PSOH 'Fallout Boy' 7 & 8

VII

"I don't think so."

"Damn it, Byakko! Would you just listen-!"

"Nope. Not a chance, pal."

"Look, idiot, I'm not staying here while you're over there, getting sliced to ribbons with no one to watch your back! I'm coming with you, asshole! Get used to it!"

"Uh-uh. No. Negatory, Batman."

"You're not stopping me!"

"Of course I am, Tet. Why would I want to have to worry about you, too? You think I'm stupid?"

"Damn right I think you're stupid! But don't think I'm letting you go back to that hellhole alone this time, moron! I lo-li-like you, asshole! You're my friend!"

The Tiger smiled at that, a glow lighting his still weary face.

"Now, that's nice, Tet. You should tell me stuff like that more often."

"Asshole! Don't think you can get around me with flattery either! I am going with you – that's that!"

"And there I would have to say you're wrong, Tet, 'cause you're not."

"Damn it, what's with you? You'd think you'd be grateful for some help!"

"Don't need it, my friend. Doing perfectly well on my own."

"Then why – why? – do you have scars on your body, Byakko? A Guardian is supposed to be untouchable! Tell me that, asshole!"

"Come on, Tet. These'll be gone by next week. Mere scratches, I assure you. Nothing to worry your horny li'l head about."

"I worry!" Tetsu roared and thumped the bed in frustrated anger. "You're so fucking stupid I think I'm gonna die from worrying!"

"Really? Interesting way to show you care, old pal, calling me names and such. Whatever happened to treating war heroes like they were special?" Byakko asked the air around him, a chuckle in his voice. "Shouldn't you be nice to me?"

"Don't just sit there and laugh at me, moron! Take me with you! Please!"

"Oh, you're just so sweet to worry like that, but you really don't have to, old buddy. Besides, although I believe I may have mentioned this already, Tet, the answer to your question is still 'no.' N.O. Nope, negative, nyet, nien, non. Ok?"

"Not 'okay'! Why are you so stubborn?"

"Boys, if you wouldn't mind keeping it down, please?" The Count poked his head into Tet's room, frowning.

Tetsu blushed, because they were on the bed together and Byakko was wearing only his pajama top, while he was wearing only the bottoms. It had to look suspicious, no matter how mellow the Count was when it came the Pet's private lives.

"Count D!" Byakko perked up immediately, his tail performing ringlets of joy. He bounced off the bed, like Tigger, and went to greet the Count, apparently unworried about his state of undress.

"Jeez!" T-chan muttered and opened his mouth to make amends. But Byakko was already apologizing, his soft red eyes wide and innocent, and it looked like the Count was going to let him get away with being cute.

"Sorry, sorry! Didn't mean to disturb you! We'll keep it down, I promise. It's just Tetsu here, getting all loud and yackety, you know, but I was baiting him and I know I shouldn't, you see, so we're really very sorry and it won't happen again," the Tiger babbled, batting his lashes and flirting prodigiously with the stern Pet Shop owner.

"Indeed," the Count nodded, and then turned to his major domo, his brows raised in disapproval.

"Yeah, sorry, Count." Tet took it manfully, knowing it really was his fault. He shouldn't have let loose like that anyway, and certainly not here. The kid was in residence and loud arguments still upset him, even as used to it as he should be by now, what with the Count and Leon going at it all the time.

"That was my doing, sorry. We'll keep it down, ok?"

He didn't like the vibe himself, if it came right down to it. The Shop was his happy home, warm and welcoming, and his relationship with his best friend was just as warm. His bitter anger and nameless fears had tainted him, and spread to his home and his relationship, like acid eating away a flower.

He should just let it go – the Tiger wanted him to, that was clear – but he couldn't bear to watch Byakko leave again and not be certain he would come back. Thatfear undermined Tetsu entirely, as it had for a year now.

"Of course, we'll say no more, T-chan," Count D smiled his pardon and turned to the door. "Goodnight, my dears. Sleep well."

Tetsu heaved a sigh as the door closed, swiveling to face his obstinate, dearly beloved friend, and opened his mouth to apologize to him – but the Count was back again, still smiling.

"It just occurred to me, dear Byakko-san, that I have some salve for wounds such as yours. Perhaps T-chan would help you apply it?"

"T-thank you, Count!" the Tiger replied, spinning back toward the door, surprised himself at the soft-footedness of the Pet Shop owner. He hadn't heard him returning and he had the ears of a cat!

"You're so kind," he gushed, fawning.

"Yeah, t-thanks, Count," T-chan said, a half-step behind, taking the small smoked glass vial the Count held out. "That's really nice of you."

"No trouble, I assure you." The Count nodded and smiled some more, showing no signs whatsoever of departing this time.

"Ahem, yes, Count, we'll get to that right away," T-chan burst out, after a mile-long pause. "Right, Byakko?"

"Sure, sure and it's that grateful I am to you, Count D," the Tiger grinned, imperceptibly uneasy, for the Count had no good reason to be there still and Tet was on pins-and-needles for some reason.

"Can't begin to tell you how much."

They each took a hesitant step closer toward one another, their eyes meeting in silent agreement at the intrusion and then politely sliding away, for the Count was not be to be offended, and they both understood that.

"I'm glad of your thanks, Byakko-san, but it was indeed no trouble. I suppose my worry is that you are in need of it at all?" The Count's smooth voice froze them in place. Black brows went up in a silent question, drawing an echo from Tet's anxious heart.

T-chan was grateful to the Count – he really was! More so now than ever before.

For he, too, was worried, worried sick, which Byakko had to know by now, after all that fuss. It drummed in his head and twisted his stomach, gave him nightmares and anxiety attacks. No, he was terrified, pure and simple, for Byakko would go, as sure as the tide, and then he'd be left behind to wait, not knowing, never knowing, until perhaps it was too late. Meifu was not possible for him without an express invitation – he was shut out by gates that were unsurpassable.

"Well, now, as to that—" the Tiger blushed and fumbled.

"Really, it must be dangerous in your country, Byakko-san, for I have seldom seen a Guardian bearing a wound like that," the Count continued, disregarding the Tiger's faltering attempt at excuses.

"Does your Shinigami Tsuzuki, the Emperor, does he not have allies to call upon?" The question was pointed and Byakko bowed his head in embarrassment, for he was sure Tsuzuki would not even remember to call on all his formidable friends. Even as Emperor the Shinigami did not think that highly of himself.

"Um, I think…not that I would second-guess, of course, but – but I believe he has quite a number of powerful friends at his beck and call, Count D," the Tiger answered, half-hoping that he could imply that those friends had already been summoned.

But, of course, he would not have suffered a physical attack if they had. It was Souryo's duty to advise Tsuzuki of that incontrovertible fact, though, being the eldest. Byakko would hold his tongue until that happened, as was his bounden duty. And Tsuzuki wouldn't notice things weren't going well until it was almost too late.

"I see. Perhaps they have not yet come, then? As you are wounded," the Count smiled, his eyes very perceptive indeed.

"Y-yes, that m-may be, Count. I really do not know, being only a Guardian. I leave that strategic nonsense to those that do know, you see."

"Byakko," Tetsu murmured, his voice quiet and deadly, "you lied to me."

The Toutetsu had been silent all this time, following the back-and-forth between the Count and the Tiger, but now it was clear – quite clear, for the Count had made it so – that Byakko was lying through his smiling mouth, all to protect his Emperor's weakness. It infuriated Tetsu, but he could not yell as was his wont. Yelling did no good.

"Count," he called softly, his voice dropping a suave octave as he grew taller, assuming the form he'd worn when he'd first met the Count – a handsome dark-haired Chinese gentleman of impeccable good taste.

"Count, you have an entrée into Meifu, yes? Allow me to be your envoy, then, I beg you."

"Tet! You mustn't!" gasped the startled Tiger, who hadn't seen his friend look like that very long time.

"I do, Toutetsu, it's true. I am always welcome there, as are my friends." The Count's eyes sparkled as if he were greatly enjoying T-chan's transformation. He put his hand out, unthinking, charmed.

"I take it you wish to make use of that?"

"I do, Count D, if you'll allow me?" The gentleman took the Count's hand in his own, caressing it.

"Tetsu!" Byakko exclaimed in annoyance. "You ass!"

"You have not forgotten your original diet, then, Toutetsu?" the Count asked, all aquiver.

"Not at all, Count," smiled the tall Chinese man, his good-looking face smugly secretive. "I plan to make use of that, too."

He swept an elegant bow and the Count giggled aloud, while Byakko sputtered, not all pleased with the turn of events.

"Tetsu, you must reconsider! The denizens of Hell aren't going to let you eat them without a fight! This is a war, not a restaurant!"

The Toutetsu turned to his old friend, his pleasant features sobering into cold dislike, a faint anger aglow in his dark, dark eyes.

"You forget, Byakko, that you do not know me well at all. The crunching of bones is not my only weapon, nor the consumption of virgin flesh. I have many other tricks up these sleeves, Guardian, and I long to use them once again, unchecked. You shall not stop me now."

"Tet, you idiot! Count! Do something, for godssake's!"

Fallout Boy

VIII

"This does not make me happy, Tet. I want you to know that, so you can't say I didn't tell you later."

"Yes. I am aware."

"I am very, very angry with you right now, Tet. This is stupid, you coming here. You have no right to be here, for that matter. You don't belong."

"I disagree, dear fellow. But then, you already know that."

"Hakushaku is going to be angry; Hisoka and Tatsumi are going to be furious and Souryo will probably just rip your head right off, you damn fool. I hope you're happy with that."

"Most likely."

"And if you dare to get hurt in all this business, Tet, I'm going to rip your head off, too. And pound you and grind your stupid, annoying bones into little tiny bits. Remember that, you damned old fool. I'm mad at you."

"I shall not forget, believe me."

"Very, very angry."

The Imaginary Kingdom hove into view and the Toutetsu tightened his hold on his companion, for it was still a long way down.

"Hmm. The Count said it was alright with him, Byakko?" Souryo took a turn around the room, his robes sweeping grandly behind him.

Byakko nodded, deeply chagrined. The Toutetsu at his side stared straight ahead, unabashed, a faint smile on his thin lips.

"Well…hmm. Really, I do not know. The King of Hell will most likely call it foul. Yet the Count agrees with it."

"Who's this? Who's this, Souryo? Oh, Byakko, I didn't see you there – I'm sorry!"

A purple-eyed man bounced into the room, bearing a plate of cake, his features puppy-like in their general enthusiasm. He was followed by a much shorter younger man, cute and on the verge of manhood, with brilliant green eyes.

"Calm down, Tsuzuki! You'll annoy Souryo and he has a guest!" the young man chided and Tsuzuki's face fell immediately.

"Oh! So very sorry! Didn't see you there, either! Cake?"

"Please," the Toutetsu smiled and took the plate, ever a chef at heart. He neatly cut a corner from what appeared to be a lemon ganache cream torte, and popped it into his mouth, chewing with an expression of gourmand delight.

"Delicious, thank you."

"Oh! You think so? That's my current favorite right now, you know. Want some more?"

"So kind," smiled the charming Chinese gentleman and allowed Tsuzuki to feed him another moist morsel.

"Grrr!" growled the Tiger, but under his breath.

….

The King of Hell regarded the letter in his hand with mild disbelief. The mild feeling heated quickly to outright anger and it appeared that he might actually dare to rip the missive up, but Hakushaku was able to breathe a sigh of relief when some moments passed and he didn't.

"I see. This is checkmate, gentlemen, at least for the moment. You may cease hostilities at once."

"Sir?"

"My Lord?"

A babble arose form the conference table and the King of Hell had to bang his gavel.

"I said 'at once', gentlemen. Did you not hear me?"

….

"Disappointed? The Count took care of it already, see? You didn't even have to bother to come, asshole. Totally unnecessary."

"I had a chance to meet the Emperor, though. That was pleasant. He is really quite a charmer."

"Shut up! Just 'cause he's like that doesn't mean he's stupid like you, Tet! You can put your dirty thoughts right back where they belong – the garbage heap!"

"You appear to be upset. Why is that? The war has ended without another shot."

"You don't know the half of it, asshole! Now it's going to be negotiation time – endless meetings, endless coffee, endless doughnuts and endless chatter that I can't get out of! A war would be simpler, you idiot! And it's all your fault!"

"I apologize, then."

"You don't mean it. I know you don't mean it and I don't even have to look at your stupid face."

"That's a plane, Guardian. You may want to take care."

"Just shut up! I know that, ok? I saw it already!"

"Welcome back."

"T-chan, T-chan, you're back! I missed you!"

"Not you again! I thought you were dead! Count! Explain this to me, right this minute!"

"Hey, Tet, glad to see you."

"Good to have you back, Tetsu-san."

"I'm leaving."

"A good journey, I hope."

"Tetsu, where have you been? Causing trouble again?"

"I'm leaving, Tet, right now. Wanna say goodbye like a civilized person?"

"Tet-chan, my friend! We've all arrived home at the same time – what a coincidence!"

"Fine, be that way. I won't see you for a while, so take care, pal."

"I have presents for all of you, my friends! Byakko, what are you doing here? My man – put it there!"

"T-chan, play with me now! We have to play ball like we used to and I have to show you the backpack my Big Bro' bought me! T-chan?"

"Okay, okay, I get it. Nice of you to tell me now, D. What, you don't trust me?"

"My apologies, Leon. Do forgive me."

"Well, yeah, but next time—"

"Perhaps you two would like to say your farewells in the other room?"

"Hey, where are you going, T-chan? I wanna play! Byakko, too!"

"How's it hanging, Byakko-chan? Hear you've got a spot of trouble in your neighborhood? Anything I can

do, you just call me."

"Through here. Just so. Take your time, do."

The door shut gently behind them, cutting off the din in the Parlor.

"What?"

"Can you take off that face, please? Half the time I don't even recognize you!"

"Like this?"

"Better. Good. Yeah…so, I'm heading back."

"That's nice. Take care."

"Ah. Like that, are you? Too much trouble to give me a kiss for good luck? You have to sulk about it?"

T-chan's eyes were dark, and colder than the night outside the Pet Shop door. He blinked slowly and smiled like a crocodilian, showing teeth.

"Of course not, Byakko. Whatever makes you think that?"

"Come on, stupid! It's not like I meant to hurt your feelings – you're just thin-skinned, you know. Every little thing—"

"Are you leaving, then? Can I see you out?"

"Ass! I'll see myself out!"

The infuriated Tiger turned away, eyes aflame, his hand outstretched for the knob, and then spun back abruptly. He flung himself at T-chan, wrapping his feline warmth around the pillar of salt the Toutetsu had become, and pressed passionate kisses all over Tetsu's blank face. He insinuated hot fingers into Tet's shirt, running them down the flinching chest beneath, his mouth never leaving the parted lips of his lover's, his narrow hips thrusting forward in an ancient siren call. Tetsu moaned and pulled the Tiger closer, blinded by the invasive heat.

"You'll be waiting for me, right? You'd better be, Tet. You'd better," the Tiger growled at the end of it, having reduced his reluctant lover to jelly.

Byakko was out the door before Tetsu could call him back, a Siberian by the end of the street, gorgeous in his winter furs. He was gone in the blink of an eye, turning the corner into nowhere, and passers-by shook their respective heads at the unbelievable vision of a Tiger soaring through the moonlit sky, his red eyes fire in the night.