Author's notes and warnings: Hello! Glad to see you back, no da!

This chapter will introduce Chiriko…I hope I do okay by him… He was so young in the FY anime and died soon after his introduction, we didn't really get to know him all that well. If you're not familiar with FY, that's okay…it's not crucial to the storyline.

This chapter, as well as FY-chapter 4, will be pretty much about the boys dealing with their feelings and each other. No major bad guys or catastrophes, just them talking…er…or arguing, so enjoy, okay?

Hugs and cyber Pockies to all my reviewers! As always, it would make me tremendously happy if you would let me know how you like (or not like) the chapter… (((hugs)))

Carrothien: Thank you for your comments! While I have many favorite pairings throughout several fandoms, I'd have to say that YxO and 3x4 (GW) are the sweetest and most kawaiiest, no da! ^^

FireKat: LOL. I feel like razberrying them myself! It took me several days to update and to review sometimes as well and I'm glad you finally made it, no da. Thanks for the wonderful support!

Fei-chan!: *hugs fei right back* Thanks for taking the time off your busy schedule to read and review my little ficcie, fei. I'm really glad you like it! As for 'White' and 'Ink', how could I not ask after something as wonderful as those fics? Take care and thanks again!

Celeste: Thank you! *blushes* I'm happy you liked it, and hope you enjoy this chapter as well.

Ryo-chan: Don't worry about the less than your usual genki review; I appreciate it all the more, no da. (((hugs))) I hope you feel better?

Cool_ice: LOL…update freak? LOL. Me, a hero, no da? Aw…chucks…*blushes* Thank you!

Bakachan: ROFL. *hugs bakachan and Wuffie* Thanks, and since the flamer never came back, I'd have to say you've effectively defended my honor, no da…

Mikazuki: *sigh* I can't seem to write short chapters…things kept wanting to be written, no da… LOL, babble away, hon, I love reading your reviews! And good luck with Insight, ne? You did well in chapter two!

Duette: Arigatou, no da! More Tryffin? Check out the FY version of the story? A lot of Tryffin, no da… As for your request for more RanxKen madness, here you go…. ^_^

Xellas: LOL, I know what you think of our little Omitchi, ne? Don't be surprise if I have him jump Youji, instead! That blond is way too well behaved…I may just have to do something about that…just for you… *giggles* Thanks for everything, Xellos…er, I meant Xellas. ^.~

Krysana: Hi! I hope this is a nice 'welcome back' surprise, ne? *grins* I love klutzy Kenken, too! Kinda reminds me of me… Yep, cat's out of the bag…I'm as bumbling as our Ken. *sigh* Thank you for everything!

Whisper Reilman: LOL. I can't tell you enough how much I enjoy reading your enthusiastic reviews! They make me want to write more, no da! Thank you very, very much! I hope this chapter continues to meet your expectation.

Sakata Ri Houjun: Is this chapter out fast enough, no da? I tried, I tried but the GW muse kept pulling at me… I KNOW you know how that is, ne? Thanks for your support!

Hana no Ceres: *dances with Hana* Yeh! FF.net seems to be behaving these past days…oops…*knocks on wood* er…better not say anything, ne? But thank you for reviewing! You're so right, Omi can sure take care of himself…Youji will just have to get used to that… I'm sorry, was I confusing you with Peregrine's past? Yes, he's Chiri…if you need me to explain more, feel free to email me, okay? I love mails! Thanks again!

Jenken: Arigatou! So have you checked out the FY portion? Did you like it?

Midori Natari Himura: Wai! Was it too much information? Gomen…it just keeps coming out…and er…there's more. Good thing I stopped, ne? LOL. I'll save it for future FY chapter… Thank you!

Keimei: LOL, I know how that is. I read several books at the same time too… Have you read Blue Moon Rising by Simon Greene? Very funny! Thanks for your review! More Ran x Ken and Youji x Omi goodness coming right up, no da!

Ayako: LOL, poor Ran gets a glare! I think Ran just needs love, no daaaa…and you're right, I do plan to torture Ran a bit. *evil smile*

Lola: Thank you so much! *blushes* I'm really glad you like my little story. This chapter is all about the boys and their feelings, no da! Enjoy!

Sakusha: Thank you for loving it!!!! ~.~

Sirrah: Hello! Long time no see…how are you? Thank you very much for your very kind review, I'm really glad you like my writings!

Seph Lorraine: *giggles*  Yeah, Ran does get around…I'm going for a different approach…I hope it's not too bad?  As for the Ran vs. Aya thing, at this point in the story, Ran's real name is out but people are still used to calling him Aya.  I wanted Ken to be different…he still uses Aya but once in a while, he'll slip…  Thank you so much for reviewing!!!  You have a really impressive list of fics, I'm just going to have to read some of them, ne?  They sound really yummy!  *grins*  Thanks again!

Warnings for previous chapters and the usual disclaimer apply here. Please read at your own discretion and don't get mad at me… ^.~

Special thanks to Hitari-chan for her hard work as my beta reader. (((hugs)))



A Fine Line – Chapter 4: Look But Don't touch

By Moonraven

(Day two, immediately after last chapter)

"What's up, Chibi?" Youji asked when Omi turned on the projector again and stared at the pictures of Peregrine.

Omi shook his head, his eyes fixed closely on the first picture. "I don't know. It seems like I've seen him somewhere before but I can't place him."

"There're lots of these rebel type kids with funky hairdos, kiddo. I wouldn't worry about it. You've probably seen them in Shibuya or something." Youji replied while pulling out a file from the box then sank onto the couch across the room. Ken and Ran were already busy sifting through the numerous manila folders that were cramped into the cardboard boxes. Their heads were almost touching as they sorted through the boxes for dates, time and places of cases that Peregrine handled.

"Maybe…" Omi took one last look at the picture before turning off the video and plopping down next to Youji.

Youji looked over to the young man sprawling bonelessly next to him and found his heart racing again. Omi had his head resting on the back of the couch, his eyes closed and his lips parted slightly. Youji swallowed as he stared at the moist orifice and wondered what Omi tasted like. Omi sighed and rubbed his eyes as he pushed himself into a sitting position and Youji abruptly turned away. Damn! What the hell was wrong with him tonight? Why did he keep having hentai thoughts about Omi?

Ran caught his gaze across the room and Youji clearly saw a hint of amusement in the redhead's eyes. Great! Ran was developing a very sick sense of humor all of a sudden. Youji made a face at the redhead before focusing on the pages in his hands and tuning out his hentai fuck buddy. The blond smirked as he thought about that term. Yeah, they weren't lovers because there was definitely no love involved but they could sure fuck each other senseless.

"Ne, Youji-kun. What are you smiling about?" Omi asked next to him.

Youji turned his smile on his young teammate and actually contemplated telling Omi the truth. But shocking Omi would hardly be fun…unlike shocking someone else… "I was just thinking how cute Aya and Ken look together, with their heads bent so close to each oth---OOF!" A file found it's way across the room and smashed into the side of Youji's head.

"Hey! That hurts!" He rubbed his head and glared up at the redhead but found Ken glowering darkly at him instead. The brunette was on his feet with another folder ready to launch at the blond while Ran sat back on his heels, watching Youji with a condescending smirk.

"Watch your mouth Yotan." Ken warned. "And pick up that file. I was reading it!"

"Then why the hell did you throw it at me?" Youji grudgingly picked up the scattered pages and stuffed them into the folder. 

"Because you were being an asshole!" Ken walked up to Youji and snatched the file from him. The brunette stood on tiptoes and came up nose to nose with the tall blond. "Don't even joke about shit like that, Youji or you're going to find more than a fucking file coming at you."

Youji smiled as he leaned down the rest of the way and rested his nose on Ken's. "Why, I think someone doth protest too much…"

Ken sputtered and shoved Youji hard causing the tall blond to crash back onto the sofa, nearly crushing Omi in the process. The teen yelped and tried to scramble out of the way but his legs got caught under the fallen man nonetheless.

"I don't protest too much! I protest…just the right amount!" Ken barked and stomped back to where the boxes and Ran were. He stood glowering down at the nonchalant redhead and said, "Aren't you going to say anything?"

Ran shrugged elegantly. "Why? You're doing just fine." He then ignored the fuming brunette and went back to the contents in the boxes.

Youji laughed at the indignant Ken but his attention was drawn back to his present location when Omi squirmed under him.

"Youji-kun!" Omi whined and tried to push the man off him. "I never knew a bag of bones could weigh so much." Omi grumbled as he continued to wiggle under the taller man.

Youji smirked and leaned down close to Omi, almost covering the small teen's body with his own. "I don't know, Bishounen, nobody's ever complained before." He said huskily and realized that it was one of the biggest mistakes he could've made.

Omi's eyes shot open wide and his lips parted in surprise. His cheeks tinted pink as blood rushed up to his face and Youji had never wanted anything or anyone as much as he wanted Omi at that moment.

"Youji, get the fuck off him!" Ken's pissed off voice cut through Youji's stunned revelry and he looked up at the brunette in a daze.

"It's alright, Ken-kun." Omi squirmed under Youji again and Youji found that he did not want to get off Omi, though he wouldn't mind getting Omi off…

"What did I do?" Youji asked while putting on his best innocent look, which to anyone who knew Youji Kudou, was the biggest contradiction hands down.

Omi pushed him off and rolled his eyes. "He's just being a big baby, Ken-kun. I can handle him." Omi's voice was firm and controlled, leaving no doubts that he could.

Youji turned an amused gaze to Omi and raised an eyebrow. "Is that a fact?"

Omi blinked several times before saying; "Try me." His voice was perfectly calm.

It was Youji's turn to blink at Omi and the teen used Youji's astonishment to make his getaway. "Never underestimate me, Youji-kun. I can handle more than you think." He tossed that comment over his shoulder as he walked away from the gaping blond.

From the other side of the room, Youji heard two sets of jaws hit floor but his attention was focused on the retreating rear of one very sexy Omi Tsukiyono. Damn, the boy grew up fast!

"I'm going to check out Peregrine on my computer. Have fun, guys." Omi said cheerily as he walked up the stairs, leaving the three men to gawk after him.

"What the hell was all that about?" Ken asked when he got his bearings back.

"What the hell was all what about?" Youji asked as he pulled out a cigarette. Why was Ken asking HIM? He wasn't the one with the 'try me' comment.

"You know." Ken grated, his eyes bore holes in Youji's head as the blond took a long drag from his cigarette.

"No, I don't, Kenken." Youji blew smoke in Ken's direction and peered at the brunette from over the rim of his glasses.

"Aya?" Ken looked over at the silent redhead who had gotten up and was now leaning casually against the back wall, studying Youji.

Ran shrugged and Ken growled in exasperation and turned his aggravation back on Youji. "What happened…there?" He pointed back and forth between the stairs and the couch. "And why were you and Omi together tonight? And why are you acting like you wanna jump this bones?" Ken demanded.

Youji didn't say right away but continued to watch him from his place on the sofa. "We weren't 'together', we just ran into each other down the street, that's all. So we walked back together." Youji shrugged. "What's wrong with that?"

"Nothing if I hadn't seen you looking at him like…like…you know!"

Youji chuckled throatily and put out his cigarette. "As I recalled it, YOU'RE the one who teased Omi about me ogling his ass, now you're pissed?" Youji shook his head at Ken. "All these strange ideas in your head…you're the hentai, Kenken, not me. I said it the other night, I'm saying it now."

"I'M the hentai?" Ken's voice went up at least two octaves. "You…you…" Ken sputtered while pointing from Ran to Youji, "…you had your hand in his…you know…and then you were…whoa!…then you went out with someone else and then YOU" This was directed at Ran. "…with that Tryffin in the bathroom for god's sake…with me…there…eek!" Ken shuddered and turned his glare back to Youji. "And YOU call ME a hentai?"

"I thought we had established that you weren't homophobic." Youji said mildly.

"I'm not!" Ken retorted. "But neither am I a hentai, Kudou!"

"Then stop assuming stupid things." Youji was not about to tell Ken that whatever the brunette was assuming, it certainly wasn't stupid. In fact, it was so close to home that Youji was thoroughly disgusted with himself.

"It's late, why don't we check out the files tomorrow. I'll get Momoe to come in and help out." Ran said from his safe position on the wall.

Ken frowned at Ran but nodded his consent. "I'll go tell Omi." Ken said and gave Youji another glare before stalking up the stairs to get the teen.

When the brunette was gone, Youji noticed that Ran hadn't moved but continued to watch him from where he stood.

"What?" Youji asked a little defensively.

Ran was quiet for a while before he said dryly, "You DID want to jump his bones."

Youji sighed and ran a hand through his tousled blond hair. "You have NO fucking idea! Jeezus, Aya, I've been hard all night! Every time I looked at him, I wanted to screw him into the ground…GODS, I'm so fucked up!" He banged his head none too gently against the wall next to Ran then turned imploring eyes towards the silent redhead. "I'm just like those sick fucks we hunt in the night, aren't I, Aya? Huh? Sick, sick, sick!" He turned and grabbed Ran by the collar and shook him. "Shoot me! Don't let me get to him!"

Ran stared at him for a moment and then he chuckled softly as he disengaged himself. "Lighten up. I'm sure a lot of people wanted to do more than just admire his artwork tonight. He DID look very…nice."

Youji narrowed his eyes at Ran and reached for the man's collar again. "Don't even think it, Red, he's not for the likes of us."

Ran lifted one fine eyebrow and removed Youji's hand once again. "I wasn't thinking IT, Kudou. And while we're at it, who is for the likes of us?" His voice was chilled and it brought some calm into Youji's mind. Ran was always cool and rational.

"Yeah, sorry. I know you wouldn't do that to Omi. It's just…SHIT!" Youji smashed his fist against the wall next to Ran's head. The redhead glared at him but didn't move away. "What the hell is the matter with me? It's Omi for god's sakes. I'm such a fucking pervert!"

"Why are you a pervert?" Ran's quiet voice asked.

Youji looked sideways at his friend sharply. "Because we're fucking talking about little Omitchi, Aya, or have you tuned out again?"

Ran cocked his head to one side and studied the blond with some amusement. "I think it's YOU who'd tuned out, Kudou. Omi's not a kid. I doubt that he's been one for quite some time now."

"So what are you saying?" Youji asked, his voice impossibly high. He was afraid that if someone, anyone, gave him half an excuse, he would grab it and run with it, to hell with consequences. "That I should take him? That I should just forget that he's a kid and…goddamn it, Aya, but he didn't look like a kid tonight and he sure as hell didn't feel like a kid. If I was thinking with my dick instead of my head, I would have fucked him right there on the couch!"

Youji leaned his forehead against the abused spot on the wall and groaned as he remembered the firm, unresisting body pressing up against him as they danced. He remembered the yielding form beneath his own as he leaned into Omi on the sofa.

'Try me…'

No, that body wouldn't mind Youji's advances at all but his brain was not going to let that happen. His brain was not going to let his dick take over where Omi was concerned. "I'm a low life. I deserve a slow and painful death." Youji muttered into the wall.

Ran rolled his eyes and ignored the low life comment. "I'm not saying you should do anything with him." Ran told him quietly. "But I think that you should stop beating yourself up and listen to what he tells you; he can handle it."

"Damn it, Aya, what CAN he handle? What does he know about sex and relationships and love and all that shit?"

Ran watched him silently for a few seconds then he shook his head. "First of all, I think he knows about the birds and the bees, Kudou." Ran gave him a 'DUH' look. "You know he's been through more than most people his age. He's been killing longer than I have…he puts his life on the line every night. He's been betrayed by someone who was supposed to be his father. His family practically died in his arms. He's got three goddamn identities. I think love and relationships are pretty low on the danger list, wouldn't you say?"

Youji stared at Ran for numbly. "Aya, don't encourage me, man. Not with Omi."

The intense scrutiny that Youji was getting from Aya was making him nervous. Youji could feel those fierce violet eyes bore deep into his very soul. And there was nothing he could do about it.

"Omi is over eighteen. He's quite good looking. He kills people for a living, which makes him ideal for you. He told you he was gay or at least bi. He clearly showed interest and even issued a challenge to you." What the hell was Aya getting at? Youji wanted scream. "What is it that's holding you back, Kudou?"

"Damn it, Aya, how many times do I have to point out that it's OMI?" Youji hissed in Ran's face.

"That's not an answer, Kudou." Ran continued to watch him.

Youji gave an exasperated sigh. "Fine! So you're saying it shouldn't matter. Does it mean that if Ken comes on to you, you would go for it?" Ha! Let's see how you like the tables turned on you!

"That's not going to happen." Ran said after a moment of hesitation.

"That's not an answer, Fujimiya." Youji teased him. "How about if Omi came on to you? How about him?"

Ran smiled. "You just warned me away from Omi, so nothing's going to happen, naturally."

"Grrrr…" Youji growled and pushed Ran hard against the wall. "He's off limits, Aya." Youji said in a hard voice. "Especially to me! I'm not anywhere near his league. I wish things were different but it's not, so just drop the damn subject, okay? If you want to keep your mouth busy, instead of talking, I could sure use some help with a certain problem I have!" Youji pressed his 'problem' into Ran suggestively.

Ran rolled his eye and reversed their position, pinning Youji against the wall and then dropped to his knees in front of the man. He pulled down Youji's zipper and muttered, "If you start calling me Omi, I'm telling him."

"Yeah, yeah! Just shut the fuck up and blow me!"

"Well, since you asked so eloquently, how can I refuse?" Ran muttered sarcastically before swallowing Youji whole.

"Gods…Yeah, that's it…Oh, Omi…"

"…"

"Just kidding, just kidding!"


~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

Next morning (Day 3)

Bang! Bang! (The author sweatdrops at the lack of imagination. Gomen.)

Ken blinked sleepily. What was that?

Bang! Bang! Bang!

Front door. Loud noise. Oh, okay… Hey, he was getting there. He just woke up damn it. "Coming!"

Since it was a warm night Ken only wore his boxers to bed and was now looking around the mess in his room impatiently for the jersey he'd thrown off in the middle of the night.

BANG! BANG! BOOM!

Okay, was it his imagination or was the banging getting angrier? Oh, hell! He decided to forgo the shirt and just go get the door before whoever it was on the other side decided to break it down.

"What the hell is the rush?" He asked as he opened the door and gulped when he saw who was about to pound the top of his head.

Ran.

The tall redhead had his hand up in a fist and was about to slam it on the door when Ken pulled it open. Ran scowled and put his hand down irritably. He didn't say anything but his violet eyes swept down the brunette's semi-dressed form and up again to look coolly into the still sleepy brown eyes.

"What?" Ken grumbled and resisted the urge to fidget. Ran's scrutiny always made him feel inadequate and at this moment, with him barely dressed and Ran all decked out in dark trousers and an unbelievably sexy, navy blue, tight fitting, turtle neck T-shirt, Ken was feeling more inadequate than usual. A whole lot more.

"Get dressed. We're leaving in 15 minutes." Ran said and turned to leave.

"What?" Ken reached out and grabbed Ran's arm. When the redhead turned back and looked at Ken's hand pointedly, the brunette dropped it like a hot potato.

Ran looked at the rumpled Ken and repeated patiently, "Get dressed. We're leaving in----"

"I heard you the first time, damn it!" Ken rubbed at his eyes. "What time is it?"

"Half past six."

Ken groaned and shook his head. "Aw, man!" He whined and trudged back to his bed. "Ah-ah, no way, no how! Get Youji, get Omi, get…lost!" With that said, Ken crawled under his blanket and stuffed his head under his pillow, hoping that Ran would take the hint and go away.

"HEY!" He yelled as his nice comfortable blanket was ripped off him and he rolled over with a renewed scowl for the redhead. "Aya!"

"Omi stayed up most of the night on his computer and Youji's pretty useless at this time of day. You're it."

"Crap, Aya, that is so damn unfair!" Ken whined and threw his pillow at the tall redhead who caught it effortlessly. "Wait…I can be useless too!" Ken looked up at his 'up-at-the-crack-of-dawn' leader hopefully.

"Ken." Ran said with a small sigh as he looked down at Ken. Ken blinked up at him and then realized that Ran still had his pillow and was holding it almost tenderly to his chest.

Ken smacked his temple and shook his head vigorously. What the hell was he thinking? Tenderly? Ran? And his pillow? Get real!

"No, you're not sick." Ran said quietly, mistaking his actions for excuses to stay in bed. "You don't have a hangover and you have no prior engagements. Let's go."

"Fine! Fine!" Ken muttered unhappily and sat up. "Where the hell are we going?"

Ran watched him with a strange expression and Ken thought for a fleeting, insane moment that the redhead's arm tightened around his pillow. After a short weird silence, Ran said softly, "Tryffin's gone. Manx believes that Peregrine took him away."

Ken frowned and looked up at the taller man standing in front of him. "To do what?"

Ran shrugged. "If he's really that good, he would've noticed how inadequate the securities around Tryffin was."

"So…do YOU know where they went?"

"No."

Ken groaned. "So where the hell are we going?"

"Chiriko traced them to an area by the bay before he lost them. We're going there."

Ken sighed and ran a hand through his sleep-tousled hair. "Alright, give me half an hour and I'll meet you downstairs."

"You don't have half an hour, you have 10 minutes. We need to get there before people start moving around and destroy what ever clues or evidence we can find."

"I need a shower!" Ken protested.

"You had a shower last night. You can have one when you get back."

"Yuck… Hey, how did you know I showered last night?"

A brief pause and, "I heard the water."

Oh. "Fine. Whatever." Ken stood up and snatched his pillow from Ran and threw it back on the bed. "Get your own damn pillow." He said as he pushed past the wonderfully smelling Ran and…

Nani? Did he just think that Ran smelled wonderful? He sniffed the air surreptitiously and conceded with a grudge. Yeah, the man smelled that fresh out of the shower smell and Ken just wanted to go over to him and bury his face in his strong chest…

Ken stopped dead in his tracks. He blinked rapidly a few times to make sure he was awake. No, he couldn't have been fully awake if he was thinking weird things like that…could he?

"What's wrong?" Ran asked at his elbow and Ken jumped with a squawk.

"Nothing." He said quickly and almost ran to his bathroom. "Um…10 minutes…okay, doable..." Ken's brain stopped forming coherent thoughts sometime ago and that was about as lucid a sentence as he was likely to get with Ran standing there watching him. He did his best to ignore Ran and sprinted into his bathroom, slamming the door on the tall redhead.

Ran stood staring at the closed door silently, his expression numb and almost pained. He walked over to Ken's bed and reached out tentatively to touch the pillow again but stopped just before he could reach it. The tall redhead snatched his hand back as if burned and spun on his heels then stalked abruptly out of the room.

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

"Er…what are we looking for again?" Ken asked as he got out of Ran's car. He looked around the empty parking lot they'd pulled into then turned back to his teammate in confusion. "There's nothing here, Aya."

Ran ignored him and walked around the lot, eyes fixed on the ground. Ken sighed and followed the redhead, eyes scanning the asphalt for…whatever.

"Didn't Chiriko say anything else?" Ken asked and nearly bumped into Ran who had stopped without the courtesy of telling him. Ran crouched down over a few strands of wire and picked them up gingerly.

Ken looked from the wires to the redhead then crouched down beside the other man. "What?"

Ran turned cool violet eyes in his direction and shrugged.

Ken sweatdropped. "Nani!?!" He slapped the wires from Ran's hand and got angrily to his feet. "You dragged me here for you don't even know what? Aya, this is insane! It's seven o'clock in the morning! Chiriko lost the trail a few miles from here, why are we even here?"

Ran sighed and scanned the area. "They'd spend about 15 minutes here. Something happened to the tracking source, but the device was still active. My guess is that they confronted the people who planted the bug." Ran looked at the ground around his feet again before standing up and mumbled almost to himself, "There's blood here, small amount so there's no weapons used. I was hoping to find some indications of whoever it was that wanted to keep track of him so badly."

Ken sighed then dropped to the ground and searched closely. " Well, the ground around here is too hard for us to find any tracks and even if those wires do look like the kind used for surveillance, they're used for a million other things as well…it could have been anything." He looked up at his frowning partner and said, "Why don't we go up the road to where Chiriko lost the signal? Maybe we'd find something then." He straightened up and looked at Ran again, but the redhead was staring at a point to the left of Ken, his violet eyes narrowing intently.

Ken turned his head in the direction of Ran's fierce scrutiny and took a sharp breath. Not 50 feet away, in a cluster of trees, stood a man in cream-colored dress shirt and dark green pants. He was leaning casually against a tree with his arms crossed over his chest, watching them curiously. His light brown hair was blowing slightly in the wind, his bangs fluttering to reveal a dark eye patch over his left eye.

Ken gasped and looked at Ran. "Aya, it's him." Ken could have smacked his forehead for that piece of information. Of course Ran knew. Why did he think the redhead was staring at the other man so intently?

Ran made no reply but continued to watched Peregrine closely. Suddenly the rogue agent pushed himself off the tree and walked calmly towards them. Ken hissed and moved closer to Ran. "Aya?"

Ran remained silent and motionless. The redhead had one hand thrust casually into the pocket of his pants and in all appearances, completely oblivious to any potential dangers. His relaxed stance was deceptive; Ken knew, he'd seen his leader in action many times. He just wished he were as poised and sure as Ran was in any given situation.

Peregrine stopped about 5 feet away from them. He seemed at ease as he looked from Ran to Ken but his eye was keen and watchful.

"You should have come after us yourselves. It was somewhat of an insult, sending those oversized goons." Peregrine lowered his eye to the wires by Ran's feet. "I'm afraid I'd destroyed your little toy. Gomen, ne?" He said softly. His face was serious but Ken couldn't help feeling that the man was laughing at them.

"It's not our toys. We have nothing to do with it." Ken said and took a step toward Peregrine but found his way blocked when Ran raised his arm to hold him back.

"Where's Tryffin?" Ran asked.

Peregrine didn't answer immediately but narrowed his eye at the redhead, studying him carefully. After a few moments, he said softly, "Safe."

The two men stared at each other silently and Ken had a feeling that he was completely forgotten. They gauged each other carefully and the intensity of their gazes generated enough tension to make Ken take a small step back. It was straight out of a classic western movie where two guys were about to have a gunfight. Ken could almost hear the music that accompanied the scene and his overactive imagination supplied him readily with swirling dust and tumbleweeds.

But they weren't in a western and a gunfight here wouldn't do them any good. Even if they hadn't agreed to help Peregrine, they hadn't agreed to stop him either. Ken was in fact quite in awe of the older man whose files recorded extraordinary cases and accomplishments in the four years he'd been with Kritiker. On the other hand…Peregrine did find faults in Kritiker's documents and records… Either way, crossing the legendary Peregrine would not be wise.

"Er…guys?" Ken said and winced when his voice came out squeaky. He cleared his throat and tried again. "Guys!" He pressed down Ran's arm, which the tall redhead used to hold him back and stepped between the two men. He looked from his leader to Peregrine and held up a hand to each of them. "I think there's a misunderstanding here…so could we NOT kill each other until we at least straighten this out?"

Ran scowled at him and crossed his arms. Oh, THAT'S mature! Ken scowled back then turned to Peregrine. The rogue agent was regarding him with interest, and the corner of his lips curved up slightly.

"And YOU'RE the hot head?" Peregrine asked, his brown eye danced with amusement.

Ken's eyes widened as he gasped. "How…?"

Peregrine tilted his head to one side and was about to make a reply when a clear voice hailed them from the trees Peregrine came out of.

"Hey, guys!"

Ken noted a flash of irritation across Peregrine's face before he sighed and turned his head in the direction of the voice.

Tryffin was coming out from between the trees and walked stiffly towards them. He was wearing loose fitting grey sweatpants and a white T-shirt. He wore no shoes, his feet were wrapped up in bandages and he looked uncomfortable walking on them. He was frowning as he looked from one man to the other and came to stop next to Peregrine. "What's…going on here? You guys knew each other?"

Ken saw more emotions cross Peregrine's face but he couldn't keep up with them since they changed so rapidly. One thing he was sure of though, the man was definitely not happy with Tryffin being there.

"What happened to you?" Ken asked Tryffin as he eyed the man's feet questioningly.

"Ask my oh-so-resourceful bodyguard here." Tryffin said as he gave Peregrine a dark look.

"What are you doing out here?" Peregrine's voice was barely controlled as he gritted his teeth and asked the young man.

"Do you have any idea how hot and uncomfortable it is in that damn car of yours? You won't even let me open the god damn windows!" Tryffin retorted, his hands going to his hips.

"Being uncomfortable is better than being dead!" Peregrine hissed back.

"Do I look dead to you?" Tryffin countered.

Peregrine growled and ran a frustrated hand through his hair. Ken felt sorry for the man, only one night and he looked ready to throw in the towels.

Peregrine looked back at Ran and asked, "You didn't plant the bug?"

"Bug? It was them?" Tryffin chimed in excitedly.

Ran shook his head. "One of our operatives found the signal by accident and tracked it here. We were told to check it out, to make sure…" Ran paused and Ken wondered if he would let Peregrine know that they were supposed to help him. "Make sure that Tryffin is safe." Well, maybe not just yet.

"Really?" Tryffin sounded surprised but pleased. He flashed Ran a smile and Ken had to fight down the urge to slap it off his face.

Peregrine narrowed his eye at Ran suspiciously and turned to give Tryffin an annoyed look. Tryffin's grin was somewhat subdued and Peregrine turned back to Ran.

"Why?" He asked Ran.

Ran gave Peregrine a calculated look and shrugged. "We don't question orders." Ken flinched at the thunderous look that flashed across Peregrine's face. Man, was THAT ever the wrong thing to say, especially when they knew about Peregrine's past. Ken didn't know what the hell Ran was thinking and he placed a hand tentatively on his leader's arm.

"Maybe you should." Peregrine said softly then he shook his head as if arguing with himself. "This has nothing to do with you. Don't get involved."

At that moment, Ran's cell phone rang and the tall redhead turned away to answer it. Ken watched Ran's back tense as he talked but remained where he was and turned his attention back to Peregrine.

Ken sweatdropped when he saw Peregrine and Tryffin hissing at each other a few feet away. Watching them, he couldn't help wondering if Tryffin's choice of bodyguard was the best under the circumstances.

With a heavy sigh Ken cleared his throat and looked at the scowling pair darkly. "Do you mind?" He asked.

Tryffin had the grace to look embarrassed but Peregrine gave him a chilling look before taking a firm grip on Tryffin's arm. "Stay away. This has nothing to do with you." Peregrine warned Ken gravely then he turned to go back in the direction he came.

"It's too late." Ran said suddenly. The redhead's voice was filled with cold fury and Ken wondered nervously about the phone call. "We're already involved."

Peregrine turned back to Ran with a small, exasperated sigh. "Not yet." He shook his head. "Walk away now and you won't have to get involved."

"I said it was too late." Ran's voice was hard and Ken's heart sank.

"What's going on? Who was that, Aya?" Ken moved to stand in front of the redhead. "What happened?" Ken could feel his heart beating frantically in his chest. "Not the guys?"

Ran looked at him and Ken saw his expression softened slightly. "Youji was shot. Omi is taking him to the hospital now." Then seeing Ken's horrified expression, he added quickly. "It's not serious. Omi said it was a warning so Koudo is going to be okay." He turned back to Peregrine and was now in full Abyssinian mode. "You see; it's too late. They involved us when they touched one of ours. You wouldn't be able to get rid of us now no matter what you do."

Peregrine studied Ran closely for what seemed like hours to Ken then he shook his head. "Baka." He muttered as he whirled on his feet, dragging the protesting Tryffin away.

"Wait!" Ken called. "How do we contact you?"

"You don't." Peregrine shouted over his shoulder.

"Arrogant bastard." Ken muttered as he watched the duo disappear into the trees. He turned back to Ran and tugged at the man's arm. "Let's go see Yotan, Aya."

"Aa."

Ran glared at the spot where the two men had disappeared and Ken wondered with growing dismay at their future.

Reluctant or not, they had just added a rogue agent and his unenthusiastic client to their team. Life was full of surprises and then some.


TBC…


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Wai! Did you like it? Huh? Huh? Did ya? Did ya? Let me know, Onegaishimasu!