A.N. So, here's another chapter of To live again, although most of you do not deserve it... since, as crazy as you were about Talk to me, I got almost no reviews for the X-mass sequel Cookies and Milk... *Pout* So Thank You KOHAI and Kick-Aft. I still pout to the others...
Chapter 10 - Accepted
However you might look at it, things between me and Izumo didn't go well. We hardly spoke, hardly did our job. The distance between us was growing. I wasn't even sure if he continued going to the cemetery – I just stopped going earlier and looking for him in the main room.
And I started going to work with my bike again. That was until it began making funny noises. Here's the time where I should admit that as cool as I do look on my bike, I have absolutely no clue how to mend it if needed.
"So I have this little thing…", I began, dodging Ares' fist.
"In your pants?", he laughed. I leered.
"Is that you way of begging me to prove you wrong; about it being little?"
Ares laughed again. "Not my thing, kid. What's your problem?", he asked all the while trying to knock me down.
"My bike's making strange noises. You know a good mechanic around here?"
"Sure. Kaito!"
"What!.?", a roar from the other end of the room. I recognized its owner as the owner of what must have been the best kept Harley in Konoha.
"Will ya show the new kid to Kiba's?"
"Sure thing, kiddo!", Kaito grinned in a "I-totally-understand-your-obsession-with-your-bike" way.
I suppressed a growl – I was getting used to their calling me a kid… since recently I could be found here every single day…
Kaito had to run to work after his prolonged sparring session, so he wrote down the address hastily and, excusing himself once again, literally ran.
So, paper with address in hand, I found myself in front of what looked like a small garage with the sign telling that was "Kiba's". I shrugged indifferently and stepped in.
The first thing I noticed when I entered was the music – Moby – Flower. I smirked. I loved that place already.
"Can I help ya?", a deep voice asked behind me.
I turned around. And gaped.
"Fuck… me… No, fuck HIM!"
He looked around 18, with messy brown hair, animalistic eyes… and tattoos on his face (these looked familiar somehow… hmmm…). He was wearing a black tank, perfectly showing his sexy body, a scarf was hanging from the back pocket of his ripped jeans.
"Eeeerrm…", was the only thing that passed my lips.
He chucked, reaching a hand for a handshake. "I'm Kiba."
"Kotetsu", I said, shaking the strong hand.
"What's ya'r problem?"
"Huh?"
"With the bike…?"
"Oh! Yeah, I… something with the… Ok, so I have no idea with what", I confessed lamely and he chuckled, shaking his head. "It makes funny noises when I speed up...", I trailed off, my eyes undressing him.
"Hmm… How fast?", he asked.
"Well, I'm not a fan of quickies but I can make it fast if you… wait, shut up, pervert Kotetsu!"
"Huh?"
"How fast can it go?"
"Eeerm… I've gone with 85mph."
He grinned, showing sharp canines, similar to the ones tattooed on his cheeks.
"Cool! I like fast machines."
"Don't tempt me, kid… I'm this close of shoving you to the wall and having my wicked, wicked…"
He was saying something again.
"Er, what?"
"I asked when you need it for?"
"Dunno, how fast can you make it?"
He licked his lips, obviously ogling me. "A day and you're taking me for a ride."
I smirked. "Deal."
"Ain't no deal, Hagane!", a voice snapped behind me.
I turned around, surprised at being called by name. A woman, clad in tight black leather pants and a matching leather jacket was just stepping off a black and yellow Ducati and taking her helmet off. Wild hair (yes, I said that) and animalistic eyes, far too familiar right now, were showed on display. As well as those exact same face tattoos…
I needed a few seconds to assimilate all that and to put the pieces together. My eyes widened as I recognized that face.
I was used to seeing that body dressed in baggy, camouflage pants and T-shirts that weren't exactly showing what that leather jacket did. Because, obviously, while at work Inuzuka Tsume did not wear leather or anything that showed how… sexy she actually was.
Wait… Inuzuka Tsume… looking like that… being right here… her eyes… his eyes…those tattoos…
I turned back to stare at a positively irritated Kiba, then back at Tsume.
"You… You…", I started.
"I'm his mother and you ain't taking my boy for any ride!"
Well, shit.
I was grumpy to say the least. Yesterday, after an awkward farewell, I went back home, walking, mind you, and with no Kiba or whomever to keep me company. I knew I was scowling at the monitor and Izumo kept throwing me glances that could have passed for caring if I didn't know any better. Actually he had just opened his mouth, when Inuzuka Tsume walked in OUR! room, not giving a damn for the nasty glares, and stopped by my desk. I sighed, irritated, and rolled my eyes.
"Come ooon, we were just talkn'! It can hardly pass as flirting!"
One eyebrow rose over an eye with a slit-like pupil. She wore the same baggy khaki pants and a green vest over a black tee, nothing like the leather outfit from yesterday. She looked like she was fighting a smile. Finally, she sighed, put a small card down on my desk and slid it to my keyboard.
"Here. Kiba will have your bike ready by tonight. You should come to this place.", she tapped the card with her finger. "It's where we bikers meet."
"So what now, you're fine with the big bad detective talkin' to, slash, seducing and tainting your son?"
She smirked. "The only thing that bugs me in that statement is the "detective" part. My kid will have nothing to do with policemen. He will not worry every single day."
That surprised me, but instead I simply asked "Doesn't he already?", looking at her pointedly.
"That's different. I'm his mother. Not a partner in life."
Fuck. She wore no wedding ring, but... "Your husband? … His dad?...", I asked awkwardly.
She nodded curtly, arms folded and eyes looking away. I coughed awkwardly and smiled tentatively.
"So… it's not that I'm a man…?"
She laughed quietly. "Kiba is bi. I can have him continue the name at any rate. Why not let him have his fun till then?"
I smiled, a lot warmer now, and nodded, with understanding. She nodded as well and turned towards the door. "Tonight at ten. There's a map on the card."
The place was an old, deserted area in the industrial part of the town. It had a few buildings, mostly factories, but what obviously brought all the speed freaks here was the huge site, cleared of any objects – I noticed the perfectly smooth, new asphalt pavement. I bet the freaks have done it, I smirked to myself, delighted by the fact. Loud rock and metal music finished the whole setting – they had a DJ. A hard-sound-loving DJ. [A.N. Insert Evanescense – Sweet sacrifice here]
I'm in love….
I rode slowly amongst the small groups of people; almost everyone was standing by or on a sports bike. I finally noticed Tsume, and Kiba, and went to greet them… only to freeze by the sight of a HUGE white dog, standing near Kiba.
"Holy Mother of…!", I started.
KIba and the others laughed.
"Oh, Akamaru is a big softie… just don't piss him off and you guys will be perfectly ok", Kiba grinned.
"Our family actually breeds them", Tsume explained. "You want one?"
"Eeerm, sure… Do you have something… smaller?"
They all laughed again, then the guy next to me told Tsume he was going to fetch some drinks. She nodded and then her look landed on me, watching the big guy – and mostly his scarred face.
"Police Station Nine's Captain, Ibiki Morino", she informed me, then smirked and added "Taken."
I grinned. "Not that I was interested but since you said it – by whom?"
"By me", she winked. I smiled back – she knew me, knew what I was like. And accepted me. They all did… my personal circle of speed freaks like me, who didn't give a damn which way I swayed. That, and Ares and the guys there, made me feel finally where I was supposed be… in peace… at home…
Accepted.
Ibiki returned with energy drinks – beer was out of question, since we'd gathered to ride. He handed me one and smirked.
"Dare for a small competition?"
I ginned widely "Bring it!"
I yawned widely in front of the monitor – even my coffee, brought by Reiji, didn't help to wake me up, since I stood with my new found friends all night long, thanks to the energy drinks. Finally, around 4 am, I got back to my place and had exactly 2 hours of sleep before I had to go to work.
Izumo entered our room, late again, but he looked different than the last few weeks. He put a still slightly steaming package on my desk. I eyed it warily as if it would bite me.
"What is it?", I asked.
"Peace offer?", he kinda suggested.
Curious, I opened the paper bag and lifted the lid of the square box inside.
Oooohh…, my inner self moaned.
"…Lasagna is not a Mexican dish", I noted, in spite of my inner happy dance.
"I know, I just thought… I heard you talking about it with Shikaku the other day and decided…"
Instead of telling him that he thought right, I made use of the fork, wisely put in the package, and stuffed my mouth. My eyes crossed and I couldn't hold back the moan.
"Oh, dear Kami…", I looked up at him, noticing his blushing face and suppressing a smirk (so, he liked screamers, huh? Good to know, good to know…). "You cooked that?"
He shook his head. "Mom did."
"It's still hot…", I noted again.
"I… went to bring you some… before work…"
I averted my eyes, muttering a thanks.
"She asked about you."
"Hmmm?"
"Mom. And Maria too.", short laugh "She scolded me that I had upset you and demanded I bring you for lunch this Saturday…"
I grinned widely. "Well… I can never deny a lady."
He smirked, fighting a real smile. "Oh? I thought it was gentlemen that you couldn't deny…"
I blinked, choking a bit. Did he just say a joke with a naughty subtext!.?
He laughed, turning and walking away. "Saturday, 8 am. Be ready, rat boy!"
I felt a small twinge when he called me that (I'd have to tell him one of these days), but then focused on the Saturday I was about to have. And the "peace offer" at hand.
"Good lasagna", I nodded to myself and stuffed my mouth again.
A.N. As you can see (I hope) I'm warming it up again. Then angst again. Then better. Then major angst. Then fluff in the end. That's how I work. Dare to not review again and watch me end this.