Spiderwebs

Spiderwebs Chapter 1

The walls of the hospital were painfully white. Katsuki found it hard to look at them. But he disliked looking at the officers questioning him even more. Tane's name seemed unknown to them, but his own place of employment wasn't. Since they'd learned he worked at the B&B, they'd drawn their own conclusions about the evening's events, and his connection to the man he'd come in with. His attempts to correct them had only resulted in snide comments and insinuations that made him feel both furious and humiliated. The way they tended to smirk at him only intensified the feelings, so he satisfied himself with glaring a the stark white walls.

"Did you get a look at any of the other guys who attacked him?"

"I told you - no. The only one I saw was the one who seemed to be the leader, and not very well."

"And you don't have any idea why they'd attack your, uh...'friend'?"

Katsuki gritted his teeth. "No."

"Were you planning to meet there?"

"I told you, we weren't meeting up. I was just walking home."

"Of course you were." The officer's tone was condescending. "So, this so-called friend just happened to be outside your apartment complex at this hour of the morning. Got jumped. And you just happen to be the first on the scene. That's some pretty big coincedences, don't you think?"

"All I know is that's what happened." Katsuki replied irritably.

"And you don't know any factors that might have been involved in the instigation of the fight?"

"I wasn't there, so how could I?" He turned to glower at the man, who only smirked back. Katsuki resisted the urge to punch him.

"Alright. We'll contact you if we learn anything." They began to gather their coats.

Katsuki stared dumbly for a minute. "Wait, aren't you going to question Tane?"

The first cop shrugged. "He was brought in unconscious. Why wait around? The hospital can notify us when he wakes up. We can always come back then."

But they weren't going to. They'd decided they knew what had happened. That it was no more than a simple mugging, except he was lying to hide that he was a host and Tane was a client. Nothing to worry about. Even though he knew he should be grateful, he felt like screaming instead.

"You need a ride home?" The second officer asked him. He was smirking again, and watching him with a little too much interest.

Katsuki glared. "No. I think I'll stick around for awhile."

"Seems like a waste. With your 'friend' unconscious and all."

"C'mon." His partner whacked his arm. "You're wasting your time. He's...busy tonight."

Ignoring his partner, he walked up to Katsuki, who resisted the urge to back away. Reaching out a hand, he tucked his card into the front pocket of Katsuki's shirt. "If you remember anything else give me a call. Y'know. On a night you aren't busy." His partner sniggered.

Katsuki turned to storm back into the room Tane was in, slamming the door behind him. He could feel his face burning in embarrassment, and even through the door he could hear the two officers laughing as they walked away. He clenched his hands, resisting the urge to scream in frustration.

"Your reputation seems to proceed you." Tane's voice broke in, thick with amusement.

Katsuki's eyes shot open. Tane was sitting up in the bed, despite the IVs and other medical equipment connected to him. His arms were covered in cuts and bruises, and his face wasn't much better. "They don't know shit about me. It's where I work. And just how long have you been awake?"

Tane ignored the question. "Oh? And where exactly do you work? I vaguely recall the name. Some kind of rich snob club, isn't it?"

"It's an exclusive Men's Only Host Club. But I-"

Tane cut him off with a laugh. "Well that explains a few things. Like-"

"I'm a pageboy, Tane. That's it."

"Of course." His tone was as condescending as the cops' had been.

"Do you want me to add to your bruises? I'm serious. I'm a pageboy."

Tane studied him, amused at first. But slowly his amusement faded. "What are you wasting your time with a job like that for? You-"

"It's my life, I'll live it the way I choose." Katsuki snapped. "What's it matter to you anyway? And what kind of trouble are you in now? Those guys-"

"Don't worry about it."

"Don't worry about it?! You call me in the middle of the night to come meet you-"

"And where were you, huh? What took you so long? Busy with whatever rich idiot you got slobbering over you now? Who's fault is it I was out there for those guys to find?"

Katsuki felt a flash of guilt, but he hastily brushed it aside. "Who's fault is it they want to beat you up in the first place? You know, you're right. I shouldn't worry about what kind of trouble you're in now. Except you always drag me into it! It's almost morning. I didn't get much sleep last night, and I have to work today. So quit with the games and tell me what you need from me."

"About ten grand."

Katsuki stared, too flabbergasted to form a reply.

"Blue Boy Service Desk. This is Mitoki. How can I help you?"

"Mitoki - it's Katsuki."

"Hey, Katsuki-kun. How are you? Is the bus late again?"

"No. Listen, Mitoki. Something's come up. I can't make it in to work today."

"Eh? You never miss. And Chai works tonight and he's always late."

"I'm sorry, Mitoki. I'll make it up to you."

"Is everything alright? You sound upset." The young man glanced around the lobby to make sure no one was nearby before continuing in a whisper. "Did you and Jin-san have a fight?"

Katsuki's chuckle sounded more self-deprecating than amused. "Not yet. Mitoki, if he asks - can you please tell Jin I'm taking off because I don't feel well?"

"But is that the reason? You aren't making much sense. What if he asks if you're home? Is everything alright?"

"He wouldn't ask that."

"But-"

"So can you do that for me?"

"I guess."

"Thanks. Sorry to leave you with Chai. I'll be in tomorrow."

"I'll see you then." Mitoki hung up, dropping his head into his hands with a groan. "But Jin always asks questions when you're sick. Ugh. If I lie, he'll see right through it. What am I going to do?"

The bar was in a less than reputable part of town. Katsuki couldn't remember exactly how long it had been since he'd been there. Had he been in upper secondary still? No, he'd still been going there when he'd seen the 'Help Wanted' sign at Touma's place. When he'd met Touma and Amagai - who'd been doing bartending himself at the time. Then Touma had asked why he never came off hours. And slowly he'd found himself spending his evenings there instead. Even when he'd started living with Eiko and quit working for Touma, he'd never gone back.

It was just as dilapidated as he remembered. It was a wonder it was still standing, let alone in business. But, then, the underage kids it was willing to risk serving could keep it in business alone, without including the rest of its shady clientele.

He tried not to think about how it was Tane who'd first brought him there. But the memories came back all the same. He'd been well underage at the time, and Tane himself wasn't even legal yet. Yet noone had payed them any attention. They'd gotten plastered. He remembered he'd been too sick to make it to school the next morning. Tane, more used to it, had only laughed at him as he headed out himself.

He'd always wondered about the significance of that night. Was it because he'd been planning to leave? It was only a couple weeks later that he'd just disappeared. He'd neither see or hear from him for three straight years after that. But, it was also close enough to the right date to have been because...

Katsuki shook his head to clear it. This wasn't the time to wander down memory lane. He was here for a reason, unpleasant though it was. And he'd best just get it over with. Taking a deep breath, he headed inside.

"Blue Boy Service Desk. Mitoki speaking, how can I help you?"

"Just the usual, Mitoki."

"Good evening, Jin-san. I'll send - er, I mean..." Mitoki froze. "That is...it'll be up right away." He hung up hastily, leaning his forehead on the counter with a groan.

"What's the matter, Mitoki-kun? Is Nakago-san complaining again? You shouldn't let him get to you."

Mitoki peered up through his bangs to glare at the man in front of his desk also wearing a pageboy uniform. "Chai-san, you're late."

"Not even half an hour. Have Katsuki-kun and you been run off your feet?"

"Katsuki called off! I've been all alone since Wasuki left!"

"Oops?" Chai offered with a grin. "So how can I make it up to you?"

"Take Jin-san's order to him."

"Which is?"

"His usual."

"Which is?" Chai repeated the question.

Mitoki groaned. It was going to be a long night.

It looked the same as he remembered it. Nothing had changed, was the first thought that came to mind. But that wasn't quite true, he realized, as he moved among the tables and other patrons to reach the bar.

Some of those around the bar scurried out of his way, as if not wanting to cross his path. Others glared suspiciously at him, like he was an outsider. He felt like one too. It was more than the fact he'd been gone for a few years. He just didn't fit in anymore. But he didn't fully understand why, or when it had happened.

"Looking for someone?" The bartender asked when he sat down.

Katsuki blinked at his words, turning to him. "Hyouga, it's me. Katsuki Kyousuke."

"Kyousuke?" The man stared at him blankly for a minute. "That you? I heard you'd taken up with some folk from uptown, but - damn - I didn't even recognize you."

"I don't look any different." Katsuki frowned, more confused than ever.

Hyouga chuckled. "No different? Look at those threads. And the way you carried yourself? Wouldn't have known it was you in a million years. What you doing here? Slumming?"

"Tane's in town."

The bartender nodded. "Heard that. Haven't seen him yet, though. Still owes on his tab, y'know."

"I wouldn't expect it to be paid off anytime soon." Katsuki informed him.

Hyouga snorted. "Heard that too."

"What did you hear about it?" Katsuki asked casually.

"Well..." Hyouga began, then paused to eye Katsuki critically. Reaching behind him he poured a drink, setting it down. "That might depend."

Katsuki stared at him. He'd seen Hyouga pull this sort of thing before. But he'd never been on the receiving end. "Hyouga. It's me. I used to spend half my nights here. You served me my first alcoholic drink, for crying out loud."

"That was then, this is now. You aren't the sort who gets free info at my bar anymore You're not one of us, Katsuki-san."

He downed the drink, ignoring the unpleasant taste. He wasn't sure which was more of a slap. Being told he wasn't one of them, or the suffix on his name. He pulled some money out, sliding it across to Hyouga. "Another."

Hyouga pocketed the money and refilled his glass. "Word is Tane was put in charge of some merchandise."

"He messed up."

"Big time."

"So, it's his own group that's after him." Katsuki ran a hand through his hair with a sigh. "So, why would he want money?"

"Maybe he knows where to buy back the merchandise. Or maybe he's just hoping they'll accept the money instead. Heard said, though. that it was pretty pricey."

"Tell me about it."

"So, he's come begging to you already?" Hyouga asked.

Katsuki didn't reply right away. Downing the second drink he slipped more money across the bar. "I haven't spoken to him. And I don't have anything to do with his troubles."

Hyouga pocketed the new roll of cash slowly. "No reason I should know if you've had contact with him or not. Haven't seen you around here in years."

Katsuki offered him a small smile, before leaving. Hyouga didn't miss when one of the patrons by the door followed Katsuki's exit, but he only turned away with a sigh.

"It will be right up, Natta-san." Mitoki paused when he saw Jin approaching the service desk. "Yes, That's fine. Please do not concern yourself. It's our pleasure. You're welcome." Hanging up the phone, he left the desk - trying to get by Jin with a polite bow. "Good Evening, Jin-san. It's been quite busy tonight."

The trick didn't work, and Jin followed him the few steps to the nearest stock room, leaning against the doorframe. "Chai also tells me you're short handed tonight."

"Ah, yes. Katsuki called off."

"I gathered that when Chai showed up with my order. Considering the nights you're in charge you always send Katsuki for my deliveries."

Mitoki ducked his head in an embarrassed way. "Yes, well. I suppose I do. You've never complained before."

"And I'm not now. Just curious about the change in routine."

"Apparently he isn't feeling well."

"Oh? Did he sound ill?"

"Um...he sounded tired. A little upset. Why?"

"He wasn't sick last night."

"Ah. Well, I wasn't here last night-"

"I was."

"Oh."

"Mitoki, what exactly did he say when he called in?"

"Um...well-"

"Was this on the company line?"

"...Yes."

"Then it was recorded."

Mitoki sighed in defeat. "He said something had come up and he couldn't make it in."

"That's all?"

"That if...anyone asked, to tell them he wasn't feeling well."

"Anyone?"

Mitoki grimaced. "Actually, he said...to tell you that if you asked. He was sounding upset. I thought you might have had an arguement."

"And did you ask him?"

"Well, yes."

"And what did he say?"

Mitoki paused, remembering how Katsuki had laughed at the question. His response had been odd. He hesitated over answering Jin's question.

"Mitoki..."

"He said...Not yet."

Jin's eyes narrowed, and his mouth formed a hard line. Turning, he strode away.

Mitoki groaned, leaning against the stock room shelf. "Sorry, Katsuki..."

To Be Continued...