Three (AshEiji Fanfiction)

Chapter 2

DISCLAIMER 'Sato' isn't a character in the original story, I just made him up.

One fateful day on the third of June, Sato surprises Eiji with tickets to New York, thinking that he's never been outside the country. Sato's friend had accidentally bought three non-refundable tickets, so she gave the other two to him. Not wanting to disclose information about Ash and waste a good opportunity, Eiji can't refuse. The trip should be about three weeks long. The trip should be about three weeks long, they will leave at around 9 AM Monday, 7th of June and get there at 10:30 PM.

On the morning of the flight, Eiji wakes up bright and early in an especially pleasant mood. A loose blue t-shirt, black sweats and black sneakers will make the twelve hour trip comfortable. He makes sure that the car's ready, that both of them have packed enough and are ready for the hot New York summer. While checking the suitcases, Eiji makes sure he has the palm leaf pants and bright pink jacket that he still cherishes three years after he got it in China Town. These pieces of clothing remind him of Shorter, which in turn leads to Ash. He hopes that he will see Ash. Though he doesn't want to admit it, he is still in love with him.

The plane was delayed and extremely crowded, there was a baby crying the whole time, the man next to him stank and the kid behind him wouldn't stop kicking his chair. On the other hand Sato was having a great time laughing at Eiji being greatly disturbed. But no matter how much this plane ride annoyed him, Eiji was still in a very happy mood.

They arrived at John F Kennedy Airport at 11:00 P.M, Eiji is practically racing around the airport, giddy to be back in America, Sota can hardly keep up. He wants to get to the hotel and sleep, but Eiji wants to go to a bar and party. Sota ends up winning that argument after Eiji passes out in the cab.

Once Eiji wakes up at 9:00AM (EST), he finds that the hotel is near Ash's base, well near to him, to anyone else it's considered very far. This morning, Eiji put on black ripped jeans, a puffy orange jacket (Like Shorter's or Ash's, but orange) over a white tank top and black sneakers. Sota notices Eiji's new wardrobe and tries to match it, but after many attempts he just ends up wearing an oversized black zip-up jacket that hangs down to his knees, an oversized white t-shirt, and black baggy jeans with those belts that hang off the pants. He ruffles up his hair and throws the hood on half way, his feet sit in converse. Ready with a camera, phones, and a backpack for souvenirs and water they hit the road.

Though he tries to resist, Eiji finds himself leading Sato down the streets of China Town and the 'back alleyways' of New York, but never anything off-limits. Sato is so fascinated by the city that he doesn't question how Eiji knows the streets so well. Lost in his own sea of memories he sees where Skip died, this makes him tear up, but can't show that he's been here before. They pass the wall he pole-jumped over, the prison that Ash went to for the short time and the bar. A flood of memories is bringing him back to three years ago, the terrifying chases, bar fights and the happy moments with Shorter and Ash. Oh, how he misses it, all of it, even the dangerous parts.

Back in China Town, Sato stops to buy some noodles at Chang Dai. The place is packed, I guess they're popularity has grown since I've been here, Eiji thinks. While waiting in the line to get in, Eiji turns around to look at the city's huge skyscrapers. While scanning the streets, a certain blonde is getting chased by three people, but ducks away into a corner store across the street. The blonde looks up and they make eye contact. They both freeze, recognizing each other immediately. A surge of memories returns to Ash.

Though he never forgot Eiji, memories don't make up whole people. When he saw his first love, everything came back. They're first meeting in the bar, Eiji asking to hold his gun and one of Ash's favorite memories, one that he revisits every night, when Eiji flew. Ash was glad that he flew away, but why did he fly back here again. The need to protect him rose again. 'Eiji?' Ash mouthed. 'Ash?' Eiji mouthed at the same time. Unknowingly Eiji took a step towards Ash, immediately the blonde shakes his head and two red shoes bolts out of the door and down the street. "Alright, thank you" Sato says in very broken English, indicating that he's paid. The rest of the day, Eiji pretends like nothing happened, but still can't stop thinking about it.