Well, I seem to have a good response to this one so on I go!!!  I like this one too^.^  That doesn't happen too much ya know?  I always hate everything I do, but I like this!!!  Maybe cause of the leaves, I love leaves…fall is great, best time of the year in my opinion… ::grins and blushes::  Looks like I got a little off track…  Well, anyways…

            Disclaimer:  No…I don't any of this.  But I wish I did.  Can you imagine what fun you could have if you owned Chichiri and Tasuki?  Santa should mass produce them and give them to us all for Christmas!!!  Yay!!!  It's a merry Christmas after all!  On with the story!

Leaves: 

Day 2: Operation Clean-up: Back up

By: Meg-chan

            The sun crept over the mountains and into the window of Tasuki's room.  The day was going to be clear and cool, just as beautiful as yesterday.  As the new sun hit his eyes they fluttered open and darted towards the clock on the bedside table.  6:47.  Jeeze, that was just way to early to even consider getting up.  He turned over and pulled the covers over his head in the hope of catching a few more hours of sleep (he just seems like the type to sleep in^.^).  At that moment he heard pans clattering and Chichiri yelling upstairs, "I'm making pancakes!  Would you like some no da?"

            Tasuki groaned and rolled out of bed.  He had always wondered how the hell the other man was able to wake up at the crack of dawn every day.  It was absolutely insane.  He had trouble getting up before 10 each morning.  The fiery haired man pulled out some socks and put them on.  He walked down the steps trying to shake the sleep out of his eyes.  The quiet morning air was shattered as he tripped on a corner of the rug, fell down the stairs and screamed at least 6 different profanities on the way down.

            As Tasuki finally stumbled into the kitchen, Chichiri smiled.  The room always seemed to brighten a little when the fiery man entered it.  Chichiri had noticed this a long time ago, and it always made him smile.  The older man walked to the table and placed the plates down.  Tasuki sat in silence, still attempting to wake up a little more.  Once he had accomplished that he proceeded to stuff his face.  Chichiri grinned and reached for the syrup (straight from Vermont of course, none o' that cheap stuff).  "I thought if we started early we could get it all done today no da." Chichiri said as he poured the sugary liquid on his pancakes.

            Tasuki's spirit dropped a little at this.  He didn't just want to get it done.  He wanted to be able to spend some real time with Chichiri.  He pushed those thoughts away and tried to be happy with what he got.  "Sounds good." he managed to force out.  Chichiri, who was an expert at hidden feelings and finding other meanings in people's words, noted that Tasuki did sound so sure of this.  He wanted his friend to be honest, so the blue haired man left it alone.  They spent the rest of their meal talking about nothing in particular, and when they were both done Tasuki went and changed and they went outside.

            More leaves had fallen during the night, so Tasuki's previous efforts were almost unnoticeable.  "Aww, shit…  What was the friggin' point then?!?!"  he exclaimed.  Chichiri grinned and handed him a pair of gloves.  "Here, use these, you won't get blisters this way no da.  Now lets get going!"  Tasuki smiled as he slid on the gloves.  They picked up their rakes and set to work.

            A few hours had passed, and some significant progress had been made.  They had one HUGE pile in the front and almost every leaf in the yard was now part of it.  As the last few stragglers were being collected a thought crossed Tasuki's mind.  "Damn, we're almost done and I haven't done anything!  What the hell do I do now?"   

            The leaves had all been scavenged and the only thing left to do was to dispose of them.  At least that's what Chichiri had in mind.  Tasuki smiled and ran full speed at the pile.  A few feet before the pile, he jumped and landed right in the middle of it.  Chichiri just sat there and stared at him.  "He's just like a little kid…" Tasuki sprung up from where he was sitting and grabbed Chichiri's wrist and before he knew what had happened the older man found he was face down in a pile of leaves with Tasuki half on top of him.  He blushed and managed to sit up.  Tasuki wasn't going to stop now, this was just too perfect.  He turned around and looked the other man straight in the eye.  "Chichiri?"

            The tone in his voice and the look in his eyes was something Chichiri had never seen.  "N-nani?"

            "What would ya do if you were in love with someone, but were afraid to tell 'em?"

            "W-well…is this love true no da?  Or is it just another fleeting fancy?"

            "It's as real as love comes.  I'm talkin' like for all of time kinda love.  What if they didn't feel the same way and ya ruined what ya already had?  Even if it's tearin' ya up inside, is it worth it?"

            Now Chichiri understood.  Tasuki had mentioned a girl at his studio many times…what was her name…well, it didn't matter.  Now that he knew where his friend was coming from, he found a pain in his chest and in his soul that he couldn't understand.  He thought he had pushed those feelings away?  There was no way in all of the world, hell, and heaven combined that Tasuki could ever feel the same way.  Inwardly he felt his heart give a cry, but then suppressed it and gave him the advice he wanted.  "Well, if it's that painful for you, you should tell them no da.  They just might feel the same way.  Plus, if they are a true friend, no matter what you say to them, they should still want to be your friend no da."

            "Ya really think so?  Honest?"

            Chichiri forced a smile and replied, "Yes, honestly."

            "Chichiri, are ya really my friend?"

            "Of course I am no da!"

            With that a new determination filled his heart.  He sat silent for a time and just took in the sight of the man he loved.  His cheeks were flushed from the cold air, and his bangs blew freely in the mountain breeze.  His hunter green sweater fit snuggly, but loose enough to give the imagination some room to breathe.  The older man's gaze was stuck on the other man as well.  Tasuki leaned over and got within inches of Chichiri's face.  "Chichiri…?" 

            "H-hai?"

            "I love ya…"

TBC!!!!!

            I hope you like!!!  I'm having so much fun with this.  Please R&R as always.  Suggestions and comments are always helpful too!!!!  Thanks!!!!  J