"I'm going to the shop, does anybody want anything?"
Polnareff, his French companion, was the first person to request.
"Ooh, you think you could grab me a Diet Coke?"
"Me too." Jotaro added, his usual dark, teenage scowl on his face. His grandfather, Joseph seconded it, as did Abdul, the Egyptian fortune teller - Meaning that Kakyoin was just going to grab a box of drinks for them all.
This service station was oddly subdued in sound. Sure, it was the dead of the night, but there were no cars around, no people around, not even any sort of ambient hum or lull. Entering the small convenience store, the first thing he noticed was his favourite song playing on the shitty transistor radio. It sounded like it was being piped through a grater, doing Englishman in New York zero justice. The second thing he made note of, was you. Lounging behind the till with your legs up on the counter, giving a magazine your undivided attention. Scruffy Addidas trainers, they had definitely seen better days. His eyes followed the silhouette of your ankle, only finding the grazed cut of your high waisted denim jeans. The thing that stood out most to him, was your hair. It was tied up in the most perfect messy bun, some strands of your fringe hanging untidily over your eyes. As your eyes peered over it subtly, getting a quick look at his face should he be a thief, the boy felt his face heat up. You reminded him of his mother, whom he missed dearly. It had been so long since he left Japan, they were already shocked he had skipped home. He wondered if he would ever be able to apologise. Roaming around the snack aisle for a while, simply appreciating the song since the truck had no radio, he took a moment to reflect on the journey. His thoughts were interrupted by a soft voice.
"Can I help you?"
Kakyoin had noticed you had looked over every now and then as he was browsing, but not in a 'just looking' sort of fashion. You seemed to be looking for something. "You frightened something's gonna jump out at ya?" Your accent took him aback. He could barely muster up any sort of sound, nor decide where to put his hands. He hadn't expected that.
"Um... I- I apologise, Madam. I just... Didn't expect you to sound so... British." Scoffing, you didn't look up from the magazine this time. His accent was laced with an Asian twinge, but only slightly since his English was impeccable.
"Your English is pretty good for someone so young. Considering you're on the outskirts of Egypt." His face contorted slightly, mauve eyes glancing away. Shit! Had he made himself look shifty already? Either way, he was embarrassed by the contact.
"I'm just passing through." You were the first cute girl he had met since fighting with Jotaro back in Japan, so he grabbed what he came for and made his way to the till, placing the box on the top.
"By yourself?"
'Be cool, Noriaki...' he thought to himself, remembering he just needed to buy these drinks and leave. It was that simple.
"No. I'm travelling with some companions."
"Is that all?" Or maybe not. "I mean your shopping. Is that all your shopping?"
Looking down, you thought about the information you had gotten out of Hol Horse as you scanned the box, giggling at his slight mishap. There had been a warning that one of his targets was due to arrive in this area. Hol Horse was usually on top of these things, with descriptions and everything but even if he was, you were sick and tired of his ordering round. It was always 'Dio this,' 'Dio that'. 'Dio will kill me if I don't do this for him'. You owed it to him, to begin with. For dragging you out of Dio's clutches, you supposed.
Dio had gotten hold of you way back, when you were maybe fourteen or fifteen. Since you had demonstrated a higher power, the vampire had agreed to spare your life, in return for your eternal service. That's when Hol Horse wanted you 'assigned' to him. He kept tabs on you, having failed to convince you of his undying love. Now, holed up in this stupid service station, you had spent your last five years killing his targets for him. You assumed Dio knew this, despite Hol Horse's efforts to cover up that fact. Anything to avoid being killed you supposed.
But all those things. All those lovely, wonderful things Hol Horse told you. The sweet, believable things. The web of fantasized lies he was so brilliant at spinning. His age didn't matter to you, considering he dealt the attention you craved. Of course you took it, even though you didn't return that sham of affection anymore.
But now, you weren't going to give in to him again. You weren't killing this one. He could do it himself.
Hiding above the ceiling panels, keeping tabs through an air vent, Hol Horse growled under his breath. Usually you didn't get attached like this, what were you doing?!
"Dio's gonna have my ass... This was the wrong bitch for the job..."
Lost in thought, your mind continued to wander until a small wave brought you back.
"Um... Sorry, do you mind if I pay you for these?" He tapped the cardboard box, a sugary sweet smile on his face.
"Oh my God. Yeah of course." He handed you the money over the counter, taking serious note of your shifty expression. "Somebody gave me a warning about attackers being on the road. So watch yourself, okay?" Ha. You'd just given away his information. Nodding gratefully, it still didn't seem like a good enough excuse to Kakyoin. Why would a young woman be left to manage a shop on her own in the middle of nowhere during an impending attack?
"Pardon me, but... You appear to be searching for something. What is it? I may be able to help." His charm was almost infectious.
"It's... Kinda hard to explain. You wouldn't believe me if I told you."
"I'm listening. I'm sure I could tell you some strange stuff too." Looking at each of his eyes in turn, the purple brown hue swirled under the flickering ceiling lamp. You found yourself mesmerised, muttering under your breath.
"Well... I..." You tried desperately not to let emotions get in the way of work, but this kid was too sweet. He was what, 17, 18? You were only 19, yourself. "You know, I don't even know your name."
"Oh, do forgive me! I don't mean to pry. I just wanted to offer my assistance at the very least. My name is Noriaki Kakyoin, what's yours?"
"Noriaki, huh? I've never heard that name before. Mine is Y/N." Sighing, you decided it was time to leave him alone. It was only going to end badly anyway. "Well, goodbye then, Noriaki. Safe travels."
"Perhaps we'll meet again on my way back."
As he spun round to leave, you waved. He'd shown you some true kindness for the first time in years. He seemed to want to listen but... Why would anybody want to listen to you? Grabbing your pistol from beneath the counter, you realised you hadn't thanked him.
"Oh, Noriaki!" He had already left the glass door, the bell pinging as it swang closed. After a couple of seconds, your grip on the handle loosened. Slowly backing away from it, something tense ran into your back. Surprised, you reeled towards the obstacle, instinctively pointing your weapon at it.
"Hi babe. How's it goin'?"
"H-How--?!"
"Ha ha ha..." The cowboy chortled, mockingly. It was Hol Horse. He didn't appear angry, he actually seemed more amused. "Fallin' for the Japanese boy are you? Quite a catch I hear."
"What's it to you, you spineless prick? You want him dead, kill him your damn self. I'm sick to death of doing your dirty work." Turning your back on him, his chest filled with rage. He refused to be talked back to by a young woman. Gripping your wrist tightly, you yelped as he spun you round, trapping your body against the display. The force knocked over the goods, spilling them all over the linoleum floor. It could be faintly heard outside, pricking up Jotaro's ears. He glanced over, but didn't see anything out of the ordinary through Polnareff's moaning about how thirsty he was.
"Fucking Hell, Kakyoin! You've been gone ages, was the checkout girl cute?"
"You know, I can send ya straight back to Lord Dio's little man cave - Is that what'cha want?" His breath was hot on your face, bent right over so his bloodthirsty stare could bore into you. Readying his Stand, your eyes widened at the sight of it. He held it to your head, yelling hoarsely in your face. Gasping for air, you tried to use it as a disguise for charging up your special ability. The cold metal was up against your chin now, your breaths a tad shaky but still deep. Removing the gun from your chin for a second, it followed his hand as he gestured. "Are you even listening to me, you useless wench?" Taking your window to get a firm grasp on his wrist, ripples flew up his bloodstream, causing pins and needles in his hand. The sensation was so strange, his Stand shot a completely out of control bullet to the side of you both. The Emperor disappeared as he impulsively held his arm, crying out in frustration. Extending your arm, you shot the corner of the door with shoddy aim whilst you had a chance, it about hit it enough for you to kick your way through it. The gunshot rang in the Crusader's ears, startling them to the bones.
"What was that?" Joseph queried, scratching his beard. As he turned round, he witnessed you shoot the window again, and again but to no avail. The continuous gunshots provoked their stares. "That's odd."
Panicking, your gun was running on empty, clicking over and over and over and over. Throwing the firearm onto the floor, you sucked up as much as you could as Hol Horse retorted.
"Looky here, you've attracted five of the bastards. Ain't that nice?"
"Not as nice as your face'll look on the dirt!" Your last resort was spitting in his face, executing a Ripple Cutter at a decent level. Joseph's eyes widened in amazement as thin scratches appeared over the enemies face, beginning to bleed lightly. You didn't even know how you had done it, but you didn't care.
"Oh shit, it's Hol Horse!" Kakyoin noticed who it was you were fighting, rushing over to help despite Joseph's protests. The older man stuck his hand out, screaming "No!! It's too risky!!" after him.
Way to go. You had done hardly any damage.
"Well done, Y/N. It's a wee scratch, my Darlin'." Pointing his stand straight at you, you were struggling to breathe properly. Taking a step back at a time, you were too weak to do much else. Was this really the end? "You're nothin' to me now." If he didn't hurry up, the redhead knew he wouldn't make it. Summoning Hierophant Green, his tentacles scaled the ground in a far quicker time than his legs, catching your eye. His porcelain face, scarlet hair flapping as he moved, his arms waving for you to watch out. He was so dreamy, a sigh leaving your lips. "Gee, you sure pick your distractions."
You gasped, ripping your gaze away from Kakyoin. Screaming, you crouched, sending a large amount of Ripple into your body, setting it on fire. Then everything faded to black.
You must have crashed on the gravel slightly harder than you had wished. Skin all scraped up, your entire body felt like it was incandescent in the wind. Rolling over onto your side, nausea hit you like an anvil.
"Fuckin' Hell..." You moaned, weak with whatever had happened. Where was Hol Horse? Where was the garage? The last you remembered, you had been in that shithole of a garage. Feeling along your surroundings, they were soft and cool. Struggling to sit up, the first thing you saw was a ghost-like, effeminate face. It had no expression, but you weren't scared of it. "Huh... What's that?"
It had a long tail, unravelling it to shake a sleeping form on the bed opposite. It stirred, but then sat up.
"Hey... I'm so glad that you're alright."
Wait... Red hair? It wasn't?
"Was there a fire?"
"Yes, there was but, it's fine. You're safe. We're all safe."
"I caused it... Didn't I?"
"Well, Hol Horse was pointing a gun at you."
"Hol--? Where is he? I'll tear him to shreds--!"
"Shh. He's gone." His finger hushed you quietly, before he gestured to the mug on the side. "Joestar-san requested you drink this. You need to get some rest." Taking it from him, you smelled it first. It had a sort of jasmine scent, despite the yellow glow emanating from it.
"Where am I?"
"Egypt. Take a sip." You did as he asked, sipping the golden liquid. It tasted disgusting, making Kakyoin chuckle as you pulled a grimace. "Why?"
"Why what?"
"Why did you come after me?" He turned to look out of the window, thinking about his answer. He guessed love at first sight was a stupid answer. A kid would say that. "I almost killed you with this." He showed no ill feeling as you produced a flame from your fingers, setting your arm on fire. Realising it wasn't going out, the redhead asked you to turn away, so not to frighten you with Hierophant's texture. He wrapped around your arms, squashing the flames rapidly. You ignored him as he was tending to your lit arm, glancing at the limb and then at Kakyoin."Thank you. Not only for saving me; but for believing me... Thank your green friend too... The one with the tail."
He smiled gently, watching you pat the Stand.
At last. Someone besides the Crusaders and the enemy could see his Stand.