Chapter 7: the interrogation

His eyelids slowly drifted apart as he awakened. The brilliant blue eyes focused on the side of the pillow, then to the ceiling. Once Ban slid out of bed, he left the room and walked into the passageway. He decided to look for Ginji, because it was almost noon and he would be awake at this time. The room adjacent to his was room that Ginji slept in. Ban opened the door only to find an absence of the person he was searching for.

He must be awake already. I wonder where he is…he couldn't have gotten very far this early in the day…

Ban continued to walk around the fortress and went through several different passageways until he heard a shuffling sound. He then spotted Ginji, slowly shuffling down the hall with a worried expression settled on his face.

I wonder what his problem is. He seemed ecstatic to be staying here a few days ago.

"Well…" Ban began, as he walked up behind him.

Ginji stopped, and turned around to face the voice speaking to him. "Oh…Ban I was just looking for Makubex. Have you seen him?"

"The last time that I saw him was last night."

"Last night!" Ginji responded in surprise, as if he had just remembered something of importance.

"Anything suspicious happen last night?" Ban asked, figuring that there was some sort of kidnapping or foul play involved that could open a case.

"Not suspicious but…" Ginji paused and cleared his through.

"Anything strange?"

"No. Yes…but nothing bad…I mean it wasn't good but…"

Ban arched a brow, as he knew that he was on to something. "What exactly did happen last night?"

Ginji blushed, not only because of what was just said. But the way that Ban was looking at him in more than just an interrogative way. He couldn't think of any way to avoid the question or change the subject. There was no possible way that Ginji could lie to him. Those sharp blue eyes saw straight through him and there was nothing he could do but tell the truth, as strange and embarrassing as it was.

"He…umm…" Ginji began nervously.

"He what?"

"He…well he kissed me."

"Kissed?"

"Yeah…out of nowhere! I don't even know why, or what for…or even how! He-"

"Did you kiss him back?" Ban interrupted, somewhat coldly. He was growing more upset by the second, as he glared at Ginji.

"No! Of course not." Ginji replied in an instant, but still wondering why Ban had asked.

"Did you let him?"

Ginji was even more confused, as he stared blankly into Ban's eyes. "I don't know."

"You do know."

"I didn't know what else to do, Ban." Ban turned his back to Ginji, but before he could walk away, Ginji continued, "He pushed away after a minute."

Ban turned around. "A minute and you did nothing about it?" He asked in a serious tone. Ginji was silent. He already felt bad about the situation and Ban was making it much worse.

"I'm sorry," Ginji began. Ban's expression softened when Ginji said this. "I know…its's my fault for letting him." Ginji looked to the side and was surprised to see Jubei standing by him. "Jubei! How long have you been here?"

"I just came to look for Sakura. I can't find her…it's not like her to leave without telling someone."

"Okay," Ginji began, "I need to set things right and I'll start by finding Sakura. After all, it is my fault that she left."

"Your fault?" Questioned Jubei calmly.

"It's a long story," Ban began, "but why don't you ask Makubex? I'm sure he'll know exactly what she's up to."

"Makubex is gone as well." Jubei replied.

Ban's eyes lit up with a plan in mind. "Ginji…you don't look so good. You need some rest, I mean all of this worrying isn't good for you," he said all of this very quickly, as he lead Ginji into his room. Ginji sat down on the bed and still looked worried.

"Don't worry…" Ban said as he gently touched Ginji's cheek with one hand "…I'll take care of it." He smiled warmly and Ginji returned the expression as Ban began to walk out of the room. While Ban walked down the hallway toward the exit, he wondered where he should begin his search.

The sooner I find Makubex…the better.

As much as Ginji wanted to stop Ban and look for them, he figured that Ban had a good reason for doing it himself. Ban's reason wasn't clear to him yet, but Ginji was okay with that. Ginji thought about the fact that Makubex had suicidal tendencies that could resurface at any time, but he trusted that Ban could find him on his own. At the same time Ginji was apprehensive, as he imagined the pain that was plaguing Makubex. All he wanted was to make him happy. To make him smile. To make all of the problems leave him. To make him whole again.