---
He ran for the door.
He could hear Homura call after him, "Hey, wait--"
Outside, Zorro shivered as he walked down the deserted street. He tried to figure out what he'd just done. He was sad and confused and felt as if the layer he'd put in place, that slim cushion of protection between him and the world, was unraveling, like one of his childhood illusions.
Like a prince switched at birth by an evil sorcerer. Or a samurai who'd taken a blow to his head and forgotten who he was. Or even a rock star soon to be worshipped by thousands of fans. All of those dreams eventually melted into reality when he got his ass kicked by a bully or when his mom went on a drunken spree.
Or when he blew it with a potential boyfriend.
At the moment, Zorro didn't know who he hated more--Homura for dismantling him, or himself for rejecting the one real thing he'd ever experienced.
Then, of course, it started to rain. And not just a simple drizzle; this was a skin-soaking deluge. He shivered under his saturated vest, wishing he'd remembered his shirt.
A car pulled up alongside him, a battered Honda Civic whose glory days were long past. "Zorro?"
He raised his head, grateful for the rainwater streaming down his face when he saw Nataku's look of sympathy through the opened car window.
"Get in already, would ya?"
Zorro thought he should protest, but he didn't. Silently, he rounded the back end of the car and slid into the passenger seat.
"You're soaked." Nataku tossed him a towel and his previously forgotten t-shirt. "Here."
He only nodded his head because he was afraid the tide of emotions would break, and no amount of rainwater would be able to hide it. Zorro was grateful for Nataku's silence while he regained his composure and dried off.
Finally, Nataku did speak, his voice sounding tight with anger. "Homura didn't …" Nataku exhaled. "He didn't hurt you, did he?"
Zorro blinked in the alternating darkness and light as they passed under the street lamps. He tried to make sense of Nataku's question. "What do you mean?"
Nataku stopped at a red light and turned his head to make eye contact. "I mean, he didn't force you into anything, did he?"
Zorro felt very, very tired. He let his head loll back on the seat. "No, he didn't."
Releasing a breath, Nataku said, "Well, that's good. They way you ran out, it seemed--ah, well, let's just say I was worried. Homura was worried, too, enough that he asked me to go get you."
"Homura sent you?"
"Yes, although I probably would have come on my own." Nataku pulled the car into an empty parking lot and cut off the engine. He turned and faced Zorro. "Are you okay?"
Zorro shivered. "Yeah, Zorro is fine."
Nataku nudged his keys with a finger. They rattled softly as they swung back and forth from the ignition. "I'm not sure I should tell you this, but he really likes you. He doesn't usually worry about the people he, um, pursues. I think he's more surprised than any of us about his reaction."
"His reaction? But he's the one who confuses me." Zorro ran a hand through his hair and the threat of more tears made his eyes sting. "I didn't think I was that way. But now, I feel like I don't know anything, especially not myself."
Nataku smiled. "You mean because you feel you might be attracted to men?"
"Yes." Zorro could feel his face heat. "I was shocked because I liked it."
"Well, it still doesn't mean anything." Nataku grinned at him. "I mean, we're guys, and you know, sometimes anyone's touch will do."
"No. I don't think just anyone would make me feel that much. I know I don't have a lot to compare it with, but that was--" Zorro swallowed. "Powerful."
Nataku arched an eyebrow at him. "Really? Well, now that I think about it, he must have a pretty profound effect on you because you aren't referring to yourself in third person."
Zorro smiled, feeling a bit better. "My real name is Sho."
"Yeah?" Nataku returned the smile.
"Yeah." Zorro picked at a threadbare spot in the knee of his jeans. "It's a boring name, isn't it?"
"Well, I don't know about boring, but I like the name Zorro better."
Zorro nodded. "Me, too. And maybe Zakuro."
"Seriously?"
"Sure. There would only be one Zakuro." Zorro laughed. "And Zorro likes being one of a kind."
Nataku laughed with him. "You're a goofy thing, but I think you'll be okay now."
"Yes, Zorro feels much better, thank you."
"Okay, then." Nataku started the car. "Then you'll be at Pele's again on Friday?"
"Friday? Oh, I um--"
"If you're worried about Homura, don't be." Nataku frowned. "After I yelled at him, he gave me his solemn vow that he won't touch you again."
"Oh." Zorro didn't know how he felt about that.
"That is," Nataku steered the small, sputtering car out of the empty lot and then gave him a sly sideways glance. "Unless you want him to touch you."
"Oh."
"Do you want him to?"
Zorro stared out the window, but he didn't have an answer.
On to Part 2
Author: Despina_Moon
Rating: Mature (18+)
Pairings: Homura/Zakuro
Disclaimer: I do not own, nor do I make any profit from the use of these characters.
Summary: Long before Homura met Sanzo, Goku and the rest of Lunar Impact, he was in his own band called The War Gods. With success almost in his grasp, he happened to meet a funny kid named Zakuro.
Warnings I wrote it, what do you think? Some sex, for sure.
Author's notes: I wrote this tiny *cough* story for my darling whymzycal, who's constant patience correcting my horrible grammar, terrible punctuation, and awful sentence structure goes above and beyond the call of duty. She loves Zakuro and I hope I managed to do right by him and I'm sorry it took me eight months to finish it.
Much Love to my betas, jedishampoo, moshesque and whymzycal (because everyone should beta their own gift fic. Yeah, yeah, I suck.)
Oh, and here's the original Industry Rule Number Four-Thousand-and-Eighty.
Industry Rule Number Four-Thousand-and-Eighty, The Grenadine Mix- Part 1
Industry rule number four-thousand-and-eighty,
Record company people are shady…
From Check the Rhime by Tribe Called Quest
He knew there would come a time when he would ascend to his proper place as a prince of music. He would have legions of adoring fans who would follow him wherever he went. They would scream out his name and throw themselves at his feet. And he would stand before the chanting, frenzied masses and tell them stories through his music, and they would love him for it and believe everything he told them. All he had to do was endure the present ugliness and indifference, and someday he would become a mighty guitarist and repair the injured land.
"The land was damaged?" Her eyes were big and not very focused, like that of a little child.
Yes, four-thousand-and-eighty was a disastrous plague that deprived people of music. And when people don't have music, they lose hope. You see, the land feeds on hope, and if there isn't any--
"The land dies and then the people die, right, Sho?"
"Right."
Zorro met Homura in his seventeenth summer. At the time, Homura Taishi and The War Gods were personal favorites of his and had an exponentially growing pool of fans. They were flirting with fame and headlining at the local summer music festival. Zorro found The War Gods' complex sound enticing, and he considered them a band to emulate. He was also besotted with a few of their members. In particular, he was fascinated with The War Gods' young singer, Nataku, and of course, the band's keyboardist, Homura Taishi. The War Gods were incredibly polished, and Zorro hoped that one day he might rival them in talent.
In stark contrast to The War Gods, Zorro's band, Provenance, was barely legitimate enough to make it as the opening act. If it hadn't been for Ran's father knowing the promoter and calling in some favors, they wouldn't have stood a chance of getting in.
Provenance played to a mostly empty field without much of a reaction. The truth was, they'd only been together for a couple of months, and they weren't very good. To top it off, they weren't meshing, and Zorro could already see the signs of inevitable collapse. Ran was a bully and his drumming uninspired. Zorro's friend, Daichi, didn't really seem to be interested in a career in music. Etsu, their other guitarist and lead singer, seemed interested in music but not in Zorro or the band. She was pretty good, but she was also of the gothic persuasion--aloof and a little scary.
But today, even with the tiny, uninterested crowd, he had felt it. Playing on the giant stage, music flooding his senses, Zorro'd known he was born to be a rock star. And when they came off the stage, Zorro, smiling and high on adrenaline, thought everyone else felt it, too. Instead, he was completely blind-sided by the punch Ran delivered.
Zorro staggered back and fell on his ass, not daring to catch himself because he was holding his guitar. Rubbing his jaw, he glared at Ran. "What was that for?"
"You bastard," Ran hissed. "What were you doing out there? Trying to steal the show, Zorro? Stupid, dumbass name for a stupid, purple-haired, faggot dumbass!" Ran kicked him in the thigh.
Pain flared in Zorro's leg and he yelped. "Zorro can't help that he's better than you!"
Ran kicked him several times in quick succession. "Stop talking like that!"
"Don’t be a dick, Ran," Daichi complained.
"Shut up, Daichi! You're a little weasel, and I'll pound you, too, if you don't mind your place!" Ran scowled.
Etsu sighed and stepped over Zorro. "Fucking amateurs. I'm officially done with this band."
"What?" Ran snarled after her.
She kept walking, and her dark, red-streaked hair and a thick cascade of torn black lace rippled behind her. Ran returned his glare to Zorro.
Zorro swallowed and kept his mouth shut. Ran was twice his size and Zorro's ribs still hurt from the beating the beast had given him last time. Zorro looked helplessly at Daichi, who looked away. They were both pathetically weak.
Ran grabbed Zorro's guitar and pulled it out of his hands. "Let's see you steal a show if you don't have your guitar, you little prick."
"No!" Zorro scrambled to his feet and threw himself at Ran, jumping in the air to get his precious guitar.
Laughing, Ran dangled the guitar just out of reach, and with his free hand, he punched Zorro's unprotected stomach.
His vision blurred and he crumpled into a heap on the floor of the stage, his heart breaking for his lovely guitar as his consciousness faded. Lovely Grenadine.
That guitar had taken Zorro almost a year of washing dishes and other lowly jobs to buy. It was sweet sounding and a beautiful blood-red. There'd been other, more expensive guitars at the shop, but Grenadine was the one he'd settled on because she'd called to him. She was like a princess who could only manifest her appearance when he struck the right chords. He loved her, but he was too weak to protect her.
"Hey, kid, are you all right?"
Zorro struggled to sit up and looked around wildly. "Grenadine!"
"Grenadine?" A dark-haired man crouched next to him. He had a hand on Zorro's shoulder. "If you mean your guitar, it's right over there."
Zorro glanced over at his Grenadine and breathed a sigh of relief. She was safe, whole, and propped up in a guitar stand. "Did you--"
"Hold still. Let me check your head." The man's voice was low and sultry. He gently grabbed Zorro's chin and pushed his hair away from his face.
Zorro's heart was beating faster than a heavy metal drum solo. The face in front of him was a face he saw every day looking at him from the numerous posters tacked to his bedroom walls.
Warm fingers touched Zorro soothingly and with genuine care; he had to fight to keep from closing his eyes. Plus, Homura smelled nice and he was very attractive for, you know, a guy. Not that Zorro would know about that, because he wasn't, you know, gay or anything. Zorro was very aware of his delicate looks and overall weakness. Ran already called Zorro gay all of the time. If Ran knew he thought Homura was hot--no, he wasn't hot!--Zorro's ribs hurt just thinking about it.
"Yes. I think you're going to live, but you're going to be sore." He pulled back and gave Zorro a lazy smile. "Was that kid a band member of yours?"
"Was." Zorro moved his jaw experimentally and stared at Homura, still wondering how it could really be him. "I don't think there's much of a band, now."
Nodding in understanding, Homura said, "The politics of bands are very harsh, but even so, there's no need for violence against instruments." His eyes were really two different colors, just like in the posters and the magazines. Holding out his hand, Homura said, "I'm Homura Taishi."
"I know," Zorro said as he gripped the warm, dry hand and looked away, feeling his face heat. "You play keyboards for The War Gods."
"Indeed, I do."
"I can't believe you're the one who--it's almost like one of my …" Zorro shook his head, more embarrassed than ever. "You're really good."
Homura shrugged. "I get by."
"Did you stop Ran from wrecking Gren--I mean, my guitar?"
"Of course I stopped him," he drawled, his odd eyes sparkling as if he could look right inside Zorro and see what he was thinking.
"Thank you." Zorro blushed.
"Grenadine, huh?" Homura looked at Zorro's guitar. "You mean like the pomegranate juice?"
"Yes." His mother was very fond of grenadine and tequila. Of course, she was fond of anything even mildly alcoholic.
"Hmm. Well, it is bright red." Homura chuckled. "Clever. What's your name, kid?"
"I am The Amazing Zor--" Under Homura's amused, intense stare, Zorro's confidence faltered. "My name is Zorro."
"Zorro? Like the guy with the sword?"
"Sword?" What was Homura talking about? "No, like the fox!"
Homura laughed as he stood up and held out his hand for Zorro. "Now, that's not so clever. I hope that's a stage name."
Zorro took the offered hand and stood up. "Why?"
Homura released Zorro's hand and turned. "Come on, Foxy, I know where we can get some ice for your cheek."
Grabbing Grenadine, Zorro trailed after Homura, watching the lazy sway of his new friend's hips. Zorro wasn't gay, yet, even the most not-gay guy in the world had to see how ripped Homura was--the guy's body was perfect. Zorro was dimly aware that his jaw hurt and he wasn't sure how he'd get home since his ride had left, but he just couldn't look away from Homura's ass.
Strange.
Zorro followed Homura into a small trailer behind the stage. "Zorro's band only had a tent, not a trailer."
"Trust me, it's not that glamorous since we're sharing the trailer with two other bands." Homura looked over his shoulder and quirked an eyebrow. "Do you often refer to yourself in third person?"
"Um, I'm …"
Homura clicked his tongue. "Relax, I'm not judging you. I think it's an interesting approach."
"Really?"
"Sure." Homura opened a small refrigerator. "You want a beer?"
Zorro had never had a beer before and wasn't too keen on alcohol because of his mother, but he didn't want to appear weak. "Zorro would be … yes. I would."
Homura handed him a beer and nodded toward the small table. "Sit. I'll get you an ice pack."
Zorro noted that the cushions were unnaturally hard when he settled at the cheap and peeling table. He looked around the little trailer, taking in the tattered decor. Outside the window, he could see other trailers, and some were much fancier.
Homura nudged Zorro's leg and slid into the bench seat next to him. Gently, he placed a towel-wrapped ice pack on Zorro's cheek. "That's the spot, right?"
The ice soothed his sore cheek. Zorro stared at Homura and shifted nervously in his seat. "Yes."
Homura grabbed Zorro's hand and placed it on the icepack. He smiled as he said, "I'm not going to hold it for you, okay?"
"Uh, right." Zorro fumbled with the cool fabric and held the pack in place.
"I think you need to ditch the name Zorro."
"What?" Zorro frowned. "What's wrong with my name? I think it's catchy."
"It's been done. Don't you want to stand out, make yourself unique? I don't think Zorro fits you."
Zorro huffed. "You're very full of yourself, Mr. War God."
"Indeed, I am." Homura tilted his head to one side, and a tumble of thick, dark hair fell over his blue eye. His sultry voice became breathier. "You could learn a lot from me about many things, you know."
Zorro swallowed, unable to think up a snappy comeback. The guy was blatantly hitting on him now. At least, Zorro thought that was what Homura was doing. Of course, maybe he was only being teased. The worst part of the situation was that Zorro didn't know if he wanted Homura to be serious or not. He was very, very confused.
"Why are you so red?" Homura smirked. "You're the same color as your guitar."
"I'm--"
Homura sat back with what appeared to be deliberate slowness. After languidly shaking the hair out of his eyes, he smiled. His smile wasn't pleasant; it was more akin to what a predator might do while it waited for its prey to move again. Zorro felt that mismatched gaze move over him, processing his fidgeting fingers, his heated face, the length of his body, taking in every detail. He squirmed with the intensity of Homura's scrutiny.
As if satisfied with mentally and emotionally undressing Zorro, Homura asked, "How old are you?"
"I'm--" Zorro swallowed again. Then he lifted his chin and straightened his back. "I'm twenty-one."
Homura raised an eyebrow and picked up his beer.
Zorro deflated. "I'm seventeen. But I'll be eighteen next month."
"Well, you're almost legal, at least." Homura exhaled and shook his head. "Seventeen. I must be out of my mind."
Before Zorro could ask Homura to explain, the door opened and three men entered the trailer. One had an eye patch, one a cascade of white hair, and the final one was shorter and looked younger than the other two. Zenon, Shien, and Nataku--The War Gods.
Zenon slid into the seat across from them. "Hey. We finished the sound check. It's not great, but it'll work."
"Just like all the outdoor venues we play." Nataku sat down next to Zenon.
Shien sat down on the trailer's couch. "The crowd is growing; I think it will be a fine show."
Homura nodded. "Good."
Zenon tilted his head toward Zorro. "What happened to your fanboy?"
Zorro scowled. "Zorro is no one's fanboy!"
Zenon's lips quirked into a smile. "Oh, yeah, I get it."
Homura gave a lazy shrug and sipped at his beer. Shien shifted his gaze out the trailer's small window and said nothing.
Zorro's face felt as if it was burning and he looked down. He would have gotten up and left, but to do so, he would have had to crawl over Homura. Zorro couldn't add that humiliation to his already smarting ego.
Nataku tapped his hand. "Hey, don't let these guys tease you. Is that your guitar?"
"Yes," Zorro sighed. "But Zorro's band broke up today."
"So that's what happened to you. Band breakups can be brutal." Zenon tapped his cheek. "How do you think I lost my eye?"
Zorro pulled away, pressing into Homura's side. Zenon was a little scary.
Zenon laughed as he shifted his shoulders against the seat and lit a cigarette. Nataku was still staring at Zorro's guitar. "A Telecaster."
"Um, yes."
"That red is a great color."
Homura's low voice practically dripped with innuendo, as he said, "Isn't it? Just like his blush."
Right on time, Zorro's felt his face warm again. He decided it was an uncontrollable reaction to the timbre of Homura's voice.
Zenon made a derisive sound. "Watch out for him, kid. He'll eat a cherry like you for a snack."
"I prefer to think of him as a pomegranate. Bright red, tangy, and begging to be peeled." Homura draped his arm over the back of the bench seat. His knee bumped against Zorro's.
Nataku glared. "Ease up, you guys. Let him out, Homura, I want to hear him play."
Homura stood up and gave Zorro a smile that made him feel undressed. Did the guy do that to everyone--strip them bare with his fascinating, unflinching eyes? Zorro thought that would be a pretty cool talent--that is, if it was happening to someone else. As he tried to wriggle past Homura, Zorro banged his hip on the table.
"Careful," Homura's honeyed voice crooned as he helped steady Zorro with a hand on the small of his back.
"Oh, give it a rest, Homura," Nataku snapped. "You're making him nervous."
"If you say so." Homura released Zorro, sat back down, and put his elbow on the table, resting his chin on his upraised hand. The angle caused his dark hair to fall over his blue eye.
Zorro looked around. "Is there an amp?"
"No, but you can use this--" Shien stood up and smoothly walked to the back of the trailer. He returned with two acoustic guitars and handed one to Zorro. "It's Homura's instrument, and I'm relatively certain he won't mind you playing it."
Behind him, Zorro heard Homura's silky laugh.
"Th--thank you." Zorro swallowed and his chest felt tight, as if squeezed under an immense amount of pressure. The War Gods were asking him to play! Part of him couldn't wait to tell that bully Ran how he, The Awesome Zorro, played for an exclusive audience of The War Gods. Mentally, he shook his head. Ran would never believe him and he'd probably just end up getting another beating.
Also, there was the problem of Homura. He was definitely coming on to Zorro, and he didn't quite know how to deal with it. He studied Homura. His admirer sat at an angle, his elbow on the table and his long, lean legs stretched out and crossed at the ankles. Confidence practically radiated from him. His black t-shirt hugged his toned body like a second skin, and he knew he looked good. If Zorro were gay, Homura was exactly the type of guy he'd be attracted to.
Luckily, he wasn't gay, so he wasn't interested. Not at all.
"What will you play?" Nataku was standing next to him.
"I don't know."
"You know All Night Thing?"
"Yes."
"Let's do it, then." Nataku opened his mouth and sang:
"She motioned to me--
That she wanted to leave.
And go somewhere warm--
Where we'd be alone."
Zorro picked up the melody. Zenon was tapping a rhythm on the table with drumsticks that had magically appeared in his hands, and Shien was strumming his own guitar. Zorro concentrated. Shien was so good, and Nataku's voice flowed through the mingling chords like quicksilver, malleable and beautiful. The music soothed Zorro's aches and humiliations, making him feel whole and strong again. Invincible and mighty enough to endure any of Homura's teasing. His confidence was nearly restored by the time the song ended.
Nataku grinned at him. "Not bad."
"Hey, kid, you're pretty good." Zenon was also smiling. "You'll have no trouble finding a new band."
"Yes." Shien took back Homura's guitar. "I do hope you will continue to play."
Zorro furrowed his brow. "Why wouldn't I? I'm good."
"Yes," Shien agreed. "You are, but much of the time, that isn't enough. Am I correct, Homura?"
Looking over at Homura, Zorro saw that sometime during his performance, Homura had leaned forward, and he now had his elbows on his knees. Homura gave him a sad smile, his flirting absent for the moment. "It's a matter of luck and chemistry. Being good isn't necessarily the key."
"Oh." Zorro felt as if he'd been kicked in the stomach. "But what else is there? Music is what I want to do."
The room was heavy with silence.
"This is depressing." Nataku sighed and then grabbed Zorro's hand. "Come on, let's go watch some music."
"But what about Grenadine?"
Nataku laughed. "You mean your guitar?"
"Yes."
"It'll be fine here."
"Try to be back in a couple of hours," Shien called after them. "We go on at nine o'clock."
"Right." Nataku pulled Zorro out the door with him.
They prowled the festival together, making fun of bands that weren't so good and analyzing ones that were. Zorro enjoyed Nataku's easy, carefree presence, and because he was a well-known guest as a member of The War Gods, they were able to talk to several of the other bands and share stories.
They came around a corner and saw Homura talking to a blond-haired man carrying a bass. They stood very close together, and the bass player was very handsome and very fit. For some reason, Zorro felt a little agitated. Hadn’t Homura just been coming on to him? Was he so fickle that he would quickly toss Zorro aside? Zorro could not believe Homura was--
Nataku was staring at him.
Zorro cleared his throat. "What?"
"You look pretty mad." Nataku chewed on his lip. "You like him, don't you?"
"Me? No way!"
"But I thought--"
"Zorro, liking a man?" Zorro gave a hearty laugh. "I think not!"
Nataku blinked. "Ooookay. Look, I'm not saying you do, but if you did like him, I think you should know he's mostly talk. He flirts a lot, but he doesn’t follow through too often, so just as a friendly warning, try not to take him seriously. He's not a bad guy, but he does like to rattle people. It's a game with him. Sometimes he takes it too far. He has hurt people before."
"Oh." Zorro felt a sudden sense of loss. "Well, that's good, since I'm not-" Nataku was still watching him, and Zorro took a deep breath. "I'm definitely not interested."
"Right." Nataku touched Zorro's arm lightly. "Come on, let’s head back to the trailer now. You can help me get ready."
Nataku's hair needed tying back, but other than that, Zorro was mostly in the way. Nataku stayed close to him, though, making him feel wanted and as if they were actually friends. Nataku seemed lonely, and Zorro could sympathize with that. Zorro received so little love himself.
He reveled in the illusion of friends and belonging and, if he could have, he would have wished for the night to last forever. Instead, he stored each detail carefully, remembering the audience, the songs, their conversations, and the magic in order to revisit the night again. He would translate his time with The War Gods into fantastic stories. Maybe someday he would even share the tales.
After their set was done, Zorro helped them pack up. Zenon drove their van with Shien while Nataku and Zorro rode in a beat-up car with Homura.
Homura was oddly quiet, but Nataku assured Zorro that was how he unwound from a show. After dropping Nataku at his home, Homura asked for directions to Zorro's house. They drove in silence until they reached Zorro's dilapidated building, where Homura parked the car on a side street and shut the engine off.
"Will your family be worried about you?" Homura touched the broken clock on the dashboard.
Zorro tried to laugh, but instead a strangled sound came out and he shook his head. "No. I--Zorro will not have been missed."
"Really? I guess that explains a lot." In the shadows of a street lamp, Homura raised an eyebrow. "Even if it is rather depressing."
"Zorro does quite well, thank you."
Homura looked at Zorro, a dark pain radiated from his mismatched gaze. "We all seem to find our way, don't we?"
Homura's words were melancholy, and Zorro wondered what past trials his new friend had faced. He studied Homura's serious face, his mouth was suddenly bone dry. "Can Zor--can I come see you again?"
"Absolutely." Lifting his hand, Homura touched Zorro's uninjured cheek. He leaned close. Lips touched Zorro's and set a buzzing of nerve-endings in motion. He'd never experienced anything so electric, and when Homura pulled away, Zorro continued to savor the taste lingering on his tongue. He sighed. "I think you liked that."
"Ye--yeah." Zorro's eyes fluttered open to see a smug look on Homura's face.
"We're playing at Pele's Inferno on Saturday. Do you want to come? I can get you on the list as a guest."
Zorro felt his jaw drop a little, and he closed his mouth with a snap. "Really?"
Homura chuckled. "Yes, but you'll have to keep it quiet. And you'll need to go through a side door because you're underage."
"Zorro can do that!"
"I know you can. But there is a catch. There are a couple of things I want in return."
Zorro could hear the tremor in his voice when he asked, "What things?"
"First, I get to call you Zakuro from now on."
"Zakuro?"
"Yes." Homura's eyes sparkled and his teasing drawl returned. "And second, I'll get you into the show if I can get some more kisses from you."
Zorro couldn't look away from Homura. "Zor--Zakuro would like that."
One day during his lonely journey, the musician prince met two new friends. One was kind and gentle and could see the past pain the prince had endured. He smiled and said, "I can sing and I wish to join you in your travels. I can help you heal the tattered world with my voice."
The prince was very grateful to the singer and graciously accepted his help. They set off together to find and fight the growing evil in the land.
"What about the other friend?"
"Mother, don't interrupt, I'm telling--"
"You said there were two, what about the other one? I want to hear about him! Was he handsome?"
"Yes. He was also strong and fearless. A warrior musician who vowed to rid the land of plague four-thousand-and-eighty."
Pele's was a popular place, but Zorro had never been inside because he wasn't old enough. He had several acquaintances who had managed to secure fake IDs and get in, but Zorro didn't know how to get a fake ID. When he approached the nearly hidden and closed door on the side, he wasn't sure he'd gain entrance. For all Zorro knew, Homura might have already forgotten about him.
Not knowing what else to do, he knocked. A tall, thin redhead answered the door and gave him a once-over. "Light purple hair, lanky body." The guy quirked a smile at him. "Are you Zakuro?"
"That's not really my name. Homura--"
Holding up his hand and laughing, the man said, "Say no more. I know all about Homura. You need to watch out for him. Although you are a bit younger than his usual, so he might-- Sorry, never mind."
Zorro wasn't sure how to respond. So he might … what?
"I'm Kougaiji." He opened the door wide and waved for Zorro to follow him. Kougaiji led him through the club, behind the stage, and down a dark hallway. "Oh, and if anyone asks, you snuck in here, right? You'll get us shut down if the authorities catch someone underage here. "
"Right." Zorro wondered what kind of influence Homura had at Pele's Inferno, if he could get an underage kid into a club. His curiosity got the better of him. "Have you known Homura long?"
"You could say that, yeah. We went to school together." Kougaiji turned a corner. "I tried to sing in one of his bands at one time, but I really wasn't into it. This is my mother's club, and I'm much better at running it than singing."
"So, you enjoy music?"
"Of course."
"You like The War Gods?"
"That's a loaded question." Kougaiji chuckled. "They are very good and yes, I like them, but I try not to get attached--bands come and go. Besides, I’m not certain Homura wants to make a life out of rock-n-roll. Well, not in a band, anyway. He has options, and where he goes, Zenon and Shien will undoubtedly follow." He stopped and opened a door. "Here we are. Remember, you snuck in."
"I'll remember."
"Hey, it’s Kou, and the kid!" Zenon bellowed from inside the room.
Nataku said with a smile, "I’m glad to see you. Come on in."
Homura's sultry, unhurried voice slithered around him. "Hey, Zakuro."
"Zakuro?" Shien was leaning against a back wall, half hidden in the shadows. Zorro hadn’t even seen him. "I thought his name was Fox."
Zenon shook his head. "You mean Zorro."
"Correct. Fox." Shien pushed away from the wall. "Homura, have you changed his name?"
"Zakuro fits him better, don’t you think?" Homura was lounging on a beat-up couch, radiating his usual confidence. Zorro admired that about Homura; the guy was incredibly self-assured. Maybe a little of that boldness would transfer to him.
"Good timing, whatever your name is, kid."
"Good timing?" Zorro frowned.
Nataku was still smiling. "My bass is still in the van, and I'm not quite ready. Would you mind getting it for me? These guys won't go."
"Of course Zorro will get your bass!"
Zenon pitched the keys at him. "It's the Ford. Right by the back door. Just come up the stairs. We'll make sure Kou's thugs let you through."
"Right! Zorro will return directly."
Outside, the air was heavy with humidity and he retrieved the bass quickly, wanting to get inside before the coming downpour happened. As he hurried through the crowd, he noticed there was a different kind of humidity inside. He tried to curl his body around Nataku's guitar, shielding it from the jostling crowd. The masses were still buzzing with the fading adrenaline from the last band and the building anticipation of The War Gods' upcoming set. Zorro slipped through and was about to head down the stairs to the dressing room when a heavy hand landed on his shoulder.
"Well, look who's here," a familiar voice, dripping with contempt, said just behind him. "It's the Amazing Dumbass!"
Zorro turned. "Oh, hi, Ran."
Ran was with his equally giant and possibly more stupid friend, Aki. Ran sneered as he asked, "What the hell are you doing here?"
"Um, Zorro was invited by some friends."
"Don't give me that. You don't have any friends. What'd ya do? Sneak in?"
Aki snorted.
Zorro frowned. "Excuse me, Zorro is expected elsewhere."
Ran laughed; it was an evil, ugly sound, and Zorro knew what was coming. His stomach flipped and he quickly stepped back and twisted out of Ran's grip. He sprinted toward the stairs in an attempt to save Nataku's bass.
"Hey!"
Zorro could hear his enemies take up the chase and he pushed himself harder, he would protect the bass at any cost. He leapt down the small flight of stairs, landing awkwardly on his right ankle and giving it a savage twist, but he kept going.
"You're dead, Zorro!"
His ankle buckled and he fell, twisting his body so he landed on his back, saving the bass but effectively knocking the air from his lungs. He was helpless, unable to even catch a breath as he saw Ran and his brute of a friend hover over him.
"Not the bass! Don't hurt the bass!" he gasped as he squeezed his eyes shut and waited.
And waited.
Zenon's voice boomed out, "Hey, now."
Zorro cracked open his right eye and saw a strange vision. Ran was dangling in the air, his feet kicking frantically.
Nataku materialized above him, gently removing the bass from his fingers. "Are you all right?"
"I believe Zorro has an injured ankle, but other than that, he is fine." Zorro sat up and tried to make sense of what he was seeing. Oh, Ran was dangling because Zenon was holding him by the back of his jacket.
"Shien?" Zenon asked calmly.
"Yes?"
"Is that a nail sticking out of the wall over there?"
Shien moved to inspect a spot on the wall. As he stepped away, Zorro saw Aki lying on the floor. He was moving, but in a bizarrely undulating manner. Zorro rolled to his side and squinted, trying to make sense of what he was seeing. Aki was hog-tied and gagged. Two long strands of rope dangled from Shien's hand.
"Why, yes, Zenon. There is a nail, and a rather sturdy one at that. Would you like some assistance?"
"Yeah, he's squirmin' around quite a bit."
Together, they hung the struggling yet strangely quiet Ran by the back of his coat. Zorro got the feeling that this was not the first time they'd done something like this. He could see an amused Homura leaning against the wall in the background. Homura hadn't been involved in the altercation, but there was no question as to who was in charge. Catching Zorro watching him, Homura smirked and pushed away from the wall.
Homura leaned down to offer Zorro his hand and helped him to his feet. Because his legs were visibly shaking, Homura looped his arm around Zorro's waist. "You did good, my fearless, foxy pomegranate."
"He did." Shien smiled.
Nataku grinned. "You were awesome, Zorro!"
Zenon lit a cigarette and laughed. "Yeah, I think he should play at least one song with us."
"Play? You mean, on stage?" Zorro looked at all of them as he relaxed into Homura's hold. "But I don't have Grenadine."
"If you remember correctly, we have other guitars." Shien's eyes seemed to twinkle.
"I even brought the red one," Homura's voice thrummed. "Just in case."
Zorro looked at all of them again. Ran had quit struggling from his embarrassing spot on the wall. He glared daggers at Zorro. Straightening his back, Zorro said, "I will, but be prepared for Zorro to steal the show!"
Ran shouted, "Shut up! Someone needs to get me down right now!"
"Oh, I believe someone will be along to collect you soon." Shien didn't even look at Ran. Instead, he glided toward their dressing room.
Zenon blew smoke in Ran's face. "Or your coat could tear and you could fall." Then he stared to laugh.
"Hey!" Kougaiji hopped down the last two steps, stopping short when he spied the two prisoners. He ran his hand through his hair and exhaled. "Oh, god, Homura, what are you up to this time?"
Homura shrugged. "Bully patrol."
Kougaiji sighed. "Every time you guys play here, something weird happens."
"No, they were helping me." Zorro limped forward. "It's Zorro's fault. They were after me."
"Shut up, Zorro!" Ran's feet flailed helplessly in the air. "I'm so kicking your ass when I get down from here!"
Kougaiji chewed on his lip. "I see. Well, I'll call Doku and have him come down to help me. That should take a couple of hours."
"Hours?!" Ran sputtered.
"Or I'd be happy to call your mommy to come get you. I'd bet she'd love to find out about your fake ID."
Ran closed his mouth.
"No? Well, you let me know if you change your mind later." Kougaiji turned back to Homura. "Are you going on stage? The crowd is growing antsy."
"Hang on." Homura tugged at Zorro's vest. "First we need to get our new band member ready."
Zorro grabbed at Homura's wrist. "What--"
"Trust me," Homura said with a smile.
Zorro blushed as everyone in the room watched Homura undress him. Homura's fingertips were cool as they brushed against Zorro's naked stomach and over his chest in an unhurried gathering of fabric. Zorro shivered as Homura's fingers lifted the t-shirt and curled, somehow managing to caress a bare nipple.
"Mmm. Now," Homura crooned, as his hands guided Zorro's pliant arms. "We just put your vest back on and you're all set."
Zorro opened his eyes, unaware that he'd closed them. He could feel the air circulating around his skin underneath the vest. And he wasn't certain how he felt about being half-naked on stage.
Nataku grinned. "You look good."
"Yes, I think I have to agree. I might even have to borrow that look sometime, if you don't mind." Kou's gaze swept over the others in the room. "Now, could you please go to work?"
Homura motioned toward the stairs. "Shall we, gentlemen?"
Zenon handed Zorro a red guitar and Nataku pulled him along. Zorro limped up the stairs he'd just fallen down and took a turn up another equally small flight that led up a dark stage. Zorro spent the next two exhilarating hours performing with The War Gods, an easy task for him since he knew all their songs by heart. He'd spent many hours at home, practicing their music in front of a mirror, pretending to be part of their band. Being on stage with them was literally a dream come true.
When they finished and Zorro was waving at the crowd, filled with adrenaline and covered with sweat, he saw Etsu, his other former band member, give him an uncharacteristic thumbs up. Still feeling the flood of euphoria, he ran off the stage to talk with her.
She gave him a controlled smile. "Since when do you hang out with these guys?"
"Oh, Zorro just met them at the festival. When Provenance broke up."
Someone patted him on the back and pressed a drink into his hand. He took a sip and gagged; the liquid fire of alcohol burned his throat.
"You sounded good." She stared up at the stage. "Are you joining their band?"
"Me? Oh, I don't think so." He glanced over his shoulder. There were several people on the stage, packing up equipment. Homura was talking to that blond-haired bass player again. "Sorry, I need to get back."
She handed him a card. "If you need someone for your next band, call me."
Zorro blinked as he tried to processes what she said. "Really?"
"Yes." She actually laughed. "Really. You were the only one worth a damn out of Provenance. Well, you and me. So call me."
"Um--"
"For the band, okay?" She frowned. "Not for anything else."
"I wasn't--"
"Hey, foxy Zakuro!" Homura's sultry voice wove through the jumble of noise to reach him. "Get up here and help."
Etsu arched an eyebrow. "Zakuro?"
"Um, yeah, it's a long story." Zorro shrugged. "But Zakuro is what Homura calls Zorro."
"Zakuro." She tilted her head. "I like it. You should call yourself that. Zorro is kind of a dumb name, but Zakuro totally fits you."
"That's what I've been trying to tell him." Homura's voice was silky as he brushed shoulders with Zorro. "And you are …?"
"Etsu." She tipped her head in an almost-bow. "We used to play in a band together."
"Ah." Homura gave her a smile.
It was a very charming smile and, for some reason, it made Zorro angry.
"Look, I gotta go." She glanced toward the exit. "It was nice meeting you, Homura. And Zakuro, call me!" Etsu disappeared into the crowd.
A moment passed as they both watched her walk away.
"She's cute." Homura's voice sounded a bit tight.
"Yeah."
"Are you interested?"
"What?" Zorro faced Homura and his heart skipped a beat. Homura's features were serious, almost as if he were jealous. Nah, that couldn't be. Zorro laughed. "No, Zorro isn't interested. She's too scary. Plus, I don't think she likes men."
"Good." Homura smiled. "Come on, let's go help."
Later, when Zorro placed the last of Zenon's packed drum kit into the back of the van, he could feel the adrenaline rush wear off, and the pain set in. When he stepped down the back stairs to the dressing room, his sore ankle gave out and he stumbled. Homura slipped an arm around his waist and steadied him.
"Whoa, careful," Homura's seductive voice whispered in his ear.
Both arms encircled him now, pulling him back up the step and flush against Homura's body as a huge man with dreadlocks came up the short flight of stairs. Zorro could feel the ripples of Homura's abs sliding along his back. A hipbone jutted into Zorro's ass and his body reacted.
Neither one of them spoke, but Zorro's heartbeat seemed very loud. He felt he should move, but Homura pressed tightly against him felt right somehow. Warm fingers grazed over his naked belly and Zorro's erection pulsed with the touch.
Several voices neared the stairs, so Homura pulled them deeper into the backstage shadows. Zorro let himself be guided in the dark, aware that like a leading dancer, Homura had repositioned them both. Zorro felt his back come up against a wall and then Homura was in front of him, smoothing back his hair and kissing his temple, his cheek, and finally his mouth, with a gentle brush of lips, followed by the soft, wet slide of Homura's tongue.
Zorro wasn't thinking clearly and he opened his mouth, wanting to experience more. The taste of Homura's saliva was slightly metallic and so tantalizing it caused Zorro's taste buds to fizz. Homura's tongue pushed deeper inside as warm fingers traveled down Zorro's unclad arm and under his vest.
There was a burst of aching heat in his groin, an inferno of desire coursing through his nerve-endings. Losing himself to this feeling could be so easy. Homura's foot slid between his, pressing their bodies tightly together. Zorro caught his breath when he realized Homura's erection was a twin to his own.
Homura rolled his hips, sliding his erection alongside Zorro's, digging his hard length into Zorro's sensitive flesh with a quiet moan. Homura's warm breath tingled against Zorro's ear as he said, "Oh, yes, I want you, my little pomegranate."
"Guh. Wha--" Zorro managed to answer. There was an odd buzzing in his ears and his body felt as if it belonged to someone else. He was dimly aware that his pants were open and Homura's fingers were slithering inside his underwear.
"Mmm." Homura murmured quiet, incomprehensible words of encouragement while his fingers encircled Zorro's erection, thumb rubbing against the wet slit.
Zorro's body rocked with the touch. "Uh, wait! No."
"No?" Homura stroked him, Zorro's own flowing desire slicking the contact. Nuzzling Zorro's neck, Homura whispered, "Are you certain you want me to stop?"
"No. I mean yes." Zorro's shoulders dug into the wall as he thrust his hips forward in time with Homura's sliding caresses.
Homura's hand paused, but still squeezed. He pulled his head back, searching Zorro's eyes. "Do you really want me to stop?"
The buzzing in Zorro's head grew louder. He rocked his body, trying to regain some friction with Homura's hand. Zorro was so close and if Homura quit now-- He shivered. "Oh, no, please don't stop!"
Chuckling, Homura gripped him tighter and resumed his strokes. "As you wish."
Zorro sighed with pleasure as he eased closer to his orgasm. He was definitely not the master of his body as his hips bucked into Homura's hand. Anyone walking by could see them if they looked, and somehow that made the experience feel dangerous, exciting, and dirty.
Homura angled close and kissed Zorro, their tongues twisting together.
Zorro was at the pinnacle; his muscles couldn't have been any more tense. He teetered on the edge when Homura bit his earlobe and said, "Next time it's my turn, and I want to come inside you."
That did it. Zorro threw back his head and cried out with his release. He was loud. Very loud. Homura, laughing with what seemed to be delight, kissed him again, quieting his cry.
"Oh, god, Homura! Can't you take your chippies elsewhere to do them?"
Zorro tried to cover himself as he snuck a look over Homura's shoulder. Kougaiji had his arms crossed, but he was clearly amused.
Homura turned as he licked his fingers. "As if you don't do the same thing, my friend."
"Not when Mother is here." Kougaiji shook his head and turned away. "Well, try to keep it down, at least."
Homura watched Kougaiji walk away. "He's such a buzz-kill when his mom's around."
Zorro had managed partially to cover himself, but his body felt heavy and lethargic. Plus, he was kind of wet in places.
"Oh, hey, don't worry about him." Homura's moist hands curved around Zorro's waist as they kissed. "How did you like that?"
He tried to push Homura away, reeling with uncertainty. This wasn't supposed to happen, he wasn't supposed to like it. Zorro's breathing was fast and his voice cracked when he said, "Zorro is not gay!"
"I see." In the shadowy back stage, Homura smirked. "Am I going too fast for you?"
"Um, yes. I mean no." He searched for an answer. "Zorro is not gay!"
"Right. You mentioned that." Homura licked Zorro's ear. "Let's go watch the next band, okay?"
"Um. I'm a little," Zorro waved his hands at his opened pants, "sticky."
"Yes. I see that." Homura grabbed Zorro's hips and folded down to his knees, his tongue dragging against Zorro's stomach.
Zorro moaned and let his shoulders fall back against the wall as he felt his erection stir to life again. "Oh!"
When he was finished licking Zorro clean, Homura stood up. He fastened Zorro's pants and took his hand, dragging him toward the floor. "Come on. Maybe we can dance."
Zorro followed without complaint, wondering about Homura all the while. Was he still hard? Would he be all right? What could Zorro do to help?
Wait, what was he thinking? Right. Zorro muttered, "Zorro is not gay," under his breath. He pulled his hand away with force. This wasn't fair--Homura was treating him as if he were some sort of toy. And what had just happened was wrong. So, so wrong.
Wasn't it?
Homura turned and looked at him. "Zakuro? Is something--"
"I am not gay!" Zakuro thought he might start to cry, although he couldn't understand why. That didn't make any sense. In fact, very little of what he was feeling made any sense to him. He remembered random, vicious beatings, not just from Ran, but there had been others as well. He remembered black eyes, bloody noses, and sore ribs, all for suspicion of being gay. If he actually was gay---
He ran for the door.
He could hear Homura call after him, "Hey, wait--"
Outside, Zorro shivered as he walked down the deserted street. He tried to figure out what he'd just done. He was sad and confused and felt as if the layer he'd put in place, that slim cushion of protection between him and the world, was unraveling, like one of his childhood illusions.
Like a prince switched at birth by an evil sorcerer. Or a samurai who'd taken a blow to his head and forgotten who he was. Or even a rock star soon to be worshipped by thousands of fans. All of those dreams eventually melted into reality when he got his ass kicked by a bully or when his mom went on a drunken spree.
Or when he blew it with a potential boyfriend.
At the moment, Zorro didn't know who he hated more--Homura for dismantling him, or himself for rejecting the one real thing he'd ever experienced.
Then, of course, it started to rain. And not just a simple drizzle; this was a skin-soaking deluge. He shivered under his saturated vest, wishing he'd remembered his shirt.
A car pulled up alongside him, a battered Honda Civic whose glory days were long past. "Zorro?"
He raised his head, grateful for the rainwater streaming down his face when he saw Nataku's look of sympathy through the opened car window.
"Get in already, would ya?"
Zorro thought he should protest, but he didn't. Silently, he rounded the back end of the car and slid into the passenger seat.
"You're soaked." Nataku tossed him a towel and his previously forgotten t-shirt. "Here."
He only nodded his head because he was afraid the tide of emotions would break, and no amount of rainwater would be able to hide it. Zorro was grateful for Nataku's silence while he regained his composure and dried off.
Finally, Nataku did speak, his voice sounding tight with anger. "Homura didn't …" Nataku exhaled. "He didn't hurt you, did he?"
Zorro blinked in the alternating darkness and light as they passed under the street lamps. He tried to make sense of Nataku's question. "What do you mean?"
Nataku stopped at a red light and turned his head to make eye contact. "I mean, he didn't force you into anything, did he?"
Zorro felt very, very tired. He let his head loll back on the seat. "No, he didn't."
Releasing a breath, Nataku said, "Well, that's good. They way you ran out, it seemed--ah, well, let's just say I was worried. Homura was worried, too, enough that he asked me to go get you."
"Homura sent you?"
"Yes, although I probably would have come on my own." Nataku pulled the car into an empty parking lot and cut off the engine. He turned and faced Zorro. "Are you okay?"
Zorro shivered. "Yeah, Zorro is fine."
Nataku nudged his keys with a finger. They rattled softly as they swung back and forth from the ignition. "I'm not sure I should tell you this, but he really likes you. He doesn't usually worry about the people he, um, pursues. I think he's more surprised than any of us about his reaction."
"His reaction? But he's the one who confuses me." Zorro ran a hand through his hair and the threat of more tears made his eyes sting. "I didn't think I was that way. But now, I feel like I don't know anything, especially not myself."
Nataku smiled. "You mean because you feel you might be attracted to men?"
"Yes." Zorro could feel his face heat. "I was shocked because I liked it."
"Well, it still doesn't mean anything." Nataku grinned at him. "I mean, we're guys, and you know, sometimes anyone's touch will do."
"No. I don't think just anyone would make me feel that much. I know I don't have a lot to compare it with, but that was--" Zorro swallowed. "Powerful."
Nataku arched an eyebrow at him. "Really? Well, now that I think about it, he must have a pretty profound effect on you because you aren't referring to yourself in third person."
Zorro smiled, feeling a bit better. "My real name is Sho."
"Yeah?" Nataku returned the smile.
"Yeah." Zorro picked at a threadbare spot in the knee of his jeans. "It's a boring name, isn't it?"
"Well, I don't know about boring, but I like the name Zorro better."
Zorro nodded. "Me, too. And maybe Zakuro."
"Seriously?"
"Sure. There would only be one Zakuro." Zorro laughed. "And Zorro likes being one of a kind."
Nataku laughed with him. "You're a goofy thing, but I think you'll be okay now."
"Yes, Zorro feels much better, thank you."
"Okay, then." Nataku started the car. "Then you'll be at Pele's again on Friday?"
"Friday? Oh, I um--"
"If you're worried about Homura, don't be." Nataku frowned. "After I yelled at him, he gave me his solemn vow that he won't touch you again."
"Oh." Zorro didn't know how he felt about that.
"That is," Nataku steered the small, sputtering car out of the empty lot and then gave him a sly sideways glance. "Unless you want him to touch you."
"Oh."
"Do you want him to?"
Zorro stared out the window, but he didn't have an answer.
On to Part 2