Utsukushi - Banana Fish

Chapter 4

"What does that asshole want now?" Shorter asked.

I knew Arthur. From what I know, Ash had him under his finger for a while. I guess recently, he either left or was exiled from Ash's gang.

"He wants to fight one on one. I agreed to it, but knowing him, he's gonna try to pull something."

"That guy just keeps going, huh. I can show up with some of my guys."

"Some of mine are gonna be outside, taking guard. They'll need your help. And Rose, I didn't want to ask, but-"

"It's okay." I assured him, already knowing what he was gonna say. "I'll help."

- - -
March 19
10 pm

"This the place?" Shorter asked as we pulled up to a, mostly, empty parking structure.

"Yeah. You guys wait out here. Alex, you come with me."

Ash walked in. He looked confident, so I knew I wouldn't have to worry.

There were a group of us waiting outside the parking structure, some did rounds around the area to make sure it was clear.

It seemed uneasily calm. There were sounds of Arthur and Ash fighting a couple floors up, but otherwise it was quiet. Arthur wouldn't be stupid enough to show up to a fight and not have his people at least watching the perimeter.

But I suddenly felt a twinge.

Something. Someone.

I immediately raised my gun to where I felt the unease just oozing from.

Out of the darkness, some guys started charging.

"Look out!" I warned everyone else.

Since I had seen them first, they mostly came after me. Shorter was closest beside me, so one was running right at him. I shot him and the others before they could reach us. Shorter had been taken off guard and hadn't reacted quick enough.

"I'm sure there's more. Keep a look out." I instructed everyone. A couple people ran off to alert the ones walking the perimeter, if they hadn't already heard the gunshots.

Sure enough, more came at us. 

"Hey!"

Everyone stopped and turned to see Ash. He stood with his hands in his jacket pockets, and splatters of blood on him, but was rather unharmed. He had a pissed look on his face as he stared down at Arthur's guys like they were ants on the sidewalk.

We all immediately knew; Ash emerged victorious from the fight.

"The hell do you think you're doing?" He asked them. "Get the fuck outta here."

Some of them yelled profanities at him while other looked scared and just ran off.

"We're done here." Ash told us. We didn't question because it was obvious of the outcome.

It wasn't until we got back to Ash's place that he told Shorter and I what happened. He didn't go into great detail but he gave the basics.

He didn't end up killing Arthur, but instead fucked up his hand and gave him a good scare. It probably wouldn't take care of him for good, but it'd hold him off for a while.

"It's probably a good thing you didn't kill him. His gang probably woulda tried to start a war with your guys." Shorter said.

"Maybe."

"Agh," Shorter sighed. "anyways, thanks for saving my ass back there. I owe you one."

"Don't worry 'bout it, old man." I told him.

"Huh? Old man?" He frowned.

I shrugged. "You're so slow, I had to shoot them for you." I joked. He frowned more. I laughed and patted him on the shoulder. "Don't worry, pops, you'll get em next time."

Ash and I snickered while Shorter just glared.

In that moment, the reality of life just kind of melted away and things felt normal- like we were just kids having fun.

Part of me wished that feeling could stay forever.