Disclaimer: me no ownie.
Precious Things
Chapter Six
"This is really ridiculous." Ban spat, tossing his cigarette away as he and Ginji made their way through the woods. "So you didn't notice anything while you and Dr. Freak were out on your nature walk?" He demanded in annoyance.
Since Ginji and Akabane had both made full recoveries, the group had once again set out to search for clues as to how the two of them were... attacked. However indirectly.
The blond male shook his head, pulling his coat a little tighter around his body.
"No, nothing. I mean, Akabane didn't even notice anything, and he's way more perceptive than I am." He tried to laugh. "It was probably just a freak accident, Ban. Mold or something. Not to knock Akabane's cooking, but he had cooked for both of us that morning, maybe some of the ingredients were bad and neither of us realized it." Ginji shook his head. "I don't think we were attacked, I think it was just coincidence."
The brunette snorted.
"I contemplated that route of thought, too, Gin. That's why I sent samples of yours and Jackal-boy's blood to Paul, he said it was definitely poison, not just Akabane's bad cooking." He laughed at his own comment. "Though Akabane's cooking is probably close enough to poison anyway, how'd you muster up the courage to try it?" He questioned, offering his best friend a sideways glance.
Ginji fervently shook his head.
"You're all wrong, Ban. Akabane is actually a really good cook, it was the best breakfast I've had in my entire life!"
The taller Get Backer gave him a playful shove, grinning lazily.
"You say that about any meal you get when you're hungry."
Again the blond shook his head.
"I'm serious, Ban. I'd be willing to kiss his boots if it meant he'd make breakfast again."
Blinking in surprise, Ban carefully observed the blond for a moment, eyes playing over his friend's face as silence passed easily between them. Maybe it was this place, maybe it was the aftereffects of them both having been so sick, but... both Ginji and Akabane were acting differently. The blond no longer seemed to be terrified of the darker man, and he in turn was actually rather pleasant company to have around. Knowing Ginji for as long as he had, Ban also knew that the cold weather and all the snow affected Ginji but only if he was outside in it, and then all it did was calm him, making him more docile and less hyperactive. This behavior... this lack of fear towards a monster, it came from something else, but what?
They continued walking the path around the lake behind the house, shoes shuffling through the light layer of snow beneath their feet. It really was beautiful. Furr trees covered in snow, thick blankets of white, at least a foot deep, covering the ground and even the lake itself was frozen solid. Natsume and Emishi were currently having the time of their lives on the frozen surface.
Currently, it was only Ban and Ginji making their way around the lake, the others had all spread out to search other areas. Ban had decided to take this route with his friend so they would be able to talk in private. Were any of the others around, Ginji was more likely to act aloof and play the fool to avoid talking about things he didn't want to or felt embarrassed about. That was why they were out there, so they could talk, and Ban was going to make them walk around that lake as many times as they had to in order to get everything out of Ginji he thought he needed to. Something was obviously bothering his blond friend; Ginji was being too quite, too agreeable. Gaze lowered so as to make certain his steps, his eyes never wandered to the area around him except for glances at the taller male when they were speaking. Heck, Ginji hadn't even asked once if he could go ice skating with Emishi and Natsume.
"...So, you and Akabane appear to be getting along just fine." Ban stated slowly, watching the blond out of the corner of his eye. The other boy merely nodded. Taking out another cigarette, Ban held it between his lips, one hand coming up to shield the flame of his lighter from the wind as he lit it and took a swift drag before blowing it out, holding the cigarette between his fingers as he spoke, trying to sound nonchalant. "The two of you friends now? I mean, he made breakfast, the two of you took a walk together, and you were both stuck in the same room together all day yesterday..."
Shrugging, Ginji ran a hand through his hair before stuffing his hands in his pockets.
"We get along fine." He stated simply before falling silent once more. Frowning in disapproval at his answer, Ban nudged his friend in the side, causing him to turn in surprise.
"Then what's bothering you?"
The poor blond seemed lost, as though not understanding his distress nor the cause behind it.
"It's just..." His expression became very serious. "We're. Getting. Along." He shook his head. "I just- I dunno. It's too weird. It's like he's two totally different people. One, the Akabane we normally have run-ins with, and then this Akabane, who's nice and patient and makes breakfast. Do you know I saw him petting one of Shido's wolf friends he's having help us search the area? There he was: dressed like a normal person, his wild hair flailing about him and scratching a dog behind the ears while laughing at something Natsume was saying. I-I mean, it's just... weird! It's like he's a regular person-"
"And someone you would like to be friends with, right?" Questioned his friend. Ban was surprised to see the faint blush that stained Ginji's cheeks suddenly, the way he averted his gaze.
"Is that twisted?" The blond asked, not looking up. "Knowing him like we do, yet wanting to be friends with him... is that wrong?"
Pausing for a moment, Ban took another puff on his cigarette, lips pursed before releasing the stream of smoke he'd been holding in.
"I don't think so." He stated simply, causing his friend to look up in surprise. Ban glanced at him. "Maybe he's like you: Ginji the Lightening Emperor and Ginji the Get Backer. Maybe he just hasn't been set free from one side, he could be, you know: Dr. Jackal and also Kuroudo Akabane. Maybe we've only met Dr Jackal, and you're getting to know Akabane." He shrugged. "There's nothing wrong with that." He clapped his friend once on the back. "You've got good instincts when it comes to people, Ginji. I trust you."
The blond only sighed dejectedly.
"I guess..."
They continued walking in silence; Ginji seemingly no less distressed than he was earlier. He continued to watching were his next step should be, head down, his hands in his pockets, a soft sigh escaping him as he seemed to somehow deflate even more.
The brunette nudged him in the side again.
"So what else is bothering you?"
The blond's gaze quickly shifted to his right, looking out through the trees and over the snow.
"Y'know, with all the snow that keeps falling, I really don't think we're going to be able to find any clues as to what made us sick."
"Ginji..." Pressed Ban seriously.
The blond shifted his gaze to the pair currently racing around the icy surface of the lake, Natsume beating Emishi by a yard at least.
"Wow, Ban! That looks like fun, doesn't it? Hey I wanna race, too! Heeeyyyy!!" He called out loudly, waving like a lunatic to the pair. Both skaters nearly toppled into each other and then to the ice when they waved back, hollering something that couldn't be made out. Ginji turned to his friend excitedly. "C'mon Ban, whaddya say? Let's go-"
"Ginji." Growled his friend in irritation, causing the shorter male to falter. Ban offered him a pointed stare. "What else is bothering you?"
Again, Ban was surprised to see the blush that crept over his friend's face, his sapphire eyes glancing to the side.
"It's nothing..."
"But what is it?!" Demanded Ban, tossing his cigarette away.
The blond shook his head.
"Really, Ban it's nothing, it's just... I dunno..." He stopped walking, causing Ban to turn around and face him as the blond's brows knit together, a deep frown adorning his usually smiling face. "I dunno..." He repeated, before looking up finally, resolute. "He looks at me. And it-it's... different from how he would look at you, or you would look at me, I don't know how to describe it. And he doesn't do it all the time, it's more like I catch him, like he doesn't even realize he's doing it and then he blinks and it's gone."
The image of Akabane standing over Ginji in the living room appeared suddenly in Ban's mind. In the light of only the fireplace, the dark man scooping Ginji into his arms and gently placing him on the couch, then covering him with a blanket. The glow of the fireplace reflecting in those dark eyes as one hand reached out to gently stroke Ginji's cheek... Ban knew Akabane felt something towards Ginji, but so long as the feelings weren't sinister, the brunette really had no problem with the dark man. Well, that wasn't necessarily true. The image of the two in bed together, however innocent in truth, the idea of the two as lovers had nearly floored Ban. The ground felt as though it had been jerked out from under his feet, his stomach lurching, while his head swam. Had it not been for Kazuki, he probably would have hit the floor. Had he been prepared for what he was about to walk in on, he would have handled it better, but for the twenty-four hours prior he'd done nothing but worry about why his friend was suddenly sick and what if Akabane tried to hurt him while they were quarantined together. He'd gone in expecting the worst, and then was forced to redefine his standards of the worst. But then, according to Natsume and Himiko, Akabane had woken up as confused as Ginji as to why they were in the bed together.
"I know what you mean, I think." He admitted softly. "I've caught it at times, too, and I think you're right, I don't think he even realizes it when he's looking at you in certain ways. But," He paused, tilting his head to the side as he observed his friend closely. "I don't think you should feel threatened. I think..." He frowned, searching for the words; he turned his gaze out over the scenery around them. "I think you're special to Akabane, I'm not even sure if he realizes it. You're more friends with him than anyone else in our group, probably know more about him than anyone else in the group, and I think, you're the only one Akabane would allow himself to open up to." He sighed, glancing back at his friend over his shoulder. "Sometimes people are put into each other's lives because they were meant to be there, because for some reason or other, they need each other. It's like me and Himiko. We've gone through hard times, times that nearly destroyed our relationship, things that made her nearly hate me... but we made it through, and we're still friends, despite that we've been both enemies and allies in the past. And we're still moving forward." He raised his hand and rested it atop Ginji's head. "That's what life is all about. Making relationships with those around us." He laughed and removed his hand, dropping it back down to his side. "That's what I think at least."
Brows drawn together, Ginji tilted his head to the side, asking, "So, you're saying I should just continue to be friends with him, no matter the outcome?"
The brunette nodded.
"I think you're probably the closest thing to a friend and a normal relationship he's ever had. Do you really want to be the one to take that away?"
Smiling, Ginji shook his head.
"No, and I already admitted to wanting to be friends with him as well."
Ban nodded in satisfaction, clapping his friend on the shoulder as they began making their way back to the house.
"Good, but should you feel things at any point are getting weird or you feel threatened, let me know and I'll come running to kick his ass for you, okay?"
Ginji laughed as well.
"You sound entirely to happy to have that opportunity."
Ban gave him a lopsided grin.
"You won't even have to twist my arm about it."
----
----
"So, basically," Began Shido flatly. "The fox said she saw two humans dressed in white all over, cloaked even, scarves covering the bottom half of their faces and black 'masks' covering their eyes, which was probably sun glasses to protect from the glint of the sun off the snow."
Akabane shifted his weight, running a hand through his wild hair as his own agitation pulled at him. The past few days had really been a disaster. First, he and Ginji were 'attacked', poisoned, and Akabane hadn't even been aware of it. He hadn't sensed a single person that day they had taken a walk, hadn't come across the signs of a trespasser when he'd done a search of the grounds earlier that morning before everyone had gotten up. The entire ordeal was completely his fault, and he knew it. Perhaps he needed more training, or maybe this friendly atmosphere had made him careless, perhaps he shouldn't have been so willing to be on such... agreeable terms with the other members of the group. Had it somehow made him soft?
No, that really couldn't be it. They hadn't been here but a couple of days when the pair had fallen ill... Could it be that those they were up against were actually that much better than Akabane himself? He frowned, turning away as his mind rapidly darted through the ideas. He was the best the institute had ever created: his training was perfect, his abilities perfect... Hell, most of the other's involved in the same training as he had hadn't even survived it, that is, if they even survived the experiments from the beginning. Most of the other 'candidates' had either been destroyed in body or mind, very few having made it as far as Akabane, and then not a single on of them had even been able to stand up to him. In fact, until he'd met Ginji, he'd never once been bested or even challenged by any of his opponents, no matter how out numbered he might have been.
So why...?
The contract had been for two weeks and already a week had gone by and they were no closer to protecting the target than they had been the day they'd all arrived. What did their enemies hope to accomplish? Akabane had some idea, but the fools really believe he would allow it?
"Is something the matter, Jackal?" Questioned Himiko softly from her spot by his side.
He forced himself to appear cool and collected, running a gloved hand through his hair.
"Why of course not, my dear Lady Poison. Why do you ask?" He questioned. He'd stepped away from the main group by several yards to lean against the trunk of a towering tree. Apparently, she too had separated herself to come stand next to him.
"I've worked with you enough to know when you're upset. You're in a near panic."
"I'm in no such thing." He snapped at her, then replaced his mask of a pleasant expression on his face. "I think you're merely jumping to conclusions, my friend."
"Am I?" She asked, turning her head to face him. "Then I'll tell you the other conclusions I'm jumping to. I think you know far more about this job than anybody here. In fact, I think you know both what the target is and who's after it." He continued to smile, though his expression was completely blank like a Noh mask. Himiko sighed and crossed her arms. "And neither I nor anyone else could drag the information out of you, even were I to tell the group what I believe, you would only deny the accusations and pretend to be completely ignorant on the subject." A heavy sigh escaped her, making her appear to deflate a bit. "You and Ginji are too much alike at times."
A genuine smirk tugged at the corner of his mouth at hearing that, his dark gaze sliding over to her. "Then am I to understand you aren't going to go running to Midou with your pretty little suspicions?"
"No, I'm not." She stated with a shake of her head. "But I expect you to let us in on your secret before things get out of hand and a member of this team ends up hurt," Her gaze shifted to him out of the corner of her eye. "Understood?"
"You needn't worry so, Lady Poison, it'll spoil your pretty complexion." He told her gently as he turned to go into the house, while the others finished their little group meeting.
----
----
Flipping the page to his book, Akabane shifted his weight on the bed and the pillows he was propped up against. Though he was loathe to admit it, he was really rather bored all by himself reading books he already had memorized. Perhaps after this was all said and done he would order some new alchemy and chemistry books and set himself about a project, he would have actually probably that day, except his work space was not available to him through this ordeal. Such a pain.
A knock on his door caused him to set his book aside, looking up curiously.
"Come in." He called, waiting as the door slowly opened and a blond head meekly peeked around it, surprising Dr. Jackal. "Ginji!" He sat up, tilting his head in curiosity. "What brings you here?"
"We're, uh, setting up to play some games and stuff downstairs. I wanted to know if you wanted to join in?" He laughed in embarrassment, scratching the back of his head. "The girls are trying to get us to play penalty games and take bets and such, and then later we're going to watch some movies." He laughed again. "We have too many gamblers in this group, they're taking bets and playing penalty on whoever falls asleep first and last during the movies."
Sliding off the bed, the dark man nodded his head.
"I suppose I'll join in the fun as well, though I'm sure you'll have to do some explaining as to what you mean exactly by penalties and bets."
The blond shook his head as they left the room, heading further downstairs to the first floor.
"I'm not sure exactly. The terms of the penalties are set up before each game, and the bets will probably involve poker or drinking games." He laughed. "Though I don't think we have any alcohol so it'll probably just have to do with when we watch movies. Like who falls asleep first, or who shuts their eyes during scary parts in the movie, that sort of thing."
"I see." Drawled the taller man as they reached the bottom floor. "Though I must admit, penalty games sound much more fun."
The group had already set up the fold out tables, one intended for card games while the other for board games.
Apparently, Natsume was taking charge of the events for the night.
"Okay," She began with her hands on her hips. "I call the card table first for a series of penalty games! Each game will consist of a minimal of four people. The winner of the previous game gets to decide the penalty for the loser of the next game, is that understood? The losers of the first game however must forfeit all snacks to the winner. I'm talking about you, Emishi, that candy horde of yours is mine, y'hear?" She glanced around the room. "Gin, Akabane both of you have to play with us too."
Smiling at the blond beside him, Akabane laughed lightly. "I don't believe we've been given the right of refusal, so shall we indulge her? I believe it could be rather promising."
Ginji grinned broadly.
"I had every intention of playing," He turned to glare at the teenage girl. "And of getting those snacks as my reward when I win."
"Bring it, Buster!" She ordered proudly, then pointed to the kitchen. "The other game table will be set up in the kitchen to avoid distracting the people from the game."
"Do you think she's a little competitive?" Asked Shido dryly.
Ban grabbed the Beast Master by the wrist and began pulling him into the kitchen.
"C'mon Monkey-boy! These games will give me just another chance to humiliate you. I don't care if the game is 'Apples and Oranges', this is a battle between us, you got that?"
Shido barked with laughter. "Well if this is to be a battle, I want a worthy opponent, so why am I playing against you?! It'll be too easy to completely trounce you!"
"What did you say?!"
"Come on Juubei," Stated Kazuki, leading his friend into the kitchen. "You and I can be a team, okay?"
"What are we playing for?" Asked his blind sworn protector.
"Um, we're on the same team, so I don't think it matters."
"A day of complete servitude!" Suggested Natsume, yelling into the kitchen behind them.
"You hear that, Monkey-boy?! I'll be calling you Servant-boy come morning time!" Ban laughed loudly.
"Not likely, Snake-for-Brains! I'll have you scrubbing the floors with a toothbrush and giving each of my animals a bath!"
The chaos died down a bit as the two groups did finally separate and the games started. Akabane casually adjusting and looking over his hand of cards while Natsume, Ginji, and Emishi each labored seriously over theirs. Natsume gnawed on her full bottom lip as she arranged and rearranged the cards in her hand, stealing glances at each of her opponents. The auburn haired male seemed equally serious about his hand of cards, yet only chanced glances at the female by his side as he normally did when he thought she wasn't looking. And finally, Ginji was as equally focused on his own hand, tongue darting out across his soft lips nervously. The action drew Akabane's attention to the blond's lush mouth, making his throat constrict tightly, and forcing him to take a sip of water to drink. He crossed and uncrossed his legs, clearing his throat lightly, before shifting his gaze to the female who had seemingly taken a headlock on the situation.
"Why are all of you so serious suddenly? Did I miss something?" He asked.
The jokester of the group nearly came out of his seat.
"Are you kidding man? The winner gets to put a penalty on the person who loses the next game! Anything goes pretty much! You can make them your servant, make them humiliate themselves in some manner, tell you their most intimate secret, truthfully answer any question you ask of them, ANYTHING!!" Natsume and Ginji nodded eagerly in agreement, as he appeared incredulous. "Have you never played penalty games before?"
"I wouldn't say I voluntarily played the games in question and the penalty was usually torture until you past out, so I don't think it can really compare to this, so no, I haven't." Jackal state offhandedly. Three brows raised in uncertain questioning, each wondering if he was actually serious. Smiling pleasantly, he asked, "Who goes first?"
"Me. And another thing before we start." Interrupted Natsume. "Whoever the winner is, if they want a specific penalty for the next game, they can state it before the start of said game. Example, if I want to make Emishi... dress up in Sailor Moon cosplay, I can say so before the next game, and if he isn't the winner, then he has to do it. Or if I said the loser of the next game has to do such and such for the next winner, they have to do it, I can specify who has to do what or just say the loser."
"So you could say the loser of the next game, or just choice a specific person, they have to, oh say, kiss the winner of that game, unless they won the next game, they would have to do it, correct?" Asked Ginji.
Natsume and Emishi bought brightened at his words.
"Now there's an idea. Kissing..." Mused Emishi slyly, drumming his fingers against the tabletop.
"That would be interesting considering there are three guys and then me! Haha! Wouldn't it be funny if one of you ended up having to kiss each other?!" Giggled Natsume.
Emishi's gaze shifted to both the other males sitting at the table before paling, "I'd much rather not have to kiss either of them, Natsume-love." He grinned, leaning towards the female. "You on the other hand, I'd be more than happy to bestow a kiss..."
"I just want to win those snacks." Stated Ginji determinedly.
"They're mine!" Exclaimed Natsume slapping down her first card. It was twenty minutes later before she made another sound, releasing a sadistic cackle that made even Akabane inch away from her. "I told you I'd win!"
"Well, then I have no choice but to win them away from you." Ginji said with a shrug.
"Fine, but I'm going to penalize you, Ginji!" She laughed. "Not if you loose the next game, but the next game you loose you have to kiss the winner of that game- wait, no! You have to be kissed BY the loser of the game before!"
Ginji frowned in confusion.
"So... even if I win the next game and get your snacks, if I loose any of the games following, the loser of the game before the one I lost gets to kiss me?" Akabane's mouth stretched in a vampiric smile no one noticed. Ginji laughed. "I'll just have to make sure you lose every game, Natsume!"
The next series of penalties turned more into bets. Ginji did in fact, win Natsume's snacks away from her, Emishi would have to bleach his hair and put pink highlights in it, Natsume had to cosplay as Sailormoon, while Akabane was subject to any one request from Ginji which the blond could use at anytime.
"I don't think I have the general idea of this card game down," Worried Dr. Jackal. "I haven't won a single game, I continue to come in last place."
"You just have to pay attention which cards you have and the ones the other players are discarding." Stated Ginji helpfully, "You want to try and get a full matching set before the other person, so you're trying to make sure you aren't collecting the same set as any of the other players or it makes it harder to collect a set."
"Oh I see. That does make it easier to understand."
"Emishi, your deal." Stated the blond with a lazy yawn. "This is my last hand and then I'm going to go join in the game in the other room."
"Wait, wait, wait..." Exclaimed Natsume, jumping up from her spot. "I have to go get something from my room."
"Emishi, shouldn't you go get my snacks?" Questioned Ginji, leaning forward with his chin on the bridge of his interlaced fingers.
The auburn haired man rose and sulked from the room after his favorite brunette, whimpering about having to bleach his hair.
Akabane grabbed the deck of cards, distractedly shuffling them as he turned to Ginji who was smiling happily to himself.
"Emishi has the best snacks. I don't know where he finds them, but they're always really good and there's always a lot! Suckers in all flavors, pocky in all flavors, chocolate and yogurt covered raisins, fruity candy, chewy candy... ohmygawd, I'm so happy."
Chuckling, Akabane continued to casually shift through the cards in his hand. "Why, Ginji dear, tears are nearly brimming in your eyes."
"Tears of joy, Akabane. Tears. Of. Joy." He, if possible, brightened, turning to the man beside him excitedly. "Hey, I know what! I'll share it with you! You've probably never really had candy before have you? What with having been raised in an institution, and as an adult, you probably had no real interest in it. I'll share it with you!"
The cards in his hand stilled as Akabane blinked in surprise. "Why Ginji... that's very thoughtful of you. I'm actually surprised you would share you're prize with me. No offense, but I assumed the child-like side of your personality would demand you hoard it all for yourself."
"It does," He admitted with a nod. "But this is different. Just don't tell Emishi and Natsume I'm sharing with you."
"It'll be our secret. So tell me, Ginji, when are you going to make good of my penalty?"
"Huh? Oh! You have to do any one thing I ask, don't you? I'll have to think about it. If it was Emishi, I was going to make him run a naked lap around the lake, and had it been Natsume I was going to have her pay off our tab to Paul. I guess I just never thought you'd loose, so I'll have to think about it. What would you make me do if you had a choice?"
"If I could make you do any one request?" He asked, and the blond nodded. "Hm... I'd probably make you my lover so then I would have an excuse to always be around you." He stated with a chuckle before continuing to shuffle the cards in his hands.
The blond flushed a deep scarlet then flushed an even deeper shade before laughing and crossing his legs.
"You don't have to have a reason to hang out with me, Akabane. We're friends, spending time together is simply what friends do. I'd do the same for you, just call you up and be like 'Hey, Akabane, let's do something'." He laughed. "I mean, if I knew how to even get in contact with you, I think Hevn is the only person who knows how to get a hold of you, well, and maybe Himiko."
"Honest?" Questioned Akabane, genuinely surprised and pleased. "Just call you up? How intriguing."
The blond laughed again.
"You say some of the strangest things sometimes, Akabane."
The dark man raised a brow in question. "I'm glad I amuse you, but tell me, friend, what did I say that is so amusing?"
Ginji chuckled.
"Seriously, you don't know?" The man adjacent to him shook his head, a soft smile touch his lips. Shrugging, the blond leaned back in his seat, his arm hanging over the back of it. "Well, what you just said, I suppose. Thinking you had to have a reason for us to hang out, much less that you would go to the extremes that we had to be lovers, I mean... c'mon. Friends spend time together, that's why they're called friends." He frowned lightly, blue eyes growing a murky tone as sadness crept into their depths. "I know my upbringing was far from normal, but at least I knew about making friends, and that its okay to hang around someone you like and get along well with." He waved his hand toward their surroundings. "I mean, we don't all always get along, but we're still friends. I mean, I don't really even consider us all to just be friends, we're like this weird surrogate family, and we all somehow complete each other. It's like Ban said to me 'Sometimes people are put into each other's lives because they're simply meant to be there'." He frowned, tilting his head to the side as he observed the dark man sitting with him. "Does that make sense?"
"Yes," Stated Jackal softly, his eyes darkening. "It does."
There it was again. That feeling. Suddenly it took everything in Akabane not to lean across the table and place his mouth over Ginji's. To hell with the table, he wanted to just toss it to the side so he could take the blond in his arms and kiss him properly. God, what ecstasy must it be to take possession of those lush lips, to kiss Ginji slowly and smoothly, only to release his mouth and nuzzle the boy's neck causing a sigh to escape the blond.
Where was this coming from?! He'd known for a while that he somehow wanted to take possession of the boy, wanted to fight him again, this creature who was able to best him for the first time. It had all been linked back to that, it was the reason behind Akabane's obsession with him, the reason he couldn't just move on and forget the blond. His pride was wounded wasn't it? That was the reason? He merely followed the boy waiting for a rematch so he could prove that Ginji's earlier victory had merely been a fluke...
But it wasn't about pride anymore. He found himself protecting Ginji, and aiding him when he didn't have to. His feelings of wounded pride slowly faded away and were replaced with a genuine admiration, and then, affection... He was here to make sure Ginji didn't receive any manner of harm, a deep sense of protectiveness had overcome Jackal, he somehow felt responsible for the blond's well-being, that no one be allowed to cause the boy any manner of grief. And he grew angry when he saw the other members of the team and their obvious affection for the blond, the closeness between all of them, was reminded of the years they'd all been able to be together.
Was this... jealousy? This near animalistic instinct he felt... the need to guard and protect Ginji, to not let anyone get too close, not even his friends. But what was the cause? Why did he feel this way whenever he was near the blond? Whenever the boy would give him that carefree smile, why was it that these feelings welled up inside of Akabane, beyond his control and without his consent?
A frown adorned Ginji's features as he tilted his head to observe the dark man. "Why are you looking at me that way?" He asked just as Natsume and Emishi returned from upstairs.
Setting the cards he'd been shuffling to the side, Jackal's lips twisted into a sinister grin of confident determination.
"Ginji, my dear friend, I'm afraid that this game will be in my favor and you will come in last place."
The blond laughed as the other two took their seats at the table.
"Is that so, Akabane? After my snacks already? Natsume, your deal." He frowned when he turned to the brunette, the digital camera set by her arm. "What's that for?"
She smiled happily, beginning to pass out the cards.
"I wanted to take pictures while we're here. Oh. Here." She stated, leaning over to get something on the floor by Emishi. She pushed a bulging dufflebag over to the blond. "Those are all his snacks." She placed another stuffed bag on top of it. "And those are mine. But if I win this game, I lay claim to all of them again."
Laughing, Ginji hooked his thumb to his side. "Well, you have competition. Akabane says he's already won this." He leaned forward to whisper to her behind his hand, while winking playfully to the other two players. "To tell you the truth, I think he's after my snacks as well."
"Is that so?! Well!" She slapped down her first card and drew another one before leaning across the table to grin evilly at Jackal. "I don't think that's all he's after if he wins, but still, I don't plan to loose."
The dark haired man smiled pleasantly, laying down a card and drawing another one.
"Fine. Just don't plan to win, either."
Snorting, Emishi laid down a card and picked up the one Akabane had discarded. "They're just snacks, you guys."
Natsume snorted as Ginji took his turn.
"I did NOT go upstairs and get my camera just over snacks, Emishi. You can be so dense."
The auburn haired male shook his head. "I must be, because I don't get it."
"You will once the game is over." She stated with a decisive nod, causing the other male to only frown in confusion.
The game was over faster than any of the previous games, two rounds later and then Akabane knocked on the table's surface and laid out his cards for the others to see.
"And I believe that's check mate." He stated cooly, a pleased smile twisting his features.
Ginji cursed under his breath. "I've never seen anybody win that fast."
The dark man merely smiled.
"Your advice at the end of the last game helped, in which case, if you remember, I was the loser."
Natsume was fiddling with her camera while Emishi had already left the table completely dejected.
"Oh that's right!" Exclaimed Ginji, snapping his fingers. "You did loose the last game, didn't you? At least you won this one, right? Oh. Crap, I came in last, and I was on such a winning streak." He pouted.
"Penalties, people, penalties..." Urged Natsume impatiently.
The blond laughed. "Yeah, Akabane, it's your turn to decide a penalty for someone."
"I think I'll penalize you, Ginji dear. You'll have to answer to any one request of mine, which I can use at anytime, alright?"
Without hesitation, Ginji nodded. "That sounds fair, it's the same penalty I gave you after all."
Natsume stood from her seat and took a few steps back before holding up her camera as though about to take a picture.
"And now for your other penalty, Ginji," She smiled devilishly. "Or more precisely, your first penalty."
Akabane's grin only widened as he waited for the blond to realize what lay in waiting for him. At first, the blond merely frowned in confusion, then realization dawned in his eyes before a deep blush encompassed his face, and he turned to Akabane in a near panic.
"Oh! Oh. Um, were you serious about that Natsume?"
"Oh yes," She stated. "And you agreed to it. Go ahead Mr. Akabane." She waved him off. "In fact, pretend I'm not even here!"
Laughing, Akabane cast her a caste sideways glance before rising, one hand placed firmly on the surface of the table while the other reached out to cup the side of Ginji's face. "No offense, Natsume, but as far as I'm concerned, you're NOT here." He stated, leaning over the blond who watched him uncertainly, his cheeks aflame. Strands of his dark hair fell gently over his shoulder as he leaned in closer over the boy, offering a reassuring smile as he gently ran his thumb over the blond's cheekbone. Hesitating, Akabane took a moment to memorize Ginji's face, the way he bit his bottom lip between his teeth, averting his gaze shyly before a sort of calm washed over his features, his sapphire gaze locking with the dark of Akabane's.
"Go head."
And without another word, the dark man covered Ginji's mouth with his own...
TBC
Tenoko: Okay, as far as updates and everything goes, for more information as to what is probably going through my head or what I'm working on, by all means, check out my LJ: tenoko1. You can see art, photographs, chapter ideas and partials, etc.