Author's notes and warnings: While the entire story is dedicated to my very good friend Xellas, this chapter – and the upcoming FY-11 – are dedicated to Whisper Reilman whose rib-cracking comments had me falling off the chair more times than not. As promised, sweetie, here is the Shirtless Edition…well, a start of one anyway. It will be continued in the FY version. I hope I do your anticipation justice…and that you enjoy the boys. ::hugs::
For readers who are not following the FY version: Last chapter on FY-10, Ceilen and the gang picked up Youji, Shinji and Kouji after the three had dropped off the Faction's plane they stowed away on. Let see…that would be day 7, around two a.m.
Hmm…I have to warn you, this chapter is just an excuse to get the boys out of their shirt…no redeeming quality whatsoever. Just enjoy the ride, folks. In the next chapter of WK, you'll see more action, ne?
Endless hugs and blessings go to all my reviewers who were kind enough to leave me comments about the chapter. Thank you very much. ::bows low::
Unofficial Schwarz – Thank you, no da! I'm really, really happy that the chapter worked out for you.
JadeAnime – Anou…I think you've had plenty of sugar already. ::takes cookies away:: But thank you very much for your comments, I'm glad you liked the chapter.
Krysana - ::hugs Youji:: He's stressed because of the missing Omi, ne? Please forgive his intrusion. ::grins:: Now about Ran and Ken…I'm afraid it'll be a bit longer before they fully consummate their relationship…but I promise it'll be worth it… Thank you, moto-chan!
Celeste1 – GAH! I'm so sorry but…but…it'll get better in the next WK chapter, I promise! Thank you!
Evelyn – Thank you very much. ::beams::
Hana no Ceres - ::giggles:: All the 'ji's in their names! My fault, sorry. I was totally confused for a while too. And I'll try to get all they boys rounded up within a chapter or two, okay? Thank you!
Whisper Reilman – Well…what can I say but…here it is!!!! The long awaited Shirtless Edition! Well, part one anyway, it'll continue in the FY version. I hope you like it. ::hugs:: Don't despair that they didn't strip right away…I had to try and stay in character, ne, since I don't think all of them would just drop their shirts at the drop of a hat. Anou…and doesn't Sanada look like a giant Ryoma? ::giggles::
Mystik – Gomen! It looks like I'm apologizing for the most part of this note. My fault. But they WILL get it on, I promise! Thank you.
Hcbenitez – hee hee hee, Ceilen and Tryffin are having a HARD time too, ne? ::giggling fit:: Thank you!
Chitoshiya no Tohma – Um….thank you…?
Zeto – Wai! Yes, Seki-sama does them both! ::laughs:: I meant that he did their voice, nya! I love that man, he is SOOOO talented---and goofy! ::giggles:: BTW, I did write another TezuFuji piece but it's only a 100-word drabble posted on my Live Journal. So, you're right…I really wanted to write another one. Thank you!
Mashimaro-Byul-012 – Wow…one sitting? ::laughs:: Thank you! I'm thrilled that you like the story…I guess it's better for you that you didn't read the FY version or it'll be 20 chapters instead of 10! Thanks again!
Seph Lorraine - ::hugs you:: Thank you! I'm very, very happy that you like the chapter. I'm actually having great fun writing Youji. I find that if I stay away from his angst, he's quite a ball to write. But then again, an angsty Youji is a very sexy Youji… ::sighs:: I can't win.
Thekatgrl – hee hee, so glad you approve of the plotless mush. Thank you.
Dragonloverryushi - ::glomps:: I'm glad you like the funny Kenken, I like him too! Thank you!
Keimei – Well, here it is. I'm sorry it wasn't up in time for your return but I trust that today is alright? ::laughs:: Yeah, Youji/Kouji/Shinji…those names has gotten me confuse numerous times too and I have no one to blame but me! But I'm glad you like them. ::grins:: Thank you very much for reading my stuff… ::hugs::
Hidaka Akiko – I'm so happy SOMEONE still likes Youji! Thank you!!! Youji thanks you too! ::beams::
Baka-chan - ::laughs:: Well…they could always adopt, ne? And then they can have lots of sex and babies. ::winks:: And I did have Ceilen and Tryffin go at it in FY-10…thank you, baby!
Heather R. - ::laughs:: Thank you very much. I'm glad you're so enthusiastic about the chapter. No Ceilen didn't say anything to Ran but I think Ran's a bright boy. And even though they kinda, sorta got together, I'm afraid there will be some more bloodshed before they really do go at it. ::grins:: I AM quite evil, no da.
Sakata Ri Houjun – Yeah, I have to post the lemon some place else, ne? That did suck. Thank you for your continual support of the story. ::beams happily:: I'm absolutely thrilled that you like them.
Alfirinsereg - ::sheepish look:: Yeah, sorry about the "mid-coitus-interrupted-by-mission" – courtesy of Whisper Reilman. It IS part of the 'HOW TO TORTURE BISHOUNEN – 101' course that some of us writers are required to take. ::sweat drop:: Thank you for your feedback!
Hisaya Yuki – Thank you for your comments! ::beams::
Sirrah – anou…did you read the FY version? Chapter 10? There is a lemon, no da! Tas-chan was most insistent. And I'm glad the chapter could make your day a bit better…I know work can suck at time, ne? ::hugs:: Um…GOMEN! ::hangs head:: I haven't seen a single episode of Naruto but I have heard a great deal about it. Will put that on my "to see" list, ne? Thank you!
Ambika-san – Wai! I saw your icon for your LJ! ::cries:: But I'm SOOOOOO happy ::see me bouncing up and down:: that you're reading this story! ::hugs you:: Thank you very much. I am truly touched, no da.
Wai-Aki – Yep, more Ran and Ken in the future…just NOT the immediate future. ::evil look:: Thank you very much!
Rei-Kitty – Thank you for your review! Poor Youji…I think everyone hates him now, I really must think of some way special to make it up to him. ::wink, wink::
Medusa Davenport - ::hugs:: Thank you! I'm glad SOMEONE still loves Youji after what I'd made him do. ::beams::
Special thanks go to Xellas for proofreading this chapter for me. She's such a sweetheart doing this even when she's swamped with her own stuff.
Enjoy, everybody!
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A Fine Line – WK: Chapter 11 – The Shirtless Edition (part one)
By Moonraven
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(Day 7 – mid morning)
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"Are we there yet?" Youji tapped on the instrument panel impatiently.
Wearing only a pair of shorts; his shirt long since removed even in the early hours of the morning, Youji looked more like a beach bum than a highly skilled assassin on a mission. The impatient scowl on his face wasn't helping his image much and Ken rolled his eyes at his friend affectionately.
"Oh geeze! What are you, five years old?" Kouji mocked from his place next to Shinji. He was also reduced to a pair of swimming trunks, his shirt draping casually over one shoulder. "You ask that every freaking minute."
"Do not! Besides, I'm not asking YOU, am I?"
"It's just as annoying having to listen to you getting all melodramatic, okay?"
"Well, excuse me while I worry about my teammate!"
Ken groaned and turned from the two bickering men to Shinji, who looked as though he hadn't heard a single word. "How do you do it? They're driving me nuts and they just got on board."
Shinji looked up from his laptop and smiled ruefully. "Practice." He brushed a lock of his pink hair out of his eyes and then went back to his computer.
The youngest member in their expedition looked cool despite the heat. His light yellow polo shirt and dark blue swim trunks made him look more like a yuppie out on a pleasure cruise than someone tracking known killers. Ken wondered if that took practice as well; ignoring the heat wasn't an easy feat. Not to Ken anyway and definitely not in this situation.
They were currently cramped in the control station where Ceilen had herded them, mumbling something about the dangers to his computers with so many clumsy people in his cabin. Apparently, the man had hooked them up to the controls of the ship so that he wouldn't have to come on deck to navigate the vessel. Pretty cool, Ken thought.
What took the cake was the Black Hawk's state of the art stealth capability. This was the main reason why they couldn't go out on deck – where the breeze would have been most welcome - when they were so close to the enemy. Ken hadn't quite understood all the technicalities but it apparently had a lot to do with reflections and infra---something-something reading. He hadn't been paying attention to the explanations anyway…he had been too busy admiring Ran's backside. Hey! It was NOT his fault the man was too sexy for his own good…well, too sexy for Ken's own good was more like it. And this whole thing was so new to him.
So…back to the immediate problem: they were stuck in a room the size of a walk-in closet, where the air-conditioning had never been intended to accommodate five grown men. Ken still had his t-shirt on, but he was quickly coming to regret it.
Someone made an exasperated sound and Ken turned to see Youji picking up the radio and calling Ceilen. "Oi! Which one of these islands are we landing on again? And why aren't we there yet?"
There was a long pause before Ceilen's voice sounded stiffly over the speaker. "Swallow's Nest and soon. OVER!"
Ken and Kouji snickered while Youji glared at the hand held mic. The tall blond slammed it down moodily. "Smart ass," he muttered under his breath, his eyes roaming the scattered reefs and small clusters of land broodingly.
"C'mon, Yotan." Ken suddenly felt bad for Youji. The tall blond had always been protective when it came to Omi. Having the young man kidnapped right under his nose was probably killing him. "We'll get him back." He clasped Youji on the shoulder. "Besides," he added lightly. "If I know Omi, he's probably kicking ass, as we speak, ne?"
Youji turned to look down at Ken and a small smile touched his lips, though it didn't quite reach his eyes. "Yeah, you're right, Ken. He'll be alright." Then, sighing, he turned his attention back to the ocean.
Ken turned to give Ran a pleading look; if anyone could cheer up Youji, surely it was his former lover?
Ran shook his head quietly as he leaned noncommittally against the wall. The redhead was back in his shorts and the snuggle-me-baby t-shirt and Ken took a tiny moment to drool before turning to see what Shinji and Kouji were doing. His fellow assassin was still by the binnacle, doing something on the laptop while their brand new comrade at arms watched attentively.
"Why aren't you snuggling with Tryffin?" Ken asked the man curiously. They weren't behaving like eager lovers to him.
Kouji shrugged. "He's too freaked-out to come up here and Ceilen is making him practice that meditating stuff. I don't think I'd be much use down there."
Ken nodded. "Do you think he will eventually be able to go in the water?"
Kouji thought for a moment then shook his head. "I don't know…but Tryffin's strong. If he makes up his mind to do it, then he will."
"Stubborn, you mean." Surprisingly it was Shinji who'd made the comment. Ken blinked at the young man; it really wasn't like Shinji to say something like that. Shinji's attention remained fixed on the computer screen, his expression gave nothing away.
Kouji raised his brows and smiled. "Yeah…that too."
Shinji's eyes narrowed slightly but he made no other comments. Ken looked from Kouji, who was giving the young assassin tender looks, to the young assassin himself, who looked like he was trying very hard to look uninterested.
Nah. He shook his head to clear it of strange thoughts of Kouji and Shinji…nah!
He decided that the only sane place for him was next to Ran…so he went and stood by the quiet redhead. "Do we have time for this, Aya? I mean, while we're playing on a deserted island---" Ken glanced at Youji and lowered his voice. "---Omi could…Omi may need us."
"Peregrine is just as worried as we are about Omi. I don't think he would make this stop if it wasn't necessary."
Ken turned and gave his almost-lover a narrow look. "You seem to know him well all of a sudden." When Ran didn't respond – typical! – Ken continued, "But he doesn't tell us anything!" He complained.
"He will."
"What…how do you know?"
Ran turned and gave him one of those rare smiles, where Ken thought he could see falling petals and hear singing nightingales.
"He's been working alone for eight years…give him some time."
Ken grudgingly obliged and stopped his arguments. Of course Ran was right, Ceilen was probably more freaked out by all the people on his boat than Tryffin was by the ocean.
"Hey, we're slowing down!" Youji said excitedly and picked up the microphone again. "Are we there? Is this it?"
Ken heard Ran sigh next to him and couldn't help smiling. Ceilen would probably feed Youji to the sharks if they had much more distance to go. For Youji's sake, Ken hoped that the approaching island was IT.
"Don't touch anything!" Ceilen's voice warned. "And do not leave the bridge. I'm bringing her in from down here. We'll be up there in a few minutes. Over."
"Damn, he's got a stick up his ass too …and here I thought Aya was the only one." Youji turned and gave his ex-lover a toothy grin, his mood lightened considerably now that they seemed to be closer to finding Omi.
Ran was staring back at the blond but his expression was far from the infamous death glare Ken had expected. It was more intimate… Ken frowned and turned away abruptly. What would happen now that Youji was here? Would Ran take up with the blond again? How did Ken feel about that?
"Don't worry, Kenken," Youji teased. "He had it removed so there's plenty of room."
It took Ken all of five seconds to get what the blond was saying. "Youji!" He gawked at the older man, red faced.
"What?" Youji asked innocently. "You were worried about that, weren't you?"
"NO!" Ken, face flaming, glanced nervously at Ran, who was still looking at Youji with long practiced tolerance, then to Shinji and Kouji, who were also gaping but their looks were directed at Ken and Ran. "No!" Ken repeated, shaking his head.
Youji laughed and then turned to Shinji. The younger man was still blinking at Ken in disbelief. Youji nudged him on the shoulder and cocked his head towards the computer.
"Hey! You've hacked into his system?" Youji asked, impressed. "He is SO going to throw you overboard when he finds out."
Shinji grinned at him. "He's already found out." Shinji pointed to the bottom of the screen and Youji burst out laughing.
"I didn't think he had a sense of humor," Kouji commented with a smile.
Curious, Ken left his place and went over to see what the three men were snickering about. The graphic on the screen looked like a boat maneuvering through something and at the bottom of the screen, an animated figure of a very small Ceilen was wagging his finger reproachfully at them. In a little bubble next to the man's chibi version, words flashed: "Tsk, tsk. How rude!"
Ken found himself laughing too. HE had already known that Ceilen had a sense of humor; he had begun to see it the night before. He just hadn't ever pictured the man chibi-tized.
"So what's this?" Ken asked, pointing to the picture of a boat.
"That's us," Shinji answered. "This is how Peregrine steers the boat form his computer. Kinda like a video game."
"You mean you can do that on this computer too?" Youji peered at the screen and then up at the island they were coming up to.
"Well, no. He found out, remember?"
"But if he hadn't found out, could you?"
Shinji looked thoughtful for a moment. "Maybe, if he doesn't have other traps---No!" This when he saw the gleam in Youji's eyes. "We can't hijack this boat!" The young man protested.
"Of course we can't," Youji agreed placidly. "But if we have to, can you?"
Shinji frowned and look at the screen again, eyes drawn automatically to the 'tsking' chibi. "Maybe…I don't know. His system is very complicated."
"C'mon, Shinji. Besides Omi, you're the best hacker I know," Youji encouraged.
"Aya-kun." Shinji turned to Ran pleadingly. "We can't."
Ran stared at the troubled young man thoughtfully but before he could answer him, Ken intervened.
"Aya…if he finds out…" Ken didn't like this at all, not one bit. "We can't do this to him just when he's beginning to trust us. That's just…wrong."
"Look, what if we have to make a quick getaway and something had happened to him? This thing doesn't even have a steering wheel! How are we supposed to move it?" Youji spread his arms out, and looked around the bridge. "Can we use it IF we have to?"
"Plotting mutiny already? That was quick."
They all turned to see Ceilen standing by one of the walls, his expression watchful. Tryffin was next to him, scowling unkindly at them. Ken blinked in confusion; how had they gotten in? The door was next to Ran and he certainly hadn't heard it open.
"Trap door," Ceilen answered their baffled expressions, tapping his foot slightly on the floor.
A collective 'ohhh' could be heard, but the uncomfortable silence remained.
"Look." Ken played the peacemaker yet again. "Youji is not quite himself at the moment, he's really worried about Omi so…" Ken pointedly ignored the tiny daggers Youji was glaring at his back. "He didn't mean it."
"Don't speak for me, Ken." Youji's tone was quiet but deadly serious. He turned to Ceilen. "It isn't mutiny, more like contingency plan. You know the game."
Ceilen studied him for a long moment and then nodded. "I know the game."
He came farther into the room and deposited Tryffin on Kouji before heading to the panel where Youji had tapped so impatiently on earlier. Ceilen pressed a series of numbers onto a keypad and one of the panels slid open, releasing a steering wheel.
They all blinked. Ken was sure he couldn't be the only one who was surprised.
"I'll be damned," Youji muttered.
"The computer is programmed to bring her to a specific coordinates at the center of the island," Ceilen told them quietly. "After that, the program will terminate. If you need to use her for 'a quick getaway', she's all yours." He turned to Ran. "Just don't let him" – here, he motioned to Ken – "touch anything."
They all blinked at Ceilen again, not sure how to take this bit of generosity. Even Ken, who should be at least a little ticked off, was too confused to tick.
Ran actually smiled and nodded. NOW Ken was ticked. "Hey!"
"But aren't we going to Ibu Baba from here?" Ken asked.
"Itu Aba," Ceilen corrected automatically. "Yes, but not by boat."
Shinji nodded. "Too many reefs surrounding the island. It would be disastrous if we hit those."
Ceilen nodded as he sent an approving look toward the young man.
"I did see a wreck up ahead. Is that where the island is?" Ken asked.
Ceilen nodded again. "What you saw is the remains of a U.S. Gun-boat that ran aground some 30 years ago. We don't want to end up like that. Good eyes."
"You can't mean for us to SWIM all the way to that island?" Kouji sounded indignant. "How is Tryf ever going to make it?"
Ceilen didn't say anything for a long time; almost as if he was sure he'd be up against stout opposition. Then he looked up and stared straight into Kouji's eyes. "You and Tryffin are going to remain on this island…along with anyone else who wants to stay, that is."
"WHAT?!?" Tryffin shouted and in the small cramped room, it echoed like you wouldn't believe. "Why the hell was I practicing all that breathing stuff, then? What do you mean, leaving me behind? What if I don't wanna stay? You can't make me stay!" Tryffin, at this point was back in Ceilen's face, his finger jabbing the man's chest. "You can't make me leave you. You CAN'T!" He grated, his face just about plastered to Ceilen's as he clutched the older man's shirt. "DON'T…leave me."
Silence reigned on the bridge after that little outburst. Damn…it sounded a lot to Ken like there was more going on between those two than anyone had thought. He glanced sidelong at Kouji and found the man staring open-mouthed at this lover, completely flabbergasted. Shit…Ken would be gaping too, had Tryffin were his lover…
"You'll be safe here." Ceilen said, unfazed by the explosion.
"Damn it, Ceilen! I thought we agreed to be unsafe together!"
"My job is to protect you, not drag you into danger." Ceilen insisted calmly.
"And how the hell are you supposed to protect me if you're not with me?"
Ceilen took a deep breath, his eye never leaving Tryffin. "You won't need me if you stay on Swallow's Nest."
"That's NOT true!"
Ceilen narrowed his eye. "You're staying, end of discussion. Your BOYFRIEND will agree with me on this, I'm sure."
At the mentioned of Kouji, Tryffin paled and Ken saw his jaw clench tightly, but his gaze remained locked on Ceilen.
The rest of the group watched them silently; each came to the same conclusion, that during their isolation at sea, the two had become…closer. Ken was still stunned; it had been just yesterday that they'd denied everything and yet watching them now, there could be no mistake.
Ceilen disengaged Tryffin's hand from his clothing and then turned to give Kouji a small smile. "You two can drive the getaway car."
"You sound like you don't intend to…come back." Tryffin voice was low, very low, as he gazed intently at his bodyguard.
Ceilen gazed back but all he said was, "Like the man said, it's just a contingency plan." Then he turned away and watched the boat navigate itself through the narrow channel leading inland, leaving the redhead to stare at his back in dejected silence.
Ken wasn't sure Tryffin had been wrong. Ceilen's tone, if nothing else, had definitely sounded final.
x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x
"I cannot believe how beautiful this place is!" Ken stared in wonder at the cliffs surrounding the large lagoon they were in. Lush greenery hung from the top of the cliffs, overshadowing the edges of the deep blue pool. Sounds of gaily chirping tropical birds and the calls of strange wild animals all added to the ambiance, making the whole place breathtaking, serene yet mysterious at the same time.
Ceilen was already out on deck with Ran, Youji and Shinji, securing the Black Hawk to poles sticking out of the water. Ken didn't see any piers and the lagoon itself looked very deep. Looking out of the windows, Ken saw a good-sized beach to the right but to get there, they would either have to swim for it or take the raft. Ken wondered vaguely what Ceilen had done with the little rubber boat he and Ran had used.
Behind him, Ken was suddenly aware of a hushed conversation between Kouji and Tryffin. He grimaced. It was most likely about Tryffin's earlier outburst… Not wanting to eavesdrop – even though he was dying to know what was being said – Ken hurriedly left the bridge and joined his teammates on deck.
"Damn, Ceilen, this place is great!" Ken told the rogue agent with a huge smile. "I'm planning my next vacation here."
"You get a vacation, Kenken? I'm jealous," Youji teased and Ken made a face at him.
Ceilen smiled and then looked at their surroundings. "Yes, I'm very fond of it," he told them quietly. Then he turned to Ken and said, "You can stay here with those two, if you like."
Ken glowered. "Very funny." He glanced over his shoulder at the bridge quickly and then shuddered. "YOU stay."
Ceilen laughed and Ken saw everyone on deck - and probably half the animals on the island – turn to the man in surprise. "Sorry, but this is MY fight." His voice was warm and Ken's heart reached out to him. He wondered when was the last time someone had actually made Ceilen happy.
"Our fight," Ran said firmly as he came up to stand next to Ken. Ken turned and smiled at his leader, his chest filled with warm fluttery happiness. He nodded and his grin widened when he saw that Shinji and Youji were also nodding in agreement with Ran.
Ceilen looked as if he wasn't sure what to do. He stared from one man to the next, a small crease between his brows.
"C'mon, let's go get Omi," Ken said softly.
Ceilen turned his gaze to Ken and after a brief hesitation, he nodded and smiled. "Let's go." Then the man walked over to the bow of the boat and started taking off his shirt.
"Er…you're going swimming now?" Youji asked.
Ceilen dropped the shirt on deck and turned to give them an amused look, his bare torso gleamed bronze in the sunlight. "Yes. That's the only way into the cave."
"What cave?" Kouji had come out of the bridge with Tryffin clutching on his arm. The redhead was pale and hyperventilating badly. His bare chest shone with sweat as it rose as fell erratically in his fright.
Ceilen frowned at them. "He's going to pass out if he doesn't focus on his breathing."
"I think you should take him with you," Kouji said quietly. "I can't calm him down."
Ceilen's frown deepened and he shook his head adamantly. But before he could say anything more, Tryffin left Kouji's side and stumbled towards his bodyguard. The redhead lost his footing in his haste - too much oxygen probably hadn't helped and he crashed headlong into his would-be rescuer. Ceilen tried to steady both of them but Tryffin's momentum was too much for him and with a startled cry, they both toppled into the water.
"Shit!" Ken rushed to the side where the men went over. He ripped off his own shirt and then jumped in as well. Surprisingly warm, yet refreshing water rushed over his head as he went under. Ken opened his eyes, ignoring the burning sting of seawater and looked around quickly. Nothing. He came up for air, gasping and looking around frantically for signs of Ceilen and Tryffin. What he saw were more splashes as the rest of the group jumped in with the same intention.
Great! He sure hoped none of them landed on the pair they had meant to rescue.
"Where the hell did they go?" Youji sputtered up next to him.
"Tryffin!" Kouji yelled, scaring the petunias out of the local wildlife before diving under once again.
"He's fine. They are both fine," Shinji said suddenly, making the remaining men above water turn to him. He looked just as baffled as the rest of them. "I don't know what…" His eyes looked distant for a brief moment then he blinked. "I…I hear Peregrine in my head. Oh my god, he's a telepath?" He shook his head briskly then continued, "He said that they're both alright and to wait on the cluster of rocks by the beach and he'll be right out." Shinji absently pointed to his right and sure enough, there was a cluster of huge rocks piled up next to the white sandy beach.
Ken knew that he was gaping when he turned back to Shinji and he was pretty sure that everyone else was too, including Kouji who had come up for air and had heard the second part.
"How…" Ken really wasn't sure who had said that…it could have been him.
Shinji shrugged. "I don't know. I sort of just…heard it. It was different from Schuldich, though. I didn't feel intruded upon but it was still…weird." He shivered.
Ken turned and gave Ran a frightened look; he was very worried about his brain once again.
Ran glowered and started swimming towards the rocks. With a shrug, Youji followed their leader and motioned for Ken to do the same. Ken sighed as he started after them. Was no one else worried about the alien thing?
"Where are you going?" Kouji called out confusedly. "What are you talking about? What telepath? Where?"
Ken felt sorry for the man. While the rest of them were pretty used to dealing with extrasensory powers - they'd fought them long enough - Kouji probably wasn't.
"C'mon, Kouji-san. Let's wait for Tryffin by the beach, okay?" Shinji tugged gently on Kouji's arm.
"I don't understand…" Kouji resisted the pull and continued to look worriedly around him.
Shinji smiled and tread water next to Kouji. "Remember the dimensional gate we were talking about? Maybe telepathy is part of the package." He tugged on Kouji's arm again. "Trust me?"
Kouji looked uncertain but he allowed the younger man to tow him along. Every now and then he would look back as if expecting Ceilen or Tryffin to surface.
When they'd reached the rocks, Ken climbed onto one and found himself with Ran; the redhead was shaking water out of his hair and peeling out of his very wet shirt. Ken swallowed and looked away quickly. Adverse body reactions to a nearly naked Ran were NOT something he wanted to made known publicly…Youji, for one would never let him live it down.
Speaking of the randy devil, he was currently on the boulder next to them, smoothing the hair back from his face. The infernal pair of sunglasses was already in place. Next to Youji's boulder, Kouji was pulling Shinji up by the hand and when the younger man was safely on the rock, Kouji peered out into the water.
Ken thought about the picture all of them made – five semi-naked men, dripping wet, lounging on the rocks. If someone were to see them, they would probably think they were seeing a bunch of friends out on a leisure day of sun and surf…little would they know…
"Shit!" Youji stood up abruptly. "Where the hell is the boat?"
Ken looked out into the lagoon and his jaw fell open. Youji was right…the Black Hawk was nowhere to be found.
"Stealth mode," Ran said quietly from behind Ken. The brunette took a quick glance and saw Ran sitting with one knee drawn up, one of his arms draped casually over it. He was looking out to where the Black Hawk should have been.
"Fuck!" Youji peered hard at where he KNEW the boat was moored to the poles. "You're right, I could just make out some kind of…shimmering in the air where the boat is. I'll be damned. It reminds me of the Klingon's cloaking device thing. The man IS all that and a bag of chips."
Shinji squealed and rolled on the next rock laughing so hard he was in danger of falling off. "It's funny hearing that expression from you, Youji-kun!"
"Uh…maybe you can hold on to that bag of chips…" Ken said, despite the smile tugging at his lips. He looked worriedly around the empty beach and the looming cliff behind them. "Where the hell is he?"
Shinji was still snickering at Youji when Ken heard him stop abruptly. He turned to the young man and saw him cock his head to the side as if listening to something, his face tense with concentration.
Then his expression cleared slightly but he continued to look thoughtful.
"What's the matter?" Kouji asked, concerned.
"That was Peregrine…" He gave the group a rueful smile. "He said to enjoy the scenery since we can't leave here until dusk. He and Tryffin will be here soon. He's getting supplies… something about us, eating him out of house and home." Shinji shrugged and gave the group a helpless look. "That's what he said!"
Kouji looked around them. "Supplies…here?"
"Why is he talking to you? Why not one of us?" Youji asked as he studied Shinji.
"I don't know!" The young man was beginning to look defensive.
"Maybe it's the pink hair," the blond said with the twinkle in his eyes. "It acts like a radar or something."
Shinji shook his head at the old joke between them and rolled his eyes.
"What about this cave he mentioned?" Ken looked back toward the invisible boat. "He was about to dive off the boat and he said it was the only way to the cave…"
"It was probably the only way ANYWHERE," Youji pointed out. "We swam here, didn't we?"
"Yeah…" Ken agreed but his eyes were still on the cliff next to the boat. "But they didn't surface, so the entrance might be underwater."
"Our SCBA aren't the underwater kind," Shinji said, guessing what Ken was thinking. "Even if they were, we left them on the boat and if we can't see the boat, how are we going to board it?"
"I don't think he'd be too thrilled to have us roaming around the darn thing anyway." Ken sighed and turned to his very quiet leader. "So, what do we do?"
"We wait," Ran said, although he continued to scan the lagoon, his eyes particularly keen on the cliff Ken had been eyeing.
"What about Omi?" Youji asked.
Ran sighed. "There's not much we can do, Kudou. Peregrine is right, we shouldn't leave until it's dark."
"So, we're just going to sit here?" Ken asked in disbelief. "He could be doing the gods only know what and we're just going to chill?"
"We could…fish…?" Shinji suggested faintly.
"WHAT?" Several voices questioned at the same time and Ken wondered if their youngest member hadn't lost his mind.
They turned to see Shinji holding out several fishing poles, his face completely stunned. "I…they just appeared." He looked at the crack between the rock he was on and Youji's rock. "I mean, I think they did, I don't remember seeing them before."
Youji and Kouji peered at the spot too and both shook their heads. "I don't remember seeing them either," they both said at the same time but no one made snide remarks about that. They were all staring at Shinji and the fishing poles.
The pink-haired teen dropped the poles and held up his hands, palms facing them. "I didn't do anything!"
"Of course you didn't," Kouji agreed and turned to the rest of them. "Is this another part of the package? You know…the 'poof' thing?"
They all looked at each other and then finally all eyes rested on Ran expectantly. He glared back at them.
"What? You seem to be relating to him," Ken commented, shrugging. "We thought you might know more than the rest of us."
"So…you want that bag of chips now?" Youji asked, his voice not quite steady as he looked around him nervously. "Damn, do you think he's watching us?"
Ken shuddered, his hands going instinctively to his head. Then he nearly jumped out of his skin when he felt something brush softly against the back of his leg. He looked down with a little squeak and nearly died when he saw Ran looking up at him with open amusement.
"You guys are over-reacting," Ran said with a sigh as he stood up.
"Oh, Come on!" Youji protested. "I know we've seen some heavy shit, Aya, but I don't think we've met anyone who can do that…that 'poof' thing."
Ran ignored the indignant blond and climbed past him to Shinji's rock. He picked up one of the fishing poles and inspected it closely. Ken followed automatically…he was not going to be left alone on his rock, damn it!
"You're NOT going to fish," Ken stated when he reached the redhead.
Ran shook his head and then put down the rod before turning to give Ken a small smile. "He's getting the supplies, not us." Then Ran turned and scrutinized the beach and the cliff behind it closely. "Let's split up and look around," he told them. "Keep your communicators on and when you do find something – anything – contact me. Don't act on you own. Got that?"
A collective 'hai!' went up and everybody scrambled off the rocks and onto the white sand. Ken shuffled his feet experimentally and before he knew it, he was running his hands through its soft texture; it was so fine, he'd never felt any sand like it before.
When he got up and looked for his teammates, he found Ran and Youji standing a few feet away. Their heads were bent close together and they were speaking so softly to each other that even a short distance away, Ken couldn't hear what they were saying.
A strange numbness crept over his chest. His throat felt tight and his lips tingled with an odd sensation. Ken swallowed against the tightness and looked away. At a distance, he saw that Kouji and Shinji were already walking towards the far end of the beach. He could scramble after them, but that would be too obvious… Ken sighed and shuffled his feet some more, his eyes focused on the fine sand sifting through his toes. It was normal for Ran and Youji to talk to each other…they were teammates and they hadn't seen each other in a couple of days. Surely it had nothing to do with the panic Ken felt rising in his stomach.
Ken was lost in his thoughts and didn't come out of it until a pair of bare feet – besides his own – came into his field of vision. He blinked and looked up at the owner of said feet and found amused violet eyes looking right at him.
"Ran..."
Ran smiled.
Ken swore he melted…but then again he couldn't have, because if he had melted, he'd be a puddle of sandy, icky goo…not still standing there staring right back into those beautiful eyes.
"Let's go," Ran said softly.
Ken blinked and then looked around for Youji and saw the blond trotting off in another direction by himself. He turned back to Ran, who was still looking at him with a gentle expression. Okay…he may not have melted on the outside but his insides sure had. Everything was so warm and fuzzy…
"Ken?" Ran tilted his head to the side, a worried frown now appearing between his brows. "Are you alright?"
Ken smiled and nodded. "Yeah, I'm fine."
Ran wants to be with me! Ran wants to be with me! Of course I'm fine! The little voice chanted and before it could go into another chorus, Ken started off in the only direction left - behind the clump of rocks. "Let's go?" He called to Ran.
The redhead came up next to him and they walked in companionable silence towards their goal.
Ah…beautiful location, perfect weather, gorgeous partner who was half naked (here Ken's eyes lingered over the fine contours of Ran's broad shoulders and well-defined chest) …who could ask for more?
Well, Ken could but he wasn't about to push his luck…luck hadn't exactly been kind the last time he had been half naked with Ran.
Nope…this time he was going to be happy just to have Ran walk beside him.
Luck could go jump in the lagoon for all he cared…
He had Ran.
TBC…
x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x
Ah…sorry, no lemon… ::ducks flying produce:: It just didn't want to go there. Besides, there are just too many of them together, it would have turned into an orgy… No, I'm NOT going there! I might provide something for Shinji and Kouji, though…coming up in the next FY chapter, which will be the Shirtless Edition - part two.
Um…about the fishing and the chibi thing…you have to know FY to appreciate it...Chichiri is often seen fishing in his spare time and his chibi version is just as cute as can be. ::snuggles him::
Thank you!