Warnings: PG-13 for language. A little lime. A little angsting. (didn't feel like changing it)
Disclaimer: X3 Hehehehehe... I'm sorry. Just thinking what it would be like if I actually owned s.CRY.ed.
Author Note: Is anyone still out there waiting for my update? .:yells out:. I'm sorry… but, again, I wasn't really in a slump, but my chapter wasn't going where I wanted it, but then I got help from Lennith and Eloy-sama… .:sniffles:. …the two of them are wonderful people. I wouldn't have been making this update without them. It's 5,000+ words .:thumbs up:. Enjoy!
Chapter Three - The Heart Wants What It Wants
In a small, well-lit office room, with two shelves filled with files and a wooden desk, hazel eyes slid open, a lazy smile on the young man's face. He had woken up from another dream about when he was still in HOLY—the time when she had been trapped underground with the infamous Kazuma. That was the past; he tangled his fingers in his purple hair. It's amazing how people change. 'I was the stupid one.'
Tachibana Asuka—God forbid there was still someone in the world that addressed him by his first name—raised his head with a sigh and stared at the work spread out before him, then slowly sat up; he was frustrated. His mind was troubled, and not over work. There had been a feeling inside him growing stronger over the last few years that just recently exploded. He massaged his temples with a deep groan. "Maybe I should have stayed in the hospital that day…"
"Then we wouldn't be where we are today," a soft voice commented, the sound of glass touching the wooden desk's surface also audible.
He turned and smiled wearily at Cammie. "Arigatou."
"Maybe you should take a break," the young woman suggested. "Between caring for just about all of the Lost Ground and your new job beyond the wall in the city…"
That still wasn't the problem, it only added to it. Tachibana groaned once again and leaned back in the chair. His assistant smiled and slid her hands over his shoulders, squeezing out the kinks with a gentle touch.
Cammie knew what bothered him the most; it had been the cause of their friendship bond strengthening, not their relationship. She opened her mouth to comment, but was interrupted. She frowned, brow creasing slightly, and stepped away from the chair as Kiryuu Mimori poked her head into the room.
"Sorry," the brunette apologized. I was just going to say I'm leaving for the Mainland now."
"Are you sure you're going to be okay, Kiryuu-san?" the Tachibana asked.
"Positive," Mimori replied, smiling. She gave a small wave then left, leaving the two alone once again.
Tachibana tilted his head to stare at the remaining young woman.
Cammie smiled and leaned down to place a kiss to his forehead. "Get some rest before you need treatment," she advised. She tousled his hair with a giggle and left.
Tachibana closed his eyes and slid further down into his chair with a groan.
Kazuma sat up slowly, sheeting falling from his waist. He stared at the empty side of the bed and scoffed, lazily reaching for the small piece of paper on Ryuhou's pillow. "Solo mission" was all it said. "Bastard," the man sighed, falling face-first onto his pillow.
§§§
Tachibana turned down his rinsed coffee mug, now the last in the house, and left for his new job. He locked up behind himself after stepping through the door, turning the keys in his hand to find the one for the car.
"Yo!"
Tachibana stopped, eyes widening at the sight of a certain young man sitting on top of the hood of his new car; he'd decided to go for something other than a jeep, and that wouldn't be easily taken.
Kazuma grinned, jumping down to the ground. He stuck his hands behind his head and walked forward to meet the other Alter user. "Where ya going?" he questioned.
"To handle some business. Where's Ryuhou?" Tachibana looked around warily, knowing one couldn't be seen without the other being somewhere nearby nowadays.
"I dunno…" Kazuma mumbled, scowling. 'Bastard ran off and left me here.' "I guess it's just me and you."
"Not today," Tachibana said politely, opening his car door to throw his bags into the opposite seat. He got in then looked up as the door stopped closing to see Kazuma glaring down at him, his gloved hand on the door for the cause of him not being able to leave yet. 'Don't look at me like that…'
Kazuma sighed, tilting his head. "Take care then, I guess." He closed the door for the other man and stepped back, burying his hands in his pockets as the car started then pulled away. The Shell Bullet groaned and looked around, trying to figure out what he could now do. A smirk spread across his face as he realized he didn't have to wait long.
The warning siren that had been created to signal a Mainland attack sounded loudly and Kazuma laughed, running through and out of town to find a place to Alter and to meet the troops before they actually made it near the village.
Because of the sudden attack—Tachibana made it to the city with not another second to spare—his return was delayed by two days. Even though he managed to pick up another job that would pay well, the Alter user wanted to get back to the village to make rounds.
Tachibana's car came to a screeching halt before the house and he jumped out, looking around. 'He's not here.' He sighed, retrieving his bag, and made his way up to the house, unlocking and pushing open the door. "Cammie?" he called out.
"Hai! Tachibana, get in here."
He sighed once more and walked into the girl's room. His eyes widened at the bloody and still figure lying on the girl's bed, then his expression slowly softened. "When did you get back to let him in?" he asked, turning to the shelves beside him to gather disinfectant and different gauzes and wraps. He moved to the bed, dragging up a chair with his foot, and sat.
"Yesterday evening," she replied. "You know how things become delayed when the Mainland intervenes." Cammie reached over and brushed aside orange and auburn hair. "Kazuma-kun," she whispered. "He's here now."
Tachibana smiled and removed the glove on the Shell Bullet's right hand to see how much more damage had been done; it wasn't bad. "Cut his shirt," he instructed, focusing on objects deliberately made to be Altered. "And remove it with the jacket." The jade sphere hovered beside him, ready to hasten the cure from within after they'd treated the man properly.
§§§
Tachibana groaned softly, brow furrowing as he was woken by the hushed voices on the other side of the door. He buried his face deeper into the mattress then sat up, the sheet that had been draped over his shoulders falling. 'Kazuma…' The bed was empty. 'Maybe Ryuhou came back.' He yawned as he stood, shakily making his way to the door. His hand hovered over the doorknob as he realized the voices belonged to Cammie and Kazuma.
"—for me?" the young woman was saying. "Or better yet, for him."
Tachibana shook his head and headed back to the chair; he doubted he was supposed to hear their conversation. A few minutes later, the front door closed and he assumed it was Kazuma who left, so he addressed Cammie when the bedroom door opened. His friend's voice had suddenly become very mannish when a reply was given.
Kazuma grinned lazily as the other faced him, and leaned against the wall.
"Why are you still here?" Tachibana mumbled.
"Um…"
"Cammie," he said instantaneously, accustomed to knowing when the other's memory failed him.
"Yeah, her. She said she would stay with Kanami since she's alone now."
"That's right. Kiryuu-san is away."
"Yeah. She also said I could stay here with you, to keep you company."
Tachibana sighed, running a hand down his face. 'Cammie… what are you doing to me?' The feelings that had recently exploded within him were for the very man across from him, and knowing he would indefinitely spend time with him caused his heart to give a sudden and unexpected skip. "Well—"
"Oh. She also said she doesn't want me in her room unless I'm being treated."
Tachibana's mouth snapped shut, a soft whimper escaping him. He shook his head and rushed to the door, passing by the brunet. The other man idly followed. "You can take the bed for tonight, then," Tachibana sighed. "I still have to make those rounds I promised myself I was going to do."
"Can I come?"
He stopped and slowly turned his head to look over his shoulder.
Kazuma was indeed bored—Ryuhou managed to keep him entertained by just being there—and maybe visiting those he constantly fought for would keep him occupied.
"Fine," Tachibana sighed.
"Can I drive?"
"No!"
Kazuma scoffed and stuck his arms behind his head. He moved toward the door to wait for the other.
Tachibana foresaw nothing but bad things.
The smell of smoke meant fire; something was burning. Tachibana sat up from his chair abruptly and dashed from his office, hurrying to the kitchen. He batted at the large, billowing black cloud that began smothering him as he stepped out from the hall. "Kazuma… Kazuma!"
"I'm in here… somewhere!"
Hazel eyes watered as the purple-haired Alter user tried to find his guest. "Kazuma!" he yelled. There was a loud sizzling as the burnt pot in question was place in the sink, water hitting it. Tachibana managed to find the door and flung it open, gasping for air.
Kazuma soon came up behind him, coughing loudly to clear his lungs. "I was trying to make you breakfast," he wheezed.
"Trying? Haven't you cooked before?"
"No," the Shell Bullet admitted, straightening slightly.
"Kazuma…" Tachibana wiped at his watering eyes and took the brunet's arm, leading him back into the house while leaving the door open.
"I wanted to show my appreciation," Kazuma said, grinning. He waved a hand in front of his face to clear away remaining smoke.
"Take a seat," Tachibana sighed, releasing the appendage. He moved toward the stove then the sink, grimacing at the sight of his cookware; the food looked as if it had been welded on. He gave a small smile, shaking his head, and decided to make breakfast the right way.
Tachibana sat with the other around the table, the windows now open instead of the door, and nibbled at his eggs. Kazuma ate with more fervor, mumbling in between bites that Ryuhou's food never tasted this good.
'Because my love went into it.' Tachibana blushed and shot up from his spot, startled by his own thoughts. "I'm done," he laughed nervously, taking up his plate and empty juice glass.
"You didn't eat anything," the auburn-haired man mumbled.
Tachibana stopped himself before he threw the food away, staring at it. There were those in the Lost Ground still struggling to find a meal, and here he was throwing his away—he really was hungry. With a sigh, he returned to his seat at the table to finish his breakfast.
"I need to check with Kanami," Kazuma said once finished. He sat back, rubbing his stomach with a grin.
The smaller Alter user smiled pleasantly, taking a bite of his eggs. "What you need is a shower and a change of clothes," he stated.
That was true. Because his shirt ended up being cut last night, he'd borrowed one of Tachibana's, and it was a little tight.
"Take a bath and I'll get what you need," Tachibana said, finally finishing his breakfast. He gathered all items on the table and stood once more, heading to the sink. "Do you have a key?"
Kazuma reached up to his neck and unclasped the chain there, holding out his hand so the key slid off into it.
'He keeps the key around his neck…' Tachibana bowed his head, whimpering softly.
The Shell Bullet stood after placing the single object on the table, then silently headed down the hall; he felt like he knew this place like he did his own home. Tachibana slumped against the sink with a deep groan once the other was unable to hear him.
Kazuma stepped out of the bathroom with a towel wrapped around his waist and another being used to dry his hair, and smirked at the clothes laid out on the bad for him—the other had stayed true to his word. Usually he had them tossed in his face by an impatient Ryuhou. He stopped, brow creasing in thought. 'Why am I comparing Ryuhou and Tachibana?' He sighed and dropped onto the bed. "That woman…"
"Cammie," Tachibana corrected as he stepped into the room.
Kazuma scoffed and closed his eye, turning onto his side.
"Get up. You're soaking my sheets."
The Shell Bullet wriggled around and a tick appeared on Tachibana's forehead.
Tachibana headed into the bathroom with a sigh and closed the door behind him. He braced his hands against the sink to stare at his reflection and realized he could no longer stay mad at the other man. He made his way to the shower, hoping both Mimori and Ryuhou came back soon.
§§§
Dressed and ready to go, both males set off to visit the young telepathic Alter that probably already knew they were on their way. But Tachibana seemed to be the cause of their continuous stops; no matter where they turned, there was a villager with something to tell or ask the young medic.
Kazuma sighed exasperatedly and wrapped an arm around the smaller man as another potential group of Tachibana's clients approached. He pulled him close and leaned down to place a kiss to the purple tresses. "No time for stops," the Shell Bullet explained. "They can obviously see you're busy."
"They're children," Tachibana squeaked.
Kazuma blinked questioningly, but not because of what he'd been told. He turned and stared down at the child tugging at his pant leg.
The small girl held up a bright yellow flower, a blush covering her cheeks. Kazuma dumbly took it between his thumb and forefinger. "Arigatou," she cried before running off, her bright pink hair flowing behind her.
The boys that had accompanied her sighed. "She's just being shy," one explained before they all ran after the girl.
"What the hell was that?" Kazuma mumbled, staring at the flower as though it were a bomb.
"They wanted to see you," Tachibana stressed, prying the gloved hand from around his waist. "It's probably not every day they see the Alter user that keeps us all safe and alive wandering the streets."
"…Oh."
He sighed and pushed on ahead, the deep blush finally settling across his face. 'Kami-sama…!' A distance of five feet remained between them after that.
Kanami was standing outside the house upon their arrival, her eyes closed and the shadows from other nearby structures falling across her lower half. To the untrained eye, it would seem like she only basked—the smile on the growing girl's face proved she was seeing more than anyone else that moved about with both eyes open.
"Kanami!" Kazuma called out with a grin.
Bright green eyes slid open and the young female Alter user faced the pair. She locked gazes with Tachibana and smiled sympathetically before he looked away, then blinked up at her brother-figure as his hands clamped down on her shoulders. "Ryuhou-san, right?"
Kazuma nodded.
"I can tell you he's alive and still going. I can also say why he took this mission."
The amber orb brightened as the boy grinned.
"But I won't." Kanami giggled as he groaned loudly, tousling his hair.
"Kanami-chan! I think I found the problem with your—Oh." Cammie smiled sheepishly after rounding the corner of the house, scratching the bridge of her freckled nose.
Kanami giggled some more, easing the Shell Bullet's hands back to his sides. "Ja ne, Kazu-kun."
"Kanami!"
She ran off to the back of her house, her melodic laughter lingering in the air.
Kazuma sighed then shot a one-eyed glare to the pigtailed woman. "You owe me an explanation."
That had been Tachibana's exact thought, but before he could voice it, the pair walked off—Kazuma dragged the hapless Cammie away.
Running a hand through short purple hair and down the back of his neck, the young man groaned. He was suspicious now because Kazuma had initiated the need to talk to someone whose name he couldn't remember after four years. Tachibana hung his head and decided all he could do was wait. Using Eternity Eight to eavesdrop would've been something his past self would have done—he'd still to it, but not to friends.
After a pleasant lunch with the two young women, the men decided to head back at the fall of evening. They bid the girls farewell and started for the house in silence.
In the encroaching darkness, Tachibana somehow managed to remember that time well spent trapped underground. He'd been so authoritative then, but now it was as if he'd willingly wrapped himself around Kazuma's little finger. They entered the sturdy home, Tachibana removing his long coat to give a quick stretch. "What do you want to eat?" he mumbled.
"I'm not sure," Kazuma replied. "Ryuhou usually says I eat what I find or eat when he cooks, so I'm rewired to his food clock."
Tachibana sighed and headed into the kitchen and to the fridge, opening it. "A slice of watermelon, maybe?"
"Can we just go to bed?"
Regardless of the fridge's cool air, Tachibana's face still burned. He rose slowly, closing the door, and swallowed hard before answering. "Sure. You go ahead. I'll… lock up."
Kazuma disappeared into the hall.
Tachibana shuffled to the door, leaning against it as he latched and bolted it. Their first night sharing a bed. He whimpered, clawing at the wood. The young man took a deep breath and headed down to his bedroom where Kazuma was already.
Warm. His bed was never this warm, not even when he managed to get completely tangled in the sheets. Hazel eyes cracked open slowly and Tachibana smiled sleepily at the close sight before him, and then closed them. They snapped open once again, his yell lodged in his throat, as he began struggling to free himself from Kazuma.
The Shell Bullet moaned softly and tightened his grip on the body, pressing his cheek against Tachibana's.
Tachibana inched his head away after mentally conceding defeat, and decided to wait until he was released to scamper away with his tail between his legs; this was why he'd slept in the office last night. He stared at the sleeping face across from him and gave a small smile.
Kazuma somehow managed to maintain his "tough" appearance even during sleep, but it only made him cuter—or so the one inspecting him believed.
'I can heal that for him…' Tachibana tilted his head slightly forward, ghosting his lips over Kazuma's right eye. What kept him going was neither adrenaline nor courage, but a reckless fire that burned within. He inhaled softly, unable to release the breath, and leaned down a little further. Tachibana had too much internal strife, and this only added to it—to steal a kiss or not steal a kiss—but when was he going to get another chance like this?
Kazuma made the choice for him, crushing his mouth against the other's. Bright hazel eyes widened and Tachibana pressed both hands against the Shell Bullet's chest; he shoved, hard.
Kazuma freed up his arms to roll, then stopped himself, yawning and groaning. "I thought that's what you wanted. It's what your face told me. And also your lips to my face."
"You were awake!" Tachibana stammered, hand flying to his chest as he sat up.
"I didn't really go to sleep…" Kazuma scratched the back of his auburn head, staring at the ceiling. "You kept calling my name in your sleep—Oi!" He watched his host stumble from the bed and rush into the adjoining bathroom. "I guess it wasn't what he wanted…"
Tachibana stood on the other side of the bathroom door, face buried in his hands in absolute mortification over his actions. If Ryuhou were to find out—he paled, dragging his nails down his face, and began sobbing.
Kazuma knocked on the bathroom door after hearing several minutes of hiccupping on the other side, because hunger now drove him. Maybe he should have eaten dinner, after all. "What do you have for breakfast?"
Tachibana shook his head. He sat across from the shower, on the closed toilet, the balled-up and moist tissue in his hands still attached to the roll. He sniffled and stared around.
"Tachibana?" the voice outside called in.
"In a minute," the almost hysterical man yelled, blowing his nose. Tachibana ripped the tissue from the bunch and stood to dump it into the toilet, flushing it down. He stopped at the sink on his way out, splashing his face with cold water.
Kazuma stepped back as the door opened, staring down at the other Alter user. "You all right?" he mumbled.
A curt nod and the smaller man was off.
Kazuma followed him through the halls and into the kitchen he'd almost burnt down yesterday. And it was a nice kitchen, too, he mused.
Tachibana had just set the pots down on the stove to begin, when the siren started wailing outside.
Kazuma sighed and decided clothes was really what he needed before he left; he currently wore a pair of black boxers.
Tachibana stood unmoving before the cold stove as his listened to the sounds of rushing. A soft sigh escaped his lips and red-rimmed eyes slid shut. He hoped today had no negative effect on Kazuma's fighting.
"Tachibana," Kazuma yelled as he ran by. "I owe you a new car." He left the door wide open as he left.
Tachibana inched to his right and rose onto his tiptoes to peer out of the window. He groaned and dropped back onto the floor after spotting the crater where his car once was; he'd lost count on how many cars the duo had already destroyed.
§§§
Kazuma couldn't explain it, but today's fight went off without a hitch—he kicked butt! He gave a short laugh, then grinned, finally turning down the street where Tachibana's house was situated. At the distant thought of the young medic, his mind wandered back to the kiss. 'Maybe I did overstep my boundaries…' Kazuma stuffed his hands into his pockets with a scoff. "He overstepped them first. Not that I minded it…"
Tachibana slowly stood from the front stoop of his house as he noticed the figure moving through the evening darkness toward his house. He couldn't help his growing smile and told himself it was out of relief.
Kazuma saluted once near, a grin plastered on his face. "No bodily damage whatsoever," he informed the other.
"I'll be the judge of that," Tachibana sighed. "Come on." He opened the door and stepped aside so the auburn-haired man could enter, then closed it softly. He tugged the fingerless glove free of the scarred hand—this area and around the right eye still worried him the most.
Kazuma sighed softly at the gentle touches, closing his left eye. His hysterics a few months ago about not wanting Tachibana's help during his cold—he was unsure what had brought it on because the man before him was one of very few he would ever allow to help him in any way.
Kazuma's face muscles tightened at the familiar feeling of the jade sphere's invasion. There was a faint probing in his right hand that traveled into his fingers and down to their tips, then behind his right eye, and it was over.
Tachibana opened his eyes as his Alter vanished and smiled. He could only wait for the day he was given permission to sit down and carefully mend the tissues so both bright amber eyes were visible to him and many others once more. "I guess Altering my car paid off," he commented.
Kazuma grinned, taking his hand and glove away from the smaller man. "You trying to guilt me? 'Cause it won't work." He flexed the fingers of his right hand with a sigh then stuck both arms behind his head after he'd replaced the glove. "I'm hungry. What's for dinner tonight?"
"You tell me," Tachibana chuckled, stepping out of the entrance hall while still facing the other. He turned left and headed for the kitchen, the Shell Bullet following. "Tonight," he sighed as he back up against the fridge. "You cook."
Kazuma tilted his head, amber eye blinking out of total incomprehension. "Wasn't it just yesterday you almost lost your kitchen because I was behind… that?" He nodded in the stove's direction.
"I'm here to supervise," Tachibana smiled. "And once you've mastered the skill, you can cook Ryuhou a 'welcome home' meal." 'Why did it hurt to say that?' He laughed at the other's quizzical expression, burying the painful feelings that had suddenly arose, and held out a hand to indicate the rogue Alter user should start.
Together, until early morning, they went through trial and error until Kazuma had grasped the basic concept of how to cook.
It was now their third day together and there was still no word of Ryuhou's whereabouts or even if Mimori was all right.
Tachibana was out on several house calls; he'd left while Kazuma was still sleeping, a note on his pillow. The same young girl that had given her hero a flower was his last visit for the day. Her smile remained strong even though she lay in bed with a fever Tachibana felt was entirely too high for such a small child.
"What's your name?" the young man asked with a smile of his own, placing a cold compress to her forehead.
She whimpered, tiny fingers clutching at the blankets. "Sakura…"
"Sakura. It's cute. Well, Sakura-chan, I'm going to stay with your for a while, then check your temperature again."
Sakura gave a small nod, trying not to remove the compress, and slowly closed her eyes.
Tachibana sat back with a deep sigh and groan, covering his face. He really didn't want to leave, but the specialized children's vitamins were still at the house, which was a good mile and a half away from where he currently sat. 'Kanami… please.'
The young female Alter user opened her eyes slowly and looked toward the front of the house. "Cammie?" she called out. "Tachibana-san needs a favor done."
"Sure." The older girl poked her head into the room and grinned. "Just name it."
Kanami relayed the mental message she'd received from the Tachibana and Cammie was off, knowing exactly what she was to bring.
On foot and running, it took her three minutes to get to her original home. Cammie hurried into her room after opening the door, and searched the shelves.
Kazuma shuffled down the hall with a loud yawn, drawn to the noise. "Hello?" he drawled, dropping a hand to scratch himself through his white boxers. "Tachibana?"
Cammie darted across the hall, waving to him, then stopped and looked back over her shoulder. She stared at the medicine in her hand and smiled slowly. "Ka-zu-ma-kun!"
§§§
Tachibana sat forward, head resting on his steepled hands. He needed the medicine to stop the virus in its early stage. As he'd told her, he checked her temperature once more, and even with the cold compress, it had risen three more degrees. He sighed deeply. Tachibana sat up straight at the faint, distinct whirring, then stood, rushing to the door. A relieved smile spread across his face at the sight of Kazuma, but he was also concerned with that fact that he'd used his Alter's second stage to get here.
Kazuma exhaled deeply as his right arm and the right side of his face lost the alloy armor, the propeller also disappearing from his back, then dug through his pocket as he strolled forward. He placed the medication Cammie had given him into Tachibana's hand. "Don't ever leave a note again," he grumbled.
Tachibana nodded and hurried back inside to where the sleeping child lay.
Kazuma stayed outside, waiting. He flexed his right arm with a grunt, feeling as if old wounds were being severely reopened.
Several minutes later, Tachibana joined him after he was sure Sakura's sleep would be uneventful—he'd left a note for the boys. "Thank you," he told the rogue Alter user walking beside him.
Kazuma kicked at a stray pebble, glancing at the houses they passed. "It was no problem. You should actually thank Kanami."
"I do." Tachibana raised his head, a smile tugging at his lips. "Sakura-chan asked me if you still had the flower she gave you."
"Yeah. I have a flower. I don't know who gave it to me."
"That's what I told her."
Kazuma grimaced, right arm twitching. He forced it behind his back with a sigh. "Let's go get drunk."
"Un…" Tachibana needed something to take his mind off of what he just saw.
§§§
Kazuma watched his now drunk host laugh it up with Urizane and Elian, who they'd met at the bar. He downed the glass of alcohol before him, slamming it down once emptied.
Elian sat between him and Urizane, slowly sipping what he'd ordered. It was obvious he would have to be the one to get everyone else home.
Tachibana wiped the tears—they had been caused by his intense laughter—from his eyes with a sigh, raising his glass to his lips.
"So, you're stuck with him until Ryuhou gets back, eh?" Urizane mumbled, jerking a thumb in the Shell Bullet's direction.
"What that's supposed to mean?" Kazuma growled, leaning across the table.
Elian pulled his glass close so it was out of the way.
"Hey, hey." Tachibana stood, pressing a hand against Kazuma and Urizane's chest. "We're all… friends, aren't we?"
"No," the men yelled.
"Fine." Tachibana sat back down, reaching for the beer mug in the middle of the table. He poured himself another glass and sat back with it, a blush running across his cheeks and the bridge of his nose.
Kazuma noticed the glazed look in the hazel eyes and felt Tachibana was drunk enough for the both of them. He stood and took the glass from the purple-haired man.
Tachibana whined, swallowing what he held in his mouth. "Kazuma…"
"You need to get in bed."
"I'm not tired."
"No, you're drunk."
Kazuma set the glass aside with a sigh, rubbing the back of hi neck. "We're leaving."
"Can you make it?" Elian asked, eyeing both men.
"I've learned to handle my booze," Kazuma said with a broad grin.
"Obviously Tachibana can too," Urizane laughed.
Kazuma glanced back and scowled at his host hurriedly emptying the glass he'd just taken. He snatched it away and lifted the intoxicated man onto his shoulder.
"Kazuma!" Tachibana yelled, feeling the blood rush to his head and his stomach lurch.
"So long!" the Shell Bullet laughed, waving over his shoulder as he left.
Urizane snorted in good humor and grabbed the half full mug, raising it to his lips. Elian sighed then as he realized he still had one drunk to look after.
§§§
Kazuma wrinkled his nose at the harsh retching sounds coming from the man on the ground before him.
They had made it a quarter of a mile from the bar—the house was still a few more miles to go—when Tachibana had frantically insisted he be put down. At the moment, he was trying to rid his mouth of the disgustingly bitter aftertaste. He squinted into the darkness before him as he sat back with a grunt; there was no way he could make it back home. Tachibana gasped as the ground disappeared from underneath his hand. He tilted his head and stared at the doubled image of the transformed Alter user. "Kazuma…" he sighed in a slurred voice.
The golden figure stepped forward and lifted the other man easily. Tachibana reflexively wrapped his arms around the strong neck with a sigh. It wasn't as cold as he'd imagined it to be, or maybe that was just because his body temperature was so high. His hold tightened as the whip-like propeller originating inches from his hands cracked against the barren ground, and they took to the air.
To be continued...
A/N: Yes, that's right. I just "TBC"-ed the chapter. Shocked? Don't be. I think I might have to do it for the other part too. Like I said, Lennith set me on the right path with my chapter, and with some helpful hints from Eloy-sama, I just couldn't stop going XD If there was anyone reading, stay with me… .:crawls along the ground, pleading:. Stay with me!