Disclaimers:

I do not own any of the characters or elements from either universe. They all belong to J.K. Rowling or studio Sunrise. OC's all mine though.

Summary: Harry, a graphic designer, is temporarily transferred to the Tokyo branch to assist the launching of a new line of men's cosmetic products.

Pairings: Heero/Harry. (Lin: I finally get to write a *BLEEP* scene with Harry and Heero! *cackles evilly and softly strokes her keyboard * Aah…the bliss.)

Warnings: AU and male on male action (don't like? then don't read). Oh yeah, this is a spin-off from my other two one-shots ('Ultimate Thief' and 'Ultimate Thief Delivers' remember? However excludes the appearance of Duo, naturally.) Harry is chipper, not being in a slump and all. I'm not a Japan or Tokyo expert (never been there, but I want to someday!), so apologies for my poor descriptions of places and stuff. I don't know much of Japanese etiquette so I'll do my best when they're at the Onsen with how I describe things. Oh, for those that don't know; an Onsen is a Japanese hot spring.

This is has not been read by a beta reader. Mind you there might and will be mistakes in this.

Author's note: This is the result from an 'innocent' comment made by my sweetie Deb in a review way back now. She truly is my lil' naughty muse, even when she doesn't intend to be! XP I gotta love her for that. I had to split this into two parts since it got much longer than what I had originally intended (a whole extra chapter worth of words longer actually…).

Love in the Onsen

"It's spring fever. That is what the name of it is. And when you've got it, you want - oh, you don't quite know what it is you do want, but it just fairly makes your heart ache, you want it so! "

Mark Twain

It wasn't more than a couple months ago that Harry James Potter was first assigned and began working on the agency's main project at the time, the Ares project. Now finished, he was happy to see the success it had turned into and the clients had been, more than anything else, pleased with the results. Who wouldn't with a doubled increase in sales revenue? Yet another step to add to his growing list of accomplishments.

The young man himself couldn't be more satisfied with his life at this point in time and who could blame him? He was a 25-year-old and highly talented graphic designer for one of the most renowned agencies in the world. His employer had branches spanning from the major countries in Europe, to across the pond and Asia, and it had been decided that he, their leading London branch designer, would temporarily be transferred to the Tokyo branch. Tokyo, a great city at the top of developments in many areas such as technology and host of a most fascinating street fashion culture and coincidentally a place Harry had dreamed of travelling to. To help with the launch of the same men's cosmetics line project he'd just been working on. For one as young as him to get this opportunity was rarely heard off, and he'd wasted no time, or second thoughts, accepting the offer.

He was scheduled to leave by airplane early this spring, just before the start of February, for Tokyo Japan where he would stay for the next six months or so. First working on the cosmetics project and then any other he was offered to take part of during his time there. Being able to witness some of Japan's top designers first hand was a great opportunity he'd been gifted with.

Although, he was a bit embarrassed to say it, Harry had never been outside the British Isles, so this new prospect was understandably both scary and thrilling at the same time. He'd always had a small fascination with Asian culture, as it would be Japan in particular, and he hoped he'd get a chance at seeing the less western influenced and rural parts of the country; all the while broadening his horizons and gathering material for future inspiration of course.

So here Harry was, his flight having arrived earlier that afternoon and him just getting passed security at Narita airport. He couldn't help himself as he stepped out into main part of the airport, after collecting his luggage at the baggage claim, to look outside one of the large glass panorama windows there separating himself from the rest of Japan. Enthusiasm took a hold of him while trying to take in as much as he could of everything. He thought he might very well be one of the luckiest guys on earth at this moment to get this chance and still had a bit of trouble getting the fact through to his brain. It just seemed surreal somehow finally standing there.

Some natives stopped shortly to watch him curiously, a passing group of women observing and even sending him a few appreciative glances, as he stood with his hands pressed against the glass, acting very much like an overgrown child. On his slim body he wore his designer jeans from this last Christmas campaign, completed with a white knitted Aran cardigan over a light grey shirt and black boots reaching mid-calf. His hair lay in a stylish disarray, his way of taming the shaggy locks by the smallest amount of gel making it look intentionally messy.

Harry continued along, wheeling his suitcase after him and following the mainstream of travelers until he came out into the head entrance of the large airport. The superiors at the agency back in England had informed him that there would be someone there to pick him up at the airport. He was curious to see whom they'd sent from the Tokyo branch.

Harry searched the crowds, not really knowing what to look for but stopping when he spotted a small, discreet sign reading his name on it with neat handwriting. Then they landed on the person holding said sign and he took in the suit clad man, fleetingly thinking the man was rather tall for being Japanese. In fact they looked to be about the same height; Harry himself standing just under 6 feet and he instantly felt more at ease before even talking to the man.

Moving closer he was able to make out tousled chocolate brown hair, strong cobalt blue eyes, and tanned bronze skin and soft Asian features telling him that the man could very possibly be of mixed blood.

The man seemed mildly bored however, or maybe disinterested was a better word, as he let his dark eyes jump from traveler to traveler in a almost lazy manner; but obviously looking for someone. Maybe he was waiting for Harry?

The British gripped his suitcase handle firmer and waltzed up to the man.

"Hello." Harry said, finally catching the others attention, and at the same time holding out a hand. "Harry Potter. Nice to meet you."

The man's eyes widened the smallest at his appearance, switching from Harry's outstretched hand to his face once, gaze trailing downwards before moving up again and settling on the young male's strong but soft facial features and clear emerald eyes.

The man let the sign fall, absentmindedly tucking it away somewhere in his dark grey suit, while the white shirt underneath and the black tie rustled with the movement.

"Heero Yuy." He said, his voice showing small tints of an underlying American accent there. "Pleasure."

"Allow me." He added as in afterthought, gently taking Harry's suitcase out of his hand and then making a small gesture with his hand for the other to follow him. "This way please. I hope your flight was alright?"

"Oh, yes, it was fine." Harry replied surprised, not having expected the polite offer, but appreciative all the same. He grasped his carry-on shoulder bag containing his laptop and papers, securing it with one hand. "Went better than I thought it would." He admitted.

"This was your first time flying?" Heero asked him with a slightly raised eyebrow.

"Yes. First time out of the country actually."Harry smiled, scratching the small area behind his ear. "Never really had the opportunity of travelling before." He shrugged.

"Well then. We will have to make it a memorable one." The man said with a small secretive smile, the air around him cloaked with something unknown, before his face adopted a nondescript expression.

The Japanese male led them out into the open air, the spring breeze feeling chilly but nice on Harry's skin and helping to rouse him a bit from the tiredness in his body. Heero took them to a nearby lying parking lot where he nimbly put Harry's suitcase in a black inconspicuous car. Coming out on the highway Harry couldn't hold himself back as he spanned his eyes across the evening landscape, unbeknownst of the curious cobalt eyes that were drawn to him every now and then before focusing on the road ahead again.

The ride was spent mostly in silence, Heero pointing out a few buildings and structures as they entered Tokyo. The city was amazing, a fantastic sight to say the least, the high skyscrapers seemingly reaching up to the velvety dark sky above and the many different colored lights that painted the many streets had Harry sitting on the edge of his seat trying to get a good look at everything.

"You'll be staying in a studio apartment in Ichigaya; it's only twenty minutes to the branch office in Shinjuku with the Toei Shinjuku Line, walking distance included." Heero said when they passed another corner, steering the car to the right.

"Oh, okay, I hope I don't get lost." Harry thought out loud. "Wouldn't that be a good first impression, arriving late on the first day?" He said and chuckled good-naturedly, having calmed down from his initial enthusiasm and leaning with an elbow on the door, inspecting the many buildings they drove by.

"Don't worry." Heero replied, throwing him a glance. "I'll pick you up for work the first days at your apartment to help you get settled in."

"You're sure?" Harry asked, turning to the other male in his seat. "I wouldn't want to trouble you."

"I take the same train line to work, I live in Odagawa. I won't be troubled." Heero was quick to reassure him.

"Thanks, I appreciate it."

"You're welcome." Heero murmured softly, changing gears and slowing down as they neared an intersection.

Making a couple more turns they, after a short time, finally came to a stop outside what must have been the apartment building Harry was to stay in. He was happy to notice that there was a small park just close by and could just imagine watching the greenery and cherry blossoms he'd read about at full bloom later that spring.

Harry stepped out of the car, leaving the car door opened behind him and got his first good look at his new temporary home. The building was painted in a very light grey and the façade slim, looking like any other ordinary apartment blocks. The sound of the car engine shutting down and then the trunk opening and closing had him looking back just as Heero wheeled his suitcase up to him. The man inclined his head towards the building and ad Harry following him up to the entrance.

The Japanese reached over to punch in a code on the number plate beside the door there, stopping shortly to make sure Harry had memorized it for future use. Heero let himself and the other inside where they took the lift up to the seventh floor. Harry followed the man to number thirty-four, watching him pull out a small keychain, inserting the key in the lock and twisting it open.

Stepping inside the apartment Harry was astonished by the sheer size of it. It hadn't looked to be that big from the outside, it might even be larger than his flat back in London. Toeing off his shoes Harry went to explore. It was made up of one large open space; one bedroom, bathroom and corner for the kitchen. It was already furnished for his convenience; there was a group of leather couches and chairs, a low coffee table, a TV set. In the bedroom a large bed, probably king sized, a nightstand on each side with a lamp, a wardrobe and a dresser and in the bathroom a tub with a showerhead overhead. Large but simple, equipped with what he needed daily and not all that superfluous shit others seemed so intent on decorating their homes with. It was just the way he liked it.

Deposing his shoulder bag on the leather couch after his tour of the place, Harry walked up to the large glass balcony door, pushing it open and leaning on the railing.

"Do you like it?" He heard Heero ask him from inside.

"Love it." He called back over his shoulder, breathing in deeply a couple of times before going back inside and sliding the glass door shut behind him.

Heero still stood at the door, holding out a card and Harry went over to gingerly accept it with a raised eyebrow. He turned the card in his hand for appraisal.

"Metro pass." Heero said in way of explanation.

"You've sure thought of everything." Harry commented with a wistful smile.

"My job as a good guide."

"Ah." Harry chuckled.

Heero reached for the door handle next.

"I left the keys on the kitchen bench." He rested his hand on the handle. "I'll see you tomorrow Mr. Potter."

"Yes, thank you again." Harry replied as the door closed softly behind the male.

Harry let his eyes travel once more over the interior of his new temporary home.

So far, so good, he thought, allowing himself a silly smile.

He yawned and went to sit in the leather couch, closing his eyes, feeling the sleepiness and tiredness from both the trip and the lack of sleep make themselves known now that the excitement of being in a new country slowly gave way for tiredness. He'd left Heathrow airport around nine in the evening and landed at Narita some time after six, also in the evening. Knowing this he'd tried to not sleep too much on the flight over, considering the jet lag, but as he thought staying awake for more than a whole day was still pushing it for someone hadn't flown before.

As it was, Harry had just enough strength to heave himself up, removing his cardigan with another large yawn and the article landing somewhere between the door and bed. The rest of his clothes were dumped on the floor on his way. Staggering to towards the bed Harry promptly fell on its linens, falling asleep the moment his head hit the mattress.

He woke up to the bell on the front door ringing and, fumbling around on the bed, hastily crawled out of bed and stumbled out into the hallway. The door swung open and he peered at the person standing on the threshold.

"Wha…?" He replied intelligently, blinking his groggy eyes having missed what the person just said.

Emerald eyes slowly cleared up enough to finally recognize the man as Heero Yuy, the man that had picked him up at the airport yesterday, sporting a quirked eyebrow. Harry dimly noticed the white plastic bag in the man's hand.

"I said, 'Ohayo gozaimasu'." At Harry's nonplussed look, Heero carried on by explaining. "It means good morning in Japanese."

"Oh." Harry replied. "Good morning to you too." He leaned back to draw a hand through his hair, scratching his scalp at a particular itchy spot. Shit, he shouldn't have gone to bed without showering and removing the hair gel last night. He tugged his fingers out of a particular stubborn knot.

Harry stepped back to let Heero in, the man closing the door as Harry moved back into his bedroom.

"What time is it?" He asked on his way. "I'd very much like to take a shower before going to work."

"We've got plenty time." Heero assured him.

"Did you happen to sleep in your clothes from yesterday?" He asked and Harry stopped in his tracks, looking down at his own attire.

"I guess I did." He laughed embarrassedly.

"Must have been uncomfortable." Heero stated.

"I think I was too tired to notice really." Harry laughed again, drawing a hand over his arm.

They stood there for a moment before Harry excused himself, in passing telling the male to make himself comfortable while he took a shower. The hot water felt wonderfully soothing against his travel weary body and brushing his teeth, which did wonders to his long overdue morning breath, he self-consciously hoped Heero hadn't noticed, or rather smelt, that small detail. He hadn't given Heero the most professional impression, he suspected regretfully.

Today's attire ended up consisting of black dress pants and a jacket, accompanied with a white shirt and a deep forest green tie being the only splotch of color to the get up. He'd heard the Japanese society was stricter with dress codes and how to dress for certain occasions such as the office. Something he'd never really bothered with before, not that he dressed overly sloppy or anything, but he often preferred only putting on a suit for the more formal events and meetings.

Fixing his hair lastly, Harry went out into the large living room slash kitchen and dining area, stopping surprised to see Heero in the middle of making what looked to be an omelet of some sorts. Actually he looked quite at home amongst all the kitchen appliances and maneuvering around the small kitchen with practiced ease.

"Mr. Yuy?" Harry asked unsurely, wondering as to the cause of the man's actions.

"I take it you didn't eat anything before bed last night?" Heero asked him instead, throwing him a knowing, yet still polite, look in the raven haired male's direction.

"Really, you didn't have to." Harry hastened to say as he moved closer. "I'm used to making my own breakfast."

The Japanese didn't seem to be minding what the British said, going to remove a plate from the cupboard and carefully deposing the egg bundle onto the porcelain plate.

"It's no trouble. Here." He slipped a spoon onto the plate before putting it down in front of the other man on the counter top.

Although Harry felt hesitant at having a near perfect stranger cook him breakfast, Harry nonetheless sat down on the barstool, thinking it bad manners to turn the man down since he'd already gone this far with preparing it. Slicing off a piece with the spoon he surprised again when the omelet gave way, its contents slithering out.

He sent Heero an enquiring look.

"It's omurice; fried rice with vegetables and chicken. A contemporary dish here in Japan."

Harry raised his spoon with a curious look, closing his mouth on the small morsel. The different tastes came together forming a fairly pleasant sensation of mixtures of some already known tastes. He found he quite liked it actually, and after expressing his appreciation for the dish he proceeded with making a short process of the rest.

He accepted the cup of tea Heero held out to him with a small nod of thanks and tried it out on his tongue. Not exactly Earl Gray, but he hadn't really expected that either, although not unpleasant. Nursing the handle less cup in his hands and resting his elbows on the top; Harry tilted his head slightly to the side as he appraised the cobalt eyed male closer.

What more surprises did the man hide?

Heero didn't call him out on his semi stare, or maybe he was accustomed to them? It would almost seem so. Instead Heero retrieved the now empty plate and turned on the faucet, preparing to wash the dishes.

"You're not what I thought you would be." Harry said after a moment.

"Oh?" Heero said nonchalantly, although his hand halted for a second before continuing with the washing.

"Somehow I'd expected you to be more…I don't know…" Harry grasped for the right words.

"Uptight?" Heero asked, somehow his posture growing tense.

Harry frowned.

"No, I wouldn't say that." Harry hurried to say. That was not the word he'd been searching for at all.

Heero seemed to relax, chuckling lightly, but it felt empty somehow to Harry. The man rinsed the plate under the spray of water and put it to the side in the rack to dry.

"I suppose I can seem like that to most people." He said wistfully, a distant look entering his eyes fleetingly, as he turned the faucet off.

Though he wanted, Harry held himself back from enquiring further. He tapped the side of the mug with one finger, suddenly feeling self-conscious.

In the end he didn't say anything more on the matter and they left the apartment under silence. It didn't take Harry long to grow more awkward as they stepped into the metro station and how he instantly drew the native's eyes to himself like a walking beacon. He did realize that he was the foreigner here, but he couldn't quite understand the amount of attention he was given. Although his hair was near black; his eyes and pale western features alone seemed to draw most of the thrown looks and glances. However Heero drew a few too, probably because of his mixed blood status and who wouldn't notice those deep blue eyes?

Harry had never been one for volunteering to be in the center of interest of others, preferring to stay on the sidelines while concentrating on his own work. Unconsciously he pulled himself closer to Heero, following the other as he led them through the ticket gates and escalators down to the platforms. He would have to learn to get used to being the odd one while on his stay here.

"This is it." Heero said after the short trip and promenade, cutting off Harry's errant thoughts and the raven haired male found himself staring wide eyed up at the towering building. He must have zoned out for a while there.

"It's huge." He replied eventually, awed at the sight.

"This building houses many different companies. Ours is situated on the upper floors."

Of course, Harry thought with a mental shake. That made much more sense. He couldn't believe he'd actually thought the whole building had belonged to the agency alone for a moment there. The London headquarters weren't even as big as this, so why would a branch office be any bigger.

The interior of the front entrance was chic and clean, tastefully decorated with a few choice sculptors and islands of greenery to give more life to it. He was taken straight passed the reception and to the elevators, up to the twentieth fourth floor.

Harry's first glance of the place he would be working for the next couple of months, as the elevator doors slid open, were that of a huge poster framed with gleaming rust free steel. It took up nearly the whole wall acting as the cross point before entering the main office. He stood stock still, appraising the lines, color and lightning; completely stunned and at a loss for words. No mere words could give it justice. This was not some simple design used for the simple ads and promotion of some random product.

This was pure art.

"What do you think?"

Harry jumped at Heero's voice; the man was eyeing him, almost expectantly, and shooting the male a look before going back to the poster Harry closed his eyes with a sigh, a dimple forming in his right cheek.

"It's remarkable. Just look at the technique, I'd die for talent like that or for a small glimpse into the person's head when they thought up the idea for that."

"I suppose, I should say thank you." Heero said, a small smirk playing at the corner of his mouth.

"Huh? What do you mean?" Harry asked, sending the other a confused look.

Heero merely raised a hand and pointed to the low right hand corner of the poster. Harry, following the man's hint, felt his eyes grow large.

"You…did that?" Harry said slowly, blinking once. "Amazing, simply amazing."

Heero's mouth quirked, the small smile growing wider as he turned to face the other man.

"On that note," He said, eyes glinting. "Let me reintroduce myself. I'm Heero Yuy, the designer you'll be working with on the Ares project."

Harry numbly shook the Japanese's hand.

"Why didn't you say so earlier?" He asked, still astonished at the revelation.

"It didn't come up." Heero shrugged his shoulders, walking away.

The raven haired man eyed the man strangely, before humming thoughtfully and casting a last glance at the poster, jogging after the man.

Section chief Mr. Yamahara was a short and stout man. At the most he would reach up to Harry's chest. The size of his person was only matched by the size of the amount of meaningless chatter that came from the elder man, annoyingly reminding Harry of his own chief back home; only Malfoy didn't share the man's build and Mr. Yamahara Malfoy's good looks and young age.

The man finished his elaborate speech with a flourish, smiling craftily at the British male who only smiled politely back, not actually having understood anything of what the man had said during his rather outdrawn monologue after having been introduced by Heero. Harry's first half confused and half hesitant look obviously hadn't done anything to alert the section chief as to Harry's lacking language skills. Somehow they must have failed to inform the man, but Harry doubted that, or he'd forgot, more probable, that Harry didn't understand a single word of Japanese for the exception of the greeting Heero made that same morning.

Harry cast Heero a pleading look, the man's cobalt colored eyes tingling with hidden amusement at Harry's predicament, the man stepping in to reply to the chief. The language flowed with such grace when Heero spoke that Harry almost felt spellbound by the lilting tones. How could there be so much difference in the sound of a language only depending on who spoke it, he wondered.

Walking back along the corridor Heero let him know of the important parts of the chief's speech, which didn't take more than a minute. Many more people greeted them along the way through the office, though all of them were either taken cared of or diverted easily enough by Heero, the man answering any wayward questions thrown at the British male before the person could even get close to the British. This to the big disappointment of the employee's, clearly shown in their expressions. Apparently it didn't occur to them, either, that Harry didn't understand a single word of Japanese. Maybe he should just ask Heero to write him a sign, saying 'I don't speak Japanese', which he could attach to his front.

But this didn't pique his attention as much as that on more than one occasion, Harry also noticed the small amount of badly hidden annoyance, and even deep irritation, flashing through the eyes and looks some of the workers would throw at Heero. This had Harry internally frowning with confusion and curiosity. What was the cause of this, animosity really, towards the Japanese designer? Heero had been all politeness to him so far.

Harry glanced up at the other male, seated in the opposite chair in one of the many conference rooms the agency had at hand. Apparently this was the only place while in the office Heero, or they, would get any serious work done without being interrupted by their inquisitive coworkers. This respite, however, caused another chain of questions to arise for Harry.

It would seem to him that Heero were actually avoiding interacting with the other employees or for too long. He was unsure of what to make of the blank expression the male had sported ever since they'd stepped into the office. One could say that he'd changed attitudes the moment he first made contact with the first person they met there, but that was just plain strange. I mean, why would he act any differently around Harry than around coworkers he'd know for a much longer time than the British male?

"I took the liberty of looking over your design for the British edition." Heero said then, pulling Harry out of his musings.

"And?" He asked, moving his old papers closer to him and scanning them.

Heero held his reply for a few seconds, earning him an inquiring look from Harry, whose head came up again, one eyebrow raised.

"While not bad in any way, it's really good."

"Thanks."

"I just don't think it's suited for the Japanese market." Heero continued, eyebrows lowered in speculative thought.

"I see. Of course, you'd know that better than me. Did you have another idea in mind then?" The raven haired male queried.

"Yes, I have. Considering our main focus group is men belonging to the business sector, I think a more straight forward approach would be better. The life of an ordinary salary man can be, and is, very hectic leaving not much time to the thought of using cosmetics products." Heero tapped the paper sheet with his knuckle.

"Mmhmm… So, we need to think of a way to get them interested, and not see the use of these cosmetics as a waste of time, so to speak." Harry summarized.

"Exactly." The man nodded.

"Yeah, I can see the faults in my old design now. Mine was directed towards the younger, more outgoing generation rather than the typical average or family man. It wouldn't be wrong to say that it was too 'flashy'."

"No offence." Heero offered.

"None taken." Harry said, waving his hand in dismissal of the apology, and smiled.

"Let's get to work!"

The following week Harry fell into this new day-to-day routine; he would wake up, make himself breakfast, get picked up by Heero, go to work and they would lock themselves inside one of the conference rooms for the majority of the day. Mostly they would order lunch in, continue working late into the afternoon, sometimes even early evening, and then he would be led back home again, only stopping at a convenience store to pick up some groceries to refill his refrigerator.

During this period he didn't get much time over to ponder about Heero or his situation, but maybe that was a good thing. He'd told himself that he wouldn't get personally involved with another coworker again after what happened the last time he did. Mind you last time had been an overly enthusiastic girl, but all the same he thought mixing his professional one with his private life was a mistake. Better to keep the two separate.

On the other hand Heero was being his usual self, or judging from what Harry had seen of the male so far he was. Not that he knew the other to be absolutely sure. Being one out of two that could speak English on the floor, that he knew of, Harry substituted the lack of conversation with observing the other employees whenever he got some time left over. His favorite hobby though, which he would never admit out loud lest he make a fool out of himself, was watching Heero go along doing his normal routine. He couldn't help wondering about the man and what he did when he wasn't helping out or working with Harry on the design development.

He knew it was none of his business; of course, he wouldn't intrude into Heero's private life, however being plain curious wasn't a crime right? Heero's silent nature in itself wasn't that uncommon, it just meant he wasn't the most outgoing person, but it was the coworkers' attitudes towards him that just seemed to scream past history. It was that history that had piqued Harry's interest. His respect for Heero and dislike of gossip was the only thing keeping him from asking about it.

The design was moving along nicely. By the end of the second week they'd written most of it up and were working on the final touches before handing it in. It had been a bit harder than Harry imagined it would be but nothing he couldn't handle, having Heero there to support him as a partner and co-designer were reassuring as well. The man had a few extra years of experience, being three years his senior, and expertise with understanding the Japanese culture. Formidable in his own right and the combination of the two made for a, if Harry could say so himself, a bloody hell of a good team.

In the middle of the third week they were finally able to declare their part of the project done. They would be called in later to appraise the first prototypes, but until then they could take it easy.

Heero offered to show him more of Tokyo and Harry gladly accepted the offer, not having had the opportunity to do so until now. How sad wouldn't it be if he were to be there for half a year and not see anything more than the way to and from work?

So at the start of the second month of his stay in Japan, Heero came to pick him up on a clear sunny Sunday. Harry first got to see Tokyo Tower, taking the lift up to the special observatory where his eyes locked upon an amazing view of the city. After that they fleetingly visited many places, among them Shibuya, Harajuku, and Shinjuku. Visiting Harajuku though had been an experience on its own; seeing the various teenagers in all sorts of get-ups, something Harry had never seen in London.

From Shinjuku they took a fifty minute train ride out to Mount Takao; a sacred mountain where they hiked a trail up to Yakuoin temple near the mountain top. While at the temple Heero was kind enough to tell him the people here prayed to the mountain gods, called tengu, for good fortune in life. Even showing Harry how to purify himself with water, at a small place called Chozuya, before praying and making a wish at the temple.

He'd sneaked a peek at the Japanese male as Heero showed him how to toss a coin into the offering box, bow and clap your hands twice, make your wish and finally bow one time once more. Harry wondered what Heero had wished for as he did his best to repeat the motions in the right order. He sent a wish to the mountain god to make his stay in Japan a continued good one, one that he would remember for a long time to come.

Besides being crowded, as it was the weekend, the visit to the temple was a wonderful experience and he even caught a glimpse of Mount Fuji in the far distance, which he had Heero point out for him. With some translation help from Heero, Harry bought himself an elaborate fan that had caught his fancy on their return to the train station. It would make a good souvenir, for sure one of many he would end up purchasing, to decorate his apartment back in London with when he eventually went back to England.

After the visit to the temple they ended up in Roppongi, visiting Kokuritsu Shin-Bijutsukan, or the National Art Center ,Tokyo. The Center itself was able to house a range of exhibits with its 14,000 square meters of space. Unlike museums, the Center did not maintain a permanent collection of pieces of art and other things, rather focusing on different exhibits. One of the current exhibitions happened to be about Van Gogh and they spent a little over an hour there, appraising the paintings. Harry was surprised to see another side of Heero that he hadn't seen until now; the man that appreciated art.

"Have you ever compared what you do to traditional art?" Heero asked, as they walked along the gallery.

"No, can't say I have. Why do you ask?" Harry replied curiously.

"Just a thought." Heero said and paused, observing the painting they were standing in front of at the moment, opting Harry to turn and take in the painting as well. "Sometimes I find myself wondering about the great amount of time the artists must have put into creating these paintings, some taking even years, while today everything is made so simple by the use of a computer and software."

Heero quieted down again. Somehow, knowing that there was more the Japanese had to say, Harry kept silent.

"I had a choice before entering college, whether I would study traditional art, or commercial digital art. It's obvious what I chose in the end. They said I had an innate talent for computers so I ended up leaning towards that direction."

Harry hummed lowly, taking a step back to get a better view of the painting.

"Do you regret it?" He asked.

Heero's eyes widened, frowning ever so lightly.

"I'm… not sure." He faltered. "Why am I telling you this?" There was a quizzical look in his eyes as he directed cobalt colored orbs on the British male.

"Maybe because I'm a nice guy?" Harry said, tilting his head and absentmindedly scratching the area behind his right ear.

Heero chuckled.

"Maybe."

Harry grinned.

"Where to next, Mr. Yuy?" Harry asked then, beginning to walk away from the painting.

"Heero."

Harry stopped in his tracks to look back over his shoulder at the Japanese man.

"What?"

"Call me Heero." The man repeated, walking up to the raven haired male.

"Sure, Heero, you can call me Harry, just Harry." Harry said with a quirk of the lips, as they walked side by side and Heero, unbeknownst to the other man, throwing lingering glances every now and then in-between pointing out the artwork. All the while a small smile etched on his face.

The last stop to the outing ended up being at a restaurant, in the same area, that specialized in catering to foreign customers, serving both foreign and traditional cuisine. After a nice dinner Harry was taken back to the apartment, thanking Heero for taking time over to show him the sights around the city. Heero assuring the other that it was all his pleasure.

So it was with a warm smile, that Harry closed the door after exchanging good nights with the promise of doing something like this again.

AN: The second, and last, part is coming right up after this!