Ran heard annoying noises, as if people were talking to him. They were whispered and muffled to his ears, but he knew they were saying something. The bright light beaming on his face didn't help him sleep, either, needless to say his unusually hard and rough bed.
He groaned as he turned to his side, only to find his shoulder was not supported by anything. Eyes snapping open, he saw that he was looking down at the grassy bed below him. His heart felt the descent and before he knew it, he was in a messy heap with the grass on the ground.
"Ow shit…" He cursed under his breath, getting up on his knees and elbows before sitting back on his ankles. He lifted his elbow to see a fine scratch among soil, threatening to bleed. Uttering another curse, he brushed off the specks of foreign particles before looking up.
Height was no where in sight and his clothes were hanging from the spot where he had just fallen off from. Rubbing the back of his neck, he stood up and flew up, picking his clothes and putting them back on.
Where's Height? He wondered to himself. The latter was no where in sight and he was once again alone. He grumbled. So much for being mates… He paused at that thought, before blushing to himself.
"I did NOT just think that…"
"Think what?" A voice behind him interrupted and he turned around, a little relief to see Height.
"Nothing…" His attention shifted to the other's hand. "Is that a fish?"
Height looked at him quizzically and lifted his hand to take a look at the slimy thing still jerking a little.
"Yes is a fish. What else could it be?"
"What are you doing with that?"
Height shrugged. "Breakfast?"
"And just how do you think you'll eat it without cooking?" Ran paused. "You don't plan to eat it raw, do you?"
"I very much will. You'll like it too."
Ran stepped back. "Hell no. I will not eat it-" He stared at Height as he took a bite out of the scaly thing and walked over, towering the redhead easily. Ran was about to protest when Height just popped the entire piece into his mouth and he choked.
Ran cringed, awaiting the horrid taste to fill his mouth when he chewed on it a bit. His eyes blinked when he realised it actually tasted good; even better than fresh, raw salmon. He swallowed it.
"See? I told you", Height scoffed, taking a bit for himself.
Ran gave a slightly embarrassed look, causing his mate to be amused.
"Want another?"
Ran nodded and was about to bite off the fish himself when Height did so, and once again placed it in the red head's mouth, this time, their lips touching.
Ran pulled back a little, blushing and by accident, gulped the piece of fish whole. It was a little too fast, though, and he choked, ending up coughing and his face turning beet red.
He glared up at Height who was laughing, unaffected by the dangerous stare. He went over and with his free hand, reached over and tugged on the long ear-tail, making Ran wince a bit in annoyance.
Height smiled at the crimson hair and gave it a kiss, making the redhead's face color the same as his hair.
-------
"Do you think you can get Aya-kun back?" Omi asked as he spread the entire blueprint of Kritiker's base. He levelled it out on the floor with a long rule, leaving it at the corners to prevent the sheet from rolling in.
The older two shrugged. They told Ran to go out, but never specified when he ought to be back.
"I'll go find him", Yoji offered.
Omi nodded and watched the blond went upstairs to retrieve his car keys before leaving through the garage.
Ken came over and knelt on a single knee beside his teammate.
"So, how are we to do this?"
"Kritiker's base is underground. There are five entrances/exits, and we're going to enter through different ones. It's highly risky, but to cover more ground, we're going to have to split two-two", he started. "There are different rooms they keep the paperwork. Some can be here or here." Omi pointed to two libraries; obviously a library for storing information.
Ken looked about in the blue print and pointed to a few more big rooms. "What about these?"
"Those are for the past. The ones we're heading are either for the recent or future missions."
"I can't believe we're actually doing this", groaned the brunet.
"For Aya-kun", Omi reminded.
"Yeah but, we're risking a lot more than just our lives by doing this!"
The younger one looked up at him with a frown. "I know", he said flatly. He of all people knew the consequences of even trying to step into headquarters without authorisation. It was risking their career and their heads. "But would you rather they start sending other people to kill Aya-kun?"
Ken slumped back, slightly defeated. "No…"
"So we have to do this. Aya-kun's been taking care of us. He saved us numerous times already… just this once we've got to help him."
-------
Yoji flipped his phone close, grumbling about the redhead not bringing something which was meant to be mobile. He took off without a single thought of where he ought to start looking, but the city was not an option. Maybe he'd go to the nearby parks before setting out a little deeper to the southern forests.
Fifteen minutes more and he parked his Seven. He got out of the car and searched around, quietly entering the area of thickening vegetation.
"Aya! Oi, Aya!" Yoji shouted in a whispered voice, annoyed by the bushes and trees.
A shuffle above the trees and he looked ahead, seeing a shadow from the trees dropping. Walking over, he found the redhead proceeding towards him as well.
"What's wrong?" Ran asked, wondering why Yoji had come to look for him already. It was less than a day ago that they temporarily parted from home.
Yoji smiled and was about to tell him the good/bad news when a figure up in the trees caught his attention. He glared at the crossbreed who was doing the same at him. Both of them were sending electrifying gazes of rivalry and Ran rolled his eyes and waved his hand in front of the other assassin, snapping him out of it.
"Just ignore him", Ran said.
The brows of the blond were still showing discontent but figured that there was something a little more important than picking a fight with the bird-brain.
"Omi's found a way into Kritiker. Ken's the only guy he's briefing now so we thought you might want to join in." Yoji flashed a pissed look upwards. "Excluding him."
Height scoffed. "He will not go anywhere-"
"Cut it out", Ran snapped with irritation. "Both of you", he emphasised when Yoji was about to sneer.
The other two kept silent as waited for Ran to speak as if he was boss, waiting for the decision to be made.
"I don't think you can force Height to stay away", he told Yoji, before looking up at the man perched on the branch. "But I have to go back."
Height gave a silent groaning. He slipped off the tree and landed on his feet. "I'll go wherever you go."
Yoji snorted and was about to protest but Ran placed his hand over the blond's mouth, indicating that was the end of discussion.
"Fine", Yoji grumbled when the hand was removed, watching Ran drape his coat over without slipping his arms through the sleeves.
"I'll meet you at your place, Ran", Height said.
The said person turned around and stared at him, slightly confused. "Why?"
"I'm not getting into that metal thing", the firm reply came.
"Pft, why not? I don't intend to have bird poop on my –ow!" Yoji scowled at the redhead who had just hit him on the arm.
"We'll meet you there", Ran nodded to Height.
The crossbreed nodded as well and flew out of the forest area, disappearing into the canopy.
Ran had been watching and faced the blond when the other suddenly grabbed him by the arms. They came face to face with each other and the redhead frowned.
"What?"
"What did you do last night?" Yoji asked, eyeing suspiciously.
"What are you talking about?" Ran growled, frowning at the same time. He lifted his arms and pushed down Yohji's.
"Yeah right", the blond snorted and reached over to Ran's neck.
The redhead froze for a moment, wondering what the hell the playboy was up to.
The blond jammed his thumb against a spot on the lower jagular. "Hickey."
Ran stared at him and backed away, bringing his hand up and covering the spot where Yoji had just touched, his face becoming warm.
"W-What hickey?" He stuttered. I am so going to kill Height, he thought.
"Seriously, what did you guys do?" Yoji's voice was serious now, and judging by his personality Ran knew the other wasn't going to let the matter rest until the truth is out.
"We…" Ran's voice trailed off. How was he supposed to put it in words? He bit on his lower lip, wondering what the hell he was going reply.
"Made out?"
Ran opened his mouth to say something before having Yoji push and slam him against a tree. He hissed at the collision and opened an eye to see Yoji towering the same way Height did.
"Why?" Yoji demanded.
Ran glared up at the blond and took the courage to push him away. "It's none of your business", he hissed. The redhead turned away from Yoji and resumed his walk out of the area, hearing the other swear softly.
-------
Naturally, Omi was glad to meet the crossbreed while Ken was suspicious of the stranger, but showed hospitality. To Ran's surprise, Height was actually nice to them, seeing that his meeting with Yoji wasn't exactly friendly.
He almost chuckled when he saw the puzzled look on Height's face when Ken extended his hand for a greeting. Omi was giggling, Ken was sheepishly grinning but Yoji was sulking in the kitchen with a cup of coffee.
All of them settled in the kitchen at the table, seated except for Height who was idling about in the living room curiously examining the place called 'home'. Ran had given him the warning about possessing itchy fingers and touching stuff, as well as not to open his wings and wreck the place.
Omi had the honours of explaining everything from the start and Ran was really grateful he had such teammates. He knew clearly that the other three aren't the type who appreciates his attitude much. Yet, they were planning to risk themselves for him. He had apologised somewhere in the conversation. Omi smiled it off saying that it was the best he could do. Ken stated that they were still friends despite openly admitting he was an asshole(he shut up after getting a glare). As usual, Yoji kept quiet.
"So that's how it's going to be?" Ran questioned the last time and the youngest nodded.
"Yup. The sooner we get this done, the safer we ought to be. Well, you ought to be", Omi smiled as he rolled up the long piece of blue paper.
"But you think we'll make it out alive? Kritiker won't hold back just because we're part of them you know…?" Ken said, muffled behind a towel.
"It's better to die trying than not try at all", Ran sighed and got off his chair. "Thanks… all of you", he gave a tiny smile of appreciation. Then he heard the sound of glass hitting the carpet floor.
Ran groaned and went out to the lounge, the brunet and younger blonde not far behind. The three found Height on the top of the backrest of the couch on all fours glaring at the base of a cupboard which had a four inch gap. His wings were half-spread and he was in the position for charging. A cup was lolling on the floor, contents darkening the spot on the carpet.
Ran smacked a hand on his forehead, asking what he was trying to with a grumble.
"Rat", Height replied, sniffing. He pushed himself off the couch and closed his wings behind him, grunting at the escaped prey.
The redhead sighed and walked over, picking the cup up and placing it back on the table. Wordlessly, he walked up the stairs, towards his room. The others were slightly puzzled to that since he made no sound about the carpet. It was, after all some antique he had picked up from the India mission. He'd yell at anyone if it got dirty.
Yoji was probably the only one who knew what was up with Ran.
-------
In his room, Ran stretched his arms upwards, feeling his backbone lengthen. He wished it could extend longer; it felt good. His wings were also open in response to the stretch, slightly aching from last night.
He heard a shuffling noise from the window and walked over. He jumped when he saw Height slip in.
"There's something called a door", Ran frowned, pointing to the rectangular block of wood. Height gave a shrug as a response, giving a certain face. The redhead was familiar with it. "You're not coming on the mission."
"Why not? I've always followed wherever you went."
Ran was a little dumbfounded. "Well, it doesn't matter. You're not coming."
"It defeats the purpose in protecting you when I'm not there." Height growled.
"I didn't ask for your protection", Ran barked back. "You're just assuming I need it."
"I don't have to assume. It's something I want to do so what's wrong with it?"
"Do you think I'm too weak to keep myself safe?"
"Now you're the one assuming", Height snorted.
"Whatever it is, don't you dare follow."
"And what if I do? What can you do about it?"
Ran dropped his head, teeth grit and fists clenched. Height kept silent.
"Get out", the redhead hissed.
Height frowned. He reached out to the other but had a hand smack it away.
"Get out!" He shouted louder this time round, despite knowing that the rest of the house would hear.
Height's frown faded and he glanced down at a reddening line on the underside of his lower arm. He sniffed and turned around. He stepped up onto the ledge of the window, giving a final peer before jumping out.
Ran dropped to the ground, a hand over his mouth. He felt his body shake, so he hugged himself, trying to stop it. He blinked to find water falling onto his knees, making a few darkened spots on his pants.
He reached up and brushed away the trails on his cheek.
oh wee heyo people i updated! hi five!�i'm still stuck in schooling and a graduating year at that (crap...) so i take ages to update but i do. well. see you people soon thanks for popping by...
oh by the way there're people complaing about.. those two.. aha ha ha... sorry i rushed it but i have to get on with it hopefully you guys can understand D:�anywayi'll try 'dragging' it as much as possible to not make to so quick� or wishy washy... apologies. ;; the next chapter will clear up the�back scene (aka the one where�Ran told Height to leave) it's a complicated thing, but no worries it'll�be cleared. plus, the guys are going to infiltrate Kritiker and find out ONE MORE surprise! ahhhhh wait til then bwah ha ha�