****
Bounty
Part 4
By Splash
****
Final part! I hope you enjoy it. Sorry it took me a while, I had a lot of schoolwork. ^^
****
Kouji had a faint trace of concern on his face. " Go ahead, Takuya."
The brunette hesitated, unsure of how to phrase what he wanted to say. " I didn't just do singing acts as a living. I was sent here to find you... but, I expected a female."
The one in the bandana blinked. " I don't quite get what you mean. You were sent here to find... Izumi?"
" Yes... Here, Kouji. These pictures..." he reached into his pant pockets, taking out crinkled photos, and he handed them to Kouji.
Kouji observed them pensively, and even though his expression didn't change, it seemed as if much was going on in his mind. Takuya looked on nervously, unsure of his reaction...
The darker haired boy switched his gaze from the older picture to the computer generated one, pondering... pondering...
" So our meeting wasn't just an accident," he said after several minutes of silence. " Why didn't you tell me before?"
Takuya listened for a trace of anger in Kouji's voice and was surprised to find none. Either the ponytailed boy was better at hiding his emotions than Takuya thought, or he actually was staying calm.
" Well, when I discovered YOU were here, instead of what the prediction photo portrayed, I got confused and didn't know what to do. And after spending all this time with you, I just... forgot I was a bounty hunter. That's all."
" You do know your bounty doesn't exist anymore, right? What will you do now?"
Takuya sighed in relief. Kouji was taking the news well. He shouldn't have expected anything else, actually. He knew Kouji was a calculating person, a quality Takuya grew to admire.
" Well, if I don't report to the boss within the next week, then he'll probably send search parties to find me. I'd like to tell him of the situation, but..."
Kouji nodded nonchalantly, to the dismay of Takuya. " Want to go right now? We've got plenty of time."
He had many fond memories of Kouji from the past week. He found Kouji's presence warming, comforting, pleasing... To leave it all behind... the thought had barely occured to him until now.
He had a job, however... he had a duty to fulfill. He couldn't say what he wanted to say...
" Yeah, let's go."
They stepped out of the miniscule room. Kouji put his yellow top and overcoat back on while Takuya decided it was warm enough without. Ironically, the theatre was only several blocks away.
****
The gruff man tapped his pencil on his desk tentatively in deep thought. He had the theatre's future to look after, the upcoming town festival, new talents to find, and... where was Takuya? It was very unusual of him to go without visiting him for more than a week, even more since he was in the process of hunting. In fact, he almost expected Takuya to report to him every day. The possibilities of the boy's inadvertance kept piling in the man's mind.
' Whatever's occupying that kid must be pretty important. Maybe Izumi's giving him the biggest goose chase ever, or has been concentrating too much on persuading her. Or maybe...'
The man cringed, wondering why his imagination was so rampant at his old age. ' Has my little worker fallen in love with his victim?'
He stopped tapping his pencil, reaching an interesting revelation. ' I suppose attachment is not so harsh for this case...'
****
Takuya strolled past the front entrance, and stopped at a back entrance in the alley way. " I'll go in first," Takuya said, opening the door as he had done routinely in the past.
He immediately heard, " Takuya, at last! Do you have news of Izumi?"
" Euh, about that, boss..."
With his boss, Takuya knew he had to be outright. " Izumi doesn't actually exist. Hi-her parents brought their child out as a female."
" I don't get what you're saying," the older man said quizzically.
" The famous Izumi is actually a male. The little child star has grown up quite differently than what would be assumed, boss."
The man behind the desk took a long moment to comprehend Takuya's words. Finally, he said. " No wonder why we couldn't find her. We only searched the female databases..."
" So what do we do now?" Takuya asked. He suddenly realized that this was the first mission he was unable to complete for the first time in his life.
" We can find a substitute, I think..." the boss pondered, stress etched on the furrows of his aged forehead. " But tell me, Takuya, did you meet this person at all?"
Takuya's gaze flickered from the ground back onto the boss, hesitating before he answered. " He's here with me."
The boss smiled, a less familiar sight. " What are you waiting for? Bring him in!"
For whatever reason, he hesitated further, but eventually opened the door he entered through. Kouji made a small gulp, trying to make it unnoticeable, and stepped inside. He stood in the center of the office room almost shame-faced, as if he was at fault for his childhood oppression.
" Assuming you wouldn't take a female's name, would you mind introducing yourself?" the boss said respectively.
" Kouji Minamoto," he said, stopping his shuffling. " It's my given name."
There was an air of nervousness stinging the atmosphere in the room. The boss could easily sense this, and propped his legs on the desk in hope of easing the tension.
It seemed to work somewhat as Takuya spoke what was being held back in his mind. " Boss... um... I'd like to know... if... um..."
The next step the boss contemplated was already in effect. All of the hesitation, the uncomfortable ambiance... He sighed as he put his hands behind his head. He snickered. " Guess I was right anyway."
" Huh?" Both boys said in sync.
" I was wondering why you hadn't been reporting to me, Takuya," the boss explained. " I can see what's been occupying this past week."
Takuya flustered, sensing that the boss knew much more than he presumed.
" Your office has been empty for more than a week," the boss continued, " It seems you've found a new home, Takuya. Tell me, when's the wedding?"
Now Takuya was seriously blushing. " Wedding? I-"
" It's rather obvious according to your behavior these past few minutes," the boss interrupted, " It's too bad you didn't have family to teach you about the birds and the bees. Then again, you probably figured them out through all of our theatre productions..."
Kouji had remained silent during this interaction, but by now even HE seemed to have a reaction. His cheeks were tinted a deep shade of red, but his consciousness didn't seem to be in the room. Takuya didn't know what to make of it...
" Am I wrong? I apologize if what I said was offensive," the boss said somewhat flippantly, " Anyhow, I wish you two the best of luck. Don't forget to visit me sometimes, Takuya."
Takuya's jaw dropped to the ground, understanding the boss' words but confused on what was happening. " Wh-wha? Are you firing me?"
" Do you still need the job? If you do, I can always find something for you to do."
" ...No, not really."
The boss nodded. " It's your choice, kid. I don't control your life."
Suddenly, Kouji said something, breaking the duo dialogue. " It was pleasant to meet you, sir," he said, bowing slightly, then turning around towards the door. " Let's go home, Takuya."
Takuya glanced at him. " But..."
Kouji abruptly gave him a stern look. " I still have the syringe."
Takuya obeyed him then, too confused to question why the other boy changed attitudes so quickly. The boss didn't ask them anything more, just bid them farewell.
" Let's have dinner sometime, ciao!"
****
Kouji stopped outside of his home, then looked back at Takuya silently. The two had walked back in a deadly silence, with Takuya plagued by Kouji's aura of seriousness.
But now, with just the two of them, Kouji was able to relax. He sighed, heaving his shoulders.
Kouji looked down on the floor as the two stood face-to-face. " You can go to him if you want, Takuya."
" What?" Takuya was caught off guard, surprised at the thickness in Kouji's voice.
" I know that you won't give out my location. I..."
Kouji huffed, exasperated, " I'm setting you free if you want to go back to your old life."
Takuya couldn't believe what he was hearing. He was free to go? He had almost forgotten that he was bound by word until Kouji had reminded him of the syringe... For a moment he thought that Kouji was back to his threatening self, but he realized it was only to protect his home location.
" I just wanted a last moment with just us before you decided to go away..."
Kouji avoided looking at him still, his eyes furrowed sullenly.
" Kouji, I..." He had to be honest to himself, to Kouji... so he spoke straight from his conscious. " I don't want to leave..." he said softly, almost inaudible.
The bandana boy didn't reply at first. The silence reigned worry on the brunette, and he looked down at Kouji's feet, his face ashamed.
" Takuya..."
Takuya suddenly saw a hand come his direction, and he was pulled into Kouji's chest...
At first he was shocked, completely frozen on the spot. Kouji put his arms around him, enveloping him in a hug. The jitters in Takuya's stomach went from active to hyperdrive, and his mind raced even faster. ' Kouji... he feels so warm...'
He returned the gesture, wrapping his arms along Kouji's bare back, loving the closeness and the setting sun glowing on them.
" To be honest, Takuya, you're the best thing that's ever happened to me," Kouji murmured, nuzzling his face into Takuya's hair, " My life would be so empty if..."
He didn't bother to finish, as he knew that Takuya already understood.
Takuya rose from his position in Kouji's arms and stared into the bandana boy's eyes. He saw joyful memories in those crystalline eyes, of every moment he fell in love...
With an unspoken agreement, their lips met. At first there was only a peck before Takuya backed off to check on Kouji. He was blushing, a beautiful expression bestowed on his features. They leaned forward again, and kissed with more force, exploring each other's mouths. The held onto each more tightly, releasing bottled-up emotions immersing in each other's presence.
' This is love... this is companionship...'
When they broke apart, Kouji certainly didn't expect to hear from the brunette, " You're so warm..."
Takuya cuddled in closer, happily sighing. The bandana boy couldn't help but blush further.
" Are you sure about this?" Kouji said softly, his eyes gazing with concern at the boy in his arms.
" My life has never had much meaning until I met you," Takuya reasoned. " And damn it... you're a great guy, Kouji. It's amazing that you aren't more outgoing."
" Ten years of living on your own makes you unwilling to try."
" You tried with me, was it such a bad result?" Takuya asked, rubbing Kouji's back.
" No, it wasn't at all..." Kouji grinned, moving slightly to open their home door. Theirs...
Together they looked upon the small room, treasuring that small bed where they spent the nights together, the guitar that brought out such joy, the window which connected them to the outside. Before stepping inside, Kouji turned around and kissed Takuya lightly, little realizing the sun was creating a delicate sparkle in his eyes. " The sun is setting. We should wake up early to see if the park's open tomorrow, Takuya."
Small memories flickered through Takuya's mind once more, and he nodded slowly and confidently. " As long as you wake up with me, Kouji."
The door closed behind them as they entered their home, startling a small bird that was on the roof above them. It chirped as it flew away, heading towards the sunset in the west.
****
End
****
Hmm, not the one of the better fics, I have to admit. The idea died in my head after a while, and I really want to get back to Where Fate Turns. Other than that, it was still fun to write. Review, please? =3
Splash
Bounty
Part 4
By Splash
****
Final part! I hope you enjoy it. Sorry it took me a while, I had a lot of schoolwork. ^^
****
Kouji had a faint trace of concern on his face. " Go ahead, Takuya."
The brunette hesitated, unsure of how to phrase what he wanted to say. " I didn't just do singing acts as a living. I was sent here to find you... but, I expected a female."
The one in the bandana blinked. " I don't quite get what you mean. You were sent here to find... Izumi?"
" Yes... Here, Kouji. These pictures..." he reached into his pant pockets, taking out crinkled photos, and he handed them to Kouji.
Kouji observed them pensively, and even though his expression didn't change, it seemed as if much was going on in his mind. Takuya looked on nervously, unsure of his reaction...
The darker haired boy switched his gaze from the older picture to the computer generated one, pondering... pondering...
" So our meeting wasn't just an accident," he said after several minutes of silence. " Why didn't you tell me before?"
Takuya listened for a trace of anger in Kouji's voice and was surprised to find none. Either the ponytailed boy was better at hiding his emotions than Takuya thought, or he actually was staying calm.
" Well, when I discovered YOU were here, instead of what the prediction photo portrayed, I got confused and didn't know what to do. And after spending all this time with you, I just... forgot I was a bounty hunter. That's all."
" You do know your bounty doesn't exist anymore, right? What will you do now?"
Takuya sighed in relief. Kouji was taking the news well. He shouldn't have expected anything else, actually. He knew Kouji was a calculating person, a quality Takuya grew to admire.
" Well, if I don't report to the boss within the next week, then he'll probably send search parties to find me. I'd like to tell him of the situation, but..."
Kouji nodded nonchalantly, to the dismay of Takuya. " Want to go right now? We've got plenty of time."
He had many fond memories of Kouji from the past week. He found Kouji's presence warming, comforting, pleasing... To leave it all behind... the thought had barely occured to him until now.
He had a job, however... he had a duty to fulfill. He couldn't say what he wanted to say...
" Yeah, let's go."
They stepped out of the miniscule room. Kouji put his yellow top and overcoat back on while Takuya decided it was warm enough without. Ironically, the theatre was only several blocks away.
****
The gruff man tapped his pencil on his desk tentatively in deep thought. He had the theatre's future to look after, the upcoming town festival, new talents to find, and... where was Takuya? It was very unusual of him to go without visiting him for more than a week, even more since he was in the process of hunting. In fact, he almost expected Takuya to report to him every day. The possibilities of the boy's inadvertance kept piling in the man's mind.
' Whatever's occupying that kid must be pretty important. Maybe Izumi's giving him the biggest goose chase ever, or has been concentrating too much on persuading her. Or maybe...'
The man cringed, wondering why his imagination was so rampant at his old age. ' Has my little worker fallen in love with his victim?'
He stopped tapping his pencil, reaching an interesting revelation. ' I suppose attachment is not so harsh for this case...'
****
Takuya strolled past the front entrance, and stopped at a back entrance in the alley way. " I'll go in first," Takuya said, opening the door as he had done routinely in the past.
He immediately heard, " Takuya, at last! Do you have news of Izumi?"
" Euh, about that, boss..."
With his boss, Takuya knew he had to be outright. " Izumi doesn't actually exist. Hi-her parents brought their child out as a female."
" I don't get what you're saying," the older man said quizzically.
" The famous Izumi is actually a male. The little child star has grown up quite differently than what would be assumed, boss."
The man behind the desk took a long moment to comprehend Takuya's words. Finally, he said. " No wonder why we couldn't find her. We only searched the female databases..."
" So what do we do now?" Takuya asked. He suddenly realized that this was the first mission he was unable to complete for the first time in his life.
" We can find a substitute, I think..." the boss pondered, stress etched on the furrows of his aged forehead. " But tell me, Takuya, did you meet this person at all?"
Takuya's gaze flickered from the ground back onto the boss, hesitating before he answered. " He's here with me."
The boss smiled, a less familiar sight. " What are you waiting for? Bring him in!"
For whatever reason, he hesitated further, but eventually opened the door he entered through. Kouji made a small gulp, trying to make it unnoticeable, and stepped inside. He stood in the center of the office room almost shame-faced, as if he was at fault for his childhood oppression.
" Assuming you wouldn't take a female's name, would you mind introducing yourself?" the boss said respectively.
" Kouji Minamoto," he said, stopping his shuffling. " It's my given name."
There was an air of nervousness stinging the atmosphere in the room. The boss could easily sense this, and propped his legs on the desk in hope of easing the tension.
It seemed to work somewhat as Takuya spoke what was being held back in his mind. " Boss... um... I'd like to know... if... um..."
The next step the boss contemplated was already in effect. All of the hesitation, the uncomfortable ambiance... He sighed as he put his hands behind his head. He snickered. " Guess I was right anyway."
" Huh?" Both boys said in sync.
" I was wondering why you hadn't been reporting to me, Takuya," the boss explained. " I can see what's been occupying this past week."
Takuya flustered, sensing that the boss knew much more than he presumed.
" Your office has been empty for more than a week," the boss continued, " It seems you've found a new home, Takuya. Tell me, when's the wedding?"
Now Takuya was seriously blushing. " Wedding? I-"
" It's rather obvious according to your behavior these past few minutes," the boss interrupted, " It's too bad you didn't have family to teach you about the birds and the bees. Then again, you probably figured them out through all of our theatre productions..."
Kouji had remained silent during this interaction, but by now even HE seemed to have a reaction. His cheeks were tinted a deep shade of red, but his consciousness didn't seem to be in the room. Takuya didn't know what to make of it...
" Am I wrong? I apologize if what I said was offensive," the boss said somewhat flippantly, " Anyhow, I wish you two the best of luck. Don't forget to visit me sometimes, Takuya."
Takuya's jaw dropped to the ground, understanding the boss' words but confused on what was happening. " Wh-wha? Are you firing me?"
" Do you still need the job? If you do, I can always find something for you to do."
" ...No, not really."
The boss nodded. " It's your choice, kid. I don't control your life."
Suddenly, Kouji said something, breaking the duo dialogue. " It was pleasant to meet you, sir," he said, bowing slightly, then turning around towards the door. " Let's go home, Takuya."
Takuya glanced at him. " But..."
Kouji abruptly gave him a stern look. " I still have the syringe."
Takuya obeyed him then, too confused to question why the other boy changed attitudes so quickly. The boss didn't ask them anything more, just bid them farewell.
" Let's have dinner sometime, ciao!"
****
Kouji stopped outside of his home, then looked back at Takuya silently. The two had walked back in a deadly silence, with Takuya plagued by Kouji's aura of seriousness.
But now, with just the two of them, Kouji was able to relax. He sighed, heaving his shoulders.
Kouji looked down on the floor as the two stood face-to-face. " You can go to him if you want, Takuya."
" What?" Takuya was caught off guard, surprised at the thickness in Kouji's voice.
" I know that you won't give out my location. I..."
Kouji huffed, exasperated, " I'm setting you free if you want to go back to your old life."
Takuya couldn't believe what he was hearing. He was free to go? He had almost forgotten that he was bound by word until Kouji had reminded him of the syringe... For a moment he thought that Kouji was back to his threatening self, but he realized it was only to protect his home location.
" I just wanted a last moment with just us before you decided to go away..."
Kouji avoided looking at him still, his eyes furrowed sullenly.
" Kouji, I..." He had to be honest to himself, to Kouji... so he spoke straight from his conscious. " I don't want to leave..." he said softly, almost inaudible.
The bandana boy didn't reply at first. The silence reigned worry on the brunette, and he looked down at Kouji's feet, his face ashamed.
" Takuya..."
Takuya suddenly saw a hand come his direction, and he was pulled into Kouji's chest...
At first he was shocked, completely frozen on the spot. Kouji put his arms around him, enveloping him in a hug. The jitters in Takuya's stomach went from active to hyperdrive, and his mind raced even faster. ' Kouji... he feels so warm...'
He returned the gesture, wrapping his arms along Kouji's bare back, loving the closeness and the setting sun glowing on them.
" To be honest, Takuya, you're the best thing that's ever happened to me," Kouji murmured, nuzzling his face into Takuya's hair, " My life would be so empty if..."
He didn't bother to finish, as he knew that Takuya already understood.
Takuya rose from his position in Kouji's arms and stared into the bandana boy's eyes. He saw joyful memories in those crystalline eyes, of every moment he fell in love...
With an unspoken agreement, their lips met. At first there was only a peck before Takuya backed off to check on Kouji. He was blushing, a beautiful expression bestowed on his features. They leaned forward again, and kissed with more force, exploring each other's mouths. The held onto each more tightly, releasing bottled-up emotions immersing in each other's presence.
' This is love... this is companionship...'
When they broke apart, Kouji certainly didn't expect to hear from the brunette, " You're so warm..."
Takuya cuddled in closer, happily sighing. The bandana boy couldn't help but blush further.
" Are you sure about this?" Kouji said softly, his eyes gazing with concern at the boy in his arms.
" My life has never had much meaning until I met you," Takuya reasoned. " And damn it... you're a great guy, Kouji. It's amazing that you aren't more outgoing."
" Ten years of living on your own makes you unwilling to try."
" You tried with me, was it such a bad result?" Takuya asked, rubbing Kouji's back.
" No, it wasn't at all..." Kouji grinned, moving slightly to open their home door. Theirs...
Together they looked upon the small room, treasuring that small bed where they spent the nights together, the guitar that brought out such joy, the window which connected them to the outside. Before stepping inside, Kouji turned around and kissed Takuya lightly, little realizing the sun was creating a delicate sparkle in his eyes. " The sun is setting. We should wake up early to see if the park's open tomorrow, Takuya."
Small memories flickered through Takuya's mind once more, and he nodded slowly and confidently. " As long as you wake up with me, Kouji."
The door closed behind them as they entered their home, startling a small bird that was on the roof above them. It chirped as it flew away, heading towards the sunset in the west.
****
End
****
Hmm, not the one of the better fics, I have to admit. The idea died in my head after a while, and I really want to get back to Where Fate Turns. Other than that, it was still fun to write. Review, please? =3
Splash