Disclaimer: Me no ownie
Disclaimer: Me no ownie.
Precious Things
Chapter Ten
'Good morning, Pet. Shower and dress then meet me downstairs. Devotedly Yours, Akabane.'
Ginji smiled to himself in the shower, letting the hot water relax his tense and sore muscles. It was so strange... a part of him felt as though he were in a dream, perhaps even still fast asleep, nothing making any real sense, yet euphoric all the same. Another part... was in a complete panic. Two weeks ago, Ginji had been terrified for his life just hearing Akabane's name, even more so were they in the same room together. The longer they'd been at this cabin in the mountains, the less afraid Ginji had become of Akabane, the more like friends they'd become, then he'd started to feel this undeniable attraction towards the darker male. Maybe it was just the air up here? The air was thinner at high altitudes so maybe Ginji just wasn't getting enough oxygen to his brain! That would explain why they both seemed to be acting more and more unlike how they normally did with each other...
But then last night they'd...
He blushed profusely at the memory. Even now it seemed so surreal. Ginji had always thought everything with Jackal involved violence, that there was nothing at all caring or even remotely human within that man, but since they'd been here it was like Ginji had been introduced to someone entirely different. Someone kind and considerate but still had that dark nature to them, that side of violence and carnage, yet was human enough to not seem like a monster. Sex with Dr. Jackal just seemed like another area were violence would be incorporated, the domination and submission. Granted, Ginji had gone to Akabane's room knowing full well that it might have ended up being a horrible mistake he would always regret, if he even lived to tell about it. He'd gone anyway, having faith in the Akabane he'd come to know: the one he'd taken a walk with around the lake, the Akabane that made breakfast, the Akabane that watched movies and played cards with the rest of their friends, the Akabane from the hot spring...
At the very least, even if making love hadn't been a violent act when it came to Akabane, Ginji was sure Akabane would be a very selfish lover... but he wasn't. Never had Ginji imagined a night like last night taking place, or that anything could be as wonderful. Akabane had been completely gentle and caring, and utterly selfless, it was as though every kiss, every touch, every caress was just for Ginji, to bring him pleasure, to the height of ecstasy and then beyond. It hadn't been violence, it hadn't even been just sex, they'd made love and it had been the most perfect thing Ginji had ever dreamed of. He'd tried to imagine what it would be like if the two of them weren't together in the future, and Ginji eventually took another lover, male or female, what would making love be like between them?
He couldn't even imagine. He couldn't ever fathom being with someone other than Akabane. Suddenly, his heart was swelling at the thought of the other man, a sense of deep affection and devotion overcoming him. He felt as though he and Akabane had somehow come to a new level of bonding, beyond being just lovers... there was a feeling there he couldn't quite name, one that filled him with warmth and made him smile when he thought of the other male. What was this? This bittersweet feeling that bought joy at the thought of the other male, and misery at the thought of being without him?
--
--
Akabane looked up from his cooking when he sensed Ginji shyly enter the kitchen. He turned his head so he could see the blond who smiled timidly, before averting his gaze and inching his way towards the darker man.
"Good morning, Ginji dearest." He greeted him softly, a sultry tone slipping into his voice, the corner of his mouth twisting up in a smirk. "I hope you slept well."
The dark man's smile spread as the blond blushed profusely, refusing to lift his gaze.
"When I could, yeah." He finally lifted his head to give Akabane a disapproving look, his bottom lips jutting out in the slightest pout. "Though I was very disappointed to wake up alone. I can't believe you just left me." His pout shifted to a slight smile. "Though the black rose and note were an acceptable consolation. Your note said to come downstairs as soon as I'd showered and dressed, why?"
Akabane glanced at all the people sitting in the living room, none of them paying any attention to the pair in the kitchen. Leaning towards his lover, Akabane whispered in Ginji's ear, "So I wouldn't be tempted to barge in during your shower and ravish you all over again." He pulled back and smiled. "I wouldn't want to expose any of your friends to something they weren't ready for."
Ginji was blushing till even his ears glowed bright red, brown eyes darting to look at the people in the living room. Ban was getting up and coming into the kitchen, hooking his chin at his best friend when he saw him.
"Yo! Ginji! What up?" He asked as he made himself another cup of coffee.
The blond shook his head. "Nothing. I was just saying good morning to Akabane."
Ban made a face at the dark man who was steadily making breakfast, not even having acknowledged Ban's entry into the kitchen.
"Yeah, where were you, Gin? You weren't in your bed when I woke up this morning, and it hardly looked slept in, I figured you were in the shower, but it's not like you to get up so early."
The blond shrugged nonchalantly, praying he wouldn't blush and give himself away. "I didn't get much sleep last night..."
Ginji noted the way Akabane smirked, glancing pointedly at the blond before turning his attention back to the food he was preparing; remaining silent.
Ban nodded in acceptance on Ginji's excuse, clapping his friend once on the shoulder before turning to return to the living room. "Go to bed early tonight then. We can't have you falling asleep on your feet if something were to happen."
Akabane waited until the brunette man was gone before continuing in his and Ginji's conversation. "I purposely left before you awoke this morning, not wanting to send you into a panic when you opened your eyes to unfamiliar surroundings, not having fully woken up yet." He paused, shifting to observe the blond for a moment, before lifting his hand to cup the side of Ginji's face, his slender thumb stroking the area underneath the blond's eyes as he frowned slightly. "But perhaps I was too selfish last night. You look dreadfully tired, Ginji..."
Leaning into the touch, Ginji gently shook his head, soft brown eyes affectionate. "No, you weren't, and I can take a nap." Akabane dropped his hand away, but continued to frown lightly as he turned his attention back to making breakfast. The blond leaned comfortably against the counter beside him, watching as the taller man worked miracles on a delicious looking omelet. "So what made you decide to make breakfast this morning?"
The counters were covered with ingredients, all neatly arranged for easiest access, the table already filled with covered dishes just waiting to be devoured. A teasing smile crept over Jackal's lips as he cast a quick glance to the blond, before continuing to focus on the task at hand. "Believe it or not, I woke up in a wonderful mood this morning." He shrugged lightly. "I haven't the faintest idea why, but I'm blaming it on sleep depravation. So, being in such a good mood, I decide to do something nice." He glanced meaningfully over his shoulder at the people lounging around the living room. "Midou was quite surprised when I volunteered, in fact, he actually spit his coffee out all over poor Natsume. Poor thing had to go take a shower and change clothes."
"Well, do you need any help?" Offered the blond. "I feel rude just letting you cook for everybody like this and not helping."
The dark man smile, glancing to make sure no one was watching before pressing a chaste kiss to Ginji's forehead. "No thank you, Pet. And I'm not being nearly as generous as I'm sure you think. Being nice to everyone like this was the only way I could do something nice for you without drawing unnecessary attention."
His confession made Ginji laugh, Akabane's sudden generosity making more sense. He watched the taller man out of the corner of his eye. "I see. Hey, Akabane...?"
He lifted a well-sculpted brow in question. "Hm?"
"Would you like to do something really nice for me?"
The dark man eyed the blond warily, suspiciously. "If I can, then of course, Ginji dear."
The blonde turned to him pointedly, crossing his arms over his chest. "Tell me what it is you're keeping from me."
Sighing heavily, Akabane refused to look at the male by his side, instead reached for a spice to add to the dish he was preparing. "I can't do that, Ginji." He paused, a deep frown adorning his features before he sharply to the blond, demandingly. "...Is that why you came last night?"
The blond jumped away from him in surprise, not having expected for Akabane to suddenly get so angry. "Huh? What? No!" He shook his head. "It's not like that at all-"
"Then why ask about it now?" Demanded Jackal darkly, eyes narrowed dangerously. Even through his anger, he was careful to keep his voice low so as not to draw attention to them, but part of him want to yell, while another part was afraid to ask even in a whisper, afraid of what the answer might be.
Ginji fumbled to find the words. "I just thought now you'd be more willing to tell me, like you'd have no reason to keep it from me."
Jackal turned pointedly away from Ginji, not even looking at him as he spoke. "Nothing about that subject has changed, so, no. I will not tell you."
Ginji stared in surprise as the dark man, the sudden coldness that had seeped into his tone and posture. Akabane refused to even look at Ginji, his previous expression of pleasant cheerfulness now replaced with a coldness, his face void of any emotion, while his eyes turned a dark hue, nearly black. Why was he suddenly so angry? Ginji hadn't thought Akabane would react like this, he honestly thought Akabane would longer have any reason to keep it from him, what could it possibly be that even being lovers, Akabane still had to keep it a secret?
Feeling both guilty and hurt, Ginji turned slowly and left the kitchen, Akabane not even glancing once in his direction.
--
--
Standing on the front porch, Natsume listen intently as Ban continued to give orders about the day.
"No one is to go off alone. Whoever we're up against is closing ranks around us, I can practically feel them breathing down my neck." He stated, before lighting his cigarette between his lips. "In fact," He continued authoritatively. "I don't want us to be in groups of smaller than three people at any one time- don't give me that look! Someone gets off by themselves and gets hurt because they're out numbered, you'd have gotten mad at me for having not warned against it."
Himiko sighed impatiently on Natsume's right, causing the teenage girl to smile, not paying attention as someone stepped up beside her on the left. Honestly, she didn't see what had Ban so upset, the two weeks were almost up and basically nothing had happened. Sure, Ginji and Akabane had gotten 'poisoned' in the first couple of days, no one knew by who though, and then she and Emishi had gotten attacked a few days earlier, go figure as to why though. And now there were only four days left until this job was over and they were able to go back home. It seemed like a waste of time and money for the client to have hired them, but it had been fun.
Someone gently took her hand in theirs, jerking Natsume out of her thoughts with a start, as the person gently stroked the top of her hand with their thumb, in a calming manner. Her head snapped to the left to see just who had taken her hand, only to find Emishi standing by her side, gaze intently watching Ban, a slight smirk on his lips. Butterflies filled her stomach as she smiled, blushing faintly before turning her own gaze back to Ban, while giving Emishi's hand the slightest squeeze. Things between Emishi and Natsume had been slightly awkward ever since the other day, but with this step towards a new relationship between them they were getting more and more comfortable around each other.
The others may have seen Emishi as being a complete goofball who could never be serious, but with Natsume he was really very sweet and affectionate. And it was almost like he enjoyed just being able to have some sort of physical contact with her whenever they were near each other. Even if it was just in passing, his hand would brush against her arm, or if she was sitting at the table and he walked by behind her, his hand would graze across her neck and let her ponytail trail across his hand. He wouldn't necessarily say anything aloud, so to not draw any attention to his administrations or embarrass Natsume, but he cared and he really seemed to like showing it.
"Okay!" State Himiko suddenly, startling Natsume a bit when the girl at her side suddenly seemed to take authority over the meeting they were having. "In accordance to Ban's rule of groups, everyone is splitting into two groups. One will go into town and help get more food and supplies, the other group will remain here and we are cleaning the cabin." No one outwardly groaned, but you could tell from their faces that they were none too happy about cleaning house. "I don't want to hear any complaints. We're staying here for free, most of our expenses were completely paid for, and we've hardly had any trouble while we were here, the least we can do is make sure the place is in equally good condition when we leave as when we arrived." She looked at Natsume pointedly. "You're staying, aren't you?" The pony tailed teen nodded happily, and Himiko nodded in satisfaction before looking out over the rest of the group with her hands on her hips. "Who else is staying to help clean?"
"I'll help." Volunteered Emishi, surprising Himiko.
Peering around Natsume at him, Himiko arched a brow in question. "You, Emishi? Are you sure?"
Ginji nodded in agreement. "He's really good, Himiko."
Begrudgingly, Shido nodded in agreement. "Emishi can clean like nobody's business. Just take him to a room and set him loose, it'll look better than new when he gets done."
"I'll stay as well." Offered Kazuki. "Cleaning is also something I have a knack for."
Natsume noted the way Ginji was staring at the ground, his brows drawn together worriedly. He lifted his head, chances glances at Ban and then at Akabane, his brown eyes lingering on Akabane before shifting to the ground beneath his own shoes. Akabane hadn't even once glance at Ginji through the whole meeting, in fact, he seemed to be standing as far from Ginji as possible, never once letting his gaze even look in Ginji's general direction, it was as though he were purposely avoiding the blond. Ban seemed to notice it too, frowning at Ginji who was standing by his side, then glancing at Akabane suspiciously, before his gaze locked with Natsume's. They held their gaze like that for a long moment, Ban silently questioning, and Natsume without the answer. She shifted her gaze to Ginji then back to Ban before giving him the slightest nod, which he returned before throwing an arm around Ginji's neck and putting the blond in a headlock, causing him to cry out in surprise and protest.
"Alright, Ginji! You're coming to town with us!"
"Ow, Ban, ease up! Ow!" Cried Ginji, trying to twist out of his friend's hold. Ban began mercilessly ruffling Ginji's hair.
"Suck it up, you big baby! You're tougher than that!" He laughed and released his friend as everyone began splitting into the two groups, the ones that would stay and the ones that would go into town.
--
--
Ban kept Ginji nearby the entire time they were out shopping for groceries, making sure to keep an eye on Akabane at all times too. Ginji followed his friend around wordlessly, only speaking when asked something directly, and even then his answers were monotonous and usually one word answers or just nods. Ginji's mopiness only irritating Ban further. Finally fed up, Ban grabbed Ginji's shoulder, forcing him to look at the brunette, a brows drawn together in confusion.
"What's the deal with you today, Ginji?" Demanded Ban in aggravation. "Both you and Akabane are acting weird today. What did he do? Did he do something to you?"
The blond shook his head and turned away. "Nothing. He didn't do anything."
Ban wasn't going to let it go so easily, he trailed closely behind Ginji. "Are you sure? The two of you had been getting along fine, and even this morning in the kitchen you seemed to be getting along. In fact, the two of you were getting along so well, it was starting to creep me out, I was beginning to wonder if the two of you weren't smoking crack or something."
"I said nothing happened Ban." Stated Ginji again, this time more firmly.
Ban set his jaw in determination, pointing accusingly at Ginji. "Yeah? And I say you're lying, now tell me what's the matter?"
Growing annoyed, Ginji glared back at his best friend. "It's not something I can talk with you about, it's not any of your business, Ban, now leave me alone about it."
"No!" Retorted the brunette Get Backer, a hand reaching out to grab Ginji's wrist and force him to look at Ban. The brunette's expression turned softer and more concerned. "Gin, you're my best friend, and after everything we've been through together you think there's something you can't tell me?" He shook his head. "You can tell me anything, and always have, so why stop now? I just want to help because I'm worried, that's all."
The blond shifted his gaze to the floor, looking off to the side rather than having to look his friend in the eye.
"I just..." Ginji shook his head miserably. "I don't know... Everything was great between us, and then... I don't know... We had an argument, kinda, and I think I hurt his feelings, but I don't understand why or how. And I want to apologize, but I'm not sure I did anything wrong either..."
Ban arched a brow in surprise. "You think you hurt Akabane's feelings?" His features became skeptical. "Are you sure? I was more worried the problem was he'd tried to like rape you or somethi-"
"He would never do that!!" Snapped Ginji defensively, glaring angrily at his friend.
Ban nodded slowly, taken back by Ginji's strong outburst.
"Okay, okay, I wasn't serious, I was just-"
"Well, he wouldn't and that isn't funny."
Suddenly a light went off in the back of Ban's brain as he saw the way Ginji was glaring angrily at him, his defensiveness for Akabane's sake. Blue eyes widened with shock.
"Holy shit..." Whispered Ban hoarsely, barely able to put the thought into words. Ginji looked at him curiously. "You like him. That's what this is about. You like him and now he's mad at you because the two of you had an argument. Oh my god!"
Ban felt like he needed to sit down, his head swimming suddenly, his brain buzzing and ears ringing. Ginji blushed faintly but continued to glare at him.
"That's none of your business either."
Hands on his knees, Ban tried to force himself to breathe evenly, through his nose and out his mouth. Oh, he felt sick... Why did the floor feel like it was rocking? Oh... he felt sick.
He felt Ginji go to walk away and one hand reached out to grab him, grabbing a fist full of his shirt and holding the blond at bay.
"Wait. You just gotta... gimme a minute. I think I'm in shock."
"You look like you're in panic and about to be sick all over my shoes." Stated Ginji flatly, coldly.
Ban straightened himself, frowning in confusion at his friend. "I don't understand, Ginji. Where is this hostility towards me coming from? I'm your best friend. I mean, if you like Akabane, that's fine, a little weird for me, but fine. Ginji, as long as you're happy, I'm okay. I just worry because this is Jackal we're talking about here, Mr. I-Love-Bloodshed-And-Carnage himself. I couldn't forgive myself if he did something to you because I let my guard down around him; and you were terrified to death of him only a few weeks ago, so forgive me if your liking him took my surprise, I didn't get the memo about it, sorry."
The blond softened then, running a hand over his face then scratching the back of his head irritantly. "I'm sorry, too. I'm not mad at you, I'm just aggravated. I was dreading when you would find out because I was sure that you would freak out and make a big deal out of it."
"Well, of course I'd freak out!" Exclaimed Ban. "It's completely unexpected! I mean, last I checked you were just trying to figure out whether or not to be friends with him, now you have a thing for him?" He sobered watching his friend carefully. "But it's not like it's something I'd never get over. So," He looped his arm around Ginji's shoulders with a grin. "If Jackal-boy is mad at you, apologize," Ginji opened his mouth to argue but Ban cut him off. "Even if you don't think you did anything wrong. Apologize for hurting his feelings, which I doubt is possible, but still, and then explain whatever needs to be explained in order to resolve the situation..." He frowned at his friend, speculating for a moment. "Does he know you like him?" Ginji nodded meekly. "Does he like you?" Another nod. Nodding, Ban stepped away from the blond and clapped him once on the back. "Okay, now, go find Akabane, drag him away from whoever he's near and apologize and grovel or whatever so the two of you can be friends again." Ginji gave Ban an uncertain look and Ban nodded encouragingly. "Go on. Waiting will only make it worse."
Nodding, Ginji jogged off to find Akabane, Ban waiting patiently until the boy was out of sight and hearing range before sinking to his hands and knees, fighting his urge to vomit. 'Oh God.' He thought. 'Oh God. I'm going to be sick. Oh God. We should have NEVER taken this job! I'm going to kill Hevn! I told her not to contact Akabane, but noooo she had to tell him about the job and even give him a spare key. Oh, I'm going to be sick...'
--
--
Ginji didn't immediately go up to Akabane once he'd found him, he just followed him around a bit, watching the other male. Ginji didn't want for them to fight, for Akabane to be mad at him. Since this morning, they hadn't so much as spoken one word to each other, they hadn't even made eye contact. Anytime Ginji had looked at Akabane the darker man hadn't even once glanced in Ginji's direction, only reiterating that Akabane was mad at him, which only hurt the blond more. He didn't want this, didn't want things to be like this between them.
But he also didn't like the idea of Akabane lying to him, keeping secrets from him. Sure Akabane said it wasn't anything major, that it was something that would merely changed the atmosphere around them, making things less carefree, but if it was something big enough to change how everyone acted, then wasn't that a pretty big deal? It may not have been as dramatic as Akabane turning against Ginji and them having another fight to the death, but still... He watched as Akabane stopped towards the front of the store, staring out the window out at the parking lot. Did Akabane really believe that Ginji had come to him last night hoping to use sex as a bargaining chip? Surely he didn't think Ginji held their relationship in such low regard; Ginji just didn't see why they would have anymore secrets between them now that they were at such a point in there relationship.
Akabane turned and disappeared around a corner, Ginji quickly following after him, but remaining out of sight, coming to a stop when he didn't see the other man on the aisle he was certain Akabane had just turned down.
"Unless there's some reason you're stalking me through the store," A cool voice stated from behind the blond, causing him to whirl around in surprise, coming face to face with the object of his fixations. "I'm going to have to ask you to desist, lest you frighten the other customers with your odd behavior." Akabane stated flatly, not even smiling in false pleasantness like he normally did. Then he turned and began walking away, the tail of his coat flailing out at the sudden action.
Ginji rushed after him, gripping the back of Akabane's black coat as he bowed his head, his forehead against Akabane's back.
"I'm sorry!" He exclaimed, fighting his urge to cry. He didn't want for them to fight. "I'm sorry about this morning, and I'm sorry if I hurt you're feelings." He shook his head furiously. "I honestly didn't mean anything by asking, I just thought there would be no reason for you not to tell me. I didn't see any reason why there should be anything secret between us." Tears fell from his eyes and dripped to the floor. "If I had known this was going to happen, I wouldn't have asked. I don't want you mad at me; I don't want us to fight."
Akabane shifted and Ginji released his coat so the other man could move freely, but kept his brown eyes locked on the floor even as the toes of Akabane's shoes came into his view, the other man now facing him.
"I don't want us to fight either," State Akabane softly, a hand reaching out to cup Ginji's jaw, forcing the blond to look up at him. Akabane smiled in amusement. "At least, not like this."
More tears welled up in Ginji's large brown eyes, his lip quivering as he threw himself at Akabane's chest, arms wrapped possessively around the taller male as Akabane chuckled and embraced him as well. "I'm sorry, I'm sorry, I'm sorry..." Repeated Ginji over and over, eyes squeezed shut.
Smiling softly, Akabane nuzzled the top of Ginji's head, cradling the boy to his body. "I'm sorry, too, Pet."
Ginji lifted his head to look his lover in the eyes, his soft brown eyes bright, tears still clinging to the ends of his dark lashes. "I want you to kiss me..."
Akabane blinked in surprise, his dark eyes quickly scanning over the aisle they were in. "What? Here?" Resolute, Ginji nodded, and Akabane frowned lightly. "But what if someone were to see? I had all intentions of keeping us a secret for your benefit and comfort, Midou would-"
Ginji shook his head. "Ban more or less knows."
Brows raised in surprise, Akabane echoed, "Ban already knows? About us?"
Ginji shrugged in his embrace. "He knows I like you and that you like me, any more details I wasn't sure he could handle just yet, and I don't care if anyone knows how I feel." He laughed lightly, a blush creeping over his cheeks as he chanced a shy glance at Akabane through his thick lashes. "We just can't make love in the kitchen were someone could walk in or something."
"And I don't suppose you'd be willing to just move into my room, rather than sneaking in at night, hm?" Offered Akabane bemused, lowering his head kiss Ginji's earlobe.
Ginji bit his bottom lip a moment then shook his head. "We'd better not. Ban really would freak out if he knew we were... lovers." He smiled up at Akabane. "Let's give it a little more time first before we let them know we're actually already in a relationship."
Akabane smiled sinisterly, lowering his head till there was not even quite an inch between Ginji's mouth and his own. "To their knowledge or not, you still belong to me, Pet. I plan to keep it that way." He whispered in a sultry tone, his mouth lowering to Ginji's in a soft, yet short kiss. He really wanted to devour Ginji's mouth, but they were in public and with Ginji's friends who were but a few aisles over. He lifted his head and sighed in disappointment, 'I suppose we can make up properly after we get home.' He thought, before untangling himself from the blond by his side. "Let's finish helping everyone so we can get back home."
Ginji quickly took up step beside the taller man, casting him a sideways glance. "You do realize that if we get home too soon, we'll have to help clean, right?"
A chuckle escaped Jackal and he offered Ginji a sideways look, his eyes shining playfully. "Ginji dear, you'll find there are many things about me you have yet to learn, one being that I am actually quite domesticated. I cook and clean with sufficient ease and skill, along with other chores in self-keeping."
Ginji laughed and shook his head. "You know, that doesn't surprise me at all." He admitted, chuckling.
Brows raised in surprise, the corner of Akabane mouth twisted up in a smirk. "Oh?"
"You always seem so proper and well-mannered when you are off the battlefield, I simply assumed you were like that in most aspects. Probably very organized, as well." Ginji laughed at the mental image of Akabane alphabetizing his cookbooks while wearing an apron, his hair back in a loose ponytail and feather duster in one hand.
"I do believe making up has made you giddy." Drawled Akabane smoothly. Ginji beamed at him.
"I get this way whenever I'm really happy."
Stepping behind the blond, Jackal coiled his arms around Ginji, lowering his mouth next to the blond's ear. "Do I make you happy, Pet?" He asked softly, placing soft kisses on the blond's jaw and neck.
Ginji tilted his head to the side, eyes sliding shut as tingles began to spread all through him. "Mm. You do. Very much."
Akabane smiled against his skin, before giving Ginji's neck a soft bite. "I do believe that is the nicest thing you've ever said to me..." He purred, licking Ginji's pulse then placing a soft kiss over the spot before straightening and walking away, leaving a blinking and dazed looking Ginji behind.
Shaking himself out of his stupor, Ginji took off after his lover, the blond twitching anxiously. "God I can't wait till we get back home."
"Oh?" Questioned Akabane, his dark gaze sliding over to the male by his side. "And why is that?"
Flushing with embarrassment, Ginji averted his gaze but hooked his thumb over his shoulder to where they'd just come from. "You can't just do that to me and then walk away."
"Do what, Pet?" Asked the darker man sultry, a vampiric smile slipping over his features.
Ginji shot him an accusatory look. "Start something you know I'm going to want to finish."
Akabane barked with laughter. "I get the feeling you are going to be as insatiable as I..."
Brown eyes narrowed crossly, even while the corners of Ginji's mouth wobbled in an effort not to smile. "And I get the feeling you aren't going to mind at all."
--
--
Ban frowned as they pulled up to the house, noting the way the group that had stayed behind was in the yard, standing in a close circle with their backs facing each other, each with a weapon in hand. Even Natsume had her weapon, an adaptation to make use of her demonic table tennis skills it was a metal paddle with steel balls, some of which exploded after impact.
Ban and the others quickly piled out of the van, each scanning the area to assess the situation, while the brunette man moved over to the female transporter's side.
"What's the matter? What happened?"
"We're expecting a visit. Can't you feel it?" She asked, her azure gaze only flicking in his direction before staring intently back at the scenery in front of her.
Ban looked around. He could feel it, and apparently, so could everyone else. They all closed ranks around each other, standing in a tight circle facing out, each with their weapon ready. The air was already tense with anticipation, and began to buzz lightly with electricity as Ginji, too, prepared himself for battle.
Again, Himiko tore her eyes away from the area in front of her to shoot a meaningful look at Ginji. "Lightening Emperor..." She called out, causing the blond to look at her in question. "Don't let yourself be led away from the rest of the group, make sure to stay close."
The blond frown in confusion, noting the way Akabane gave him a slight nod of agreement. "Why?"
Her eyes narrowed, then turned to back to scan the area in front of them, just as white forms began stepping out of the forest and into the clearing. "If these people are from a medical institute that specializes in illegal experimentation, don't you think a boy who can generate his own electricity would be a wonderful prize to bring back?"
TBC