Steps •asheiji•

•Chapter 15•

*A week later*

Ash was feeling particularly adventurous today.

He wanted to do something fun. Like jump ramps in the skatepark or sneak around forbidden warehouses that had way to much dust to be able to breath in his opinion.

Eiji was out being the cute young photographer he was. He told Ash he was gonna shoot some people in different parts on New York which made Ash chuckle a little as he images Eiji roaming the streets with a hand gun.

No way.

Anyway Ash couldn't stay cooped up in this apartment forever.

He got dressed in dark blue jeans and an oversized white T-shirt. He put his gun in his front pocket, handle out and left through the emergency exit stairs on the outside of his building, skipping a few steps to make the descend shorter.

(If you guys haven't been to NY before this is what I mean)

Ash strided down the streets of NYC. Even with everything that's going on in him internally, he still has to keep his 'don't fuck with me or I'll blow your head off without hesitation' image. He still had a gang to lead after all. He hasn't been needed as much since the crime rate went down because of Dino's death but he checked up once in awhile so no punks got the wrong idea and thought they could replace him as pack leader. He put Alex as temporary leader when he was away. It used to be Shorter but...You know.

He headed to the hideout only to see Sing at the entrance.

Not this shit again, he thought as he attempted to push past the short boy.

"Ash wait! Please."

"What?" Ash said as he turned around having one hand on his hip and the other rubbing his forehead to try and show he was annoyed.

"Lao's not in the gang anymore."

"What did that bastard finally get himself killed?"

"I kicked him out."

Ash wasn't gonna lie, he was surprised. Family was one of the most if not the most important things to the Chinatown gang. With roots tied together from the beginning of time. The Chinese took family very seriously.

"Heh, your own brother?"

Technically stepbrothers.

"He betrayed me too. He defied me way too many times already but I just thought it would wear off as time passed and I taught him a few lessons."

"But?" Ash said now more agitated with this conversation.

"I think the final straw is when he tried to kill you in the most despicable way possible. I'm the one whose supposed to be giving him orders. Stabbing you outside the Public Library when you were unarmed and unaware was underhanded and not honorable at all."

"Yeah that was a dick move."

"Anyway I hope there's no bad blood and our gangs can be close allies once again like before."

"Yeah, yeah whatever." Ash said sarcastically as he ruffled Sing's hair.

"H-Hey don't do that! I might be tiny but I can still snap your neck you know!"

"Whatever hot stuff."

"Hmph- Anyway bye asshole." Sing said as he walked away.

"What'd you say?!"

"Oh nothing, nothing."

That kid has balls, I swear, Ash thought.

Ash headed into the entrance and was greeted by mingled "Hey Boss!" And "Oh he's back." responses.

*Later in the day*

It got to that point at night where everybody was either drinking or drunk talking nonsense about some guy they beat up or their crazy ex.

Ash wasn't a big fan of alcohol. Dino used to make him taste different wines and champagnes. He's actually gotten pretty good at guessing the specific kind of drinks and flavors just from one sip.

Rich people bull crap.

Maybe he should call Eiji and see what he's up to since it was so late at night.

It was loud in the underground hideout so Ash walked up the stairs to get a more peaceful environment.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
🍌x🐠

I think this might be the first chapter without Eiji physically in it! Wow. Also, yay more Sing! I'm thinking of adding him in more into this story and maybe a special long haired brat too...