TwO

The Importance of Basic Needs

It read two fifteen AM in the digital clock on top of Akabane's side table in his apartment when he and Shinji arrived. The lights were brought to life, and the beggar marveled at the elegance of the place. The living room was classically arranged. There was a large sofa covered in shiny black leather backed up against the wall, on either side of it two pots of indoor plants towered halfway up the ceiling. In front of the couch was a low coffee table; its structure was made of bamboo and with its surface was topped with a glass, underneath it a black silk cloth. There was a thin white vase placed on it containing a single red rose. Beside the table were two smaller armrest chairs, also wrapped in leather. A painting depicting a dark portrait of a man was put up on the wall just above the sofa. The marble floor of the living room was protected with a black-and-white striped carpet.

Her eyes moving to the kitchen, Shinji was once again amazed. It was the type of hi-tech kitchen she often saw in display TVs of electronic shops. Everything was stainless steel, from the cabinets to the sink, from the worktable at the middle of the room to the refrigerator. The only thing that didn't have a metallic shine was the wooden piece of wood hanging above the counter beside the stove, which was used for organizing the metal pots and pans, and ladles and a few knives. Everything was clean and in place.

"Wow, Jackal-san!" exclaimed Shinji, turning to her savior. "You're so rich! I've never seen a house like this one!"

"And I shall share all of this with you, Shinji my dear," said Akabane with a charming smile. "Later I'm going to show you your room, but right now you're gonna have to take a bath. I'm going to put new sheets and I won't allow them to get dirty that easily. The bathroom's around that corner,"

"Okay," Shinji headed for the bathroom after Akabane handed her a velvety towel. She opened the door and nearly fainted. Why was every room such a surprise? The bathroom was as bright as could be, fashioning white tiles on the walls that shone because of the equally white light on the ceiling. There was a bathtub on one side hidden by white curtains with hints of black blots as a design. The sink was a tall one, above it a light blue medicine cabinet with a mirror that contained several bottles of medicines and bathroom supplies. The shower was at another end of the room, a translucent glass box wherein at least three people could fit in. Adjacent it was the porcelain toilet, its water clear and smelled clean. Shinji took in all of the beauty and found herself stretching, her bones and muscles relaxing as she prepared to dip herself in the bathtub.

She opened the hot water tap and waited for the tub to fill. She locked the door and began peeling off her clothes. Completely naked, she patiently waited and walked back and forth across the room. Steam started to accumulate, signaling Shinji to start taking a bath. She stepped into the water ever so carefully, making sure her skin got used to the temperature. It wasn't so bad so she quickly submerged her body with only her head above the water.

"Ah…" She sighed. Never in her life had she been able to take a bath in a tub. Well, maybe only once, but she had forgotten the feeling of it. She saw a small towel at the edge of the tub and dunked it in the water, afterwards placing it on top of her head. Another sigh escaped her lips. It was sheer delight.

Akabane was almost finished arranging Shinji's new room when he heard her call him. He let go of the red pillowcases he had retrieved from a large pile of bedroom accessories in the hallway closet and rushed to the bathroom. Knocking, he asked, "Is there anything you need, Shinji-chan?"

"Um, kind of," said Shinji hesitantly. "I… I don't have changing clothes, Jackal-san. I can't come out with only a towel on…"

"Of course," said Akabane. "I'll let you borrow mine first. Give me a second," He went to his bedroom and came back with a pair of pants and a white shirt. "Here you go, Shinji-chan. I do hope these will fit you,"

"Anything will fit me," The door was opened slightly. A bony hand appeared, searching. "Thank you,"

Akabane handed her the clothes, but before that he gave her a kiss on the hand. "You're most welcome, Shinji,"

Behind the door, Shinji's face turned a dark red.


Nine hours later, after Shinji had enough sleep, Akabane took her downtown where the malls and shops were scattered all around like toys in a children's playroom. Shinji looked up at all buildings surrounding them, and at that moment she felt so small. At the same time she felt excited. Jackal was taking her shopping for the first time. Why, the more she thought about it, the more she realized that Jackal was letting her experience all the things she had never gotten to do before. Being with him was like reclaiming the life she was supposed to have if Tanaka hadn't seen her after her parents had died all of a sudden.

She went back to reality as Akabane led her inside a clothes store. It was a huge place, with some clothes hanging on racks and others folded neatly and stacked up on shelves and tables. There was air conditioning and Shinji had to pull the coat Akabane had lent her closer to her thin body. A tall woman wearing a pink halter and a skirt reaching down to her knees in the same color approached them, smiling.

"Good morning, Miss," she greeted. Her voice was lovely. "How may I help you? Is there anything in particular you're looking for?"

Shinji didn't know what to answer, but before she could speak Akabane replied, "She doesn't have any clothes at all. The one she's wearing right now is mine. Do you have any casual clothes? I don't want anything fancy. I want clothes that she can wear at home,"

"Certainly, sir," said the woman. "Right this way,"

Shinji was given a lot of choices, and of course Akabane let her decide on anything she wanted. It was hard for her because there were a ton of clothes.

"Would you like me to help you then?" asked Akabane while he sat cross-legged on a wooden bench in the shop. Shinji gave a shy nod. "Alright. The only way we can do this is through a fashion show,"

"What!"


The blazing sun beat down harshly upon the city. People were going to and fro, busy and serious-faced. However, amongst the crowd of businessmen and average office workers, two men have failed in finding a new client… yet again.

"Ban-chan!" whined Amano Ginji, blond and wearing a green vest over a white shirt and green shorts. "It's too hot out here! Can't we find shade under a tree or something? The park's only a block away,"

"Stop complaining and give out flyers," said Mido Ban, a tall brown-haired figure sporting a white long-sleeved shirt with a triangular tail at the back and a pair of tight purple pants. "We've run out of dough. You know better than to slack off. It's been two weeks since we had our last job,"

Ginji sighed. "But I'm getting a headache, Ban-chan. Besides, it's already lunchtime. Aren't we going to eat yet?"

"We're not going to eat until we find a client," replied Ban, handing out more flyers to people who were disinterested and threw the pieces of paper in the trashcan. "And didn't you just eat? Don't be such a slob!"

"That was only half a piece of bread, Ban-chan!" protested Ginji. "Please, I need more food! Or at least protection from this heat!"

"Fine, fine! I hate it when you whine like a dog," Ban placed the remaining flyers he had in his pocket. "Shade it is then, but no food!"

"Oh thanks, Ban-chan!" said Ginji happily, standing up from the hot cemented floor. "There's a shop over there. They have a large shade," The two Get Backers crossed the street and rested in front of a clothes shop. Ban sat down while leaning against the wall while Ginji looked through the glass window where a tall mannequin wearing all red was displayed. His eyes followed the dress trailing down when he saw the people inside the store. "Hey Ban-chan?"

"What?" asked Ban, lighting a cigarette.

"Have you ever seen Akabane-san shopping before?"

"No," Ban looked up at Ginji. "Why?"

"It's 'cause he's in there doing just that,"

Ban spit out his cigarette. "Are you getting delusional? Dr. Jackal doesn't go out in public! And that's a shop for women, you idiot!"

"I know, Ban-chan," replied Ginji while still looking through the window. "He's with his girlfriend,"

This time Ban had to stand up. He joined Ginji in spying and saw that his partner wasn't lying. Standing there was Kuroudo Akabane, a.k.a. Dr. Jackal, killer and Transporter, and he was caressing the face of a young girl.

It didn't feel right to witness that scene.


"Jackal-san," began Shinji. They had finished shopping, ending up with a total of twenty bags full of clothes, shoes, and accessories. They were having a late lunch in a pizza restaurant. "I don't know where to start. You've been treating me since yesterday, and I know I shouldn't think about paying you back but I feel guilty. I'm doing no service to you whatsoever and yet I get payment. I have to do something for you no matter what. Just tell me what you want done and I'll do it to the best of my ability,"

Akabane thought for a while. "I don't understand why you keep on insisting to repay me in one way or another. Can't you just enjoy this freedom I'm giving you? That's all I ask of you, Shinji-chan, to be happy and content now that I'm taking care of you,"

"But what about you, Jackal-san? It can't always be about me. This is only our second day together but you've already given me so much. I can't be totally happy when I know that I'm always the one being carried around on your back,"

"You're probably the only person I've met who doesn't like receiving without giving in return," said Akabane. "I don't know if it's a good thing or a bad thing to be that way but alright. Fine with me. I'll give you something to do in exchange for my providing you with everything,"

"Yay!" rejoiced Shinji. "So, what will my job be?"

Akabane had to assign her to a role that would seem easy at first but really isn't. He pulled down his hat, and with a smirk said, "You shall be my lover,"

"Hm? What was that, Jackal-san?"

"I said," Akabane, without warning, leaned towards Shinji until their faces were a mere inch away from each other. "I want you to be my lover," He gave her a quick peck on the lips and went back to his seat wearing a smile. "I hope the job's enough for you, Shinji-chan… Shinji-chan?"

The girl had fainted, blushing from head to toe.


Author's Note: Hehehe. I know this one's under Tragedy as well, but I thought that before I give you guys the hard-core stuff (e.g. gory scenes) I should slowly adjust the mood starting with happy and perky and peaceful. It won't last that long, though. I also want to get to the bloody and angsty parts. That's my writing specialty, the bull's eye in my target (I made this up). As you can see I'm not very good with icky sweet scenes. I know Dr. Jackal wasn't supposed to be this lovable, but he'll b able to get his real character back during the dark chapters. Wahaha.

Oh yeah. I don't have an updating schedule, but I can tell you to expect me to update every week, more specifically every weekend. I have a ton of things to do in school before the year ends so there's hardly enough time to do this. Anyway, I hope you continue (or start) reading this fanfic of mine. I will also appreciate it if you give me reviews. Good or bad, I don't care. Good reviews urge me to go on writing while bad reviews help me to improve my style. Either way, reviews make my day. -Thank you!