Six months since an update. That's actually pretty good time for me.
Disclaimer: I still don't own Rurouni Kenshin. And that's okay. I make no money from this story so please don't sue me.
Chapter Four
Kenshin, Meet the Crew
Katsu stretched his arms above his head, yawning, "Okay, time to call it a night, Kenshin. I've got all the basics I need down. The color scheme is ready, too, so all I have to do is finish it up. You're free to relax."
"May I see it?" Kenshin rose, readjusting the robe.
Katsu chuckled, turning the board, "Gaze upon your splendor!" Kenshin smiled at the man's silliness but calmed when he saw the picture.
Kenshin was awed at the likeness, "Your skill is amazing."
"Glad you think so highly of an unfinished work of mine." Katsu placed the soon-to-be-finished piece in a large protective case and began clearing his supplies. Kenshin helped and between the two of them they had the area spotless in minutes. Sanosuke would not find any evidence.
"Let's go down to the kitchen and see how their cleanup is going. We can have one of the chefs whip us up a five star meal while we're there."
"I don't want to impose..."
Katsu held up a hand, silencing him, "You can't leave here without trying Jake's dining. It simply wouldn't be proper for us to deny you that luxury. You are Sanosuke's guest, after all. I'm sure he'd agree. And trust me, Jake will love you."
Kenshin blinked, confused and perhaps a bit intimidated. Dining?
"The party doesn't end for another hour or so. We'll have to entertain ourselves somehow until Sanosuke is free."
"Wait." Kenshin nervously gripped the collar of the robe.
"Hm?"
"Shouldn't I change?"
Katsu thought for a moment before smiling, "Nope. If you're wearing a robe in the kitchen everyone will know you're a guest. Wear regular clothes and they might shoo you out thinking you wandered in there by accident."
Though slightly embarrassed at the thought, Kenshin followed without complaint.
IOIOIOIOIOIOIOIOIOIOIOIOI
"Get back to work," Saitou ordered, towering over the hunched figure of Kel, "and make me some dinner. I haven't eaten since this morning."
Kel's trademark groan of misery failed to gain any sympathy from the Big Bad Wolf. Saitou nudged him in the ribs with his dress-shoe clad foot.
"Let him be, Saitou," Hiru set a hot tray and mitt on a stainless steel counter as he approached, "he did his job so put him on break. Guests are eating now so it'll be pretty slow for a bit. And besides, I'm tired of sanitizing the floor every half hour."
"Hmm."
Hiru smiled proudly, "I'll cook you something."
Saitou took a moment to reminisce on the last time Hiru cooked him a meal. That had not turned out well.
"I'll pass."
Hiru's predator-like eyes turned from proud to insulted and his voice became a near growl, "Fine. I guess you're going to starve."
"Starving would be the lesser of two evils. If you were cooking, that is."
"You just don't have a taste for high class dining." Hiru's face returned to a smirk, "What with being raised by a pack of wolves and all." Saitou took a moment to examine the way Hiru's long bangs framed his face and the many similar traits he shared with his cousin, Bobby. Despite their common looks, they were two starkly different people.
Saitou turned to fully face Hiru, "And let me guess, you were raised by a colony of fleas. You are, after all, a bad itch to me."
"Talk all you want, but don't ever insult my cooking, fleabag."
"Nuisance."
"Boys, boys, please! Take it outside!" Jake, fresh from cleaning his wok, set one hand on Hiru's shoulder and one on Saitou's, "The lighting is much nicer there. Guests will get better pictures!"
A loud, happy laugh came from across the kitchen, "Leave it to Jake to say something like that."
"Katsu! Come tame this beast!" Hiru turned to the newest arrival with a wave, face suddenly exchanging anger for curiosity. The beautiful boy he'd hunted down with Kel was following the secretary closely.
"Ah," Jake approached Kenshin with a friendly smile, "so this is 'Suke's guest, huh?"
"Yup, this is Kenshin," Katsu stepped aside, "and I was hoping you could cook for us, J. How's that sound?" Saitou swiftly caught sight of his window of opportunity.
Jake took a deep, respective bow, his long black ponytail of hair falling over a shoulder, "But of course. Place your order with Snappy-Pants over there while I set up." Kenshin smiled widely. There was an air of approachability about Jake. His smile was genuine and his eyes were kind.
"Snappy-Pants?" Hiru questioned.
"He means you." Saitou hid a smirk of satisfaction. Hiru huffed and turned to leave before pausing and throwing a bored glance at the tray he had set down earlier.
"Something wrong, Snappy?" Saitou inquired haughtily.
"Could you put that tray in the sink? I'll be coming back in with more and I'll need the room." Hiru became sweet, "Thanks!" Kenshin observed this exchange, observing Hiru's ability to turn his temper on and off like a light switch.
Saitou looked at the tray. On an average day he would have left it sitting and ordered Hiru to do it himself, but since the man had already disappeared he decided clearing the space would be helpful. Maybe if he were nice someone might actually feed him. He reached out for it.
Jake's eyes nearly popped out of his head, "Whoa, Sai! No!" Too bad the chef was late. The tray was still piping hot and went flying out of Saitou's hand and behind him. It clanged against a metal shelving unit and clattered to the floor as though traumatized. Saitou shook his wrist out, jaw clenched but face otherwise expressionless.
Katsu and Kenshin watched on with wide, concerned eyes. Jake slapped his forehead. Kel watched, seeming horrified, from his place on the floor.
In three strides Katsu was at Saitou's side, as was Jake. They were partially there to aide his injury, but mostly to hold him back from storming into the gallery to beat the ever living tar out of Hiru. The two had an ongoing rivalry and were always picking fights with one another. Hiru was simply pugnacious by nature. Despite what looked like an outright hatred, Hiru and Saitou were actually a great team when it came to working on normal days. They did care about one another. Their friendship was merely different.
"Well it's not as bad as it could be. Only a minor burn." Jake poked the red skin, earning a hiss from Saitou, "You just might survive!"
Kenshin's attention had been drawn completely away from Saitou. A creak alerted his ears and his gaze was now upon the shelving unit the hot tray had slammed against. Kel was still curled in the corner, facing the racks of pots, pans and, to the model's surprise, bladed cutlery. Kenshin took a step forward, scanning the area quickly and finding a mop resting against the edge of the shelves. The metal structure was currently swaying. The front legs began to bend, the metal giving way.
Kenshin darted forward, his wrapped ankle feeling strained somewhere in the back of his mind. He grabbed the mop, and planted his foot on the base as he gave the wooden handle a harsh spin. The pole twirled, jumping out of the socket and into his hand. Without wasting a moment, he dashed again, his hair snapping from his quick rotation. He skidded to a halt in front of Kel, using the mop handle as a staff to deflect a particularly rotund pot. With conservative motions he steered away any further items that were heading towards them.
Kel's yell of surprise hitched in his throat as he huddled in on himself for protection. Kenshin's eyes narrowed as he slammed the end of his makeshift staff into the tile floor, cracking it. He shifted the angle of the wooden tool and aimed the free end toward the edge of a middle shelf. The metal unit halted upon hitting the staff, putting a dent in the framework upon impact, and spared Kel and Kenshin from what could have been a messy incident.
After a few moments of silence Kenshin lowered his guard, sighing in relief. He turned to look down at Kel, who was now looking up at him as though frozen in awe. About to ask if he was alright, Kenshin jumped at the sudden and loud applause that broke out. The entire kitchen staff was applauding and cheering, even the occasional whistle could be heard.
"Kenshin!" Katsu beamed, "That was amazing!"
Hesitantly, Kenshin smiled in a flattered manner and proceeded to adjust the robe that was showing more thigh than he initially realized. A light blush spread across his cheeks and the bridge of his nose. He took a moment to thank his father, Hiko, for putting him through all those years of training.
"Did the after party start early or has Kel gone crazy again?" Sanosuke, who had entered upon hearing the racket, strode toward the small grouping of his employees.
"Uhhh..." Jake's voice fluttered off. Katsu was about to open his mouth to explain when Sanosuke's attention was drawn to the area of wreckage. His eyes lit up in controlled alarm. Kenshin's red hair stood out against the stainless steel counters and equipment. Pots, pans, knives, and other miscellaneous kitchen utensils were everywhere.
"Kenshin!" Sanosuke calmed after seeing his guest nearly jump out of his skin due to his volume, "Are you alright?"
"I'm fine, but," Kenshin turned to look at Kel, "he seems a little sick... and shaken."
"I'm fine." Kel insisted.
"Take five, Kel. You need and deserve it." Sanosuke began to approach, careful of the scattered objects, and tossed his next words over his shoulder to the other staff members, "We'll have Hiru handle desserts, they are his specialty after all."
Kel pulled himself to his feet, nodding to Kenshin in thanks before he headed for the hallway. Jake followed him for a ways, talking to him quietly and seeing him off.
Sanosuke stopped several feet from Kenshin. He gauged Kenshin for a few moments, seeming pleasantly surprised, before turning his sight on the cleared shelving unit.
"You did all this, huh? Saved Kel from a world of hurt I imagine."
"It wasn't much."
"Don't belittle yourself. I hear it's not good for self esteem. Besides, not everyone can do what you just did. I wish I could have seen it." With a casual hand he reached out and pushed the threatening structure back against the wall, catching the mop handle as it fell. Kenshin's face flipped from content to impressed. Sanosuke made the motion look so easy, as though the heavy shelves were weightless.
"This should have been bolted to the wall. Hm," Sanosuke looked at the floor, "Jake! Can you get JJ in here?"
"Yes, sir!" Jake swiftly exited in search of Janitor Jake.
"I owe you yet another apology. That could have ended badly, but... it looks like you were just what we needed." He studied the makeshift staff and the crack in the tile, "I don't think I've ever seen someone use a mop handle like a staff to do that kind of damage to flooring."
"Oh!" Kenshin suddenly seemed aware of the nice sized hole he had put in the floor, "Sorry about the damage! I can pay for that!"
"Don't you worry about that. Better the museum than you or anyone else," Sanosuke pulled the base of the shelf out several inches and propped it securely against the wall, "There. I'll let JJ take it from here."
"Whoa!" Hiru, who had walked back in, nearly threw his newest empty tray in the air, "Did Kel go crazy again?"
Katsu shook his head, chuckling softly. He patted Saitou's hip lovingly before walking over to help clean the mess. Saitou glared at Hiru.
"What?" Hiru looked clueless.
"This is your fault. Go help clean up."
Hiru exhaled as though insulted, "My fault?" He dawned his trademark pout, which, in truth, was more of a playful beg, and walked past the wolf reluctantly and slowly. He was wasting as much time as possible.
"Get over there!" Saitou slapped Hiru's butt somewhere along the lines of less than gently, but his lips held a familiar fondness.
IOIOIOIOIOIOIOIOIOIOIOIOI
Kenshin watched as Jake, the man who had recently prepared him one of the best meals he'd ever had, shuffled a deck of cards expertly and followed with a quick and accurate deal.
"Do I get any wilds?" Hiru leaned his cheek against the palm of his hand. His eyes and face clearly said he was not enjoying his current predicament. Kenshin loved watching his seemingly endless variety of expressions.
"Just you?" Katsu fanned his five-card hand out.
"I'm the one loosing the worst. You guys don't need a handicap." His attention fell on Jake, who was winning. He liked Jake and found it difficult to mock him, so he settled for playing footsie with him. Jake always shook his head at Hiru with that smile of his, catching his game, but not allowing the distraction to affect his concentration. Hiru didn't mind at all. As far as he was concerned it gave him an activity to keep his restless legs busy. He smiled contently at Jake, foot now casually rubbing against his calf.
"Fold." Saitou threw his cards down after receiving his draw, kicking back to watch. Kenshin observed his hand. He had three of a kind in eights with a Jack and an Ace kicker. Katsu called. Kenshin raised. Hiru folded with a finalizing plop of his cards. He lowered his head onto his arms and decided to rest his eyes.
"I'll meet that." Jake Called Kenshin's raise, as did Katsu. The three of them played out the hand, resulting in a win for Jake, who had four of a kind with deuces.
Katsu blinked at the results, "Jake, that's disgusting. Winning with deuces."
Jake flashed his trademark broad smile, "Just doin' what I can with what I got." Kenshin chuckled softly, setting his cards down and sliding them toward the dealer.
"Okay man-babies, what kind of trouble are we getting into now?" Sanosuke, fresh from his second shower of the evening and dressed in sweatpants and a sweater, flipped a chair around and sat. He sat between Hiru and Kenshin, which was the last available spot.
"The usual." Jake shuffled the cards once more, "Five card draw. You up for a round, 'Suke?"
"Yeah, deal me in." Sanosuke yawned. At that point Kel ambled weakly in, taking a seat on a barstool several feet away from the table.
Katsu's eyes turned to him, "Oh, good, you're still alive. I was worried Hiru would have to cook next time."
"Ugh," Hiru slouched further, if possible, against the table, "why does everyone insult my cooking?"
"Hey, kiddo, I don't." Jake ruffled the blonde's hair and commenced to deal the cards.
"Okay," Hiru slapped the table, still annoyed, "why is it that most everyone insults my cooking?"
Saitou's eyes narrowed in amusement, "Because we love you, feel better?"
"Not when it's coming from you!"
"Come on, Hiru, you know we're just teasing!" Katsu smiled brightly, "You're an excellent chef."
"Thank you."
"But you're the worst Poker player I've ever seen."
"Arrrrraaaaahhhh!" Hiru's head hit the table with a thud. Kenshin jumped at the sudden bout of frustration.
"This should be fun." Sanosuke smiled as he relaxed into observation mode, sending Kenshin a look that clearly said he should watch, too.
"Okay, let's make a bet to prove I can win at least one hand!"
"Not with me." Katsu looked away to signify he would not, by any means, be involved.
"Hmm," Saitou raised an eyebrow, "you're getting serious, then?"
"Damn skippy I am." Hiru crossed his arms, determined.
"Alright then. Let's say if you lose you'll be doing Jake's portion of dishes for the next three months, and... if you win..."
Kel spoke up, "You can make a request from Jake, since he is the main reason you're losing so much."
"Deal!"
Jake froze, unsure if he could stand up to Hiru's imagination. He relaxed knowing the chances of Hiru actually winning were not good. Unless...
Jake had dealt the cards and the first round was underway when he noticed a pattern.
"I fold." Saitou announced.
"Ditto." Katsu placed his hand down. Kenshin blinked in curiosity and followed, placing his cards face down. There were pretty bad, anyway.
With a whisper of a laugh Sanosuke discarded his, "Fold."
Hiru's eyes, predatory as they were, turned on Jake with a fire in them.
"You guys are cruel." Jake shook his head slightly, looking at his hand.
Katsu snorted, "Sorry, but I'm not going to pass up on a chance to witness Hiru's conniving side unleashed upon someone besides myself or Saitou." Without a word, Hiru discarded two cards. Reluctantly, Jake gave him a new pair while he gathered three.
"Isn't this relatively painless so far?" The light in Hiru's eyes clearly informed all present he did not plan on losing. With four players folded the cards would surely be dealt differently than they previously had been. One-on-one was Hiru's best - even if his best was not all that great. Jake tried to breath normal.
As they finished, Hiru flipped up two of his cards, "I have a pair of sixes."
Jake, unsure of what to think of the low pair, revealed his entire hand, "Three of a kind - sevens."
"Oh," Hiru nearly pouted, "I almost forgot to mention. I also have… three aces." He flipped the cards face up to prove it. A small, happy laugh emerged from his chest.
Jake rubbed his face and groaned weakly, "Craaaaaaap."
Hiru stood, "Victory!" Sanosuke, Kel and Katsu clapped. Kenshin, who had yet to fully understand these characters, decided to remain silent but observant.
"Now, what should I have you do?" Hiru put on a display, thinking mischievously.
Kenshin's eyes moved to Sanosuke as the man moved back. It appeared he had an idea.
The smile on Sanosuke's face didn't fade, "Hiru, you should really show Jake how much you appreciate his work here at the museum and his generosity as a person."
Hiru paused, pondering the advice before his face broke into an intimidating smirk.
"'Suke!" Jake slapped his face and rubbed, "Don't encourage him!"
"Sorry, can't help it."
"Man, feed me to the wolves why don't ya?" Jake sighed, knowing Hiru was already on the prowl.
Hiru growled playfully, climbing onto Jake's lap and finding a comfortable spot. He wrapped his arms around Jake's neck and made himself at home.
"Now, hmm, what should I have you do?" He hummed, running his fingers across Jake's jaw and appreciating the slight stubble growing in. Jake swallowed, his throat bobbing, and supported Hiru's weight because it seemed rude not to.
"I think the first thing I want to do with you is..." Hiru leaned forward and whispered, very quietly, into his prey's ear. Jake's eyes suddenly popped open, drawing laughter from the entire table. Jake turned scarlet.
"But for now!" Hiru announced, "You'll just be my pillow and we'll keep playing. Don't want to waste a good night of cards with the boys, after all."
'The boys' continued for almost an hour, Hiru occupying Jake's lap for most of the time, only moving to fetch water. He brought back a beer for Jake to loosen him up. By the time they were turning in, Kenshin was exhausted, Katsu was slightly drowsy, and Jake was extremely out of it. He was so out of it he no longer grew fidgety when Hiru's hand rubbed the skin under his shirt.
"Alright, I've had about enough." Sanosuke stretched as he stood.
"Enough of winning?" Katsu raised an eyebrow, propping his chin on a palm.
"For today," Sanosuke winked at his best friend, "and I think Kel ready to tip over is a sign we should get some rest."
"Good point, my beastly wolf over here could use a nap, too. He's starting to do the lean-back-in-my-chair-until-my-boyfriend-gets-the-hint act." Saitou snorted in some manner of annoyance.
"Aww, don't be grumpy," Katsu patted Saitou's abdomen, "we get to stay another night on the comfy bed." Saitou growled suggestively.
Hiru laughed, "I don't think Jake is gonna make it very far. Look, he's already falling asleep."
"I'm good." Jake tilted his head back, "Just need some shuteye."
Sanosuke shook his head, "Go ahead and crash here. All of you. We'll just have a sleepover since this was only a one-night showing."
Kel slid off his stool, smiling the faintest bit in a knowing fashion, "Is this one of the perks of working for you, Sanosuke? We get to live here, too?"
Sanosuke pointed at his head chef, "Not on your life. If all of you lived here year-round I'd go crazy."
"You go crazy enough as is just when Bobby gets loose." It was at that moment Katsu froze and his expression shifted to one of dread. Saitou looked curiously at him, one questioning eyebrow rising.
"Hey." Hiru's head lifted, "Just where is my sweet little cousin? I haven't seen him at all but I heard he was back."
Kel gave a thoughtful hum, "Come to think of it, I haven't seen much of Chou either- oh." He'd said too much.
"What?" Hiru was on his feet in an instant, fists clenched and green eyes afire. He turned abruptly and stormed out of the room.
Kenshin darted his eyes around the remaining occupants, beginning to feel a bit tense when…
"Five bucks says Chou doesn't get a running start." Katsu smiled charmingly, his comment earning a few laughs.
The boys began to wander off for the night. Kenshin was a bit sad their games were over, but he was also relieved. He wanted to talk with Sanosuke again. It had been a long day and the man was, after all, a gracious host.
IOIOIOIOIOIOIOIOIOIOIOIOI
7.24.2007
11.16.2014