BANxGINJI

CHAPTER ONE.

SOMETHING OTHERS DON'T SEE.

It was raining as Ban and Ginji entered the Honky Tonk, returning from their last retrieval job. Ginji's arm was wounded slightly, but the Thunder Emperor was healing. They took a couple of seats at the bar as Natsumi came out, chatting with Paul.

"Oh! You're back," she said, anxiety crossing her face. "So soon? And why are you so wet?"

"Just give us a coffee or something hot first, please," said Ban, his hair plastered all over his face. He turned worriedly to Gin-chan, asking, "Are you sure it doesn't hurt?"

"Ban-chan, I'm fine." The Thunder Emperor tried to smile, but it came off as more of a grimace.

"Why? What happened to Ginji?!" Natsumi left the coffee she was preparing and hurried over to Ginji's side. "You're hurt!"

"It's nothing," Ginji said, trying to reassure the pretty girl. "Just a little scratc--"

"Knowing you, Ginji Amano, that was more than a scratch." The four turned around to see Hevn-san standing in the doorway, closing her umbrella. "Am I right?"

"Heh…" Ginji flushed a little and looked down.

"The idiot was trying to take all the action. He was all over the place, making sure I didn't have to do anything. Akabane caught him on the shoulder with a blade, and he fell," Ban said as he lit a cigarette. The little burst of flame lit up his darkened eyes as he stared meaningfully into Ginji's warm chocolate ones.

"Eh, Ban-chan… I just didn't want you getting hurt." Ginji held the Snakeman's gaze as he tried to tell Ban with his eyes what he couldn't say out loud. The two stared wordlessly at one another, Ginji's pleading eyes boring into Ban's scolding gaze. Paul coughed behind them, and they both came back to their senses.

"Anyway, we lost the retrieval item to Akabane. We'll get it back in due time." Ban took the one of the two coffee cups Natsumi set down in front of them and took a sip. "Ahh.. That's better." He drank half his cup in a single gulp before Hevn-san grabbed his arm and pulled him around to get a good look at him.

"You two are soaking wet! Don't tell me you ran here." Hevn-san walked over and sat down next to Ginji, and turned to examine the two. "Where's that bug of yours?"

"We had to leave it a few blocks behind to make sure we weren't being followed here. Which reminds me, Ginji, we'd better leave soon." Ban stubbed out his cigarette aand gave his partner a meaningful look.

"But—but you just got back!" Natsumi looked back and forth between the pair. "Why leave now?"

"We have to find a place to stay –and quickly." Ban drained the rest of his cup and stood up. "C'mon Ginji."

"Wait!" Natsumi put a restraining hand on Ginji's shoulder as the blonde began to get up. "I- I have a spare room at my place. I'm staying over with a friend tonight anyway, so you two can stay there for the night." Her eyes glimmered with hope. "Please?"

"Natsumi--" Ginji started to say something but Ban cut him off.

"Well… Alright, I guess. But we'd better get going at any rate. I don't like leaving my car that far away for too long." Ban walked over to the door and looked back. "Coming, Ginji?"

"Okay Ban-chan." Ginji gave Natsumi an apologetic look and trotted after Ban. "See you, Paul, Hevn-san.. Natsumi." He waved and bounced out the door after Ban.

The two walked down the road in silence for a while. Ban lit another cigarette and took a drag. Finally, Ginji couldn't take it anymore.

"It was really nice of Natsumi to give us her place for the night, wasn't it?"

Ban looked at Ginji for a long moment, then grinned. "Not really. It's a bit of a hassle, in truth."

"What do you mean, Ban-chan?"

"I mean we're going to have to be a little more careful tonight.. and clean up our mess," the Snakeman murmured suggestively, one hand accidentally brushing against the Thunder Emperor's thigh. Ginji realized what Ban was saying and blushed. They had reached the car.

"Coming, Ginji?" Ban said as he stepped into the car, an intense and burning look in his eyes. Ginji shivered at the look, but stepped into the car after Ban, wondering where they were going. It was still several hours before nightfall.

--xxx--

My first FanFic ever. XD It's only a little implication of what'll be happening in the next few chapters. R&R please, and hopefully the net ones will be better. Thanks!