Photo Shoot

By Pa-Lee


Author's Notes: Hi guys…I'm really sorry it took me so long. A lot has happened since my last update. Heavy family stuff. Also, I experienced a dreadful writer's block which left me unable to write for several months. Anyway, thank you for waiting. If you find this chapter short and unsatisfying, well, I promise to make it up to you guys in the next. Read and Review please. Thanks for waiting!

I still do NOT own the GetBackers…


Chapter 2

It was already half past eleven in the evening as he made his way up to the second floor of Madoka's house. It had certainly been one of the most unexpectedly exhausting days in the life of the Fuuchouin Master. He had to endure hours of body-stiffing and extremely embarrassing poses with Ban, ear-tearing conversations with the Director, and unbelievably lame pick-up lines and adulations from the crewmen.

But all of these were momentarily forgotten as Kazuki carefully opened the beautiful oak door in front of him and rested his eyes upon the sleeping figure of Juubei on the elegantly crafted bed at the center of the room.

"Juubei?" Kazuki softly called out as he walked across the room towards the bed. Upon reaching the bedside, he switched the antique lampshade on and sat beside Juubei.

Looking closely, he smiled as he realized that the person lying in front of him was fully awake and was merely pretending to be asleep. He must have been waiting up for him.

On an empty stomach.

Madoka told him that the Flying Needles Master had not come down since that morning and had not touched any of the food sent up to his room.

This made him feel guiltier than he already was. He had already thought of a full-proof explanation just about an hour ago but, seeing Juubei like this, he forgot all about it.

"Juubei…" he started after taking in a deep breath. "I'm really very sorry. It's just that –"

"I understand." Juubei softly interjected.

"–I didn't want you to tire yourself. You know what the doctor said – too much stress can delay progress. That's why I –"

"Kazuki…" Juubei firmly, but gently, interjected once more as he held one of Kazuki's soft hands. "…I understand."

"You do?" Kazuki blinked in surprise.

Juubei sat up and nodded in response. "You have always been like this even when we were young. You always think about other people before yourself and I understand and appreciate that. But…"

"But?" Kazuki repeated as he shot Juubei a quizzical look.

"But…" Juubei held Kazuki's hand – which he still did not let go of – tighter and opened his eyes to look at Kazuki straight in the eyes, however vague it may be. "…you have to understand that being with you gives me no stress at all. And even if it does, not being by your side is more stressful."

Kazuki finally replied after giving Juubei's words a moment's thought. "I understand."

He then let out a sigh of relief as he felt the tension he had accumulated that day slowly leave his body.

Juubei, sensing Kazuki's body relaxing against his own, put an arm around him. They sat side by side like that in comfortable silence for another couple of minutes until Kazuki remembered something causing him to stand up abruptly.

"I almost forgot!" He faced Juubei, who was mildly surprised by the abruptness. "You haven't eaten yet!"

At the reminder, the stomach of the Master of Needles let out a low grumble as if in response.


There it is. I hope you liked it regardless of how short it was. Oh, and I would also like to take this opportunity to plug my two new stories: Love by Definition (Shikamaru-Sakura Pairing) under Naruto and Love Is (Dearka-Miriallia Pairing) under Gundam Seed.

Read and Review please! Thank you.