Chapter One

Ban and Ginji sat in the Honky Tonk, after a long and miserable time putting up flyers and trying to get a job. It was hot and humid outside, and they were happy to be where it was cool. Ban was reading the paper and sipping an Iced Tea. Ginji was putting together a puzzle as he drank his soda, but being in the heat for so long really got to him and he quickly fell asleep on the bar.

A few times Ginji's breathing would become raspy and labored. Ban woke him up and told him to drink his soda. "Mou. . .doushite Ban-chan?" he whined, trying to lay back down.

Ban sighed, "Because you're dehydrating. Drink if you don't want to die." He shoved the drink into Ginji's face.

Ginji did as he was told. He drank a little bit of his soda, then just as quickly as he woke up, he fell back asleep.

Ban looked over at his partner and shook his head, "Baka." He took a long drag from his cigarette, then went back to reading his paper.

Late into the afternoon the bell rang as people entered the café. "Irasshai!" came Natsumi's sweet voice. "Oh. Konbanwa Hevn-san."

Hearing the name, Ban perked up. He looked over at the front door and smiled as he saw two people along with her. 'Finally. A job.' He thought. Ban jumped from his stool and strolled over to them. "Hevn-san. How nice to see you." He greeted her. He then leaned in closer to her and whispered, "You DO have a job for us, ne?"

Hevn sighed, "Of course l do Ban-kun. Why else would l be here?"

Ban smiled and greeted the two people behind Hevn. "How do you do? I am Midou Ban from the GetBackers." He shook their hands. "Please, won't you step into our office." He elegantly pointed to the booth at the far end of the café, and Hevn led the couple to sit down.

Ban shook Ginji awake. "Bro, wake up! We got a job!"

Ginji mumbled something, but it was muffled because his face was buried in to his arms. Ginji finally woke up fully after Ban shaking him a few more times. "Mmm. . .Ban-chan." He whined. "What now?" he said annoyed and tired.

Ban thwaped him on the head. "A job Ginji. Let's go." Ban said and not waiting for Ginji to get off of his stool, dragged him to the table. Ban smiled at the couple, "Sorry to keep you waiting. This is my partner." He elbowed the sleepy Ginji.

Ginji rubbed his eyes, "Amano Ginji. Nice to meet you." He yawned. "Sorry. I'm not good in the heat."

"It's all right. We understand." The woman smiled sweetly at him, but the smile quickly faded as her husband cleared his throat.

"Can we get started, please" he said, a slight edge to his voice.

"Yes, of course. Ban-kun. Gin-chan. This is Takahashi Kenji and his wife, Takahashi Saya." Hevn introduced everyone. "Kenji-san runs an Art Gallery on the west side of town."

"It all happened last night," Kenji interjected. "I went to the Gallery this morning and found that someone had broken in and taken a very extravagant Ming Dynasty vase."

"It was to be the center piece of the Gallery for the upcoming banquet." Saya added.

Kenji reached into his pocket and pulled out a picture of the vase. He slid it across the table for Ban and Ginji to study. It was sky blue with gold dragons in the sky, pagodas and women in kimonos next to rivers and trees.

Ginji picked up the picture. "WOW! It's beautiful, ne Ban-chan?!"

Ban nodded. "It sure is. I'm not surprised that someone stole it. Am I correct in assuming that the vase has real gold and sapphire on it?"

Kenji and Saya were taken aback by the question. Kenji nodded after a moment. "H. . .Hai. It is valued at over fifty billion yen."

"F. . .Fifty. . .B. . .Billion!!!" Ginji blurted out.

Ban slammed his partners head into the table. "Urusai, baka." He said through gritted teeth. He then sat up straight, and righted his glasses. "Do you have any idea who might want to steal it?"

Kenji dropped his head for a moment. "Hai. I'm sure that my ex partner, Sakai Takamori, had it stolen."

Saya took over, "You see, my husband and Taka-san used to run the Gallery a few years ago. They had been friends since high school. However, Taka-san got greedy, and started to have the art from the Gallery purposely stolen so he could collect the insurance money from them. My husband found out what Taka-san was doing, and had him arrested and fired him from the Gallery."

"This put a strain on your friendship, I'm sure." Ban said.

Kenji nodded. "Takamori was released from prison just a couple weeks ago. I'm sure he's the one behind this. That vase is the most important piece in my Gallery. And he knows it. If word gets out that it has been stolen, the Gallery might crumble away to nothing."

"It took a long time for my husband to rebuild a positive reputation for the Gallery. If that vase is not returned before the banquet tomorrow night, I don't even want to think what might happen." Saya put a hand to her mouth, and turned her head away from the others.

Kenji put a comforting hand on his wife's free hand and bowed to the GetBackers. "Please get back the vase. I'm begging you. I will pay any price. Just return it safely to the Gallery before tomorrow night."

Ban, Ginji and Hevn were silent. They watched Kenji and Saya for a moment. Ban sighed and nodded. "Have no fear. The GetBackers will accept your request."

Kenji and Saya smiled to each other. They bowed to Ban and Ginji. "Arigatou gozaimasu! Hontouni, Arigatou!" Kenji said relief obvious in his voice.

Ginji smiled and laughed a bit, "Just stay here for a bit and we'll get it back in no time. You'll have it way before the 'blanket'." Ginji said with a big grin.

The four around the table and Paul behind the bar all sweat dropped.

Ban slammed Ginji into the table again. "It's a banquet, you baka! Just keep your mouth shut!" Ban picked up the now Chibi Ginji by the back of his shirt and walked out to the Lady Bug to start their job.

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This is not my first GB fanfic, but it is the first one that I have completed (the rest of the chapters to come). Please comment.

PS. I own nothing. This is purely fanmade! Thank you.