Cross the Floor by Taketo

Disclaimer: please see chapter 1.

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Chapter 4

The gleaming black Nissan sedan carrying Aya and Ken ran smoothly and efficiently like it should on the road. Traffic was light and they had plenty of time to make it for Aya's appointment with Crawford. Looking away from the scenery that he has seen so many times before, Aya turned slightly to his bodyguard sitting next to him. The brown haired man who was a few inches shorter than himself hasn't said a word since they got into the car. In fact, Aya observed that as they headed to the car and until now, Hidaka kept looking everywhere. His eyes darting back and forth, as if searching for some target of some sort. Was he looking for something? Aya decided to ask.

"What are you looking for?"

Ken nearly jumped out of his skin. His boss had the habit of asking questions or saying things suddenly. "I'm not looking for anything, Aya-san. Why?"

"Well because you…." Aya never got to finish his sentence. There was loud screech followed by a loud bang and both Aya and Ken were flung forward. Aya's shoulder hit the driver's chair and was flung to the back once more. Ken however was not so lucky.

He was flung all way to the front where his forehead hit hard against the dashboard.

Wincing in pain, Ken pushed himself up and tried to move to the back. With much difficulty, he managed to wriggle to the back. "Aya-san…" His first concern was the head of Fujimiya Inc.

Aya groaned an answer. His shoulder was aching.

"Are you alright?" Ken asked anxiously.

"Yes, just my shoulder but you're not." Aya noticed that blood was trickling down Ken's forehead.

"I'm fine, …" Ken wiped the blood with the back of his hand, staining his cuffs with blood. "Kuryu?" Ken placed his hand on the driver 's shoulder.

"Hai! I'm okay, seat belt saved me." Kuryu answered rather shakily.

"Okay…." Ken quickly accessed the situation, no one was hurt, probably more bruised and shaken than anything else. "I'm going to see what happen…" Ken reached for the door handle but only to be stopped by a firm grip on his arm. "Wha… Aya-san!"

"You're not going out like that." Aya stated as firmly as his hold on Ken's arm.

"But I need to…." Ken protested, hand still on the door handle.

"I know, but press this against your forehead. We sure don't want you bleeding to death out there." Aya handed his handkerchief to Ken who grateful pressed the wad of cloth to his forehead. The dripping blood was making it hard to see.

"Arigato, Aya-san please stay in the car. Kuryu, lock the doors once I leave." With that Ken opened the door and stepped out. He surveyed the situation. It was a four car pile up, bumper to bumper. People were climbing out of their vehicles and inspecting them and making calls. Almost everyone was whipping out their mobiles. Ignoring them and the situation of the sedan, Ken made his way to the car in front, a late model Daihatsu.

As Ken reached the Daihatsu, the driver climbed out of the car. He appeared to be unhurt.

"What happened?" Ken asked casually, while his right hand was ready to draw out his sidearm at anytime. After receiving info from Nagi, Ken wasn't sure if this was a real accident or a staged accident. Quickly he flicked a glance at Aya's Nissan. So far, so good.

The Daihatsu driver who exited his car was now standing but swaying to the left and right. "I don't know…. I could have sworn the light was red, so I braked."

Ken took a step back, he had caught a whiff of the man's breath and instantly knew what this was all about DUI! Rolling his eyes in disgust, Ken said. "Why don't you sit down?

Someone will be over soon."

"Okay…" The man promptly sat on the road.

Ken glared at the man for his stupidity but he wasn't sure if he should leave, afraid that the man might run. And it was dangerous to leave Aya alone too long, His dilemma was solved when a woman traffic police officer came hurrying towards their direction.

Looking at Ken, the police officer asked. "Are you the driver?"

Shaking his head, Ken pointed to the drunk seated on the road. The police officer asked him what happened and as Ken walked back to the sedan, he heard the drunk repeat the same story to the police officer.

Aya quickly got out of the car when he saw Ken approach. As Ken neared the car,

the handkerchief was almost no longer white and Ken himself was looking rather pale. Alarmed, Aya told Ken to sit down.

Ken refused to sit. "No, we still can make it for your appointment with Crawford.

We can catch a taxi, there's a stand nearby."

Aya doubt Ken could make it but instead said, "I think it would be better if we went to hospital. You obviously need medical attention."

"I'm fine, come on let's go." Ken insisted and urged Aya to follow him. "Kuryu, you handle the car."

Kuryu nodded and quickly began arranging things regarding the car.

"Aya-san, please let's go." Ken urged his boss. The area was getting crowded and he was in a vulnerable state. Had to get out quick!

"Fine, …" Aya was finally following Ken. "but we're going to a hospital."

"Aya-san…."

"Hidaka, you are my bodyguard, yes?" Aya stopped walking.

Tiredly Ken answered. "Hai…"

"How are you going to protect me, do your job if you're injured?"

"Aya-san…." Ken had no answer to the question.

Aya felt victory was in his hands. He had hit a right spot. "Let's get you patched up."

Ken had no choice but to agree.

***********************************

Fujimiya Inc. - Mitsui Leo's office.

"Mitsui-san? Could I have a word?" Manx asked, the note of urgency was clear in her voice, as she stood in Leo's office.

Leo smiled. "What is it Manx? Whatever it is, calm down and have a seat. You're fidgeting like a child."

Manx sat down quickly and said, "Mitsui-san, I think Aya may have seen Tsuzuki."

"Really?" Leo picked up his Palm Pilot and beginning scribbling something.

"Mitsui-san! This is serious! Aya-san may have saw Tsuzuki, may start asking questions!" Manx was almost hysterical.

Leo put down his Palm Pilot slowly on his enormous teak table. "May have, may start.

That's all you have. Maybe he didn't see Tsuzuki."

"Hmmph!" Manx snorted. "That bloody cologne of his is a dead giveaway."

"Manx, …" Leo steered Manx towards the door and opened it. "Just relax. Aya just took over Fujimiya Inc. let him enjoy it. Let him see the benefits of being on top. The power it holds. Right now, he's not too comfortable with his new status, but once he is…."

"You'll tell him about Fujimiya Inc.'s side income?" Manx asked. "Maybe he will find out himself."

"Maybe, … that word again." Leo turned to gaze outside the huge window in his office.

It offered a panoramic view of Tokyo. "No, I don't think he will. I'll tell him, introduce it to him slowly."

"And he will accept it?" Manx looked at Leo incredulously. "He's such a strait lace!

He will reject it in a minute!"

Leo laughed, long and hard. "Once he gets used to this power, believe me. He won't be rejecting it but embracing it!"

Just a few feet away, Nagi was moving along the wall swiftly. He had a lot to tell Ken but right now, he better get out of here or the info would be useless!

****************************************

Taxi, en route to the hospital.

Ken leaned back against the backseat of the taxi but it made his head worse. The spinning seemed to be faster and the throbbing twice as bad. Groaning in pain, he tried shifting his position. Suddenly, he felt hands gripping his shoulders. Too tired and sick to resist, Ken just allowed himself to be lowered down, and to his horror; onto Aya's lap! "Aya-san…" He can't lie down here, he was going to dirty his boss' trousers!

"Shhh!" Aya held Ken firmly down. "We'll be there soon, feeling much better?"

"Yes." To his surprise he was. The world was still spinning but it wasn't too bad.

Aya squeezed Ken's arm. "Good! Hang on, we'll be there soon."

Why did I say that again? Aya wondered as he studied Ken, who had his eyes closed.

God, there's so much blood! I hope he will be okay. Aya said to himself and unconsciously pulled Ken closer.

******************************************

Hospital- A&E - outpatient center.

Aya sat outside the outpatient treatment room, waiting for the doctor to come out.

Ken was brought in there about half an hour ago and Aya hasn't seen or heard from him since. Suddenly the door opened, Aya quickly rose from the plastic chair he has been occupying.

"Doctor…" Aya stood directly in the doctor's path.

Halted, the doctor in his mid-fifties, looked up inquiringly. "Yes?"

"Hidaka, the man brought in to this room…. How is he?" Aya asked, not really aware he was talking in fragments.

"The scowling young man, …and you are?"

"I'm sorry, I'm Fujimiya Aya, Hidaka's employer." Aya bowed slightly.

The doctor returned the bow. "He has a nasty bump and slight concussion, two stitches at his forehead, near his hairline. Overall his okay except for that throbbing headache. I'm prescribing some painkillers…"

"I don't need them." Ken emerged from behind the doctor. The doctor had clean up most of the blood and he had a small plaster over his stitches.

"Oh you're going need them, young man. "The doctor said gravely. "Once all the excitement dies down, you going to thank me for prescribing those pain killers."

Ken opened his mouth to launch yet another batch of protest when Aya threw him a stern glare. "Don't worry, doctor." Aya pronounced his words slowly, one by one. "I'll make sure he takes them. Thank you."

The doctor mumbled something that sounded like 'stubborn youths these days',

bowed quickly before heading back inside.

"Come on, let's get your medicine. Where's the pharmacy?" Aya tilted his head up to read

the signboards. "Aaa… this way."

"Hai…" Ken replied, not really caring if it was really the way to the pharmacy. His head was throbbing but if he took those painkillers, he was bound to fall asleep. How the hell was he going to protect Aya?

****************************************

Back home….

"Nanako!" Aya called for his housekeeper and cook.

A plump woman in her 40's came scurrying out from the back. "Hai, Fujimiya-san."

"It's not dinner time yet but could you cook something light for us to eat?"

The woman bowed. "I'll have something ready in 15 minutes." She promised and quickly returned to the kitchen.

"Come on Hidaka…." Aya led him to the dining room that was originally part of the living room. Aya cleared the furniture there and replaced it with a white pine dining table enough for four people.

He hated the main dining room. Everything about it was too big for Aya. Its dining table could seat 20 people and the chandeliers were too gaudy. Aya preferred things to be plain and simple. He didn't want to have to shout to his guests just to ask if the food was okay. But then, it was as if he would invite anyone over!

"Sit down, Hidaka." Aya gestured to the chairs and pulled one for himself.

"Aya-san, if you don't mind I would to brief the other bodyguards while waiting for Nanako to prepare the food." Ken asked politely.

Aya sat down. "It can wait, sit down."

"I'm sorry, Aya-san, It can't. I'm going to incapacitated for sometime and I want to make sure that security is taken care of."

Aya sighed and waved him off. "Fine…"

"I'll be back in a few minutes." Ken quickly exited the room.

Aya leaned against one elbow, listening to Ken's footsteps. A small smile played against his lips, despite his injuries, Ken was still in bodyguard mode! When will that man ever stop and relax?

*******************************************

Just outside the dining room.

Ken switched on the walkie talkie. "Kadsuki? Come in."

A few seconds later, there was a static answer. "Hai, Hidaka-san."

"Could you come over to the main house, over?"

"Roger that, Hidaka-san. Be there in 2 minutes."

And true to his word, Kadsuki was standing in front of Ken in two minutes.

Among all the bodyguards, at the house and office, Kadsuki was the one Ken trusted most.

"Here I am, Hidaka-san but what happened to you?" Kadsuki just stared at the gash

at Ken's forehead.

"Had a little accident. Now…" Ken said quickly. He didn't feel like going into detail about the accident. "I'm going to need you to take over for tonight. Make sure that…."

Kadsuki nodded solemnly as he listened to Ken's instructions. His expression serious and alert. That's what Ken liked about him. Kadsuki is young but Ken knows his own limitations. Like it or not, he has to trust someone. His head was throbbing and his body was screaming for rest. Rest now and be ready for work tomorrow. No point forcing himself to stay awake tonight. Instead of protecting Aya tonight, he could be endangering Aya instead.

"…and if anyone comes, you let me know. Is that understood?" Ken concluded his lists of things to do.

"Hai, Hidaka-san. Don't worry." Kadsuki assured his superior.

"Right, … I'll see you tomorrow." Ken gave Kadsuki a curt nod and retraced his step back to the dining room.

Dining room.

Aya cocked his head to one side. Footsteps! Ken was back. Straightening, Aya looked at the door expectantly.

Sliding the door carefully, Ken slipped inside.

"All done, Hidaka?" Aya asked, his gaze fixed upon Ken.

"Yes, all done." Ken replied.

"Well, sit down. Nanako should be bringing the food soon."

Ken just stood there, wondering where he should sit. The table was a perfect square and no matter where he sat, he would be facing Aya and sitting real close too! Seeing the impatient look on his boss' face, Ken quickly sat down, facing Aya, square on the face.

Not knowing quite what to say, Ken began studying the wood grains of the table.

When the silence was too much, Ken decided to say something. "This is nice." Oh God! Ken thought with horror when the words passed his lips. Aya is going to think he's trying something! So he quickly added. "I mean, the table."

"Hn…" Aya gave his usual reply.

Oh boy! Sometimes it was so difficult to talk to his boss. Ken figured he'd get a better response if he spoke to the wall! So Ken when back to studying the wood grains.

After what seem to be an eternity for Ken, Nanako finally came with the food.

She had two bowls on her tray. Carefully, she placed one bowl each in front Aya and Ken. "Drink this first while I get the rest of the food."

Ken picked up his spoon and spooned a bit of the steaming soup. Tentatively he brought the spoon to his lips. It took almost all of his willpower not to spit it out. He swallowed and looked up, reading the same thoughts on Aya's face. The soup was terrible!

Coughing, Aya said in a low voice. "Are we drinking soup or hot water?"

Nanako is the worse cook Aya had ever come across. So far, nothing she has cooked tasted like what it should. There was always something wrong with the dish. He wasn't sure how his family put up with her cooking before.

Grinning, Ken replied. "Hot water, not enough miso!"

Aya nodded and smiled in agreement and Ken almost fell off his chair. That was the first time he has seen his boss smile so widely. He should smile more, Ken thought. He looks so different and so much younger!

Suddenly the door slid open again and Nanako returned with rice and Japanese omelet. She placed the food in front of them and excused herself.

Ken surveyed the food. "Eggs and rice. Can't go wrong there."

"Hn…" Aya took a potion of the omelet and stuffed it into his mouth. On his first bite, there was a loud crunch. Aya rolled his eyes but swallowed anyway.

But it was too much for Ken. First the accident, now the tasteless soup, and the omelet with the egg shells! What an incredible day! He put his chopsticks down and started to laugh. "Whatever is next?"

Aya shook his head. "I don't know. Who wants to try the rice?"

They both looked at the rice bowls and then at each other before breaking into laughter.

End of chapter 4.

Taketo!