Bit of a short chapter, but I'm happy with it. Thanks for reading and reviewing!

Chapter 3

"Is this all we've got on him?" Taizu muttered as he started flipping through the files that had been deposited on his desk. It was a decent sized folder mind you, but almost all of the entries were the same. It was more like a repeating record than a brief. Taizu did his best to hold off the developing headache.

"Yes, sir." His assistant spoke plainly trying to stifle the yawn. It had taken all night to get that information and he was ready to call it a night. Well, call it a day. Either way, he was going home and sleeping after his boss gave him the okay to leave. "Everything that we could possibly find on record is in that folder."

"Then you're dismissed." Taizu waved his hand absently and flipped another page. As the man left and shut the door, the young businessman set the thick pamphlets of paper on the desk. "So, there's not much is there? A cop, mother died during birth to a younger brother who lives with his aunt and uncle, pinned every crime and case he got his hands on, save for maybe the Kennedy assassination, on a Count D, and retired from the force due to injury on the job. Other than that, they just show records of him traveling and various records of his bank accounts over the years. Wonderful."

Taizu stood covering his eyes with his hands and pulled them slowly down his face. It seems that this officer had been ineffective in catching D in the act of illegal activities for a good two years. If a man that obsessed couldn't find anything to pin on the man, things were looking grim for Wu Fei. The man turned to face his seat and studied the picture of the blonde man on his desk. Something was still bothering him about this whole escapade.

"Why would he come all the way here looking for this man? Revenge maybe? According to this chart D did seem to be the cause of his injury. And he was rather obsessed…" Taizu tapped his fingers on the desk as he muttered to himself and considered the different possibilities. D didn't seem too opposed to the detective being there. He was more shocked that the man was there in the first place than actually being offended by his company. But then again, maybe if it was revenge, Taizu could use the cop for his own needs. He didn't seem that bright, but he would have to think on that at another time. He sighed as the rapping at his door continued. "Yes? What the hell is it?"

"Sir!"

Taizu looked at the man standing in his door. The man's back was rigid straight and he looked as if someone was going to shoot him any moment. A rookie, just what he needed. "Don't just stand there, say what came to say and get out."

"Sorry, sir. I have a report for you." The younger staff took in a breath. He knew he shouldn't have taken this memo from his superior. "You were told to be notified whenever the Count D did something unusual."

"I take it he did?" Taizu smirked a little as he straightened. The poor sap seemed scared out of his wits. Taizu took pity on the man and pulled out his chair to sit down. It might be less intimidating on the youth.

"Yes. He was seen last night taking a blond American male to dinner at one of your top scale restaurants. He even requested a private seating." The youth let out a small breath when he was done.

"Is that all?"

"Oh," the young man stopped and rolled his eyes up slightly as he attempted to remember. There was one more thing he was supposed to mention and it was just on the tip of his tongue. "Ah, it was also reported that he was wearing the cheongsam he purchased the other week."

"That 237, 260 Yen one in the window?"

"That's the one."

Taizu frowned a little to himself as he rubbed his chin and found himself standing again. It was easier to think that way, especially now that he had something new to think about. "Who picked up the tab?"

"According to the report, Count D paid for the meal."

"Forgetting anything else?"

"No, sir. That's it." Or at least he hoped it was all he had to tell him.

"Then you're dismissed."

"Thank-you, sir!"

Taizu nearly laughed at the speed of which the page left his office. But, the page's nervousness wasn't the only reason there was a smile on his face. He finally figured out a very important key to this whole situation. "So, the Count must really like this Orcott fellow if he's taking him out to dinner and dressing up nice."

Plopping down into his chair again, Taizu switched on his intercom and smiled. "I'm in a good mood today, so send up a fresh coffee and cancel my appointments for today. I think it's time to inspect some of my favorite shops."

As the secretary on the other end gave her 'yes sirs' Taizu leaned back in his chair and just smiled. The detective would prove useful after all and he may have just found D's weakness. It was just going to be a good day all around, he could tell.

"D! What the freakin' hell? What on earth was that for?"

"I was a fool to think that you'd learned any manners! Progress indeed! Last night was truly an illusion!"

"Illusion! Ha! You're the one who's still got a stick up his ass! I should have known the good mood would never last!"

"Why I never! At least I'm not an ignoramus!"

"What the hell does that even mean! Stop using ten dollar words!"

"Learn to read, you primate! No, I take it back! That's rude to the monkeys!"

Taizu stared at the door, hand still on the handle, as he listened to the screaming that was coming from inside the pet shop. If he didn't know any better, he could have sworn that was Count D screaming his lungs out. As he opened the door, he felt like the force of the yelling could have blown him straight on his back had he not been holding onto something. At least his suspicion was confirmed. Beyond the door was a flustered Count D (Taizu hadn't known that was possible…) and the blonde American who were screaming at each other in all levels of insults. It was quite the sight, that was for sure. Made Taizu wish he had bugged the shop with cameras so he could have it recorded. D flustered and angry was just too funny.

"Did I come at a bad time, D?" Taizu started with a chuckle as he fully entered the shop.

"And I'm never letting you near me…oh." Count D caught himself in mid rant before instantly replacing his face with a cool, collected smile. It took a slight hand movement to straighten out his hair before the Count deemed himself worthy to continue with polite conversation. "My dear highness, Taizu. What a pleasure to see you. Do excuse my rudeness as my dear Leon and I were having a bit of conflict of interests."

"I can see that." Taizu grinned as he shut the shop door behind him. Looking at the table he noticed an open cake box with little slices cut out. Upon closer inspection he found once slice half eaten in front of 'dear Leon' and the other piece in the same man's hair. He let his imagination figure out how that had happened. It put a rather smug smile on his face as the American continued to pout as he was ignored. "It seems that I've interrupted."

D couldn't have been more upset at the moment. Not only was the detective being more aggravating than usual, but now Rau Wu Fei was here to make matters worse. It was tiresome being so very popular. "Don't be silly, care for a cup of tea?"

"Sure, why not?"

Leon stared as the other man entered and sat down in a plush arm chair. He was still tense from the fighting and confused. How the hell did D always manage to change his demeanor so quickly? He huffed a little and plopped down into the couch. He cracked a tiny smile when Pon-chan crawled along the top edge of the couch to get the cake in his hair. He shrugged a little and just handed her his plate with the nice one. As an afterthought he wiped the cake out of his hair with a napkin. Damn, D had a great pitching arm. Guy should play baseball.

D smiled out of the corner of his mouth as he watched the little one scurry off with Leon's cake. It was a conundrum how that man always seemed to redeem himself with the simplest of actions. D stored the action away for later reference when he was particularly angry at the man before turning his attention back to Taizu. "Now, Taizu. What brings you to the shop today?"

Taizu took the cup of tea that was handed to him and took a slow sip before answering. He was in no rush today and a cup of tea did sound rather nice. "Just stopping by to say hello, today."

D smiled and stroked a finger along the rim of his cup. "You must forgive me if I find that hard to believe."

Taizu shrugged. "You'd be justified, I guess. I must confess, I'm here due to a bit of gossip."

"Oh?" D cut another slice of the scrumptious cake Leon had purchased. It was a shame his original slice had to be sacrificed, but enough tea cups had been broken already on that man's head. And D knew which store Leon purchased the delightful treat from so retrieving another cake wouldn't be an issue either. "You do know how I love gossip. Please do share."

Leon wanted to bash his head into a wall. This was so boring! He tried to make a pillow at his back more comfortable, but it wasn't working. He just couldn't relax after getting all worked up. Usually these fights would end in exhaustion and all the energy would get released. Today, thanks to that guy in the suit, he was all pent up and had no where to put it! He let out a huff of air and leaned his head on his arm. Maybe he could tease T-chan or something. That would be a good way to vent.

"It seems we're boring your friend."

"Hmm?" D looked over at Leon as the man continued to pout like a child. He chuckled a little and took a bite of cake. "Leon was never one for gossip, but I am. So do please, continue."

"He might care for this bit of gossip." Taizu caught Leon's eyes before he continued. "As it concerns him as well."

"That so, buddy?" Leon mumbled and turned his head ever so slightly. "And what might that be?"

Taizu set his tea cup down on the table. "That you and D were seen last night on what seemed to be a rather pleasant date."

"Date?" Leon spluttered. "What the hell? There was no date. We just ate dinner!"

D rolled his eyes a little at Taizu's current tactic. Getting the detective, Leon, flustered wouldn't help him with his cause. It would just aggravate things around the shop, though he wouldn't put that past the other man. "I must agree, despite appearances it was a friendly occasion. We used to go out for meals all the time together back in the states."

Taizu smirked. "Did you always put on your new, expensive outfits for those meals, too? You've never dressed up like that when we go out for 'friendly' meals."

"I have always thought we fall under the category of lord and tenant, more so than friends." D narrowed his eyes. "And it was a nice night, I felt like sprucing up. There's nothing more to it."

"Of course." Taizu chuckled. "How did that cheongsam fit by the way? I hear Mao always does wonderful work with his tailoring."

"It fit like a glove." D sipped at his tea. "I'm sure dear Leon will agree that I looked ravishing in it as well."

"Like hell I'm answering a statement like that." Leon huffed and glanced in Taizu's direction. "And why would you care so much anyway?"

"No reason. Just finding out everything I can. You'd never know what can be used as evidence in a case." Taizu smirked.

Leon raised an eyebrow and scratched at his elbow. "You still on about that thing you were talkin' about the other day? The slave trade thing?"

"Something like that."

D smiled pleasantly. "I'm sure Leon would be happy to vouch that he in his two years of my company never found anything so incriminating in this shop."

"Ah yes, you did call him 'detective' the other day." Taizu smiled pleasantly before pushing his glasses up on his face. "Are you on vacation?"

"Yeah, 'something like that.'" Leon narrowed his eyes a little. He didn't like where this conversation was going. "Just visiting D for a bit."

"I'm glad, it is always good to meet with friends, don't you agree?"

"Sure," Leon replied. He stood briefly to stretch his shoulders out a little before pausing. He shoved his hands in his pockets.

D tilted his head to the side slightly, letting his hair fall over a corner of his eye. "Leaving so soon?"

"Yeah, I'm starting to feel a bit like a third wheel. I'll catch you later, D." Leon waved a little.

"Ah, if you must." D frowned inwardly. Leon had only been there for about an hour before Taizu had shown up. He was looking forward to messing with the Detective's head a bit longer. "I'll have to see you later, then. Maybe you could come back for dinner?"

"Maybe." Leon pulled out his pack of cigarettes and played with the top of the box as he pulled one out. "But for now, I think I'm going to just walk around for a bit. First time in Japan, after all."

Taizu grinned. "Well, if that's the case, why don't I show you around?"

"That's okay, I think I'll be fine on my own, thanks." Leon frowned. He had to wonder why that guy looked so happy all of the sudden and so eager to help. "Don't bother yourself."

D stood up. "Yes, Leon will be quite fine on his own. But if you happen to be bored, those lovely ladies at the dance hall have a performance in a little bit and I'm sure they'd love for you to attend."

"That's, quite all right." Taizu coughed into his hand. The last thing he needed was another night with those man-woman things pawing at him. "Well, since I seem such a bother I'll leave. I just stopped by to say hello, in any case."

"Ah, well do drop by later then." D waved politely as Taizu nodded and started heading towards the door. Leon was looking rather confused with his cigarette hanging in his mouth. It was clear that he couldn't tell if he should leave still with Taizu on his way out or to sit down again. It was rather cute.

Taizu was deterred for today, and he had missed his opportunity to be alone with the ex-detective. But that was alright, he'd just have to find some other way to get the information that he wanted. D and his little pets couldn't get the best of him forever. With that in mind, Taizu turned to give a short wave before fully heading out the door.

"Well, that was weird." Leon summed up his feelings in that single sentence.

D chuckled slightly. "Why don't you sit down Leon and we can finish the cake."

"Sure." Leon walked slowly back over and sat down. "He always come over?"

"Only by a slightly lower frequency that when you used to visit."

"Ah, gotcha'" Leon smiled a little. "So what was this about ladies in a dance hall? You holding out on me again with the women, D?"

D was thankful for his wonderful acting skills. Or he would give himself away with a rather nasty smirk, or burst out laughing. "Yes, they're quite talented and serve a mighty nice fruity alcoholic beverage if you're interested?"

Leon grinned and slapped his good leg. "Now you're speaking my language. Let's go!"

"After my cake."

Leon tried not to let the idea of seeing so many pretty ladies show on his face. D could have his cake 'cause Leon was going to get some, too.

"They were what?"

"Men."

"You're pulling my leg."

"I'm not, dear Leon."

"But, damn. They had some of the best looking…"

"Language."

"Shit." Leon pulled out a cigarette as he stood on the street corner next to D. He needed it. "They're damn good at that crossdressin' thing. I'll give them that."

D nearly laughed. "I'm a little disappointed. I was expecting a much more violent reaction."

"Ha ha." Leon smirked and took a slow drawl of smoke. "I've seen weirder. And I should be used to hang'in around men who look like chicks by now…oww. You didn't have to hit me so hard!"

D stuck his nose up and crossed his arms in front of his body as the two continued their walk down the night street. "Forgiveness, my hand slipped."

"Yeah, like I'd believe that." Leon smirked. "Wow, now that's nice."

"What is?" D turned to see what had caught Leon's eyes. As he looked up all he could see were lit signs. "The displays?"

"Naw, that. In the window." Leon pointed to a building slightly to the left. "Next to the monkey suit."

"The television with the store ads?" D rolled his eyes. "I think you'd be more benefited by the tuxedo. You'd look good in it."

"Psh, I hate wearing those things. But you gotta' admit that screen is pretty sweet."

"No, Leon. Ice cream is sweet. That is only a further extension of a somewhat worthless piece of technology." D turned around quickly before Leon could answer with something mundane and put a finger to the man's lips to seal them. "Speaking of, why don't we go get some?"

Trying to speak around D's nail, Leon managed to mutter out a "some what?"

"Ice cream." With a smirk D released Leon's face and turned happily to head to his favorite shop in the neighbor hood. He didn't need to tell Leon to follow, the man would come on his own.

"Hey! Wait up!"

See? It was nice having someone predictable around. And it was always nice to end an evening on a pleasant note. Ice cream was a wonderful invention. Maybe he'd have chocolate today.

"Are you even listening?"

"Hurry, dear Leon. The night won't stay young forever."

"D!"