CHAPTER SEVEN
Pills

They were in the park again. He didn't understand why the author loved this place so much. Almost every night, he decides to come here, just to sit down on the bench which was in front of the railings. As far as he's concerned, he hated the damned place. People were so noisy. Ice cream stores busily clanged their little bells. Kids of all ages ran around, bumping everybody in the process. Some even shouted in despair of finding their parents.

But tonight was different.

It was dark and people were in their houses, enjoying the company of others. So the park was quiet. It was even peaceful. So now, he is here, standing beside a bench where a blonde man is comfortably sitting, with a cigarette in his mouth, obviously thinking about something. He just stared blankly at the railing in front of them, focusing on the lights of the city beyond it.

"Why don't you sit down?" Yuki asked him as he, too, was staring straight into the railings.

Jed was a bit shocked at the sudden voice. With a calm voice he said, "No, thanks. Some paparazzi might be somewhere hiding in the bushes or up in some tree like a monkey. If he sees us sitting on the same bench on a night like this, he might think we're some kind of lovers."

"Whatever." Yuki replied. With a final inhalation from his cigarette, he killed the flame and threw it. After a long silence, the blonde started again, "How did you"

"know that you killed somebody?" He finished for the blonde. Jed was still looking at the lights in front of him, katana in hand, and standing like a statue beside the bench. "I just did."

He could feel Yuki's piercing eyes on the side of his face. He looked at Yuki without turning his head and back on the railings. He sighed deeply, "Your eyes."

He could feel Yuki's confusion rise even more.

"It's really nice, you know." He turned his head to face Yuki directly and looked at his eyes. "Amber. I've never seen anybody with those kind of eyes. It's unique. So most probably, whoever looks at it would be mesmerized. But..." He hesitated a little on what he was about to say, "there's something more to it. It's cold and warm at the same time. There's sparkle but also darkness. There is contradiction all over it."

"What does that have to do with me killing somebody?" Yuki asked, a bit infuriated.

"There is only one reason for a person to have eyes so expressive like that. Death." He turned his head back to face front. "So it's either you are traumatized by the fact that you've witnessed death or you've killed somebody. Unfortunately, it was both." He turned his head back to face Yuki, "You might not be aware of it, but even if you act so cold towards others, your eyes are showing every emotion that you are feeling."

Actually, Jed doesn't really know exactly how he knew about that. He doesn't know how he knew that Yuki killed somebody. Something just struck him and the words just came out of his mouth. How the hell was he supposed to know about such a personal thing? Especially concerning a man he doesn't even really know.

He stole a glance from the figure beside him. But what he just said was still true. He's got really nice eyes. So cold yet so expressive. He can't really put words into it. Somehow it just captured him.

He looked at Yuki. He was still staring at him. 'Great. Now he thinks I'm some kind of a foreteller or something.' Jed breathed deeply and continued, "Look, I can't really explain it but... I just read people well. You shouldn't really worry about it. It just comes with the job. Reading people, that is."

Did he just say that? That was really long. 'I think that was the longest thing I have ever said to him.' Jed thought as he returned his gaze to the front.

Yuki didn't expect to hear that. That's the first time somebody told him how transparent he was. He didn't even know whether to take Jed's words as a compliment or as an insult. But it was really shocking. He had only known the man for a month, but the guy already knew a lot about him.

He breathed deeply and looked out on the railings. He settled himself on the bench he is sitting on.

The park.

He loved this place. It's where he and Shuichi first met. Day or night, he didn't care. He just loves to come here. He loves to sit down and relax, especially in this specific place. It was exactly where the wind took Shuichi's lyrics into his hands.

He bowed his head.

Shuichi again. All thoughts always foud their way to Shuichi. 'Why do I always have to think about him? He isn't coming back. I have to move on.' He brought his palms to his face and suddenly a voice echoed through the silence of the park.

"We should go. It's going to rain soon."

Yuki looked up and, as true as it was, the clouds were already getting together and the moon was nowhere to be seen. The only light helping Yuki to see was the lamp post beside the bench. He gathered himself coolly and tried his very best to ignore the conversation about his eyes earlier and the thoughts about Shuichi. He stood up and walked towards his car which was parked just outside the park. While he was walking, everything suddenly went into a haze... He stopped to shake himself out of it but everywhere he looks, everything is a blur.

Then, everything just went black.

Yuki woke up slowly. He recognized his bed, his sheets, and his room. He was in his house. But how? He looked to his right and he was met with Tohma's face.

"It's a good thing you're awake." Tohma said smiling, that annoying smile that he gave to everybody. "You made me really worried, Eiri."

"How..." Yuki asked trying to sit up.

"No." Tohma gently put his hands on his shoulders to stop his movement. "You should rest. By tomorrow, you'll be fine again. Jed called me earlier." He looked at the doorway. Yuki followed his gaze and there he was. The man who described him so well was now leaning on the door jam, arms crossed. "He said you were coughing blood." Tohma continued. "I think your ulcer is starting to kick in."

Tohma got two pills from a bottle and put it beside the glass of water on the bedside table. Yuki only looked at it. He didn't wanna swallow any of those things. He hated its bitter taste and he always had some difficulty with swallowing tablets.

Tohma sensed Yuki's reluctance and said, "You should drink this. The doctor said that you'll be as good as new if you do so."

Yuki looked away from his brother-in-law and grunted. "I don't care if I die."

"Well, I do."

Both men turned their heads towards Jed. Yuki couldn't believe his ears. Did Jed really say that he cared for him?

"If you die, this guy here is going to fry my ass to a crisp because I failed in protecting you. Plus, I don't get paid if your dead."

It was wrong for Yuki to think that Jed would care for him. He only cares for three things, his sister, himself, and his money. Others are nothing to Jed. He glared at him and said, "You don't have to worry about it." Yuki started, "You're fired."

"You can't fire me," Jed said casually, still looking blank at the blonde. "I work for him so he's the only one who has the right to fire me." He motioned his head to Tohma's direction. "You, however, I don't work for because you are my job."

Now, Yuki was furious. He tried his best to sit up but his stomach was hurting like hell. He flinched and suddenly strong arms gently pushed him back to the cushions. He looked up to the figure who was holding him so securely.

It was him, again. He really couldn't understand this guy. One minute, his annoying him so much that the best way to end the argument was just to kill each other. The next minute, he's all protective and gentle.

He sighed deeply and glared, hard, at Jed. Jed was oblivious to his actions and settled himself to sit on the edge of the bed. He got both the pills from the table and put it on one hand. The other hand gently cupped the back of Yuki's head so that it would be easier for him to take the medicine. Yuki faced away from the medicine and pushed Jed's hand away from his face, clearly telling him that there is no way in hell that he'll take the pills.

"Eiri, stop being such a child." Tohma was now standing beside the bed glaring at his brother, without any hints of a smile on his face. Yuki just glared back and faced the ceiling. He heard Tohma's disappointed sigh in the quiet room.

He noticed Jed inhale deeply and exhale the air through his mouth slowly. 'Don't tell me he's going to beat the crap out of me just to take those shit.' Yuki thought, now thinking of other things than the images of him being worse than ever.

Then, he was really shocked.

He looked at Jed take the pills into his mouth. Then Jed placed his palm on the side of his face and bent down to whisper something in his ear. "I'm sorry. It's the only way." He remembered his own words before kissing Jed when he broke down.

Then, Jed pulled back and brought their face nearer and nearer, until their noses touched. Jed stopped to look directly into Yuki's eyes. Brown met amber. Yuki looked straight into Jed's. It was just blank, no expression whatsoever in the other guy's eyes. Yuki noticed that there was something more to Jed's eyes. It's like it had another color. Then he saw Jed close his eyes slowly and sealed the distance between them.

Yuki was still in a shock even though Jed was already kissing him. His eyes were still wide open. He glanced at Tohma's expression and they both had the same one. He tried to push the other guy away from him to stop the kiss, but somehow his hands were glued to the bed, clutching the sheets in the process.

Jed was kissing him. His bodyguard was actually kissing him.

His lips were just how he remembered it to be, soft. The kiss was gentle but at the same time really hot. He felt Jed's tongue part his lips to gain entrance. This time, Yuki closed his eyes and granted permission. He let the tongue travel to his mouth and explore every millimeter of it.

He didn't even notice the pills in his mouth which was pushed gently to his throat. Amazingly, he swallowed it without realizing.

Gently, Jed broke the kiss and opened his eyes, still maintaining that close distance with the author. Yuki opened his own eyes and looked straight into Jed's.

Jed closed his eyes and sit up quickly. He wiped his mouth with the back of his hand and looked at Tohma. "He'll sleep now."

Yuki looked as he stood up and exited the room. His eyes still showed the emotions that he felt just moments ago. There were so many questions inside his head. 'Why did Jed do that? Why am I having this feeling while he was kissing me? Why'

All of a sudden, he was getting drowsy. He didn't have to ask, Tohma was already supplying him with the information. "The pills that were given to you by Jed had depressants. You'll be out for at least a day. Don't worry... Good night, Eiri."

Then there was nothing.

'There were no options left. It was the only way for him to get some rest.' This was the thought that ran through over and over again in Jed's mind. He was trying to convince himself that what he did in the other room did not involve any malice, whatsoever. It was just an easy way out. He just wanted to help...

'Yeah, right!'

'Yes, the kiss was good, well actually, really good.' Jed admitted to himself. 'But I can't feel like this. I won't...' Jed covered his face with his palms and just settled there, at the side of his bed. Sitting, thinking, about what happened minutes ago.

Jed kissed Yuki. Yes, he did. It was the only way for Yuki to take his medicine. If he won't, he'll only hurt himself more, being as stubborn as he is. And if that happens, he will be in a much critical condition. Jed didn't want that. Not because he cared for the guy, no. He didn't have any plans to be the bastard's nanny. He was assigned to protect the author, but now, it turns out that he also had to take care of him. Besides, he wanted to get paid. The paycheck the NG president was giving them was huge.

But the kiss... There was something to it... Jed was only planning to trick Yuki by pushing the tablets down his throat. Thank God he didn't forget his plan because as soon as he looked into those amber eyes, it took him a lot of self control to stop himself from actually resisting his own urges. That was one of the reasons why he wiped his mouth right in front of him. To show him that it was pure business.

'Yes, it was just business.' Jed thought. 'But why did it felt so right? Why did I feel so drawn to him?'

"That was really something." Jed was a bit startled by Tohma's voice cutting through his train of thoughts. He hadn't noticed that he forgot to close the door.

Jed only looked blankly at Tohma. Tohma sighed and smiled warmly at him. "And it was really smart."

"It's easier to take care of a person when he's not complaining." Jed said while staring blankly at him.

"You're right." Tohma said. He looked at his watch, it was almost two in the morning.

He put his hat back on his head and said, "I better be going now." He turned to leave, but turned back. "Thank you, Jed. For taking care of him. Keep it up." After that, he turned towards the door, down the hallway and out the apartment. He noticed Jed following him and locking the door after he exited.

He was silently walking down the corridor when, suddenly, he stopped. He hung his head low and slowly looked straight ahead, his green eyes showing sadness. 'Why does he still doubt it?'

As soon as Tohma entered Jed's bedroom, he saw the younger guy sitting on his bed, his face covered with his hands, as if ashamed of what he just did. Obviously, he was in deep thought concerning what he just did. 'He's hurting... I can see it. Why wouldn't he just accept it? If only I can help him'

His cellphone suddenly rang annoyingly in his jacket pocket. He brought out his phone and looked at the screen. It was his wife. He smiled, as if forgetting whatever thoughts were crossing his mind. He opened it and brought the earpiece to his ear while walking towards the elevator.

"Yes, Mika?" As soon as he said those words, he quickly removed the phone away from his ear but even if he did that, he could still hear her screaming. His smile just grew wider as he entered the lift and brought back the earpiece to his ear. "Don't worry. He's fine." Tohma said, reassuring his wife. He smiled warmly while in deep thought, "Someone is taking good care of him."

After closing the door, Jed went to the bathroom to wash his face. He rested his hands on the sink and looked at the running water coming out of the faucet. He splashed the water to his face, got a towel from the railings and patted his face with it. After that, he brought his head up to see his reflection on the mirror.

He looked at his face while touching the mirror. This is him. An assassin, a murderer. He kills people for money. He had been given this life, given the chance to be someone else, someone new. A person who didn't deserve to feel. A person who couldn't feel.

He looked at his eyes. He removed his contacts and threw them on the waste basket. Then he looked at them again. 'Purple.' He thought as he looked at them again. It was dark, and the dark circles under his eyes only emphasized its lifelessness. He had always wondered how come he had such a unique set of eyes.

'Guess I would never know.'

Then he touched his hair. Light brown. The pink dye was already unnoticeable. He was a bit glad by this. At least it's already starting to wear off.

He touched the reflection of the only thing that connects his past from his present. The silver earring. He brought his hand to the piece of jewelry and gently caressed it. Ever since, he hadn't removed it from his left ear. It had always been there. Kat told him to get it out, to examine it, to see if it had something that could give them a lead. A lead to who he really is.

But he didn't want to.

He rested his hand back to the sink and bowed his head. He didn't want to remember. After all the nightmares, and all the pain he had gone through, he didn't give a damn as to who he was before. He's Jed. That's all he needed to know, nothing more, nothing less. Maybe he was afraid to know the truth. Maybe he was a coward. He didn't care. He brought his head back up to stare at his reflection.

This is him. A cold-blooded murderer. Someone who kills for money. Yes, this is him.

He moved his hand to his left ear. He arranged his hair to somewhat hide the earring. He closed his eyes to stop himself from staring into his violet orbs. He removed his hands from the sink and proceeded to his bedroom.

As soon as he got to his room, he removed his shirt and his pants. With only his boxers on, he slipped into the covers of his bed and laid comfortably. He let his eyes close slowly falling into a deep slumber, silently praying that he won't get any nightmares this time.

Author's notes:

Hope y'all like this one. I did a few changes.

Yeah, the first real kiss between the two. I guess you know now that Jed lost his memory. I know it's kind of clichéd, but it gets juicy on the end part.

And yeah, to the people who reviewed, I haven't thanked you yet. So yeah, thank you! A lot! It's really nice to have some people appreciate my work. So like I've promised, I won't beg for any reviews (but of course, it is still appreciated), but I would definitely beg for people to read my work. I know it's weird but I think it would do. hehehe...

and oh yeah, I'm really sorry for the delay... I was actually planning to post at least two chapters a week but a lot of things came up so I'm really sorry... With all the school works, it's kind of tiring. I am planning to end this fic before March or maybe April. Who knows?

So, I guess that's all. Thanks a lot! Peace out!