Series: Tokyo Babylon, before the first tankubon.
Rating: PG for shonen-ai and horrible misuse of a sumeragi, this chapter R for strong language
Disclaimer: CLAMP owns Tokyo Babylon, I don't. The muses made me do it. Should either Onmyouji kill me in my sleep, I bequeath all possessions to my roomate, Kate. Should I be sued for copyright, I defer all accusation to my roomate as well ^^.
Notes: Wow, so the plot-kami settled on my shoulders tonight after midnight and made me write this. I hope it's not too random for you guys. And I promise, Seishirou's got something up his sleeve for Subaru in the next chapter...! He's just got to work up to it. Think picnic. Think grapes. ^^; All chanting in this chapter is taken from the first tankubon, and grossly out of context.


What Dreams May Come - Chapter 3

Luckily, Subaru managed to get a few nights of dreamless sleep before his job with the historical society. He was alert and refreshed in time for the initial interview on Thursday afternoon, and Hokuto had even taken him out for lunch.

While they were eating, Hokuto carefully brought up the subject about Subaru's fainting spell. The onmyouji dismissed it as nothing more than a low glucose level. "I just hadn't eaten much for dinner, you know… and since it was before breakfast…"

Hokuto reached out and grabbed her twin's hand. "Subaru, it's something more than that. I can tell even if you can't, you know. There's something seriously bothering you lately, isn't there?"

Subaru grimaced. "Ano… There might be," he took a painful gulp and avoided her eyes.

"If it gets in the way of your work, I'll never forgive you! After all, you're a pro, ne?" It was Hokuto's way of cheering him up, letting him know she believed in him, no matter what. He smiled and squeezed her hand.

He half-smiled. "Thanks, nee-chan."

"We still have an hour before Tamasaki-sensei wants to speak with you… want to get some ice cream?"

Subaru's answering grin was more than worth it. It broke through his features like sunshine, pouring out and illuminating his delicate features. It saddened Hokuto that her brother hadn't looked like this in several weeks, and suddenly, she felt resolved to protect him against whatever prevented him from smiling like this. Goodness knows Subaru deserved it more than anyone else.

---

"So what you're saying is, the fragments of sword you've unearthed have been making strange sounds and moving short distances on their own?"

"Basically that's it. We'd like you to do a quick analysis of the pieces, and an exorcism, if necessary…" Tamasaki looked anxious and slightly incredulous of the character standing before him. The young man couldn't be more than fourteen or fifteen, and he looked horribly unprofessional clad in yellow velvet and spring green. The medium looked like a grasshopper too small for his own skin, and about twice as jumpy. Could this honestly be the nation's spiritual leader?

"No problem," the youth answered, looking tremendously relieved. "It could have been worse."

"Eto… You don't say?" Tamasaki's hand tightened unconsciously on the edge of the glossy conference table, turning his knuckles pale.

"Well, for example, the shards could have been animated by a frustrated 'senshi-gami' or could have begun randomly attacking members of your archaeology team. Artifacts of this nature, when possessed, usually are fairly violent. You're lucky to have come across so passive a sample."

"Um-er-yes."

"Would you mind if I get started right away?" Subaru blinked up at the fidgety professor, who readily nodded in approval.

"Do whatever you wish."

"Thank you," he smiled.

---

They found the sword downstairs in the analysis lab, spread across a white terry-cloth towel. The metal was abused and rusted. Many people wouldn't have recognized it for a sword if it weren't arranged in its reconstructive pattern on the tray. Subaru paused as he bent over the splinters of the once-great katana.

He looked up at the white-faced professor, "Could I be left alone for a little while?"

"Er-certainly. Whatever you need. Is there anything else you might?"

"Ano… where could I find a pitcher of water?"

He walked to the counter on the far wall and drew a full beaker from the tap. "Will this do?" he asked, cautiously, offering the flask.

Subaru nodded and accepted the liquid, and the professor hastily withdrew, leaving the boy alone to study the artifact.

He withdrew several ofuda. "…on sanmaji handomei kiriku… on sanmaji handomei kiriku…" The chanting was low and rhythmic, intended to draw out whatever spirit lurked within the area. His brows were knitted in neat concentration, and his hands were folded in a gesture of both power and composure.

Interesting. After more than five minutes, he should have been able to sense a presence. But nothing came.

He tried again, this time pouring water at his feet and chanting louder, "On! Bazara daruma kiri sowaka! …On! Bazara daruma kiri sowaka!"

The fluid at his toes exploded and began swirling in a complicated circular pattern around the medium. Subaru's face was at complete calm, however. He controlled the seeming chaos with ease, chanting to forcefully extricate the stubborn presence.

The water began to evaporate.

The jitsu began to lose its effectiveness.

Subaru began to breathe more forcefully.

He would extract this spirit or die trying; he was after all, a pro. He gritted his teeth and continued.

---

Seishirou got off work early Thursday evening to go shopping. He needed to find something, some kind of prop to help him in his mission. Anything would be fine, really, because he wasn't sure what the boy's preferences were just yet.

He began window-shopping in one of the department stores in Ikebukuro.

He was approached. "Sir, may I help you with anything?" asked the too-friendly assistant.

Seishirou decided to take advantage of the help and smiled amiably. "That would be so kind of you. I'm actually looking for something to use on a date. I'm just not sure what kind of date they would like. What would your ideal date be, kawaii onee-chan?"

She blushed faintly at the drop-dead gorgeous patron. If he was handsome from a distance, he was positively *seductive* up close. She licked her lips unconsciously and fought for her composure under the man's stare.

She looked upward and caught an eyeful of his pouty lips. Why was it so hard to stand, all of a sudden? Wobbly, she replied… "Candlelight, flowers, a long walk on the soft sands of the beach, moonlight and starlight reflecting off the sea." Dammit. When had she become a sappy poet? She cursed herself quickly.

"Hmm," came the purring, liquid chord. "Where can I find some candles? Maybe a picnic basket too, if it isn't too much trouble."

Had he just *winked* at her?

"Oh… no trouble at all, it's my pleasure."

---

Seishirou had found several interesting items in his shopping trip, and if Subaru was anything like the young assistant, he would definitely not be needing much time after all. The thought pleased him, so he treated himself to a drink on his way home.

The bar was crowded, as usual. Seishirou detested being shoulder to shoulder with the salarymen who frequented the bar this time of day, so he took a small table in the corner to order his drink.

"A bloody marry, if you would." But the title of the beverage drew his thoughts back to his night-job. Tree-san's complaining had gotten so bad that he accused it of being jealous. Tree-san immediately objected, but made Seishirou promise to treat him to something extra. "Fine. Whatever will make you happy," he'd finally agreed.

So on top of his work schedule, he had to search out a new victim or two to placate the controlling sakura who ruled his life.

Mattaku… worse than a woman. Of course, he thought this half-joking, lest the tree overhear his thought and take offense. An angered bloodthirsty tree was a damned unpleasant bloodthirsty tree. And where the hell was his alcohol?

He eyed the other patrons carefully.

Usually he looked for a victim who wouldn't be missed much by society. Young girls who didn't contribute to the workforce, elderly men who had gotten old and annoying. Seishirou believed there should be some reason in his work, after all. Taking out the useless parts of the well-oiled machine so it could run more smoothly.

But today… Seishirou needed something different. His stomach felt tight, he'd been under considerable stress, and he hadn't seen Subaru in days because he wanted to be able to plan more effectively. The Sakurazukamori rested his chin on his hand wearily and sighed.

A man, about 32 and dressed in a white lab coat, entered the bar hastily and pushed people out of the way to reach the bar. He demanded three shots, and on receiving them, drank them all in rapid succession. Something was obviously bothering him.

Seishirou eyed him with interest, and on receiving his own drink, approached the bar himself. He stood alongside the man for a while, sipping carefully, waiting for the other man to speak first.

"Oi, I could use one o' them…" he pointed at Seishirou's glass.

Seishirou smiled. "I need this one, myself."

"Yeah? What's up with you? I can bet it's not half so bad as what's got me."

"Oh?"

He was drunk already, and loose-lipped. "Yeah. I got an fucking ONMYOUJI on my tail here. Cute bastard, but gonna get me in a load of trouble, you know?"

Seishirou was determined to milk every bit of information he could from the man. "You don't say… that sounds pretty rough. Let me buy you another shot or two. What's your name, by the way?"

"Tamasaki. Tamasaki Kuroda. And thanks man… I owe ya one."

Seishirou just nodded. "So about this onmy-whatsit?"

Tamasaki laughed dryly. "Onmyouji. Spiritual leader. He's doing funky exorcisms in my lab right fucking now. Only, get this…" the man paused for dramatic effect, "there's no such thing as ghosts!" He laughed, a little too loudly.

Seishirou chuckled. "I don't know about that. Spiritual energy can be quite a force to be reckoned with, I'm told…"

"Yeah? Well what if I told you I made it all up, and my superiors pulled the big guns and brought in the fucking Sumeragi clan leader? And all the while it was just me, making up spooky stories about the artifact I dug up…'m an archaeologist, by the way… so I can sell it to a private collector instead of keeping it in the museum. Now the little bastard's going to find me out… and I'm totally done for. Once he figures it out, my life is over. Finito. Roll credits."

Seishirou made sense of the babbling as best he could. "I'm sure it's not as bad as all that," he finally managed.

"Uh huh."

"Can I ask a direct question?"

"Sure. Go for it."

"Do you honestly believe there's nothing more to live for once you've lost your work?"

"Eh?"

"I'm sorry. What I mean to say is that many people, like myself, take their work very seriously. To lose one's job is to lose one's sense of purpose in life. I can sympathize with you, because like you, I become my profession."

"Oh yeah, and what's that?"

A twinkle entered his eye. "A veterinarian."

The older man laughed loudly again. "You don't say! I coulda sworn you'da been something like an undertaker or professional hitman or something. A vet? With cute fluffy puppies? That's just too much." He hiccupped. "You, sir, are not vet material."

"I may be overstepping, but would you like to see what I do first-hand?" Seishirou smiled. "I'd love the chance to show you my work."

He looked with glassy eyes at the dark figure. "Sure, why the hell not? I could use a distraction. Yorosh'ku."

---

Subaru was wearing himself out. He shook himself mentally before dropping his hands and falling to his knees. What was with this stupid sword, anyway? It was almost as if… as if…

He wondered if he'd bothered checking for the presence of a displaced spirit in the first place.

Ah, kami-sama…

He closed his eyes, and reaching out with his inner calm, said a quick hello.

Nothing came back, not even a whimper from a local spirit.

He brushed his fingers over the corroded metal and didn't feel a hint of spiritual energy. It was cold and rough to the touch, and nothing more. It was dead; there was nothing attached to it.

Subaru blinked several times and frowned.

Confused and more than a little tired, he exited up the stairs from the lab to find Hokuto.

"Nee-chan?"

"Subaru! You certainly took a long time. You finally got it?"

"Well, there was nothing to get… Where's Tamasaki-sensei? I need to speak with him. Is he around?"

Hokuto fidgeted. "He left about three hours ago. I thought he'd be back by now… why don't we leave him a note?"

---

Tamasaki-sensei,

Didn't quite do the job – there seemed to be nothing to do.
These things happen, so don't worry about the fee.
Call when you get back, we need to talk.

- Sumeragi Subaru


---

The tree was happy. Seishirou washed his hands and straightened his clothes. Tomorrow night would be perfect, there would be no interruprions.

"Ne, Subaru-kun?"

He smiled a predator's smile and continued on his way.



------

More notes:

Yoroshiku = "please take care of me"
All the katana stuff = completely made up
Subaru's chanting = stolen from the manga
Tamasaki = kanji for "jewel" and "before". Precious things from the past.
Kuroda = a character in Boogiepop Phantom
The assisstant = token fangirl; she will return!


Gray: "Whew! It's 3am, and I have an 8am class. Thank goodness I got this written..."
Subaru: "You mean to say... you had me exorcising a PLAIN katana? Why didn't I realize that at the beginning? I'm not stupid."
Gray: "Well, I didn't KNOW it wasn't possessed until Tamasaki started acting funny. And drinking. And then I found out. Sure, Sei-chan got to hear about it before you did, but that's not my fault."
Subaru: "At least I'm sleeping decently in this chapter."
Gray: "You're making up for me. Feel honored!"

Seishirou: "I didn't get to see Subaru..?"
Subaru: (honto ni arigatou gozaimashita!) *sweatdrop*
Gray: "Don't worry. I've got something worth waiting for in the works."
Seishirou: "Good, I've been patient for so long..." *cradles Subaru*
Subaru: *meep* *blush*
Gray: "Sei-chan, if you'll only be patient for ONE more chapter, I promise I'll let you molest Subaru to your heart's content. Okay?"
Seishirou: "It'd better be a good scene." *huggles* *smooches on Su-chan's sensitive neck*
Gray: Ryoukai!! ^^
Subaru: *MEEP*