Chapter 1: Sudden Appearance
Lyserg yawned as he laid down his pen. Morphine fluttered to him and rested on his shoulder. She gave him a concerned look as Lyserg yawned again. Lyserg smiled slightly to reassure her that he was fine. He closed his eyes wearily as a cool, evening breeze entered through the open window.
The Shaman Fight had halted temporarily after the astounding events that happened some time ago. Lyserg broke ways from the X-Laws and left Yoh's party as well. After returning to England, Lyserg used his own dowsing skills to solve mysteries just as his late father did. Morphine happily assisted him case after case. Together, they were beginning to gain a reputation as one of the most accomplishing new crime fighters.
Though, even after the Shaman Fight, Lyserg still thought deeply about what happened during those months. At the beginning, he was just a boy looking for comrades to help him defeat Hao. When he met Yoh's gang, he began to gain something called friendship. However, he had joined the X-Laws when they encountered. He thought that it was they who could help him avenge his parents. They proved to be strong, but arrogant. During the major battle between he and Hao's evil minions, he understood that he had to protect his true friends. One of those true friends was—
"Ren." Lyserg whispered wistfully as the memory came back to him. He closed his eyes, picturing how Ren laid on the ground, a puddle of blood slowly developing around him that was protruding from a critically deep wound. Lyserg shivered slightly as he remembered how he felt; Fear seeping into his already shaken heart. He didn't want to lose Ren. At that very moment, Lyserg knew he had to protect him with his own life. He didn't remember much after he lost consciousness, but he knew that he was able to protect Ren. After Lyserg awoke, he discovered that Ren had protected him as well. He could vaguely remember the feeling of being lifted up into his strong arms.
For some reason, Lyserg grew more attached to Ren during their time together in the Shaman Fight. Sure, Ren didn't trust Lyserg in the beginning, but Lyserg noticed that he had accepted him. From time to time, Lyserg would sneak a peak or five at Ren during rests. He couldn't help but admire how strong and compassionate Ren was, even though he didn't seem like he cared at all. Lyserg could see underneath that hard shell that there was also a person who needed friends to guide him, just like himself.
"Ren." Lyserg whispered softly again. He was surprised to find that a drop of moisture was developing in his eye. He quickly rubbed it out of his eye in slight embarrassment even though no one was there to see him.
"You called?"
Or so Lyserg thought.
Lyserg gasped in surprise to turn to the voice behind him. His green eyes widened as he scanned over the person leaning on his doorway from the tip of his hair to the bottom of his shoe. Looking stunningly handsome even in just a button-down black shirt and matching pants, Ren crossed his arms coolly and glanced over to Lyserg.
"You called?" Ren repeated, fighting off a smirk on his face at Lyserg's appalled expression.
"How'd you… When did…" Lyserg stammered. He shook his head slightly to regain his tongue. "Why did you come here?" Lyserg asked.
A blush crept onto Lyserg's already flushed face as Ren stared intensely into Lyserg's eyes. There was a hint of concern deep within those piercing yellow orbs that didn't escape Lyserg's searching green ones. Ren took a few seconds in that silence to think of a suitable answer.
"I came to check up on you." He answered simply as he smoothly elbowed himself off the doorframe, but still remained at the doorway.
"Oh…" Lyserg uttered softly. He fidgeted with his sleeve before offering Ren to come inside. "Would you like anything to drink? Tea? Water? Milk?" Lyserg inquired as he led the way to the kitchen.
Ren followed Lyserg into the rather small kitchen. It was mostly white cupboards with a matching stove and refrigerator. A small window was above the sink, showing a view of the street in front. The brick red tiles on the floor contrasted rather nicely with the cozy kitchen decorated with a light floral wallpaper on the walls.
Ren answered Lyserg's question, "I'd like some milk."
He stood politely out of Lyserg's way as Lyserg opened the refrigerator to carry out Ren's request. As Lyserg was brewing himself a cup to tea after he gave Ren his milk, he wanted to start a conversation and know why exactly Ren had suddenly showed up in his doorway.
"So, how long will you be here?" Lyserg asked casually, searching the cupboards for the sugar cubes. They always seemed to be in a different place every time Lyserg needed them.
Ren took a sip of his milk. "I don't know. It depends."
"On what?" Lyserg inquired further. At last he found the sugar cubes behind a box of oatmeal which he had never touched.
There wasn't an answer for a few seconds. Lyserg was beginning to get even more curious. Seriously, why was Ren here?
Ren finished about a fourth of his glass in one gulp. "I've got some business here I need to take care of. It requires much cooperation and time."
Lyserg nodded in agreement. His tea was finished brewing and he added two sugar cubes. Ren watched Lyserg stir his tea clockwise then counter-clockwise and then clockwise again. Lyserg could sense that he was watching him and met Ren's eyes.
"Yes?" Lyserg asked, feeling like he had done something wrong.
"I was just wondering why people insist on adding sugar to their tea." Ren said, taking another sip from his milk. "Back in China, we never used sugar. Tea is supposed to help cleanse the mind and body. Sugar only adds more calories to develop fat."
Lyserg smiled slightly, resisting a chuckle. "You amuse me, Ren. I like sugar in my tea. It makes it sweet and easier for me to consume. Plus, the tea you use is different than this one." Lyserg lifted up his cup. He raised it up to his nose and smelled the alluringly sweet aroma. "The sugar helps me think. During cases, I need to think a lot. So I use up the calories from the sugar to help me reason and to help provide me with energy."
Ren pondered for a moment before nodding in understanding.
"Wait, you said you worked on cases." Ren said observantly. "You're a detective now?"
Lyserg nodded proudly. "I'm beginning to gain a reputation. People around here still remember my father. I want to make him proud." Lyserg smiled softly while looking into his nearly empty cup of tea. He downed the rest of it in satisfaction.
Ren agreed quietly before finishing his glass of milk. He courteously placed it in the sink despite Lyserg's insistence that he leave it on the table. He walked casually into the living room. Taking a seat on the couch, Ren stretched his arms and legs with a sigh. Apparently, he was a bit exhausted from the long flight from Japan. He had been staying there temporarily after the halt of the Shaman Fight with Yoh and Anna. Lyserg entered the living room, drying his hands with a paper towel. He discarded the paper towel into a trash can by the wall. He sat himself onto the chair in front of the couch with the coffee table separating them.
"Do you have a place to stay tonight?" Lyserg asked.
"That's another reason why I came here." Ren almost smiled slightly. "I was wondering if I could stay here tonight. I might find a some other place tomorrow to lodge."
"Oh, yes, sure!" Lyserg said, small fountain of happiness bubbling inside him. "Stay as long as you need to. I don't mind. It's only me and Morphine here." Another question popped into Lyserg's mind. "Where's your spirit ally?"
Bason suddenly appeared beside Ren in his spirit form.
"Hello, Sir Lyserg." Bason greeted respectively. "It is an honor to see you again."
Lyserg waved away the compliment. "Come now. There's no need for such formalities. I'm not worthy anyways." He chuckled.
For a second, Lyserg caught a glimpse of Ren smiling. It was a small yet amused smile. It was like Lyserg seemed to entertain him even in the smallest of ways. Lyserg pushed it aside for the moment as he ran a hand through his amazingly soft bangs.
"This is so sudden, Ren." Lyserg chuckled. "I'd never expect for you to suddenly appear. We lost contact after the Shaman Fight."
"Don't participate." Ren cut in rather suddenly.
Lyserg looked at Ren, a confused expression on his face.
"Pardon?" Lyserg inquired, unsure of what Ren wanted.
Ren crossed his arms defiantly. He gave Lyserg one of his signature piercing stares. Lyserg couldn't help but feel like another reason why Ren showed up at his home was about to unravel.
"Don't participate in the Shaman Fight when it begins again." Ren stated clearly. His unmoving yellow eyes flashed a hint of commanding.
Lyserg, still a little confused, inquired demandingly, "Well why not?"
"Isn't it obvious? Just stay here and solve cases." Ren replied.
Lyserg fought off a pout weighing down on his lips. "I can handle the Shaman Fight."
"You're not strong enough." Ren said. "You got possessed by a vampire, sought out power that took you away from our gang, joined the X-Laws cult, tried to defeat Hao but failed, and I had to rescue you. Plus you're not strong enough to beat me."
"I beat you once!" Lyserg pointed out.
"When?" Ren asked, cocking an eyebrow.
Lyserg resisted the urge to roll his eyes. "It was when we had first met, remember? I was looking for comrades and I found you and the rest of the gang."
Ren thought back for a minute. He never liked remembering his defeats. The memory came back to him and he could vaguely remember Lyserg pulling down his pants to show that he was in fact a boy. A smirk nearly came onto Ren's lips as he recollected the smile on Lyserg's face at their reactions.
"That was once. I underestimated you at the time." Ren said defensively. "Either way, I do not believe you can handle the competition after what happened before."
"Oh, so you think I can't handle it?" Lyserg repeated heatedly. Why couldn't Ren understand that he was well capable to taking care of himself?
Ren's eyes flashed in impatience at Lyserg's tone. "That is exactly what I think."
"Well what you think is not what you know." Lyserg stressed. "As a detective, it is rather important to know what you must do as much as the situation. Also a detective, with shamanic abilities like I, would be able to know what he or she is capable of handling. I know I can handle the Shaman Fight, Ren."
Ren rolled his eyes which caused to Lyserg shoot him a look of dissatisfaction. Once again Ren stared hard into Lyserg's eyes.
"Give it up." Ren stated simply. "Other shamans around the world are training to become stronger when the Fight starts again. And what are you doing? Running around with a fairy looking for lost treasures like Peter Pan. All you're missing are the tights and hat."
Lyserg was taken aback by the insult. Morphine fluttered crossly by Lyserg's shoulder. She glared fervently at Ren. Bason gave her a defensive glare. Now Lyserg was beginning to get rather irritated with Ren.
"I can handle it!" Lyserg wanted to shout, but restrained himself. "What right do you have to judge me?" Lyserg asked rather icily.
Ren smirked, causing Lyserg's irritation level to rise, "I don't need a right to judge anyone."
"So what are you saying? That I'm weak?" Lyserg demanded.
Ren's hardened eyes lessened in intensity. "I never said that you were weak. I'm merely implying that you are not strong enough."
Lyserg clenched his fists on his knees. Morphine settled down on his shoulder with a look of concern on her tiny face. She glared at Ren who returned it equally. An exasperated sigh escaped Lyserg's mouth.
"Give me one month to prove I can handle myself." Lyserg requested calmly while keeping out any trace of desperate pleading.
Ren remained silent for a ponderous moment.
"And what if the Shaman Fight starts during that one month period?" He inquired.
Lyserg replied, "Well, reasonably, it shouldn't for at least a couple more months. I believe I'll have plenty of time."
Ren smirked in amusement. "Fine. One month. That's it. So what do I get in return?"
"In return?" Lyserg asked quizzically. "What do you mean?"
"I'm allowing you one month to prove yourself worthy of even talking about participating in the Shaman Fight." Ren pointed out rather smugly. "I should get something in return."
Lyserg took a moment to think over. "Um, free milk?" He suggested with a small chuckle.
Ren was not amused at that point. Instead, he gave his own suggestion.
"Let me stay here with you for your month of regaining yourself." Ren proposed in the same smug tone. "That way I'll be able to see how you're progressing or not."
Lyserg frowned when Ren implied that he might not become stronger at all, but agreed to the terms. To make it official, he thrusted his hand towards Ren. Ren clasped his hand and returned the strong grip he was receiving. Though, he couldn't help but feel how soft Lyserg's hand was compared to his own hands which were worn by much training and the fights he had been through all his life.
As their hands withdrew back to their owners, Lyserg grinned in relief.
"Well, now that that's taken care of," Lyserg said, standing up. "Why don't you move into the spare bedroom right now?"
Ren remained sitting and slouched. "I'm too tired right now. I'll do it later."
"It's already late." Lyserg said, pointing out the window to the dark sky. "Go get your stuff now."
Ren looked up at Lyserg lazily, but there a hint of annoyance in his eyes. "I don't want to."
Lyserg looked down at Ren. "If you're going to be staying in my house then you better get your own stuff."
Ren groaned and stood up. He left the living room to retrieve his things. Lyserg smiled in satisfaction at the little power he had. Ren entered the room carrying just one luggage bag and silver suitcase. Lyserg looked at the bag in slight disbelief.
"You came all the way from Japan with just that bag and a suitcase?" Lyserg asked.
Ren frowned, "Well I didn't know that I would have to stay here for a whole month. I had just planned on stopping by to make you not participate in the Shaman Fight, or to beat you up myself if you wouldn't listen."
Lyserg shook his head. "We've got some shopping to do then."
Lyserg led the way down the slightly narrow hallway. His home was rather large despite it's small appearance from outside. There were two and half bathrooms, a kitchen, a living area, an office room, the den, a small formal dining room, and four bedrooms. One of the bedrooms was actually made into a small library with two computers and a television. Lyserg and Ren passed by two of the bedrooms. They stopped at the third bedroom.
"Well this is your room now." Lyserg said, opening the brown door. "I'll let you unpack what you have and then go to bed."
Ren was about to step into the bedroom when Lyserg spoke again.
"Oh, I have one small request." Lyserg muttered. "Please don't go into the first bedroom."
Lyserg expected Ren to question him about the room.
"I understand." Ren nodded softly. He stepped into the bedroom. "Good night, Lyserg."
Lyserg returned, "Good night, Ren." He turned stepped back and walked to the room before Ren's. It must've been his own bedroom.
The doors closed at the same time and all was silent. Ren sighed in relief as he dropped his bag onto the floor. There wasn't much in it. He placed his suitcase with the Bason sword in it carefully on the table next to the twin-sized bed. Ren stared down for a moment at the dark green covers that tempted him to just lie down and sleep. But he resisted the urge for he had to use the bathroom. Once he was finished with his business, he sat down on the bed. Bason vaporized before him.
"Is this wise, Ren?" Bason asked.
Ren sighed as he flopped onto the bed to get under the covers. "I'm not sure, Bason. I just hope this doesn't turn into a waste of time." As he got into a comfortable sleeping position, he smirked, "Plus, this might be fun."
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I hope you guys enjoyed this! I apologize for any grammar and spelling mistakes, even though my friend read this twice. Haha, this is probably my first OFFICIAL chapter fic that I want to keep doing. Sorry. Haha. Yeah, this is dedicated to my best friend Fae who is RenLyserg OBSESSED. Anything that's purple and green she LOVES. I love this pairing too. I also support YohxRen (shot by Fae) Owwies... Anyways a review and maybe an alert would be nice. Favs are always welcome!!! Flames... not so much. Haha.
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A small little preview in the next chapter.
"Oh! um, I'm sorry! I'll come back later." A small voice muttered and the door slammed shut.
Ren stood dumbfounded in the middle of his bedroom. He smirked to himself and could only imagine Lyserg's face at that moment. Picking out some casual clothes, a white shirt and black jeans, Ren began to dress himself.
Lyserg nearly sprinted down the hallway, a blush highlighting his face. Morphine was having a fit of silent giggles as she followed after him. Once Lyserg got to the kitchen, he stopped.
"Morphine!" Lyserg said accusingly, "You said he was finished dressing!"
Morphine shrugged innocently as she alighted herself onto the kitchen sink faucet. Lyserg shook his head in annoyance.
"Oh my God! I just saw Ren in a towel!" Lyserg thought frantically. "He's going to think I'm some pervert or something! What am I supposed to do?!"
"Good morning." Ren's voice said from behind him.
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Haha! Second chapter coming soon!