"Oh no, Takara, I am so sorry but I have to go! Hyun made me promise to drop something off at the Mission room on the way home," Rinkai whispered to Takara before releasing his hold on her frail shoulders and gently brushing his lips across her cheek. "I'll make it up to you, I swear!" he murmured against her warm cheek, now flushed crimson from Rinkai's affection, before turning and darting off--he couldn't see the incensed fury burning in Takara's eyes as he left--across rooftops toward the direction of Hokage tower though he quickly diverted his course to make a b-line back to the restaurant where he'd ditched Isamu.
Having left so fast, he hadn't had the time to make sure Hyun didn't linger too close to his teammate for too long since that would more than likely spell disaster for the Tokage. Not that he had any doubts about his ability to thaw Hyun and force him into a friendship of sorts, he couldn't very well let the boy remain blind to the joys of Tokage Rinkai's presence, with witty, sarcastic humor but Isamu's influence would make things all the harder of his plans and so he couldn't help the slight twitch in his hands as he surveyed Hyun and Isamu seemingly conversing at the booth he'd vacated twenty minutes before.
Seriously, since when did Isamu take an instant liking to people? And since when did Hyun stop being such a frosty bastard? Rinkai was not pleased with what he saw, it gave him an odd sense of foreboding in his stomach and that was something he couldn't very well tolerate nor explain for that matter since he almost never felt anxious about anything. This, whatever it was, would have to be monitored closely lest Rinkai find himself caught off guard by one of their plans. Smirking slightly to himself he left his crouching position on the roof just across from the restaurant and began his way home, mulling over the scene he'd just witnessed.
Newly freed from training, he hadn't even bothered showing up actually, Rinkai had spent the last several hours accosting birds and other small forest creatures before finding himself tucked into the crook of a large branch and a thick, sturdy tree trunk and was now enjoying being immersed in the sounds crickets and grasshoppers filling the void of silence with chirping and other insect noises. Raising a kunai to pin a moth fluttering too close to his face against a tree, he paused and eyed the position of the sinking sun as yet another sly smirk formed across his lips.
"Dinner time!" He announced with a start, more than likely frightening off the moth, and darted off through the tree tops back toward the village with a broad grin set on his lips. Tonight he'd be ready for that stony bastard and there was no way he was going to be ignored all not long again. After all, no one ignored Tokage Rinkai for too long, no matter how strong their resolve to do so.
A few hours before.
"Okay, Isamu, so you're sure I can get a discount?" Hyun whispered through his cupped hand as he warily looked back and forth for any signs of Rinkai. "Oh yeah, my sister's always trying to get my friends into that place. Something about wanting to get to know me indirectly?" Isamu was also bent over the table, vivid blue eyes grinning with mischief as he nodded to clear Hyun's worries. The plan was a simple one, so simple he was surprised he hadn't thought of it himself.
Hyun, he was such a nice guy after all, would keep Rinkai away from Takara at all costs which would in turn free her up for time with Isamu while at the same time, he'd be able to afford feeding Rinkai since Isamu's sister worked at the restaurant they'd be going to. Not only that, but Hyun would try as hard as he could to divert Rinkai's attentions toward some other source long enough for Takara to realize the jerk he was and fall instead for the nicer Isamu.
Where Isamu thought the plan was great, Hyun was only relieved that he'd get to save his wallet from utter decimation while watching that smug baka lose his number one fan. In actuality, he had no intention of getting Rinkai together with anyone else, Isamu had a case of bleeding-heart that Hyun hoped would fade during the partnership since that would more than likely lead to guilt, an emotion that eluded Hyun in a very bad way, and ruin the plan all together, and instead was looking forward to making the Tokage feel as lonely as humanly possible.
Sighing to himself, Hyun nodded once more before grinning slightly to himself and rising from the table. "Meet me in front of this place just before dinner so that you can give me directions and so we can go over the plan one more time."
Hyun was now standing in front of the same restaurant as last night, conversing with Isamu in hushed voices, dressed in his chuunin uniform, the first time he'd actually worn it in weeks since today was the first mission they'd had in a long time. He'd spent the day hunting down several lost children in the woods and by the time he, Kail, and Pye had rounded them all up, he didn't have time to change so he smelled of pine needles and sweat, though he wasn't unpleasant in smell as he smelled more of rustic, aromatic entanglement of scents which evoked an invigorating response to those who walked past him.
Gods, this boy could ramble, Hyun soon found as he went over his sister's specs--Hyun noted blonde hair, bright green eyes, a small black mole just below her nose, and a healthy bosom for future reference along with her name, 'Mei'-- for the tenth time.
"Isamu, don't worry, I got it already. Now relax and get lost before--" Hyun froze as he sensed a presence just overhead, eyes shifting just over his shoulder to the red tile roof off to his right. "He's here. Move it," he whispered to Isamu who suddenly broke out into a sweat and scratched the back of his neck nervously as he turned to wave goodbye to Hyun over his own shoulder.
"Later, Hyun." He called just as Rinkai leapt down from the roof, he'd moved just that fast to the roof of the restaurant behind Hyun, and grinned broadly at his prisoner.
"Before what, Hyun?" Rinkai cocked his head to the side, bangs falling slowly over his bandages, and smirked as he let the question air out between them. The guy did smell good, not the girlish scent of fresh flowers or potpourri like most soaps seemed to smell like nor as overpowering as some body washes and scrubs were known to be. He just smelled good and that, Rinkai noted briefly, was a very good thing.
"Before he makes me late. I don't want any extra time just because he decided to hang around," Hyun ground out, somewhat unnerved by the way Rinkai was shifting ever so slightly toward him, seemingly zoned out about something or another. 'What's he thinking?'
"Well, then let's go. I'm starved." The Tokage finally managed to get out, having come out of his trance and retreated a few steps to get out of the intoxicating aroma coming off of his captive. No, he couldn't risk getting too close if it forced him to space out just smelling him. 'Sheesh, what kind of guy smells other guys? damn him, it's his fault. I'll just have to ask about his brand of soap...somehow'
Rinkai twitched visibly in disgust with himself, he couldn't go around thinking things like that! 'Ask him for his soup,' he mentally mocked before turning to go into the restaurant only to have his arm grabbed.
'Firm grip. Almost forgot how strong he was.'
"Rinkai, I was hoping to get a change of scenery. This place is a bit crowded today," Hyun stated in a matter-of-factly type voice, pulling his hand away from Rinkai's arm as if scalded by heat. He had to avoid touching the guy at all costs now, his fingers were even tingling. 'Probably some jutsu. Better get this over with fast before he suspects something.' "This way," he said, turning to his right and heading toward Isamu's 'recommendation'.
"Since when did you become so aware of bars, Hyun?" Rinkai asked, looking from side-to-side as he caught up to the frosty bastard, senses finely attuned to heart and pulse rates to catch the slightest indication of a lie.
"Well, you can hardly count yourself as an expert on what I know and don't know, Rinkai."
Classic bastard response, Rinkai noted with satisfaction. 'Pass.' "Just thought I'd ask. You don't strike me as a bar type."
Hyun twitched and resisted the urge to glare at Rinkai as he turned a corner and came face to face with a small, traditional looking building built like a shrine though upon entering one would find several large rooms separated by sliding rice paper doors and two table per room therein. The straw-matted floors and almost windowless rooms set off the small lanterns set in the center of the circular tables and brought out the dark, mysterious atmosphere of the place all the more.
This place, it lacked the smell of cheap grease and lard, was much more to Hyun's liking and he made a note to thank Isamu later for his good judgment. Turning to Rinkai, he nodded and headed in, greeted by a dark-haired woman in kimono who motioned to a small stall for them to place their shoes and the slippers off to the side. Hyun chose a pair of navy blue slippers while Rinkai chose a pair of blood red ones, which made Hyun cringe at his 'bad taste' which prompted Rinkai's response of "You know you like the bold declaration' which in turn earned him Hyun's death glare and an indignant snort even though he really did like the slippers and would have chosen them if Rinkai hadn't gotten to them first.
They were lead off by the woman to the right and seated at the table near the far wall, surrounded by paintings of various assortment, where they were settled into the low light of the room.
"So...What do you think? Great right?" Hyun asked with a grin though he failed to even look in Rinkai's direction--if he had, he wouldn't have seen the slack-jawed way Rinkai had as he mulled over the lack of icy tone he'd come to expect in the past couple of days from Hyun whenever he attempted conversation. It didn't last long though as Rinkai quickly adopted a fresh smirk, looking around the room to get his bearings--as he was too busy staring expectantly at the door, foot tapping impatiently on the floor.
" 'Eh. It's not too bad, the roof isn't leaking after all...yet," Rinkai responded, keeping the awe out of his voice, with placid tone that was as good as any sneer or smirk to which Hyun retorted with a thorough eye-rolling as he turned to face the bandaged one.
"So then, it has the Rinkai stamp of approval?" Returning to his acidic sarcasm and withering glares, Hyun was starting to feel his facade wear almost as thin as his patience. Playing his game was getting annoying fast, feigning silence and glacial stares when he wanted nothing more than to lash out and verbally assail the cocky bastard.
"I guess. Not like it matters since you've already dragged me here anyway." Rinkai shrugged and smirked once more, fingers tapping at his lap in beat to Hyun's foot strumming on the floor though had he known that, he would have promptly stopped and instead chosen to stare aimlessly into space.
"You know what! You are a--" Hyun's temper snapped, being fed up with the arrogant baka across from him, though he was promptly interrupted by a low, husky feminine voice that forced both Rinkai and himself to snap toward the door which was slid open in a haste.
"Welcome, guests!" Mei called, her long blonde strands woven into an thick braid that lay against her emerald kimono, a scarlet sash going about her waist, while a few loose strands curled slightly about her flushed cheeks. He skin was not pale nor overly tan, a soft shade of beige and sure enough, there was an ebony mark just above her lip which made her face, already staggeringly beautiful, exotic and all the more appealing. Kneeling at the threshold of the door, she bowed to gently brush her lips across the mat before standing and making her way into the room. "Again, honored guests, welcome."
Though by this point, Hyun's voice was no where to be found even if his eyes had found themselves right at home staring at the generous bosom put before him by Mei's change in proximity. Rinkai, however, was not so easily affected and was all too pleased to let the boy have fun. After all, it'd give him further ammo to use in his defrostation campaign.
"It's rude to stare, Hyun. Wouldn't want anyone to think you were raised by boars," Rinkai reprimanded with a broad grin as he turned back to Mei. "Miso Ramen followed by sushi, rice balls, and hmm...pork strips? Yes, pork strips would be great." His grin got broader after he finished ordering, oh how he loved eating so much food at someone else's expense, but tonight he'd watch his portion intake. Last night he'd spent a few good hours regretting eating so much food and tonight, he wanted non of that.
"Umm...umm...uh...I'll have what he's having!" Hyun chirped at long last, managing somehow to shift his grey gaze upward to Mei's startling verdant hues despite the creeping blush in both of their cheeks.
"Alright...I'll be back with your food shortly," Mei shyly announced, head bowed once more though she did sneak a glance in Hyun's direction before departing.
Hyun soon came to regret her leaving for two reasons and two reasons only. The first was because she was beyond gorgeous and was actually someone he wanted to get to know while the other reason was at the moment grinning like a mischievous school boy on the brink of dissolving into a giggle fit.
"WHAT!" Hyun snapped, glaring at the boy fiercely, fingers knotted in his pants.
"Smooth, Hyun. Really smooth. I am awed by your eloquence," Rinkai choked out through his low laughter, arms wrapped around his sides in an attempt to maintain control.
"Shut up." Another icy glare was shot at the giggling boy before Hyun turned in turned to stare at the door, foot increasing in tempo. 'This is going to be a long night.'
"How impressive you are, fumbling over your words like a babe." Rinkai finally managed to stop laughing and instead righted himself with a slow expulsion of breath before leaning his elbows on the table and looking Hyun's sulking form with yet another grin. "Want some help?"
"From you? No."
"Why?"
"Why what?"
"Why won't you let me help you?"
"Because I don't need help!"
"You don't need help or you don't need my help?"
"I don't need help and especially not your help."
"I'm really good at this, you know." Rinkai said, leaning back, his arms crossing over his chest smugly.
"Somehow, I don't doubt that. Now just shut up."
"No. I'm going to help, you know."
"Why?" Hyun asked again, now thoroughly annoyed with Rinkai.
"Because you told me not to, of course. Like I said, you have no say in these matters."
"I think I have some say in my personal life!" Hyun snarled, outraged.
"Not anymore, you don't. Now that I'm taking you under my wing, trust me you need it, your business is my business." Rinkai announced finally in a tone that rang of 'I dare you to say or do something about it'.
Hyun sat there, shocked and angry at the bold statements thrown so easily in his direction. He actually though he'd sever his tongue from the way he was biting down on it and indeed he could taste the metallic tang of blood filling his mouth. "You are an ass, Tokage Rinkai. An ass who I am going strangle by the time this is over with!" Shoving his temper down and releasing his tongue he managed a calm, slightly composed voice that reeked of barely restrained fury, "Besides, what makes you think I need your help?"
Rinkai smirked, though on the inside his interest was avidly aroused at the display of emotion he'd just witnessed as he was reminded of the Hyun who'd almost taking his head off with his wazikashi in the forest, and cocked his head to the side once more. "What do you do for fun?"
Taken aback, Hyun hesitated. That wasn't the response he'd expected after his outburst and to have his rude companion ask him something in such a nonchalant manner almost unnerved him...almost being the key word. "What's that got to do with anything?"
"Just answer the question." Rinkai admonished firmly, grin never fading.
"I train," Hyun stated proudly and nodded, he was now facing the bandaged baka and could make out the bangs laying just over his cheeks and off to the side since they were outlined by the silvery light given off by the lantern and very visible despite being the odd angle at which Rinkai was canting his head.
"And when you aren't training?"
"I...read about more effective training methods." Hyun mumbled under his breath and looked down quickly, inexplicably ashamed of what he'd just said. It was true, he spent twelve hours training every day and the other twelve either reading or sharpening his weapons, but he couldn't shake the feeling that he'd just walked into a trap, a very obvious trap at that, and that feeling made him feel low and stupid. Being manipulated sucked.
"See! You wouldn't have said that if you didn't need my help. Don't worry though, Hyun. I'll help you out." Rinkai was pleased with himself, having found his way to make the frosty bastard pay for making him forget Takara's gift and almost get humiliated in public yesterday. Smirking at a job well done, he leaned back in his chair and waited for something to strike him. Sure he'd promised to help, but it didn't mean he had anyway of making the bland, boring idiot appealing to a young woman.
While Rinkai planned plots of devious seduction, Hyun shook his head grinned to himself. He didn't need help and this was the perfect opportunity to beat Rinkai, at his own game. While the idiot was showing him how to woo a woman, he could just pass the cheap advice on to Isamu who could use it on Takara. The plan, and the irony, was just so plain to Hyun, he'd be killing three birds with one stone in getting Takara with Isamu, getting Rinkai back for these dinners, and saving his own wallet from an early doom by coming to this place and it took a supreme act of will not to give a victorious smirk in Rinkai's direction. Instead, he opted for a defeated sigh given by a person humoring a child and yet another rolling of his eyes. A long night had just turned into an enjoyable one and Hyun was looking forward to the next three months with the alacrity of a cat plotting the slow dissection of its prey.
Yes, this chapter definitly made hyun and I giggle. Rinkai giving Hyun pick-up advice. So, I don't know when the next chapter will be up, I'll poke Hyun to write . . . . Anyways, you read, now review!
P.S. -Thank you reviews! You who actually enjoy this fic might like a few pictures I have drawn of Rinkai, as he is my character. I don't have any pics of Hyun . . . as I am to lazy to draw him, although I am starting one with him in it. Actually, I'm only going to show you one pic, as the other two are kinda craptastic. . . .
http/i39. fun. . .Review! It boosts our egos.