After the Red Sunset

Chapter 2

November lent back against the cold brick facade of the bar, pulling out a cigarette and lighting it. Despite his absolute hatred of smoking, even he couldn't deny that nicotine was addictive. Besides, he'd had a few drinks and was feeling good, and he highly doubted that one more cigarette would affect him in the long run considering his rather frequent use of powers recently. Breathing out smoke into the cold night air, he took a moment to chide himself for his prior actions. While he wasn't the only one that considered him to be quite the womanizer, he couldn't help himself from teasing the younger blue eyed man. Something about that deer-in-the-headlights look amused him...no, it wasn't just that. November got the feeling that there was more to the dark haired man than the apparent youthful bashfulness. Something he couldn't quite put his finger on, something intangible, and November could attest to the reliability of his instincts, after all he wasn't the best field agent of MI6 for no reason.

Taking another draw of his cigarette, he decided to wait till he finished it to see if April came stumbling out of the bar. He imagined Misaki was bound by that expected Japanese politeness to remain host until her guest was done. And knowing April, that might not be till the early hours of the morning. Tapping the end of the cigarette, he lifted it and took another draw. Astronomy, he thought. The subject may as well be history ever since the real stars disappeared ten years ago. November chuckled to himself, did the kid even remember the real stars? Perhaps he was just chasing a childhood fantasy. He heard the door of the bar open and dropped the cigarette to the ground, crushing it under his foot. He had been expecting April and Misaki, however neither were the one to step out of the bar.

Well speak of the Devil...he thought...and the Devil shall appear. A slim figure stepped out, hands buried in the green jacket he wore. Without glancing in his direction, the Chinese student started walking up the road, away from him. A perfect opportunity had arisen to gain more information and November seized it.

"Li." He called out.

The figure paused and turned around. "Oh, Mr. Simon."

"Please, call me Jack." November gave him a grin, walking up to the dark-haired man. In the poor street lighting, Li's eyes looked so dark, he could barely distinguish where blue became black. They reminded him of the horizon during the depths of the night. "Do you intend on walking home?"

Li nodded at him. "Yes, I don't live too far from here."

November sighed. "While Japan is considered quite a safe country, let me assure you crime still exists here. Allow me to escort you."

Li raised his hands up at November. "Ah, thank-you, but I really don't want to interrupt your evening."

"I insist." The Brit replied, his tone leaving no room for argument.

Great, Hei thought exasperated, this is the last thing I need. But he just nodded and started making his way up the road.

"So, tell me how you and Chief Kirihara know each other."

Hei kept his face impassive but internally he was screaming. I met her while on a mission from a criminal syndicate to steal a Gate artifact from the crystal garden of a notorious Hong Kong mafia? In the end he settled for explaining that he met her at a party he was waitering for.

The blond raised an eyebrow at him. "Somehow, I got the impression from Kirihara that there is more to that story."

"You may need to ask Chief Kirihara for the rest," Hei said politely to the other man. He was sure that the story must be somewhat confidential and really couldn't be blamed for not divulging the entire truth.

The blond's other eyebrow raised up. "I shall."

Hei saw his apartment block come into view and felt relieved. He would be glad to rid himself of 'Jack Simon's' company. A familiar black cat flicked it's tail back and forth on the driveway.