The Canadian Connection

Ch. 2 From Moscow With Hate

"I hate this city. You can practically feel the communism in the air, like a smog." Kiku nodded distractedly, not really paying attention to the American. Ever since they had arrived in Moscow he had been saying essentially the same thing over and over again. Kiku sighed as the American began ranting about the difference between capitalism and communism and how the former was superior to the latter much to the Japanese man's chagrined.

"-and the sick bastards, I mean no competition is bad for people. God damn scheming communist bastards-." Finally, Kiku could stand no more; he was only human after all.

"Alfred-san, Russia is no longer communist, it's capitalist now." America scoffed and waved the comment off, the pair pausing on the Moscow street corner as they waited for a light to change.

"Well sure they say that. But," he hissed, closing the distance between their faces with an upraised finger, "you can see it in their beady Russian eyes, they still have it etched in their souls." Kiku gave an apologetic look to a Russian couple standing nearby giving them an offended look. The pair huffed and sped away from them across the street as soon as the light changed, quickly outpacing the two agents walking across the street as well in their haste to leave the rude American.

"You are being very judgemental Alfred-san." Kiku admonished, his black shoes crunching in synch with his companion on the slightly thin layer of whore frost on the pavement.

"They remember it though; don't let your guard down." Alfred advised. Kiku sighed softly but, instead of arguing he did as he often did when the American was proving irksome and merely ended the line of conversation.

"Of course Alfred-san, I will be sure to take your advice." Alfred grinned widely, his eyes sparkling behind his glasses.

"Fantastic. Remember, a hero is always on guard."

"Of course Alfred-san." Kiku responded diplomatically. They were silent for a time after that, both keeping step with each other though Kiku had to put a bit of extra effort in to keep up with the taller American's long strides. "How exactly are we to locate Felix-san?" Kiku inquired after a moment, watching the blonde closely.

"Well, I already contacted the usual sources. They'll get it to us eventually." Kiku sighed at the Americans trusting nature before continuing their walk until the American abruptly paused in front of a cafe, the Russian Cyrillic writing obscuring the name of the establishment to Kiku, only the tables visible in the window informed him of the nature of the business within. Alfred paused before the cafe, Kiku pausing beside him and looking up curiously.

"We're here." Alfred said cheerfully. Kiku raised an eyebrow curiously at the jocular tone used, particularly after the Americans somewhat loud objection to anything Russian, particularly as the cafe had a look of the archaic Moscow about it being constructed of stone bricks and painted red. A massive window faced the street they were on showing the inside with an overhang of stone etched with crosses hanging shortly over the window.

"Come on Kiku, we can't wait forever." Kiku was jarred from his observations to see his blonde partner holding the glass door that led into the cafe. Jumping slightly, Kiku trotted forward until he had entered the cafe, Alfred closing the glass windowed door behind them. Before Kiku could even try and look for a table, he found himself dragged by Alfred to a booth, obscured from the rest of the customers.

"I always have something here whenever I'm in Moscow." Alfred informed Kiku with a grin. Kiku arched an eyebrow curiously at his companion but the American didn't elaborate. Instead, he waved over a nearby waitress who jogged over quickly with a pair of menus. Alfred shot the woman a smile as she handed them the menus before chatting her up, Kiku tuning them out in favour of opening his menu and examining the items, his eyes growing wide when he observed a small note tucked into the menu.