(Tennis no Oujisama not ours. Belongs to Konomi Takeshi. Bow to him.)
Unexpected Business
By Freedom Aozu
Chapter 1
Fuji Syusuke stood staring out the window, watching the cars pass on the street over twenty stories below. The pent-house of the Grand Hotel had been his home for more years than he could count. Even now, he was in need of a new assistant. He sighed, his ice blue eyes almost closed completely as he watched the scene down below.
"What time is it?" he asked of his friend, not looking back at him, but knowing he had just walked into the office.
"Almost nighttime and I'm glad! I get so BORED during the day Syusuke!" Kikumaru Eiji complained as he bounced into the room and went to the window beside the other.
Fuji's eyes opened and he rolled them slightly as he caught the reflection of Eiji in the window. "What are you wearing, and that wasn't the correct answer to my question."
Eiji was wearing a black maid's uniform, with a white ruffled apron, black thigh high stockings, black shoes, and a ruffled maid's hair piece to complete it.
Eiji grinned as he turned around. "Do you like it? I found it in the storage room on the 12th floor."
Fuji rolled his eyes and turned his full, ice blue gaze on him. "When are you going to act like a man, instead of a woman? And it's ok, if you like looking like a fool."
Eiji stopped spinning and put his hands on his hips, not intimidated by the other. After hundreds of years together, one learned not to let Fuji Syusuke get to them. "Hey! I act like a man! Can I help it if I look better in women's clothes than an actual woman?"
Fuji couldn't help but smirk at those words. "Of course you can. You just refuse to. Are you planning on meeting our potential assistants looking like a Halloween store reject?"
"FUJI!"
Eiji glared at the other. "At least I know when to have some fun, you old man!"
He grinned, his ice blue eyes lit with mirth, but they didn't warm. "I would think that my age is irrelevant. This just shows I've outlived many others."
Eiji stuck out his tongue as he sat in one of the comfy chairs in the room. "Well, all I have to say is you need to get laid. It's been, what, 50 years since the last time?"
Fuji snorted. "Well, what do you expect. Humans are so touchy with too many people lately."
"Um... isn't that why humans made condoms?"
Fuji sighed, turning back to the window. "No, that's for human troubles. That's something different than what I'm worried about."
Eiji tilted his head curiously. "What are you talking about then?" he asked, looking as innocent as the day he was made, which Fuji knew was bullshit.
"Having to be better than all those other lovers the human might have had. It's taxing to be so good."
"Ah." Eiji swung his legs back and forth for a moment before speaking again. "So, tell me again why we need assistants?"
"Seeing as we can't get out during the day, we need help. In the form of human help, Eiji. This is something we need. Accept it."
Eiji made a face. "Nya..."
"Eiji," he growled warningly. The last thing they needed was for him to act too strangely when the humans arrived.
Eiji crossed his arms and huffed. "FINE... but I'm NOT getting undressed! You can forget it!"
Fuji sighed. "Fine, you'll just be the eccentric one," he said, straightening out his dark blue tie. He then dusted off his dark blue suit.
"So when are they supposed to be here? I'm bored, and I'm hungry!" Eiji said, already getting antsy.
Fuji was over by him in an instant, slapping his hand with a loud snap. "Assistants are not food. So don't even think it. Once they get here, which should be seven, we can go eat."
Eiji scowled as he rubbed his cheek. "I wasn't saying I wanted to EAT them! I just said I was hungry! NYA!"
Fuji sighed. "Well, I had to make certain. You remember what happened to my last, assistant, don't you?"
"He was annoying." Eiji crossed his arms and looked at the window, where a bird was passing by. "And he kept grabbing my ass."
"So then you tell me when that happens. Not avoid me and take care of it yourself."
"Fine... Nya! When are they coming! I'm getting bored, and you KNOW what happens when I get bored!"
"Are you going to tell me when it's seven?"
"Yes... why?"
"Is it seven?" he asked, his eyes angry.
"In about 10 minutes!" Eiji scowled. "Nya! Learn to read a clock dammit! I know they weren't around in your time but geez!"
Fuji smirked, a vindictive one. "I know how to read one. I just prefer to make you do something around here. And they'll be here in ten minutes."
"I do stuff..." Eiji muttered, playing with the hem of his dress.
He raised an eyebrow. "What 'stuff' besides spending like crazy on my credit card and watching the shopping channel?"
"I didn't hear you complain when I bought you that Zen Garden set for your bedroom. If anything, you hugged and kissed me for it," Eiji said with a pout.
Fuji raised both eyebrows at that. "I seem to recall that as a birthday gift... and last I knew, it wasn't bought with my credit card."
"Well you always seem to recall all the bad things I do... never the good..." Eiji said softly. "And besides... if I don't do anything but shop on TV, how did I earn the money for it?"
"That money came from the allowance I give you, Eiji, not the credit card."
"It did NOT! I actually earned it!"
Eiji stood up, his eyes filling with tears. "You think all I am is a spoiled boy, but I'm not! I earn my keep too!"
Fuji sighed, looking away. "Do I want to know what kind of job you got that let you work nights?"
"I work as a waiter in a bar three times a week, and NO, I don't do anything else but serve drinks!" Eiji said, crossing his arms and turning away.
"I worked for months to save for your birthday present..."
Fuji sighed. "I didn't suggest you did. I simply couldn't think of what kind of jobs only hire night workers. And I did appreciate the gift. But you don't have to work. If you want to make your own money, then you should work for my antique company."
"I know, it's just..." Eiji bowed his head. "I wanted to show you I could do something on my own... and not always have to depend on you..."
"I never thought otherwise."
Eiji looked up, eyes filled with tears, sniffling. "You... you didn't?"
Fuji shook his head, his brown hair swaying with the movement. "I didn't."
A happy smile appeared on the redhead's face. "I am thankful for everything you do for me Fuji," he said, going over and hugging the other. "You saved me from that awful world I was in, and I'll never be able to thank you enough..."
Fuji shrugged, hugging him. "I never asked for you to thank me." He looked up as a light knock came on the door. "Go answer that."
"Okay!" Bouncing over to the door, happy that Fuji wasn't angry anymore, Eiji opened the door... and his heart stopped dead in his tracks. "Ah..."
Oishi Syuichiroh looked at the red head in front of him before looking behind him. He then turned away. He didn't want to have this interview with another person, but he had no choice, it seemed.
Fuji, eyes almost closed, looked toward the door. "Let them in Eiji," he said.
"H-hai..." Eiji opened the door. "Please come in..."
"Thank you very much." Walking in after Oishi, Tezuka Kunimitsu nodded his head in thanks as he entered the room.
Fuji's eyebrow raised at the second voice. It was smooth and cultured, the kind of voice he hadn't heard in years. It certainly grabbed his attention. Slipping on glasses that were of no prescription, he stood tall, watching both men enter. "Welcome gentlemen."
Oishi smiled, taking in the innocent looks of both men. "Thank you for having us."
Tezuka bowed slightly in politeness. "Yes, thank you very much."
Fuji smiled at the action. "You must be Tezuka-san," he said, holding out his hand.
"And you must be Fuji Syusuke-san," Tezuka said in return, putting his hand in Fuji's and shaking it.
Eiji said nothing, still in shock at the beautiful man in the room.
He smiled, shaking his hand firmly before moving on to Oishi. "And you must be Mr. Oishi." They shook hands.
"Yes, sir," he replied.
"Would you two have a seat?"
"Yes, thank you." Tezuka took a seat and looked at the other. "Now, why is it that you've have asked us here today, Fuji-san?"
"It seems my last assistant had a death in the family and suddenly saw fit to leave in a rush. Thus, I am in need of a new one, as soon as possible. I suffer from a rare disease that doesn't allow me out in the sun, and thus, I need someone to handle daytime tasks for me. This is why I asked for a meeting so soon. And why I asked for it at such a time."
"I see..." Tezuka turned to his friend. "A question though. Why the need for two of us?"
Oishi nodded. "I didn't understand that one either."
Fuji smiled softly. "It wasn't for two. It was more to see if I could find the right one. And just having one show up could have led to failure. I'm certain you can understand this."
"I see..." Tezuka sat there thinking for a moment. "Have you decided on who you are going to choose?"
Fuji smiled at the other man, opening his ice blue eyes and looking directly at him, waiting for a reaction. "Almost," was all he said.
Oishi saw those cold eyes and felt his breath pull in. He looked toward the bright eyed red head and felt his breathing slowly calm. He would rather work for the cross dressing kid than that cold eyed man behind the desk.
Tezuka blinked, but just for blinking purposes. Other than that, he just stared right back at Fuji. "Oh?" he asked calmly. "What else is there?"
Fuji loved that. He hadn't reacted at all. "Just that I need to speak with my partner about this." Standing, he motioned for Eiji to follow him over to the far corner of the room.
Eiji got up and followed him, curious to what he wanted him for. "What is it Fuji?"
"Well, I happen to think Tezuka would be perfect for the job, but I couldn't help but notice the looks you were sending the other one's way."
Eiji blushed. "He's beautiful Fuji..." he murmured, his eyes hazing over slightly. "I never thought I would find someone like him in my life..."
Fuji patted his shoulder, a soft smile on his lips. "I see. Well then, no lunch menu pasted on him. Good. So, how would you like him to be your own personal assistant?"
"Me? My own assistant?" Eiji grinned happily and nodded. "Hai! Thank you Fuji!"
Fuji glared, even as a small smile passed his lips. "Eiji... stop it. Act like someone who needs an assistant."
Eiji nodded again, this time with a professional look on his face, which looked funny, since he was in a maid's uniform. "Hai!"
Fuji sighed, placing a hand to his face. "Why do I bother?" He then moved and headed over to the two. "I have a proposition for the two of you."
Oishi looked up, raising an eyebrow. Those ice blue eyes still chilled him. "What kind of proposition?"
Tezuka looked at the man carefully. "Oh? Please tell."
Fuji glanced back at Eiji before looking toward them. "One of you, will be my personal assistant. You will have to work hard, seeing as I'm the head of my antique company, while the other will handle Eiji's more, unique style."
"I see," Tezuka said, nodded. "And have you decided?"
Fuji grinned. "Eiji, why don't you say who you want to help you?"
Eiji blushed and looked away slightly. "Ne... Oishi-san... would you be alright working for me?"
Oishi physically breathed a sigh, looking at Eiji. "I would enjoy that." It wasn't that he didn't want the better paying job, and the harder work load, but something about Fuji just rubbed Oishi the wrong way.
Fuji smiled. "I suppose that leaves you to accept my job offer, Mr. Tezuka."
Tezuka nodded. "Hai, I would be honored to be your assistant, Fuji-san," he said with a bow.
Fuji grinned. "Good. Then I would suggest Oishi and Eiji go off to discuss business, while Tezuka-san and I work on our own. That is, if you don't mind."
Oishi stood, shaking his head. "I have no trouble with it," he said, wanting to get away from that gaze.
"Hoi hoi! Come on Oishi! I'll show you my room!" Eiji said happily, grabbing the other's arm and leading him away.
Oishi allowed himself to be dragged off, a last, shooting a worried look toward his friend before he was gone.
Tezuka stood as well and bowed. "Thank you for allowing me to work for you."
Fuji smiled, waving off the bow. "No need to bow, Tezuka-san. I have been looking for an assistant like you for a long time."
"You have?" Tezuka was curious to know why. "Haven't you had appropriate assistants before?"
Fuji sighed, shaking his head. "It's hard to find people who aren't so uncivilized it's almost nerve racking."
"Yes, that is a rarity now a days," Tezuka said, going to the window and looking out. "You have a beautiful view..."
Fuji watched him, his eyes watching his expression from the reflection on the window. "Thank you. Being unable to see daylight, I take pleasure where I can find it."
"Yes, I believe nighttime is the most beautiful in my opinion," Tezuka said, turning to face Fuji at the moment.
Fuji's ice blue eyes meet Tezuka's gaze head on. "I can't remember seeing the sun... so night is all I know."
"Sometimes that isn't a bad thing, Fuji-san."
Fuji's serious gaze looked at him. "Why would you say that?"
Tezuka shrugged slightly. "I've just always preferred night as well, that's all."
Fuji blinked slowly, watching him carefully. "There is always a reason why people decide to do one thing over another."
"I never really thought about why I like night over day. I just do, so I leave it at that."
Fuji couldn't help but smile at those words. "Good answer, Tezuka-san. I have a few papers for you to sign, and then we can get to work."
"Alright..." Tezuka followed Fuji out of the room.
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Oishi followed his new employer, looking at him. "Would you mind if I ask you a question?" he asked, looking him over.
Eiji looked back at the other and smiled. "Sure! What is it Oishi?"
"Don't take this the wrong way, but what's with the maid's outfit?"
Eiji shrugged, still smiling. "Women's clothing are more comfortable, and they fit me better. That doesn't bother you, does it Oishi?"
He shook his head. "Not at all. I've worked with someone who liked going nude. But, I honestly think you'd look better dressed as a man. You have the looks that will make someone look more than once."
"Would you?" Eiji asked before he even realized it came out, blushing immediately after.
Oishi smiled softly. "I looked twice, even with you in a maid's outfit."
Eiji blushed more. "Well, as much as I appreciate the remark about me looking good in men's clothes, I like dressing this way... but maybe... I'll try dressing in men's clothes... once in awhile..."
Oishi grinned, before winking at him. "I'll look forward to it, boss."
"Please, call me Eiji," he said happily before running ahead. "I'll show you around now!" he said with a small hop in his step, lifting his skirt up slightly and revealing a little secret.
Eiji didn't wear underwear.
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(Hope you all enjoyed this! I (Kasey) can say that I really am! I saw this adorable picture of Eiji in a maid's uniform, so that's where I got the idea. Hope you are enjoying this, let us know by reviews or email, and we'll see you next chapter!)
Chapter finished January 9, 2006