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I embrace the torn rose to my chest
And fall into the crimson sea...






So...Izo had a sense of humor that the star could relate to very well.
Hayato nodded knowingly at the chairman's comment.
To Hayato, Narcissus was less than a dog, though he would never admit such to anyone else, not even Narcissus. One could draw more flies with honey, after all.
"Heh...no worries, Izo. I'll see too it that the little princess gets fatted up on plenty of cream." he added to the jest, smiling at the chairman.
"Glad to do business with you...again." Hayato smirked. "I'll be sure to follow your instructions once I get my reward, so you don't have to worry. As for the "package" you need to drop off...I'll head to the abandoned club near the bad end of town after the party. You know the one...first place you ever saw me play."
The singer's eyes darted from Matsumoto back across the room, where he regarded Naoko and Ryuukaze coldly.
"You sure I can't play with the little red-eyed pup for a while tonight? You could always drop him off with your other package." he licked his pale lips as though he were staring down a rare steak and hadn't eaten for days. He knew he was pushing his luck, but it was worth a try.

I embrace the torn rose to my chest
And fall into the crimson sea...





"Awww...how sad for me..." Haytato contorted his face into a mock pout, then burst out laughing.
Calming himself, he looked at Izo again.
"I promise I won't spend too much time playing, Izo. Though you know my appetite can be...insatiable, to say the least. I'll do my best performance ever, so far, and then I'll happily claim my prize. Until then, I'll thoroughly enjoy my welcome back gift. I can't wait to see what...or who...it is." he whispered, taking Matsumoto's hand and shaking it, making it appear as though they had just been discussing business this whole time.
"Matter of fact, I'm so excited now that I think I'll go pick up a few things and head on over to the Christmas tree to wait for Santa." the star winked over his shoulder as he began to walk away and toward the exit.
Before he left, though, he decided for just a little more fun.
Standing stock still in front of the bar, while Ryuukaze had his back turned, he made sure to make eye contact with Naoko.
Oh, how his little lady's smile faded. Always so beautiful. She looked rather like a rabbit looking down into a pot of boiling water that it was destined to be tossed into, alive and screaming.
Silently, he made the sign language for "I love you", blew a kiss, and walked right out the door, leaving his trembling princess alone for the evening.

I bet she's gonna miss me so... he mused to himself as his car was brought around.

I embrace the torn rose to my chest
And fall into the crimson sea...








Hayato had gone back to his rented loft and picked up a few things he had bought since he had gotten out of the hospital. Originally, most of this had been intended for Naoko only, but, if he were going to pull this off the way Izo had advised, he would have to put a lot of this to use. Gathering everythign he needed, he slipped back out and to his car, driving straight to the delivery spot, where he got out of the car and let himself in, turning on a single dim spotlight in the center of the abandoned building.
Gathering his long raven hair, he put it in a tight braid and tied it up, letting it hang down his back for convenience, only two long strands of bangs left framing his finely sculpted face. Changing clothes, the vocalist slipped on a tight, long sleeved black shirt and a pair of tight leather pants, the kind that made him feel...particularly animalistic.
For a finishing touch, the pale star slid on a black vinyl mask that obscured his forehead, eyes, and nose. It was done almost in a Victorian style, with a twist of sadistic fetishism in its design.
Handcuffs, check. Ropes, check. Gag, check. Whips, check.
He didn't know if he would use any of these, but it never hurt to be prepared. He had even brought along a baseball bat for good measure....
Quietly, patiently, he waited, crouched under the light like a predator who was so very close to capturing a delicious meal.

Then there was the sound of a car...and the sound of a minor struggle as Matsumoto's "hired help" brought him his "dinner".

"Well, well...." he mused softly. "What have we here? Such a finely dressed piece of meat."
Standing, Hayato paced back and forth, walking around the blindfolded manager, grinning widely.
Looking to the thugs, he ordered, "Strip him down...and burn his clothes. Those threads are far too nice for a little tart like this."

Ah yes...it had been far too long since he had been able to have such fun. It would certainly be good practice for when he wooed Naoko.
Tonight was going to be a long night...he'd have to be sure to pick up an extra energy drink on the way in to work in the morning...but oh...it would be worth it.

God those eyes...
Boring into his soul... squirming around and gutting him one inch at a time... turning his insides to liquid and his blood cold.
Naoko never wanted to see those eyes again.
NAKO however, still felt himself entranced by them.
The musician held feelings for Hayato, but the reasonable rational man... was scared shitless.
Too much pain...
Too much torment and humiliation...
Too many days of being left with the dread that it could be your very last breath in that moment...

"R... Ryu-kun..." amber eyes focused on the musician before him, blocking out the sadistic gaze of Hayato. Naoko struggled to replace the mask upon his face, his emotions hidden as he addressed his akuma. "How come both you and Shou-san keep saying that I'm "arm candy"?" he asked, ordering an organic strawberry daiquiri. "I mean, I get that you both think I look fantastic. But honestly, next to the two of you, I'm just a cross dresser with some make up on." the blond teased before sipping the drink.

Conversation... he needed it now.
He had to get his mind off those cold hallow sadistic eyes...

"Mmm?" Ryu turned around, a straw in his mouth from the pina colada he had just ordered. He couldn't help but smile at Naoko's question. It was so cute.
"Heh...you never give yourself any credit, do you?" he asked, leaning toward the pianist. "You're far better looking than I think you realize. Not to mention, your external beauty is only brightened by the beauty that's right in here, and in here." the violinist tapped Naoko's chest, then head. It was Naoko's heart and mind that were his most attractive features, after all. Even if that gorgeous mind was tarnished with so many terrible things...it was still something amazing.
"You know we just tease about you being "arm candy" though. You mean far more to us...both Shou and myself, though in different ways, I would hope." Ryu smiled, picking on Naoko.
"Wouldn't want to have to fight him for ya." he teased.

"No worries, no worries!" Ryuukaze laughed, slurping his drink right up.
"There won't be any fighting, or any more weirdness. I'm still amazed that you haven't left me for Shou, though. Understanding or not. He seems more your type, really. Not that I'm not happy, or anything. I mean, I'd be devastated. Really." he rambled on like an idiot.
"Anyway...stop worrying so much. I told you, everything is going to be just fine. Don't make me have to dance with you again." the violinist shook his finger in a mock-threat.

Placing his hands on the table, Akihiko stared directly into Hiroki's eyes. "I spoke my mind on the subject. I wasn't going to hold back to spare some old geezer his pride. You both," his gaze flicked to his grandfather. "know me well enough to know that. Matsumoto was an idiot to even THINK I would betray this company in the long run."

"Idiot or not, Akihiko," the chairman spoke calmly. "You've angered an unstable man... with many connections." sighing, Aki thought over things for a long moment, before turning his attention to Hiroki. "We don't pressure him. After all, that will only make matters worse for Lucky-san. We appeal to Matsumoto's wallet."
With a scheming look in his eyes, the old man focused directly on his grandson. "You're going to put out a joint album with Shou-san. You're under our jurisdiction again via Hiroki's earlier statments, so I'm ordering you to do this. All of the proceeds... will go directly to SMASH Studios, in exchange for the safe return of Izzy Lucky."

Blue eyes suddenly smoldered as Narcissus turned away and paced for a long moment.
"Fine." he eventually whispered, looking back to his grandfather and Hiroki. "We can get the paperwork drawn up and signed asap and as soon as the concert is over, I'll spend some time at SMASH working on the album."

"You'll spend time there before the concert, Akihiko." Koyasu Aki replied firmly. "If Matsumoto sees that you're committed... then he will be more inclined to return Izzy to us. After all... the profits from a joint album by two of music's greatest stars... well... they'll be through the roof."