[May 2010][Prompt: New Growth][Free Word Count. Thank heavens]

Title: Touchdown

Author: beyondthemoor on LJ

Prompt: New Growth

Word Count: Approx. 5,000 words

Genre: Humour, Family

Pairings: Ryuuren x Shuurei, Kouchou x Seiran, Eigetsu x Kourin.

Summary: Modern Uni AU. Follow-up to "Aftermath". A peek into what happens in the lives of Ryuuren & Shuurei when they aren't at school or home together. (Written for the May 2010 saiun_challenge comm's 2nd anniversary.)

Disclaimer: "Saiunkoku Monogatari" belongs to all its proper rightsholders, not me. If I owed it, there would be far more puns, lousy innuendo & nekkid sexy tiems goin' on, trust me. XP

"You're fired," murmured Kouchou sweetly into Shuurei's ear.

Not even bothering to roll her eyes at her boss-slash-sister's familiar taunt, Shuurei waved the woman's exotic cigarette smoke away from her face, her eyes never leaving the computer screen in front of her.

"You know smoking is bad for you. What if you're expecting?"

"Bite your tongue!"

Shuurei's teasing grin widened at Kouchou's vehement expression.

"And then who will you trust to do your books and housekeeping?"

"I'm sure Seiran could figure it out."

Shuurei allowed herself a small laugh as she nodded in agreement. "I'm sure he could, too, but would he allow you to get away with this," she pointed to one part of the screen, "or this?" the long column of numbers beside it. Teasing Kouchou and exploiting her weakness for shoe-and-handbag coordinates never got old for Shuurei. The fact that the older woman gladly kept Shuurei busy tallying up the expensive luxuries and writing them up as 'business expenses' right under Seiran's nose, knowingly providing her with plenty of viable blackmail if she really wanted to use it (and thus leaving herself vulnerable to another person), showed Shuurei about how serious her big sis was about firing her. Her job security was perfectly stable.

"Hmph."

Shuurei's eyes brightened warmly. "See?"

With a sigh, Kouchou languidly flopped onto a nearby settee in the intimate, elegant office of her condo. Her knowing eyes hid her thoughts from her 'unofficial' employee as she watched Shuurei work her spreadsheet magic on her account books. She really did need to start distancing the young woman across from her from 'the business', but she just didn't have many that she trusted—or felt were intelligent— enough to hand the responsibility over to. And it was true Seiran could do it, but he already did so much…

"Maybe I'll just give him the housekeeping this week, then, so we can have some girl-talk time. You've been working far too much recently, you know. Big sis has missed you."

"You just want to see Seiran in his apron."

The older woman's laugh was half-purr. "You have learned to understand a woman's motivation, Shuurei-darling, I'm proud of you."

Ryuuren looked up at the eight rather hefty, burly men who blocked his entrance to the campus's largest library.

"I didn't know the football squad recruited from the library. Do you need smarter people on the team?"

While a few growled and crowded closer, another held up his hand and uncrossed his arms from his chest.

"Rumour has it you're a genius, and you need an extra-curricular. We're making an offer you shouldn't refuse."

"I am honored by your charity, but must politely decline. I fulfilled all my extra-curricular hours last term through my Intermediate Pole Dancing 301 and Advanced Yoga 402 courses. Would you like to see my flexibility and technique?" Ignoring their aghast expressions, he folded himself into the Sun Warrior position and wiggled his fingers at them.

"You didn't write the exam for the Yoga—the teacher threw you out. Officially, you're 2 credit hours short."

The teacher had only thrown him out because he'd corrected her too many times and badgered her on her terrible form, Ryuuren remembered then. He wondered how the men across from him knew that, but he got an inkling when he saw 'Moose' poke his head around the corner before darting it back again. Ahhhh….

"Stop that. It's… unsettling."

The eccentric man ceased his finger-dancing and posing, much to the footballers' relief.

One of the rhinos tossed a jersey at him, while another thumped a helmet down over his head—flattening his 'do.

"We have light practice in an hour on the field behind the Activities Complex to review plays, and the game starts tonight at Shi Stadium at seven, so make sure you're there no later than six-thirty."

With that, the herd trundled off in search of food and distraction. Likely at the expense of the freshmen, Ryuuren had no doubt.

The last man dropped a heavy equipment bag at his feet.

A rather questionable-looking athletic support poked through the loose zip on the side.

So 'Moose' wanted 'vengeance'?...

Ryuuren ignored the bag and dropped the uniform and skull-bucket on top of it as he continued on his way to the library. He had promised to pick up a few books for Eigetsu, and the librarians liked to move him through quickly these days for some reason, he'd noticed.

Taking his flute from his backpack, he proceeded to announce his visit with a serenade as the library doors closed behind him…

Kourin smiled and gave a small, polite bow to the rag-tag team of volunteers assembled in front of her in the run-down kitchen.

It had been Eigetsu's turn to choose their 'together'-activity this time.

Obviously.

"Pleased to meet you, I'm Kourin. Please treat me well."

Eigetsu smiled encouragingly at her and gave her a quick squeeze-hug to his side.

"She's come to help us out here at the soup kitchen for a day. Isn't that great?"

There were muttered yays and congratulations as a few gave Eigetsu an unimpressed, 'Are we done here?'-look.

"Excellent!" the oblivious young man beamed at everyone. "Kourin, why don't you head over there to help with the dishes, and I'll be over here working on the vegetables…"

The pile was daunting, but the private-schooled student rolled up her sleeves, then reached behind her and tugged her apron ties tighter.

It wouldn't take long before Kourin decided the kitchen needed a bit of renovating.

"I didn't realize you'd moved!"

"How did you get here this morning?"

"Ryuuren drove me," answered Shuurei, setting down her glass of water. "I think he or his family own the condo we live in—he moved Eigetsu in, too—and he takes us back and forth to school, and sometimes takes me to work, too, if the weather's not very nice."

From his place at the stove, Seiran glanced over at his 'wife' and caught her meaningful look.

"Does your father know?" asked the silver-haired man, giving the wok a quick toss of his wrist. The stir-fry gave a satisfying hiss as the ingredients collided together on its hot surface. He was indeed wearing the black waiter-styled half-apron Kouchou insisted upon, and it snugly accentuated his hips and rear view very well. Not that Shuurei really noticed, but it hadn't take her long to realize why Kouchou seemed to appreciate the garment.

The youngest woman gave a small sigh and shrug. "I tried to reach him, and I left him a message at work, but I've been so busy since the move I just haven't had time to go visit him." She played with her cup, turning it round on the table. "Though since I moved into residence, he hasn't been keeping in touch with me much, either."

Another covert look passed over her head.

It had been a joint decision for Shuurei to move closer to campus; she'd wanted to stay at home and save money, but her father, Seiran, and even Kouchou had suggested she move closer so she'd have more time to study. It would also, they'd hoped, force her to socialize a bit more instead of feeling like she had to work all the time to support herself and her father. The man wasn't a dead-beat by any means, but his priorities… and emotionally… he cared for his daughter, but didn't always make her do things she should do, either. In Kouchou's opinion, both Seiran and Shuurei's father had been a bit too overprotective, and it was dangerous for Shuurei to be so ill-prepared for the real world. The 'incident' had only served to reinforce this cause for concern.

The 'incident', from back when Seiran was still their house-guest, was the straw that broke the camel's back, so to speak. Someone had broken in while Shuurei had been home—fortunately, Seiran had arrived home from work soon after and sorted things out. (Luckily, a matter of a simple misunderstanding and a swift, escorted exit.)

But it had left a warning to the rest of them that, despite the lovely old mansion being in a good neighbourhood, its dilapidated condition seemed to invite vagrants. (Who didn't understand it wasn't condemned, just in need of a jillion dollars in upkeep and repairs.)

No one wanted to risk a similar incident, where Shuurei may be on her own.

But no one had anticipated she'd move out on her own into another man's home, either. Or be sharing a home with two men, actually. (Even if they all knew she only cared for Eigetsu as a brother.) And as for the man in question, Ryuuren?... No one knew for sure what his motivations were. Rumours had exaggerated anything of substance.

But Ryuuren was part of the Ran clan. That clan and those connections could never be discounted.

Seiran and Kouchou looked at each other again.

"Well, there's no need to call Ryuuren for a ride home," assured the affectionate woman as she hugged Shuurei closer to her ample bosom. "Seiran will be happy to drive you back tonight!"

"Always," he smiled at her before turning back to the stove again.

"Thank you both," Shuurei gasped out as Kouchou squeezed her again. When her 'big sister' didn't make any move to release her, Shuurei started to wiggle a bit.

Then her eyes took on a subtle gleam.

"So, when are you two going to make me an auntie?"

The wok banged loudly onto the stovetop as Seiran lost his grip, and Kouchou's eyes blazed as she dropped Shuurei and nearly shouted, "Bite your tongue!"

"But you'd have such cute babies, 'neesan!"

"You hateful child, why don't YOU go have babies!"

"I'm sure Seiran would be an excellent father, 'neesan!" she wheedled. "How about twins?"

"Perhaps we could talk about something else?" Seiran's words were shaky as he braced himself on the counter beside the stove, lunch completely forgotten.

Shuurei couldn't help laughing at their expressions; she loved her surrogate family. She only teased them a little bit… and it was mostly innocent.

The forks were dirty.

The spoons were dirty.

The knives were dirty.

The plates were filthy.

The cups were outright disgusting.

Lips pressed tightly together, Kourin looked over the heaps of dishes that her predecessor had 'cleaned' and piled on the counter, and asked her to set out on the serving cart for the expected patrons that evening.

Oh hells no.

This didn't pass 'spec.

The kerchief Kourin knotted to keep her hair back only helped reveal her determined, emerald-hard eyes.

She rolled her sleeves up higher and started carrying the piles back to the warm, sudsy water.

The petite powerhouse was already planning what she and Eigtesu would spend their next 'together' activity doing…

… and he would be paying.

It was funny how often he kept being surrounded this term.

Ryuuren looked around at the men, all wearing identical scrub-uniforms for the practice, as they bore down on him like identical human freight trains.

He was beginning to think they'd deliberately let him catch the ball in play, just so they'd have an excuse to rush him.

For the twelfth time.

In a row.

Hmmm.

With a hop, skip and a jump, -and perhaps a bit of a sashay-the nimble young man danced his way around them, disappeared when they dog-piled on him (or so they thought), and called out a few seconds later from the end of the field, "I think that's another touchdown. Coach-sir?"

Mouths agape, the manager, trainer, team medic and coach just stared at him, stunned.

"How'd he do that?..." muttered one, still awestruck.

"I d'know… he vanished," replied another.

From the far end of the field, Ryuuren's hopeful voice piped up, "Can I practice my touchdown dance now?"

"NO!" bellowed half the team, still shaken by the first (quite scandalous) version.

As the team captain hustled by the bleachers, the coach's arm shot out and grabbed him by the shoulder, a haunted look on his face.

"How… What…. Where did you find him? I've never seen anything like this before… We need to recruit him! NOW!"

"Uh…." The player squirmed visibly under the grizzled veteran's intensity. "It was a one-day agreement, sir."

"I am willing to make exceptions," the old man growled through his teeth at his star quarterback. "Now get me his name. Negotiate. Anything."

"Who was responsible for this?"

Kourin glared around at the slumped shoulders and disinterested eyes that surrounded her.

"This meat is dry and flavourless," she lifted the cover from one heat-lamp illuminated dish to the next, "these vegetables are obviously frozen, not fresh," she thrust an accusatory wooden spoon at a vat of… "And I'm not even going to dignify this by calling it 'soup'!"

Her dark hair had started to loosen from the confines of her kerchief and now curled in sweaty ringlets around her pink-cheeked face.

She spun around and gave the assembled volunteers another assessing look, before raising her spoon at them like a war major.

"Now I don't know who is responsible for this, but as of this moment, you are officially under new management at this soup kitchen!"

With that, the young heiress promptly re-assigned duties and oversaw the dumping of 'the nutritionless atrocity' as she referred to it. Next she arranged the entire crew around a single table and instructed them in how to properly prepare fresh fruit & vegetables, to sear the meat before putting it in the roasting pans, and to save the juices for soup base and gravies…

The young woman remembered in that moment, as her charges' fearful, wide eyes focused on their tasks, occasionally sneaking furtive glances at her impressive pose, that Eigetsu had been the sorry excuse for a kitchen chef who'd massacred the vegetables.

Oh, he was getting his decision-making privileges revoked again, she decided as she set up her line-cooks and brandished her spoon again to order their advance.

Along with her surrogate 'big sister', Shuurei spent the afternoon reviewing the past month's accounts, going through salary and expense reports, and exchanging a bit of personal gossip as to who'd been up to what and with whom. As suppertime rolled around, they met Seiran exiting the bathroom with a bucket of cleaning supplies and a content look on his face. He'd tied his long hair up in a high ponytail to keep it out of his eyes, and he gave them a quick nod which made it bounce as he passed by them to the kitchen.

It made the studious girl smile that he and Kouchou had finally stopped tip-toeing around their mutual attraction and finally settled down together. Not officially married, and never outright spoken or confirmed to be exclusive, that she was aware of, but now, to her, it was obvious the two were made for each other. And the fact that he'd been her 'big brother' and Kouchou had been her surrogate sister-mother since she'd been young… to her, it seemed 'right' that they'd found each other.
Shuurei couldn't wait until they made their extended family a little bigger. She was sure Kouchou's overly vocal opposition to having children was more bluster and exaggerated, haughty vanity than truth. Somehow, Shuurei just knew that having children would make the pair happier than they already were—and going by the subtle body language and balanced power dynamic between them, she knew they were very happy already.

They'd be such wonderful parents, she thought to herself as she watched Kouchou hover over Seiran's shoulder as he scrubbed the sink, pointing out areas he'd missed or should do again—forcing him to lean over the sink over and over again as he bent closer.

Shuurei wanted to laugh at how agreeably her 'big brother' let himself be so dominated by her 'neesan.

With a happy, if a little sad, shrug as she sat on the leather couch, she bit her bottom lip and caught the heated look that passed between the two of them as Kouchou twined her fingers through her lover's ponytail with a smirk and slowly, gently pulled his head back.

Talk about power couples and power struggles, Shuurei thought to herself in amusement as she watched the game play out.

Now, if only they weren't the most influential, powerful crime syndicate leaders in the country's underworld, their cute little family would be absolutely perfect.

"Touchdown!!"

-boomed the announcer wildly over the loudspeakers that night under the bright lights of the stadium—though he needn't have bothered, as he was drowned out by the crazed crowd that had rocketed to their feet to cheer their new hero. The cheerleaders had nearly gone hoarse with encouragement, the band had never played louder or with more gusto, and apparently the local news stations' feeds had gone state-wide in presenting the record-breaking, soon-to-become legendary game. No one had ever seen such impossible plays connect before, made such astounding catches, and seemingly been perfectly capable of going pro overnight by their newest addition. They were completely caught off-guard by their (albeit unconventional) new mystery player.

The rival team's coaches and other attendants were just as dumbfounded as the fans; just significantly less enthusiastic about the whole ordeal.

"He… I was sure they had him under the pile-up!"

"They took him down—how did he get to the other end of the field?"

"Is that skinny guy made of butter? Get on him!"

"Get me his name. We are willing to double whatever scholarship they are offering him!"

"Sir, we don't even know that we can authorize that kind of-."

"Do. It."

From his position in the end zone, weighted down by at least twenty pounds of modern armour, ignorant of the mass hysteria he'd triggered—and not a hint of the used 'athletic support' that had been offered him earlier that day—Ryuuren glanced up at the clock on the scoreboard and noticed he still had another seventeen minutes to go before the game was scheduled to end. And that was just playing time; it didn't take into consideration the time-outs, penalties, and other random, time-wasting calls that kept slowing him down.

The clock also confirmed he had about twelve minutes before Shuurei usually arrived home…

With a sigh, the tall man put his hands on his hips, cocking them to one side as he stared at the goal posts.

The tall, vertical posts that sort of resembled war-battered poles.

Hmmm….

There was no better time to present that touchdown dance.

Mind decided, Ryuuren signaled the time-keeping box with a pre-determined gesture to start the music.

Yes, it was showtime. They could hold him back no more…

…from the poll.

The electronic upbeat tempo of a Lady Gaga number immediately poured through the field speaker system, and Ryuuren grabbed the white metal pole with both hands and hoisted himself up…

… and over…

… and back…

… and then slid down…

Let's have some fun,
This beat is sick
I wanna take a ride on your disco stick

(Ryuuren made to whirl around the pole, sending the crowd into a frenzy.)
I wanna kiss you
But if I do then I might miss you babe
It's complicated and stupid
Got my ass squeezed my sexy cupid

(The padding muffled the sound, but the spanking gesture was obvious from all angles…)

Guess he wants to play,
Wants to play
A love game
A love game

(While the music and dancing continued, the things the young man did with his hips were illegal in a number of different localities within their country, and the newsfeed had to be abandoned in those states due to censorship and public decency laws; including the province the player-dancer himself hailed from. There was to be much public outcry regarding this, later.)

Let's play a love game,
Play a love game
Do you want love or you want fame?
Are you in the game?
Dans le love game?

(Ryuuren stripped off & whipped his jersey around like a lasso before hurling it into the crowd.)

Mothers covered their children's eyes; the rival team stopped dead in their regroup; the cheerleaders rushed to grab their binders and pens to take notes.

And Ryuuren?

He didn't hold back.

Yes, the skills leaned in his Pole Dancing 302 extra-curricular class were finally getting their due.

As the last notes of the song wound down, Ryuuren took a bow and disappeared from the field in a puff of smoke and feathers.

(Yes, feathers.)

As the crowds roared and applauded (though the game still had the better part of its last quarter to play), the coaches on both benches leapt to their feet in disbelief.

They had to find that player!

Seiran looked around the entranceway one last time—noting the security system, cameras, digital locks and call/panic button all within Shuurei's reach—and smiled down at his 'little sister'.

"Now do you believe me? It's a good neighbourhood, it's bright, there's a security guard at the main desk at all times, and the grounds are both monitored and walked regularly." She crossed her arms and raised an eyebrow at his sheepish expression. "Ryuuren wouldn't put Eigetsu or me in a dangerous position. He cares about us. I think… The way you and Kouchou are my family, we are his."

"So should I be teasing you about having his kids?"

Pulling a face and trying hard not to laugh, Shuurei leaned back against the wall, tired from her long day. "You and I both know that'll never happen."

Grimacing slightly, his expression tightened. "I'm sorry, it slipped and I forgot…"

Shuurei shook her head. "It's ok." Then her eyes brightened again. "But you and Kouchou-neesan, however…"

Taking a deep breath, Seiran glanced down at her skeptically.

"I think you'd be really happy as a dad," she said honestly, not intimidated anymore by his 'look'. "I'm not sure what you're both waiting for… but… when it happens, I will be the first to congratulate you both. I want us all to be happy—you as a dad, 'neesan as a mom... You two deserve to be happy." She felt her heart clench. She'd never be a mother herself, but an aunt who could spoil, teach, discipline, and love her sister's children? Be a part of their life? Their family? Be useful to them, and help provide for them?

She wouldn't call it a dream… more like a goal. They just had to hold up their end first and start making mini-Kouchous and mini-Seirans.

Without a word, Seiran easily reached out to embrace her; it wasn't a romantic gesture by any means, but one full of love, regardless.

"You have no idea how much it means to us, both of us, that we have you, too." His words were muffled against her hair, but his voice conveyed the emotion clearly. "Thank you, Shuurei. And… you know we both want to have a family, too. It's just… not the right time, right now."

"Tax season?"

He laughed.

"Something like that."

"Well, just let me know when I need to stock up on laundry detergent and frozen meals to come help you two out during your first month. I wouldn't miss it for the world."

"We're counting on it."

"… and then we're going to Agent Provocateur and you're getting me no less than three matching bra and panty sets, and at least one has to be satin, and another silk. Are you writing all this down?"

"Yes, dear."

"Good. Then, once we're done shopping there, we're going to…"

Eigetsu nodded numbly and followed his girlfriend to the subway station that would take them home, still a little dazed at their day.

The food had been so good, they'd, of all things, started getting paying customers for the later supper service, and it had helped them not only recoup their earlier food-losses from the rejected meal of that morning, but also gain a small amount so they could replenish their stock with more fresh fruit and vegetables for future meals.

His girlfriend really was something.

Wonderful.

"Where did you learn to cook like that?" he asked her as they sat down on their bench seat. The subway car was mostly empty, and they spoke openly. He doubted her prep school prepared her for much domestic work beyond how to be the perfect hostess or trophy wife. Not that they slacked in their academics, it was a very challenging curriculum, but the school wasn't known for its more practical home economics programs.

"Like what?"

"Like… you did today."

Turning to look at him more fully, she tilted her head to the side as she thought about his words.

"I was taught presentation in school, and nutrition… but Shuurei was the one to teach me how to be resourceful and thrifty when it came to cooking… and to get my hands a little dirty."

Eigetsu smiled, put his notepad away (Agent Provocateur didn't need to be broadcast, after all), and took her hand in his. But he didn't ask anything else.

"Hmm?" Curious, she watched him watch her happily, unsure why he seemed so content.

"Nothing."

With a soft hmph, Kourin leaned back and pretended her cheeks weren't blushing at all as his slightly larger hand threaded its fingers through hers to rest in his lap.

"So she's in a good neighbourhood?"

"Yes, though I know of a few places we'll need to send someone to knock on the door. Just a quick PSA should clear up those negative elements, though."

"That's good," Kouchou stretched and sighed, loving how her 'husband' straddled her back and rubbed her aching shoulders. All that time spent bent over him, supervising his every move, always put her back in knots. She rested her head on her folded, well-manicured hands atop her pillow. "And the house itself?"

"Very secure—definitely a Ran holding; Ryuuren's from the main house, so it may be entirely possible that he owns the entire complex and much of the surrounding area. I'll check in the morning."

"Thank you. I know I need to stop worrying so much about her, but still…" she glanced behind her when she heard Seiran's muffled chuckle. "Something to share?"

"And you call me overprotective."

"You are."

"Of course I am." He kneaded a particularly tense muscle until the woman beneath him sighed in reaction. A smile broke across his face. "And you are just as much, if not moreso. You're terrible."

She glared at him half-heartedly. "I could say the same. And watch yourself. If you're not careful, you won't get your reward tonight."

"Oh no?"

"No."

A predatory, almost challenging look entered his violet eyes.

With athletic male grace, he slowly raised himself up and slid down and off her body, to lie beside her, watching her with heavy-lidded eyes.

"You think you can hold out against me?"

"You dare to deny me?"

Kouchou's eyes reflected his lust and challenge.

"One rule: no hands between my neck and navel tonight."

Seiran's eyebrows rose slightly. "Are you all right?"

"Just a cold, I think. I'm feeling under the weather. Glands are swollen. Nothing serious."

"Still," he insisted, and rubbed her back once more to soothe her. "You stay here, I'll go get some water and acetaminophen. You'll sleep better."

"Thank you, Seiran."

She closed her eyes and heard him slip off the bed and pad quietly to the adjoining washroom to collect the pills from the medicine cabinet above the sink, and fill a glass with water.

The proud woman didn't let him know she'd been sore for several weeks now. She had no idea what she'd picked up, or where, but it was exhausting her.

"If it's still bad in the morning, you should give the doctor a call; you know he doesn't mind coming over."

It was a bit of a joke – no doctor ever refused when they called. They knew better.

"We'll see." She stifled a yawn and looked him over with bedroom eyes. "Now, what was that about holding out and denial?..."

Ryuuren arrived home in time to see Seiran driving off, Shuurei waving at him from the steps.

Though she didn't notice it, he caught the glint of a streetlight reflecting off a car that followed Seiran's a few moments later, and another two or three more after that.

He was used to it; Seiran and Kouchou were more than capable of taking care of themselves, but when it came to shuttling Shuurei around, their precious snowflake's security was spared no expense. No matter how obvious the little convoy was.

But then he noticed the limousine which had been parked across the road; it, too, started its engine and followed the other cars on their way.

Eyebrow raised in speculation, Ryuuren memorized the license plate as he walked up the steps to meet Shuurei.

She beamed at him in welcome. "Hi, how was your day?"

"The usual," he replied in a bored tone. "I went to the library and picked up the books that bosom-brother-of-my-heart asked for."

"Oh, Eigetsu'll be so relieved! Thank you for taking care of that, Ryuuren. Are you hungry? I can make supper…"

As he followed her inside, he remembered Kourin's warning. He had just under a day left.

He still hadn't figured out a plan.

"How come you have these little feathers caught in your hair?" she asked curiously as he held the door open for her. Then she paled. "Oh no, Ryuuren, we don't need to have another talk about homing pigeons and inappropriate pets, do we?"

The black limousine pulled slowly to the curb outside an upscale condominium complex in the heart of the city's most well-known underworld district.

The lone, adult passenger asked the driver to remain there a moment as he watched the windows across from him, trying to spy his elusive prey. Most of the glass was dark, their tenants long since gone to bed. The area was surprisingly quiet for housing so many leaders of the most dangerous organized crime and syndicate representatives, and he was taken aback. (But what had he been expecting, armed guards patrolling the streets with semi-automatic weapons, dark suits and sunglasses? Sheepishly, he admitted to himself that wasn't far off what his imagination had conjured up in the past.)

He caught sight of movement out of the corner of his eye in a window at the penthouse level of the building; a familiar silhouette as it walked in front of a set of blinds, his outline more distinct when he passed a bright lamp. The walk and movement, the loose hair, the tall, lean frame…

A moment later, the lamp was extinguished and the room plunged into darkness.

But he'd seen enough.

"Ani-ue…"

AN: Well, more characters introduced! I hope you enjoyed this—a bit less funny, but there was more set-up in this chapter for later things to come, so it was a bit more difficult to balance. (Longer, too, oy!)

Written in 2 days, and based in part on a convo w/ imanewme (thank you for sparking the muse). ;)